Chapter 41

Before lunch break today, Xu Li was packing her schoolbag and didn't notice the time. Tan Yuqi came to call her for lunch, and when she finished packing and was about to leave, she noticed that Tan Yuze's face was frighteningly pale.

Actually, Tan Yuze was already dizzy from the fever, but thinking that "resting for a while while they eat might make me feel better," he forced himself to stay on the table.

Xu Li's first reaction was that he was sleeping, completely unaware that he had a high fever. When she turned around and saw him slumped over the table with his forehead burning hot, she realized that he wasn't being lazy at all; he was just toughing it out.

When Xu Li pulled him up from his seat, he still stubbornly insisted, "It's okay." But one sentence from her woke Tan Yuze up: "If you keep putting up with this, you really won't be able to surpass me in the next exam, and I won't wait for you." Tan Yuze knew that what she really meant was: if your health collapses, you can't compete with anything.

On the way to the infirmary, he kept his weight on Xu Li's arm. She had only one thought in her mind: if they had discovered it earlier, he wouldn't have had to have a fever of 39°C before getting an IV drip.

While he was getting an IV drip, Xu Li helped him hang the medicine bottle on the IV stand, muttering to himself, "You have to say you have a fever right away. What kind of hero hides it?" He laughed as he listened—it turns out that a "competitor" can also be the best "supervisor."

A few days later, they created a table:

1. We used "comparing grades" as motivation, but almost turned "comparing health" into a competition as well.

2. When you are feeling unwell, silence is not a sign of strength, but a sign of taking a risk.

3. The real "surpassing" is not about grades, but about being able to sit properly in the classroom and face the next exam together.

4. Whoever develops a fever or any discomfort must report it immediately and must not conceal it; if anyone tries to be brave, the other party has the right to directly "force" them to go to the infirmary; in the future, whether in exams or in life, health will always be the first "scoring criterion".

Reviewer:

Xu Li (signature) Tan Yuze (signature)

The incandescent light in the school clinic illuminated the medicine in the IV drip bottle, the drops falling one by one, as if keeping time for this "self-criticism." Xu Li crushed the empty paper cup and threw it into the trash can, then turned around to find Tan Yuze staring blankly at the IV drip.

"What are you looking at? There are no answers inside."

"I'm calculating the flow rate." Tan Yuze's voice was hoarse. "At this rate, there are still twenty minutes left. I can make it back in time for the first period this afternoon."

Xu Li raised her hand and lightly flicked his forehead: "Let's see if your body temperature can drop back to thirty-six degrees first."

In the school clinic, the IV drip was hanging steadily on the iron stand, the medicine dripping one or two drops at a time, like the slow ticking of a second hand.

Tan Yuze pursed his lips and frowned as he looked at the first bottle.

"Bitter?" Xu Li leaned closer. He nodded, his voice so low it was almost inaudible: "Like swallowing a mouthful of concentrated Chinese medicine."

Xu Li rummaged in her pocket for a while and pulled out a handful of candies, including lime-flavored gummy candies. Just as she was about to unwrap one, the on-duty doctor came in with a tray: "It's normal to feel bitter in your mouth. You can suck on some candy, but don't eat anything too hard."

Xu Li said "Oh," and waited until the doctor was far away before gently tearing open the candy wrapper.

"Open your mouth."

Tan Yuze was slightly taken aback and subconsciously opened his mouth.

Tan Yuze held Xu Li's head and kissed her. The sugar fell into her mouth, and the sweet and sour lime flavor exploded on her tongue, washing away the bitterness. He looked up at her; there was still a little bit of moisture on her eyelashes from her fever.

The "sweet" voice was muffled, but it carried a hint of laughter.

Xu Li folded the candy wrappers into small squares and tucked them into her notebook: "Tan Yuze, four bottles, save your emotions a little."

With half the sugar left, Tan Yuze pushed it to one side of his cheek, creating a small bulge.

"Hold it in your mouth and don't bite it, or it will be gone if you bite it."

"I know," he answered vaguely, then suddenly asked, "Why do you always carry candy with you?"

"The pressure of monthly exams is high. Take one outside the exam room to prevent panic."

"Then consider this one something I owe you."

“The interest rate is very high.” Xu Li poked the vein on the back of his hand with the cap of her pen. “If you get one more multiple-choice question wrong on the next monthly exam, consider it as paying it back.”

The third bottle.

Once the sugar had completely dissolved, the bitterness returned. Tan Yuze hissed softly.

Xu Li took out another one from her pocket, peeled it halfway, and suddenly stopped: "Wait, the doctor only said it's okay to eat, not that it can be refilled indefinitely."

She got up to ask, but the doctor was writing in the medical record and didn't even look up: "Just a little is fine, don't eat it like a meal." When she returned to her seat, Tan Yuze stared longingly at the candy in her palm, like a cat waiting to be fed.

Xu Li held the candy to his lips, but didn't let go: "Call me 'sister'."

