When the exam bell rang, the classroom fell silent.
The teacher reviewed the instructions and distributed the exam papers and answer sheets.
Everything proceeded smoothly and orderly.
As if sentient, the sunlight illuminated the entire classroom, making it bright and warm.
When Su Qing handed in her paper, Jiang Sui followed suit.
Competition-style exams like this don't prohibit early submission, but two people, including the two who were late that time, turned in their papers early. The invigilator hesitated to speak, but when he saw the scars on Jiang Sui's arms, he frowned. He wanted to say something, but nothing came of it, and he simply let them go.
As Su Qing left the classroom, shouldered her backpack, and reached the corner of the stairs, her wrist was grabbed.
A pair of large, cold hands tightly grasped her fair wrist.
Su Qing pursed her lips and stopped. Because of the competition, the renovated teaching building they were in was empty except for the students taking the exam.
"Jiang Sui, don't you have anything to say to me?"
Jiang Sui's fingers brushed against the fair wrist, his eyes glancing at the girl's neck, which was exposed as she lowered her head.
"Yes."
The boy's voice was dry and tired.
"Then let's find a place, over by the small garden."
Jiangcheng No. 1 Middle School is quite large, boasting not only a small garden but also rockery and a lake. The environment and learning atmosphere are both excellent.
Perhaps because of the exams, the garden pavilion was deserted. Su Qing sat on a wooden stool, pinching her fingers, pursing her lips, and saying nothing, neither looking up.
Jiang Sui wasn't surprised to see Su Qing so distant.
"Su Qing, if you don't want to talk about it, I won't ask. But if you do, I'll be honest. Is that okay?"
At the mention of that name, Su Qing's fingers involuntarily stiffened. Slowly, she raised her head and looked at Jiang Sui calmly, her eyes almost emotionless. Her mind was still working, but numb. She didn't want to ask, nor did she want to touch upon the past. She simply wanted to avoid it. But in the end, Su Qing spoke.
"You got into a fight last night."
Su Qing paused for a moment as she spoke, each word seemingly escaping from her lips.
"Well, because of a personal grudge."
Su Qing blurted out the words without even thinking, driven by her inner impulse. What personal grudge?
The young man stood up, walked beside her, placed his hand on her head, and gently stroked it.
"Su Qing, don't worry about anything. Just study hard in Wuzhen."
His palm was no longer cold; it even held a hint of warmth, as if giving her strength and soothing the anxiety deep within her heart.
His voice was deep and powerful, unbelievably young.
She remembered that at the school gate, when she had squatted there waiting for him to take the exam, Jiang Sui had been like this too. The boy had a wicked smile on his face, his eyes narrowed. He then touched her head and looked at her.
"What? Are you waiting for your brother Sui?"
He kept his promise.
Su Qing didn't look up, nor did she raise her head. Something like a stone weighed down her heart. She pursed her lips, remaining silent.
As if to touch upon the past, she became somewhat withdrawn, closed off, like a prisoner in a state of hushed repose.
Jiang Sui, seeing this, leaned forward in front of Su Qing.
"Su Qing, I have something to ask you, too."
Su Qing raised her eyes, looked at Jiang Sui, and after a moment, said, "Go ahead."