Spend Summer Chapter 10
byGreen Grape Gardenia Milk
Ji Zhao understood Shen Wan’s intentions and accepted them gracefully. She would share her milk candies and oranges with her, add a few goji berries and red dates to Shen Wan’s thermos when she brewed her own, and drag Shen Wan along to the cafeteria for meals.
Outside the window, the old camphor tree that had shed its leaves in autumn began to sprout new buds, appearing even more lush and green.
In the blink of an eye, it was time for the once-a-month weekend break.
The students packed their bags early, waiting for the final bell. The classroom was filled with chatter and a lively atmosphere.
Since the last period happened to be Li Yuanfang’s class, everyone was even happier, their eyes shining with anticipation.
After finishing the lesson on the homework, Li Yuanfang spent the last ten minutes arranging things.
She clapped her hands to signal for silence. Seeing everyone quiet down, she nodded with satisfaction and said, There are ten minutes left before school ends. I’ll arrange the tasks for the break.
Hearing there were holiday tasks, everyone’s expressions turned bitter, and they looked at Li Yuanfang pitifully.
Li Yuanfang acted as if she didn’t see them and continued, First, remember to finish the homework assigned by each subject teacher. I will be checking it later.
Second, there will be a monthly exam the day after you return. Remember to review.
Hearing two pieces of bad news in a row, the students instantly wilted like eggplants hit by frost.
Li Yuanfang changed the subject, saying, However, there is some good news. There’s no math homework. But remember to review, or else think about your monthly exam results.
Everyone wilted even more. Was this even good news? It was a blatant threat.
As the Grade Topper, Ji Zhao glanced at Shen Wan beside her, thinking to herself that she really needed to review well.
Before she knew Shen Wan, she only knew that the girl had been competing with her for the top spot, but Ji Zhao hadn’t cared much then.
Now, however, she realized—this wasn’t a bad thing at all.
Shen Wan silently packed her bag, her expression cold. Her brow furrowed slightly on her pale, paper-thin face. The weekend break wasn’t something worth being happy about for her.
Or rather, she had never understood why everyone else was so excited.
But thinking of the upcoming monthly exam, Shen Wan rubbed the paper in her hand. Her wrist looked even whiter against the paper, her fingertips tinged with a faint pink.
Once the holiday tasks were assigned, the school bell rang. Everyone swarmed out of the classroom like dogs that hadn’t been walked in days.
Ji Zhao and Lin Jiayue walked slowly with Shen Wan.
The school gate was crowded. It took Ji Zhao a while to spot her mother. She immediately broke into a smile and turned to look at Shen Wan. Wanwan, Jiayue and I are leaving now. Bye, see you next time!
Shen Wan snapped out of it and nodded. See you next time.
The three said their goodbyes. Ji Zhao and Lin Jiayue walked toward the beautiful woman standing in the distance, while Shen Wan walked the other way with her backpack.
She didn’t go home. Instead, she hurried to a restaurant. The owner was a slightly plump woman who was currently cleaning.
Seeing Shen Wan enter, she immediately threw down her rag. Her tone was neither good nor bad. You’re here. Hurry up, put your things down and start cleaning.
Shen Wan was already used to this. After all, she was grateful enough that the woman was willing to hire her. She quickly put down her bag, picked up a mop, and began cleaning the floor.
The owner was somewhat satisfied. She sat down to rest, pounding her back with one hand while complaining incessantly, Every single day, it’s either pain here or pain there. Honestly.
Shen Wan glanced over and pursed her lips, lost in thought.
The work at the restaurant was a mix of everything: mopping, washing dishes, prepping vegetables, taking orders, serving food, and clearing tables after customers left…
There was almost no downtime. It wasn’t until eleven at night, after the last customers had left, that the owner made a simple meal. Once everything was organized, the owner finally urged Shen Wan to leave.
Leaving the restaurant, Shen Wan went straight into a pharmacy.
The pharmacy staff was also tidying up the medicine. Seeing Shen Wan enter, they asked, What medicine do you need?
Shen Wan spoke quickly, For back pain, should I use a medicated patch or take medicine?
The staff explained, A patch works. If the pain is very severe, you need to go to the hospital for an exam, and they will prescribe medicine there.
Shen Wan nodded and said, Then please help me get a good box of patches, miss.
The staff nodded and handed Shen Wan a box of medicated patches.
The patches weren’t cheap; they cost almost a full day’s wages for Shen Wan. Carrying the patches, she returned to the restaurant. The owner and her husband hadn’t left yet.
Seeing Shen Wan return, the husband was puzzled and was about to ask what was wrong when he saw her put the item down and run off.
The owner’s wife was a bit annoyed and stood up. What is she doing? If I’d known, I wouldn’t have hired her!
She yanked the bag open with force, only to see a box of medicated patches inside. She instantly lost her voice.
The husband sighed and said, Don’t say that next time. She works well. Look, she even remembered to buy you patches.
Thinking of her offhand comment from the afternoon, the owner’s wife felt a lump in her throat, but she still spoke stubbornly, Isn’t this what she should do?
Returning to the place that wasn’t a home, Shen Wan’s mood plummeted. The room had been ransacked, with things thrown everywhere.
The inner door was open. Shen Wan avoided the items on the floor and went inside. Unsurprisingly, it was also a mess.
