During the wait for the results, the school didn’t assign any classes and instead arranged for all Year 1 classes to take group photos in sequence.
“Students of Year 1 Class 7, line up in order and stand close together.” The photographer directed everyone into position.
Shen Jia Yan, Wen Wan Ning, and Lü Xin were all relatively tall, so the three of them stood side by side toward the back.
As Shen Jia Yan lowered her head to adjust her position, she caught a glimpse out of the corner of her eye of Lü Xin holding Wen Wan Ning’s hand, and envy stirred in her heart.
She envied how Lü Xin and Wen Wan Ning had known each other since childhood.
She envied how close their relationship was.
She envied how Lü Xin could casually take hold of Wen Wan Ning’s hand right then.
With that thought, she wanted to…
It was normal for good friends to hold hands, and she’d often helped warm Wan Ning’s hands before, so Wan Ning probably wouldn’t mind if she held her other hand. Shen Jia Yan hesitated as she wiggled her own hand.
Suddenly, a slender, slightly cool hand grasped Shen Jia Yan’s wiggling one.
Shen Jia Yan froze for a moment. She looked down at her captured hand, then turned to meet Wen Wan Ning’s gaze. Their eyes locked, and a faint, almost imperceptible smile curved Wen Wan Ning’s lips.
In the next instant, Shen Jia Yan naturally gripped Wen Wan Ning’s hand back, holding it tightly in her palm as the warmth transferred between them.
A blush spread across her cheeks, just like the heat in her palm.
“Alright, everyone look this way. One, two, three—cheese!”
With the click of the camera, the memories of Year 1 Class 7 for these students came to a close.
All the students returned to the classroom.
Yang Hua walked to the center of the podium. “Everyone, quiet down. I’ll explain the arrangements for today and tomorrow.”
Shen Jia Yan watched the familiar scene, recalling the first day of school when Yang Hua had walked to the podium just like this, patiently explaining the upcoming study plans.
Back then, she hadn’t known that a simple seat change would introduce her to Wen Wan Ning, nor that every little action of her new desk mate would now tug at her heart.
Half a semester had flown by with the turning of days. Shen Jia Yan hoped she and Wen Wan Ning would be placed in the same class again.
“Tomorrow morning, we’ll distribute the report cards. In the afternoon, you’ll choose between liberal arts and sciences. New class assignments will be announced the day after. You can all go home after today’s photos.”
…
The next morning, all the students sat quietly in the classroom, waiting for the results to be announced.
Yang Hua entered with 47 report cards and instructed the first student in each row to pass them back.
Shen Jia Yan got her report card and first scanned the liberal arts scores for Wen Wan Ning’s name. As expected, she had done very well, ranking near the top.
Seeing Wen Wan Ning’s name at the top filled Shen Jia Yan with pride.
Then she found her own name—nothing impressive, right in the middle.
Though she’d focused on liberal arts for a while, her science scores were equally mediocre. But that didn’t change anything; she’d decided on liberal arts the moment she learned Wen Wan Ning’s choice.
Thinking of Wen Wan Ning’s scores, an idea suddenly flashed through Shen Jia Yan’s mind.
“With these grades, she’ll probably get into the Experimental Class.”
The Experimental Class quota hadn’t been set yet, so it was just a possibility.
Shen Jia Yan hoped Wen Wan Ning would make it into the Experimental Class, but at the same time wished she wouldn’t, landing in a regular class instead. She regretted not studying harder herself to match Wan Ning’s level.
At noon, instead of going home, Shen Jia Yan called Jiang Jing and told her that her liberal arts and science rankings were similar, so she’d choose liberal arts that afternoon.
Jiang Jing knew she’d decided long ago and had given up sciences early, so she didn’t say much and went along with it.
After the call, Shen Jia Yan lay on her dorm bed, staring at the ceiling in a daze.
If Wan Ning really got into the Experimental Class, her choices might all be for nothing. Switching to sciences now might still give her a chance to catch up.
“Even if the odds are slim, I’ll take the gamble. Even if we can’t be in the same class, sharing the same subjects would be good.” Shen Jia Yan psyched herself up.
That afternoon, when filling out subject choices, Wen Wan Ning saw Shen Jia Yan select liberal arts. Though she’d asked before, seeing the scores made her think Shen Jia Yan might switch.
“Jia Yan, your science rankings are a bit higher than liberal arts. Why not go with sciences?”
Shen Jia Yan hadn’t expected Wen Wan Ning to check her scores and was caught off guard.
She thought for a moment and tested the waters. “I want… to be in the same class as you…” Seeing surprise in Wen Wan Ning’s eyes, she quickly backpedaled. “Haha, just kidding.”
“I’ve barely studied sciences in ages; I wouldn’t keep up. Liberal arts wasn’t great this time, but I’ll work harder next.”
