daisy
The late summer breeze has begun to quietly bring the message of autumn, and the air is a bit crisper. However, the campus of Beicheng No.1 Middle School is still shrouded in the tranquility of the holidays and the busy preparations before the start of the new semester.
The teaching building was empty except for the teachers of the senior high school graduating class, who had already begun preparing lessons in advance. The sound of keyboards being typed and papers being turned could be heard in the office.
Jin Jie's desk was by the window, bathed in sunlight. She was facing her computer screen, revising the new semester's teaching plan, her brow slightly furrowed, her expression focused. Next to her, Qing Ran sat quietly on a recliner, clutching a half-person-sized rabbit doll—a recent purchase from Tan Huaiyu.
She wasn't playing with puzzles or looking at picture books; she simply tilted her head slightly, her gaze fixed on the playground outside the window, her eyes reflecting the clear blue sky and wisps of clouds, making her appear exceptionally serene.
Her leg has recovered very well. During the time when Qi Shuo was injured and everyone's attention was diverted, she worked hard on rehabilitation training under Shen Ci's patient guidance and companionship. Now she can walk a short distance slowly and steadily without support.
Her mind is still that of a child, but the naivety in her eyes seems to have faded, replaced by a quiet serenity unique to a girl her age.
There was a gentle knock on the office door.
"Please come in." Sister Jin didn't even look up.
The door opened, and Shen Ci walked in carrying a stack of exam papers. He wore a light blue shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing his smooth forearms, and exuded a clean and gentle demeanor. When he saw Qing Ran by the window, a soft smile naturally appeared on his face.
"Teacher Jin, this is the analysis report for the city-wide joint exam at the end of last semester. The group leader asked me to bring it to you." Shen Ci placed the document on Sister Jin's desk, but her gaze involuntarily drifted towards the window.
"Put it here, thank you for your trouble, Teacher Shen." Sister Jin then raised her head, pushed up her glasses, and followed his gaze to Qing Ran, a smile on her face, "Ranran, Brother Shen is here."
Qingran turned her head at the sound and saw Shen Ci. Her eyes lit up instantly, like two stars that had been lit. She put down the rabbit doll, held onto the armrest of the recliner, and tried her best to stand up, albeit with some difficulty.
"Slow down, no rush." Shen Ci immediately walked over and naturally reached out his hand, but instead of helping her, he placed his hand lightly beside hers, making a gesture as if he could lend her some support at any time, and encouraged her with gentle eyes.
Qingran, holding onto the chair, slowly straightened up, looked up at Shen Ci with her small face, her eyebrows curving, and her voice clear and crisp: "Brother Shen!"
"Mmm," Shen Ci replied with a smile, naturally raising his hand to tidy up her bangs that had sticked up a bit from her earlier movements. "Did you do your rehabilitation exercises obediently today?"
"Yes!" Qingran nodded vigorously, showing off her treasure. "I walked a long way by myself! Aunt Jin even praised me!"
"Great job." Shen Ci praised her generously, his eyes filled with sincere and warm admiration. He magically pulled a small paper packet from his pocket and handed it to Qing Ran, "A reward."
Qingran curiously took it, opened it, and inside were several beautifully packaged fruit candies. "Thank you, Brother Chen!" She smiled happily, peeled one open, put it in her mouth, and squinted her eyes contentedly, like a cat that had stolen a dried fish.
Sister Jin watched from the side, her eyes filled with mixed feelings of relief. Shen Ci's kindness towards Qing Ran was genuine and unadulterated.
He was patient, meticulous, and knew how to guide, but he never overprotected Qingran, always encouraging her to try and overcome things on her own. Qingran's dependence on and trust in him visibly increased.
This was originally a good thing. However... Sister Jin thought of Qi Shuo, who was overprotective of his younger sister and couldn't help but frown every time he saw Shen Ci and Qing Ran getting close, and sighed silently in her heart.
“By the way, Ms. Jin,” Shen Ci turned to Ms. Jin as if she had suddenly remembered something, her tone slightly consultative, “After the start of the semester, our first-year Chinese language group wants to start an extracurricular interest group for classical recitation, open to all students in the school. We would like to invite Qing Ran to be our… um, special audience member and encouragement committee member. What do you think? It won’t take up too much time, just one activity per week, so that she can experience the atmosphere and listen to the older students reciting. We also want to create more opportunities for her to interact with her peers.”
Sister Jin paused, somewhat surprised. She looked at Qing Ran, who was gazing at her expectantly, then at Shen Ci, whose expression was frank and sincere, and hesitated, "This... wouldn't this be too much trouble for Teacher Shen and the group? Ranran, she..."
“It’s no trouble at all,” Shen Ci interrupted gently, his smile clear. “Qing Ran is very quiet and won’t disturb anyone.”
Furthermore, participating in more positive and uplifting group activities will also benefit her mental development and social skills. We will take good care of her.
His words were reasonable and his attitude sincere. Sister Jin genuinely hoped Qingran could go out more and meet more people, instead of always being confined to the home or office. It's just that Qi Shuo's side…
"Aunt Jin, can I go?" Qingran tugged at Aunt Jin's sleeve, tilting her little face up, her eyes sparkling with longing.
