Chapter 3: Our First Encounter

“Shi Song, let’s eat off-campus after school together. I won’t go home.”
“Huh? Okay, I’ll tell my brother to come pick me up after evening study.”
“Great! I found a really delicious place nearby,” Fang Youqi said excitedly.
Shi Song smiled but said nothing.

The boys who had walked back to the classroom with Shen Xianxing noticed the bottle of returned yogurt on Shen Meixing’s desk and began to sneer.
“Yo, the yogurt from Brother Xing got returned, huh? Could it be…”
“She just doesn’t want to forgive you~”
“Hey, what are you guys crowding around for? Don’t you know class has started?!”
The boys lingering by Shen Xianxing’s seat awkwardly dispersed.
“Teacher, we’re going back now!”
Shen Xianxing glanced at the boys, then at Shi Song, a hint of helplessness flickering in his eyes.

During class, the atmosphere was quiet, a stark contrast to the noisy breaks. They truly embodied the teacher’s advice: “Study seriously when it’s time to learn, and enjoy yourself when it’s time to play.”

Throughout the lesson, Shen Xianxing passed countless notes to Shi Song from the students in front of him. Shi Song barely glanced at them, setting most aside.
In a forty-five-minute class, Shen Xianxing sent no fewer than fifteen notes, while Shi Song replied with only one.
At first, Shen Xianxing was delighted upon receiving the note, but the content quickly deflated his mood, and he stopped passing notes altogether.

“Student in the fourth seat of the third column, please answer the question.”
“Teacher, which side is the first column on?”
“The column by the door is the first.”
The classmates looked around for the “lucky one.”
A girl with glasses and a side braid tapped Shen Xianxing’s shoulder. “The teacher wants you to answer.”
Shen Xianxing stood up, glanced at the question, and promptly replied, “Iron(III) oxide.”
The chemistry teacher nodded. “Correct, please sit down.”

As Shen Xianxing sat, the teacher teased him.
“I thought your mind was busy passing notes to the girl in the front row. So, did you make the little lady angry, or do you like her?”
Though the teacher’s teasing was aimed at Shen Xianxing, it was Shi Song who felt embarrassed and shy.
His head nearly sank beneath the desk.
Shen Xianxing smiled and said, “Yes, teacher, I was wrong.”
His “yes” was ambiguous—did it refer to making Shi Song angry or the teacher’s suggestion that he liked her?
“I don’t think you were wrong; it’s just the timing of the apology was off. Next time, don’t do it during class.”
Shen Xianxing nodded.
“That’s enough of this little episode. Children, let’s continue with the lesson.”

During the break, Fang Youqi shook the tissue in her hand and asked if Shi Song wanted to go to the restroom together. Shi Song left his seat and accompanied her.
The two girls walked arm in arm, chatting like old friends rather than classmates who had only just met two days ago. Perhaps this was why girls could forge friendships so quickly.

The afternoon passed more swiftly than the morning, and soon the school bell signaled the end of the day.
As the bell rang, Fang Youqi immediately grabbed Shi Song’s hand and dashed out of the school, causing some students to step aside to avoid colliding with them.

“Youqi, slow down, I… I can’t keep up…” Shi Song panted, struggling to catch his breath.
Upon hearing this, Fang Youqi slowed and sheepishly apologized.
“Sorry, I’m on the middle school track team; I haven’t adjusted yet…”
“It’s okay… it’s okay. We’re almost at the gate.”
“Alright.”

They leisurely exited the school grounds. Fang Youqi led Shi Song to the “delicious place” she had mentioned.
“Here we are! This is it—Good morning, Tong Xue!”

The two girls entered the shop, placed their orders, found a vacant table, and sat down to wait. The shop gradually filled with many students until it was packed.

“Excuse me, classmates, may I join your table?”
Shi Song and Fang Youqi looked at the student, thought for a moment, and nodded in agreement.
“Thank you.”

Fang Youqi sent Shi Song a message on WeChat to chat, avoiding awkwardness despite sitting next to each other. They didn’t dare discuss the person in front of them openly.

Slowly: “Shi Song! That’s really Shen Yan, so handsome!”
Pine Nut: “Huh? He’s Shen Yan? He gives me a strange feeling of familiarity.”
Slowly: “You two went to the same school before, you’d have met each other at some point!”
Pine Nut: “Maybe… let’s eat first.”
Slowly: “Okay.”

They put down their phones and began to eat.
The table was quiet and peaceful, but Fang Youqi kept sneaking glances at Shen Yan. They wanted to talk to him but were too shy.

“Classmates, is there something on my face?”
The two girls froze, then nervously replied, “No, it’s just that, um, your skincare routine is amazing.”
They couldn’t very well say, “We were staring because you’re so handsome.”
Shen Yan’s lips curled into a slight smile. “Skincare? Just like you girls do.”
Fang Youqi and Shi Song fell silent, clearly envious.

