That Nameless Summer Chapter 3

Chapter 3

The sky was heavily overcast, with leaden clouds pressing down on the roof of the teaching building. The wind swept up fallen leaves, sending them swirling through the corridors. The bell for Morning Reading had just finished ringing when Song Li finally strolled into the classroom, a piece of toast dangling from his mouth.

The back door wasn’t fully closed. He pressed his fingertips against the door panel and gave it a light push, spotting Ling Qingye sitting in his usual seat by the window. The morning light, filtered thin by the clouds, fell across his lowered eyelashes, casting a faint shadow. He held a black gel pen in his hand and was writing something in his English textbook, his handwriting so neat it looked printed.

Song Li walked over with light steps and stuffed his backpack into the desk drawer. The loud rustle made a girl in the front row turn around to look. Ling Qingye’s pen paused. He turned his head, his gaze falling on the breadcrumbs stuck to the corner of Song Li’s mouth, but he said nothing.

Song Li felt uncomfortable under his gaze and wiped his mouth with his hand. What are you looking at?

Ling Qingye turned back and continued writing, his voice as flat as plain water. Mr. Guo just came by to check the class. He marked you down as late.

Song Li let out a tsk and pulled out his chair to sit, making the desk wobble. Let him. I’ve been at the bottom of Chen You’s blacklist for a long time anyway. As he spoke, he fished a manga book out of his desk. He had only flipped through two pages when Ling Qingye’s hand reached over and pressed down on it.

Ling Qingye’s fingers were well-defined, with faint veins showing on the back of his hand, carrying a slight chill. Morning Reading, he said, offering only two words.

Song Li looked up and glared at him. None of your business. Despite his words, he still stuffed the manga back, slowly pulled out his Chinese textbook, and spread it on the desk, though his eyes wandered out the window.

The sports field was nearly empty, save for a few students on duty sweeping up fallen leaves. The wind blew hard, making the sycamore leaves rustle as if someone were whispering.

He was staring blankly when he suddenly heard the sound of pages turning beside him. He glanced over and saw Ling Qingye reciting vocabulary, his lips moving slightly with a rhythmic cadence. Occasionally, sunlight would leak through the gaps in the clouds and fall on his profile, outlining a sharp jawline. As Song Li watched, he suddenly felt that this guy didn’t seem quite so annoying when he was being serious.

When Morning Reading ended, the classroom instantly became noisy. Xu Jiangyou, wearing a pair of white canvas shoes, came running over and leaned against Song Li’s desk. Her bright face was full of excitement. Brother, I heard there’s a basketball game this afternoon, Grade 10 against Grade 11. Want to go watch?

Song Li was leaning on the desk trying to catch up on sleep. Hearing this, he cracked an eyelid and glanced at her. Not interested.

Tsk, you’re so boring. Xu Jiangyou curled her lip and turned to Ling Qingye, her eyes curving into a smile. Top Student Ling, are you going? I heard there’s a really handsome guy on the Grade 11 team who’s amazing at basketball.

Ling Qingye closed his book and looked up at her, his tone flat. No. I have practice problems to do.

Xu Jiangyou met a dead end but wasn’t discouraged. She turned and saw Qin Jiangwen walking over with a stack of notebooks. Her eyes lit up, and she immediately stood straight, blocking his path. Great Scholar Qin, there’s a basketball game this afternoon. Why don’t you come watch it with me?

Qin Jiangwen stopped in his tracks. His gaze fell on her face, and his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. I haven’t finished grading the assignments yet, he said, trying to step around her.

Xu Jiangyou was relentless. She reached out and grabbed his arm, shaking it slightly. Oh, come on. How can grading assignments be more interesting than a basketball game? Just go for a little while. Her voice was soft, carrying a hint of a pout.

Some classmates nearby looked over, and Qin Jiangwen’s ears instantly turned red. He abruptly pulled his arm back, his voice sounding a bit unnatural. Stop messing around. After saying that, he clutched the notebooks and hurried back to his seat.

Xu Jiangyou watched his retreating back and curled her lip, but she couldn’t help but laugh, her eyes sparkling like they held stars.

Song Li saw the whole scene clearly and couldn’t help but chuckle. You and Qin Jiangwen—when are you finally going to break that thin barrier between you two?