Seeing the expectant look in her little darling's eyes, Sister Jin's heart softened. She patted Qingran's head and finally nodded, "Okay, then I'll have to trouble Teacher Shen."
"No trouble at all." Shen Ci agreed with a smile, and then said to Qing Ran, "Then it's settled. Starting next week, every Wednesday afternoon, your brother Shen will take you to the activity room."
"Yes! It's a deal!" Qingran nodded vigorously, a bright smile blooming on her face.
Wednesday afternoon was sunny and bright.
Shen Ci arrived to pick up Qing Ran as promised. He wasn't wearing a suit today; a simple white T-shirt and khaki pants made him look even more refreshing and handsome.
Qingran also changed into the daisy-printed dress that Tan Huaiyu had bought for her. Her hair was neatly combed, her face was rosy, and she was full of joy.
The activity room was in the art building, spacious and bright. Some first-year high school students were already there. When they saw Shen Ci bring in a pretty but obviously special little girl, they all looked over curiously. But Shen Ci quickly introduced Qing Ran gently and emphasized that she was a "special little judge," and they showed friendly smiles.
As the event began, students took turns going on stage to recite their favorite poems or prose excerpts. Some were passionate and stirring, while others were deeply moving.
Qingran sat in the seat Shen Ci had specially arranged for her, near the front row, clutching a rabbit doll in her arms, listening intently. Although she might not understand some of the sentences, the beautiful rhythms, the rich emotions, and the focused expressions of the young men and women on stage seemed to deeply captivate her.
She would sometimes tilt her head in thought, and sometimes sway her body gently to the rhythm, her eyes shining with an astonishing brightness.
Shen Ci didn't stay by her side the whole time, but instead moved among the students, giving them instructions in a low voice or demonstrating in person.
But his gaze would always inadvertently drift towards that quiet figure.
When he saw her eyes widen slightly because of a wonderful recitation, or when she smiled secretly because of a funny mistake, the smile in his eyes would deepen.
During halftime, some lively students came over to talk to Qingran, asking her if she understood it and if she liked it. Qingran was a little shy and answered softly, "It's nice," then subconsciously looked in Shen Ci's direction, as if seeking support.
Shen Ci would come over at the right time, gently join the conversation, guide the topic, and let Qing Ran participate as well. Although she didn't say much, the smile on her face never stopped.
After the event, Shen Ci escorted Qing Ran back to her office. The setting sun cast long shadows of the two of them. Qing Ran seemed still immersed in the atmosphere of the event, her little mouth constantly telling Shen Ci, "That older sister read so beautifully," and "That older brother's voice sounded like a cello"...
Shen Ci listened patiently, occasionally responding with a few words. His gaze fell on her blushing profile, which was flushed with excitement, and his eyes were so tender they could melt water.
"Do you like it?" he asked.
"I love it!" Qingran nodded vigorously, looked up at him, her eyes shining like they were filled with stars. "Brother Chen, can we come again next time?"
“Of course,” Shen Ci promised with a smile, reaching out to gently ruffle her hair. “Qing Ran can come anytime she wants.”
As they walked downstairs from the office building, they ran into Qi Shuo, who had finished work early and was there to pick up Qingran.
Qi Shuo stood on the steps, watching the two walking side by side. The setting sun cast a warm golden glow on Shen Ci's tall figure and Qing Ran's petite frame, creating a scene so harmonious it was almost blinding.
Qingran's undisguised, pure, and happy smile rekindled Qi Shuo's lingering resentment over his sister's dependence on others, though it had faded somewhat compared to before, it was still there.
"Brother!" Qingran's eyes lit up when she saw Qi Shuo. She ran over and hugged his arm. "Brother Chen took me to listen to the older brothers and sisters read! It was so wonderful!"
Qi Shuo helped her up, his gaze sweeping lightly over Shen Ci who was walking over, and nodded: "Teacher Shen, thank you for your trouble."
"No trouble at all. Qingran is very well-behaved, and everyone likes her very much." Shen Ci's smile remained unchanged, and his attitude was frank.
"Brother Shen said I can go again next time!" Qingran excitedly shared with Qi Shuo.
Qi Shuo hummed in agreement, said nothing more, and simply said to Shen Ci, "We'll head back now."
"Okay, goodbye Mr. Qi. Goodbye Qingran." Shen Ci waved to Qingran.
Qingran waved vigorously, "Goodbye, Brother Chen! Thank you, Brother Chen!"
On the way back, Qingran was still chattering away about what she had seen and heard in the activity room. Qi Shuo listened silently, occasionally responding. Looking at the long-lost, lively smile on his sister's face, the slight awkwardness in his heart was ultimately replaced by a deeper sense of relief.
Perhaps he was too nervous. Shen Ci did seem like a decent person. Qing Ran needed friends, needed to experience a wider world, and not just be confined to the protective circle of him and his family.
But... isn't it a little too easy to call him "Brother Shen"?
Qi Shuo frowned and decided to put the problem aside for the time being.
At least, the sunset is beautiful right now, and my sister's smile is genuine.
Some people and some things, like daisies under the clear sky at the end of summer, grow quietly, following their own beautiful trajectory.
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