"You, move."
Lin Sitian was only half-listening to Cui Qian's celebrity gossip when a sudden, sharp flick landed on her head.
"Ow—!" Lin Sitian clutched her skull. "What was that for, Yang Xuelin?!"
"Switch seats, switch seats. You've had enough time catching up with Cui Qian. My turn now."
"Huh?"
"Huh what 'huh'? Isn't he your guest? You bring him and then abandon him, dumping me in the Arctic while you have fun in Cancun? Have you no shame, Lin Sitian?" Yang Xuelin grumbled. The bus had been moving for about forty minutes, and the initial lively chatter in the coach had quieted down considerably. The whole point of a long bus trip with friends was having company to pass the time, but Yang Xuelin hadn't gotten to enjoy that perk. "Sitting next to Zhou Sheng is too stressful. Having to watch myself around him in class is bad enough. Out here on a trip, just the thought of him sitting there stone-faced, not saying a word, wearing his headphones… seriously, who can stand that? Anyway, your guest, your responsibility. Get your butt back there!" Yang Xuelin hauled Lin Sitian up and practically "kicked" her towards the seat she'd just vacated at the back.
Awkwardly gripping the seatback, Lin Sitian quietly slipped into the seat beside Zhou Sheng.
He seemed to be asleep. His face was bathed in the sunlight streaming through the bus window. His longish eyelashes fluttered occasionally, perhaps disturbed by the light, making it hard to tell if he was just resting his eyes or deep asleep. Zhou Sheng didn't get much sun, leaving his skin pale. The late spring/early summer light seemed to cast a soft glow around him. Even stealing a few glances was enough to send Lin Sitian's heart racing again. She leaned back against the seat, unable to resist looking at him a few more times. Remembering what he'd said that morning, she gave a deliberate little cough, telling herself to rein it in.
Zhou Sheng remained motionless, head tilted slightly in sleep. He must really be asleep. He hasn't even stirred. Lin Sitian's gaze grew bolder. She turned her head and stared openly at Zhou Sheng. Though she was used to this angle from sitting next to him in class, the timing and location were different today, and so was her mood. Her eyes traced the line of his nose, his lips, his chin, then drifted down to the hoodie he was wearing – his casual clothes – finally settling on the hand resting between them. His hand lay palm-up beside him, fingers naturally curled, long and slender. His nails were neatly trimmed, revealing only a faint crescent moon of white. Lin Sitian stared mesmerized at that hand. In the sunlight, his palm lines were faintly visible. The one rumored to signify love stretched long and uninterrupted, all the way down without any distracting branches. Would he really fall in love someday? What kind of person would he spend his life with? If it's Zhou Sheng… he probably wouldn't break up easily, right? She stole another glance at Zhou Sheng. No sign of waking. It's so warm… probably because he's been sitting in the sun. A cozy, enveloping heat. Even though they'd done things ten times more intimate than this, Lin Sitian's heart still pounded at this simple proximity. Up ahead, Yang Xuelin, Wang Yue, and the others burst into laughter over something. Thump-thump, thump-thump… Lin Sitian's heart raced faster and faster. Was it because she'd touched his hand? Or because of this secret closeness under the noses of their friends? Whatever it was, she was nervous. The constant warmth radiating onto her skin and the texture of his palm only heightened her tension. Someone was on a phone call in the seat across the aisle. The little girl in the seat ahead was watching something on a tablet. Lin Sitian took a quiet breath… and closed her hand around the warmth in her palm.
So pathetic, Lin Sitian, she thought. He just told you this morning he didn't feel that way about you, and here you are sneakingly holding his hand. But she couldn't blame herself. It was his fault. He was the one who gave her hope. He was the one who stepped within reach and said, "I'm willing." He was the one who indulged her every time she capriciously demanded a reward. If all that meant "no interest," then she truly had no idea what his affection would look like. All her initiative and bravery… seemed to have turned into nothing but self-inflicted humiliation. But I like you so much. Lin Sitian closed her eyes. Her thumb gently traced the lines on his palm. A sour, stinging sensation welled up in her nose. I like you so much. Her breath hitched. Her lips parted slightly, releasing a trembling sigh. I'm easy to fool, Zhou Sheng. Just a little response is enough. Just a tiny bit. Or… Should I just give up? A sudden wave of self-mockery washed over her. Maybe this sense of connection had been nothing but her own delusion all along. If it were someone else, Zhou Sheng would help them too. If it were someone else, this hand would fit just as perfectly. Who says no to an easy favor? Lin Sitian's thoughts spiraled, growing more agitated and weary. Gradually, drowsiness overtook her. In her half-asleep state, she dreamed. In the dream, Zhou Sheng was incredibly attentive to her, and he even confessed his feelings. The moment he confessed, he took her hand. Lin Sitian felt a warm current surge from her heart, rising, spilling over, slowly submerging the wounds that had felt so raw just moments before. The feeling was so vivid, so real, it made her want to cry and sent her heart into a frantic rhythm, leaving her unable to cope with either sensation.
The beautiful dream shattered abruptly with a sensation of weightlessness, pulling a thread of Lin Sitian's consciousness back to reality. She blinked. She seemed to be leaning on someone's shoulder. The memory of where she'd been sitting before falling asleep slammed back into her, jolting her fully awake. Carefully, she lifted her eyelids just a slit and raised her head slightly to peek. Through the blurry gap, she saw Zhou Sheng, eyes still closed, expression serene, simply letting her rest her head on his shoulder. Lin Sitian snapped her eyes shut again. But thinking it over, the boldness of doing this in front of classmates was too much. She scrambled upright. Up front, the group burst into hearty laughter over something else. But here, in their private corner, a secret silence enveloped them, as if disconnected from the world outside.
