Chapter 40 We went to a chain restaurant to eat...

They went to a chain restaurant for dinner. Customers celebrating their birthday that day had a chance to spin a prize wheel. Wang Kan asked Fang Minzhou to spin it, but Fang Minzhou passed it on to Xu Ran.

The little girl gritted her teeth and strained, turning the 100-yuan voucher under the expectant gazes of everyone.

"Ouch." Wang Kan patted Xu Ran's head and ordered her an extra children's meal as a reward.

The complimentary longevity noodles were served first, and the bowl, bigger than Wang Kan's face, was placed in front of him. Fang Minzhou couldn't help but laugh when he saw it.

She sat opposite him in the booth by the window, while Xu Ran sat next to Fang Minzhou this time.

Out of both courtesy and reason, Fang Minzhou took out his phone to take a picture of Wang Kan. Wang Kan was startled when she saw the camera, but then cooperated readily, making Fang Minzhou feel embarrassed. She quickly snapped a couple of pictures, then hurriedly put her phone away. Wang Kan didn't even glance at the photos. "You didn't make me look ugly, did you?" she asked.

"……No."

"So that means you're very handsome?"

Fang Minzhou blushed, "Don't you know what you look like?"

"He's very handsome."

Fang Minzhou: "..."

Just then, the waiter came to serve the food, and Fang Minzhou shut her mouth, not arguing with him, letting him indulge in his narcissism.

For Wang Kan, the trip to the science museum was an unexpectedly fulfilling experience.

He remembered that when he came out of the restaurant that day, there was a performance in the nearby square. Although the stage was simple, a lot of people had gathered around, and they stood and watched for a while. Summer days are long, and even at seven or eight o'clock, the sky still had a bluish glow. The typhoon had passed, and the evening breeze was light and pleasant.

He swayed his head slightly to the rhythm of the music, glancing at Fang Minzhou beside him. She was motionless but listening intently. He couldn't help but feel regretful. If he had been able to go on stage at the arts festival, would he have been able to be watched by her for such a long time during a song?

Looking down, Xu Ran, who was next to Fang Minzhou, was looking at him curiously. Wang Kan smiled, leaned back, and put his index finger to his lips, secretly signaling her to keep it a secret. Xu Ran nodded as if she understood.

When he noticed Fang Min and Zhou Honghong's ears, he pretended that he knew nothing.

After dropping her off at the station, she didn't forget to hand the model to Wang Kan. Xu Ran didn't know what it was, only that it was a very big gift. She stared at him, almost drooling with envy.

He assembled the model the next day and sent the selfie with the model to Fang Minzhou. It took him a while to get her reply. He knew she must have been laughing for a long time.

Unfortunately, Fang Minzhou refused to meet her again when asked, which Wang Kan could understand.

Summer vacation ended in the blink of an eye, and senior high school students returned to school for classes.

College entrance exam mobilization meetings for parents, speeches by outstanding graduates returning to school, mock exams at the start of the semester… one thing after another, like firecrackers popping up, announcing the approaching college entrance exam in a seemingly civilized but actually brutal way. This summer is far from over, but the battle horn for next summer has already sounded.

Wang Kan was quite happy when school started.

The most triumphant moment was on the day of the parent-teacher conference. Fang Minzhou went to the teacher's office, and Wang Kan, standing in the hallway, immediately recognized Fang Minzhou's father in the crowd. He then led him to his seat and even gave him a bottle of water. Although Fang Minzhou was angry with him after finding out about this, Wang Kan felt that he hadn't done anything wrong; it was Fang Minzhou who was feeling guilty. The more guilty Fang Minzhou felt, the happier he was.

However, Wang Kan's happiness was short-lived, because Grandma Zhan rearranged the seating without warning. His deskmate became Jin Baihao, while Fang Minzhou and Yin Mengran sat together, and they weren't even in the same group.

Almost everyone's positions were rearranged, but there was absolutely no logic to the arrangement. For example, why was Ouyang Qian still allowed to sit in front of Fang Minzhou? Wang Kan was very frustrated. She dreamed of storming into the office, but she couldn't actually confront the old lady.

However, Fang Minzhou calmly accepted everything.

She worried that Grandma Zhan had figured something out, because a few days ago, a couple from another class had their parents called in for inappropriate behavior, and she heard that the two sets of parents were arguing loudly at each other in the administration office. Grandma Zhan had just changed seats after that. Wang Kan watched Fang Minzhou being nervous for several days, and only felt relieved after Grandma Zhan stopped talking to anyone.

He understood, but even with that understanding, it was still hard not to be sad and angry. He felt that his past self, who stayed up all night studying in his second year of high school for fear of having his seat changed, was a joke.

Fang Minzhou said he didn't want to change seats, but he actually did. She didn't miss him at all. She could have at least pretended, but instead, she deliberately tried to cut ties with him, saying that this way they could focus more on their studies, which was a good thing.

Is that so? Maybe it is for her, but not for him.

Their cage of age-appropriate hamsters were placed on a running wheel, which kept them constantly moving, but some of them were always slow. Wang Kan felt that she was one of those hamsters that kept getting slower and slower.

