That Nameless Summer Chapter 2

Chapter 2

The sky had finally darkened, and the early morning wind carried a chill like fine sand, scraping against one’s face with a stinging pain. Song Li was woken up by the sound of the wind outside the window. When he opened his eyes, the dormitory was silent. The top bunk was empty; Ling Qingye was already gone.

He clicked his tongue and sat up slowly, rubbing his temples as if he had a hangover.

Song Li stepped into his slippers and climbed down from the bed, shivering the moment his feet touched the ground. A school jacket he had taken off yesterday lay on the floor. He bent down to pick it up, and a faint scent of soap suddenly hit his nose. It wasn’t the orange-scented detergent he usually used; it was Ling Qingye’s. He figured that when they were hanging clothes last night, the wind must have blown the hangers around, and the two garments had brushed against each other, transferring the scent.

He didn’t think much of it and pulled the jacket on haphazardly. With the zipper only halfway up, leaving half of his collarbone exposed, he turned and walked toward the washroom.

Scattered footsteps already echoed in the corridor, mostly from students rushing to the canteen for breakfast. When Song Li reached the washroom door, he saw Ling Qingye standing at the furthest faucet, head lowered as he washed a white enamel cup. The morning light slanted in through the window, landing on the crown of his head and creating a pale golden fringe. He wore a clean school uniform with the collar buttoned meticulously. The lines of his profile were cold and smooth as he kept his eyelashes lowered.

Song Li paused for a moment but didn’t make a sound.

Ling Qingye seemed to sense something and looked up toward the door. When his gaze met Song Li’s, he showed no expression, merely giving a slight nod as a greeting before lowering his head again to continue rinsing his cup with deliberate slowness. The sound of running water splashed, diluting the silent tension between them.

Song Li walked over, stood at the faucet next to him, and turned the handle. As the icy water splashed against his palm, he instinctively curled his fingers.

We have the 800-meter run today, Ling Qingye suddenly spoke, his voice clear and cold, like icicles striking glass.

Song Li froze for a second before remembering that this week’s PE class included physical fitness testing. He hated this most of all; after an 800-meter run, his lungs always felt like they were going to explode. I know, he muttered vaguely, scooping up cold water to splash on his face.

If you can’t run, you can apply for an exemption, Ling Qingye added, his tone flat, making it impossible to tell if he was concerned or just mentioning it in passing.

Song Li twitched the corner of his mouth but didn’t respond. An exemption? When had he, Song Li, ever done something so embarrassing? He lifted his head, water droplets sliding down his jawline and dripping onto his collar, creating a small damp patch. He noticed tea steeping in Ling Qingye’s cup, the leaves unfurling in a pale green. You drink tea? he asked, just to say something.

Ling Qingye tightened the lid of the cup and glanced at him upon hearing this. It helps me stay alert.

The top student’s way of staying healthy, Song Li scoffed. He shook the water off his hands and turned to walk out.

Ling Qingye watched his retreating back, noting the unzipped collar and the stray tuft of hair sticking up on his head. His fingers curled slightly, but in the end, he said nothing. He simply held the cup of warm tea in his palm, feeling a bit of warmth through his fingertips.

The last class of the morning was English. The English teacher stepped into the classroom just as the bell rang, carrying a stack of test papers. Song Li was slumped over his desk, his eyelids fighting to stay open; the aftereffects of staying up late playing games hadn’t worn off yet. A half-finished manga was stuffed into his desk drawer. Just as he was about to sneak it out, he heard the woman clear her throat.

We’re having a pop quiz today. Ling Qingye, come up and read the listening comprehension questions.

Ling Qingye stood up at the command, his footsteps echoing crisply in the quiet classroom. Song Li lifted his head just in time to see his back as he walked toward the podium. He had a tall, straight posture, looking better in a school uniform than most. Sunlight streamed through the window, landing on his back and sketching a clear silhouette.

The listening tape began to spin, and after the sound of static, Ling Qingye’s voice rang out.

His pronunciation was as standard as a professional broadcaster’s, his tone steady and his speed moderate. Song Li’s originally drowsy brain was jolted by the voice, becoming somewhat clearer.

He stared at Ling Qingye’s profile, watching his thin lips move and the long lashes over his downcast eyes. He suddenly felt that this English class might not be so unbearable after all.

It was then that Xu Jiangyou poked Qin Jiangwen’s arm with the tip of her pen.

Qin Jiangwen was looking down at his English book. He frowned and turned his head to look at her.

Xu Jiangyou was wearing a primrose-yellow sweater today, which made her skin look radiantly fair. Her bright, beautiful face held a mischievous smile as she held a pink pen, writing a line in her notebook before pushing it in front of him.

