During class dismissal, Song Yan was on duty, checking the hygiene of the classroom. He merely had to stand at the classroom door while others went in to inspect, and he would be responsible for the registration.
When inspecting Class 3-1, his first instinct was to look at Bai Qingzhen, who was asleep with her head on the desk.
The girl sitting in front of Bai Qingzhen, with a perfectly straight back and slender, pale fingers holding a pen, was doing problems with her head bowed.
Sunlight from outside the window fell upon her, casting a golden hue on her black hair. The exposed skin was translucent white, like the clear and pure white dew that gathered in the early morning.
Song Yan's thoughts drifted a little.
He felt that the girl was different from what the rumors suggested. Song Yan wasn't a particularly curious person; or rather, he didn't have much enthusiasm for anything. However, this seemingly well-behaved girl sparked a desire in him to explore.
The image of the girl's delicate eyelashes, adorned with teardrops, suddenly appeared in his mind. When she saw him, it was as if she saw a savior, her last straw.
This was not Song Yan exaggerating.
Timid, helpless, seemingly innocent, without fear or fright, only a bewildered and lost helplessness.
Song Yan suddenly understood why she was bullied.
Too fragile, like a beautiful dodder flower, only able to survive by clinging to others, easily controlled.
Just as Song Yan was engrossed in his observation, the girl who had been looking down suddenly raised her head. Dressed in a clean and neat blue and white school uniform, with a face of unparalleled beauty in the world, her dark, moist eyes curved, and a gentle, shallow affection flowed out.
It was a strange and intense affection, uninhibited, and it made Song Yan's breath catch. He didn't understand why, but upon meeting those eyes, he involuntarily held his breath.
Snapping back to reality, the overly fervent gaze made him feel subtly uncomfortable, and he lost the desire to continue watching. He turned to leave.
But Shen Yue followed him out, even grabbing his hand.
The delicate, cool touch caused Song Yan to stiffen. Many people were coming and going in the corridor, and they couldn't help but stop when they saw this scene.
One was the outstanding and gentle school heartthrob, and the other was...
These two seemed to have no connection at all.
Shen Yue was still looking at him, her dark eyes still smiling, with shallow dimples.
Song Yan's expression darkened, and he forcefully shook her off.
Shen Yue, unfazed by being pushed away, simply lowered her hand with a hint of dejection. Her dark eyes were clear and bright, with a tentative shyness.
"Little Yan ge, do you remember me?"
Just now, Song Yan's gaze towards her had been a tenderness he hadn't even noticed himself. When Shen Yue met that gaze, surprise surged in her heart, and without thinking further, she chased after him to ask.
Song Yan was bewildered, his brows furrowed.
Little Yan ge?
When had he become so familiar with Shen Yue? They had met less than five times, and she was already calling him "ge."
The inexplicable words ruined the vague goodwill he had felt towards Shen Yue. Song Yan tried to ignore the hint of disappointment in his heart.
In their previous encounters, he had completely categorized the girl as pitiful and tragic. And no matter what, her eyes were always clean and clear. He thought she was different.
It turned out she wasn't different, just that she hid it too deeply.
Always looking pitiable, yet gazing at him with admiration, calling him "ge" at the slightest provocation. He remembered that the girl also seemed to be involved with Jiang Wei.
He thought the rumors were false, but it turned out he had thought too highly of her.
"Classmate, we aren't close, are we?" Song Yan forced a smile, but there was no mirth in his eyes.
Before the girl could answer, he spoke in words that were almost venomous, "And don't call me so familiarly, it easily leads to misunderstandings."
"I don't mean to blame you, I just think girls should have more self-respect. Don't always think about shortcuts and devious methods. Not everyone is a fool."
Song Yan narrated calmly, satisfied to see the girl's pale face as she lowered her head.
"Classmate, one must know oneself. Don't covet things that don't belong to you."
After speaking, he didn't even spare the girl another glance and turned to leave.
——
He Ji had been hospitalized.
Shen Yue found out a few days later, and it was Bai Qingzhen who told her. Bai Qingzhen had had feelings for He Ji and had even pursued him, but unfortunately, her affections were unrequited.
Bai Qingzhen didn't seem to care about this matter. It wasn't her boyfriend who was hospitalized, so why should it concern her?
He Ji was a good student; he excelled in all aspects. He never fought, drank, or smoked, nor did he initiate conflicts with others.
It was heard that some people came to the classroom to cause trouble. One of them used a despicable trick, smashing He Ji on the head with a stool when He Ji wasn't paying attention. They said he bled a lot.
Shen Yue bought a bouquet of flowers and some fruit. She learned He Ji's location from a teacher.
She gently pushed open the hospital room door. He Ji was sitting on the hospital bed.
His back was straight, his features pale and handsome, his head wrapped in several layers of bandages. His expression was indifferent, and he was focused on doing math problems, pen in hand.
From Shen Yue's perspective, she could see his cold, narrow eyes and very long eyelashes.
"What are you standing at the door for?"
The boy's clear, low, and cold voice entered her ears, carried by the cool air from the air conditioner.
He looked at the girl at the door, still indifferent.
Shen Yue walked in. She placed the bouquet in a vase and arranged it, then turned around. Her face was pale, and faint light fell on her delicate eyelashes, casting fan-like shadows. Her rosy, full lips were pursed, and she sat on a chair by the bedside.
She looked at He Ji's face and asked calmly, "Who injured you?"
He Ji's face showed no expression, his thin lips slightly pursed. His dark eyes stared intently at the girl.
He suddenly raised his hand and touched Shen Yue's face with his fingers. His fingertips were ice-cold.
His action was somewhat inexplicable, and Shen Yue sensitively felt his emotions.
His thin lips pressed together, and his expression was somewhat gloomy, "You don't need to worry about it. The exam is coming soon, so focus your thoughts on your studies."
Shen Yue looked at his indifferent face and lowered her eyes, smiling slightly. "Does it hurt?"
"No."
Shen Yue didn't believe him. How could it not hurt?
She stood up. He Ji felt a shadow fall beside him, his eyelashes fluttered, and the knuckles gripping the pen turned white.
Then, he smelled a faint, sweet fragrance.
His Adam's apple involuntarily bobbed, making him feel dry and uncomfortable.
His forehead was lightly touched, as light as a feather brushing past, yet it stirred ripples in the boy's heart.