Fall - Chapter 8

“Can Can Can Can, come here quickly!”

During the class break, Yue Can stepped out of the classroom and saw Zhong Ran standing in a corner of the hallway, waving her over with a furtive, thief-like gesture.

Yue Can approached. “What is it?”

“I’ve got something amazing to show you.” Zhong Ran secretly pulled out her hidden phone and showed Yue Can the screen, transforming into a screaming chicken. “Isn’t it just the sweetest, most adorable thing ever?! Ahhhhh, I’m dying from the cuteness…”

It was a vlog documenting the romance of a lesbian couple. Zhong Ran had recently become obsessed with watching these videos, spending all day obsessing over them. The video showed the two girls being affectionate, holding hands, hugging, feeding each other cake, and exchanging lingering glances.

Yue Can wasn’t interested in romance. She glanced at Zhong Ran. “Can’t you share this with someone else? You always come to me.”

“Who else am I supposed to share it with? You’re the only one who knows my orientation,” Zhong Ran lamented, her frustration palpable. Every time she watched a short video, she had to hide it, terrified of being discovered and accidentally kicking open the closet door.

“Don’t you ever want to experience a sweet romance?” Zhong Ran suddenly changed the subject. She had always assumed that everyone in their adolescence would be restless and harbor secret crushes, but Yue Can was different.

Yue Can gave her a perfunctory reply: “Is dating really that interesting?”

“Of course it is! You get to kiss and hug your girlfriend—just thinking about it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.”

Yue Can didn’t know how to respond. The moment girlfriends were mentioned, Zhong Ran’s bubbly, saccharine side resurfaced.

Just then, two more girls approached, both members of the “Class Break Phone Sneak Alliance.” Zhong Ran quickly exited the video and joined the group’s casual chatter.

Many girls in their class were fans of girl groups, making it a popular topic of conversation during breaks.

Appreciating beautiful women was Zhong Ran’s specialty, and she quickly bonded with the other two girls. Not forgetting Yue Can, who was basking in the sun nearby, she pulled her into the conversation. “Which one do you like the most?”

Yue Can hesitated, suspecting she might have face blindness.

“Can Can, quick, take a look! Doesn’t this girl look like your tutor?” Zhong Ran zoomed in on the photo on her phone, eagerly showing it to Yue Can.

Bo Wanzhao…

Yue Can leaned closer to glance at the screen. “Does she?”

“The vibe is similar—they both have such a gentle aura,” Zhong Ran analyzed earnestly. “But I think your tutor is a bit prettier.”

Yue Can chimed in, “I think so too.”

Huh? Zhong Ran sensed something was off. Her gaze shifted from the phone to Yue Can’s face, as if she’d discovered a new continent. “Yue Can, this is the first time I’ve ever heard you compliment someone’s looks…”

Zhong Ran’s reaction was a bit dramatic; Yue Can hadn’t even noticed it herself. “Really?”

“Yeah! We’ve known each other for ages, and you’ve never once complimented anyone’s appearance. I was starting to wonder what your type was!” Zhong Ran grinned, feigning enlightenment. “So that’s it! Now I understand your ideal type.”

Yue Can: “……”

How did this suddenly become about my ideal type?

Seven days a week, every day was dedicated to studying.

Yue Can felt suffocated by her academic workload, desperately counting down the days until the gaokao was over. She told Tan Ming she wanted to study at a different “venue” on weekends, repeatedly promising to focus diligently.

Tan Ming agreed. As long as her precious daughter was willing to study, she would be eternally grateful. Besides, Bo Wanzhao wasn’t just anyone; entrusting Yue Can to her care gave Tan Ming absolute peace of mind.

Spring had fully arrived in Naxia. This year’s rainfall was lighter than usual, with an unusually high number of clear, sunny days.

Every weekend, Yue Can continued to spend her days with Bo Wanzhao, though their location had shifted to the rented room in Wutong Lane. The curriculum remained unchanged: two study sessions in the morning and two in the afternoon, lasting until evening.

While studying still drove her crazy, the intensity had lessened considerably. She no longer had to endure her parents’ arguments or Aunt Hu’s nagging. During breaks, she could pet the stray cats in the alley, lifting her spirits immensely. Even when Bo Wanzhao reminded her to “focus,” her words sounded almost pleasant.

At noon, Tan Ming arranged for lunch to be delivered. The two sat at a small square table to eat together. After lunch, Yue Can would often steal a moment to stroll through the alley for fresh air. On sunny days, she’d bask in the sun and feed the cats; on rainy days, she’d feed them under the eaves.

Having fed them regularly, Yue Can quickly befriended the stray cats. Every weekend, she made sure to bring treats for them.

