PAIN - CHAPTER 3:

Absolutely. Here’s a creative English adaptation of your provided Chinese novel excerpt

Yu Luoyin watched the scene unfold as if it were some ridiculous play.

The corner of his lips lifted in a faint, sarcastic curve.

The boy stood with his hands in his pockets, tall and lean,

dark hair falling loosely to shade the indifferent black of his eyes.

Behind him, Li Yuan jumped and yelped to keep his sneakers from getting wet.

Who spilled this bucket of water? he shouted, No sense of public decency at all!

At those words, a flicker of panic flashed across Sheng Churan’s bright eyes.

Her slender fingers twisted anxiously at the cuff of her school uniform.

From a distance, she looked toward Yu Luoyin,

afraid that he might think she was the one without decency.

Bai Xunying! Zhong Qin reacted fast. Taking advantage of the fact that Yu Luoyin and

the boys probably hadn’t seen what happened, she openly pushed the blame away,

saying righteously, You can’t even hold a water bucket properly?

Right, Sheng Churan echoed quickly, as if waking from a daze.

You even splashed water on your classmates’ shoes!

Bai Xunying couldn’t be bothered to argue.

She had already caught a glimpse of the boy downstairs Yu Luoyin.

No wonder Sheng Churan suddenly became all shy and flustered.

It wasn’t the first or second time they had pinned things on her anyway,

counting it would be pointless.

Lowering her eyes, Bai Xunying turned without a word and went downstairs.

Her steps were light, almost soundless.

She reached Yu Luoyin, bent down to pick up the bucket, and left without hesitation

never sparing anyone a glance.

Yu Luoyin’s eyes followed her unconsciously.

He noticed the veins standing out on her thin arm as she lifted the bucket.

Her long ponytail fell forward, hiding half her delicate face.

Her slender neck and sharp shoulder blades stood out against the sunlight,

her narrow waist fragile as a reed.

It seemed impossible that a girl like that could lift something so heavy.

Yu Luoyin!

Even as Bai Xunying walked away, Sheng Churan’s soft,

lilting voice followed with a hint of laughter. Your pant cuffs are all wet.

You’d better change before class…

Bai Xunying’s brows knitted ever so slightly. Her steps quickened.

When she finally reached the quiet water pool behind the wall,

she let out a deep breath and crouched down, her body weak from strain.

The afternoon sun shone bright on everything but this shaded corner.

Hidden in the cool dimness, Bai Xunying looked like a small mushroom growing in moss.

Dark thoughts sometimes crept into her mind shadows she

was afraid would grow too large to contain.

Why is life always so hard? she thought. Or will it be easier once I grow up?

The line came from a movie, and she laughed softly to herself.

Back when she could still speak, she had never thought life could hurt this much.

After that brief moment of despair, she straightened up slowly.

Her expression hardened into calm again

the fragile girl hidden behind a mask of indifference.

She filled the bucket with water, step by steady step, and carried it back to class.

Two minutes before the bell rang, Bai Xunying finally returned.

Her fingers ached so much she could barely hold a pen.

To her surprise, Sheng Churan was crying at her desk while Zhong Qin and

a few girls gathered around, whispering in panic.

Churan, don’t cry. Yu Luoyin didn’t even say anything.

Yeah, he can’t blame you there’s no proof you kicked that bucket.

That’s right, he’s always like that, speaking so coldly.

I don’t even get why you like him so much. He’s just handsome, that’s all.

Stop it! Sheng Churan lifted her head, tears glistening in her red-rimmed eyes.

Her voice trembled, stubborn and raw. I like him,

and you’re not allowed to say anything bad about him!

Girls at sixteen, seventeen when they fall for someone,

they do it with all they have, like moths flying straight into a flame.

Even knowing it will burn them to ash, they still long for that unreachable light.

Bai Xunying never liked Sheng Churan, but at that moment,

she couldn’t help admiring her courage.

If it were her… she’d never dare to love someone so openly.

That afternoon, a light drizzle fell again.

Linlan was a city of water it rained every few days.

Umbrellas were as common as textbooks.

The entire campus shimmered with mist and damp air.

Because of that, the school cafeteria was always half-empty when it rained.

Students preferred to order greasy takeout rather than walk through the drizzle.

But Bai Xunying hated the heaviness of takeout food,

so she went anyway, umbrella in hand.

The cafeteria was nearly deserted, quiet enough that she could hear the echo of her own footsteps.

Perfect, she thought. Peaceful.

