Chapter 4

The content lacks originality, consisting merely of "thank you" and "congratulations." Xu Qing listened, her gaze casually sweeping around the auditorium. She had not anticipated seeing anyone, but sitting in the middle of the second row in a black suit, Sun Wen stood out, causing Xu Qing to shudder the moment she saw him. Xu Qing quickly glanced beside him, and fortunately, the woman from the morning was not by his side. Xu Qing thought with a wry smile, it is not that I want to see him deliberately, but he is simply too eye-catching; in the noisy hall, he seems to be the only one who is calm and unhurried.

As the atmosphere grew heavy with anticipation, the anniversary celebration finally commenced. The auditorium was filled with members of society and alumni from various fields, occupying more than half of the seats, while the latter half was densely packed with current students, either seated or standing. Xu Qing glanced at the auditorium from backstage, where the heads of the audience were closely packed together like a sea of black. Everyone was engaged in hushed conversations, resembling countless raindrops simultaneously hitting the ground. The sky had turned completely dark at some point, yet the blinding white lights of the auditorium kept the encroaching darkness at bay, preventing it from entering through the entrance.

Xu Qing bit her lower lip, looking down at the tips of her slippers

Xu Qing thought: "I will spare no effort in helping others, and I find it very gratifying"

The immersive experience of watching the evening gala was truly remarkable, Zheng JieJie's performance was even better than yesterday, and Xu Qing was able to see everything on stage more clearly.

Zheng Jie was so angry that she wanted to throw her phone. Xu Qing looked at her, both amused and touched, and teased, "How can a sparrow know the ambition of a swan?"

Zheng Jiejie held her arrow tightly, just about to speak, when she was interrupted by several staff members: "Classmates, please make way; you are blocking the entrance and preventing the piano from being brought in."

Zheng Jiejie looked at her, her face as pale as paper, her expression also like a blank sheet, seemingly smiling yet not smiling, revealing nothing at all.

No one is answering

The piano piece seemed to possess a magical quality, captivating Xu Qing as she listened intently. It was only when the thunderous applause erupted that she came back to her senses. Xu Qing wanted to clap her hands, but suddenly remembered that she was not among the crowd, and her hands came to a halt in front of her chest. Hesitating for a moment, she then heard the enthusiastic applause around her. She looked around in surprise, noticing that the staff behind the stage had also put down their work at some point, all gazing towards the stage, their faces filled with rapture as they clapped loudly.

Have you ever thought about it, "Grandma gently patted her back as if soothing a child, then changed her tone, 'If you can help others, what is your mindset?'"

After finishing her words, Zheng Jie Jie felt utterly exhausted. Xu Qing did not feel any better than her, but she was more alert, so she pulled her to sit by the large lake at school. The lights of the teaching building flickered like fireflies among the trees, appearing very close, yet at times extraordinarily distant. The lights gradually dimmed, one by one falling into the increasingly heavy darkness, and the lake's surface lay silently before the two, like a piece of pitch-black gemstone shining brightly.

Xu Qing shook her head repeatedly: "Impossible. How could I be as beautiful as Jie Jie? If that were the case, my classmates would have mentioned it to us long ago"

Jiang Luosheng smiled, but isn't it very useful

On the way to the bus station to drop off Xu Qing, Jiang Luosheng suddenly said: "Could you tell me your phone number?"

The lakeside was originally a perfect place for couples to express their love, but due to the recent start of the school year, there were only a few people present. The two sat shoulder to shoulder, watching the lake water gently surge onto the white stone steps, pushed by the autumn breeze, reminiscent of a small hand that occasionally caresses the piano keys, making a brief stop at their feet before weakly retreating back.

When she looked up at him again, he also put down his pen and was flipping through the exam paper to check it. Xu Qing saw the densely written deep blue characters on the paper and felt a surge of admiration. Xu Qing knew that these four questions were deliberately designed to be very difficult, and answering two of them would at least earn a second prize. Yet he managed to solve all of them just like she did, demonstrating truly formidable ability. No wonder they all surrounded him yesterday after she left, asking about the unresolved questions.

