Unbearable - Chapter 26

Chapter 26: So Embarrassed Her Cheeks Turned Red

 

At noon, there weren’t many students left in the classroom since the school allowed both boarding and day options. The room was quiet and empty, and the air-conditioning felt even cooler than during class.

 

Yu Wei had just sat down and unzipped her collar when a thermal container was placed on her desk.

 

She turned to look at Yu Wei.

 

Yu Wei didn’t look back, just casually dropped it off and went to draw all the curtains in the back and center of the classroom. The room instantly dimmed.

 

Yu Wei opened the container, poured some into her cup, and took small sips.

 

It was still cold—sweet, tangy, and fragrant.

 

When she shook it, the ice inside clinked.

 

Yu Wei, head lowered reading a book, glanced over. He saw her shake the container, heard the ice rattle, and then saw her set it down and turn to smile at him.

 

She smiled silently, dimples sinking in on either side of her lips, eyes curved and bright.

 

Yu Wei pressed his lips together, then gave a brief smile in return.

 

After half a cup to satisfy her craving, Yu Wei screwed the lid on and tucked the cup into her desk. Then she tugged her jacket collar open, pulled it up over her head, and rested her head on her arms on the desk.

 

Darkness. Warmth.

 

She moved with practiced ease, like she’d done this hundreds of times.

 

Yu Wei looked up and over, the corners of his lips twitching slightly, then got up and quietly slipped out the back door of the classroom.

 

She had a solid nap. Even in her dream, she could taste the sweet and tangy flavor of osmanthus. Though her shoulders and back ached a bit when she woke, she still felt refreshed.

 

As class time neared, more students trickled in. The post-lunch mood was lazy and relaxed.

 

When Cheng Miao arrived, she immediately noticed the thermal container on Yu Wei’s desk. Her eyebrows shot up to her hairline. But when she saw Yu Wei sit up and adjust her clothes, she quickly lowered them again, just about to pry when Yu Wei asked:

 

“Do you want some sour plum drink? It’s really good.”

 

Her voice was soft and lazy, as if just waking up—making one’s heart itch.

 

Yu Wei had just returned and sat down, still hot and thirsty. His eyes shifted to her hand holding her glasses. The clear plastic arm pressed against the fine hair by her ear.

 

Liang Pang opened the curtains and asked, “Where’d you buy it?”

 

“It’s not store-bought,” Yu Wei said as she put her glasses on and stood up. “Yu Wei brought it from home.”

 

The students gathered around all froze for a second. Then they turned to Yu Wei.

 

“No way, did you make it yourself?”

 

The container was opened, and the tangy-sweet scent wafted out, instantly triggering salivation. Someone asked curiously, “You’re not drinking any?”

 

This was the first time the class had spoken directly to Yu Wei like this. Before, whether they gossiped or admired her from a distance, they all felt like she wasn’t really one of them. Class A was based on academic performance, and she had transferred straight in. Aside from English, all her other subjects had terrible scores.

 

Even now, people on the school forum were still posting about her, throwing shade and sarcasm.

 

She might’ve physically sat in the room, but most didn’t consider her one of their own.

 

“It’s got sugar. I can’t drink it.” Yu Wei’s gaze fell on Yu Wei, who stood awkwardly in the middle, uncomfortably handing out drinks. She knew Yu Wei was deliberately shifting attention to her, trying to help her blend in.

 

The classmates were just there for fun. They crowded around, each only wanting a small taste. One sip and they exaggerated their reactions, puckering their lips and shouting, “So refreshing!”

 

That, of course, made everyone else curious and eager to try it.

 

Yu Wei’s hands were constantly moving, pouring drinks nonstop. Just as she was about to switch hands, Yu Wei took the container from her.

 

The cups being held out froze for a second—then slowly reached forward again.

 

Yu Wei said nothing. He poured for each one. The cups that had withdrawn quickly came back.

 

“I’m gonna wash my face,” Yu Wei said quietly as she slipped out of the classroom and let out a breath of relief.