"……elder sister."

The candy was gently pushed in, and her fingertip accidentally touched his lower lip, feeling its coolness. Xu Li abruptly withdrew her hand, her ear tips turning slightly red, and pretended to flip through her workbook nonchalantly.

As dusk fell, the lights in the school clinic came on.

Xu Li weighed the last piece of candy in her hand, stopped teasing him, and simply peeled it open and put it in his mouth.

"The last one, a collector's edition." Tan Yuze said in a low but serious voice, with a candy in his mouth, "When I can eat ice cream again, I'll treat you to a whole glass of lime sparkling water and give you a new box in return."

"Sugar-free is preferred."

"Okay, I'll add double the lemon slices for you."

The IV drip finally finished, and the nurse removed the needle. Tan Yuze held the cotton ball in his hand and turned to look at her.

"Xu Li."

"Um?"

"Don't throw away the candy wrappers."

Xu Li opened her palm, revealing three neatly folded lime-colored candy wrappers.

"Why keep it?"

"For the next mock exam," Tan Yuze tossed the cotton ball into the trash can, his voice soft yet resolute, "I'm going to fold three origami cranes from them and hang them on your water bottle—to wish you peace of mind during the exam, and also to remind myself not to get a fever again."

Xu Li paused for two seconds, then clenched the candy wrapper into her fist, a small smile curving her lips.

"make a deal."

Three hours later, the nurse removed the needle. Tan Yuze swayed as soon as he stood up, and Xu Li caught him.

"Can you walk?"

"cannot."

"Can't my foot!" Xu Li slung her backpack over her shoulder and said to him, "Tan Yuze, you really can't leave?"

Upon hearing Xu Li say that, he pretended to be aggrieved and said, "I really can't."

"Alright, alright, let's go." Xu Li put one of his arms on her shoulder and helped him walk.

She didn't know that Tan Yuze was actually fine and could walk, but he just wanted to rely on her, to touch her, to feel her skin, and to stroke her hair.

Xu Li led him away, and he rested his head on Xu Li's shoulder, his face almost buried in Xu Li's hair. He could smell the faint fragrance of Xu Li's hair.

It smells so good.

Tan Yuze smelled the fragrance of Xu Li's hair, and the corners of his mouth turned up in a smile.

He was just laughing.

The corridor lights cast long shadows of the two people—one shadow steadily carrying the other, as if the word "showing off" had been forcibly broken off.

As they passed the teaching building, the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch break. Students surged into the classrooms like a tide, and upon seeing the two of them, they all turned to stare. Someone teased, "Hey, Ze-ge changed?"

Xu Li retorted, panting, "Shut up, this is a VIP seat."

Tan Yuze buried his face in her shoulder and chuckled softly, the heat from his breath burning her ears through her school uniform.

The homeroom teacher, Mr. Cao, rushed over upon hearing the news, still holding the test paper he was supposed to go over that afternoon. "What happened?"

Xu Li stood at attention and recounted the whole story in a straightforward manner, finally adding, "Teacher, we've already finished our homework and will hand it in tomorrow."

Old Cao glanced at Tan Yuze's face, then at Xu Li's sweat-dampened bangs, and sighed: "Put the homework aside for now, as long as you're alright. I'll give you two periods of leave this afternoon, go home and get some rest."

Xu Li raised her hand: "I can stay and listen to the lecture, I promise I won't—" "Shut up." Old Zhao and Tan Yuze said in unison.

On the way home, Tan Yuze insisted on walking alone. The two walked side by side, stepping on each other's shadows, neither of them speaking.

As they approached Tan Yuze's house, Tan Yuze suddenly spoke up: "Little Li Zi."

"Um?"

"I won't go easy on you during next week's monthly exam."

"Who cares if you let the water out?"

"It's settled then, whoever scores lower will buy the other a glass of watermelon ice."

It's a deal.

He paused, then lowered his voice: "And thank you, girlfriend." Xu Li put her hands in her pockets and walked backwards: "If you really want to thank me, just remember—next time if you dare to act tough, I'll carry you to the podium to make you apologize."

Tan Yuze laughed out loud, his cough causing a jolt in his chest. The setting sun cast their shadows on the dormitory wall—one shadow raised its hand in an "OK" sign, while the other raised its foot as if to kick.

Before evening self-study, Xu Li received a WeChat message from Tan Yuze: [Fever has subsided, 36.4℃, don't worry.]

She replied with an emoji—a little person holding a barbell—with the caption, "Don't force me to do it." The chat window kept displaying "Typing...", but finally only five words appeared: "[Watermelon Ice, wait for me.]"

Xu Li closed her phone and looked up at the incandescent light on the classroom ceiling. The light was as bright as in the school clinic, but no longer cold. She suddenly felt that "growing up together" probably meant pulling each other back from the brink of bravado time and time again, and then continuing to run forward on equal footing.

The next morning, at 6:20.

