Fall - Chapter 11

In mid-April, the results of the Second Mock Exam were released, causing a stir in the classroom. Some students rejoiced, while others despaired.

Yue Can had never paid much attention to her grades, but this time she felt slightly more invested, considering all the grueling tutoring she had endured.

When she saw her results, she was mildly surprised. Her first thought was: That devil Bo Wanzhao actually knows her stuff.

Suddenly, someone exclaimed, “Yue Can, your grades have skyrocketed!”

Soon, a crowd gathered to peer at her results. “Have you been studying in secret?”

“Damn, girl, how did you do it?”

Yue Can found herself surrounded by chattering classmates. The grueling tutoring sessions during winter break and weekends had paid off; her ranking had climbed to the upper-middle tier of the class. Though she was in a regular class, even this modest improvement felt miraculous compared to her performance last semester.

Zhong Ran immediately squeezed through the crowd, her eyes wide with shock. “You were serious?! When you said you studied twelve hours a day during winter break, I thought you were bluffing. Yue Can, you’ve abandoned me so cruelly? I can’t even use you as a benchmark for mediocrity anymore!”

“Too bad,” Yue Can said, “you can’t anymore.”

Zhong Ran made a pained face. Whenever her grades were criticized at home, she’d always retort, “Yue Can scored even lower than me,” dragging her friend down with her.

“Fine, my heart is broken because of you,” Zhong Ran joked, though she was genuinely thrilled about her best friend’s progress, even more excited than Yue Can herself.

During the afternoon’s summary meeting, their homeroom teacher, Tang Xiaojun, specifically mentioned Yue Can’s improvement. It was the first time Yue Can had been singled out for praise. Accustomed to being a lazy underachiever, she found the attention strangely uncomfortable.

Classes ended at six in the evening, and the crowd surged toward the cafeteria.

Most students had fixed meal buddies. Yue Can’s group included Zhong Ran and Luo Yang, who was in the neighboring honors class. Luo Yang was the only high-achiever in their trio and Zhong Ran’s childhood friend; Yue Can had become close to her through Zhong Ran.

“Luo Yang, guess what? Our Can Can has finally made it!” Zhong Ran exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she ran into Luo Yang.

“What happened?”

“Do you know how much she’s improved?”

Zhong Ran was chatting animatedly.

Yue Can remained quiet, her hand resting on her phone in her pocket. She was debating whether to text Bo Wanzhao about her grades.

After hesitating for a long while, she decided against it.

Her scores weren’t even worth the attention of someone like Bo Wanzhao, the academic superstar. There was no point in sending them. Besides, even if she did, she knew she wouldn’t get any genuine praise. She could already predict Bo Wanzhao’s perfunctory reply.

Zhong Ran noticed Yue Can’s silence. “Can Can, what are you spacing out about?”

Yue Can snapped back to attention. “Nothing.”

Zhong Ran: “Why aren’t you excited?”

Yue Can: “Excited about what?”

“You did so well this time! We should celebrate. Let’s hang out this weekend—go out, come over to my place to play games (my parents won’t be home), or watch a movie. I found a really good one recently…” Zhong Ran winked at Yue Can when she mentioned the movie.

Yue Can understood immediately—it had to be a lesbian film. Since Luo Yang was still sitting nearby, she had to keep Zhong Ran’s secret. She asked suggestively, “What kind of movie is it?”

Zhong Ran froze. What do you mean, “what kind of movie”? That sounded so inappropriate!

Luo Yang, the model student, noticed their secretive behavior and asked, “What movie?”

Luo Yang spoke much less than the other two, mostly listening to Yue Can and Zhong Ran chatter incessantly, occasionally interjecting with a sarcastic remark or two.

Zhong Ran immediately emphasized, “It’s a serious movie.”

Luo Yang’s expression grew even more skeptical. “If it’s a serious movie, why are you being so secretive about it?”

“I said it’s serious. Believe it or not, it’s up to you,” Zhong Ran muttered. Though she and Luo Yang had known each other since childhood, she had never dared to come out to him. Luo Yang was an old-fashioned type; if he found out she was gay, he’d probably cut ties with her overnight.

Zhong Ran turned to Yue Can. “What about you? Can you make it?”

Yue Can politely declined. “I have tutoring sessions all weekend.”

“Just take a day off,” Zhong Ran argued. “You’ve been working hard enough already. What’s wrong with relaxing for a day? Besides, you aced the Second Mock Exam. Your mom will definitely let you skip tutoring if you just ask.”

If Yue Can asked, Tan Ming would indeed grant her permission… But Yue Can hesitated, avoiding Zhong Ran’s gaze.

Choosing between rest and tutoring? How can she even hesitate? Zhong Ran was utterly shocked. “Yue Can, something’s seriously wrong with you.”

Yue Can: “Huh?”

Zhong Ran stared at Yue Can’s face. “Are you addicted to tutoring now? Do you get withdrawal symptoms if you skip a week?”

“Luo Yang,” Zhong Ran turned to the model student for a more authoritative opinion. “Can tutoring actually become addictive?”

Luo Yang raised an eyebrow. “Possibly.”

Zhong Ran: ???

Yue Can lazily replied, “Suddenly felt like studying hard and turning over a new leaf. What’s wrong with that?”