As the visits became more frequent, the kittens would wait for her at the alley entrance. Whenever Bo Wanzhao heard the cats meowing outside, she knew Yue Can had arrived.

One sunny afternoon, Yue Can was playing with the cats in the alley as usual. She occasionally glanced up through the ground-floor window, catching glimpses of Bo Wanzhao sitting at her desk, deeply engrossed in her work.

Yue Can marveled at Bo Wanzhao’s relentless dedication. She never seemed to rest, always busy with work when she wasn’t in class. Yue Can had never met anyone who pushed themselves so hard.

Tan Ming had mentioned that Bo Wanzhao had become independent at a young age, supporting herself through school while also contributing to her family’s expenses. Yue Can knew Bo Wanzhao had endured hardships, but she didn’t know the specifics of her family situation. She vaguely recalled hearing that Bo Wanzhao’s mother was ill and needed money, but the details remained unclear. Bo Wanzhao never spoke about it.

The person inside the room glanced out the window.

Yue Can’s eyes met hers, and for a moment, she felt awkward. She lowered her head, continuing to pet the cats with a forced smile, pretending nothing had happened.

In the afternoon, Bo Wanzhao lectured for another four hours straight, her voice sounding even hoarser and more fatigued than usual.

Yue Can glanced at her face and noticed how haggard she looked. “Didn’t you sleep well last night?” she blurted out.

Bo Wanzhao’s voice was low and raspy. “Focus on the problems, not on me.”

Yue Can paused, her kindness unappreciated. She lazily retorted, “I just noticed you’re pretty.” She watched Bo Wanzhao’s expression, feeling bored from studying and inexplicably wanting to tease this serious person.

“Be serious,” Bo Wanzhao replied.

Yue Can’s small mouth continued to chatter. “I think you’re pretty. How is that not serious?”

At this, Bo Wanzhao turned completely around, facing Yue Can directly. She paused for several seconds without speaking.

The two were close enough that Yue Can could clearly see her features. “What’s wrong?” she asked, unsure of the meaning behind this.

“Have you looked enough now?” Bo Wanzhao asked, her tone still gentle and composed.

Yue Can froze, momentarily at a loss for words. She wondered if Zhong Ran had brainwashed her too thoroughly, because Bo Wanzhao’s way of speaking suddenly felt… flirtatious.

Bo Wanzhao reminded her, “Enough staring. Get back to your work.”

Yue Can: “……”

As expected of the unflappable Ms. Bo. I’m impressed.

The class ran over by more than ten minutes because Bo Wanzhao hadn’t finished explaining all the problems. As Yue Can prepared to leave, she called out, “Bo Wanzhao.”

“What is it?”

Yue Can looked at her. “Your complexion really looks terrible…”

Bo Wanzhao replied with a nonchalant air, “It’s nothing. See you tomorrow.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Mmm…”

Hearing this, Yue Can hesitated for a moment, then picked up her backpack and headed out. The car arranged by her family was waiting, but it could only drive as far as the alley entrance.

As twilight fell, Yue Can walked slowly toward the alley entrance, bathed in the fading sunlight. After a few minutes, she turned around and retraced her steps.

Bo Wanzhao’s condition was indeed poor. She had stubbornly endured the entire afternoon, but the abdominal pain had grown increasingly severe. Knowing something was wrong, she needed to go to the hospital immediately…

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

Ever cautious, Bo Wanzhao called out, “Who is it?”

A clear, familiar voice answered from outside, “It’s me, Yue Can.”

Only then did Bo Wanzhao open the door. “Did you forget something?”

Yue Can noticed Bo Wanzhao’s face growing paler, a fine layer of sweat beading on her forehead. Her intuition had been right. She said directly, “I’ll take you to the hospital.”

Bo Wanzhao: “It’s nothing, I don’t need—”

Yue Can cut her off. “What do you mean you don’t need it? You look terrible right now.”

Bo Wanzhao tried to protest, but a sharp pain doubled her over, her body going limp. Yue Can immediately reached out to support her, wrapping her arms around her.

Being held, Bo Wanzhao’s first instinct was to pull away. Part of her yearned for such intimacy, yet another part fiercely resisted it…

Yue Can murmured softly, “Let’s go.”

Bo Wanzhao stubbornly insisted, “I can go by myself. Go home and let go of me.”

Yue Can refused to release her, continuing to support her. She couldn’t understand why Bo Wanzhao was so resistant to others’ concern, preferring to grit her teeth and pretend to be strong… “No, I’m coming with you. Otherwise, I’ll call my mom to come over. I can’t just leave you alone.”

“Yue Can…” Bo Wanzhao frowned. “I said I don’t need it. Go home.”

Yue Can gazed into her eyes and couldn’t help but retort, “Why is it only you who’s allowed to be good to me? Why can’t I be good to you?”