Clothes were tossed randomly on the floor, the small wooden table was overturned, and the nightlight flickered intermittently.
Shen Wan’s expression was cold. She first righted the small wooden table, then bent down to pick up the clothes one by one.
Several pieces of clothing were covered in footprints. Shen Wan could only carry them to the bathroom.
As spring approached, the water from the tap was chilly. Shen Wan should have been used to it, but today, she felt it was exceptionally piercing.
After washing all the clothes, her hands were frozen red.
She hung them up one by one. The old houses were built very close together, completely blocking out the light. Even though the neon lights had been flashing incessantly on her way back, not a single ray could be seen here.
He might still be gambling, or perhaps he was hiding from debt collectors. Until Shen Wan finished washing the clothes, there was no sign of Shen Jianye.
Shen Wan returned to her room, sat at the wooden table, and tried to turn on the nightlight. It didn’t light up; it must be broken.
Shen Wan stuffed it into her backpack, lay on the bed, and slowly closed her eyes.
After a sleepless night, while the darkness still shrouded the sky, Shen Wan woke up.
Stepping through the darkness, she went down the pitch-black stairwell and walked to a breakfast shop.
The owner of the breakfast shop was a very kind person; she was the one who had given Shen Wan the buns before.
Wrapping buns, making soy milk, steaming buns…
It wasn’t until nine o’clock that she had a moment to eat breakfast.
After eating, she helped the owner put some things away and then hurried to the restaurant without stopping.
Staying busy made her forget unpleasant things. The two days of the break passed like this.
Shen Jianye still hadn’t returned. Shen Wan felt a sense of satisfaction, but she knew in her heart that this was only an illusion.
After settling things with the restaurant owner, Shen Wan rushed to school.
After running all the way, she stopped at the school gate, panting heavily. Her sickly pale face was flushed.
After resting for a while, Shen Wan walked in with the other students.
Many people were already in the classroom. Ji Zhao was there too, chatting away.
Shen Wan’s gaze softened instantly, and a spark of life returned to her features. She hadn’t felt it during the two days of the break, but at this moment, she realized she really missed the sound of Ji Zhao’s voice.
For the first time, Shen Wan took the initiative to greet her. Ji Zhao, good afternoon.
Hearing the voice, Ji Zhao’s ears perked up. She looked straight over, her eyes crinkling and the corners of her mouth curving up. Her dimples looked as if they were filled with osmanthus honey.
Her tone was excited. Deskmate, you’re finally here! I missed you so much during the break!
Shen Wan walked behind her to her seat and sat down, replying, Me too.
Her voice was very quiet, and it was unclear who she was saying it to.
Ji Zhao took several Shatang mandarins out of her bag and placed them in front of Shen Wan with a smile. I brought these for you.
Shen Wan froze for a moment. She knew about Shatang mandarins; they weren’t cheap, so she usually wouldn’t even look at them.
For a moment, Shen Wan didn’t know if she should accept them.
Finally, she took two of them and then pulled a bottle of Green Grape Gardenia Milk from her backpack and handed it to Ji Zhao.
Originally, Shen Wan had wanted to buy a Coke, but in this season, a Coke would be a bit too cold. She also worried that Ji Zhao might find Coconut Milk Oatmeal Porridge too cloying if she drank too much of it.
After weighing her options, she chose this high-quality Green Grape Gardenia Milk.
Ji Zhao reached out to take it. Her first impression was that it was warm, making it perfect as a hand warmer.
Her eyes widened in surprise, and she looked at Shen Wan with sparkling eyes, her tone cheerful. For me?!
Shen Wan nodded and said somewhat shyly, I wanted to buy a Coke, but it was a bit cold. I don’t know if you’ll like this?
Ji Zhao inserted the straw and took a sip. The faint scent of gardenia mixed with the sweetness of green grapes, making Ji Zhao close her eyes in satisfaction.
She gave a thumbs up, her tone light. It’s delicious. Wanwan, you have great taste.
Shen Wan lowered her head shyly, a faint blush coloring her face. Her heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled. As long as it tasted good, it was fine.
Afterward, Ji Zhao drank the beverage Shen Wan had given her, while Shen Wan peeled the skin of a Shatang mandarin.
The skin was very thin. As soon as it was peeled, the sweet scent of oranges filled the air.
Shen Wan carefully removed the pith, leaving a perfect mandarin, and then handed it to Ji Zhao. It’s peeled.
Ji Zhao’s eyes were bright as she immediately took it. I hate peeling oranges the most. Wanwan really understands me!
A hint of faint indulgence flickered in Shen Wan’s eyes as she peeled another one for herself.
The first evening self-study after a break was usually for independent study, but considering the monthly exam tomorrow, the teachers still came by to explain some key points.
As the night deepened, Shen Wan said goodbye to Ji Zhao and returned home.
A new day began. Since it was the first monthly exam after the start of the semester, the school took it very seriously. They planned to finish all the tests in one day, including the evening self-study period, and then finish grading them the following day.
Shen Wan arrived at the classroom early. She read her books as usual, waiting for Ji Zhao.
She didn’t know when she had developed this habit, but Shen Wan didn’t mind it. Especially today, a day when they could compete side by side.
Students filed in one after another, and the sound of reading in the classroom grew louder. Shen Wan glanced toward the door a thousand times, but she still didn’t see Ji Zhao’s figure.