Chapter 61

In the last week of the winter month, the sky became a cold, pale white, mirroring the stagnant, freezing air.

A layer of chill seemed perpetually veiled in the atmosphere.

The classroom echoed with the smooth, clear English recitation of their homeroom teacher, Teacher Wen.

Shen Shuyu gently rubbed a page of her book, glancing towards Yu Mo’s classroom across the courtyard for the twenty-seventh time, feigning nonchalance.

The near-noon sunlight shone on the clean window glass, making the opposite classroom bright.

Yet, Yu Mo’s profile did not appear in Shen Shuyu’s line of sight as she wished.

This was only the first day without Yu Mo on campus.

There were still four more days to endure.

Shen Shuyu let out an imperceptible sigh.

Her phone, hidden in her desk compartment, vibrated with a long buzz in response.

Shen Shuyu quickly sneaked her phone out. As expected, the avatar of Yu Mo’s black cat was jumping.

【[Fish]: I found this book a bit difficult just a third of the way in.】

Seeing Yu Mo’s message, Shen Shuyu touched the brand-new notebook tucked under her phone.

She had anticipated Yu Mo would say this and had stayed up late over the weekend for two nights to prepare the notes in advance.

【I made notes on this book before too. I dug them out today, I’ll bring them to you tonight.】

Yu Mo was pleasantly surprised, 【Then I’ll trouble you. My mom made some cookies and wanted me to give you some. It’s on the way, come pick them up.】

Shen Shuyu looked at the words “little cookies,” thinking they were made by Yu Mo’s mother for her, and a smile involuntarily appeared on her face.

Her fingers were just about to type a reply to Yu Mo when Teacher Wen’s voice came from above: “Shen Shuyu, please read this passage.”

Shen Shuyu skillfully hid her phone, picked up her English book, and slowly stood up.

A hint of embarrassment flickered on her face.

She had been too absorbed in chatting with Yu Mo and hadn’t followed Teacher Wen at all.

Let alone know which part of the text to read.

Just then, Li Qingqing, sitting in front of Shen Shuyu, raised her textbook, using a pen to trace back and forth over the second paragraph of the day’s lesson.

Shen Shuyu immediately received Li Qingqing’s signal and cleared her throat slightly: “Things happen naturally, just as night falls and the day sinks…”

Shen Shuyu’s English had a very pure British pronunciation. The standard accent, combined with the inherent coolness in her voice, exuded an air of nobility and elegance without any deliberate effort.

Teacher Wen nodded with considerable appreciation, and Shen Shuyu’s lapse in attention was thus casually brushed aside.

However, it was not brushed aside by Li Qingqing.

As soon as the class bell rang, Li Qingqing rested her little head on Shen Shuyu’s desk.

Li Qingqing flashed her bright, sparkling eyes and looked at Shen Shuyu with a meaningful gaze: “Spill it, who were you thinking about in class?”

Shen Shuyu organized her class notes, silently raising her head to glance at Li Qingqing.

As if she didn’t already know.

Li Qingqing chuckled teasingly and asked, “Christmas is coming up. Do you have anything to give her?”

Shen Shuyu answered generously, “I ordered her favorite chocolate from Country P.”

Hearing this, Li Qingqing frowned and criticized mercilessly, “That’s really lacking in sincerity.”

“?”

Shen Shuyu stopped organizing her notes and looked at Li Qingqing, puzzled.

The chocolate she was giving Yu Mo was the best kind, requiring reservations nearly half a year in advance for Christmas.

Seeing that Shen Shuyu truly didn’t get it, Li Qingqing lifted her chin, signaling her to observe the class: “Take a good look around.”

Shen Shuyu turned slightly and scanned the class according to Li Qingqing’s instruction.

She keenly noticed many classmates holding two sticks, either silver or natural wood-colored, moving them one above the other, as if weaving something.

Shen Shuyu looked at the long, knitted strip of fabric hanging over the legs of the Class Monitor across the aisle.

No, they actually were knitting.

Shen Shuyu asked, somewhat puzzled, “Why are they all knitting scarves?”

Li Qingqing pursed her lips and sighed, patiently explaining to Shen Shuyu, “Christmas, winter, of course you give a hand-knitted scarf to the person you like.”

Shen Shuyu watched the Class Monitor clumsily fumbling with her hands, the pair of knitting needles clashing constantly.

The scarf draped over her lap was crooked and uneven, with irregular stitches.

Shen Shuyu was very puzzled by this: “Can’t you just buy something like this? Why go to so much trouble knitting it yourself, and what you knit might not even look good.”

If Li Qingqing didn’t know what kind of person Shen Shuyu was, she would have given her a huge eye roll.

It was truly strange.

Normally, Shen Shuyu seemed so astute, capable, and sharp-witted.

