Chapter 13: Chance Encounters

Heaven truly favored Shen Jia Yan. It knew she needed a legitimate reason to stay behind, so it presented her with a perfect excuse.

Sun Yan had only been testing the waters to see if any student would volunteer. She had already prepared to assign the task to the life committee member.

Shen Jia Yan’s initiative surprised Sun Yan and warmed her heart.

She knew Shen Jia Yan’s father was Shen Yan and understood the girl’s personality. Shen Jia Yan didn’t like the spotlight, and Shen Yan had instructed her not to give his daughter any special treatment. The father and daughter were both low-key, so Sun Yan paid little attention to Shen Jia Yan outside of academics.

She had no idea about the real reason Shen Jia Yan volunteered. She simply thought the girl was kind-hearted and eager to help others.

Though the main reason for staying was Wen Wan Ning, there was no doubt that Shen Jia Yan was indeed someone willing to help.

“Alright, since Shen Jia Yan volunteered, I’ll leave it to you. After class, go with the life committee member to the academic affairs office to pick up the disinfectant for our class. Spray it in the classroom every evening after school.”

“Yes, Teacher.” From the moment she heard the news, Shen Jia Yan’s lips hadn’t stopped curving upward.

She spent the entire day immersed in the joy of this good news, her mood exceptionally bright.

Finally, evening self-study ended, and the dismissal bell rang.

Shen Jia Yan packed her bag and waited until most students had left before starting to spray disinfectant from the front row to the back, row by row.

Though she had stayed for a purpose, since she had taken on the task, she did it thoroughly, spraying with extra care.

When the time was about right and the disinfection was done, she grabbed her bag and headed for the door.

She ran into Wen Wan Ning and Lü Yue, who were coming down from the fifth floor to the second.

“Jia Yan, why are you leaving so late today? You’re not the duty student for your class every night, are you?” Wen Wan Ning asked as they walked.

Shen Jia Yan replied confidently, “It’s not duty. With the flu going around lately, the school requires one student per class to stay and disinfect the classroom. This glorious and arduous task has fallen on my shoulders.” She was clearly very satisfied with the reason, her tone firm and decisive.

Wen Wan Ning thought to herself that Jia Yan was still so enthusiastic. She didn’t seek attention usually, but whenever someone needed help—no matter how big or small the task, or whether anyone else wanted to do it—she always stepped up first.

She recalled the first semester of freshman year, when the school required each class to send one student to learn first aid. No one in the class wanted to go, thinking it pointless and useless. Shen Jia Yan had volunteered.

At the time, Shen Jia Yan figured that even if no one wanted to, the teacher had to select someone. She didn’t want to put the teacher in a difficult spot, and besides, she believed the knowledge was useful and might help others someday.

Such a warm personality was hard not to like.

Wen Wan Ning’s eyes flickered, her brows arching attractively. “Your homeroom teacher must know you well, always so eager to help.”

“Maybe.” Shen Jia Yan tossed her hair and said self-indulgently, “Once this personal charm shines through, there’s no stopping it. People always sense it effortlessly.”

Wen Wan Ning looked at Shen Jia Yan and couldn’t help but chuckle. She played along. “Yes, yes, you’re right. Your charm is so powerful, it’s impossible not to notice.”

Shen Jia Yan was unrestrained when boasting about herself, treating it as a joke. But when others joined in, she grew shy and didn’t know what to say.

Her cheeks flushed slightly. “Hahaha, I was kidding. It’s not that exaggerated.”

“But I mean it. You really are a charming person. People want to be friends with you.” Determination shone in Wen Wan Ning’s eyes.

Shen Jia Yan’s faintly red cheeks suddenly flushed deep crimson.

She was glad it was dark, hiding her burning face and the pounding of her heart.

Wan Ning, you say I have charm, but aren’t you the same? Your hard work, your persistence, your care—everything about you draws me in…

—

Time flowed slowly between turning pages.

Soon, it was the evening dismissal Shen Jia Yan anticipated most. As usual, she disinfected the classroom and then “happened to run into” Wen Wan Ning.

“Jia Yan, since you always leave late after school, why don’t we make a plan to walk together from now on?” After several days of “chance encounters,” Wen Wan Ning voiced her idea.

A surge of surprise left Shen Jia Yan momentarily dazed.

Finally, she could openly walk this stretch with Wen Wan Ning without scheming for “encounters.”

Overjoyed, she didn’t know what to say at first and simply replied, “Sure.”

Wen Wan Ning continued, “Every evening, if we get to the second floor first, we’ll wait for you. If you finish disinfecting first, wait for us. We’ll go together.”

“Okay!”

Thanks to Shen Jia Yan’s daily disinfection, no one in the class caught colds anymore.

