The Gaokao results were announced. Shen Jia Yan got into Jingbei Media University as she had hoped, and Wen Wan Ning predictably entered Jingbei University.
Everything was settled.
The summer vacation before starting university was the most relaxing and joyful time for all the graduating high school seniors.
Shen Jia Yan slept in every day until she woke up naturally, and by the time she opened her eyes, sunlight had already filled half the room. The desk lamp that had kept her company through countless late nights could finally rest.
After a brief period of relaxation, she began shuttling between her classmates’ matriculation banquets.
Regardless of their scores, these banquets served as a proper farewell to their hard-earned youth.
Due to certain circumstances, Shen Yan and Jiang Jing did not plan to hold a matriculation banquet for Shen Jia Yan. They simply gathered with family for a casual meal to celebrate her achievement.
Watching her classmates’ lavish banquets, she felt envious. Plus, after attending so many, it seemed stingy not to prepare anything herself. So, she discussed it with Shen Yan and Jiang Jing, suggesting she treat some close friends to a meal.
After discussing it, Shen Yan and Jiang Jing agreed. After all, getting into her dream university was worth celebrating, and sharing the joy with classmates made sense.
Once the hotel and time were set, Shen Jia Yan began notifying the classmates she wanted to invite.
An hour later.
She had informed her junior high and high school classmates and lay on her bed, holding up a photo from the Year 1 class assignment with both hands, staring intently at Wen Wan Ning’s beautiful face.
She really wanted Wan Ning to come to her little “matriculation banquet.”
Most classmates’ banquets didn’t invite those from before the Year 1 class split, as they had only been together for half a year, and those bonds had faded over time.
What should she do? How could she invite Wan Ning? Inviting her alone would make her uncomfortable around unfamiliar faces, and she might refuse.
Shen Jia Yan set the photo down and sighed, ruffling her hair vigorously.
Suddenly, she sat up in bed. An idea flashed through her mind.
Inviting a few classmates from before the Year 1 split would make it feel more natural.
I’m such a clever little fox, she thought smugly.
She then selected a few high school friends she was close with and invited them one by one.
Of course, Lü Xin and Han Shuang were must-invites. With them there, Wan Ning wouldn’t feel awkward.
After inviting the others, Shen Jia Yan messaged Wen Wan Ning last.
Soon, she received a reply: 【Why am I the last one invited?】
Wen Wan Ning had received Lü Xin’s message first, informing her that Shen Jia Yan had invited her to the banquet.
Shen Jia Yan stared at her phone screen, her ear tips instantly burning. She typed and deleted frantically in the chat box: 【No, it’s not…】
It felt too stiff, so she erased it and rewrote: 【Actually, I…】
Still unsatisfied, her fingers hovered over the screen for a long time. Finally, she sent: 【I had to make sure they were coming before inviting you.】
She regretted it immediately. That sounded a bit…
Shen Jia Yan tossed her phone onto the bed and grabbed a pillow to smother her burning face. Her mind conjured up Wan Ning’s possible expression upon reading it.
Her phone suddenly vibrated. Shen Jia Yan flipped upright like a carp, and on the screen lay Wen Wan Ning’s new message: 【Afraid I’d turn you down? (sneaky grin.jpg)】
Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, her heart pounding as if it would burst from her chest. The air conditioner outside buzzed, making the room feel especially quiet. She took a deep breath and finally sent: 【Yeah.】
A moment later, the screen lit up again.
Shen Jia Yan slowly picked up her phone, unlocked it, and saw Wen Wan Ning’s reply: 【See you Saturday.】
Her lips curved upward uncontrollably. She picked up her phone, set it down, then couldn’t resist rolling on the bed and burying her face in the covers for a silent scream.
The cicadas outside suddenly seemed deafening, as if mocking her hopeless state.
The day of the gathering arrived.
Shen Jia Yan stood at the hotel entrance, waiting for her classmates.
“Jia Yan.” Her youthful, attractive figure caught Xia Yuxin’s eye.
