Chapter 10 Making a Wish
"Jingjing, if you call me 'brother,' I'll let you be a child forever."
As the saying goes, it takes a hundred days to recover from a broken bone. Although the stool that hit Chen Jingshu on the back of the head didn't cause any real injury, it still kept him in the hospital for more than a month.
By the time he fully recovered, Pengzhen was already deep in winter.
The coastal town, once tinged with lake blue and forest green, was now shrouded in a hazy, dark white.
In the northern teaching buildings, heating is turned on at the end of November, and the corridors, filled with the sounds of chirping, are warm and inviting.
Lin Yujing stood in the office, facing Yue Jun, who was sitting there furiously. "The whole campus knows about your early romance with Chen Jingshu. The teachers didn't say anything before because they thought you were both excellent students with self-awareness, but they never expected that you would get into a fight with some idle people outside the school because of your relationship, and that Chen Jingshu would miss such an important competition."
"Lin Yujing, do you know how much damage this behavior has caused to the school?" Yue Jun slammed his fist on the table, and the surrounding teachers chimed in from twos and threes.
Lin Yujing had no rebuttal, even though she felt more guilty than anyone else.
"Teacher, we can't blame Lin Yujing entirely for this," Qu Xilai retorted as she delivered sketch assignments to the art department teacher. "Everyone at Pengzhen No. 1 Middle School knows that Cheng Xiang was sent to a juvenile detention center for attempted rape. Any girl would have been terrified by what happened that day."
"You shouldn't define this heinous incident as victim-blaming just because the two classmates have a good relationship in private."
Yue Jun, along with the other teachers, was speechless for a moment, then became agitated. "Qu Xi, are you questioning the teachers? We've seen so many students who regret their actions for life. The teachers have dedicated their hearts to education and to you all!"
"Teacher, my decision to withdraw from the competition is for my own personal reasons and has nothing to do with Lin Yujing." The familiar scent of soapberry laundry detergent wafted over, and Lin Yujing was once again enveloped by a silent yet reassuring guardian mountain.
"Chen Jingshu, why don't you think about your mother? She raised you all by herself with great difficulty. Won't she be disappointed?"
Chen Jingshu's expression was resolute, and his tone was even more firm as he replied, "That day, no matter who Cheng Xiang bullied, I would not stand idly by. Personal future is important, but the conscience and moral bottom line of being a human being should be the qualities one should possess to stand in society."
"If I choose to ignore it and leave indifferently, I will disappoint my mother."
In the eyes of these teachers, Chen Jingshu had excellent grades and good character.
But the reason he was so popular with his classmates was because he was righteous and always had the sincerity and passion of a young person.
When Lin Yujing was led out of the office by Chen Jingshu, her guilt reached its peak, and she even began to question whether her deliberate approach to him was a good thing or a bad thing.
Chen Jingshu is truly teaching her little by little how to put herself in others' shoes and treat others with empathy, instead of being a hedgehog covered in defensive quills.
"Why are you crying again?" Chen Jingshu stopped and bent down to look at her directly. "Jingjing, I can't bear to see you cry while I'm wounded."
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The two returned to the classroom, and Chu Yan hurriedly followed. "I heard that Lao Yue is settling scores later. Did he say you were too ruthless?"
Lin Yujing shook her head. "I can understand Lao Yue's feelings..."
"What's the use of good grades if you're obsessed with love?" Zeng Yixing, who was originally engrossed in his book, suddenly said sarcastically, adding insult to injury.
Lin Yujing's pent-up emotions finally collapsed, and she abruptly stood up and walked in front of Zeng Yixing.
It was a cold, murderous gaze, looking down with disdain. Before Zeng Yixing could even react, a gleaming butterfly knife had already plunged into his book with a 'thud'.
"If you've gotten a good deal, shut up." Then, she pulled out the knife again and tapped it twice on Zeng Yixing's thick, clumsy, green-tinted glasses. "Otherwise, I'll send you to the neurology department first."
The classroom was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, and Zeng Yixing was too terrified to utter a single word.
"Coward." Lin Yujing sheathed her knife, faced the astonished gazes of the crowd, and returned to her seat.
"I never expected this!" Chen Jingshu felt as if he were seeing her for the first time—her spiritedness, straightforwardness, and courage, like a female knight-errant who had fallen from the sky and roared in defense of others. "She has such an intimidating side."
Lin Yujing returned his butterfly knife, saying in a low voice, "I just can't stand his sarcastic attitude after getting the better deal, and what about you..."
Chen Jingshu couldn't help but smile and looked up, ruffling her hair. "I knew it wasn't for nothing that I spoiled Jingjing."
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Life in the small town is peaceful and tranquil, yet fleeting like a white horse galloping past.
In the blink of an eye, it's already December 22nd, the winter solstice, which is also the day of Lin Yujing's art entrance exam.
She set her alarm and got up early to pack her art bag.
As soon as she stepped out of the bedroom, she saw Chen Jingshu and Chen Xuan, one holding longevity noodles and the other holding a cake, singing "Happy Birthday" to her.
Even Chu Yan and Qu Xi were there, recording them with their cameras.
"Jingjing, happy eighteenth birthday." Chen Jingshu looked at her with deep affection, and through his eyes, Lin Yujing seemed to see a peaceful world. "Make a wish!"
Lin Yujing was so moved that tears welled up in her eyes, and glimmers of light kept swirling in them.
She clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, and made a wish: I hope all of Ah Shu's wishes will come true.
After having breakfast at the Chen family's house, Chen Jingshu and Chu Yan rode their bicycles to take the two girls to their exams.
On the way, Lin Yujing sat on Chen Jingshu's motorcycle, her arms tightly wrapped around his waist. "Ashu, today is my first birthday. Thank you, I really like it."
