Spend Summer Chapter 7

Crisis Emerges

The students chimed in one after another, insisting it was no big deal.

What is there to thank us for? Since you have entered the doors of Class 3, you are one of us!

The subject representative is right. Besides, you brought glory to Class 3!

Exactly! Shen-jie, you earned this!

Lin Jiayue also offered her congratulations. That is right. This is what our Shen-jie and Sister Zhao deserve.

Shen Wan found herself at a loss for words and could only voice her thanks once more.

She carefully carried the cake back to her seat, lowered her head, and opened it with great caution.

She took small, delicate bites.

The cake was just a small piece bought from a convenience store; no matter how much she cherished it, it was finished quickly. However, the feeling of this moment would carry deep meaning for years to come.

Ji Zhao finished her portion with equal care. She glanced at Shen Wan and offered a faint smile.

Perhaps because spring was approaching, the warm sunlight felt exceptionally gentle as it brushed against Shen Wan’s hair.

Just as she swallowed the last bite, the bell rang for class. Everyone returned to their seats like rockets, pretending as if nothing had happened.

Li Yuanfang walked in with a serious expression. He scanned the room, then walked out the back door. The moment he turned around, a flicker of joy appeared on his face.

These little brats. Do they think I dont know what they were up to? But seeing as they performed well this time, I will let them off the hook.

Shen Wan did not throw away the cake packaging. She placed it carefully into her backpack and walked out into the moonlight.

The empty box was clearly very light, yet Shen Wan walked slowly, a faint smile lingering on her face the whole way.

Until she saw the marks on her front door.

Shen Wan’s body gave an uncontrollable shudder. Her movements became as light as possible as she slowly pushed the door open. The pungent stench of alcohol hit her—foul and nauseating, just like the life she had known since childhood.

But no matter how quiet she was, the sound still woke the person slumped on the floor.

With a loud thud, an object was hurled at her.

Shen Wan dodged it instinctively. She lowered her eyes and said flatly, I am back.

The person on the floor sat up. In the dim moonlight, his features became visible—high cheekbones, bloodshot eyes, and a thick, unkempt beard covering his chin.

Though his face was gaunt, his belly protruded, folding into creases as he moved to sit up.

As soon as he spoke, it was as if he were exhaling the foul stench of stale booze.

His tone was malicious. Oh? So you remembered to come back at this hour.

Shen Wan did not bother responding. She moved silently along the wall.

Shen Jianye was incensed by Shen Wan’s attitude. He stood up unsteadily, his arm swinging with force. A gust of wind smelling of alcohol lunged toward Shen Wan.

Shen Wan tilted her head to dodge the arm swinging at her, staring coldly at Shen Jianye.

Shen Jianye spat a glob of phlegm onto the floor, his cheekbones twitching. You still dare to dodge? Tell me, where is your money?

Shen Wan frowned deeply. I dont have any.

A wicked light gleamed in Shen Jianye’s eyes. You dont have any! You dont have any, is that it!

As he spoke, he stumbled toward Shen Wan’s room. The sounds of banging and crashing echoed through the house.

Shen Wan watched the scene with practiced indifference.

She waited for as long as Shen Jianye continued to kick the door.

After an unknown amount of time, Shen Jianye’s kicking grew weaker until he collapsed into a heap on the floor.

Shen Wan’s brow furrowed and her throat tightened, as if a lump of sticky mud were lodged there, impossible to swallow or spit out.

She picked up a bottle from the floor and tapped him with it. Seeing that Shen Jianye did not wake, she breathed a sigh of relief and stepped over him into her room.

Her fingers quickly double-locked the door. Shen Wan leaned against the lock, panting heavily as cold sweat broke out on her forehead.

It took a long while for her to recover. Shen Wan moved step by step toward her small wooden desk.

Her heartbeat gradually steadied, but her nerves continued to throb. She took out the cake box and sat in thought for a long time.

Then, she crouched down, pulled a box from under the bed, and opened it with extreme care.

The box did not contain any valuables. A single, lonely old photograph lay there quietly.

There was a crease down the middle of the photo, but it was clear it had been well-preserved. It showed a very beautiful woman smiling at the camera.

Shen Wan’s finger gently brushed the woman’s face. Her furrowed brow relaxed. After looking at it for a long time, Shen Wan placed the cake box inside.

The cake box had been cleaned. It shimmered under the faint glow of the small night light.

Shen Wan closed the lid, pushed the box back under the bed, and returned to the wooden desk to continue her practice problems.

In the end, although she lay on her bed, her nerves remained taut. She did not sleep all night.

Before the sun had even risen, Shen Wan opened her eyes. She packed her bag, brushed her teeth quietly with cold water, and opened the door.

Shen Jianye was nowhere to be seen, but the door to the other room was wide open. He had likely wandered in there during the night because of the cold.

Shen Wan tiptoed and rushed out the door at top speed. The tension that had gripped her all night finally began to ease.

There were very few pedestrians on the road at this hour. It was misty, but Shen Wan’s mood improved. The thought of Class 3 brought a warmth to her heart.

When she arrived at the classroom, she was once again the first one there. Shen Wan opened the door, sat at her desk, and began to preview new material.

Soon, the other students began to arrive. They were used to seeing Shen Wan there, silently marveling at the dedication required to be the Grade Topper.

The sound of scattered reading filled the classroom. Shen Wan snapped out of her books, tucked her physics textbook into her desk, and began reading her English book.

Suddenly, a clamor of noise reached her ears, accompanied by bell-like laughter.

Shen Wan looked up immediately. As expected, it was Ji Zhao walking in with a cloth bag.