 

As soon as she left, someone asked, “How come you and our top student are so close?”

 

He couldn’t drink it himself, but he still brought it just for her.

 

That’s not normal friendship, right?

 

Cheng Miao slurped her sour plum drink, puckering at the taste and silently thinking that they were probably relatives. Of course, that would explain why they were closer.

 

“Obviously! When our top student was getting mugged, Yu Wei heroically stepped in to help—classic rescue moment. Naturally, that makes people close.”

 

“Totally!” Cheng Miao nodded, then paused and corrected, “Everything you said is right, but you said it wrong. It was a beauty saving a beauty! Wow. Perfect match.”

 

The others chimed in half-joking, “Perfect match, perfect match.”

 

Yu Wei’s expression didn’t change. She just poured an extra half cup for Cheng Miao.

 

Cheng Miao accepted her fate and drank up, while Liang Pang laughed out loud.

 

Yu Wei returned just as the bell rang. She grabbed the thermal container off her desk, gave it a shake—still some left! Delighted, she bent down and tucked it into her cubby.

 

Teenagers often have simple minds and quick-changing moods. Just from this one moment, everyone suddenly felt like they had a connection with Yu Wei, like she wasn’t actually that aloof—just shy. After all, she poured drinks for everyone without complaint. Clearly, they’d misunderstood her!

 

So during afternoon self-study, when everyone began rehearsing for the school festival, someone even asked her to join.

 

Yu Wei hesitated, looking over at Yu Wei.

 

Everyone had already accepted that the two of them were unusually close, so they turned to look at Yu Wei too.

 

Yu Wei said, “…I don’t really have anything to rehearse.”

 

She hadn’t even brought her instrument.

 

Everyone slapped their foreheads—oh right!

 

Then they looked at Yu Wei.

 

Yu Wei shook her head. “Too many people, not enough space.”

 

The freshmen had just arrived, but official classes hadn’t started yet. New students were wandering curiously around campus—checking out clubs, dorms, the cafeteria, and the sports center.

 

Everywhere was packed.

 

There wasn’t much time left for school festival rehearsal, so the two afternoon self-study periods were reserved for ice-skating groups to practice.

 

The venue was already small, and the ice-skating performances had to fill up an entire night’s program—of course it would be crowded.

 

If Yu Wei didn’t go, Yu Wei wouldn’t go either.

 

Yu Wei tried to stay in the classroom as much as possible. As soon as the dismissal bell rang, she slung on her backpack, grabbed the thermal container, and headed out.

 

At the back door, Yu Wei stood up, opened the classroom door, and took the container from her. One arm on the doorframe, she motioned for her to go first.

 

The motion was fluid and practiced.

 

The students behind them exchanged glances—Are they really this close now?

 

As they neared the school gates, Yu Wei tugged on Yu Wei’s sleeve.

 

Yu Wei looked back in surprise, and the thermal container in her hand was pulled slightly.

 

“Put it in my bag,” Yu Wei said, removing her backpack and unzipping it.

 

There wasn’t much inside. Yu Wei’s hand tightened on the container for a moment before placing it inside. She watched as Yu Wei zipped the bag up.

 

“Afraid your mom will see it?”

 

Yu Wei paused, looked up at her, visibly uncomfortable with the word “mom” but too embarrassed to correct her.

 

She waited until they had walked a few more steps, then tilted her head and softly said, “Don’t let her hear you say that.”

 

Yu Wei didn’t reply.

 

Yu Wei continued, “Just being careful, trying to avoid trouble.”

 

Whether it was forcing Yu Wei to transfer schools or move homes, it was obvious Yu Jingcheng and Ding Qing had done their research before recognizing her—they at least knew her connection to the old lady.

 

But Ding Qing was emotionally fragile, so it was best to be cautious.

 

Yu Wei glanced at her. “What kind of trouble?”

 

Getting injured and pretending she was fine. Having allergies and still eating anyway. She was already weak, yet had been eating diet meals for a week—just to maintain superficial peace?

