Chapter 24
After the math competition ended, Sang Sui chose to spend the rest of his summer vacation in Fuzhou.
She often invited Zhao Yanqi and the others to go out together.
Qiao Chunzhao mentioned that a few days ago she secretly went to Xi'an and used the pocket money she had saved for two months to buy a ticket to a popular singer's concert.
"It was really great. Although I spent all my money after going to the concert, I was really happy. The experience of listening to music online and offline is so different."
Concerts? That's something so far out of reach.
Zhao Yanqi said, "Ah, I'm so envious. When I grow up and have money, I want to go too."
He Lili: "Me too, I want to go to Xu Song's concert in the future."
Sang Sui smiled silently.
Concerts? It seems she doesn't have any obsession with having to go to anyone's concert.
The final exam results were released quickly, and as soon as they were announced, both the "Rongcheng F18" group and the respective class groups were in an uproar.
Mingying, a frequent truant, only comes to school to cram for exams. However, instead of dropping in the final exams, she performs exceptionally well, rising from the top ten to the top three, earning her the title of "genius girl" and attracting a flood of envious and jealous voices.
Many people discussed whether she used cheating methods, but in Rongcheng No.1 Middle School, which has strict supervision, it is already difficult to cheat successfully even once, let alone that she has consistently ranked among the top students in the grade.
She became even more mysterious at school.
Sang Sui lived up to expectations, and her exam results improved significantly. Without the interference of her unexpected period, her math score performed normally, and her total score surpassed Chu Xiran's, successfully entering the top fifty.
As for Liang Fengshen, he continued to perform consistently.
Sang Sui's total score was five points higher than Liang Fengshen's; she ranked forty-sixth, while Liang Fengshen ranked fifty-second.
This was the first time she felt that she could actually reach out to Liang Fengshen.
In the Rongcheng F18 group chat, everyone congratulated Sang Sui: "That's amazing! Sang Sui's grades are good enough to get him directly into the science lab."
Liang Fengshen, who rarely posts in the group, also replied, "Awesome."
Even though his words were quickly buried in the rapidly scrolling messages of the small group, Sang Sui still noticed them.
She even took a screenshot.
There is a picture of him speaking.
He said those words only to her.
I took a screenshot and saved it in my photo album.
Summer vacation always flies by.
The lingering heat of midsummer had not yet completely faded when the new semester for the second year of high school began.
The camphor trees on campus are still lush and green, but the cicadas' chirping seems to carry a subtle sense of tension for the new school year.
The results of the class reshuffling are in, breaking up the originally tightly knit Grade 1 (7) class and rearranging them.
He Lili resolutely chose the humanities, embarking on her beloved field of literature and history.
Liang Fengshen also chose literature; with his academic achievements and all-around abilities, he could excel in any field.
Sang Sui, like Zhao Yanqi, Qiao Chunzhao, Zhang Da, and Luo Kewei, chose science.
Fortunately, Zhao, Qiao, Zhang, and Luo were still assigned to the same class, while Sang Sui, with her excellent science grades, entered the more competitive science experimental class along with Cheng Xiao, Chu Xiran, and Song Shiyue.
The classroom has changed, and most of the classmates have changed, but the friendship that belongs to "Rongcheng F18" has not faded.
Everyone still gets together to play on weekends and after school in various ways, and the group chat is never quiet.
At the beginning of his second year of high school, Sang Sui naively believed that the friendships of youth would not be easily diluted by simple class barriers.
But Mingying stopped coming to class.
Sang Sui hadn't seen her for a long time.
At first, she thought it was just a shift change, but after not seeing Mingying for several weeks, she began to feel uneasy. One day, while buying something at the convenience store downstairs, she mustered up her courage and casually asked at the checkout, "Where did that girl who used to work here go?"
The male shop assistant scanned the code without looking up: "I don't know, she suddenly stopped coming."
"Did she say where she was going?"
"How would I know?" The clerk handed her her change, his tone indifferent. "Maybe she found a better job."
Sang Sui clutched the change she had received, feeling a void in her heart. She walked out of the convenience store, the setting sun casting a long shadow over her.
Mingying was like a rare bird she had encountered by chance; it flew away before she could even get a good look at it, leaving not a trace behind.
At school, she would unconsciously slow her pace whenever she passed Class 6, hoping to catch a glimpse of that familiar figure through the window. But Mingying's seat remained empty, as if she had never been there. Several times she overheard students from other classes talking about it:
"Did Mingying transfer schools?"
"Who knows? Anyway, she doesn't come to class very often."