How did she become completely clueless when it came to matters of the heart?

Li Qingqing sighed.

She thought that when God was mixing Shen Shuyu’s potion, He must have accidentally filled it to the brim with intelligence potion, while not giving her a single drop of emotional intelligence, especially romantic intelligence.

“Heartfelt intention, heartfelt intention surpasses all material things, understand?”

Shen Shuyu paused, slowly digesting these words from Li Qingqing.

She remembered a Christmas one year when Yu Mo had given her a scarf.

The sky was filled with vast, white goose-feather snowflakes, and Christmas lights intertwined in the sky.

The world was crystalline, like an exquisite, beautiful crystal ball.

Yu Mo stood at her doorstep, personally handing her the carefully wrapped scarf gift box.

“Jiejie, Merry Christmas!”

Although Yu Mo had been standing in the cold wind for a long time, shivering slightly, her voice was still like a sun that never set, warmly baking Shen Shuyu’s heart.

Shen Shuyu suddenly felt that this year’s Christmas seemed somewhat different from the past.

She still remembered Yu Mo’s face, red from the cold, her eyes shining with hopeful light.

Shen Shuyu’s heart skipped a beat fiercely at that moment.

She didn’t know why, and didn’t think about it carefully afterwards.

It wasn’t until today, looking back, that Shen Shuyu understood.

It was the fluttering of her heart.

But that fluttering heart was carelessly ignored by Shen Shuyu back then, just like how she casually tossed the scarf Yu Mo personally knitted—smooth and thick, but somewhat outdated in style—into the deepest corner of her wardrobe.

Shen Shuyu lowered her long eyelashes, her eyes secretly hiding much regret and self-loathing.

She had once so carelessly trampled on Yu Mo’s heartfelt intentions.

“Qingqing, teach me to knit a scarf.” Shen Shuyu said.

Her voice was soft, but her tone was exceptionally firm.

.

The sun shifted, and before five o’clock, the sky had already grown dim.

The withdrawn sunlight gradually retreated from the quiet hospital ward, the elongated shadows of the window frames slanting onto the floor.

Yu Mo put down her book, stretched her arms long, loosening her somewhat tired body.

The loose hospital gown shifted upward, inadvertently revealing a small section of her waist.

Skin like congealed cream, as white as snow.

Just then, a figure was cast at the door of the ward, “Tap tap.”

Yu Mo thought it was Shen Shuyu. Without asking who it was, she said to the person at the door, “Come in.”

The door slowly opened, and a petite girl stood in the doorway.

Qu Wenyao appeared before Yu Mo, holding a bouquet of fresh, vibrant flowers still beaded with water droplets.

Yu Mo’s hand, which was reaching for the cookies, paused.

Not Shen Shuyu?

Yu Mo was somewhat surprised by Qu Wenyao’s visit: “Why did you come? Why didn’t you tell me? Don’t you need to attend evening self-study? Did you take leave?”

Facing Yu Mo’s rapid-fire questions, Qu Wenyao shook her head: “I forgot to tell you. I only heard about what happened during the flag-raising ceremony this morning. I just wanted to come see you, Yu Mo. I can still make it back for evening self-study.”

Although Qu Wenyao spoke calmly now, her heart had been pounding when she heard the news.

Worry intertwined in her heart, lingering for a long time.

Yu Mo nodded, pointing to a chair nearby: “Then have a seat, quick.”

Qu Wenyao obediently pulled over a stool and sat down, looking at the wrought-iron box in Yu Mo’s hand filled with cookies of various shapes and styles: “These cookies look really pretty.”

Yu Mo shook the box in her hand and said, “My mom made these. Don’t they look store-bought?”

Qu Wenyao nodded: “Yes, your Auntie’s skill is really good.”

Then she lightly licked her lips and asked, “May I try one?”

Yu Mo glanced at the cookie box in her hand. She had told Shen Shuyu this morning these were for her.

Would it be bad to give some to Qu Wenyao now?

Seeing Yu Mo’s hesitation, Qu Wenyao softly extended one finger and asked, “Just one.”

Qu Wenyao’s round eyes looked at Yu Mo cautiously, full of anticipation.

Yu Mo looked at the cookie box in her hand.

Actually, letting her have one wouldn’t hurt, right? There were so many cookies in here, Shen Shuyu probably wouldn’t notice if one was missing.

“Then pick one yourself.” Saying this, Yu Mo handed the box to Qu Wenyao.

Getting her wish, Qu Wenyao took the cookie box and chose a butterfly-shaped cookie she had her eye on from the start.

Taking a bite, it was crispy and delicious.

A rich milky aroma mixed with a hint of lemon freshness spread through Qu Wenyao’s mouth.

