SSB – Chapter 7.2

 During dinner, Sang Yan brought up something, “By the way, Dad, after I finish my exams, I’m going to move to the main campus. Can you lend me the car?” 

  Sang Rong nodded, “Do you have a lot of stuff? Do you want to hire a moving company?” 

  Sang Yan replied, “No need, I just don’t want to squeeze into the school bus.”

  Li Ping asked, “The main campus? Isn’t that right near our school?” 

  Sang Yan responded with an “Mm-hmm.”

  Sang Rong said, “Then when you have time, you can still pick up your sister after school.”

  ”…” The corner of Sang Yan’s mouth twitched, “I have to take care of a kid while I attend university?”

  Sang Zhi was also unwilling. “I don’t need him to pick me up.”

  ”Better not,” Sang Yan scoffed lightly, then looked at Sang Rong and said, “It should be at the beginning of next month. Can you lend me the Toyota, the bigger one? I’ll also help a friend of mine with their things.”

  Sang Rong replied, “Don’t take advantage of your sister’s kindness.”

  Sang Zhi chimed in, “Don’t take advantage of me, and everything will be fine.”

  ”…” Sang Yan restrained himself, “Got it.”

  Thinking of the term “friend” he used for his friend, Sang Zhi felt a bit curious and hesitated to ask, “Gege, who do you want to help move with you?”

  Sang Yan’s eyelids didn’t even flicker. “Why do you want to know that?”

  Sang Zhi remained composed. “I want to help you move.”

  ”…” Sang Yan paused while eating. Thinking he misheard, he started to doubt himself, “Do you want to help me move my dorm?”

  Sang Zhi: “Yes.”

  Sang Yan didn’t understand what she was getting at and reminded her, “You have classes.”

  ”Don’t we have weekends? Besides, I finish school at 4:20 PM,” Sang Zhi said, “I can come to help you after school. Anyway, you shouldn’t be there that early.” 

  Sang Yan retorted, “It just so happens that I’ll be done before 4:20 PM.”

  He was clearly rejecting the offer.

  Sang Zhi glanced at him, pursed her lips, and stopped talking.

  Suddenly, Sang Rong spoke up, “What’s wrong with your sister wanting to help you? It’s not a bad thing, and it doesn’t affect you.” 

  Sang Yan sighed helplessly, “It’s not that. The things are so heavy, how can she move them?” “I also have to watch out for her knocking and bumping into things. I’m busy packing up my stuff, where do I have the energy to look after her?”

  Sang Rong suggested, “Then let your sister watch you pack.”

  Sang Yan: “…”

  He let out a sigh, looked at Sang Zhi, and said slowly, “Alright, it’s up to you.”

  With the affirmative answer, Sang Zhi immediately became happy. Her eyes curved into crescents, and she smiled, “Okay, I will watch you pack properly then.”

  ”…”

  -

  In truth, even Sang Zhi herself didn’t quite understand her series of actions. She didn’t know why she wanted to find out if Duan Jiaxu had a girlfriend, nor did she know why she offered to help Sang Yan move to a new dorm.

  Many signs indicated one thing, but Sang Zhi wasn’t willing to admit it.

  She simply missed someone.

  Or perhaps, at the age of first love, an uncontrollable and unfamiliar emotion grew intensely from the depths of her heart.

  She wanted to release this emotion.

  But at the same time, she could only secretly bury it in her heart.

  Hidden in a place where no one knew.

  -

  The day Sang Yan moved to the new dorm was Wednesday.

  As soon as the school bell rang, Sang Zhi quickly slung her backpack and ran out without even saying goodbye, leaving Yin Zhenru confused.

  Perhaps because of the relocation, there were more people than usual along the way.

  Sang Zhi knew where the main campus of Nanwu University was, as she often passed by it on her way home. Moreover, due to the small size of Xuri Middle School, their school sports events were always held on Nanwu University’s playground.

  The school always borrowed the university’s venue for any artistic performances or cultural events, leading the middle school to be mockingly referred to as the “Affiliated Middle School of Nanwu University.”

  Sang Zhi arrived at the entrance of Nanwu University and stopped to call Sang Yan. 

  However, Sang Yan had completely forgotten that she was coming to help. When he answered the call, he hesitated for a moment, “No kidding? You’re coming?”

  Sang Zhi innocently replied, “I’m already at the entrance.”

  ”…” Sang Yan said, “Are you at the main entrance?”

  ”Yes.”

  ”I don’t have time to come out and pick you up now. Go inside, turn right, and keep going straight until you see a staircase. Go up, and that’s it—Building 9, 5th floor, Room 525,” Sang Yan added, “If you feel unsure, ask for directions, ask where the male dormitory Building 9 is. Got it?” 

  Sang Zhi obediently said, “Got it.”

  She hung up the phone and followed the route Sang Yan instructed.

  Nanwu University had many local students, and today there were many people whose families came to help. Along the way, Sang Zhi could see quite a few people who didn’t look like university students, and some students wearing middle school uniforms similar to hers.

  After walking for about ten minutes, Sang Zhi saw a wide staircase. The area below was spacious, with several buses parked and a row of small cars, leaving a three-meter-wide path. Sang Zhi looked around, thinking of calling Sang Yan when she suddenly noticed Sang Rong’s car parked not far away.

  Sang Zhi put down her phone and walked over. There was no one in the car, but the trunk was open, either forgotten or for some other reason. Inside, there was only a stack of books and a very ugly plush toy.

  Thinking she would go up anyway, she decided to move both of them at once. Sang Zhi hesitated, picked up the plush toy, intending to place it on top of the stack of books and then lift them together. It would be easier that way.

  As she was about to complete her action and hadn’t released her hand, a shadow suddenly loomed over her from behind, blocking the sunlight. Sang Zhi instinctively turned her head.

  What caught her eye was a pure black short sleeve.

    Her gaze moved upwards, passing the man’s Adam’s apple, chin, lips, and finally met his eyes, which seemed to be smiling but not quite.

  Duan Jiaxu lowered his eyelashes, and his gaze lingered on the plush toy in her hand for a few seconds. Then, he suddenly bent down to meet her eyes at the same level. He lifted the corners of his lips, and his breath gently chuckled. “Where did the little thief come from?”

  The distance between them was a bit close.

  Sang Zhi’s expression stiffened, and for a moment, she didn’t know what to say.

  Then, Duan Jiaxu pointed at her hand, raised an eyebrow, and asked, “Why are you stealing Gege’s things?

  After a brief pause, he calmly inquired, “Have you taken a liking to me?”

Leave a comment

Website Built with WordPress.com.

Up ↑