Jiang Wan had been reported for early dating.
Although plenty of students at No. 13 Middle School were sneaking around with relationships, none of it had ever been dragged into the open. The teachers usually turned a blind eye.
But this time, the report had gone straight to the Discipline Director. There was no brushing it off lightly.
The Discipline Director had a pounding headache.
On one side was Jiang Wan, an outstanding student ranking in the top fifty of her year. On the other was Bei Huai, who had turned her life around and whose grades were soaring.
It was a no-win situation, no matter how he sliced it.
So he dumped the whole mess onto Class 6’s homeroom teacher, insisting that she handle her own students.
Left with no choice, the homeroom teacher waited until evening self-study ended before calling Jiang Wan to the office.
“Jiang Wan, someone recently reported to me that you and Bei Huai are dating,” Teacher Yang said. “Of course, I didn’t call you here to scold you. I just want to hear your side of things and get a clear picture.”
Her tone was gentle. She had always favored obedient, high-achieving students, and Jiang Wan had always left a great impression on her.
Summoning her like this was just to appease the higher-ups. Teacher Yang had picked a quiet time specifically to spare Jiang Wan from any gossip.
“I’ve watched your performance in class, and I trust that you haven’t been getting into puppy love.”
Jiang Wan stood ramrod straight in the office, listening quietly as her homeroom teacher spoke.
When Teacher Yang finished, Jiang Wan smiled. “Thank you for believing in me, Teacher. I really haven’t been dating anyone.”
Teacher Yang’s expression lit up with relief. But before she could respond, the girl went on. “That said, I do like Classmate Bei Huai.”
Teacher Yang’s smile froze solid. She stared into the girl’s clear, unwavering eyes, at a loss for words.
In all her years of teaching, she’d never met a student quite like this—bold enough to confess outright.
You couldn’t exactly call it wrong; after all, no actual dating had happened. But approving of it didn’t sit right either.
“Jiang Wan, at your age, it’s natural for teenagers to develop crushes,” Teacher Yang said. “That’s not your fault. But you’re still too young to know what real affection feels like. Wait until university, until you’ve seen the world. Looking back, this will seem childish and silly.”
“What matters most right now is your studies. Only through learning can you open doors to a bigger, brighter world. You’ll meet far better people than anyone in your current circle.”
Teacher Yang spoke at length, her words earnest and heartfelt. She wasn’t just enforcing the no-dating rule as a teacher; she was advising as someone who’d been there.
Jiang Wan appreciated her kindness and didn’t interrupt. She listened attentively, her face serious.
Once Teacher Yang had said her piece, Jiang Wan replied, “Teacher, you’re absolutely right, and I know studies come first. But liking someone isn’t a crime. You can’t control your feelings.”
Teacher Yang frowned, so Jiang Wan smiled faintly and pressed on. “But rest assured, Teacher—our studies won’t suffer. If anything, they’ll improve together. I tutor Bei Huai in English, and she helps me with physics. Isn’t that the best kind of mutual support?”
Teacher Yang reflected for a moment. It was true. Still, she couldn’t shake her worry.
Sensing it, Jiang Wan offered the perfect reassurance.
“Bei Huai and I have an agreement: no dating until after the Gaokao. More than anyone, we want to be the best version of ourselves in each other’s eyes. So you don’t have to worry about us wasting time on anything else.”
Teacher Yang was left speechless.
She sighed and shook her head. “All right, all right. You kids and your big ideas.”
With a wave of her hand, she added, “Go on home. Be safe on the way.”
“Thank you, Teacher.” Jiang Wan knew she’d won her over.
She stepped out of the office, a smile still on her face.
“Everyone else drags themselves out of the office looking like they’re headed to a funeral. You? Grinning ear to ear.” Bei Huai leaned against the railing at the end of the corridor, her tone grumpy.
She had no idea how they could talk for so long. She’d been waiting outside for nearly half an hour.
“Why mope? The teacher didn’t even yell at me.” Jiang Wan arched a brow, her words pointed.
Both of them had been hauled in for questioning this time. Bei Huai hadn’t fared as well—the Discipline Director had chewed her out good. To Bei Huai, it was water off a duck’s back, in one ear and out the other. But stacked against Jiang Wan’s easy time of it, she couldn’t help feeling irked.
Bei Huai’s face darkened. Gnashing her teeth, she muttered, “Yeah, yeah. You’re the big shot here.”
She talked a big game, but her actions spoke louder. Without a second thought, Bei Huai took Jiang Wan’s backpack and strode ahead with it slung over her shoulder.