Great Scholar Qin, we have a quiz in a bit. Please cover for me~

Qin Jiangwen’s gaze fell on the words, then he looked up at her.

Xu Jiangyou blinked her beautiful peach blossom eyes, the corners upturned slightly in a coquettish manner.

Some nearby students noticed the movement and chuckled secretly.

The tips of Qin Jiangwen’s ears turned slightly red, yet he kept a stern face as he picked up his pen and wrote a reply under her sentence.

Do it yourself.

Xu Jiangyou pouted and took back the notebook, using her pen to draw a large pig’s head on the paper with the name Qin Someone-or-other written next to it.

Qin Jiangwen caught a glimpse of it. The corner of his mouth twitched almost imperceptibly before he quickly suppressed the smile and looked back down at his book, though the redness on his ears didn’t fade for a long time.

Song Li took in the whole scene and couldn’t help but let out a low laugh.

At the front, Ling Qingye had just finished reading a listening comprehension question. Hearing the laugh, he glanced at him. Song Li met his gaze and raised an eyebrow, saying nothing.

Ling Qingye’s eyes cooled slightly as he turned back to read the next question.

After the quiz ended, the teacher asked Ling Qingye to collect the papers. Ling Qingye started from the first row, taking them one by one in an orderly fashion. When he reached Song Li’s seat, Song Li slowly handed him the paper, his fingertips accidentally brushing against the back of Ling Qingye’s hand.

Ling Qingye’s hand was very cold, like ice. Song Li’s fingertips flinched, and he instinctively pulled back.

Ling Qingye glanced at him, said nothing, took the paper, and turned to the next seat.

Watching his back, Song Li suddenly felt as if that brief touch had sent an electric current through him, numbing him from his fingertips to the depths of his heart. He ran a hand through his hair in frustration, muttering “psycho” under his breath, yet he couldn’t help but steal another glance in Ling Qingye’s direction.

During PE class in the afternoon, they indeed had to run the 800-meter run.

The PE teacher blew his whistle, signaling the boys to stand in a line. Song Li stood in the queue, boredly kicking a small pebble on the ground. Ling Qingye stood right next to him in athletic wear, his posture tall and straight. The sun was intense, making people feel dizzy.

Positions—Ready—Go!

The whistle blew, and the boys surged forward in a swarm. Song Li didn’t exert himself at first, trailing lazily behind as he watched the others compete. Ling Qingye was very fast, quickly moving to the front of the pack. His stride was steady and his breathing even, clearly the result of regular exercise.

Looking at his back, Song Li suddenly felt a surge of energy. He picked up his pace and chased after him.

By the second lap, Song Li’s stamina began to fail. His lungs burned with pain and his legs felt like lead. Seeing Ling Qingye not far ahead, he gritted his teeth and pushed forward a few more steps.

Just then, his foot caught on something, and his body lunged forward violently.

Just as he was about to hit the ground, a hand suddenly reached out from the side, firmly grabbing his arm.

Song Li’s body stiffened as he looked up.

Ling Qingye stood beside him, his brow slightly furrowed, a slight coolness emanating from his palm. Be careful, he said softly, his voice carrying a hint of concern that was hard to detect.

Classmates running past let out teasing whistles.

Song Li’s face flushed instantly. He violently shook off Ling Qingye’s hand and said stubbornly, I don’t need your help.

With that, he turned and ran. His steps were stumbling, yet he ran incredibly fast, as if he were escaping something.

Ling Qingye watched his back. His hand, still extended in mid-air, froze for a moment before he slowly pulled it back. He looked down at his palm; the spot that had touched Song Li’s arm seemed to retain a trace of warmth.

He stood silently for a moment, then lifted his feet and continued running forward.

After finishing the 800-meter run, Song Li collapsed onto the grass, gasping for air. The sun beat down on his face with a stinging heat. He turned his head and saw Ling Qingye sitting under the shade of a tree not far away, slowly drinking from a bottle of mineral water.

Xu Jiangyou and Qin Jiangwen were there as well.

Xu Jiangyou said something that made her dissolve into laughter. Qin Jiangwen sat beside her, watching her laugh with a faint smile of his own. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, falling over them and making the scene look as warm as a painting.

Song Li looked at them, then turned his gaze back to Ling Qingye.

Ling Qingye seemed to sense his gaze and looked over.

Their eyes met across the green grass, across the lazy afternoon sunlight, and across an indefinable distance.

Song Li looked away and closed his eyes.

The wind blew gently, bringing with it the fragrance of plane tree leaves and a faint hint of Ling Qingye’s soapy scent.