ICY Chapter 14

Chapter 14

The new week arrived, and the first and second year students finally started school, making the campus lively again. However, having just started the semester, their minds weren’t fully back on studies, and they naturally wanted to find some fun. Speculation about Su Zhao Li and Jiang Shi became even bolder.

Many people were just watching for entertainment, as high school life was simply too boring. Su Zhao Li already had a high profile in school, and Jiang Shi’s recent soccer game had made him famous as well, so many people in the school recognized him.

When the god-level student of liberal arts meets the academic genius of science, the love-hate entanglement and interactions between two handsome guys became increasingly interesting as people dug deeper. Numerous revelations firmly placed Su Zhao Li and Jiang Shi at the top of the school’s trending topics.

Shocking! This is how they met!

Shocking! He once said wildly, “If I marry, I’ll marry the best!”

Shocking! The breakfast fanatic that everyone envies is actually him!

…

Su Zhao Li was successfully summoned by the teacher.

Su Zhao Li’s homeroom teacher was a young woman in her late twenties. She was only twenty-five when she took over their class, inheriting a mess from the previous teacher. Back then, their homeroom teacher looked like a little girl, but now she was two months pregnant.

Considering the importance of the matter, Su Zhao Li certainly wouldn’t dare upset the teacher.

“So, what does our Su Zhao Li have to say about the recent rumors?”

“Teacher, it’s completely groundless. They can’t just spread rumors about us because Jiang Shi and I are close.”

“So, you’re saying it’s all fake?”

“Yes, teacher. You must see clearly that I won’t admit to something I haven’t done.”

“Sigh, do you know why I called you when no one else was in the office? It’s because I saw it.”

“Teacher saw what?” Su Zhao Li stubbornly denied.

“You hugged Jiang Shi, you secretly brought your phone, you two conspired with your parents to skip class, and you held hands as you left the school gate. I saw it all with my own eyes.”

Su Zhao Li inwardly exclaimed, “Wow, she saw everything that day.”

“Grab a glass of water.”

“Okay, sure.”

“But teacher, we’re really not dating. We’re just a little closer than ordinary friends.”

“Just a little? I didn’t call you here to criticize you. The results of the opening exam are out. Come take a look.”

“689, teacher, my grades are fine. They won’t be affected.”

“I know, and I didn’t say you were neglecting your studies. I specifically asked the vice principal for their class’s grade sheet. The vice principal said Jiang Shi’s grades have also improved significantly. I’m not some old antique who insists on breaking you up. It’s obvious that you two have improved because of each other, and I’m happy to see that. I called you here today to say that I hope you continue to maintain this. Also, I hope you two can be a little more careful. This is still a school, after all. Whether you’re dating or not, since the rumors are already out there, be a little more discreet, got it?”

“Got it.”

“Alright, I won’t say anything else. Just be mindful. I’ll also talk to our vice principal about it. He’s quite the old-fashioned one. Take the grade sheet and give it to the class monitor. Have her post it in the classroom.”

“Okay, thank you, teacher.”

·

At the vice principal’s request, even though their reputation in school wasn’t exactly negative—after all, people have a sense of respect for academic achievers—the constant togetherness of the two still had a bad influence. So now, they could only openly meet when going to and from school.

Jiang Shi could no longer casually come to find Su Zhao Li after class, depriving Su Zhao Li’s breaks of much flavor. Sometimes when the two ran into each other in the tea room or hallway, they would be happy for a long time, although they were also shy and dared not look at each other.

Shyness was one aspect, but another was that the gazes around them never stopped whenever the two met. Even someone as oblivious as Jiang Shi noticed.

Su Zhao Li had always thought of himself as having a great mental capacity to withstand pressure, but he couldn’t stand the fiery gazes around him. As a result, Su Zhao Li felt uneasy whenever he saw Jiang Shi in public.

Now, the nightly strolls on the sports field had changed from two people to three. If Jiang Shi played soccer that day, it was fine, but if Jiang Shi didn’t play soccer because of rain or wind, Chu Nan Du would often whine all the way. Who wanted to walk around the sports field in bad weather? Who wanted to be a third wheel?

It could be said that there were three victims in this incident: Jiang Shi, Su Zhao Li, and Chu Nan Du.

Su Zhao Li was actually very open-minded. If they didn’t meet after class, then the breaks would become boring. He might as well study more and stabilize his grades. After all, as students, grades were the foundation of their voice. Only when both of them improved could their relationship be recognized.

Anyway, they could still meet on Sundays.

Anyway, they would be able to see each other for many, many days in the future.

“Tired, tired, tired,” Su Zhao Li’s entire day’s energy was spent on studying. He was too tired to move.

“Carry me,” Su Zhao Li said to Jiang Shi.

“Okay.”

Jiang Shi indeed squatted down, wanting Su Zhao Li to get on his back.

“A Shi, I’m just kidding. You’re tired too. Get up quickly.”

“I’m not tired, and I’m willing to carry A Li.”

“Aiya, get on already. I still have to watch out for you guys in front and behind. Let’s go quickly. My nerves are about to collapse,” Chu Nan Du said as he pushed Su Zhao Li onto Jiang Shi’s back.