After nearly two hours on the road, the long-distance bus finally arrived at their destination: Shouxi Valley Rafting. It was a relatively new tourist attraction, adjacent to the popular Danqing Mountain. The rafting route stretched 5 kilometers, taking about two hours. It wound through exhilarating drops, including a cliff with a nearly 4-meter plunge, and calmer stretches perfect for enjoying the scenic mountain views and clear waters. The journey offered a dynamic mix, providing a great way to experience both the Shouxi Grand Canyon and Danqing Mountain. The bus stopped at the rafting endpoint. They'd booked their group tickets online well in advance; all they needed to do was scan the QR codes at the entrance gate. Zhou Sheng paused at the turnstile, asking, "Who do I pay my ticket fee to?" "No need. I invited you, I'll cover it," Lin Sitian said. Zhou Sheng had already seen the price; even the group rate was 160 yuan per ticket. This wasn't something to dismiss with a casual "I'll cover it." "I'll pay you back later," he stated firmly. He knew Lin Sitian's family was well-off, but that didn't mean he felt comfortable taking advantage, especially since he wasn't short of money himself. "No, really, I already…" Lin Sitian started to refuse, but seeing Zhou Sheng's lips pressed into a thin line of disapproval as he stared at her, she just shrugged. "Fine, fine. Pay me back later."
She and Zhou Sheng were talking again. After that abrupt hand-holding on the bus. Even though they'd been silent the whole rest of the journey – him still feigning sleep, her saying nothing – the awkwardness between them seemed to have dissolved naturally. They'd held hands the entire way, only letting go when they got off the bus. Lin Sitian's self-assessment was spot on: she was easy to fool. Just a little reaction from Zhou Sheng, and she couldn't stay angry. They arrived early, part of the second group scheduled for the day's rafting. Once inside, they were quickly directed to get geared up. Fearing they'd get soaked, some people changed directly into swimsuits. Lin Sitian had considered it, but wearing one meant she couldn't be the only one. After a quick huddle with Yang Xuelin and the others, they opted for a more conservative approach. By the time they emerged, the guys had been waiting for a while, all uniformly in t-shirts and shorts – almost like matching couple outfits. Zhou Sheng was no exception. Lin Sitian had told him beforehand to bring a change of clothes, though he'd assumed it was because of possible temperature changes. Accustomed to seeing Zhou Sheng in his school uniform shirt, this was Lin Sitian's first time seeing him dressed so casually. The look wiped away any lingering traces of stuffiness. In the sunlight, the boy in white looked like a breath of fresh air, dappled light seeming to dance on his shoulders. When his phoenix eyes lifted towards her, it felt like morning dew in a forest catching the light – utterly clear and piercingly cool. A drop falling onto her heart.
The scenic shuttle bus took them to the rafting starting point, where everyone began collecting their gear. They'd be riding in rafts, which typically only seated two people, one at each end. Everyone was free to pair up. The staff suggested it was best to pair guys and girls for safety, especially pairing strong swimmers with weaker ones. After all, no one could guarantee the raft wouldn't flip over in the rough patches or rapids. Wang Yue and Li Hailiang had already been pulled aside by Yang Xuelin. Lin Sitian was still fastening her life jacket when she heard someone ask, "Want to share a raft with me?" Lin Sitian looked up. Meng Qiaoyu stood there, casually tossing his helmet in the air as if it were a basketball, spinning it on his fingertip.
"Aren't you with your class?" Lin Sitian asked. Meng Qiaoyu shrugged. "We're on group tickets. Free pairing isn't a problem." "No way your classmates didn't ask to pair up with you," Lin Sitian replied, a knowing smile playing at the corners of her eyes. "Other people asking me doesn't stop me from asking you, does it? So, want to share a raft?" Just as Lin Sitian opened her mouth to answer, a helmet was plunked onto her head. "She's with me," Zhou Sheng said. She didn't turn around. Just hearing Zhou Sheng's voice made her tense up. Huh? When did he decide they were a pair? She hadn't agreed! "Hey, Zhou, you really…" Meng Qiaoyu began, his smirk vanishing. "…always popping up out of nowhere to butt in. Even though you said yourself you're not—" He cut himself off, glancing at Lin Sitian, then pinched the bridge of his nose. "Granny told me to look out for her. If something happens while she's on a raft with you, I'm the one who's responsible, okay?" "Lin Sitian is old enough to take care of herself. She usually manages perfectly well," Zhou Sheng replied calmly, stepping in front of her. He bent slightly to adjust the strap on her helmet. "Besides, you're not with our group. Shouldn't you be back there looking after your own people?" He spoke with his usual, unruffled tone, devoid of inflection. The only thing ruffled was Lin Sitian's heartbeat. How strange. Zhou Sheng doesn't usually talk like this. He barely knew Meng Qiaoyu, yet he left no room for argument. Meng Qiaoyu caught his helmet mid-toss. He raised an eyebrow, staring at Zhou Sheng's back blocking his view. "If she can take care of herself, why are you adjusting her helmet?"
Zhou Sheng's fingers paused on the buckle. He heard a soft "Pfft" from beneath the helmet. Her shoulders trembled slightly. Caught out, he calmly stated two words—
"Convenience."