As soon as Xu Li arrived at the classroom, he saw three small lime-colored origami cranes perched on his water cup—folded from candy wrappers, with serrated edges on the tips of their wings, much like his usually messy yet meticulous handwriting.

A note was placed under the water glass: [Temperature 36.4℃, lime soda test passed. —The patient has recovered.]

Xu Li couldn't help but laugh and looked up at the back of the classroom.

Tan Yuze was leaning against the windowsill drinking his soda water when he saw her looking over. He raised his hand and made a toasting gesture. The morning light fell on his face, and although his skin was still a little pale after the fever subsided, it made his eyes look particularly bright.

Before the morning reading bell rang, Xu Li hung the three origami cranes on the zipper of her pencil case.

A gust of wind blows, and the little paper cranes gently collide, making a soft "tap-tap" sound, like the last few drops of medicine falling from the four bottles in the school clinic—a sour, sweet, and slightly bubbly sound.

The monthly exam results were posted on the bulletin board on Monday, and it was packed with people.

Xu Li squeezed to the front row and looked up from the bottom. Her eyes swept over a string of names and finally stopped at the top: First place: Xu Li 713; Second place: Tan Yuze 711.

A voice burst from the crowd: "Only two points short?!"

Xu Li was stunned. Just as she was about to smile, someone lightly tapped her shoulder. Tan Yuze was standing behind her, holding a glass of freshly bought lime sparkling water, the ice cubes clinking together.

“Congratulations, creditor.” He inserted the straw and handed it to her. “Double interest, sugar-free with lemon slices.”

Xu Li took the cup, her fingertips touching his still slightly hot knuckles: "Your body temperature has rebounded again?"

"I just ran here." He took a breath, but his eyes were fixed on the leaderboard. "Two points behind, I admit defeat."

"Then let's stick to the agreement—"

"I know." He raised his hand and stuffed a neatly folded piece of paper into her palm. "Three days of physics homework, plus buying the whole team watermelon ice."

Xu Li unfolded the paper, which contained three neat pages of solution steps. The handwriting was clear and crisp, and even the auxiliary lines had been traced with a ruler.

"Does a sick person write such difficult questions?"

"I'm afraid someone will say I'm 'lowering my brain due to a fever'."

The third period in the afternoon is physical education class, which involves a 800-meter run.

After Xu Li finished warming up, she found that Tan Yuze was also on the side of the track—the teacher had given him special permission to be an intern, but he was standing at the finish line with a stopwatch.

"Here, let me time you." He waved the three origami cranes in his hand. "Hang them here, may the wind blow smoothly."

The starting gun fired, and Xu Li dashed off. On the final lap, her throat was dry, but she clearly heard Tan Yuze shout, "The origami crane is at the finish line, don't let it wait!"

The moment she crossed the finish line, the stopwatch stopped at 3'08", two seconds faster than before. Tan Yuze pinned one of the origami cranes to her bib number: "I'll lend you a second, you give me a minute back. Fair enough."

In the evening, the sunset glow surged outside the classroom window.

Xu Li rearranged the three origami cranes into a row: the first one had "36.4" written on its wing, the second one had "711" written on its wing, and the third one was empty.

Tan Yuze lightly added a line of small words on the third wing with a pencil:

"Next time, it'll be my turn to surpass you."

After he finished writing, he handed her the pencil. Xu Li thought for a moment and added on the back: "Before you surpass me, make sure your body temperature is below 36.5℃."

The two looked at each other and smiled. The evening breeze stirred the curtains, and origami cranes gently bumped against the corner of the table, as if tapping out a countdown to the next round.

The bell rang to signal the end of evening self-study, and the entire building was brightly lit.

Xu Li packed her schoolbag and found a new box of lime-flavored gummies next to her water bottle—a note was stuck to the tin box: [Restocked, interest paid in full. —Patient and defeated opponent]

She stuffed the tin box into her pocket, turned around and shouted to the back row, "Tan Yuze, don't forget to bring fever-reducing patches for the physics competition training next week."

"I brought it." He waved another small paper bag. "I brought one for you too, in case you get nervous and develop a fever."

The back door of the classroom slammed shut with a bang, and the hallway light cast the shadows of the two figures on the ground—one shadow tossed the candy box up and caught it, while the other shadow caught it steadily, and then they walked side by side toward the stairwell.

The stars seemed to hang low over the playground after evening self-study. They sat in the last row of the stands, sharing a can of perfectly chilled lime sparkling water.

Xu Li suddenly spoke up: "If you score one more point next time..."

"Then I'll treat you to a sugar-free double lemon drink."

What if we lose again?

Tan Yuze turned his head to the side, his voice carried on the night wind: "Then fold a thousand paper cranes and hang them on the day you graduate."

Xu Li bit the straw and softly hummed in agreement.

The lights in the distant teaching buildings went out one by one, leaving only the incandescent light in the school clinic still on, as if leaving an eternal background light for their promise.