The Slow-Witted Fool

In her second year of high school, Jin Xi fell for the famously aloof top student in the class next door.

He always ranked first in every exam, big or small. He always wore the same faded blue-green school uniform, and always had a cool, unapproachable expression.

He stood out so much that Jin Xi had no idea where to start, even though she wanted to pursue him. Then she accidentally learned that his family wasn't well-off, and that his mother had to push her breakfast cart out before dawn every morning, rain or shine.

So Jin Xi started buying breakfast from his mother's stall every day, rain or shine.

-

Si Heng was no stranger to the name “Jin Xi.” Even though he had never tried to find out about her, he had overheard plenty at school.

She was a wealthy young lady, beautiful and kind. It seemed she had been born to have everyone orbit around her.

When he heard the rumor that the young lady might like him, Si Heng remained expressionless and unmoved. His pen didn't slow for a moment as he worked through a math problem on his scrap paper.

Later, on a stormy morning, he learned that his mother had been driven away by the city inspectors and even shoved. Si Heng rushed all the way to the street corner where his mother set up her stall

Before he could reach it, he saw through the curtain of rain from a distance.

His mother, with a sprained ankle, sat beneath the eaves, holding a floral umbrella that clearly wasn't hers. Beside her, a slender girl was struggling to right the breakfast cart lying on its side.

The rain poured down. Her soaked school uniform clung to her slight back, and mud stained her snow-white pant legs.

[Blurb dated 2022/10/02]

Theme: Happiness