Everyone in School No. 1 Knows My Boyfriend | Chapter 22 | A Rainy Goodnight | Novela.app

That evening, the Arts Representative submitted the names of the two candidate performances and the list of participants to the homeroom teacher. “Attention, everyone. The music teacher said we’ll be practicing the mass chorus during tomorrow’s music class,” Huang Hao announced from the podium before evening self-study. “Even though our class is focusing on the individual acts, we still have to go through the motions for the group performance.” “Are Menglai and Yuxi still participating in the chorus?” a girl asked. “Li Menglai needs to rehearse her individual act, so she’s excused. Jiang Yuxi will be participating,” Huang Hao replied. Jiang Yuxi looked up, staring expressionlessly at Huang Hao on the podium. “Lin Murun is performing a duet with Li Menglai, so he’s also excused from the chorus,” Huang Hao continued. “The specific time for the program screening will be announced in the group chat.” Some students didn’t care much about the Art Festival and went back to their work after hearing the news. Others, however, began whispering among themselves the moment they heard Lin Murun’s name. “Any more questions?” Huang Hao asked. “None,” Yu Qianyi answered. Huang Hao nodded and returned to his seat. “Why isn’t Jiang Yuxi doing the duet with Li Menglai?” a girl whispered. “Who knows?” Her desk-mate poked Jiang Yuxi in the back with a gel pen. “Yuxi, did you not play well during the practice?” Jiang Yuxi’s smile was a bit stiff, but he still answered politely, “It’s probably because the new student plays the violin better than I do.” “Really?” the girl muttered, sounding skeptical. “Isn’t this a good thing?” Jiang Yuxi said. “It gives the new student a chance to show what he can do.” “Wang Yan, Jiang Yuxi, no chatting!” The teacher grading assignments at the podium looked up and called them out. Having been reprimanded, Wang Yan reluctantly pulled back her leaning torso. “I still think you’re better,” Jiang Yuxi heard the girl behind him whisper. *** After evening self-study ended, Ms. Li called Li Menglai and Lin Murun to her office. “I watched the video of your duet. You were both wonderful,” Ms. Li praised them. “But in high school, studies must come first,” she continued. “Don’t let the Art Festival interfere with your schoolwork. Also, remember to rest; don’t put too much pressure on yourselves.” “We know,” Li Menglai said with a sweet smile. “Thank you, Teacher.” “Lin Murun is a boarding student, so practicing might be inconvenient for him,” Ms. Li said after a moment’s thought. “Tell you what—if you pass the screening, I’ll borrow a small music room for you so you can rehearse more easily.” “Really?” Li Menglai said in pleasant surprise. “Thank you, Ms. Li!” “On the condition that you pass the preliminary screening,” Ms. Li emphasized. “Don’t worry!” Li Menglai guaranteed. “We’ll definitely be fine.” “Mm.” Ms. Li smiled and patted her shoulder. “It’s getting late. If there’s nothing else, you two should head back.” “Goodbye, Ms. Li,” Li Menglai said, waving. “Ms. Li…” Lin Murun called out to the homeroom teacher as she began packing her things. “Yes?” Ms. Li looked up. “Is there something else?” “Do you still remember Wu Chuchu?” The moment Lin Murun spoke the name, Ms. Li’s expression changed. “I remember.” She paused, then asked, “You know her?” Lin Murun nodded. “Yes. When we talked last time, she mentioned you.” Ms. Li fell silent for a moment, her brow furrowing. “How do you know her?” “We live in the same neighborhood,” Lin Murun replied. “She hasn’t been in a very good state lately…” As he spoke, he carefully observed Ms. Li’s expression. Ms. Li sighed, took off her glasses, and asked softly, “You want me to talk to her, don't you?” “If it’s convenient for you,” Lin Murun said. “It is.” Ms. Li took out her phone. “Please send her contact information to me.” After adding Wu Chuchu on WeChat, Ms. Li couldn’t help but ask again, “Has she always been… struggling?” “I don’t know,” Lin Murun replied. “We only met recently.” Ms. Li nodded. “Go back to the dormitory for now. I’ll get in touch with her.” “Okay.” Lin Murun nodded. “Goodbye, Teacher.” “Get some rest when you get back,” Ms. Li urged. “You’re starting to get dark circles under your eyes. Don’t overwork yourself.” *** When Si Bin woke up, it was already ten o’clock at night. He sat up, and the jacket draped over his shoulders slid to the floor. “You’re awake?” A gentle female voice came from behind him. A woman with smooth, long hair leaned down and picked up the jacket. “Go home and rest. I’ll take the night watch today,” the woman said, putting the jacket away. Si Bin rubbed his eyes and asked muzzily, “Is Shenshen home alone?” “She’s at her grandmother’s,” the woman replied with a gentle smile. “She’s