Eleven years ago.
Wen Xi had only known Shen Yu for two or three months. She was still in that phase of not knowing how to build a proper rapport with her.
It was hard to say whether the heavens were being unkind, but while Wen Xi was still fretting over this, Shen Yu happened to witness her in an embarrassing state once again. Yet, because of this, their relationship progressed rapidly.
During that period, Wen Xi didn’t stay late at school much anymore. She had learned to try her luck; leaving school early gave her a chance to create “accidental” encounters with Shen Yu.
That day was an accident. The teacher ran a few minutes over, and Wen Xi knew she wouldn’t have a chance to run into Shen Yu today. She decided to stay and finish a piece of homework she was nearly done with.
It only took about ten minutes to finish. Before leaving, Wen Xi went to the restroom. It was a mess in there; several people were hiding inside, playing games on their phones.
Wen Xi walked past them without looking left or right. Just as she reached the sink, a person beside her turned on the faucet and put their palm under it, splashing water all over Wen Xi.
It was unclear if the person did it on purpose, but most of the water hit Wen Xi’s face. Half of her bangs were soaked, and droplets continuously rolled down her cheeks.
Wen Xi heard the person apologize heartlessly, “Oh, what a coincidence. Isn’t this our star student? Sorry about that, I really didn’t mean it. It’s your fault too, of all the times to walk over, you chose right when I turned on the tap.”
The others kept their heads down, playing their games without looking up, though they snickered at the sound.
Wen Xi’s face was cold. She didn’t speak, only raising the back of her hand to wipe her face.
Wen Xi recognized them; they were the troublemakers of the class. She had no dealings with them and didn’t know why they suddenly took a dislike to her today.
She wanted to turn and leave, but the ringleader bumped into her shoulder lightly, smiling. “I’m apologizing to you. Why are you being so rude and ignoring me?”
Wen Xi’s fists, hanging at her sides, clenched tightly. She whispered, “…It’s okay.”
Wen Xi felt uncomfortable all over. A small section of the right side of her clothes was soaked, and she just wanted to get back to the classroom to wipe herself dry with paper. It was October, and the weather was turning cold; wearing wet clothes made her feel a bit chilled.
“That’s good then, that’s good!” The ringleader had no intention of letting Wen Xi leave. She forced an arm around Wen Xi’s shoulder and pointed at the group playing games. “Hey, have you ever played games? Why don’t you join us?”
Wen Xi loathed the touch and refused coldly, “I didn’t bring a phone.”
“It’s fine, phones… I have plenty of those,” the ringleader chirped. “We’re just playing a little game. You’re so smart, you should pick it up easily. Let’s have a match, rewards if you win, punishment if you lose. How about it?”
Someone across from them asked, “What’s the punishment? If it’s not exciting, I’m out!”
The ringleader looked around. “Oh, it’ll be exciting… We’re all girls here, so how about the loser has to take off their clothes? Exciting enough?”
“Ooh, that’s exciting! I’m in!”
“You really know how to play. Count me in too!”
“What about you, Wen Xi?” The ringleader tilted Wen Xi’s chin up, leaning in close. “Want to play?”
Wen Xi was shaking with rage. Just as she was about to speak, the restroom door opened with a creak.
“What are you playing? I’ll join too.”
The voice was familiar. Wen Xi had heard it just a few days ago.
Wen Xi whipped her head around.
It only took a few seconds for Shen Yu to walk in and close the door. Looking at Wen Xi’s hair matted against her face, she frowned. She accurately called out the ringleader’s name. “Stripping? You’ve really outdone yourself.”
Wen Xi could feel the girl’s entire body stiffen. She dropped her arm from Wen Xi’s shoulder and stood up straight, properly. “Sister Shen Yu…”
The others present looked at each other and silently put their phones away. The noisy restroom suddenly became deathly silent.
Shen Yu gestured for Wen Xi to come over. Wen Xi bit her lip, kept her head down, and walked to her.
There was a mirror in front of the sink. She had seen how pathetic she looked just now, and she hated that Shen Yu had to see her in such a state.
Shen Yu tilted her chin toward the group. “She did this?”
Wen Xi didn’t know what to say, and Shen Yu took a silent, deep breath.
When her gaze fell back on the group, Shen Yu’s voice was icy. “Bullying people. You’ve certainly grown bold.”
“I wasn’t bullying her,” the ringleader hurried to explain. “I just wanted to play with her…”
She trailed off, her face turning a few shades paler.
“I will tell your parents everything that happened today,” Shen Yu said, no longer looking at her. “I trust they will discipline you properly.”
With that, Shen Yu turned and left, not even glancing at Wen Xi who was standing aside.
Wen Xi was stunned for a moment, but once she reacted, she hurried after her.
The ringleader remained in the restroom, gritting her teeth. “Whatever happened today, you all better keep your mouths shut.”
Once Wen Xi stepped outside, she found Shen Yu waiting not far away.
Seeing the girl come out, Shen Yu decisively took off her own jacket and draped it over Wen Xi.
After doing this, she grabbed Wen Xi’s wrist and pulled her into the stairwell.
Without a word, Shen Yu pulled Wen Xi to stand in front of her. With a cold expression, she took out a tissue from her pocket and began wiping Wen Xi’s wet hair.
Shen Yu’s movements were focused, and they were standing very close. A subtle sense of pleasure and satisfaction rose in Wen Xi’s heart.
However…
Looking at Shen Yu’s expression, Wen Xi whispered, “You’re angry.”
Shen Yu didn’t answer. Her movements didn’t stop. “Go back early after your hair is dry. It’s not good to wear wet clothes.”
