“How did you...” Su Jingming paused, a bitter smile touching his lips. “Did Old Zhou tell you to come?”
Wen Yan shook his head. “I asked him for your address.”
Su Jingming’s hand still rested on the doorknob. He stepped aside. “Come in.”
Wen Yan hesitated for a few seconds before stepping inside. Su Jingming found a pair of new slippers for him. As he walked toward the kitchen, he asked, “Do you want an ice-cold Coke?”
“Whatever you think is best.”
Su Jingming brought out a can of soda. Wen Yan stood in the living room, watching him with an unreadable expression.
“Don’t just stand there. Sit.” Su Jingming’s easy, composed manner actually made Wen Yan seem a bit out of place.
With a silent understanding, the two sat down on the same sofa. Su Jingming leaned back, lazily observing Wen Yan’s back. His own palms were clenched tight; he wanted to speak, but he didn't know where to begin.
Wen Yan stared fixedly at the can in his hand. His grip tightened around the aluminum, his Adam’s apple bobbing as words reached his lips only to fail him.
Silence stretched between them for nearly ten minutes, finally broken by the harsh blare of a car horn from outside.
Su Jingming couldn't help but ask, “I heard you dropped out of the competition.”
“Yeah.” Wen Yan lifted the can and took a sip.
“Why?” Su Jingming took a deep breath. His clenched fingers loosened slightly, his fingertips trembling unconsciously.
Wen Yan didn't answer. He took one sip after another, the icy liquid sliding down his throat. His pores seemed to relax, yet the burning sensation in his chest refused to dissipate. His mind was frustratingly clear at that moment—clear enough to remind him that everything happening was real.
“Why?” Wen Yan asked, throwing the same question back at him.
Su Jingming lowered his gaze. Before he could decide how to answer, Wen Yan squeezed the can until it deformed in his grip. His voice took on a pleading, negotiating tone. “Old Zhou said you refused to explain yourself. What about now? Are you willing to explain to me what exactly happened yesterday?”
Wen Yan turned to face him. Su Jingming rubbed his brow, his voice devoid of any discernible emotion. “Then what about you? Why did you drop out?”
“Because of you.”
Wen Yan said it without a hint of hesitation. The atmosphere instantly reverted to the heavy tension of moments before.
Su Jingming’s fingers twitched. That feeling of a racing heart returned, as if a hollow space within him had suddenly been filled.
He had barely slept the night before, the dark circles under his eyes serving as proof. He spoke awkwardly, “The school will be furious about you dropping out. It’s not good for your reputation.”
Wen Yan sighed and moved a bit closer to Su Jingming. “That doesn't matter. Right now, I just want to know why you won't explain.”
Su Jingming ran a hand through his hair. “I don't think there's any point. They wouldn't believe me anyway.”
If they had trusted him, they wouldn't have asked if he "confessed."
Those words were the sole reason Su Jingming had given up the struggle. He never was one to defend himself; regardless of right or wrong, he was used to simply enduring it.
Wen Yan took a sharp, silent breath, the fire in his chest extinguished in an instant. In its place was an indescribable ache of pity.
Just how disappointed did one have to be to lose even the will to explain?
Wen Yan stopped looking at Su Jingming and let his gaze drift across the apartment. It looked cozy, with every piece of furniture placed just right. Yet, it lacked the atmosphere of a home.
He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but even though Su Jingming lived here, it felt as if he didn't belong.
Wen Yan suppressed the absurd thought and withdrew his gaze. Su Jingming sat with his head bowed, his lips pressed into a thin line, looking utterly exhausted.
“Little Hero,” Wen Yan called out softly. “Don’t wrong yourself.”
Su Jingming snapped his head up, his eyes shimmering as he looked at Wen Yan. No one had ever told him not to wrong himself.
For a moment, Su Jingming didn't know how to describe what he was feeling. It was as if a great fire had been lit within him, his heart threatening to leap out of his chest.
He felt sick—terribly, deeply sick.
***
Su Jingming returned to school two days later. Over those two days, the rumors had only intensified, showing no signs of stopping.
Wen Yan had returned a day earlier than Su Jingming. Compared to his voluntary withdrawal, more people were concerned with what Su Jingming’s final punishment would be.
Zhou Hong told Su Jingming that until a final decision was made, he should try not to let outside interference affect him and focus on his studies.
Su Jingming gave a faint murmur of agreement and walked from Zhou Hong’s office toward the classroom.
All along the way, he was met with strange looks, and the voices of doubt grew louder. Someone even blocked his path to ask, “Are your grades fake too?”
Su Jingming merely gave the person a lazy glance and walked past without a word.
“Damn, who do you think you are? I used to think you were impressive, but now I see you’re nothing special!”
Su Jingming had heard plenty of sour comments like that before, but no one had ever been so bold as to question him to his face.