Xu Jiangyou rolled her eyes at him. Mind your own business. She said this, then suddenly leaned closer to him and lowered her voice. Hey, why do I feel like things have been a bit weird between you and Top Student Ling lately?

Song Li’s heart gave a sudden thud, but his face remained impassive. What nonsense are you talking about?

I’m not talking nonsense. Xu Jiangyou blinked. I’ve caught him staring at you several times.

Song Li’s Adam’s apple bobbed, but he didn’t speak, turning his head to look out the window. The clouds had grown thicker, looking like it could rain at any moment.

During the afternoon classes, Song Li was drowsy. The last period was self-study, and Guo Guangchen sat at the podium grading homework. The classroom was quiet, filled only with the rustling sound of pens moving across paper. Song Li propped his chin on his hand and stared at Ling Qingye’s profile for half the period, until Ling Qingye suddenly turned his head, his gaze crashing directly into Song Li’s eyes.

Like a thief caught red-handed, Song Li jerked his head down and pretended to read his book, though his ears turned red uncontrollably.

Ling Qingye looked at his reddened ears, a very faint trace of a smile flashing in his eyes before quickly vanishing. He turned back and took a thermos from his drawer, unscrewing the lid to reveal warm milk inside.

Song Li caught a glimpse from the corner of his eye and felt strangely unsettled. He pulled out his phone and started playing a game in secret. Just as he opened the interface, he heard Guo Guangchen’s voice ring out. Song Li, come up and do this problem.

Song Li cursed inwardly and stood up sluggishly, walking to the podium. On the blackboard was a math problem—The Final Problem. He stared at it for a long time without the slightest clue. Guo Guangchen crossed his arms, looking at him with a half-smile. What, you can’t do it?

Song Li stiffened his neck and said nothing.

Right then, Ling Qingye’s voice drifted up from below, not too loud but just enough for him to hear. Auxiliary line. Connect AC.

Song Li froze for a second, followed the hint, and was instantly enlightened. He picked up the chalk and began writing rapidly, his logic clear and his steps complete.

Mr. Guo looked at the solution on the blackboard and raised an eyebrow. He didn’t say anything more, simply waving his hand. Go back down.

Song Li walked back to his seat. As he sat, he lightly bumped Ling Qingye’s arm and whispered, Thanks.

Ling Qingye didn’t look up and continued with his problems, giving only a faint, Mn.

When the bell rang to end school, a light rain began to fall outside. It pitter-pattered against the windows, blurring into streaks of water.

Song Li looked at the rain outside and frowned. He hadn’t brought an umbrella.

The classroom grew emptier until only he and Ling Qingye were left. Ling Qingye packed his bag and turned to look at him. No umbrella?

Song Li nodded.

Ling Qingye was silent for a moment before handing his umbrella to him. Use mine.

Song Li looked at the black umbrella. The handle still held the warmth of Ling Qingye’s palm. He hesitated. Then what about you?

I’ll go with Qin Jiangwen, Ling Qingye said, looking toward the door. Qin Jiangwen was standing there holding two umbrellas. Seeing Ling Qingye look over, he gave a slight nod.

Xu Jiangyou was there too. Seeing Song Li, she waved. Brother, want to come with us? Qin Jiangwen brought two umbrellas!

Song Li was about to speak when he heard Ling Qingye say, No need. He’s using my umbrella.

Xu Jiangyou blinked, looked at Ling Qingye, then at Song Li, and suddenly revealed a knowing smile.

Qin Jiangwen’s ears turned red again. He pulled on Xu Jiangyou’s arm. Let’s go.

The two figures soon disappeared into the curtain of rain.

Only Song Li and Ling Qingye remained in the classroom.

The rain continued to fall, pitter-pattering.

Song Li picked up the black umbrella. The warmth of the handle traveled through his fingertips to the bottom of his heart. He looked up at Ling Qingye.

I’m leaving then, he said.

Ling Qingye nodded. Mn.

Song Li opened the umbrella and stepped into the rain. The water hit the canopy with a rhythmic thudding sound. He looked back once. In the classroom window, Ling Qingye’s figure stood still, like a quiet painting.