Wen Xi’s lips twitched. “Why are you angry?”
“…” Shen Yu’s movements paused for two seconds. “Wen Xi, you don’t know why I’m angry?”
Wen Xi actually had some guesses in her heart, but she didn’t dare say them. She could only shake her head.
Shen Yu was nearly exasperated by the person in front of her.
Her voice was cold: “If I hadn’t been there today, how would you have handled it?”
Wen Xi’s pupils trembled. She murmured, “I’m very smart. I might not have lost.”
When Shen Yu first arrived, she had heard some of their conversation from outside the door. “Possible? They were clearly set on making sure you lost.”
Wen Xi opened her mouth but said nothing, only looking at Shen Yu with a very aggrieved expression.
For some reason, Shen Yu’s anger mostly dissipated instantly.
“Forget it,” Shen Yu closed her eyes. “Have they approached you before?”
Wen Xi shook her head. “No, this was the first time.”
Shen Yu finished drying Wen Xi’s hair. “Fine. They won’t come looking for trouble with you anymore. If there are others… tell me.”
“There are fewer people after school, which is why they dared to be so reckless. Don’t go to secluded places alone from now on.”
Wen Xi once again felt how powerful Shen Yu’s background was. The group in the restroom hadn’t dared to make a sound in front of her.
“Why are you helping me?” Wen Xi lowered her head, her nose feeling a bit stingy. “Why are you so good to me?”
Shen Yu thought for a few seconds. She wasn’t one to meddle in others’ business, but she figured it was probably because she and Wen Xi were friends now. Besides, as the old saying goes, if you’re going to help, see it through to the end.
Shen Yu reached out and ruffled Wen Xi’s hair. “No reason. I just wanted to help you.”
Shen Yu found the texture nice, so she ruffled it again. “Go grab your bag and get home quickly.”
Shen Yu finished drying the hair as best as she could and smoothed it out with her hands so it wouldn’t look too messy.
Wen Xi nodded but stood still. “Then, your jacket?”
Shen Yu gave a light chuckle. “Tomorrow morning, I’ll wait for you at the intersection.”
Wen Xi’s eyes curved into a smile. “Okay!”
Shen Yu watched Wen Xi walk away and let out a soft sigh.
She had run into Wen Xi at roughly the same time for the past few days. When she didn’t see her today, she felt an inexplicable sense of worry, so she decided to retrace her steps.
Luckily, she did.
When Wen Xi returned to the classroom, only her seatmate was left.
As soon as she returned, her seatmate asked hurriedly, “I just saw Shen Yu! She even asked me where you were, so I told her. Wow, you two actually know each other?”
Before Wen Xi could speak, her seatmate added, “Wait? This jacket… is it Shen Yu’s?”
“Yeah,” Wen Xi was on good terms with her seatmate. She pulled the jacket open to show the wet part of her clothes. “My clothes got wet, so she lent it to me.”
“I see. You’re really a dark horse,” the seatmate sighed. “I remember not long ago you were asking me for info about her.”
Wen Xi smiled shallowly. “Back then, I really wasn’t close to her. Now we’re just ordinary friends. Please keep it a secret for me, don’t let others know.”
“Oh, I get it.” The seatmate gave Wen Xi a reassuring look.
For ordinary people like them, letting others know they were close to someone like Shen Yu wasn’t exactly a good thing; it could disrupt their normal lives.
“Thanks,” Wen Xi packed her things. “I’m going home now. You should head back early too.”
The seatmate waved. “Bye-bye, see you tomorrow.”
On the other side, Shen Yu approached a black car parked by the road and opened the door.
The driver glanced at her through the rearview mirror. “Miss, why are you out so late today?”
Shen Yu immediately let out a cold snort. “Do I need to report my actions to you?”
The driver’s scalp went numb. “I wouldn’t dare.”
Shen Yu didn’t bother looking at him further. She never had a good attitude toward the people on her father’s side.
She and her father owed each other nothing. Most of her mother’s inheritance had been left to her, and she had learned how to manage money from the elders on her grandmother’s side. She was smart and a quick learner, making quite a bit of income recently. She never used the money her father gave her. If it weren’t for his forced requirement, she wouldn’t even bother taking this car.
When Wen Xi got home, she carefully took off Shen Yu’s jacket. She had heard others talking about this brand; it was very expensive. She had walked very carefully the whole way, afraid the jacket might get snagged on something.
As she took it off, she could still smell a faint, pleasant fragrance on the fabric. It smelled wonderful.
The next day, Wen Xi waited at the fork in the road with the washed jacket. They had agreed to meet here several times because this was where their paths to their respective homes diverged.
Wen Xi didn’t have to wait long; Shen Yu was punctual.
Even in her youth, Shen Yu’s height advantage was already apparent. Wen Xi could spot her at a glance in the passing crowd.
She stood there and waved her hand high at Shen Yu. She saw Shen Yu smile, and as she reached her, she heard Shen Yu say, “I saw you from a mile away.”
Wen Xi smiled, handing over the clean jacket cautiously. “I hand-washed it last night and used a dryer for a bit. It should be fine, right?”
Shen Yu laughed. “I’m not that picky. A washing machine would have been fine. Why use a dryer? You could have just given it back in a few days if it wasn’t dry.”
Wen Xi pursed her lips and smiled. “I was afraid you’d want to wear it.”
In reality, her house didn’t have such a high-end thing as a dryer. She did have a small space heater, though. Last night, she had taken it out, placed it in front of the jacket, and turned the garment over every so often, sitting there watching it for hours.
She was just too concerned with appearances, so she told Shen Yu she had used a dryer.