JFWCM Chapter 61

Between Heart and Shadow

As Jiang Wan’yuan gradually emerged from the shadow of her mother’s passing and steadily advanced hand-in-hand with Yi Shang on their research path, the tranquility of the campus was quietly broken by a confession wall.

That day, during class break, the sunlight lazily sprinkled across every corner of the campus. Zhang Yao strolled through the campus as usual, inadvertently arriving at the confession wall. Her gaze casually swept across the wall, but in the next second, she was rooted to the spot – the words “Yi Shang” were strikingly in view. Getting closer to examine it, it read: “Yi Shang, from that fleeting glimpse during the campus event, your aloofness has been branded onto my heart like an imprint. Every time I catch a glimpse of your figure on campus, my heart pounds uncontrollably. Knowing that you are like a flower on a high mountain, difficult to reach, I still mustered the courage to write these words, hoping that one day I can catch your eye.” Next to it was a meticulously drawn small and vibrant heart.

Zhang Yao’s heart skipped a beat, and she thought to herself that this was not good. She knew that Jiang Wan’yuan and Yi Shang had a deep relationship, and once Jiang Wan’yuan saw the contents of this confession wall, it would definitely cause quite a stir. Not daring to delay, she immediately turned around and hurried to find Jiang Wan’yuan and Yi Shang.

At that moment, Jiang Wan’yuan and Yi Shang were in a corner of the school garden, discussing their research project. Jiang Wan’yuan held a data report in her hand, looking excited, gesturing in the air: “Yi Shang, look here, regarding the correlation between interstellar plants and brainwaves, I think we can start with the growth cycle of the plants, and maybe we can discover new resonance patterns.” Yi Shang nodded slightly, her eyes focused. Just as she was about to respond, Zhang Yao rushed over, panting, and said anxiously, “Wan’yuan, Yi Shang, this is bad! Someone confessed to Yi Shang on the confession wall!”

Jiang Wan’yuan’s smile instantly froze, and a hint of panic and surprise flashed in her eyes. Although Yi Shang’s expression remained cold, her slightly furrowed brows revealed a trace of inner turmoil. Jiang Wan’yuan forced herself to stay calm, squeezing out a smile: “Oh, really? Yi Shang is so outstanding, it’s normal for someone to like her.” But her slightly trembling voice still betrayed her inner unease.

Yi Shang hurriedly looked at Jiang Wan’yuan, her gaze firm and gentle: “Wan’yuan, you know, my heart only has you.” Jiang Wan’yuan nodded lightly, but her heart felt like it was blocked by a large stone, heavy. The three hurried to the confession wall, and Jiang Wan’yuan looked at the contents of the confession, the whispers of the surrounding students piercing her ears like needles.

“I didn’t expect Yi Shang to be so charming, but she’s so aloof, who can win her over?”

“Yeah, I wonder if the person who confessed has the guts to say it to her face.”

Listening to these words, Jiang Wan’yuan felt even more uncomfortable. Yi Shang held her hand tightly, using her firm gaze to tell her that there was no need to worry. Back in the classroom, Jiang Wan’yuan became completely distracted. In class, the teacher’s explanation seemed to come from a distant place, and the words on the confession wall constantly flashed in her mind, filled with unease and suspicion. Yi Shang looked at Jiang Wan’yuan’s distraught appearance, feeling anxious, knowing that her mother’s passing had made Jiang Wan’yuan’s heart sensitive and fragile, and this confession wall incident undoubtedly touched the depths of her fear of loss.

During class break, Lin Jichuan heard about this and ran over, shouting, “I heard someone confessed to Yi Shang? Who’s so bold!” As soon as he said that, he noticed that Jiang Wan’yuan’s face was not good, and he immediately realized that the atmosphere was not right, so he wisely shut his mouth. Yi Shang moved closer to Jiang Wan’yuan and said softly, “Wan’yuan, let’s go somewhere after school, okay?” Jiang Wan’yuan nodded silently.

Finally, after enduring until school was over, Yi Shang took Jiang Wan’yuan to the lake pavilion in the school. This was their secret base, where they had shared countless joys and secrets together. As the sun set, the afterglow sprinkled on the lake, shimmering. Yi Shang pulled Jiang Wan’yuan to sit in the pavilion, gazing at the picturesque lake, and slowly opened her mouth: “Wan’yuan, since we met and got to know each other, my eyes have only been on you. You are the only warmth in my life. The words on the confession wall are just nonsense from irrelevant people, and cannot shake your position in my heart at all.”

