As soon as he entered the classroom, Lin Murun was met with Yu Qianyi’s curious gaze.
"What were you and Si Bin talking about just now?" Yu Qianyi asked. "You were being so mysterious, and my brother wouldn't even let me ask."
"It was nothing," Lin Murun said, setting down his backpack. "We were just discussing practicing for the relay race. I’ve never participated in a sports meet before."
"Oh, I see..." Yu Qianyi nodded understandingly. "Don't worry, it’s not embarrassing even if you’re slow. It’s the taking part that counts! Besides, your grades are so good and you play the violin—if you took first place in the sports meet too, the pressure on the other students would be way too much!"
Lin Murun smiled and turned to take out his Chinese textbook for morning self-study.
The phone in his school uniform pocket gave a slight vibration. Lin Murun pulled it out and saw a WeChat message from Si Bin.
Si Bin: *Want to go to the cafeteria together at noon?*
A smile bloomed in Lin Murun’s eyes as he replied: *Sure.*
He was leaning slightly to the side, and the expression on his face was caught red-handed by Yu Qianyi.
The girl reached out and lightly poked Lin Murun’s back, whispering, "Who is it? A girlfriend?"
Lin Murun put his phone away and gave a vague "Mm."
Yu Qianyi’s eyes lit up as she gossiped, "Is it for real this time?"
Lin Murun nodded and flipped open his Chinese book.
After morning self-study ended, a new submission appeared on the No. 1 Middle School Confession Wall.
Within a single morning, the news that "Lin Murun from Class 2, Grade 11 is in a relationship" spread among the students as if it had grown wings.
The comment section under the post exploded instantly. Some girls lamented that they no longer had a chance, while others remained skeptical due to the previous cheating scandal.
Someone commented: *It’s probably fake. My friends camp out at the door of Class 2 every day and they’ve never seen Lin Murun get close to any girl. It’s likely just some girl making a fake post because of unrequited love. Remember that senior from No. 5 Middle School who claimed to be Si Bin’s girlfriend? She got shut down hard in the end.*
This comment received the most likes.
"Teacher Li, I heard from my students that Lin Murun in your class has a girlfriend." In the office, the Chinese teacher for Class 3 spoke to Teacher Li, who had just finished a lesson. "Should you have a private chat with him? After all, it’s the second year of high school. If his mind is elsewhere, it might hinder his studies."
Teacher Li paused while putting away her books, looking surprised. "Lin Murun is in a relationship? Since when? I haven't heard any of my students mention it."
"I’ve heard about this," Teacher Xia said, taking a sip of tea and smiling. "It’s that Confession Wall again. Someone submitted a post saying Lin Murun has a girlfriend. I think it’s eighty percent likely to be fake. That boy spends every day buried in his studies. Aside from his small circle of friends, he only really hangs out with Si Bin from Class 1. He doesn't look like someone in a relationship at all."
"True." Hearing that it was just a Confession Wall post, Teacher Li felt relieved and laughed. "It’s probably just some kid who wants to see him get scolded."
"That won't do..." Teacher Xia thought for a moment and said, "Teacher Li, we need to strengthen the students' moral education. They shouldn't be pulling these little stunts behind someone's back just because that student is outstanding."
Teacher Li nodded. "Teacher Xia is right. After what happened with Jiang Yuxi, I haven't had the chance to hold a class meeting. It’s Friday soon; I can use the class meeting period to emphasize these issues."
Lin Murun, the subject of the teachers' and students' gossip, let out a sneeze, drawing Si Bin’s concern.
"Did you catch a cold?" Si Bin reached out and handed him a tissue.
Lin Murun took the tissue and shook his head. "I'm fine. I just inhaled a bit of cold air."
Si Bin reached up to tuck Lin Murun’s scarf more securely. "The weather is too cold. I’ll go buy you some masks after evening self-study."
Lin Murun nodded.
"By the way, do you want to go for a morning run together this weekend?" Si Bin suggested.
"Sure." Lin Murun thought about it and said, "Then I’ll stay at school this Saturday and Sunday."
Si Bin let out a soft "Tsk" and squeezed Lin Murun’s fingers hanging by his side. He whispered, "I think you should stay at your boyfriend’s house."
Lin Murun gave a soft "Oh" and agreed with a flushed face.
The next day, several "love breakfasts" appeared on Lin Murun’s desk again.
He set down his backpack and began clearing his desk with a sigh of helplessness.
"This isn't right," Yu Qianyi said, looking puzzled.
"What isn't right?" Lin Murun looked up.
"I already posted on the Confession Wall saying you have a girlfriend. Why don't they believe it?" Yu Qianyi muttered, looking at the various food packages in Lin Murun’s hands.
"You made a post?" Lin Murun’s hands paused.
"Yeah. I see girls putting food on your desk every day. Your girlfriend would be unhappy if she knew, right?" Yu Qianyi said.
Thinking of Si Bin’s personality—someone who could get along with anyone—Lin Murun felt he wouldn't get angry over things involving girls. So he replied, "He probably won't be."
"Ahem..." Si Bin, who had appeared at the back door of Class 2 at some unknown point, gave a light cough, drawing the attention of quite a few people.
"Does Student Lin have a moment?" Si Bin smiled politely.
"What is it?" Lin Murun set down the various food items and walked out of the classroom.
"I need to talk to you about something," Si Bin said. As he spoke, he lightly tugged on Lin Murun’s sleeve, leading him into a stall in the restroom at the end of the hallway. Then, he leaned down and quickly pecked Lin Murun’s soft lips.
Lin Murun was a bit dazed. Before he could react, he was kissed again.
This kiss lasted longer. Lin Murun was held in Si Bin’s arms, his face flushing from a lack of oxygen.
