Chapter 44: Pink Bedsheets
Xu Si unwrapped another candy and put it in his mouth. It was grape-flavored – not particularly good or bad, somewhat like chewing gum.
Dou Sen pulled back the curtain and entered: “Feeling better? Should we get you on an IV?”
Jiang Rong shook her head: “Much better.”
Dou Sen looked at Xu Si, then at Jiang Rong, and smiled: “Your boyfriend?”
“No, just my desk mate,” Jiang Rong replied softly, her ears turning red.
“Haha, don’t be shy! I won’t report you. I’ve seen plenty of young couples.”
Earlier, Dou Sen hadn’t gotten a clear look at the girl in Xu Si’s arms. Now he studied her – she looked very well-behaved, wearing her uniform with all buttons properly fastened to the top. Standing next to Xu Si, they rather looked like the big bad wolf and little white rabbit.
Xu Si gave a slightly mischievous smile: “Stop teasing her.”
Dou Sen glanced at Jiang Rong’s red ears: “You looked so worried carrying her in earlier, I thought she was your girlfriend.”
Xu Si looked at Jiang Rong: “My current desk mate was feeling unwell during class but tried to tough it out. She fainted halfway here.”
Hearing this, Dou Sen addressed Jiang Rong: “Student, if you’re not feeling well, you must seek medical attention right away. Don’t feel embarrassed about telling teachers.”
Jiang Rong replied quietly: “I understand, thank you.”
Dou Sen couldn’t help adding: “High school is stressful, it’s normal to get sick. Also, you’re too thin – you need to eat more.”
Jiang Rong looked at her thin arms. Though she knew she wouldn’t gain weight anymore, she nodded obediently: “Okay.”
“There’s still over one period until school ends. Rest here for now. There are books if you want to read, or you two can chat.”
Dou Sen left, pulling the curtain closed.
There were several books on the shelf. Xu Si casually picked one up: “Want to read?”
Jiang Rong looked at the book in his hand – “The Little Prince” – and nodded: “Yes.”
The infirmary had air conditioning and wasn’t too hot. Only the sound of turning pages could be heard.
Xu Si watched her reading intently and asked curiously: “Is it that interesting?”
Jiang Rong opened the book and placed it between them without saying anything about reading together.
After finishing a page, she asked: “Done? Can I turn the page?”
Xu Si glanced at her: “Who said I was reading with you?”
Jiang Rong said nothing and slowly turned the page. When she finished reading but hadn’t turned yet, a hand reached over and turned it.
Jiang Rong couldn’t help smiling, then returned her attention to the book.
They sat like that for nearly an hour – one in the chair, one on the bed, reading quietly.
The Little Prince once told the physicist: “I have a flower, she’s more beautiful than all other flowers.”
When the physicist said that flowers’ beauty was fleeting and couldn’t last long, panic and loneliness flashed in the Little Prince’s eyes. He had seen many roses later, but only she was unique.
Even though Jiang Rong had read this book several times, reading it again felt different.
The bell rang.
Jiang Rong looked up from the book: “Class is over.”
Xu Si made a sound of acknowledgment, watching her lift the blanket and get up.
Jiang Rong put the book back on the shelf.
“I’ll walk you to the gate, in case you faint again.”
Jiang Rong replied: “I won’t faint again.”
Xu Si followed behind her: “It’s fine, it’s on my way anyway.”
The air was warm, filled with cicada songs. Something indefinable seemed to have changed. Or perhaps it hadn’t.
The young man looked at the well-behaved girl beside him and smiled slightly.
At the gate, Jiang Rong turned to look at Xu Si behind her and waved: “Bye bye.”
“Bye bye.”
Jiang Rong got in the car and watched as the young man soon came out riding his bicycle, glancing her way as he passed by.
“Miss, I saw your scores – third in the grade with 690 points!”
Hearing this, Jiang Rong smiled.
Aunt Liu smiled: “Miss, we’ve sent the scores to Madam. She’s not home today, but there’s soup simmering, still hot, waiting for you to drink.”
“Thank you, Aunt Liu.”
…
As soon as Xu Si got home and opened the door, a black bundle rolled to his feet, meowing.
He turned on the light and picked up the black cat, petting it: “Were you waiting for me?”
Yuan Yuan meowed a few times and nuzzled his palm.
Xu Si fed it some food, then threw his phone outside and went to shower.
…
Back home, Jiang Rong sat at the dining table, slowly sipping her soup.
Jiang Zhien came out of his room and poured a glass of water. After drinking some, he looked at Jiang Rong sitting at the table but didn’t know what to say. After a moment of silence, he asked: “Did you feel unwell today?”
Jiang Rong shook her head: “No.”
“Are you keeping up with your studies? If you’re really not feeling well, we can arrange for a leave of absence.”
“The scores were posted in the parents’ group chat, no need.”
Jiang Zhien wanted to check the group chat but realized he wasn’t even in Jiang Rong’s parents’ group.
Aunt Liu opened the group chat information to show Jiang Zhien: “Miss ranked third in the grade with 690 points.”
Jiang Zhien smiled: “Rong Rong is amazing. Do you need more pocket money? I can send you some.”
Jiang Rong smiled: “Thank you, Dad, but no need.”
Jiang Rong was well-behaved and obedient, always at the top of her class, but Jiang Zhien felt he could never reach this child’s heart. He picked up his cup: “Rest early.”
“Okay.”
She finished her soup and took the bowl to the kitchen. Just as she was about to wash it, Aunt Liu took it from her: “Rong Rong, go take a shower. I’ll wash this.”
Jiang Rong said “Thank you for your hard work, Aunt Liu” and returned to her room.
It was almost eleven when she finished showering.
Jiang Rong dried her hair and took “The Little Prince” down from her bookshelf again.
Something occurred to her, and she took a photo to send to Xu Si.
Xu Si was still playing with his cat when his phone buzzed.
He opened his phone to see Jiang Rong’s message with a picture.
Little Prude: I have this book, I’ll bring it to school tomorrow for you to read.
Xu Si chuckled and replied.
[Xu Si]: Nice pink bedsheets.
Receiving this message, Jiang Rong was stunned for a moment and looked at her pink bedsheets.
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