“The good atmosphere is all gone,” Su Zhao Li said in a muffled voice.

“Just enjoy it. What atmosphere do you need?” Chu Nan Du’s voice was also a little low, but Jiang Shi didn’t think much of it. He just thought Chu Nan Du was in a bad mood and didn’t want to stay with them for long, so Jiang Shi walked very fast all the way.

“A Shi, we’re not catching a plane. You don’t have to walk so fast.”

“Pfft, hahaha, if he wants to catch a plane, let him. Anyway, if I can get home five minutes earlier, I’ll enjoy it five minutes earlier.”

Su Zhao Li pinched Jiang Shi’s cheek and touched his forehead. “Put me down, okay? You’re sweating.”

“We’re almost there, and A Li is wiping my sweat for me. I’m not tired.”

“Eww, eww, eww, eww, eww,” Chu Nan Du heard this and quickly moved away from them, feeling disgusted to death.

·

High school senior year seemed to pass especially quickly. Later, there were two weeks of continuous classes and an exam every week. The nightmare of senior year students had truly begun.

One month before the *Gaokao*, the school held an Coming-of-Age ceremony.

Su Zhao Li took a leave of absence on the day of the Coming-of-Age ceremony. His adoptive father had to go on a business trip that day, and he couldn’t let Mother Chu leave her own son to be with him.

Moreover, Su Zhao Li had seen the previous year’s Coming-of-Age ceremony. He wasn’t going to participate in such a boring, awkward, and time-wasting activity.

“A Li, are you really not going? Do you want to go take a look with me?”

“I’m not going, caregiver. The sun is so strong on the sports field. I’m not going to suffer. I haven’t finished my practice papers yet.”

“Okay, then you stay home and behave. I’ll make you something delicious for lunch.”

“Thank you, caregiver.”

Su Zhao Li watched Mother Chu leave with a bouquet of sunflowers and sat down at his desk to write a letter. The school had given each senior student two letters to write, one for their parents and one for themselves.

Su Zhao Li had already written his own letter long ago. He would write the letter for his parents now. Su Zhao Li imitated their tone and habits, imagining their expressions and conversations as they wrote the letter. He couldn’t help but laugh. His parents were really easy to guess.

After finishing the letter, Su Zhao Li went to the kitchen, found a lighter, and burned the letter he had written for his parents. That way, they should be able to see it, right?

Su Zhao Li wasn’t sad. Two years had passed, and if he didn’t deliberately think about it, Su Zhao Li wouldn’t have known that he could still remember so clearly. The already bandaged scars were still bleeding inside today.

Su Zhao Li was diligent in doing his homework and practice papers. He had done all the past five years’ worth of real exam papers and the 2000 and 800 practice questions that the school teachers had given out. Su Zhao Li looked at the real exam papers that he didn’t know how many times he had done. He didn’t know how much he could score, but having done them so many times, Su Zhao Li could think of the answer just by looking at the keywords. It was too inefficient, Su Zhao Li thought. He was going to buy a new set of practice books.

There were bookstores at the school gate and in the city center. The city center was actually closer to home, but Su Zhao Li involuntarily walked towards the school gate.

One book for each subject, Su Zhao Li bought six practice books. The sun was really strong today. Just from this short walk, Su Zhao Li felt like he was about to melt.

Because it was the Coming-of-Age ceremony today, the school gate was wide open, and the security guard wouldn’t check or stop people.

Habit, it was definitely a habit. By the time Su Zhao Li realized it, he had already walked into the school.

Since he was already here, Su Zhao Li walked to the edge of the sports field, holding this mentality.

The host on the stage was passionately talking about the tearful history of parents’ difficult upbringing, and many of the students and parents sitting below showed awkward expressions. Only a few were moved.

“Son, son, what they’re saying is so good. I’m about to cry, son.” Mother Jiang reached out, wanting to ask her son for a tissue.

“Son? Son!” Mother Jiang looked left and right. She turned her head and saw Jiang Shi running towards…running towards her daughter-in-law with the flowers she had brought him.

She bought the wrong flowers, Mother Jiang thought.

“A Li, why are you here?” Jiang Shi couldn’t hide his excitement. He rushed up, wanting to give Su Zhao Li a big hug, but Su Zhao Li took a step back and dodged him.

“There are so many people here.”

“What are you running over here for? You’re sweating in this hot weather.”

“It’s too boring. I don’t feel bored when I see A Li.”

“Here, A Li.”

Su Zhao Li looked at the bouquet of sunflowers. “Why are you giving it to me? Your mom bought it for you.”

“I’m using borrowed flowers to make an offering. This is my Coming-of-Age gift for A Li.”

“Then I…” Su Zhao Li looked at the practice books in his hand, took out the Chinese and English books, and said, “I’ll give these to you. This is my Coming-of-Age gift for you.”

“Thank you, A Li.”

Su Zhao Li held the bouquet of flowers and gave all the books to Jiang Shi to hold.

“Aren’t you feeling unwell, A Li? Why did you come?”

