Chapter Thirty-Three: Changing Classes

In short, this was the first time Jiang Chen had ever lost his temper in class. The sight was unsettling. After that, the blatant malice directed at him vanished. The price he paid was a trip to the teachers’ office, where the teacher spent an entire period earnestly lecturing him. But no one can govern the hearts of others. Whenever the two had even the slightest contact, someone would inevitably cast strange glances their way, and the gossip behind their backs grew increasingly vicious.

Jiang Chen’s attitude toward her remained aloof and indifferent. This continued until the results of the October monthly exams were released, putting an end to it all.

Because, unprecedentedly, Jiang Chen ranked fifty-first. He didn’t even break into the top fifty in the grade. When the teacher spoke about this, his face was full of disapproval.

Jiangcheng No. 1 High School set a swift pace for classes; by now, all classes had finished the curriculum and begun the review phase. They weren’t learning new material, so grades rarely dropped suddenly—especially for outstanding students like Jiang Chen. Unless he had done so intentionally, his scores would remain stable.

Faced with the teacher’s and classmates’ questioning gazes, Jiang Chen said nothing. Few people could ever make him explain himself, unless he deemed it truly important.

But by the rules, with those grades, he had to be transferred to Class Two.

In full view of his classmates, Jiang Chen calmly packed his textbooks, never once letting his gaze linger on Ye Mian, and left.

This was the last chance for such a transfer. The school would use the November monthly exam results to assign the most stable seating arrangements, so students at the same academic level could make a final push together in the last semester.

Thus, Jiang Chen still had a chance to return.

But Ye Mian watched him move his books out through the back door, her face full of sorrow. She didn’t know if it was the rumors in class, or if Jiang Chen simply couldn’t take it anymore. What she feared even more was that Jiang Chen was worried about her.

She had finally gotten close to Jiang Chen, yet there was always someone trying to drive him away.

She gazed at the bright, white clouds outside the window, her eyes turning red.

She wondered, even if she had the chance to start over, the troubles of youth could never really be solved.

—

After Jiang Chen left, Ye Mian refused to speak with Li Hao or Li Xiaoqi anymore. Even during adolescence, differences in values could make things unbearable.

To fit in, she relied on her good nature to make a few real friends—warm-hearted, popular girls. Gradually, no one talked about those rumors anymore.

Whenever Ye Mian went to Class Two to find Jiang Yuan, she would see Jiang Chen sitting there, autumn reflected in his eyes, a hint of loneliness about him.

Ye Mian worried about disturbing his new life; throughout October, she only watched him from afar, never daring to approach.

—

Days passed one after another. By late October, autumn’s chill had deepened. At first, those resistant to cold could manage short sleeves, but now, everyone obediently switched to jackets or coats. The leaves on the roadside trees yellowed faster.

Because of the change in season, Ye Haisheng mailed Ye Mian a package filled with various kinds of outerwear: a pink crocheted sweater, a jacket embroidered with tiny flowers, and a winter dress. Whatever she wore, she looked like the picture of youth.

Her fashionable clothes made her a trendsetter among the girls in the old district. The elderly all marveled at how a beautiful girl had blossomed in their neighborhood.

The last day of the month was a Saturday.

Jiang Yuan arrived at Ye Mian’s home carrying a large bag of sweet potatoes. Her grandmother from the countryside was visiting the city and had sent over plenty of sweet potatoes. With the weather turning cold, Jiang Yuan wanted to roast them with Ye Mian.

Mostly, only Ye Mian’s home had a courtyard.

Ye Mian was delighted when she learned Jiang Yuan had come. She poured her a cup of warm water, and once Jiang Yuan’s chill faded, the two went out to the courtyard to prepare for roasting sweet potatoes.

They each grabbed a small hoe and dug a pit in the middle of the yard.

Then they exchanged a glance, both seeing uncertainty in each other’s eyes.

Ye Mian blinked, her fair fingers pinching Jiang Yuan’s plump cheek in surprise. “Jiang Yuan, did you forget to bring a lighter?”

Jiang Yuan, innocent, pouted at her friend. “I forgot! I forgot! I don’t know how, it’s my first time, mistakes happen, right?”

Her manner was so endearing that even Ye Mian couldn’t help but be charmed.

But without a lighter, it wouldn’t work.

She really wanted to eat those fragrant, sweet roasted sweet potatoes.

She glanced at the round sweet potatoes, took off her gloves, put on her jacket, and said, “I’ll go buy a lighter. You wait inside.”

Jiang Yuan nodded, flashing a row of white teeth in her smile. She thought Ye Mian was so reliable, never losing her temper—a truly wonderful person.

There were plenty of people on the streets of the old district.

Unlike the new district, which was filled with towering buildings, here people still maintained warmth and familiarity. Everyone greeted Ye Mian with a smile as she passed.

Ye Mian returned their smiles, gentle and soft.

She walked to the convenience store near the old locust tree. The shopkeeper was napping under the tree, lying on a lounge chair with a jacket and a large newspaper over his face, sleeping soundly.

Ye Mian hesitated about disturbing him, but he was already awake.

Seeing her, he asked, “Miss, what do you need?”

Ye Mian pointed to the lighter on the counter. The shopkeeper got up slowly and went inside to fetch it.

As she waited, her gaze was drawn to the cigarettes displayed in the glass case. The boxes were quite attractive—some showed pandas nibbling jewels, others depicted pavilions and towers, and there were several foreign brands as well.

Ye Mian blinked; she remembered in her past life, many women smoked foreign cigarettes—slender and elegant.

But she didn’t smoke, nor did she intend to buy any.

The shopkeeper placed the lighter on the counter. “One yuan.”

Ye Mian nodded and was about to pay when she saw a boy approaching from afar.

He wore a black sweatshirt, his expression cold and distant, his pale skin accentuated by the dark clothing. His stride was steady; spotting Ye Mian, he nodded.

This was the first time Jiang Chen greeted Ye Mian since transferring classes.

Ye Mian’s eyes brightened. She called out cheerfully, “Jiang Chen?”

Jiang Chen walked into the shop, his gaze shifting from Ye Mian’s dusty face to the lighter on the table. He raised his brows, his voice cool: “Mm.”

Then he selected a pack of wet wipes and a stick of gum from the shelf.

After paying, he handed the wet wipes to Ye Mian.

His face, in autumn, seemed even more strikingly cold.

For a moment, Ye Mian lost herself.

When she came to, the wet wipes were already in her hands.

Ye Mian didn’t ask why Jiang Chen was there; they all lived in the old district, so it was perfectly normal to run into each other. In fact, she thought it was rare they didn’t meet more often.

She looked at Jiang Chen quietly, wanting to ask why he’d given her wet wipes, but the words stopped at her lips. Instead, she suddenly asked, “Do you know how to roast sweet potatoes?”

Jiang Chen glanced back at her. “What’s wrong?”

Ye Mian explained Jiang Yuan’s visit.

Jiang Chen stared at Ye Mian for a few seconds, then shook his head.