She swiped her card for two simple dishes and sat alone in the corner.

The plastic seat was cold against her legs,

and even the rice seemed to have lost its warmth.

Her ponytail was damp, a few strands clinging to her neck,

her white blouse darkened slightly around the shoulders.

The soft murmur of students filled the empty space.

Then, a burst of voices broke through the calm.

Yu-ge, why are we eating here? The food sucks.

Let’s go get skewers outside.

Li Yuan, shut up. There’s barely any time at noon.

Then let’s go tonight!

Stop yapping. Go check if they still have braised ribs left.

Bai Xunying glanced down at her tray. Braised ribs.

The last portion, the lunch lady had said.

When she looked up, her hand froze midair.

She recognized the backs of those boys the same ones who had been downstairs earlier.

Among them, Yu Luoyin stood out: tall, lean, every gesture sharp and distant.

Her heart gave a small, inexplicable jolt.

She lowered her gaze and forced herself to eat.

She wasn’t afraid of being alone she often preferred it.

But she hated the feeling of being seen alone.

The boys sat just two tables away. Close enough that she could see Yu Luoyin’s long,

pale fingers holding his chopsticks.

Suddenly, the food turned tasteless.

Bits of their conversation drifted over.

Yu, you were really harsh earlier. That girl almost cried.

Yeah, not very gentlemanly of you.

But that Sheng Churan girls he’s scheming.

I saw her kick the bucket down and blame the other one.

Heh, pretty girls always get away with lying.

So they knew. No wonder Sheng Churan had been crying.

A tiny smile touched Bai Xunying’s lips.

Throughout the whole exchange, Yu Luoyin said nothing.

They finished their meal quickly and left.

Only then did Bai Xunying finally exhale, realizing how tense she’d been.

As her gaze drifted toward their empty table, something caught her eye

a single cafeteria card left behind.

She picked it up. On the front, three characters were neatly printed, Yu Luoyin.

She hesitated for a second, then grabbed her umbrella and ran out into the rain.

She couldn’t call out, so she could only run.

Raindrops clung to her hair, to her lashes, her breath coming fast.

When she finally caught up, the boys turned, surprised.

Hey, classmate, Li Yuan said, his eyes lighting up. What’s up?

Bai Xunying’s pale hand opened, revealing the black cafeteria card,

her palm marked with faint red lines.

She handed it silently to Yu Luoyin.

He blinked, then reached out to take it. His long fingers brushed against her cool skin.

Under the drizzle, her dark hair clung to her cheeks, her eyes glimmering like wet stars.

Yu Luoyin’s lips curved slightly. Thank you.

Bai Xunying smiled faintly, two small dimples flickering at the corners of her lips.

She nodded and turned to go.

Wait. Yu Luoyin’s lazy voice stopped her. What’s your name?

All three of his friends froze. It was the first time they’d ever heard him ask a girl that question.

But it wasn’t the first time he’d asked her.

Bai Xunying bit her lip, then lowered her head and ran, her ponytail flying behind her.

She didn’t look back.

She chased us all this way just to return a cafeteria card?

Lu Ye laughed, watching her disappear into the rain. Pure girl. Cute, too.

Twice.

Yu Luoyin brushed off his friend’s hand, his face unreadable.

I asked her name twice, both times ignored.

Her face was hard to forget. He remembered asking her once before after school,

with the same silence in reply.

No way, Lu Ye said, shocked. A girl ignored you twice?

What’s the story? Don’t tell me you actually.

She’s not ignoring him on purpose. Zhou Xinsu adjusted his glasses,

his calm eyes reflecting a faint amber light.

She can’t talk. She’s in Sheng Churan’s class that mute girl, Bai Xunying.

Mute? Li Yuan blinked. You mean the mute school belle everyone was talking about?

Every year, the school ran a silly online poll for the most beautiful students.

This year’s result had caused a stir the top girl was mute, and

she’d even beaten Sheng Churan.

The photo had been grainy, taken secretly, but even so,

her beauty had been startling in its purity.

Because of that poll, Bai Xunying had drawn plenty of curious onlookers.

Eventually, everyone learned she was the silent girl from Class Three.

The mute school belle that’s what they called her.

No one expected the rumors to be true, or that she’d be even more beautiful in person.

Bai Xunying.

Yu Luoyin repeated the name under his breath.

He remembered her standing by the stairs that morning,

lifting the heavy bucket, veins straining in her thin wrist.

His eyes narrowed, thoughtful.