After a few more steps, someone else stopped him. “Of all the things you could do, why this? Aren't you embarrassed to represent the school?”
This time, Su Jingming didn't ignore him. “If you’re so great, why don't you represent the school instead?”
The person was choked into silence. Su Jingming hadn't worn his glasses in a long time, and from this close, the emotions in his eyes were clear. They were filled with disdain, even mockery.
The person didn't seem willing to let it go. He said, syllable by syllable, “I’m waiting for the day you get expelled.”
Su Jingming didn't linger. He reached the door of Class 1, Grade 11, and hesitated for a few seconds.
Finally, someone coming out of the classroom saw him and blurted out in shock, “You can still come to class?”
Su Jingming’s fingers, tucked in his pockets, trembled slightly. He gave the person a cold look but said nothing, stroking into the classroom with long strides.
In that instant, the noisy classroom fell silent. Every eye was fixed on Su Jingming.
They watched as he walked naturally to his seat, took off his backpack, pulled out his books, and sat down.
Ren Wei was practically vibrating with excitement, nearly grabbing Su Jingming’s hand. “Brother Ming, while you were gone, me and the homework were basically in a life-and-death struggle.”
Su Jingming replied, “You look perfectly fine to me.”
Ren Wei almost shouted for joy. Su Jingming looked no different than usual. He let out a massive sigh of relief; he had been worried for days that Su Jingming might become even more submissive because of this incident.
Zhang Jia turned around as well, her eyes bright with excitement. “We had a pop quiz a few days ago. Ren Wei almost hit his historical low.”
Su Jingming seemed to find a bit of interest in that, looking at Ren Wei with a measuring gaze. “Your old man didn't beat you to death?”
“How could he?” Ren Wei said. “He doesn't even know that test paper exists.”
Su Jingming raised an eyebrow. Just as he was about to say more, Wen Yan walked over and placed a notebook on the desk. “I’ve finished looking over the notes from the past few days. Here.”
Wen Yan’s initiative was unexpected. While Su Jingming was away, rumors had circulated that Wen Yan had dropped out because Su Jingming had framed him. Now, it was clear that rumors were just rumors.
Ren Wei cast a triumphant look at the people around them. He cleared his throat twice. “Some people love to believe every rumor they hear. The truth isn't even out yet, and they’re already kicking a man while he’s down.”
Su Jingming frowned slightly at the words. He thanked Wen Yan, then turned to Ren Wei. “Didn't you have problems you couldn't solve? Bring them out, I’ll teach you.”
“You got it!” Ren Wei had organized his questions long ago, just waiting for Su Jingming to offer.
Zhang Jia struck while the iron was hot. “I have some things I don't understand either. Can you teach me?”
Su Jingming hummed in affirmation and looked down at Ren Wei’s questions.
While waiting for Su Jingming to review the problems, Ren Wei added mindlessly, “Brother Ming, you’re really handsome without glasses.”
Su Jingming didn't respond. He circled a few key points in the textbook with his pen. “Go look at these concepts yourself. Don't talk to me until you’ve solved it.”
Then he picked up Zhang Jia’s questions and used the same method to highlight the necessary points. “Look at these.”
Zhang Jia blinked, surprised by how straightforward Su Jingming was being.
Su Jingming finally looked up at Wen Yan, who was still standing there. “What are you still doing here? Class is about to start.”
Wen Yan let out a helpless laugh. Since Su Jingming was practically shooing him away, it would be awkward to stay.
He had thought Su Jingming would be deeply affected by his return to school, but it seemed he had overthought it.
The morning classes passed uneventfully despite the underlying tension. Su Jingming appeared to be listening intently, but the distracted look in his eyes betrayed him.
When Ren Wei turned around again to chat, he noticed Su Jingming’s hand hidden under the desk, clenched so tight it was white. If one looked closely, his brow was constantly furrowed in a slight pinch.
When school let out for lunch, Su Jingming packed his things, intending to take Ren Wei to eat somewhere near the school.
Zhou Hong rushed into the classroom and walked straight to Su Jingming. “Come with me for a moment.”
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Su Jingming shouldered his bag and followed Zhou Hong. Once they left the classroom, the stares following them became even more intense.
Zhou Hong led Su Jingming to the Grade Supervisor’s office. There, Su Jingming saw Su Qicheng, whom he hadn't seen in half a month.
Su Jingming instinctively wanted to retreat, but there was only the cold wall behind him. The light filtering through the window hit Su Qicheng’s face, making him look every bit the image of a benevolent father.
Su Qicheng’s gaze lingered on Su Jingming for a few seconds before he finally smiled. “My Jingming has caused a lot of trouble for the teachers. I’ll be sure to give him a proper talking-to once we get home.”
***
Enjoying the story? Rate this novel:
Want to Have a Relationship with You | Chapter 15 | Lingering Doubts | Novela.app | Novela.app