By the time Si Bin released him, Lin Murun’s eyes were shimmering with a few physiological tears. Then, Si Bin leaned down, resting his chin lightly on Lin Murun’s shoulder and nuzzling his neck. He whispered, "I'm unhappy."
"...Why?" Lin Murun’s brain stalled, and he asked subconsciously.
"You’re accepting breakfasts from other people," Si Bin said in a low voice.
The heat from his breath made Lin Murun’s ears itch. Lin Murun instinctively tried to shrink away, but Si Bin wrapped both arms around him, pinning him in his embrace so he couldn't move.
"And you even thought I wouldn't mind," Si Bin complained muffledly.
Only then did Lin Murun realize that Si Bin must have overheard his conversation with Yu Qianyi. He hurried to apologize. "I'm sorry. I’ll be more careful next time."
"Run-run..." Si Bin nuzzled his face, his hair tickling Lin Murun so much that he couldn't help but laugh and try to dodge backward.
"Have you eaten the things they sent before?" Si Bin’s voice sounded a bit aggrieved.
"No." Lin Murun reached up, resting his hands on Si Bin’s shoulders, and explained softly, "I’ve refused many times before, but they still quietly put things on my desk when I'm not there. I can't tell who sent what, so I can't return them. I didn't want to waste food, so I gave those breakfasts to the sanitation workers downstairs. They start work early, and most of them don't have time for breakfast."
"You could give the things they send to the teacher. That way, no one would dare send them again," Si Bin suggested softly.
"That’s not very nice." Lin Murun shook his head. "If it gets to the class teachers, those girls will be scolded. I can't reciprocate their feelings, but I shouldn't use that affection to hurt them."
"Run-run." Si Bin looked up.
"Hmm?" Lin Murun waited quietly for him to continue.
"Do you need me to help you?" Si Bin asked.
Lin Murun smiled and said gently, "No need. I can handle it myself."
"Okay." Si Bin chuckled and kissed his cheek before straightening up and releasing his hold on Lin Murun.
The familiar woody scent faded from his nose. Lin Murun rubbed the tip of his nose and said, "I'm sorry. I really thought you wouldn't mind these things."
"How could I not mind?" Si Bin reached out to smooth the hair near Lin Murun’s temples that he had mussed up. "I mind very much. I even want to just go public with our relationship."
"But I can't do that. More than these small matters, I’m afraid of you being pointed at by others," Si Bin said in a low voice. "I don't want what happened to Shen Xingzhi back then to repeat itself with you."
"It won't." Lin Murun’s light-colored eyes gazed quietly at Si Bin. "I am not Shen Xingzhi, and you are not Bei Fan."
He took Si Bin’s hand and comforted him softly, "Don't worry."
By the time the two walked out of the restroom, it was nearly time for morning self-study. Yu Qianyi was holding a book, her head nodding with sleepiness. Seeing Lin Murun return, she asked groggily and habitually, "Did you go discuss a difficult problem?"
"Mm." Lin Murun nodded, swept the snacks and breakfast into his drawer, and took out his English book.
That night, the school Confession Wall posted a non-anonymous submission. On her way home, Yu Qianyi was listening to English listening exercises while scrolling through her phone. As soon as she clicked into the Confession Wall’s QQ Space, she saw a familiar avatar in the screenshot.
"Lin Murun said to please stop sending him things," Yu Qianyi said, patting Yu Wenbo beside her. "This morning, Lin Murun even said his girlfriend probably wouldn't mind other girls sending him breakfast."
Thinking of Si Bin’s typical Capricorn temperament, Yu Wenbo shook his head. "Some people act all generous on the surface, but they’re actually incredibly sensitive. When they’re angry, they look as calm as a breeze, but they’re probably calling everyone idiots in their heads."
"What?" Yu Qianyi asked, puzzled. "You sound like you know Lin Murun’s girlfriend pretty well?"
"Oh, that..." Yu Wenbo gave a hollow laugh. "Aren't I just describing the general mindset of young couples? It’s the same for everyone in a relationship. For example... if your boyfriend received breakfast from another girl, wouldn't you be mad?"
"Yeah, definitely." Yu Qianyi thought Yu Wenbo made sense, so she looked down and shared the post.
The next day, the "love breakfasts" on Lin Murun’s desk vanished completely. Si Bin, passing by Class 2, looked to be in a very good mood and even took the initiative to smile and greet Yu Qianyi.
When Si Bin wasn't smiling, he looked a bit unapproachable, but once he did, it was as warm as spring water breaking through ice.
The young girl’s eyes were dazzled by Si Bin’s brilliant smile so early in the morning. She waved back with a silly grin. "Hi! Looking for Lin Murun again?"
"Mm," Si Bin replied, standing by the back door as usual to wait for Lin Murun.
After the two walked out of the classroom, Li Xi turned to Yu Qianyi in confusion. "Don't you think those two have been getting really close lately?"
"Who?" Yu Qianyi hummed a song happily, not thinking much of it. "You mean Si Bin and Lin Murun? They’ve always had a great relationship."
Li Xi thought about it and nodded in agreement.
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 表白墙 | Confession Wall | A social media page (often on QQ or WeChat) where students post anonymous messages, confessions, or news. |
| 文二班 | Class 2 (Liberal Arts) | "Wen" refers to the Humanities/Liberal Arts stream in Chinese high schools. |
| 摩羯座 | Capricorn | Referring to the zodiac sign's perceived personality traits. |
| 润润 | Run-run | An affectionate nickname for Lin Murun. |
| 贝凡 | Bei Fan | A character mentioned in relation to Shen Xingzhi's past. |
