Unbearable - Chapter 41

Chapter 41: The Tips of Her Fingers Burned Where They Had Been Held

 

As soon as the bell rang after the second exam, the students who had been dozing off in the classroom sat up and craned their necks forward, ready to charge.

 

“Nobody move,” said the invigilator, their voice overlapping with the sound of chairs scraping against the floor. “Pass the test papers forward from the back. Once you’re done, you can leave.”

 

Before the words were even fully spoken, the well-trained “exam warriors” had already begun turning around to grab papers from the students behind them.

 

“Hurry up, or there’ll be no food left!”

 

Yu Wei, who had no previous grades on record, sat in the back corner of the classroom. The student in front of her turned around, and she handed over her paper immediately.

 

“Holy crap!”

 

The guy in front was a burly boy with his short sleeves rolled up, exposing his muscular arms. As he moved, his muscles twitched and the paper rustled in his hands.

 

Yu Wei was just about to leave, still holding her pen, when she frowned and asked, “What’s wrong?”

 

The boy didn’t answer. His not-so-big eyes widened in shock. “Holy crap, you actually finished it?!”

 

It made sense in Chinese exams—even if you didn’t know the answer, you could bluff your way through. But math? If you didn’t know it, you simply didn’t.

 

And yet someone in this exam room had actually filled in the entire math paper.

 

A legend!

 

C ignored him and walked out.

 

Because she’d been delayed a bit, the hallway was already packed. Students were crowding the exit, making it impossible to pass through.

 

Standing at the end of the crowd, she glanced out the window casually and caught sight of a familiar profile.

 

The moment she exited the classroom, Yu Wei turned against the flow of people and walked deeper into the hallway.

 

Yu Wei was wearing a backpack, hands stuffed into her pockets, head down, half her face hidden in the collar of her jacket.

 

There was a flower bed on the balcony, overrun with mint that had grown wildly high, spilling over the edges. It just so happened to hide her figure.

 

The scent of mint was intense. After standing there for a while, the air in her throat felt icy cold.

 

Yu Wei moved a bit to the side and looked up toward the doorway.

 

Just as she did, her eyes locked with someone else’s—smiling brightly at her.

 

“Why didn’t you call me?” Yu Wei asked quietly, walking up to stand in front of her.

 

“How long have you been waiting?” Yu Wei asked.

 

Thinking she was referring to the mint scent, Yu Wei paused for a second, then took a step back, putting some space between them. “Not long.”

 

Yu Wei grabbed the front of her shirt lightly with two fingers and tugged. “What are you avoiding?”

 

“I’m not.” Yu Wei took a breath. “I just reek of mint.”

 

Afraid you wouldn’t like it.

 

“Let me smell.”

 

Yu Wei tugged her gently, but didn’t use force. She leaned in to sniff. “It’s a little strong, but perfect after a test—refreshing.”

 

Her face was near Yu Wei’s ear, but not quite touching. Her breaths were light and subtle.

 

No temperature, no scent, but her entire presence wrapped around Yu Wei.

 

Yu Wei was just about to retreat when Yu Wei let go and stepped back.

 

“Did you finish the test?” Yu Wei clutched her backpack straps and tried to change the subject.

 

Yu Wei smiled, “You mean to ask how well I did?”

 

Worried she hadn’t done well, so she just asked if she finished it.

 

Yu Wei’s little trick was exposed, and a bit embarrassed, she followed up, “So… how did you do?”

 

“Great,” Yu Wei answered casually, without false modesty or arrogance. She glanced toward the stairwell, then turned back. “Was the final bonus question F3 equal to 5?”

 

Yu Wei nodded. “That’s what I got.”

 

Yu Wei nodded as well. “Then we’re good.”

 

“Mine might not be right though,” Yu Wei said, pursing her lips. She had a feeling Yu Wei probably did well—she even completed the bonus question.

 

The hallway was getting quieter, the sound of footsteps fading into hollow echoes.

 

“So unconfident,” Yu Wei looked at her. “Repeat after me: ‘I’m amazing.’”