Zheng Jie Jie blinked and said: "It's not really the case. Sun Wenge is originally our senior brother, and the school sent him an invitation for the anniversary celebration. I just made sure he would definitely come to watch the performance"

It was indeed a coincidence that Jiang Luosheng and several male students happened to be walking behind Xu Qing and her classmates, loudly discussing the exam questions; as they exited the teaching building, the voices of the debate behind them diminished significantly, as they all had two or three questions left unanswered, and could only obediently listen to Jiang Luosheng's explanations, continuously expressing their admiration.

The commotion awakened many students in the dormitory, who began to inquire about what had happened, only to be met with bewildered expressions in response. After some effort, they learned that it was actually Zheng Jiejie who had fallen ill, which came as quite a surprise to them. They all remarked that even the talented Zheng Jiejie could fall ill.

Back in the city, Zheng Jiejie was admitted to the hospital room. Xu Qing and Teacher Li waited outside the room without rest until dawn broke, finally seeing several doctors emerge from the emergency room. A young doctor nodded slightly at Teacher Li and Xu Qing, and the two understood, standing up anxiously.

Zheng Jiejie responded with a sound, then turned to Sun Wen and said, "Brother Sun Wen, I leave Xu Qing in your care. You must ensure that she gets home safely." After saying this, she winked at Xu Qing and ran back with a smile

Xu Qing was left speechless. Zheng Jie Jie smiled as she pushed her outside: "Hurry up and take a look"

Xu Qing finally shed tears

Xu Qing was in the bathroom washing up with the faucet running, and she replied loudly, "Yes, Grandma, Jie Jie is not only beautiful, but she also plays the piano so well, especially with her extraordinary temperament. I said she looks just like a noble princess from a fairy tale." After saying this, she giggled to herself.

"Why do you say that?" Grandmother furrowed her brows and let out a barely audible sigh, "Do you think our family's financial situation is so tight that I have to work late at night to earn extra money?"

Jiang Luosheng smiled extremely happily and said, "Alright." After saying this, he let the few boys go ahead and pointed towards the garden behind the building, "How about we find a place to sit and talk?"

But this statement is not correct, a voice in Xu Qing's mind said. Sometimes words are not meant for others, but for oneself, and silence can drive a person mad. Therefore, Xu Qing did not care whether Zheng Jiejie was listening to her; she quietly recounted the incident of meeting Sun Wen, and then said heavily, "I know, I know. My grandmother told me that friends need to be sincere with each other, but I cannot bear to tell you to give up. To know that something is impossible yet to pursue it is truly the most foolish and stupid thing, and I also cannot bear to tell you that he is already engaged. I always think, I think that the later you find out, the better... perhaps during this time they won't get married after all?" My grandmother told me that friends need to be sincere with each other, but I cannot bear to tell you to give up. To know that something is impossible yet to pursue it is truly the most foolish and stupid thing, and I also cannot bear to tell you that he is already engaged. I always think, I think that the later you find out, the better... perhaps during this time they won't get married after all?

Xu Qing is actually not very concerned about the competition results, although the results allow her to advance to high school without taking exams. Sometimes Xu Qing thinks of Jiang Luosheng and his pair of eyes. After that farewell, Jiang Luosheng did not make a single phone call. Initially, it could be said that it was due to the boarding situation at Yizhong, but several days after the winter vacation passed, he still had no news at all

The other performances were also outstanding, and by the end, Xu Qing still felt unsatisfied. This pleasant state of mind remained until she saw Zheng Jiejie and Sun Wen conversing at the auditorium entrance after the event, which caused her mood to dampen. After the performance, due to an accidental injury to a staff member caused by a prop, there was a shortage of personnel. Xu Qing then assisted the staff in categorizing and packing some props into boxes, which took a considerable amount of time. By the time she had everything organized, most of the audience had already left the auditorium, and distant sounds of cars starting and conversations could be heard.

After only completing two questions, Zheng Jiejie’s phone began to ring incessantly, with relatives and friends calling to invite her out for meals, drives, and other activities. At first, Zheng Jiejie explained that she needed to review and was unavailable, but regardless of who heard her explanation, they all seemed indifferent. Their responses were largely consistent, with many saying, "This is just a trivial matter, not worth mentioning," or, "While studying hard is certainly important, books can be read at any time; there is no rush."

