In the damp, sweltering summer, the classroom fan would start creaking with age as soon as it began to turn, making everyone drowsy.
Li Chun was working through a tough problem with gusto when someone suddenly slipped a pink envelope onto her desk.
It was a love letter for her.
She didn't open it. With two quick rips, she tore it to shreds and tossed it into the trash.
Her deskmate stared in disbelief. "Aren't you going to see who sent it?"
Li Chun narrowed her eyes, as if only just realizing what had happened. Through gritted teeth, she gave a cold laugh. "Right, I should find out which old scoundrel dared to interrupt me while I'm trying to come first!"
Her deskmate: "..."
Shen Rong, sitting behind Li Chun, sneezed, disturbing the summer quiet of Qinan.
-
Li Chun had disliked Shen Rong ever since they were little. She hated that he was a boy, yet was far too pretty and well-behaved, and that everyone in their neighborhood praised him.
She hated that he was good-looking, too, but that wasn't all: he was also such a good student, the classic kid everyone else's parents held up as an example.
So Li Chun swore that she would stay one step ahead of Shen Rong for the rest of her life.
When they were in primary school and were selected as Young Pioneers, Shen Rong wore one red scarf, so she had to wear two every day!
When their class elected a monitor and he became the study committee member, that was fine. She had to be both monitor and writing committee member!
When they started competing over grades in middle school, she secretly studied until midnight every day to make sure she came first in every exam!
If he did one test paper, she had to do two!
If he answered one question correctly, she insisted that the teacher give her two more to try!
Everyone knew that Li Chun wanted to come first in everything.
The night Shen Rong finally worked up the courage to give her a love letter, only for his childhood friend to cruelly tear it to shreds, he lay distracted across his desk.
Li Chun could tell something was wrong, so, for once, she showed some concern.
Shen Rong stared at her and said, "There's a girl I like."
Li Chun couldn't hold back a grin. "That's great! Once you start dating and your grades drop, you'll never beat me in this lifetime. Heh heh heh!"
Shen Rong: "..."
Li Chun then asked who he liked.
Shen Rong said, "Far away, yet right before my eyes."
Li Chun was surprised and lowered her voice. "Someone in our class?"
After a silence, Shen Rong said, "She lives at No. 34, Shili Flower Lane, Lanli Street."
Li Chun: "Oh, she's from our neighborhood. Do I know her?"
Shen Rong: "She lives on the fourth floor of Building 12."
Li Chun: "Oh my gosh, she's my neighbor!"
Shen Rong blushed bright red. "Room 403."
Li Chun was shocked. "Shen Rongrong, you must have been tricked. That's my home! There's no one there you're looking for!"
Shen Rong looked like he wanted to say something, but instead he slumped back onto his desk, looking hurt. He didn't say or do another thing.
Li Chun sighed. Teenage boys were so temperamental.
-
After the college entrance exams, Li Chun got her wish: she came first in the whole school and trounced Shen Rong.
At the class reunion, she was so thrilled she could have flown, and she teased Shen Rong for coming third.
He held a cola in his hand, the bubbles and chill gradually fading, and listened to her brag with a faint smile.
A friend pulled Li Chun aside and said, "The college entrance exams are over. You and Shen Rong should finally get together, right?"
Li Chun looked horrified. "How could I ever get together with him?"
Her friend rolled her eyes. "He's so good to you! He brings you bread and milk every morning."
Li Chun was exasperated. "I spent three years on edge. Every time I ate something he gave me, I tested it for poison with a silver needle, afraid he'd try to kill me and steal first place!"
Her friend continued, "And after class, he'd ride you home on his bike!"
Li Chun looked even more smug. "Hmph, don't think I didn't see through his schemes. Who knows how many times he tried to make me fall and get hurt? Good thing I was alert."
Her friend: "...He even sent you a love letter. Have you forgotten?"
Li Chun gritted her teeth. "That scoundrel thought he could use his face to seduce me into dating and ruin my studies. I didn't fall for it!"
Her friend said nothing, just looked at Shen Rong with pity.
[Reading Guide]
1. A sharp but oblivious, fiercely competitive top female student x a sweet, quiet, somewhat delicate top male student
2. Childhood friends
3. School life, with a touch of ensemble cast
Theme: Face difficulties with a positive attitude