 

Yu Wei froze.

 

Several seconds passed without movement. She exhaled slowly, face heating up.

 

“…I can’t say it,” she murmured.

 

She even pulled her collar up to her eyes, only half of her glasses visible, thick lashes trembling with embarrassment.

 

Yu Wei resisted the urge to reach out, clenching her hands before relaxing them again. “Then repeat it in your heart.”

 

After a while—“Did you do it?”

 

Yu Wei nodded softly. “I did.”

 

Even in her heart, it felt embarrassing.

 

“Good girl.”

 

Yu Wei said, turning toward the stairwell. After a few steps, she looked back.

 

Yu Wei stood in place, rocking on her toes. The collar hooked on her glasses slipped down, revealing her sparkling pinkish eyes as she looked at Yu Wei, then shyly lowered her head and followed.

 

That day, the whole school had a unified exam. Afterward, everyone rushed out—boarding students headed to the cafeteria, day students to the school gate. The campus was now empty.

 

Once past the school gate statue, they could see someone waving in the distance.

 

It was Ding Qing.

 

Yu Wei paused and glanced at Yu Wei. She noticed the smile blooming on her face.

 

“I booked a hotel. Let’s go eat first, and then you can nap,” Ding Qing said, her nose glistening with sweat from waiting outside.

 

Yu Wei blinked. “Mom, it’s just a monthly test—no need to be so dramatic.”

 

“Dramatic?” Ding Qing was puzzled. Lately, she’d joined a bunch of full-time mom groups on WeChat, and all of them emphasized how important high school tests were. “I used to neglect these things and wronged you. This is just how it should be.”

 

Is that so? Yu Wei had no experience. She looked over at Yu Wei.

 

Yu Wei didn’t confirm or deny anything. She remained silent but, seeing Yu Wei glance at her, reached out and gently pinched the fingers hiding in her sleeve.

 

Just a light touch.

 

But with her mother so close, Yu Wei froze on the spot. The slight motion of being pinched became a soft rub of Yu Wei’s cool fingertips along her nail edge.

 

Yu Wei slowly drew her hand back into her sleeve, sneaking a glance at her.

 

Yu Wei kept her hands in her pockets, meeting her gaze.

 

Her expression was warm, smiling—but for some reason, Yu Wei’s fingertips still burned where they’d been touched. She clenched them tightly in her palm and quickly avoided Yu Wei’s eyes.

 

Yu Wei’s smile faded slightly.

 

The hotel wasn’t far. Ding Qing had made reservations and the food came quickly.

 

It looked expensive.

 

Yu Wei’s expression didn’t change, but Yu Wei glanced at the dishes cautiously before picking up her chopsticks.

 

“Is it good?” Ding Qing sampled a few bites but worried the food might not suit young people’s tastes. She glanced at both of them—Yu Wei looked composed and mature, Yu Wei delicate and sweet.

 

Looking closely, except for their skin tone, they actually looked somewhat alike.

 

What was I thinking before? Ding Qing thought. She had lost her biological daughter and abandoned the one right beside her.

 

Her eyes grew hot. She turned away for a moment to calm down, then turned back and noticed that Yu Wei had only eaten a few shrimp and some plain vegetables.

 

“Rest after lunch,” she said, pulling out two room cards. “You two—”

 

“We’ll share a room,” Yu Wei interrupted, setting down her chopsticks and handing one card to Yu Wei.

 

Yu Wei blinked but took the card.

 

Ding Qing took note of the exchange. “The apartment in Wanxiang Mansion is being renovated. I checked it out—it’s nice. Once the ventilation and purification are done, you can move in next year.”

 

Yu Wei’s chopsticks paused. Her face went blank for a moment before she glanced at Yuwei.

 

Wanxiang Mansion wasn’t far from school. If they moved, Yu Wei would hardly go back to the old courtyard anymore.

 

She pressed her lips together and responded politely.

 

“All right, eat up and rest. Don’t play too long in the room—you have exams in the afternoon, and you must take a nap,” Ding Qing reminded them.

