Chapter Eighteen: By His Side

After returning home, Ye Mian carefully presented the homework she had completed during this period to her father. Ye Haisheng leafed through the pages, praising her as he went, his eyes and brows glowing with pride. She knew her father viewed her through rose-tinted glasses, exaggerating her accomplishments to the heavens, so much so that she blushed listening to him. Father and daughter rarely saw each other, making every meeting precious.

Time crept past eleven o’clock. Only after Ye Haisheng’s repeated urging did Ye Mian finally return to her room to sleep. Nestled under her blanket, hugging her pillow, she couldn’t help but recall today’s news and picked up her phone for another look.

A new notification appeared on the screen, and she suddenly sat upright. Unlocking the screen, she opened WeChat. As expected, it was a message from Jiang Chen.

[jc: Been busy these days, will be at school on Monday.]

Ye Mian blinked, lifted the cup beside her for a sip of water, then began tapping on the screen.

[Good Sleep: Thank you for your study notes. If you ever need help with anything, just let me know.]

After a moment’s thought, she added another sentence.

[Good Sleep: Don’t be embarrassed to ask.]

Once she finished typing, Ye Mian set her cup back on the table, set her alarm, and curled back into bed, ready for a peaceful sleep. The gentle moonlight slipped through the curtains, and before long, her breathing grew calm and steady as she drifted into deep slumber.

...

West Alley.

As night deepened, the lights in many homes gradually faded. Jiang Chen sat at a square table, the room unlit and shrouded in darkness. His phone screen glowed as he glanced at the girl’s message, lingering on it for a long moment. The fatigue accumulated over the day melted away, and he suddenly smiled.

In the quiet room, the sound was barely audible, his breath deep and fragmented. He looked up toward the window, picked up the pristine white coin purse beside him, and his pale gaze blended into the thick night.

He rubbed his brow, puzzled by the girl’s persistent urge to help him financially.

Did he really seem... like one of those scoundrels who trick girls out of their money?

Yet when his gaze returned to the phone, it was gentle beyond measure.

—

The next morning.

Birds chirped incessantly, and dawn grew ever brighter. Ye Mian rose early, getting up at the first ring of her alarm. After breakfast, Ye Haisheng was ready to leave.

He had brought home several suitcases, but only took a briefcase when he departed. This summer was long and truly hot. Ye Mian wanted to accompany him to the station, but he persuaded her to stay with just a few words, so she could only watch his figure grow distant.

The pain of parting brought tears to Ye Mian’s eyes; it would be months before they met again. But she could not stop her father from pursuing his work, for she knew how much he enjoyed the sense of purpose in healing others.

Whenever he mentioned a patient’s recovery during their calls, he was always so excited—it was clear his happiness was genuine.

She was happy for him, too, and all she could do was take good care of herself.

After wiping her eyes, Ye Mian turned back home, opened the study materials her father had brought from North City, took a deep breath, and plunged herself into her studies once more.

—

On the day of the monthly exam, the weather was brilliant. Sunlight was so vivid it seemed to reveal the dust suspended in the air. Ye Mian sat in the examination room, diligently filling out her answer sheet.

She knew how to solve every question; Jiang Chen’s study notes had been invaluable, raising her abilities by leaps and bounds. Each time she finished her answer sheet and checked it repeatedly, she felt closer than ever to joining the top class.

The teachers graded the exams swiftly. By the weekend, scores were announced.

So, on Monday, Ye Mian sat in the classroom, nervous beyond measure. Who wouldn’t hope that hard work would yield good results?

The bell for the first class rang. The homeroom teacher, Hu Tan, entered carrying the test papers and a list of names.

The once noisy classroom fell instantly silent. Hu Tan glanced at the students who usually excelled, smiled, cleared his throat, and said, “The monthly exam results are out. Many students in our class have made progress, and several will be moving up to the top class. Everyone’s seen their dedication—I won’t repeat myself. When I call your name, come up to the podium to collect your test paper.”

Students went up one by one to receive their papers. Ye Mian received hers as well: 138 in Chinese—not a perfect score, but quite respectable.

Once every student had their paper, Hu Tan adjusted his glasses and continued, “Next, I’ll announce the names of those entering the top class. When your name is called, pack up your books and go to the top class to continue your studies.”

Ye Mian listened intently, and so did Jiang Yuan, who sat beside her. Jiang Yuan gripped Ye Mian’s hand tightly, hoping they would enter the top class together—then they could remain inseparable during lessons.

Unfortunately, the teacher announced three names, none of which were Jiang Yuan’s. The last name called was Ye Mian; she barely made the cut.

Jiang Yuan’s hopes were dashed, her mouth pursed in disappointment tinged with sadness, nearly in tears. “Mianmian, I didn’t make it. We can’t be together anymore. It hurts, it really hurts.”

Ye Mian was amused and helpless at Jiang Yuan’s dramatic reaction. She gently patted Jiang Yuan’s head and soothed her softly, “It’s okay. I’ll come find you after school, and we can still go home together. On weekends, you can come to my house, and we’ll study together.”

Jiang Yuan blushed under Ye Mian’s gentle gaze, feeling embarrassed by how lovely her friend seemed in that moment. She nodded, aggrieved, “I’ll still be your best friend, right?”

Ye Mian nodded earnestly, “Of course. Don’t be afraid.”

“Boo hoo, I’m not afraid.”

For some reason, Ye Mian felt as though she were comforting a girlfriend—and strangely, she seemed rather good at it, soothing Jiang Yuan with just a few words.

By then, the teacher was already urging them on.

Ye Mian had to pack her books, pat Jiang Yuan’s cheek, and, under her friend’s affectionate gaze, leave Class Two.

Fulfilling her wish to enter the top class, Ye Mian was excited.

The other classmates moving up from Class Two were more apprehensive.

The top class homeroom teacher, Liu Yong, was a cheerful young man with a scholarly appearance, though he was said to be quite fierce when angered.

He had Ye Mian and the others stand at the podium to introduce themselves.

Several seats in the top class had already been vacated, matching the number of new arrivals.

After the introductions, they were allowed to choose their seats.

Ye Mian lifted her gaze, looking directly toward the corner by the window at the back of the classroom.

The pale blue curtains fluttered in the breeze, and Jiang Chen sat there.

The young man had fair skin and dark hair, his expression aloof, deep-set eyes touched with a faint smile. He closed his book with deliberate grace, never taking his eyes off Ye Mian as he did so.

Ye Mian blinked, her breath shallow, her heart skipping a beat.