For a little foodie like her who had come on an empty stomach, this was immense satisfaction: “This is simply the best cookie I’ve ever eaten!”

Yu Mo watched Qu Wenyao’s somewhat exaggerated yet joyful expression, handed her a tissue to wipe the corner of her mouth, and said proudly, “My mom’s cookies are the signature limited edition of our hotel, you can’t even reserve them.”

“Then I’m truly fortunate today.” Qu Wenyao smiled with her eyes curved like cashew nuts.

Yu Mo looked at Qu Wenyao, couldn’t help but be infected, and the corner of her mouth also lifted.

After finishing the whole cookie, Qu Wenyao held the cookie box and thought that since she was satisfied, she should let Yu Mo be happy too. She leaned slightly closer to her and whispered some gossip: “Oh, right, Yu Mo, did you know Chen Aimei was criticized by the school in a notice today? The specific handling announcement will be posted tomorrow. Everyone is really looking forward to it, wondering if it’s academic probation or outright expulsion.”

Yu Mo didn’t show excessive joy at this news from Qu Wenyao.

Before the matter was settled, it was still too early to celebrate.

She only said calmly, “Hopefully, the result won’t be disappointing.”

Qu Wenyao remained resolute: “It won’t. This matter even reached Principal Wu. You know Principal Wu, he’s famously impartial and incorruptible in high school circles.”

Although Yu Mo hadn’t interacted with Wu Yuanyong in either life, she held him in considerable respect.

For no other reason than he was the first person in A City to advocate for fair educational resources between the Upper and Lower City.

Yu Mo: “Principal Wu is indeed a very good person. He’s one of the few Upper City Residents who truly doesn’t discriminate against us Lower City Residents.”

Hearing Yu Mo say this, Qu Wenyao felt a pang of sadness.

Growing up, she often heard her grandmother say sarcastic things to her Lower City Resident mother.

Several times, her father argued with the old woman, only making her more aggressive.

Once, her mother was even scolded to the point of tears by that sharp-tongued old woman.

Qu Wenyao remembered that after that time, her father took them to her grandmother’s house less often. Aside from holidays, they hardly visited.

And so, holidays became Qu Wenyao’s most hated days.

Back then, she was small. Seeing her mother crying from the old woman’s scolding, she could only stretch out her hand, struggling to wipe her mother’s tears.

Later, as she grew up, the little rabbit became a big rabbit.

And learned to bite.

Once, when she heard the old woman being mean to her mother again, she directly retorted.

The old woman, who bullied the weak and feared the strong, nearly fainted from anger.

Since then, Qu Wenyao and her mother didn’t even have to go back for holidays anymore.

And her father would only stay for a short visit, returning to his real family before lunch.

Qu Wenyao felt her family was getting better day by day, and Yu Mo’s would too.

Her fingers twisted together nervously, she encouraged, “Yu Mo, you have to believe, more and more people will be like this. I, for one, don’t see any problem being friends with you, Yu Mo!”

Yu Mo was somewhat comforted by Qu Wenyao. She nodded: “I know. Besides you, there’s also Wei Lai, Feng Ruoyu, Zhou Qin, and Li Qingqing. None of them have ever discriminated against me. Just like you said, it will get better and better.”

Qu Wenyao listened to the names Yu Mo mentioned and accurately caught the one name missing from her statement.

—Shen Shuyu.

Perhaps due to the magical sixth sense of an Omega, Qu Wenyao tentatively asked, “What about Shen Shuyu, Miss Shen?”

Hearing Qu Wenyao ask about Shen Shuyu, Yu Mo’s slightly parted lips gradually pressed together.

She fell silent.

Of course, Yu Mo hoped Shen Shuyu was also among these countless people.

She just knew clearly that she could hope for anyone, place hope in anyone.

But Shen Shuyu, she dared not hope easily.

The shadow lingered.

Even though her relationship with Shen Shuyu was indeed gradually improving these days.

This life’s Shen Shuyu was completely different from the previous one.

She even remembered Shen Shuyu once telling her they were friends.

But Yu Mo still dared not let her heart fully relax.

She had glimpsed the tragic ending that would result from being with her.

Even to this day.

As they developed different bonds through various events.

Shen Shuyu remained that unresolved knot deep in Yu Mo’s heart.

Yu Mo’s long eyelashes drooped slightly as she answered softly, “I will never hold any hope for Shen Shuyu.”

The setting sun cast its last ray of light, like a dying flash, into the dim hospital ward.

A long, narrow shadow was unguardedly projected onto the frosted glass door.

Shen Shuyu leaned lightly against the door, her pupils trembling slightly.

The bright fluorescent light shone on her face, yet it brought no cold.

She had just heard this entire conversation between Yu Mo and Qu Wenyao from outside the door, completely and clearly.