When Wen Wan Ning heard Shen Jia Yan say she wanted to be in the same class, her heart skipped a beat. Of course she wanted that too, but choosing subjects affected gaokao scores, university admissions, even future jobs.
If Shen Jia Yan was just chasing her into a class by dropping her stronger sciences, she wouldn’t allow it.
But what Shen Jia Yan said next made sense—she’d abandoned sciences long ago, so liberal arts might be safer.
“If you’ve chosen, then work hard at it. You’ll do great next time.”
“Okay.”
The night before class assignments, Shen Jia Yan tossed and turned, unable to sleep. She both anticipated and dreaded the next day.
On assignment day—the last time the current classmates would gather in one classroom—Shen Jia Yan arrived early and sat waiting.
The results were passed out like the report cards, with new classes listed after each name.
Finally, Yang Hua entered, holding the class list Shen Jia Yan had longed for.
“Pass it back,” Yang Hua said, distributing the sheets.
Shen Jia Yan snatched hers up and spotted the name she sought first: “Wen Wan Ning—Year 1 Class 4.”
The Experimental Class.
Her heart trembled slightly.
She didn’t even need to find her own name to know they wouldn’t be together—and sure enough, she was assigned to Year 1 Class 11.
Disappointment clouded her expression, her lips turning down slightly.
She hadn’t bet right, but she had to accept it. This was the likely outcome.
Facing the results, she pushed aside her sadness and congratulated Wen Wan Ning from the heart. Her efforts had paid off; she deserved the best.
“Wan Ning, you made it into the Experimental Class—amazing!” Shen Jia Yan’s eyes shone with genuine joy, no trace of loss.
Wen Wan Ning’s cheeks tinted pink. “It’s okay, not that high a rank.”
“Getting into our school’s Experimental Class is incredible. You’re truly outstanding.” Shen Jia Yan wanted to shower her with every compliment, to make her see her own brilliance.
In the classroom, classmates chattered about their new classes.
Yang Hua clapped at the podium. “Everyone’s new classes are set. Winter break starts tomorrow; report to your new classes after the holiday.”
“Thanks for this half-year of shared studies and life. Don’t slack off in your new classes—come to me anytime with questions. See you all if fate allows. Dismissed.”
The students left reluctantly.
Shen Jia Yan and Wen Wan Ning lingered until only a few remained. Then Shen Jia Yan stood slowly, walked to the podium, and began erasing the final blackboard writings for the class.
Tang Zhihan approached. “Jia Yan, hug! I’ll be in sciences after this—fewer chances to meet.”
Shen Jia Yan smiled and pulled her into a hug.
Seeing this, Wen Wan Ning came over. “I want a hug too.”
Such an adorable Wen Wan Ning—it was a first for Shen Jia Yan.
Those four words melted her heart.
She released Tang Zhihan and extended her arms to Wen Wan Ning. “Come here, let me hug you.”
Wen Wan Ning stepped forward into the embrace. Shen Jia Yan held her tightly, cheek against her neck, wishing time would freeze, just a little longer.
In Wen Wan Ning’s ear, Shen Jia Yan whispered softly, “Don’t forget your desk mate. I’ll miss you.”
Her warm breath brushed Wen Wan Ning’s ear, stirring something soft deep inside. A faint red bloomed on her fair cheeks.
“Okay. I’ll miss you too.”
Focus high schools had short breaks—just half a month. School resumed shortly after New Year.
On the first day, they reported to new classes. Year 1 Class 11 was the second room east on the fifth floor.
The one consolation for Shen Jia Yan: she and Wen Wan Ning were on the same floor, so they’d cross paths often.
No classes that first day. After tidying her spot in Classroom 302, Shen Jia Yan prepared to move dorms.
Dorms changed with classes, so hers did too—from Dormitory 406.
As a day student, she didn’t have much and didn’t ask for help, just carried two small bags to the new dorm door. Seeing others already unpacking inside, she knocked and entered.
New class, new faces—Shen Jia Yan greeted them shyly.
The other girls were outgoing and warmed to her reserve.
“Don’t be shy, classmate. We’ll get to know each other—we’re stuck together for years!” one said with a confident smile.
“I’ll go first. I’m Xia Yuxin.” She pointed to the girl arranging her desk. “That’s Chu Ye.”
The last girl approached with a raised brow and playful eyes. “I’m Jiang Yufei.”
Seeing how friendly everyone was, Shen Jia Yan’s initial tension vanished, and she eased into the vibe.
Her eyes crinkled with a smile, brow arching playfully. “I’m Shen Jia Yan. Nice to meet you all—looking forward to it.”
With no classes, they decided on lunch out to bond.
The four didn’t go far, picking a small eatery near school. After ordering, they chatted while waiting.
“Welcome.” The door sensor chimed. Shen Jia Yan looked over.
In an instant, joy surged in her heart.