Xu Qing made an exaggerated expression. Sun Wen chuckled and continued, "However, it is strange to say that despite the poor conditions at that time, everyone studied diligently and achieved exceptionally good results. There were almost no disputes among classmates, only competition in learning. It seems to echo an old saying, 'To temper one's mind with hardship and to strengthen one's body through labor.'"

After the New Year, Xu Qing went to Zheng Jiejie’s home to tutor her. Zheng Jiejie’s grades were generally good, but she was particularly weak in the sciences. Xu Qing spent the entire winter vacation organizing her math and science notes, compiling lists filled with key exam points, while sternly instructing her that her immediate priority was to quickly complete several large volumes of exercises to consolidate her knowledge

Xu Qing looked at Zheng Jie Jie, who was smiling brightly while speaking to Lao Sun Wen, unsure whether she should walk over. Caught in a dilemma, she could only stand alone in the auditorium after the event, her face devoid of any smile, feeling an overwhelming sense of loneliness.

Xu Qing felt her face flush from his sincere praise, and she involuntarily looked into his eyes. This was the first time in their long conversation that Xu Qing truly met his gaze. He was tall, and his almond-shaped eyes contained boundless contemplation and focus, his face was incredibly expressive, as if it could speak. Xu Qing lowered her voice and replied solemnly: "I will consider it"

In such a auditorium, Xu Qing had no place to stand. Fortunately, Zhao Qian came up with a solution, allowing her to watch the evening performance from behind the red curtain on the left side of the stage. Xu Qing was initially reluctant to be treated as special, but under the circumstances, she had no choice but to accept. Behind the curtain were several staff members, busily adjusting the lights and organizing props and instruments.

The two remained silent. At this moment, Xu Qing felt her lack of words; countless opening lines had already been overturned before she could express them. After a long while, Xu Qing finally said softly: "It is my fault. I could have told you earlier, but I just couldn't bring myself to say it."

You are somewhat similar

Xu Qing recalled her grandmother once saying that, generally speaking, no matter how beautifully or profoundly words are spoken, they can only influence those who are indifferent, and do not necessarily affect the happy or the unhappy. Just like speeches delivered before a grave, they can only move outsiders, while the widow and children of the deceased find them cold and tedious. It is for this reason that silence has become the highest expression of happiness or unhappiness

The world is so vast that as long as one is determined to find a person, they will eventually be found, unless that person has resolutely decided not to be found by others

Zheng Jiejie’s reaction was far less intense than Xu Qing had imagined; she showed no surprise, only an uncontrollable joy. Xu Qing stared at her, observing her silent smile, and suddenly reached out to rub her own temple, a flash of realization striking her mind: "Did you invite him here?"

Sun Wen explained: "It is placed there by the oriole. I find it too childish, but I cannot refuse."

The Yellow Crane will never return again

Sun Wen would certainly not disappear without a trace. When he returned from traveling with his fiancée, it was just the day before the start of the new school year. Xu Qing also sensed that something was amiss when she saw Zheng JieJie's bewildered and pale face while reporting to school. Since the beginning of the school year, there had always been people around them, leaving no opportunity for a detailed conversation. It was not until the evening's orientation meeting concluded and students began to return to their dormitories in small groups that Xu Qing finally found a moment to pull Zheng JieJie aside along a small path, away from the crowd, and quietly asked what had happened.

Zheng Jiejie could only choke on a single word, "Sun." Xu Qing felt a sudden jolt in her heart; even though she had never been able to voice it, she had known the truth before Zheng Jiejie. Xu Qing held her tightly.

Zheng Jie-jie slightly blinked her eyelids

"You have no idea how frustrating their words make me feel," Xu Qing glanced at Zheng Jiejie, who, feeling down, spoke again, "It has been such a long holiday, and Sun Wenge hasn't contacted me even once. Even if he went abroad, he should at least make a phone call back."

Grandma glanced at Xu Qing, as if recalling something, and with a weary smile said: "This question is indeed ancient, and many have discussed it, yet there has never been a conclusion. I think, in fact, it is quite simple; the two words 'sincerity' are already sufficient"

Xu Qing was originally listening to their conversation with indifference, but this particular sentence invigorated her. She immediately slowed her pace, trying to clearly hear Jiang Luosheng's analysis of the topic. Xu Qing had once considered this method during the competition, at that time she merely thought it was unfeasible, and thus she did not dwell on it any further. Now, upon hearing Jiang Luosheng mention it, she stopped in her tracks, her mind racing with calculations. After a moment, she still could not reach a conclusion, and coincidentally, she did not catch what Jiang Luosheng had said.

