SSB – Chapter 4.1

Chapter 4: Secretly

　　In an instant, Sang Zhi’s appetite improved. She held the bowl, gulping down the porridge. She refused Sang Rong’s suggestion to drive her to school, shouldered her backpack, and took the bus to school as usual.

　　When she was close to the bus stop, Sang Zhi lowered her head and struggled to find her student bus pass in her backpack.

　　Her peripheral vision caught sight of a convenience store nearby, and she hesitated for a moment before going in.

　　The convenience store was not large, and the refrigerator with drinks was placed at the entrance. Sang Zhi stared at the row of milk placed in the fridge, her eyes fixed on them, lost in thought.

　　After spending quite some time there, the cashier at the counter couldn’t help but ask, “Little girl, do you want to buy milk?”

　　Usually, Sang Zhi wouldn’t bother to think much about it, but at this moment, she turned inexplicably, pointing to her school uniform, “I’m in middle school now, don’t call me that way.” 

　　Without waiting for the cashier’s response, Sang Zhi continued, “I won’t buy, I’m just looking.”

　　After saying goodbye, she left the store and coincidentally caught a crowded bus. Sang Zhi hurriedly got on and squeezed her way inside, finding a standing spot amidst the crowd.

　　The bus was swaying heavily.

　　Due to inertia, Sang Zhi stood very unsteadily, holding onto a handrail and tiptoeing, trying hard to maintain her balance. A sudden emergency brake caused her to lose control and lunge forward. Her heart skipped a beat. In the next moment, someone grabbed her backpack and pulled her back.

　　A series of complaints erupted.

　　Sang Zhi stretched her hand, barely catching hold of a distant handrail.

　　In this scene, she found a moment to look back and met Fu Zhengchu’s eyes.

　　The young boy was about 1.7 meters tall, a head taller than her. His facial features were not fully developed yet, appearing soft and tender, but there was a deliberate attempt to look mature on his face. He said, “Are you okay?”

　　Sang Zhi nodded but didn’t respond.

　　Fu Zhengchu offered his spot to her, “Stand here.”

　　His height allowed him to reach the handrail, and Sang Zhi didn’t hesitate to take his offer. She said, “Thank you.”

　　Silence fell between them.

　　After a while, Fu Zhengchu finally spoke up, “I heard from Yin Zhenru that you were called by the teacher, is that true?”

　　Sang Zhi looked at him, not too pleased. “Why does she tell you everything?”

　　”Well, didn’t we go to the bookstore together yesterday, so I just asked,” Fu Zhengchu seemed a bit nervous, “I just wanted to let you know that I was also called by the teacher.” 

　　Sang Zhi paused. “You were called by the teacher too?”

　　”Yes.”

　　”What for?”

　　He hesitated for a moment before vaguely saying, “I was just not paying attention in class.”

　　Sang Zhi nodded, “I’m pretty much the same.”

　　”Why don’t you pay attention?”

　　”It’s too simple,” Sang Zhi said, “I don’t feel like listening.”

　　”…” Fu Zhengchu replied, scratching his head nonchalantly, “My thoughts exactly.”

　　Sang Zhi looked skeptical. “But last time, didn’t you rank last in the grade?”

　　Sweat trickled down Fu Zhengchu’s forehead. He looked away, tightening his grip on the handrail, though his expression remained calm. “Well, the questions were too simple, so I didn’t feel like writing.” 

　　Seemingly finding this explanation reasonable, Sang Zhi calmly responded with an “Oh” and didn’t say anything further.

　　The atmosphere became quiet.

　　Quiet to the point of awkwardness.

　　Fu Zhengchu cleared his throat, taking the initiative to break the awkwardness. “So, how did you rank in the last exam?”

　　Sang Zhi replied, “First.”

　　”…” Fu Zhengchu gritted his teeth for a moment but quickly relaxed, grinning nonchalantly, “Okay, I’ll try to get first place next time too.”

　　Sang Zhi glanced up and down at him. “You want to get first place next time?”

　　Fu Zhengchu nodded, but his confidence seemed to waver. “Yeah… what’s wrong?”

　　”Nothing, just a reminder,” Sang Zhi dismissed the matter casually, “With me around, that’s not possible.”

　　”…”

　　And just like that, the situation between the two of them seemed to inexplicably turn hostile.

　　Afterward, Fu Zhengchu didn’t know what else to say. In this area, he had no experience and felt a bit embarrassed to keep forcing awkward topics, so he fell silent as well.

　　到站後。

　　Upon reaching the station, Sang Zhi got off the bus and hurriedly walked towards the school.

　　Fu Zhengchu followed behind her, racking his brain on how to salvage the situation.  However, before he could come up with any ideas, they happened to run into a male acquaintance. The boy greeted Fu Zhengchu and naturally hooked his arm around his neck, walking ahead.

　　With his long and fast strides, the boy quickly surpassed Sang Zhi.

　　Fu Zhengchu turned back and called out, “Sang Zhi, I’m going ahead, okay?”

　　Sang Zhi waved her hand in a perfunctory manner.

　　The male acquaintance glanced at Sang Zhi and let out an ambiguous “Oh” with a mischievous smile.

　　Fu Zhengchu lifted his foot and playfully kicked the boy, but his gaze kept involuntarily shifting towards Sang Zhi.

　　”Are you crazy?” he muttered.

　　Sang Zhi didn’t pay attention to what they were saying.

　　She hadn’t heard a single word, and she didn’t care at all. Her mind was filled with thoughts about the upcoming parent-teacher meeting and the man she had seen yesterday.

　　Yesterday was so hurried. With Sang Yan present, Duan Jiaxu only agreed to come at the last minute, so nothing was clarified. Sang Zhi didn’t have his contact information and didn’t know how to tell him to come at 4:30 in the afternoon.

　　She didn’t know what time he would come.

　　Because she kept thinking about this, Sang Zhi didn’t pay attention in class all day. From time to time, she would glance out the window towards the school gate. After being criticized by several teachers, she finally restrained herself.

　　The clock on the wall kept ticking.

　　At precisely 4:20, the bell for the end of the last class rang, and the final came to an end.

　　Thinking that Sang Zhi was probably going home with her brother, Yin Zhenru also didn’t wait for her. She said goodbye and left the classroom.

　　With nothing to do, Sang Zhi took out her sketchbook from the drawer and continued drawing. Time passed minute by minute. When she looked up at the clock again, she realized it was almost five o’clock.

　　In the spacious classroom, she was the only one left.

　　She hesitated for a moment.

　　Duan Jiaxu hadn’t arrived yet.

　　Sang Zhi didn’t know if he was unaware that middle school ended earlier or if he had forgotten about this matter. She tried to calm herself down and planned to continue drawing, but this time, her focus fell apart, and her thoughts were in chaos.

　　Another ten minutes passed.