 

Just a monthly test.

 

But the warmth in such daily reminders was rare and precious. Yu Wei mentally repeated the words, locking them into memory.

 

After eating, all three went upstairs. Yu Wei held the room card, with Yuwei following behind.

 

Ding Qing’s room was next door.

 

Yu Wei opened the door and turned to look at her mother. “Good afternoon, Mom.”

 

Ding Qing was briefly stunned, then smiled brightly. “Good afternoon.”

 

Once they entered the room and the door closed, Yu Wei turned to Yu Wei and whispered, “Do you want to go home?”

 

Yu Wei had just put her bag on the table and looked back, confused. “Home?”

 

“Mm. Your home,” Yu Wei said.

 

Yu Wei pulled out her notebook and sat down. “No need.”

 

Yu Wei hesitated, then sat at the foot of the bed. “Really? If Mom comes, I’ll cover for you.”

 

Her tone was sincere and serious. Yu Wei chuckled and turned around. “I’m not a toddler. No need.”

 

Yu Wei responded softly, pulled out her own book, and settled into the armchair by the window. She opened a thermal mug and drank as she read.

 

Soon, sleepiness hit.

 

She used the restroom and came out to find Yu Wei already lying on the bed. The bed was large enough—they wouldn’t have to squeeze.

 

Yu Wei took off her jacket, got under the covers, and soon drifted off.

 

The shoulder beside her remained untouched.

 

Yu Wei opened her eyes and glanced to the side.

 

Yu Wei slept very still, with no wrinkles in the covers. Her face turned slightly toward Yu Wei, her hand curled loosely beneath her cheek.

 

Yu Wei watched for a while, then looked back at the ceiling.

 

A few seconds later, she turned again and reached out.

 

After a long while, Yu Wei shifted closer, her warmth settling against Yu Wei’s shoulder, breathing gently against her arm.

 

When they woke, Ding Qing drove them back to school.

 

The exam hadn’t started yet, so they returned to their classroom.

 

As soon as they entered, they saw Cheng Miao performing a ritual over her desk, scooping up imaginary knowledge from her books and flinging it onto her face.

 

Page by page.

 

When she heard the door, she turned, looking desperate. “Help me inject knowledge!”

 

“Huh?” Yu Wei blinked.

 

Cheng Miao stopped using her own book, leaned back, and urged, “Come on, it’ll work better if it’s you!”

 

Yu Wei awkwardly mimicked her, scooping from the book and tossing it toward Cheng Miao.

 

Cheng Miao inhaled deeply. “Yes! Instant enlightenment!”

 

Yu Wei: “You’re exaggerating. It’s just air.”

 

“No, it’s air infused with divine knowledge from a study goddess!” Cheng Miao nodded furiously.

 

She’d been in battle mode all morning, going to the exam early and staying until the last minute, glued to her seat.

 

Yu Wei teased, “Did your mom give you an exam mission?”

 

“Nope,” Cheng Miao sighed, then leaned in, lowering her voice. “New season’s started. This year’s Grand Prix—Xiaoyu’s in two events! One domestic, one abroad. I gotta do well to earn the queen’s blessing so I can take a leave and go see it.”

 

Yu Wei froze. Her book, half open, was closed again. “When?”

 

“Just two months left.” Cheng Miao gestured wildly, then shielded her words with a book, whispering even quieter, “We might not get another chance. Wanna come? If so, I’ll grab two tickets.”

 

Just as she finished, the book was pulled away.

 

Yu Wei stood beside them, eyes narrowed as she looked between their almost-touching faces before settling on Yu Wei.

 

“Do you need this book?”

 

“No.” Yu Wei remembered Yu Wei had the same book and had read it at the hotel. After a short pause, she asked, “Do you need it?”

 

Yu Wei nodded, squeezing the book slightly. “Wherever you’re going, let me know.”

 

“Oh.” Yu Wei bit her lip, turned back to Cheng Miao, and mouthed, “We’re going. Don’t say anything.”

 

Cheng Miao stood frozen.