After returning home, it was already past 11 o'clock. The living room was brightly lit, and Grandma, wearing her reading glasses, was sitting on the sofa watching television. Xu Qing felt guilty, but Grandma was unconcerned, merely stating that at her age, it didn't matter whether she slept more or less.

"Grandma, I understand now," Xu Qing vowed in her heart to remember these words forever. Sitting on the ground with her chin resting on her hand, she chose a light-hearted tone and joked, "Now I know you are truly a great teacher. No wonder so many students come to your home to celebrate during the New Year or holidays."

Not yet

At last, these words had an effect. The two supported each other as they walked, and after a long while, they finally felt a bit warmer. Zheng Jie Jie suddenly said: "Xu Qing, how could this possibly be your fault? The matter has nothing to do with you. It was I who made you worry for so long because of my issues"

Indeed. A classmate from a less privileged background once said that since the starting point is lower than others, one must work twice as hard

Later, Jiang Luosheng proudly told Xu Qing that he had long known that such a method was fundamentally incapable of solving the final problem, but he had deliberately fabricated it to attract Xu Qing's attention. He knew that, given Xu Qing's passion for mathematics, she would surely be unable to resist taking the bait and engaging in conversation with him

Two months later, the competition results were sent to the school, and Xu Qing still held the first place, not only in the city but reportedly within the central competition area. The school took great pride in this achievement and praised Xu Qing at several assemblies. As Xu Qing walked along the road, she often encountered both familiar and unfamiliar classmates greeting her, offering their congratulations.

Xu Qing forcefully turned her head to stare at Zheng Jie Jie. Zheng Jie Jie withdrew the hand that Xu Qing had been holding in her embrace, gently caressing her face, a faint smile in her eyes: "Xu Qing, you are truly adorable. I have nothing much going on, just feeling a bit sad. It will be better in a few days. Don't you think?"

Zhao Qian was shocked; it was well known that his heart was entirely devoted to Zheng Jie Jie. However, he rarely admitted this in front of others, especially not to the person asking, Xu Qing. He stared blankly at Xu Qing and retorted, "What’s wrong with you?"

The two continued to discuss the remaining topics, talking for over an hour until they finally remembered that noon had passed due to their hunger. After the discussion, Jiang Luosheng sincerely admired Xu Qing, exclaiming, "Xu Qing, you possess a keen intuition and judgment in mathematics, truly surpassing me. When I think of one or two methods, you have already considered the third and fourth. " Suddenly, he paused, and with sincerity said, "Trust me, you can pursue mathematics as a lifelong career. "

Xu Qing retorted, "What is there to ask?"

After Xu Qing helped Zheng Jie Jie to calm down several times without any improvement in her condition, she pondered for a moment and then woke up the other classmates in the dormitory. Zhang Xiao Xiao, who was Xu Qing's clinical partner, was the first to be startled awake by the situation, feeling flustered and only able to say, "What should we do, what should we do?" The other classmates gradually woke up, still dazed and confused.

At that moment, Zhao Qian came out from backstage and saw Xu Qing, who was standing alone with an anxious expression. He then noticed Zheng Jie and a remarkably handsome young man laughing and chatting in the distance. He was momentarily taken aback and asked Xu Qing: "Why are you dazed here?"

Xu Qing saw Sun Wen smiling at Zheng Jie Jie's back. Xu Qing felt a pang in her nose and couldn't help but say: "Brother Sun Wen, please don't let her be sad, okay?"

Zheng Jie Jie smiled and glanced at her sideways: "You have arrived."

Teacher Li, feeling drowsy, opened the door and saw Xu Qing standing outside, pale-faced, with one hand pressed against the wall, gasping for breath. Instantly, he became alert. As a composed teacher, he had seen many things. After hearing Xu Qing's concise account, he was stunned for a few seconds before reacting. His first question was whether Xu Qing had called the hospital. After receiving a positive response, Teacher Li quickly put on a coat and hurried back to the girls' dormitory with Xu Qing.