“Are you even speaking human language? I can’t understand a word you’re saying…” Zhong Ran pondered for a moment. If she suddenly started studying this hard, it would definitely be because of the power of love. She eyed Yue Can suspiciously. “Hey, did you fall for some academic ace or something? Get a reality check?”

“Can’t you think about anything else for once?” Yue Can retorted. “With that love-obsessed brain of yours, you’re gonna get scammed someday.”

“She’s right,” Luo Yang immediately agreed, glancing at Zhong Ran. “You look like you’d fall for anything.”

Luo Yang spoke little, but his words were sharp as daggers. Having known Zhong Ran for years, he knew exactly how to get under her skin.

Stung by their remarks, Zhong Ran stubbornly retorted, “I’m a pure love warrior, not some love-obsessed idiot!”

Yue Can and Luo Yang exchanged blank looks.

Zhong Ran gave up arguing. “Fine, I’ll watch it alone then.”

Luo Yang shot her a sideways glance. “Why didn’t you invite me? Am I not human?”

“You’re a good student. I didn’t want to interrupt your studies.”

“Even good students need breaks.”

“Alright,” Zhong Ran conceded, already planning to switch to a different movie. “But no sneaking in extra tutoring sessions!”

Yue Can chuckled as she ate, enjoying the mindless banter with her friends during class breaks—one of the few pleasures left in their senior year.

Tan Ming was the happiest after the results came out. Yue Can’s improvement far exceeded her expectations; she hadn’t held out much hope to begin with.

To celebrate, Tan Ming made time on Saturday to cook a special meal herself, inviting Bo Wanzhao over to join them.

As a result, Yue Can didn’t go to Wutong Lane on Saturday but stayed home to study.

Around noon, Yue Can wandered into the kitchen and was astonished to see President Tan personally cooking, almost humming a tune. “Are you really that happy?”

Tan Ming glanced back at her. “Why wouldn’t I be? You’ve finally given me something to celebrate. We need to mark the occasion properly.”

Yue Can pouted. Just give me a compliment without the sarcasm, she thought.

“Go wash your hands and get ready to eat.”

Tan Ming had put considerable effort into the meal. Aunt Hu only helped with the prep work; every dish on the table was made by Tan Ming herself. “It’s been ages since I cooked. Let’s see if my skills are still up to par.”

“Auntie, you don’t have to be so formal,” Bo Wanzhao said. She had initially declined the invitation, but Tan Ming insisted, and further refusal would have been impolite.

“This isn’t about formality, Wanzhao. Seriously, I’ve been so grateful for your help these past few months, taking care of this little troublemaker for me.”

“Nonsense, it’s my pleasure,” Bo Wanzhao said with a smile, raising her glass of red wine to clink politely against Tan Ming’s.

Yue Can, who couldn’t drink red wine, was sipping grape juice. She glanced at Tan Ming and retorted, “Why are you teasing me? Am I really that annoying?”

Tan Ming replied, “Don’t you realize how much trouble you cause? Remember when you ran away from home last time? Everyone was worried sick, and your sister had to search for you late into the night.”

Yue Can fell silent.

“Alright, let’s drop that,” Tan Ming said. “We should still acknowledge your progress. Yue Can has improved significantly this time and deserves praise.” She clinked glasses with Yue Can as well.

As they were eating, Bo Wanzhao’s phone vibrated with an incoming call. She glanced at the screen but didn’t answer immediately.

“Go ahead and answer it,” Tan Ming said with a smile. “It’s just family here, so feel free to do whatever.”

Bo Wanzhao swiped to answer, exchanged a few brief words with the caller, and said, “…I’m busy right now. Let’s chat on WeChat later.”

Yue Can raised her eyebrows, noting the familiar tone of the conversation.

Tan Ming asked casually, “Boyfriend?”

“No,” Bo Wanzhao replied with a faint smile. “Just a classmate.”

Seizing the opportunity, Tan Ming continued, “You must have quite a few admirers at school, right?”

Yue Can noticed that Bo Wanzhao didn’t deny it. It was obvious without even thinking—a beautiful academic prodigy like Bo Wanzhao, even if difficult to pursue, would undoubtedly attract a crowd of persistent suitors.

Tan Ming asked, “You’re almost graduating with your master’s degree, and you’ve never been in a relationship?”

Bo Wanzhao replied gently, “No, I haven’t.”

Yue Can took a sip of her grape juice. This answer perfectly matched her expectations. Someone who kept everyone at arm’s length would never be in a relationship.

Tan Ming grew slightly concerned, wondering if Bo Wanzhao’s upbringing had subconsciously led her to avoid romantic connections. “I’m not lecturing you, just chatting. While relationships aren’t essential, sometimes when fate brings someone into your life, there’s no need to deliberately avoid it. Just face it openly and honestly.”

Bo Wanzhao nodded, her response perfectly proper. “Mm.”

She always maintained an impassive demeanor, so adept at concealing her emotions that it was nearly impossible to discern her true thoughts.

“Do you have someone you like right now?”

Yue Can lifted her head again, listening intently without making a sound.

Tan Ming’s gaze shifted to Yue Can. “Why are you listening so intently?”