That Nameless Summer Chapter 1

Ruining the Atmosphere

Early November.

The sky was slightly heavy, as if the weather might change at any moment.

Song Li stepped through the school gates right on time. No. 5 High School was quiet; the usually bustling campus was now empty.

The bell rang.

It was the third bell for the start of class.

He had miscalculated; at this hour, classes had already begun.

The security guard had seen him no less than five times, and he was late every single time.

I have a leave permit, so I’m just arriving now, Song Li said, his expression unchanging.

The guard clearly didn’t believe him. What grade and class? Name?

Uh, Class 3, Grade 11. Ling Qingye.

Fine, go in.

Luckily, Song Li hadn’t brought his school ID today; otherwise, he would have had to give his own name and lose points, and Chen You would never let him hear the end of it.

Of course, giving Ling Qingye’s name would still result in a point deduction.

In the Class 5, Grade 11 classroom, Guo Guangchen was writing something on the blackboard. Students, turn to page 27 of your In-class Exercise. Do the last big problem. I’ll pick someone to give the answer once you’re done.

Clang. The back door of the classroom made a slight noise as it opened.

Song Li ignored Guo’s murderous glare and walked straight to his seat.

Song Li.

The boy ignored him.

Song Li!

The boy packed his things.

Song Li!

The boy sat down directly.

Song Li suddenly felt someone throw a piece of chalk at him.

Tsk. Song Li looked up.

You, how do you do this problem? Guo Guangchen pointed to the English question projected on the whiteboard.

? Asking him to do an English problem? Was he crazy?

Square root of two.

Guo Guangchen gave him a deep look, then looked back at the problem.

Sit down.

After class, Song Li slumped on his desk.

He poked Ling Qingye. Hey, why did he let me sit down?

You got it right.

?

He actually managed to bullshit his way to the right answer?

Song Li curled his lip and withdrew his hand, resting his chin on the cold desk. His gaze drifted past Ling Qingye’s shoulder to the darkening sky outside. The clouds were hanging very low, and the wind rustled the plane tree leaves. It looked like it really was going to rain.

When the bell for the end of Evening Self-study broke through the twilight, raindrops were already pattering against the windows.

Song Li walked toward the dormitory at a leisurely pace, looking down at his phone, the screen’s light reflecting on his pale, cold face.

Ling Qingye walked beside him the whole way.

The umbrella belonged to Ling Qingye. His well-defined fingers gripped the black handle, and the edge of the umbrella tilted slightly toward Song Li. His own shoulder was silently soaked by the rain.

They spoke occasionally, but mostly remained silent. The sound of the rain pitter-pattering into the quiet air wasn’t exactly awkward.

They were in the same dormitory room, one on the top bunk and one on the bottom bunk.

Song Li was the one on the bottom bunk.

Every night as he lay in bed, looking at the bedboard above him, he felt inexplicably annoyed.

It felt like he was being suppressed by someone.

As soon as Song Li entered the dormitory, he collapsed onto his bed. His long legs dangled casually off the edge, his phone rested on his stomach, and his fingers scrolled mindlessly across the screen.

After a couple of seconds, as if suddenly remembering something, a light cough escaped his throat.

Watch your mo—

Before he could finish the sentence, Song Li glanced at the bed curtain hanging down from the top bunk and swallowed his words. He rolled over to face the wall and continued scrolling.

Only the two of them had returned to the room so far.

Ling Qingye unzipped his bag with a crisp metallic clink, took out several exercise books, and sat quietly at the desk to start writing. The tip of his pen moved across the paper with a soft rustling sound.

Occasional gunshots from Song Li’s game broke the silence, clashing with the quiet atmosphere.

By the time Ling Qingye finished three test papers, Song Li was still huddled on his bed, having not even changed his posture.

The dormitory door was pushed open, and two other roommates burst in arm-in-arm, bringing with them the dampness of the rain and the sweet scent of snacks.

As soon as Liu Qiuhao entered, he saw Song Li leaning against the bed frame, his slender fingers operating rapidly on the screen.

Li-zi, what are you playing? Carry me. He sat familiarly on the edge of Song Li’s bed, not minding the other’s cold face at all.

Song Li instinctively frowned and moved further inward, his tone disgusted. Get lost. Go to your own spot.

Fine, fine. Liu Qiuhao stood up with a grin, not the least bit angry. He then leaned over Ling Qingye’s desk, peeking around. Brother Ye, doing exercises again? I’ll never understand the world of top students.

Ling Qingye didn’t even look up. His pen paused for a moment, and he gave a faint mm.

Finding no interest there, Liu Qiuhao retreated awkwardly to his own spot and started whispering with the other roommate.

Ling Qingye packed up his books, took his toiletries, and pushed open the door to the bathroom.

Song Li stared toward the bathroom door. His fingers paused on the screen, and he didn’t even care when his game character was killed in an ambush. He tossed his phone aside and stared blankly at the ceiling.

He planned to wait for Ling Qingye to come out before going to wash up.

About ten minutes later, the bathroom door opened, and a puff of cool air carrying the fresh scent of body wash drifted out.

Ling Qingye had changed into gray pajamas. His hair was soaking wet, and water droplets dripped from the ends, sliding down his neck and disappearing into his collar. Drying his hair, he walked quietly back to the desk and picked up the hairdryer.

Song Li brushed past him without a word and went straight into the bathroom.

When he turned on the shower, the water temperature was a bit cool. The Dormitory Matron’s whistle was already sounding in the hallway, signaling that the lights were about to go out. Song Li gave himself a quick rinse, turned off the water, and walked out while drying his hair with a towel.

The lights in the dormitory had already been turned off, leaving only the dim yellow glow of the streetlights filtering in through the window.

Everyone else was asleep, their breathing steady.

Only Ling Qingye was still sitting at the desk, legs crossed, looking at his phone. The screen’s light illuminated the sharp, clean lines of his jaw.

Song Li’s movements as he dried his hair paused.

Hearing the sound, Ling Qingye looked up at him.

In the dim yellow light, water dripped from the boy’s hair, sliding down his neck and into his loose white pajamas, revealing a small patch of delicate skin.

Song Li felt uncomfortable under his gaze. He frowned, his tone a bit sharp. What the hell are you looking at?

Ling Qingye didn’t speak. He just looked at him with a deep gaze, as if hiding something that couldn’t be seen clearly in the dark.

A few seconds later, he lowered his head and continued looking at his phone, though his fingers gripping the device curled slightly.

Outside the window, the rain continued to fall.