Like a bucket of cold water poured over her, Xu Qing was not only shocked by Zheng JieJie's situation, but also recalled Jiang LuoSheng, who was equally missing without a trace. Nevertheless, she said, "I was wondering why you seemed so unhappy; it turns out you are upset with Sun Wen."

Xu Qing hurriedly fished out a piece of paper from her bag, wrote down a few numbers, and after a moment of thought, added her name in front of the numbers. Jiang Luosheng took it, carefully folded it, and placed it in his coat pocket

The sky was filled with countless stars, and Xu Qing leaned back, her gaze drifting to the corner of the carriage where several very playful and adorable brown teddy bears were piled up, complementing the comfort and luxury of the interior.

In fact, the doctor had already conducted a preliminary diagnosis in the ambulance; at this point, after a more detailed examination, the diagnosis was merely further confirmed.

It is not serious, it is acute pneumonia

Xu Qing decisively placed Zheng JieJie's hand into Zhang XiaoXiao's, quickly relaying a few instructions, stating that she would make a phone call; then, without looking back, she rushed outside. Zhang XiaoXiao shouted from behind: "On such a cold day, you are still wearing pajamas!"

Zheng Jie Jie sat still in place. Xu Qing was on the verge of tears: "Jie Jie, let's go back."

Xu Qing returned to the dormitory, and Zheng Jiejie’s condition still showed no signs of improvement. Beads of sweat, the size of beans, dripped down from her forehead, and her beautifully shaped brows were tightly furrowed together. Her long eyelashes were stained with tears, evoking a deep sense of sorrow in those who beheld her.

In fact, there is a very simple method for the last question

Xu Qing nodded thoughtfully

From the expression on his face, Xu Qing sensed a hint of helplessness. She was greatly surprised, yet she remained silent and asked nothing. Whether it was due to exhaustion or the particularly comfortable warmth of the car, Xu Qing unknowingly closed her eyes and leaned back, feeling drowsy. In a daze, she saw the cold moon hanging high among the branches. Sun Wen suddenly laughed: "Now I understand why you and Jie Jie have become close."

Grandmother has not yet gone to sleep, anxiously waiting at home. Xu Qing, feeling both ashamed and astonished, had long forgotten about it, not expecting that Sun Wen had thought of her so thoroughly. Zheng Jie Jie’s feelings for him are also not without reason.

Xu Qing shook her head in denial

Almost as if running, Xu Qing hurried back to the backstage and found Zheng Jie Jie in a corner. Zheng Jie Jie was memorizing the score for the last time, her fair fingers rhythmically tapping lightly on the makeup table, as if a musical spirit was capturing the right rhythm. Xu Qing was reluctant to interrupt her, standing aside, hesitating whether to tell her; however, Zheng Jie Jie had already heard the familiar sound of breathing beside her, turned her head to look at Xu Qing, her gaze filled with confusion

Jiang Luosheng was an exception. Xu Qing observed him in a relaxed and comfortable manner, calculating on a draft while transcribing onto the paper, his wrist steady and composed. The watch on his left wrist was more visible now; it had an antique style, and the strap did not appear to be ordinary metal, adorned with strange engravings that clearly indicated it was quite old.

The chill in her fingers spread throughout Xu Qing's body, and she pulled Zheng Jie up, saying, "It's cold, let's go back."

Due to her direct admission to high school, Xu Qing experienced significantly less academic pressure during the winter break compared to others; while her peers were busy with various tutoring sessions, she did not have such obligations. In her free time, she learned German with her grandmother and occasionally visited her classmates' homes to help them with their science subjects. Xu Qing not only excelled in mathematics but also achieved outstanding results in physics and chemistry. Furthermore, her clear and precise thinking allowed her to present topics with appropriate detail, leading many classmates to seek her assistance, which Xu Qing found difficult to decline

In Zheng Jiejie's fragmented narration, Xu Qing finally learned about her experiences from the previous day. Sun Wen called to invite her to go hiking, but Zheng Jiejie was stunned to discover that there was another woman beside him. It seemed as if countless snowflakes were swirling chaotically before her eyes; she lost her sense of awareness, and for a moment, apart from surprise and sadness, nothing else remained. She returned home and slept for a full day.