When the school asked for nominations for “Lei Feng Advanced Student,” Shen Jia Yan was unanimously selected.

It was an unexpected bonus.

Of course, what made her happiest wasn’t the award, but walking a stretch with Wen Wan Ning every day.

Even after the flu passed and disinfection was no longer needed, they tacitly never mentioned it and still waited for each other after school.

In a corner of the second-floor hallway stood a fish tank. Shen Jia Yan always waited there for Wen Wan Ning.

Over time, with the fixed spot known, Shen Jia Yan no longer worried about Wen Wan Ning not finding her. Sometimes, while waiting, she’d tease the ornamental fish to pass the time.

One evening after school, Shen Jia Yan was amusing herself with the fish in the tank, waiting for Wen Wan Ning.

“Hey, little Yan Yan.” Wen Wan Ning bounced over playfully and patted her shoulder.

Shen Jia Yan froze. Wen Wan Ning had never called her that before. The nickname surprised and delighted her, making her feel like she was slowly entering Wen Wan Ning’s heart.

Her brows lifted, a deep smile curving her lips. “Hi, you’re in a good mood today.”

“Not bad. Let’s go.”

“Okay.”

Somehow, Wen Wan Ning’s emotions started affecting her directly. When Wan Ning was happy, she was happy. When Wan Ning was sad, she felt it too.

This must be what liking someone felt like.

Years later, looking back on high school, those evening walks together remained their happiest memories.

—

Star City Key High School’s 60th anniversary celebration approached, and each grade and class began preparing programs as required.

Sun Yan first asked the class if anyone wanted to perform. As expected, no one volunteered, so she flipped through student files, looking for talents to create a decent program.

The class had students with skills—some played piano, others painted—but few met professional standards.

When she reached Shen Jia Yan’s file, her eyes lit up.

She rarely paid attention to Shen Jia Yan’s extracurriculars before. Who knew her drum set skill was at max level? She’d trained in free combat for years and had been on the junior high school sports team.

Sun Yan realized she’d neglected non-academic aspects too much and resolved to pay more comprehensive attention going forward.

Delighted inwardly, she thought, The anniversary program is set.

The second afternoon class was Sun Yan’s. Before starting, she addressed the celebration program.

“Regarding the anniversary program, since no one volunteered, I’ll assign it.”

The students below fidgeted anxiously, hoping not to be called. Some wanted to focus on studies without distractions; others simply feared performing in front of a crowd.

“Shen Jia Yan, I see your drum set is at max level. How about representing our class with a drum set performance?”

The whole class turned to Shen Jia Yan in surprise. She was so low-key; no one knew she played an instrument.

The moment she heard her name, Shen Jia Yan anticipated what Sun Yan would say.

She wasn’t one for the spotlight, but this was a chance to bring honor to the class.

After a moment’s thought, she stood and replied, “Sure, Teacher.”

Sun Yan nodded approvingly. “Good. You might need class time for rehearsals later. Just let me know, and you can go.”

“Okay.”

And so, Shen Jia Yan was assigned to represent Year 2 Class 11 in the anniversary program.

After class, Xia Yuxin slid over to her side. “Jia Yan, you’re full of surprises! Max-level drum set? So cool, and you never told us.”

Shen Jia Yan smiled and joked, “Just a hobby. I didn’t want to brag and make you all feel inferior.”

“Oh, you think you’re so great, huh?”

“Hahaha…”

Shen Jia Yan was reserved with strangers but humorous and outgoing with friends, which was why everyone liked hanging out with her.

That evening after school, she waited by the fish tank as usual for Wen Wan Ning and Lü Yue.

“Jia Yan, let’s go.” Wen Wan Ning and Lü Yue approached.

“Okay.”

On the summer evening campus path, lush trees lined the way. Moonlight filtered through leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Blooming summer flowers released a faint fragrance.

The three girls’ shadows mingled with those of passing classmates, fast or slow, brimming with youthful energy.

“By the way, Jia Yan, what’s your class doing for the anniversary?” Wen Wan Ning chatted casually.

Shen Jia Yan answered directly, “A drum set performance.”

“Oh, who’s performing?”

Shen Jia Yan hadn’t expected Wen Wan Ning to ask who. She wasn’t hiding it from her but felt embarrassed. She hemmed and hawed, “Uh, you’ll see then. Even if I told you, you might not know them.”

Her reserved nature made her unprepared to tell Wen Wan Ning outright.

Wen Wan Ning pressed, “Just say it. What if I do know them?”

Unable to resist and fearing Wen Wan Ning might get annoyed, Shen Jia Yan shyly admitted, “It’s—me.”

Wen Wan Ning paused for a beat, then said gravely, “Shen Jia Yan!”