Chen Jingshu tilted his head back slightly and nudged her forehead with the back of his head. "It's just a bit rushed and simple. I promise next time it will be more grand than this."
Lin Yujing hugged him tighter, her heart feeling like it was soaking in a hot spring. "This is the happiest time in my short eighteen years of life."
The boy, sincere as light, broke through the dark walls of her heart that she had guarded so tightly.
She also has a few close friends who will stand behind her without any reason.
Even the maternal love he had never experienced before was glimpsed in the boy's light, offering warmth and care.
"Jingjing, the winter solstice is the coldest day of the year and also the longest night. You are afraid of the cold and the dark. From now on, I will definitely be with you every year on your birthday and will never let you suffer the cold alone."
Like a small, adrift boat, about to sink in a raging storm, it found a calm and peaceful harbor.
He was her, an unforgettable, deeply bound fateful encounter.
The car finally arrived at the examination site, and suddenly large snowflakes began to fall from the sky.
"Wow! It's the first snow!" someone nearby exclaimed in surprise.
They were so focused on speeding along that they didn't notice the gently churning sea in the distance, where layers of dark white snow were rolling up – a winter tranquility that belonged to them.
“Jingjing, wishes made on the first snow are the most effective, and today is also your birthday, so it’s doubly effective. All your wishes will definitely come true,” Chen Jingshu said.
"Then let's make a wish together." She thought that if he made a wish on the first snow, her spirit would be on his side to protect him, and all his wishes would surely come true.
Lin Yujing clasped her hands together again, closed her eyes, and said with utmost sincerity: I hope that all of A-Shu's wishes can come true.
Chen Jingshu smiled and closed his eyes, mimicking her movements, silently wishing in his heart: I hope that Jingjing and I will be like this every year.
Just before entering the examination room, Lin Yujing rubbed her hands together, then, unable to contain herself any longer, stood on tiptoe and hugged Chen Jingshu. Her pale face was buried in his heart, and when she spoke, it shook his very soul, "A-Shu, give me some good luck."
Chen Jingshu was stunned for a moment, then raised his arms as if embracing his whole world, "I'm giving you all my good luck."
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The unified art exams have ended, and the art department has been closed.
All art students moved into the academic building, officially entering the intense countdown to the college entrance examination.
The only time that offers everyone a brief opportunity to relax and rest is the Lunar New Year.
In previous years, Lin Yujing had spent her time working various part-time jobs, but this was the first time she had experienced a New Year filled with a lively and festive atmosphere.
When Chen Xuan bought Chen Jingshu her New Year's clothes, she also bought her a wool coat, which was the most fashionable item among young women, and paired it with a pair of long boots.
The sales assistant kept praising you, "You are so lucky to have such a beautiful son and daughter."
Chen Xuan looked at Lin Yujing, her eyes crinkling with a smile—a gaze full of maternal love—and patted Chen Jingshu on the back, saying, "Yes! We must cherish this."
During the spring, the three of them wandered through the streets and alleys, buying up all the local specialties of Pengzhen.
My 512GB camera memory card was filled with three or four photos and videos.
On New Year's Eve, Chen Xuan prepared a full table of New Year's Eve dinner on the rooftop.
Under the deep blue sky, fireworks are bursting brilliantly over Pengbin Bay.
"Happy New Year!" Chen Xuan gave both of them generous red envelopes. "Thank you, my two darlings. Because of you, I feel like a very successful mother for the first time. I am very satisfied and happy in this life."
Lin Yujing's eyes reddened, and she threw herself into Chen Xuan's arms. "Auntie, I also want to thank you. Because of you, I feel for the first time how happy it is to be a daughter."
Chen Xuan gently patted her back and comforted her softly, "Good girl, I know how hard it is for you as a young girl. So no matter whether anyone loves you or not, you must stand firmly on your own side, and you will not be a child who is not loved."
"Alright, let's have a happy New Year." Chen Jingshu spoke up at the right time, pulling the two apart. "Besides, as long as I'm here, you're both little girls who are loved."
After dinner, Chen Jingshu, as usual, urged Chen Xuan to take her medicine and go to bed.
Lin Yujing sat on the sofa watching the Spring Festival Gala while staying up to welcome the New Year. She saw him pacing back and forth between the living room and bedroom until almost midnight, when he finally sat down next to her with a red envelope. "This is a New Year's red envelope for you."
Lin Yujing held a grape in her hand, not immediately taking it, but instead looked up at him coquettishly, "Red envelopes for the New Year are given by elders to younger generations."
Chen Jingshu hissed, then suddenly leaned down, his hot breath brushing against her nose as he spoke, "You're a few months younger than me, isn't it normal to treat you like a child?"
"..." The sudden closeness caused Lin Yujing's brain to briefly lose control, and she hurriedly stuffed the grapes in her hand into his mouth.
Cool fruit, burning lips.
The boy's sharp teeth pecked at her knuckles.
"Ah Shu!" The boy's eyes trembled, and his hands unconsciously wrapped around her waist, pulling her into his arms.
Lin Yujing watched as he drew closer and closer to her, his scent, full of grape aroma, like the alluring fragrance of red apples from the Garden of Eden.
"Jingjing," he said seductively, "call me 'brother,' and I'll let you be a child for life."
"Brother." Without a second thought, Lin Yujing wrapped her arms around his neck, hooked her legs around his strong waist, and pulled him close to her side. "I'm eighteen now, I can be more than just your child..."
A note from the author:
Love That Never Loses Contact
Singer: Jingjing
Please help me fill this void in my heart. [Holding the microphone] [You gave me a love I never want to lose touch with for the rest of my life; I believe the journey of love is to the stars and the sea. The beautiful story will not change; it's fate's best arrangement...]
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