Shen Wan didn’t even realize that at that moment, a spark of light flickered in her eyes.

Ji Zhao plopped down into her chair, the corners of her mouth curling upward. Her voice was bright and cheerful. Wanwan, we meet again!

Shen Wan gave a low hum of acknowledgment.

Ji Zhao grew even happier. Her efforts had not been in vain; her little deskate was finally willing to pay her some mind.

Ji Zhao’s eyes were bright as she turned to stare intently at Shen Wan.

She had been in high spirits, but then she noticed the dark circles under Shen Wan’s eyes.

Shen Wan’s skin was very pale, almost bloodless. Perhaps because of her fair complexion, the dark bruising under her eyes was clearly visible, making her look like a panda.

Ji Zhao felt a pang of distress, but her tone remained as bright as ever. Didnt sleep well? Do you want to sleep for a bit? I will keep an eye out for the teacher for you.

Shen Wan shook her head. No need. I will sleep after class.

Ji Zhao was still unwilling to give up. It is fine, the teacher wont be angry. Besides, I really want Wanwan to accompany me for a meal.

Knowing that Shen Wan found it hard to refuse her when she acted spoiled, Ji Zhao immediately pulled out her trump card.

Shen Wan thought about it for a long while but still shook her head.

Ji Zhao sighed inwardly. Alright then. I will help Wanwan carry your things later.

Shen Wan tilted her head in confusion. Carry things? Do I have things that need carrying?

Perhaps staying up all night really did damage one’s nerves; she was a bit slow to react.

Unable to figure it out, Shen Wan went back to her reading. Seeing this, Ji Zhao also began reciting her textbook, though her attention remained fixed on Shen Wan.

Perhaps it was because the classroom was full of people and the air was warm, or perhaps it was because she felt she could trust Class 3, but in the end, Shen Wan did indeed grow sleepy.

Her head began to nod, like a little chick pecking at grain—pitiful and cute.

Ji Zhao’s heart followed every nod of her head, terrified she would hit the desk.

However, to her surprise, Shen Wan actually managed to hold out until the end of class.

The moment the bell rang, her head finally slumped down.

Ji Zhao was quick. She immediately placed her hand on the desk to cushion the fall, preventing Shen Wan from hitting the hard surface.

Lin Jiayue turned around, intending to ask what they were eating today. Seeing Shen Wan asleep, she immediately fell silent.

She pointed toward the door, gesturing to ask Ji Zhao if they should head out.

Ji Zhao shook her head gently and whispered, No. Bring me back two cups of porridge.

Lin Jiayue gave an OK sign, hooked her arm through her own deskate’s, and slowly stood up to leave through the front door.

Outside the window, the wind swirled the emerald leaves of the camphor trees. They danced playfully, blowing Shen Wan’s hair across her cheek, tickling her.

Drowsily, Shen Wan rubbed her eyes. When she looked up, she saw a cup of porridge, sealed tightly.

Shen Wan turned to look at Ji Zhao, who was currently biting a straw while looking down at a book.

Shen Wan then looked at the person in front of her. Lin Jiayue was chatting with the girl next to her.

After a moment of thought, Shen Wan raised her voice slightly and said, Jiayue, thank you.

Lin Jiayue waved her hand without turning around, her tone casual. No need. Just bring me something next time. Remember, I like soy milk!

Shen Wan nodded with a hum. She slowly untied the knot, bit the straw, and took a sip.

Is it coconut milk oatmeal porridge? Shen Wan’s eyes lit up. She stared blankly at Lin Jiayue with the straw still in her mouth, silently adding another thank you in her heart.

By the time she finished the porridge, it was time for class to start.

Ji Zhao reached over and took the empty porridge container from Shen Wan’s desk, tossing it into the trash.

Shen Wan had grown used to this. She waited quietly for the teacher, no longer acting as polite as she did with Lin Jiayue.

The teacher explained the material while the students listened attentively or joked around. Several periods passed quickly, leading up to the final period: Physical Education.

Ji Zhao grabbed her thermos and headed downstairs with Shen Wan.

This was the first PE class of the semester. Everyone was excited, gathering in small groups to chat.

The sports monitor, Li Wei, shouted at the top of his lungs to maintain order, quickly getting the class into formation.

Shen Wan’s height was about average for the class. Standing at 162 centimeters with a straight posture, she happened to be standing right in front of Ji Zhao.

Ji Zhao let out a joyful chuckle and whispered behind Shen Wan, Deskmate, it seems our fate runs deep.

The tips of Shen Wan’s ears turned red. It was unclear if it was from the heat of the crowd or some other reason.

After a while, the PE teacher strolled over. Ji Zhao stepped out of the formation.

Shen Wan saw the two of them exchange a few words, and then Ji Zhao walked toward the shade of the trees.

Shen Wan tilted her head, her brow furrowing slightly in confusion.

She glanced back at Lin Jiayue standing behind her, feeling the urge to speak during class for the first time. But before she could ask, the line began to move.

Shen Wan turned back around and could only follow the others as they started running.

Perhaps because it was the start of the term, everyone was running in a scattered mess. During the first lap, Shen Wan could still keep up.

By the second lap, she began to feel weak and lightheaded.

On the final lap, Shen Wan’s face grew even paler. she gasped for breath continuously, her vision blurring as her pace slowed further and further.

I should have slept a bit longer. That was the only thought left in Shen Wan’s mind.

Suddenly, her footing faltered, and she pitched forward toward the synthetic track.

Ji Zhao, who had been sitting on the grass, had noticed something was wrong with Shen Wan during the second lap and had been silently following her from behind.