Those chat logs and photos from summer vacation have vanished like a dream.

Previously, although he and Fang Minzhou pretended to be at odds, they still sat together and could exchange a few words. At most, they could write notes and make eye contact. But since they changed seats, their contact at school has been almost zero, almost back to the state at the beginning of their second year of high school when they hadn't even sat together yet.

He regretted playing the diversionary game with Fang Minzhou, which made it impossible for him to openly ask her questions.

In addition, since senior high school students also have to go to school for self-study on Saturdays, and their extracurricular tutoring schedules are adjusted to avoid overlap, they no longer have the opportunity to meet outside of school. In the end, they can only exchange a few words on the way home after evening self-study, and to make matters worse, evening self-study is extended by half an hour.

She and Ouyang Qian still manage to have meals together affectionately every day.

He added a keychain to the little lion so he could touch it every day. The thought of the gift Fang Minzhou made by hand made all his anger turn into needles pricking him again.

So it's still his problem.

He was like a plant that had been moved from a sunny spot to a shady one; it was hard for him not to wilt, but you couldn't blame him for that.

So why did Mrs. Zhan change her position?

He remembered that at the beginning he had a very humble attitude, only hoping that he would be Fang Minzhou's first priority in everything except studying. Now, looking back, Wang Kan felt that he was foolish and arrogant, not knowing that greed is human nature, and not acknowledging that he was just an ordinary person. The more he had, the less satisfied he became.

Feeling depressed and frustrated, with nowhere to reason with, and the pressure of senior year was immense. Not only had the teachers changed from their usual kind demeanor to acting like freaks, but the students around him were also on edge. Jin Baihao next to him was a prime example; Wang Kan got angry seeing him so diligent that he didn't even eat. Wu Cheng and Zheng Yanhang also suddenly became serious overnight.

Later, he realized to himself that his subconscious had recognized the severity of the situation before he did.

He didn't do well on the midterm exams. He ranked fifty-fourth in the midterm, which was far from the top fifty, and by more than just one or two points.

After October, the temperature at night gradually cools down, and the fragrance of osmanthus flowers is once again carried on the wind.

Wang Kan accompanied Fang Minzhou home by bike as usual, and the two remained silent the whole way. Wang Kan could sense that Fang Minzhou was in low spirits, but she had done very well on her midterm exams, and had consistently remained in the top twenty of her grade this semester, so... it could only be because of him.

He should probably say something to lighten the mood, to make Fang Minzhou trust him again, and to encourage himself, but... he didn't want to say anything.

Almost a year has passed since last semester, and he has gone through six or seven exams, but he still hasn't fulfilled his promise.

Wang Kan didn't believe this was his limit, but he also looked down on himself for talking a good game but not being able to deliver. So he didn't want to make any more promises or guarantees. He had already made his promises and guarantees. What he wanted now was to keep his word.

When they arrived at Fang Minzhou's building, both of them hesitated to speak before parting.

Wang Kan was curious about what Fang Minzhou was going to say to him; she didn't seem like she was going to scold him... So was it encouragement? Or comfort?

"Actually, you did pretty well on the test this time," she said. "Maintaining consistency is also a form of progress."

Wang Kan held onto the bicycle and rubbed the soles of his shoes.

"Remember to give me your midterm exam paper after you've reviewed it. I'll take a look at it and then return it to you."

Wang Kan understood Fang Minzhou's meaning, and after a moment of elation, she quickly composed herself. "Then... do you have time to analyze this with me in person?"

"I think so..." Fang Minzhou said, "After school on Saturday, or Sunday morning?"

"I'm fine with anything!"

"I'll think about it later... how about after school on Saturday?"

"no problem!"

Fang Minzhou seemed to be both amused and exasperated. After a moment, she straightened her expression and said, "And..."

"Hmm?" Wang Kan's tone rose.

Seeing Wang Kan looking at her expectantly, Fang Minzhou suddenly felt a little reluctant and looked away. She still said her decision: "...I think you should go straight home after evening self-study and don't have to see me off."

As the night wind blew by, Fang Minzhou followed a leaf that had been swept away by Wang Kan. She watched it swirl and fall to the ground in the middle of the empty road, but she still didn't hear a response from Wang Kan. So she had to look at him again.

He still had a smile on his face, but the smile didn't reach his eyes; instead, there was a look of bewilderment, confusion, and anger.

Fang Minzhou gripped the handlebars tightly, otherwise she would have wanted to duck and avoid them again. Even though she was doing the right thing, she felt uneasy, as if she were lying.

So sometimes she would hate Wang Kan's eyes.

"...Why?" Wang Kan asked her.

But they both knew that she had made her point very clearly: "Otherwise, it's a bit of a waste of time for you to drop me off and then go home every time."

"I can ask you questions when I take you home," Wang Kan said with a smile.

Fang Minzhou sighed helplessly, "...we can't discuss any real issues, and we don't have paper or pen."