Jiang Wan’yuan looked at Yi Shang, tears flickering in her eyes: “Yi Shang, I know I shouldn’t be so suspicious, but I’m really afraid of losing you. After my mother left, my world seemed to collapse once, and I can’t bear the pain of losing you again.” Yi Shang hugged Jiang Wan’yuan into her arms with heartache and gently comforted, “No, I will always be with you, no matter what happens, we will face it together, okay?” Jiang Wan’yuan nodded vigorously in Yi Shang’s arms. The two hugged for a long time, as if the whole world was left with only each other’s heartbeat.

However, things did not calm down. A few days later, new content appeared on the confession wall, and it was even more enthusiastic and bold: “Yi Shang, watching you shuttle through the campus every day has become an indispensable scenery in my life. My admiration for you grows wantonly like vines, difficult to restrain. I long to truly enter your world and stand shoulder to shoulder with you.” Next to it was a carefully drawn portrait of Yi Shang, with delicate lines, showing Yi Shang’s aloof charm to the fullest.

When Jiang Wan’yuan saw these contents, the unease in her heart surged like a tide. She began to unconsciously pay attention to the classmates around her, secretly guessing who was confessing to Yi Shang. This unwarranted suspicion and unease made the atmosphere between her and Yi Shang subtle and tense. Yi Shang keenly noticed Jiang Wan’yuan’s changes and understood that if this matter was not completely resolved, the knot in Jiang Wan’yuan’s heart would only become tighter and tighter.

So, Yi Shang began to quietly pay attention to the abnormalities around her. She found that recently there was always a figure around her, keeping a distance. After several days of observation and probing, she finally identified the target – Lin Yu from the next class. Lin Yu was introverted and usually silently followed Yi Shang, and whenever Yi Shang appeared, her eyes would unconsciously follow.

Yi Shang found Lin Yu and said bluntly: “Lin Yu, the contents of the confession wall were written by you, right? I am very grateful for your appreciation of me, but I already have someone I deeply love, Jiang Wan’yuan. We love each other and have a deep relationship. I hope you can respect our feelings.” Hearing this, Lin Yu’s face instantly turned pale, her eyes were red, she lowered her head, her voice with a hint of choking: “I… I just couldn’t suppress my inner feelings and wanted to express them. I know this may bring you trouble, I’m really sorry.”

Yi Shang looked at Lin Yu, her tone softened a bit: “I understand your feelings, emotions are difficult to control. But love is about mutual affection, and cannot be forced. I hope you can let go of your obsession and find the happiness that truly belongs to you.”

After resolving this matter, Yi Shang immediately found Jiang Wan’yuan and told her the whole story in detail. After listening, the big stone in Jiang Wan’yuan’s heart finally fell to the ground. She said with a bit of shyness: “Yi Shang, I was too narrow-minded before, and I even doubted you, I’m sorry.” Yi Shang smiled and gently stroked Jiang Wan’yuan’s hair, saying: “Silly girl, I understand that it’s because you care about me too much. We must trust each other more in the future, okay?”

Originally thought that this confession wall storm would subside, but one wave has not subsided and another wave has risen. Lin Yu’s good friend, Su Yao, stood up for her friend and even posted an article on the school forum accusing Jiang Wan’yuan, saying that she was jealous and narrow-minded, and spoke harshly to Lin Yu because she was afraid that Yi Shang would be snatched away. Once the post was published, it quickly sparked heated discussions, and many students who did not know the truth followed suit and accused Jiang Wan’yuan.

When Jiang Wan’yuan saw the post, she was completely stunned, and tears of grievance welled up in her eyes: “Yi Shang, I didn’t, I don’t even know this Su Yao, and I have never said anything excessive to Lin Yu.” Yi Shang looked at Jiang Wan’yuan’s aggrieved appearance, her heart was full of heartache and anger: “Wan’yuan, don’t be sad, I believe you. This is obviously someone deliberately smearing you, let’s clarify it together.”

Yi Shang immediately contacted Jing Xiao and Zhang Yao and told them about it. When Jing Xiao heard this, he jumped up in anger: “This is too much! We can’t let Wan’yuan be wronged for nothing.” Zhang Yao quickly collected evidence, sorted out the true story of the matter, and prepared to fight back on the forum. Yi Shang found Lin Yu, hoping that she could come forward to clarify, but Lin Yu looked embarrassed: “I… I dare not offend Su Yao, she is usually very influential in school.” Yi Shang looked at Lin Yu and said seriously: “Lin Yu, if you don’t come forward, Jiang Wan’yuan will continue to be misunderstood, and you will become an accomplice. This is not your intention, right?” Lin Yu hesitated again and again, and finally nodded.

With the efforts of Yi Shang, Jing Xiao, and Zhang Yao, the truth of the matter was finally made public on the forum. Yi Shang explained the cause and effect of the matter in detail, and Lin Yu also came forward to confirm that Jiang Wan’yuan had not said anything inappropriate to her, but Yi Shang explicitly rejected her confession. After the students understood the truth, they apologized for their previous accusations.