After finishing their meal, the girls left. On the way back, Shi Song received a call from Xu Jin Yi. They chatted briefly before hanging up.

Back at school, the setting sun cast a warm glow, and the early autumn breeze stirred dry leaves along the shaded campus path. A few students strolled quietly, some snapping photos of the scenery. Shi Song did the same, sharing the pictures in two small group chats named “Happy Family” and “Meteor Garden F6.”

A notification sounded on Shi Song’s phone.
Empress Mother: “Darling, your photos are beautiful. Take more for me next time.”
Emperor Father: “Sweetheart, the photos are great. What do you want for a late-night snack? Daddy will make it for you.”
Royal Brother: “Dad, why don’t I get such treatment? [crying.jpg]”
Emperor Father: “Can you even compare to your sister? And what would you have me make for you?”
Shi Song: “Thank you, Dad, but my brother asked Jin Yi to pick me up tonight. Jin Yi just called to say he’ll treat me to a late-night snack.”
Emperor Father: “Alright, dear. Then tomorrow night, you’ll have what Daddy makes.”
Shi Song: “Okay. [love you.jpg]”
“Alipay received 300 yuan.”
Empress Mother: “Sweetie, I transferred 300 yuan via Alipay. Have a nice meal with Jin Yi. If it’s not enough, tell us.”
Shi Song: “Got it!”

Fang Youqi, who had witnessed the entire conversation, expressed envy of such a warm family atmosphere.
“Shi Song, just reading your chat, your family seems so happy and cozy.”
“My parents just want me to be happy and carefree. They’d let me rely on them forever.” Shi Song beamed with contentment.
“I’m jealous… my family is so suffocating every day.”

On the way back to the classroom, Shi Song learned that Fang Youqi was born into a marriage of convenience and was an unplanned child. Her father and mother didn’t care for her, but materially she had the best.
Shi Song gently patted Fang Youqi’s back, comforting her.
“It’s okay, it’s okay, no more tears. Tears are like pearls, but if pearls fall, the little princess’s eyes will swell.”
“Okay.”

Someone tapped Shi Song on the shoulder. “Hello, classmate.”
Shi Song turned to see who it was but hadn’t spoken when the student continued,
“I’m the one who shared the table with you earlier. Sorry to bother you, but I wanted to give you some tissues. Looks like your tears and nose might stain your uniform.”
“Thanks for your kindness.”
Shi Song accepted the tissues from Shen Yan and wiped Fang Youqi’s tears.

Shen Yan handed over the tissues and returned to his classroom.

After Shen Yan left, Fang Youqi cried even louder.
“So embarrassing, I already made a fool of myself in front of my crush on the first day.”
“It’s okay. Maybe he doesn’t even remember us.”
Fang Youqi didn’t reply.
“Let’s head back to class.”
Fang Youqi nodded, and the two returned to their seats, chatting as if nothing had happened.

Night quietly fell, and the clock’s hand slowly pointed to nine. The once bright and quiet classroom lights began to dim one by one, signaling the end of evening study. Finally, the clear and melodious dismissal bell shattered the night’s stillness, marking the close of the day’s learning.

Students packed their books and stationery, some stretching stiff limbs from hours of sitting, others whispering about the day’s events or challenges to their desk mates. Then, like birds returning to their nests, they filed out of their classrooms and headed toward the school gate. The entire building came alive with footsteps and laughter, creating a unique symphony of dismissal.

At the school gate, many parents waited to pick up their children, and numerous street vendors pushed carts selling late-night snacks. Students streamed out one after another. As soon as Shi Song and Fang Youqi stepped outside, they spotted Xu Jin Yi among the crowd.

Wearing a white sweatshirt and leaning against a car, Xu Jin Yi saw them and greeted from afar.
“Long time no see, An’an. You’ve grown taller.” He ruffled Shi Song’s hair.
“Long time no see, Brother Jin Yi.”
Noticing the girl beside Shi Song, Xu Jin Yi greeted her too.
“Hello, young lady, I’m Shi Song’s brother. Want to go grab some late-night snacks together?”

Fang Youqi felt awkward and, since her ride had already arrived, politely declined.
“Thank you for the kind offer, brother, but my family is here to pick me up.”
She pointed toward a white Mercedes parked across the street. Xu Jin Yi looked in that direction and said no more.

Fang Youqi and Shi Song said their goodbyes.
“I’ll head home first. See you tomorrow, Shi Song.”
“Okay, see you tomorrow. Be careful crossing the street!”

Fang Youqi nodded, watched the traffic carefully, and when the road was clear, crossed to the waiting car.