She had checked, and it would take Wang Kan at least twenty minutes to cycle back from her house. She had told Wang Kan before that he didn't need to take her, but he was unwilling, so she let him be. At that time, Fang Minzhou also thought that at worst, it would be his exercise. But now, she could no longer accept Wang Kan's escort with a clear conscience.

The stolen candy no longer tastes sweet.

Fang Minzhou also felt that Wang Kan wanted to play the "protector of the flower" game, and given his personality, he might be too embarrassed to ask to stop it.

“I have paper and pen in my bag.” Wang Kan pretended to zip up his backpack, but Fang Minzhou stopped him. He then said, “If we’re not going to discuss the topic, let’s chat and relax our minds.”

Fang Minzhou knew he was about to be unreasonable again. "I'm serious, we already have so little time..."

“It’s not like we’re in a rush,” he interrupted her.

Fang Minzhou paused, took a deep breath, and then asked, "What time did you go to sleep last night?"

This time, Wang Kan opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

"What time did you get up this morning?" Fang Minzhou asked again.

Wang Kan shut his mouth and looked at her expressionlessly.

After a long pause, Wang Kan sneered, "If I don't even have this little bit of time for myself, then I might as well not study at all."

Fang Minzhou had anticipated Wang Kan's reaction, but hearing him say such self-deprecating words still made her frown: "That's not what I meant..."

"You mean, with my current score, I won't deliver to your home?"

Fang Minzhou also got angry. Every time she tried to have a proper conversation with Wang Kan, he would either argue and pretend to be stupid, or argue illogically and deliberately misinterpret her good intentions. "If you think you're not good enough, then you're not good enough. Anyway, I've said it before, don't send me any more gifts."

She turned her bike around, but Wang Kan forcibly stopped her, and the two bicycles collided violently.

"Wang Kan!"

"Explain yourself clearly," Wang Kan said coldly.

"Haven't I made myself clear enough?" Fang Minzhou said, suppressing her anger.

He knew perfectly well, of course he knew perfectly well, but he hated that very clarity.

“Wang Kan,” Fang Minzhou didn’t want to argue with him again, “the college entrance exam is just around the corner, can you please stop being so willful? Does taking me home every day really mean anything to you?”

“It’s very meaningful.”

"What does it mean? Will it give you a few more points on your exam? Or do you think it represents something between us?" Fang Minzhou felt she had spoken too recklessly, but in order to persuade Wang Kan, she was firm in her attitude. "If that's what you think, then let me tell you, no. I want you to put all your energy and time into studying, not wasting it on me."

"...What do you mean by 'waste'?" Wang Kan looked at Fang Minzhou, all her previous arrogance gone, replaced by a bitter smile. "When I'm so sleepy in class, if the teacher calls on you to answer a question, I immediately wake up; sometimes when I'm tired from doing practice problems, seeing you still studying makes me feel like I can study a little longer; and then every day I'm exhausted, but those twenty minutes when you take me home are the happiest and most relaxing time of my day... That's what you mean to me. What, are you so surprised?"

The road was still empty, and the wind was blowing, brushing against the hurried breaths.

Wang Kan suddenly calmed down.

Fang Minzhou's surprise was understandable, because while he was using her as his goal and motivation, he was nothing to her. He should have realized this when he secretly glanced at her many times, hoping that she would turn around and look at him, but she never did.

Yes, it was never a question of whether Fang Minzhou disliked him or not, but whether he was worthy of her.

Twenty minutes was actually a waste of her time.

But he really did try.

Wang Kan felt a pain in her chest and wanted to cry, but her eyes were dry and sore from the autumn wind.

He put one hand into his pocket, where his little lion figurine was. The soft, ticklish wool nuzzled against his palm, like a comforting plush toy for a child. "...I understand. I won't walk you home after evening self-study anymore. Be careful on your own when you get home."

The wheels turned backward, and the two bicycles that had been blocking each other moved apart.

"...If there's nothing else, I'll be going now."

Fang Minzhou had never seen such an ugly smile on Wang Kan's face before.

She was bewildered, still processing Wang Kan's confession. Normally, this might have made her blush and her heart race, but at this moment, she only felt surprise and the pressure of being the center of attention... She would probably never let Wang Kan know that she wasn't like he thought, a sunflower that naturally loves learning like it follows the sun; she did it for her parents' pride, for her own face, and for worldly fame and fortune.

She was just worried about him and wanted to help him improve the quality and efficiency of his studies. In any case, it was all about time. He spent more than ten hours a day at school, and he had to cherish every ten minutes between classes.

Several times, she saw him sleeping on his stomach. He was so tired, and she didn't want him to suffer even more because of her, but she was so naive that she didn't even realize it.

Wang Kan turned around, pushing the cart. Fang Minzhou tried to call out to him, and she did call out to him, but when he turned back to look at her, the wind rushed into Fang Minzhou's throat, and she still couldn't speak.

Maybe he should have just gone home; she shouldn't have called him back...

"Min-joo." Suddenly a familiar voice called her name.

Startled, she and Wang Kan both looked in the direction of the sound and saw a figure walking from the shade of the trees on the sidewalk into the light not far away.

Fang Minzhou's heart jumped to its highest point, and she stammered, "...Dad."