“Come on, want me to carry you?” Seeing Jiang Wan still rooted to the spot, Bei Huai glanced back with a frown, her expression fierce.
“Mm, that’s not out of the question.” Jiang Wan rested her chin on her hand, looking like she actually thought it was a fine idea.
Bei Huai: “…”
She turned and walked off without another word.
Jiang Wan clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle a laugh, then jogged to catch up.
Night had fallen deep, the streetlights casting a dim yellow glow.
The two of them walked along the road, their shadows stretching long under the lights.
They chatted here and there, not saying much, but sharing a quiet rapport that no one else could break into.
The atmosphere was peaceful and serene.
“Um…”
Bei Huai asked casually, “I don’t think I’ve ever asked… why do you like me?”
“My temper’s awful, everyone hates me—someone like me isn’t worth liking at all.” Her voice was low and rough, laced with a bitter tang that filled her mouth.
Deep down, she truly believed she didn’t deserve it.
“Worth it or not isn’t for you to decide.” Jiang Wan’s voice rang out clear and resolute.
Bei Huai turned to look at her, only to drown in those pure, unclouded eyes—like falling into a crystal-clear pool.
“Little Bei, you have no idea how brightly you shine in my eyes.”
A gentle breeze stirred under the bright moon.
Jiang Wan stood there in the street, bathed in the soft yellow light that gentled her features and turned her gaze into a starry night sky—clear and radiant.
She gazed at Bei Huai, her tone soft but unwavering.
“I’ve never once hesitated when it comes to liking you.”
Bei Huai froze. She blinked, and something warm and swelling flowed into her heart.
Her eyes grew hot and prickly.
Joy and delight coursed through every limb and fiber of her being.
She even felt like every pore was radiating happiness.
She stared at Jiang Wan for a long, long time—like an entire century.
Then, slowly, she rolled up her sleeve, revealing the tattoo on her right arm.
A black crescent moon.
It wasn’t refined or delicate.
The odd shape sent a chill through anyone who saw it.
This wasn’t the first time Jiang Wan had laid eyes on it.
In her previous life, she’d seen it more times than she could count. Back then, Little Bei had sanded down all her sharp edges and hid nothing from her.
But when she’d asked about the tattoo on her arm, Little Bei had only smiled mildly and brushed it off as a silly youthful impulse she’d grown used to.
Jiang Wan had her suspicions even then, but out of respect for Little Bei’s hidden scars, she’d let it drop.
In this life, though, she’d glimpsed it by accident during their rooftop argument—and Little Bei’s reaction had been explosive.
In that moment, she’d realized there was a story behind the tattoo, one no one else knew.
She’d also noticed that Little Bei never showed her arm in public. Even in summer, she always wore long sleeves. Clearly, she didn’t want anyone else to see it.
But now, Little Bei was showing her “secret” of her own accord.
It was an immense show of trust.
Jiang Wan’s heart softened. She looked at Bei Huai earnestly, waiting patiently for her to speak.
“I must’ve been five or six. It was my birthday, I think.” Bei Huai tilted her head back to gaze at the inky sky, lost in memory.
“My kindergarten teacher praised a drawing I’d made, so I was thrilled. I ran home to show Yun Manzhu. But she was in a foul mood that day. She tore the picture to shreds, stomped on it, and beat me.
The reason? I’d been told to draw a happy family, but I only drew the two of us—me and her. I left out Bei Rong. She thought it meant I was being disobedient, and that’s why he never came to see her.”
Bei Huai lowered her head and let out a mocking laugh.
“But I was so naive back then—stubborn as a mule. I figured her anger was my fault. So I wiped away my tears, poured her a cup of hot tea with trembling hands, and offered it up. She only ever drank tea when she was in a good mood, and I was dumb enough to think it’d cheer her up. Instead, she slapped me across the face, and the scalding tea splashed all over my arm.
My face hurt. My arm hurt. But my heart… it hurt the most.”
“There was a scar left on my arm, so I got the tattoo over it. Not for any other reason—just to remind myself, every single moment, never to hope for anything from Yun Manzhu again. Not even a scrap.
Because in this world, no one is ever going to love me.”
A smile curved Bei Huai’s lips, but it only made her look all the more desolate.
The next instant, she was enveloped in a tight embrace.
Her shoulder grew damp where something soaked through her shirt.
Jiang Wan’s voice choked as she whispered, “My Little Bei is the best person in the whole world. If no one else loves you, then I do.”
You should know, she came here just to stay by your side, to protect you, to love you.
All because of you.