“To see you, of course. After all, it’s our A Shi’s Coming-of-Age ceremony today.” Su Zhao Li teased him.

“It’s not really a Coming-of-Age yet. Today is A Li’s Coming-of-Age ceremony too,” Jiang Shi said, a little shy and happy.

“So I wanted to celebrate it with A Shi.”

“A Li, there’s a place over there where we can hide from the sun.”

Su Zhao Li followed the direction of Jiang Shi’s finger. It was a small passage next to the basketball court’s changing room.

“Are you in such a hurry?”

“Yes,” Jiang Shi said, pulling Su Zhao Li’s hand and walking towards that direction.

This small passage was in a shady spot, and it was much more comfortable than outside. As he fell into the hot embrace, Su Zhao Li was still thinking that he could hide here during PE class in the future.

After being hugged, Su Zhao Li subconsciously looked up to find Jiang Shi’s lips, but he found that Jiang Shi had no intention of doing that at all. He really just brought him here for a hug.

“What’s wrong today?” Su Zhao Li asked, patting Jiang Shi’s back.

“Nothing. I just really wanted to hug A Li.”

“A Li, will you accompany me when I walk through the gate later?”

“What about your mom?”

“You guys can accompany me together.”

“Haha, you’re such a child. I can’t accompany you.”

“Then are you going to accompany Chu Nan Du?”

“Yes, he and my caregiver are there, so of course I have to accompany them.”

“Okay, then A Li should hug me more now.”

“Silly boy, why aren’t you jealous?”

“As long as A Li is happy.”

He saw it. In Su Zhao Li’s unpromising eyes, tears welled up again. He hugged Jiang Shi tightly. “I’m very happy.”

“The music has changed. Let’s go.”

“Why are you crying?” Jiang Shi asked anxiously.

“I’m not crying.”

“Your eyes are red.”

“It’s because your hair just poked me.”

“Ah, I’m sorry, A Li. I’ll get my hair cut at noon.”

“Don’t cut it. If you dare cut it, I won’t talk to you.”

Su Zhao Li quickly stopped him.

“Ah, but what if it pokes A Li again next time?”

“We’ll talk about it next time.” He was just talking nonsense.

“Let’s go quickly. Don’t let your mom wait alone.”

…

“A Li, why are you here?” Mother Chu asked excitedly.

“Ah…I wanted to go to the bookstore at the school gate to buy some practice books, and I thought there was a wishing ceremony, so I came in to take a look,” Su Zhao Li said, staring at his toes.

“Then where are the practice books? And where did the flowers in your hand come from?”

“Jiang Shi took the practice books for me, and he gave me the flowers.”

“Good, you went to see him first after you came!”

“He saw me first.”

“I have to go now. I’ll talk to you later.”

Before walking through the two gates, there would be first and second year students there handing them inflated balloons, in many colors. Su Zhao Li took a red one.

Mother Chu walked through the two gates, holding one person in each hand. She had two sons, one who was first in liberal arts and one who was first in science. She had to stand up straight, as her sons had earned her face.

Shu’er, your children are raised very well. You can rest assured.

As she walked, Mother Chu couldn’t help but feel her eyes redden. When she found out the day before yesterday that her husband was going on a business trip, she felt resentful in her heart. She didn’t want either child to not have a parent present.

A Li was very sensible, really very sensible. Shu’er, did you see that?

“What wish did you write on the balloon?” Chu Nan Du leaned over to look.

“For、ever、to、ge、ther.” Chu Nan Du read word by word. After reading, Chu Nan Du rolled his eyes at Su Zhao Li. “You’re such a love-struck fool. I’m really convinced.”

Su Zhao Li was also speechless at him. “Who said it only includes Jiang Shi? What did you write?”

“I, devout believer Chu Nan Du, ID number xxxxxxxx, pray for family happiness and to have enough to eat for the rest of my life.”

“What kind of wish is that?”

“How would someone with property and assets like you understand? What if I can’t find a job after entering society? I originally planned to freeload off of you, but now that there’s one more person, I’m too embarrassed to freeload.”

“It’s okay. You can freeload if you want. Anyway, I probably can’t spend all this money in my lifetime.”

“As expected, family is different.” Chu Nan Du said, tears welling up.

“A Li, what did you write?”

“I’m not going to show you yet. Let me see what you wrote first.”

“Hmm, I hope A Li is always happy.”

Su Zhao Li smiled brightly at Jiang Shi and turned back to Chu Nan Du. “Did you see that? I’ll support this kind of person for the rest of my life.”

“Huh? Is it really that simple? Give me the pen. Watch carefully. I’m going to write that Su Zhao Li, this super invincible handsome guy and great person, will be happy, joyful, pleased, safe…” Chu Nan Du kept talking without end. Su Zhao Li ignored him and turned back to Jiang Shi.

“A Shi, come here. I’ll tell you what I wrote, quietly.”

Jiang Shi leaned in.

“A Li!” Jiang Shi’s face turned red.

Chu Nan Du had just raised his head from his creation, looking at Jiang Shi’s embarrassed face and Su Zhao Li’s happy smile. Even saying such things was embarrassing for this young couple? Were they really this innocent?

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