Xu Qing recalled Zheng JieJie's bright smile and felt that there were many things between friends that even family members could not share. She clearly heard the sigh from her heart, and thus only heard: "What exactly is the bond of friendship?"

Teacher Li asked, "Have you notified Zheng JieJie's parents?"

"Then why not measure others with your own heart, so that others can also feel comforted by helping you," Grandma said slowly, "If friends can do this, how much more so for you, my granddaughter"

Xu Qing pressed the flashlight, and a blinding beam of light suddenly burst forth. It took her quite a while to clearly see the scene before her. Zheng Jiejie was pale as a ghost, her lips twitching as if trying to say something, while her hand pressed tightly against her chest, pushing down repeatedly as if struggling to catch her breath. With just one glance, Xu Qing knew that the situation was extremely serious

The bus arrived slowly. After getting on, Xu Qing suddenly remembered that in her fluster, she had actually forgotten to ask him for his phone number, and he had not told her his number either

Zheng Jie Jie pouted and said: "Sun Wen Ge, you are making fun of me again"

This is a document to assist with translations in the department. There are very few people in the department who are proficient in German, so they asked me to translate it, and since I happened to be free, I agreed. Grandmother was first surprised, then she put down her pen, reached out her hand to gently press on Xu Qing's shoulder, and Xu Qing understood, squatting at her feet. "Xiao Qing, do not think too much. You have never been a burden to me."

As she walked halfway, Xu Qing finally felt the bone-chilling cold. The midnight temperature was at least ten degrees lower than during the day. Passing by the lakeside, Xu Qing suddenly recalled whether Zheng Jiejie’s sudden illness was due to sitting by the lake and being exposed to the wind last night

Xu Qing said softly, "What I fear the most is causing trouble for others"

Zheng Jie Jie actually need not worry about whether she can get into No. 1 High School; as long as she is willing, she can get in anywhere. However, she does not want to rely on her family's background and insists on getting into high school based on her own merits, studying harder than others. Xu Qing is deeply proud of her.

Do you know her home phone number

Xu Qing did not hear this sentence at all. She ran downstairs, woke up the aunt, and briefly explained the situation, requesting the aunt to call the hospital in the city immediately. Xu Qing then ran out of the girls' dormitory gate, heading straight for the teachers' dormitory. She jogged along the way, not feeling afraid of the darkness; she was just anxiously wondering how the school could be so large.

The topic has diverged.

Quickly

Xu Qing quickly recited a string of numbers, but Teacher Li did not remember them at once and handed the phone to Xu Qing to dial; Xu Qing dialed the number, and after a while, calmly returned the phone to Teacher Li

Instantly, Xu Qing's face turned pale.

Xu Qing was taken aback, realizing her own loss of composure, and felt an immense hatred for herself. She vigorously rubbed her face to bring forth a somewhat acceptable smile. "It's nothing. Please don't take my earlier words to heart. I was a bit confused. I'm leaving now." With that, she nodded and walked towards the auditorium

This past event was recounted by Zheng Jiejie to Xu Qing. At that time, Zheng Jiejie was overwhelmed by various training sessions and was unwilling to continue learning the piano. Just then, Sun Wen happened to see this, and without saying a word, he walked over to the piano, sat down, and casually played a piece of "Für Elise." Zheng Jiejie's cries gradually subsided. He then said, "As long as you are willing, you too can play such beautiful pieces." In Zheng Jiejie's narration, Sun Wen at that time was full of youthful charm, with his dark eyes shining brightly, extremely captivating.

The voice was very low, almost a whisper. Sun Wen asked in response, "Xu Qing, are you talking to me?"

Zheng Jie Jie made a face as if she was about to collapse, mumbling, "Xu Qing, I hate you."

The ambulance finally arrived at the school building after one hour. Xu Qing and Zhang Xiaoxiao wanted to help Zheng Jiejie down the stairs, but at that moment, Zheng Jiejie was disoriented and could hardly walk. After taking two steps, Xu Qing gave up on the idea of assisting her down the stairs. Without waiting for anyone to say anything, she gritted her teeth and picked Zheng Jiejie up on her back. Xu Qing and Zheng Jiejie were similar in stature and height, both being tall and slender, and neither had much strength; they could only barely pass the shot put in physical education tests. Zhang Xiaoxiao was astonished to see Xu Qing, seemingly out of nowhere, muster the strength to carry Zheng Jiejie down the stairs.