"She's so beautiful and has such good grades, it's such a waste that she's not coming to school..."
As evening fell, the last rays of the setting sun shone through the kitchen window, casting dappled light and shadow on the slightly worn dining table.
The air was filled with the savory aroma of braised pork ribs and the steaming heat of rice—this should have been the most heartwarming and comforting moment of the day.
Sang Sui ate his meal silently, his chopsticks occasionally stirring the rice grains in his bowl.
Father Sang Zhiyuan watched the news on television, his brows slightly furrowed.
The younger brother, Sang Chi, was intently gnawing on a piece of pork rib, his mouth greasy with oil. Only their mother, Tan Huiyu, seemed somewhat absent-minded, a barely concealed, almost sarcastic excitement flickering in her eyes.
"Hey, have you heard?" Tan Huiyu suddenly put down her chopsticks, her voice deliberately lowered as if sharing a secret, but her gaze pointedly glanced at Sang Zhiyuan across from her. "The one who lives in this building, Zhang Wenshu, I heard she was diagnosed with a serious illness, quite serious, and it seems she's been hospitalized."
Sang paused slightly as she picked up some food.
Zhang Wenshu? That... Mingying's mother?
Sang Zhiyuan looked away from the television, his face darkening, but he didn't reply.
Seeing his silence, Tan Huiyu seemed encouraged, a mocking smile curving her lips. Her voice rose slightly, tinged with obvious schadenfreude: "If you ask me, this is retribution. What good can come of someone who is unfaithful in marriage? Heaven is watching!"
"Bang!" Sang Zhiyuan slammed his chopsticks on the table, his face turning completely dark, his voice filled with suppressed anger: "Tan Huiyu! Haven't you had enough? You talk about this nonsense in front of the children every day, can't you even eat a proper meal?!"
The sudden loud noise startled Sang Chi, causing him to drop the ribs he was holding onto the table. He then burst into tears.
"Why can't I say anything?!" Tan Huiyu exploded like a firecracker, standing up abruptly with a sharp voice, "What Zhang Wenshu did, I can't even say anything? Did I hit a nerve? Huh?"
"What nonsense are you spouting!" Sang Zhiyuan's temple veins throbbed.
"I'm talking nonsense? Don't think I don't know what you did back then..."
Crying, arguing, and the clatter of dishes filled the small restaurant instantly, like a sudden storm that shattered the fragile peace that had just been there.
Sang Sui lowered her head, looking at the few mouthfuls of rice left in her bowl. She felt a churning in her stomach and couldn't eat anymore. She put down her chopsticks and said in a very soft voice, almost drowned out by her parents' argument, "I'm full."
After saying that, she stood up, walked straight to her room, and gently closed the door, shutting out the suffocating noise outside.
Leaning against the cold door, she let out a long, silent breath. These arguments seemed to be happening more and more frequently lately.
For example, over utility bills, over who will pick up Sang Chi, over a minor setback at work... any trivial matter can become the fuse that ignites a conflict.
In the second week of the second year of high school, another bombshell dropped in the grade: the results of the summer math competition were announced.
The honor roll was posted in the most prominent position on the school bulletin board, and Sang Sui's name was prominently listed first.
Right next to her, in second place, was Liang Fengshen.
The immense joy and unbelievable shock left Sang Sui stunned for several seconds.
She knew she had worked hard during the training camp and felt she had done well on the test, but when the weighty honor of "first place" actually fell on her head, the sense of accomplishment still made her a little dizzy.
Surrounded by the exclamations and congratulations of her classmates, she tried to remain calm, but the corners of her mouth involuntarily turned up in a smile.
What made her heart race even faster was that her name and Liang Fengshen's name were arranged side by side, one above the other, like a silent partnership.
She seems to be getting closer and closer to Liang Fengshen.
The award ceremony was held in the school auditorium.
He, she, and several other award winners stood together on the stage.
The lights were a bit glaring, and the audience below was a sea of people with flashing camera lights.
Sang Sui stood next to Liang Fengshen and could clearly smell the familiar, faint lemon scent on him, mixed with the smell of disinfectant that seemed to have been used a little more today.
She was so nervous that her palms were slightly sweaty, her body was stiff, and even her smile felt unnatural.
"Look this way!" the teacher in charge of taking photos shouted.
Sang Sui subconsciously straightened her back and tried to put on a proper smile.
Just as the shutter clicked, she felt that Liang Fengshen, who was standing to her left, also tilted his head slightly in her direction.
It was just a very subtle movement, but it stirred up ripples in her heart.