 

“My mom’s a bit sensitive. I don’t want her overthinking things,” Yu Wei said.

 

Yu Wei’s face tensed as she furrowed her brows and stared at her.

 

Yu Wei paused, bit her lip, then added, “If she gets angry, she might scare you.”

 

Yu Wei’s tense expression immediately softened. Looking at the smaller girl—half a head shorter—worried she might get scared for her sake, her emotions grew complicated.

 

After a moment, she asked, “Has she ever scared you?”

 

Yu Wei shook her head, her eyelashes fluttering. “She’s had it hard too… She suffered a lot in the Yu family, especially after… after having me.”

 

Giving birth to a child with albinism meant Ding Qing was humiliated in the Yu family. Later, they secretly tested Yu Wei’s DNA against Yu Jingcheng’s and found no relation. That pushed her into a marriage crisis, and then the realization that her real child had been lost—it all started with her.

 

“Her suffering is her own choice. What does that have to do with you?”

 

Yu Wei gritted her teeth, trying not to snap, but seeing Yu Wei hang her head, she grew more frustrated. “You don’t have to carry anyone else’s life.”

 

Yu Wei frowned. Ding Qing and Yu Jingcheng had approached her with a paternity test and verbal agreements. The Yu family would fund her skating and basic training. In exchange, she’d live with them until she was of age. If she wanted, she could change her legal household registration after turning 18—if not, she didn’t have to. All she had to do was complete the education they arranged and live with them.

 

It was a mutually beneficial arrangement.

 

But now, she thought, when she had the ability to leave the Yu family, she would take Yu Wei with her.

 

The streets were bustling, bathed in the soft light of sunset. Yu Wei softly hummed and fell half a step behind, walking beside Yu Wei.

 

As expected, Ding Qing didn’t ask what was bulging in her backpack. She just went straight to her study once they got home.

 

Yu Wei and Yu Wei went upstairs one after the other. When Yu Wei reached the last step, she paused, turned back, and looked at the water dispenser against the wall of the second-floor landing.

 

“…You bought it?”

 

That spot had been carefully selected by Yu Wei when she came back at noon. It was close to the bedroom, but more importantly, it was directly visible when you came up the stairs.

 

The color matched the furniture. It blended in, but still stood out.

 

“If the water runs out, tell me.”

 

She didn’t look back, her tone casual.

 

Yu Wei pressed her lips together, then looked at the dispenser again.

 

There was no direct drinking water on the second floor, and she was the only one using it—she always had to go downstairs to drink. But Yu Wei didn’t seem to like her mom. Buying a dispenser meant she wouldn’t have to go downstairs as often and risk running into her.

 

Still… spending money like this—how many times would she have to wire Yu Wei money just to get her new skates?

 

Sigh.

 

Yu Wei was lost in thought. That evening, she went with Yu Wei to the ice rink. Watching her pull out a roll of tape from her backpack, her heart ached again.

 

Maybe… she should just buy the skates herself?

 

Cheng Miao said she’d accept gifts from skating fans.

 

Yu Wei couldn’t last long physically—after skating for half an hour, she came off the ice, sat to the side, and secretly worked on her drawing on her tablet. Drawing Yu Wei as a fox mascot made her blush with embarrassment.

 

While Yu Wei changed out of her skates and went to drive the ice-resurfacing machine, Yu Wei ran over to check what brand and size her skates were.

 

She placed an order in the dark, paid for express shipping—it’d arrive at school by noon tomorrow. She hesitated and tapped on the phone number linked to Yu Wei’s WeChat, and sure enough, she heard a ring from inside her backpack.

 

Amazing!

 

Real-name registration and linked phone number? Yu Wei was stunned.

 

Yu Wei finished parking the resurfacer and circled back toward her. As she approached, Yu Wei quickly hid her phone, her mind suddenly dazed.

 

Wait—how did Yu Wei know her shoe size?