An incident occurred that night as well

Xu Qing shook her head: "I do not know"

Just as Xu Qing was about to lie down on the bed, she recalled a matter that kept her from falling asleep. She got out of bed and walked around. Seeing the study door slightly ajar, Xu Qing pushed the door open and entered. Her grandmother was draped in a coat, sitting at the desk, with a thick hardcover book and an even thicker dictionary spread out before her. She held a pen in her right hand, continuously copying and writing, occasionally turning the pages. The blinds were drawn, and the desk lamp was turned on, casting a pale light that illuminated her frail and slender figure. The curvature of her back could no longer be concealed, and the boundary between her outline and the air was blurred and hazy, unmistakably revealing the silhouette of an elderly person. The thick hardcover book and the even thicker dictionary lay open on the desk, and she held a pen in her right hand, continuously copying and writing, occasionally turning the pages. The blinds were drawn, and the desk lamp was turned on, casting a pale light that illuminated her frail and slender figure. The curvature of her back could no longer be concealed, and the boundary between her outline and the air was blurred and hazy, unmistakably revealing the silhouette of an elderly person.

Grandma smiled and said, "Go on, what are you pondering about while staying up at night?"

Xu Qing held Zheng JieJie's hand, helping her to calm down, repeatedly saying: "JieJie, JieJie, I am here, do not be afraid"

Sun Wen has a deep affection for the First Middle School. He spoke to Xu Qing in a nostalgic tone, saying: "The conditions at the First Middle School back then were nowhere near as good as they are now. More than ten people shared a dormitory, belongings were scattered everywhere, and there would be no water during hot weather. When I woke up in the morning, there would still be a silhouette of a person on the cool mat."

Sun Wen also smiled: "What a coincidence, I encountered Xiao Xu Qing again within a single day"

Teacher Li saw Xu Qing walking silently with her head down, her expression desolate; she had forgotten to wear an extra piece of clothing when she went out, one can only imagine how anxious she must have been at that moment. The cold wind blew against her exposed neck and ankles, yet Xu Qing did not move at all, as if she were numb to it. However, judging by her earlier demeanor and the clarity of her speech, she was nothing like someone who had lost their composure due to this sudden change.

She still knows nothing. Xu Qing felt a pang of bitterness in her heart and forced a smile, "So that's how it is"

Zheng Jie glanced at her with annoyance

Having a premonition, Xu Qing turned to look at the bed across from her, which was Zheng JieJie's bed. After sitting in the night for a while, Xu Qing's eyes had adjusted to the darkness, and she clearly saw the bed curtain quivering slightly. Xu Qing quickly grabbed a flashlight, rolled out of bed, and lifted Zheng JieJie's bed curtain, only to find Zheng JieJie curled up at the innermost part of the bed, clutching the blanket, while the sound of her labored breathing reached Xu Qing's ears.

Sun Wen was focused on driving and did not speak for the time being. After turning a sharp corner, he continued, "You will understand when you are a little older."

Why are you still awake so late? Xu Qing called softly, and her grandmother looked at Xu Qing standing beside her, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes. However, seeing Xu Qing on the verge of tears, she smiled and said in a relaxed tone: "I am translating a document"

"It doesn't matter, I am destined to have no fate with parental love," Xu Qing said with a nonchalant smile, "Besides, having a grandmother is enough."

Xu Qing, hearing the applause, curiously peered out through the narrow gap in the curtain. The vice principal stood at the podium, delivering a speech with varied intonation; following that, the city leaders gave their addresses.

The competition on the second day was vastly different from the first, featuring only four problems, but their difficulty was significantly greater than those of the previous day. Xu Qing felt somewhat fatigued from the hustle and bustle of yesterday, and when she managed to solve all the problems, there were only half an hour left until the end of the exam. Nevertheless, she was still much faster than others. Xu Qing glanced around the classroom; there were many students with large blank spaces on their answer sheets. Many were deeply engrossed in calculations, their expressions anxious, gripping their pens tightly as they scribbled furiously on their drafts, their wrists shaking noticeably, and beads of sweat forming on their foreheads.