This one and only photo, which included her and him, became Sang Sui's biggest secret.
After the ceremony, she went to a print shop outside the school to print out the digital photo, carefully laminated it, and then tucked it into the pages of her most frequently used English-Chinese dictionary. It was a keepsake and a personal keepsake, unknown to anyone else.
Because of his outstanding performance in the competition, Sang Sui was selected as one of the outstanding student representatives at the opening ceremony and was required to give a speech on stage.
As she stood behind the podium, she could clearly hear her heart pounding.
Below the stage was a sea of teachers and students from the entire school, with countless eyes focused on them.
She took a deep breath and gripped her speech notes tightly.
It was her turn.
She walked steadily to the microphone and adjusted its height. Her bangs were carefully tucked behind her ears, revealing her smooth forehead and eyes that were brighter and calmer than a year ago.
She was still wearing that slightly faded school uniform, but it was neatly pressed and clean, outlining the girl's increasingly upright figure.
"Respected teachers, dear classmates, good morning. I am Sang Sui from the Grade 11 Science Experimental Class..."
Her voice, clearly transmitted through the microphone, resonated across the playground. It was more composed and resonant than her speech under the national flag in her first year of high school, with clear enunciation and a calmness that came with experience.
She no longer needed to deliberately look down at her notes; most of the time she could look directly at the students in the audience. Although her eyes would occasionally flicker slightly due to nervousness, it was mostly a relaxed and open exchange.
The sunlight shone generously on her, bathing her in a warm glow.
She shared her experiences learning mathematics, the gains from competition training, and expressed her gratitude for the guidance of her teachers and the help of her classmates.
His words were sincere, his logic was clear, and his demeanor was poised and confident.
In the science experimental class, Cheng Xiao nudged Song Shiyue next to him with his elbow and whispered, "Tsk, see that? 'Thick bangs'... oh no, Sang Sui, you've really transformed."
Song Shiyue looked at the confident girl on the stage, smiled gently, and said in a low voice, "She has always worked very hard."
At the end of the liberal arts class line, Liang Fengshen stood quietly, his gaze fixed on the podium.
His face was expressionless; he simply listened quietly, occasionally a faint hint of appreciation flashing in his eyes.
Sang Sui finished his speech fluently, without any notes, and bowed in thanks.
A round of enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience.
She straightened up, her face flushed with excitement and joy, her heart pounding happily in her chest.
She did it, and she did it very well.
On Friday evening of the second week of school, the evening breeze carried the slight chill of early autumn.
The "Old Wang's Barbecue Restaurant" on the back street of the school is still bustling with people and full of lively atmosphere.
At a small square table in the corner sat Song Shiyue, Cheng Xiao, and Liang Fengshen.
Three very different teenagers sat together, with kebabs and several bottles of chilled drinks in front of them.
They chatted about the fun things in their new class, the recent ball games, and their future plans, talking about everything under the sun.
Their topics were lively and engaging, carrying the youthful spirit unique to their age.
After a few drinks, the atmosphere became more relaxed. Cheng Xiao picked up a skewer of grilled chicken wings, took a bite, and as if suddenly remembering something, turned his gaze to Liang Fengshen, his tone carrying a casual remark: "Speaking of which, Sang Sui has really changed a lot this semester. Her progress is frighteningly fast, and she's become more and more confident. The aura she exuded when she spoke on stage today was completely different from when she was in the first year of high school."
Song Shiyue picked up a tissue and wiped his mouth, agreeing and adding gently, "Indeed. Not only her grades and confidence, but she also seems more beautiful now."
He paused, then said calmly, "It seems like we're all slowly getting better."
Liang Fengshen was picking up the chilled lime soda on the table when he heard this, and his movement paused almost imperceptibly.
His long, slender fingers caressed the water droplets condensed on the cool bottle, his eyelids slightly lowered, and his thick eyelashes cast small shadows under the light.
He seemed to think for a second or two before raising his eyes, his gaze calmly fixed on a spot on the table, and said in a clear but firm voice:
"She is a friend worth getting to know better."
His tone was very ordinary, as if he were stating an objective fact, and there was no particular emotion in his voice.
Song Shiyue looked up at Liang Fengshen across from him. Liang was calmly unscrewing the cap of his soda bottle, tilting his head back to take a sip. His Adam's apple bobbed gently as he swallowed, and his profile looked clean and aloof in the dim light of the barbecue restaurant.
Song Shiyue also took a sip of soda, silently adding in his mind:
Maybe she wants more than just to be your friend.
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