been clamoring to go play there for a while, so I sent her over.” Si Bin hesitated. “She has trouble sleeping in new beds. I should probably go pick her up.” “No, no,” the woman said, waving her hand. “She’ll only disturb your studies.” Si Bin was silent for a moment before saying, “Aunt Luo, you don't need to be so formal with me.” “I’m not being formal,” the woman explained. “Your sophomore year is demanding, and Shenshen is at an age where she loves to run and play. She’d only be a burden to you.” “Alright.” Si Bin didn’t insist further. He stood up and put on his own coat. “I understand.” The night wind was a bit chilly. He walked to the window to close it. The inpatient building was tall. Outside the glass window, the lights of Z City’s night were brilliant. The night breeze lifted Si Bin’s bangs, the slightly long tips brushing against the corners of his eyes. He subconsciously squinted, and the night view before him suddenly blurred into a chaotic tangle of glowing circles. This city was vast, but not a single light was lit for him. A faint groan came from behind him. Si Bin turned around and saw that the man on the hospital bed had opened his eyes. “What time is it?” the man asked his wife softly. “It’s already ten,” Aunt Luo said, leaning down to speak to her husband. “Si Bin watched over you for a long time; he was so tired he fell asleep.” “Where’s Shenshen?” The man didn’t acknowledge her words. “She’s so afraid of the dark, how could you leave her home alone?” The woman smiled. “She’s at her grandmother’s.” The man seemed to have lost the strength to speak. He simply nodded and closed his eyes. Thinking he was sleepy again, Si Bin reached out to draw the curtains. “Don’t…” The man opened his eyes and looked toward the window. “Leave them open,” he said slowly. “I want to see the night view.” The man on the bed had sallow skin and was breathing his last. Even those eyes, which had once been filled with starlight, had become dim and lifeless. He was like a patch of parched earth, the cracks and crevices filled with yellow sand. “Okay.” Si Bin pulled the curtains back. “Go back and rest,” Aunt Luo said, stepping forward. “I’ll be fine here.” Si Bin nodded. “Dad, I’m leaving.” The man on the bed did not respond. Si Bin walked to the door, then turned back and said, “I’m going back to H City tomorrow.” “You’re leaving tomorrow?” Aunt Luo asked. “Yes,” Si Bin replied. “Your schoolwork is heavy; you should go back early,” Aunt Luo said gently. “It’s alright, go on. I’m here for your father, so don’t worry.” “Okay.” Si Bin opened the ward door. “My flight is at six tomorrow morning, so I won’t come by the hospital.” “So early?” the woman said worriedly. “Are your things all packed?” “They’re packed.” Si Bin looked at the man on the bed one last time. “Dad, Aunt Luo, I’m going.” “Safe travels,” Aunt Luo said, waving to him. The door closed, sealing away the patient’s silence. *** Lin Murun finished his violin practice and, as usual, fed the two cats their nutritional gel. Da Bai was already familiar with the routine. After eating his fill, he sat quietly by Lin Murun’s side, licking his paws. The phone screen on the table lit up. Lin Murun tapped it and saw a message from Si Bin. Si Bin: [Are you still at my place?] [I am,] Lin Murun replied. Si Bin: [My cousin said it’s raining in H City. Remember to take an umbrella when you go out. They’re all in the cabinet by the entrance.] Lin Murun looked up and indeed saw fine threads of rain drifting outside the window. Lin Murun: [Okay, thanks.] He stood up to close the window and then asked: [When are you coming back to school?] Si Bin replied: [Tomorrow.] After that, the "typing..." status on the WeChat interface persisted for a long time. Lin Murun waited patiently for a while, but no new message came from Si Bin. [Safe travels, then,] he said. This time, Si Bin replied quickly. Si Bin: [Okay.] The rain outside blurred the streetlights into a hazy halo. Lin Murun stared at that light, standing still for a long time. “You two should get some rest early, too.” He patted Da Bai’s head, picked up an umbrella, and closed the door as he left. Just as he stepped out, his phone vibrated. A raindrop, carrying the chill of autumn, landed on the glowing screen, the convex bead of water magnifying the sender’s name. Si Bin: [Goodnight.] *** | Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | 营养膏 | Nutritional gel | A supplement paste for cats/pets. | | 大白 | Da Bai | Literally "Big White," the name of one of the cats. | | 罗阿姨 | Aunt Luo | Si Bin's stepmother. | | 深深 | Shenshen | Si Bin's younger half-sister. | | 认床 | Trouble sleeping in new beds | A common Chinese term for being unable to sleep well away from one's own bed. | | 碳素笔 | Gel pen | Specifically a black carbon-ink pen common in Chinese schools. |