Xu Qing looked at him, and you would know such shameless tactics.

No matter how well Xu Qing conceals her emotional changes, Zheng Jie Jie naturally observes them and harbors doubts. However, if asked, she would certainly not speak up. Therefore, Zheng Jie Jie does not rush to inquire further and continues to finish her previous statement: "After the evening party, it will be nearly 10 o'clock. It is quite unsafe for you to go home alone, so I told him he must escort you home. Do not refuse; tomorrow's competition is no trivial matter. If you do not come in first, it would be a disappointment to me."

The time is up, the bell rings. The corridor is bustling with people, and the sound of discussions rises and falls.

Children today are maturing at an earlier age

Zheng Jiejie’s face regained a hint of color, and her fair fingers trembled slightly. In Xu Qing's eyes, it was even more heart-wrenching. Xu Qing grasped her hand, which was icy cold.

Teacher Li furrowed her brows, "Her parents' mobile phones?"

Waking up suddenly in the middle of the night, Xu Qing glanced at the alarm clock and saw that it was 2:00 AM. She sat on the bed in a daze, recalling her dream. It seemed she heard someone calling her in a voice as faint as a mosquito's, the sound was small yet exceptionally tragic, as if waiting for her to save them, seemingly on the verge of being interrupted at any moment

There were many people in the room, and Xu Qing did not want the conversation to be overheard by others. She leaned closer to Zheng Jiejie and whispered, "I saw Brother Sun Wen in the audience."

Xu Qing was awakened by a question and smiled at him, saying, "Yes, I will be there soon. Thank you for today." After taking a few steps, she turned back and, with a serious expression, asked, "Zhao Qian, do you really like Jie Jie?"

Xu Qing nodded in confusion, wearing an expression of "I see now." Her grandmother thought she understood, but the next question she asked was: "Grandma, have I caused you immense pressure?"

After getting in the car, Sun Wen handed over a mobile phone: "It's almost 10:30, call home to report that you are safe."

The two individuals awkwardly parted ways. One of them raised a hand holding a piano and gestured a sign of success to Zheng Jie Jie. They exchanged a glance and burst into laughter, covering their mouths.

It is merely the result of being compelled by life and constrained by the environment

"This child," the grandmother smiled, took off her reading glasses, and nodded, "Go to sleep."

It is evident that their prolonged discussion only further proved the impracticality of that method. Jiang Luosheng expressed his regret, saying that he had originally thought incorrectly and apologized. Xu Qing, completely unconcerned, replied that it was no problem at all. This conversation gave Xu Qing a new understanding of Jiang Luosheng; he was rigorous in his thinking and often had astonishingly creative ideas.

Grandma, you should also go to sleep

As they drew closer, they heard Sun Wen laughing and speaking to Zheng Jie Jie: "I remember the first time I tutored you, you were frowning and crying loudly because you didn't want to learn the piano. Just a few years have passed, and now you play so well. If you have nothing to do in the future, you might as well consider taking piano exams; you would surely excel."

Zheng Jiejie was surprised as Xu Qing recounted the events of this morning after omitting some details. In the distance, a teacher was calling: "Zheng Jiejie, come over quickly to remove your makeup"

"Laughing so joyfully, it sounds truly pleasant. If I could hear it just once more, I could live two more years," Grandma sighed softly, "You were always so silent as a child, and the words you spoke were like those of a ninety-nine-year-old woman. There was a time when I truly worried about you. During that period, I really hated your parents; they indeed did you wrong."

After the curtain call, Zheng Jie Jie came down from the stage, and Xu Qing tightly embraced her shoulders, saying, "I wanted to hug you yesterday."

Then let us go

Grandmother said: "I watched the television broadcast of the school anniversary gala, and every performance was quite good. Wasn't the first act, the piano solo, performed by Zheng Jiejie?"

Xu Qing hesitated for a moment, allowing her classmates to leave first. She then mustered her courage to call out to Jiang Luosheng and a few boys, staring at the tree behind them and asking, "Could you please tell me that method once more?"

Xu Qing shrugged and smiled: "I will accompany you in doing it."