She wore a light blue shirt with sleeves casually rolled up a bit, revealing toned arms. The collar was slightly open, not overly formal, exuding a fresh confidence unique to youth. Paired with well-fitted dark gray casual pants that accentuated her long, strong legs, and simple white canvas shoes full of vitality—like a remnant of high school, but with added maturity.
Xia Yuxin raised an eyebrow meaningfully, teasing slyly, “You look great today, huh.”
They had met almost daily since the break started. She knew Shen Jia Yan had also invited Wen Wan Ning.
Shen Jia Yan shot her a glance and cleared her throat. “If you’re free, help me greet our classmates.”
“Fine, two sentences in and you’ve already roped me into work.” She stood beside Shen Jia Yan, waiting for arriving classmates and leading them to the private room.
Shen Jia Yan nodded in satisfaction.
“Shen Jia Yan.” A familiar voice sounded beside her ear. Lü Xin pulled Wen Wan Ning toward her.
She turned, and her breath caught.
Wen Wan Ning stood at the bottom of the steps in a white dress, the skirt swaying gently with her steps. Sunlight filtered through the stray hairs by her ears, casting tiny light spots on her neck. Unlike other girls with heavy makeup, she only wore sheer lip gloss that shimmered waterily in the sun.
“Am I late?” Her voice was soft and gentle.
Shen Jia Yan noticed the faint lip gloss on Wen Wan Ning today; when she smiled, her lips curved in that familiar arc, brighter than usual.
“No, not at all.” Her response came out stiff, her throat bobbing unconsciously.
Xia Yuxin, standing nearby, took in her shy awkwardness completely.
“You today…” Wen Wan Ning suddenly leaned in, lavender scent enveloping her, “look so good.”
Shen Jia Yan froze in place, her ear tips visibly reddening. She stared down at her shoes, her heartbeat so loud it seemed to echo through the entire hotel lobby. “Y-you look good too.”
“Um, Wan Ning, let me take you inside first.” Xia Yuxin quickly broke the odd atmosphere.
She feared Shen Jia Yan would bury her head in her shirt from embarrassment.
“Okay.” Wen Wan Ning glanced back at Shen Jia Yan. “We’ll head in then, Jia Yan.”
“Mm.”
Moments later, Xia Yuxin returned to the entrance.
“Shen Jia Yan.” She frowned teasingly. “You’re way too timid. You get all shy around the person you like. Show some of that confidence you have with us.”
Shen Jia Yan rolled her eyes dramatically.
Xia Yuxin smiled, then pinched her chin thoughtfully. “Speaking of, Wen Wan Ning’s got some moves—got your face flushing and paling. She leaned in close and whispered, “Her attitude toward you doesn’t seem like she feels nothing at all.”
Hearing this, Shen Jia Yan’s ears burned anew despite the fading blush. She subconsciously rubbed her nose, trying to hide her flushed cheeks.
“No way…” she muttered unconvincingly, her gaze drifting toward where Wen Wan Ning had gone.
Xia Yuxin crossed her arms, dead serious. “Anyway, I think she’s special with you.”
Really? Does Wan Ning feel the same? But that distance recently was so real…
“Jia Yan.” Shao Han’s arrival interrupted her thoughts.
“Shao Han, you made it.” She tugged Xia Yuxin’s sleeve. “Take her inside.”
“Sure, let’s—”
“No need.” Before Xia Yuxin finished, Shao Han continued, “I’ll keep you company for a bit.” She turned to Xia Yuxin. “Yuxin, if you’re tired, go rest inside.”
Damn, Shao Han’s getting bolder—her intentions are obvious. Might even confess soon, Xia Yuxin thought.
After Xia Yuxin’s analysis, Shen Jia Yan had been keeping distance from Shao Han. Hearing this made it seem even more plausible.
“Ah—” She glanced at Xia Yuxin, signaling for rescue.
Xia Yuxin got it. “I’m not tired, and most people are here. Let me take you in first, Shao Han. Jia Yan will join soon. Right, Jia Yan?” She winked.
“Ah, yeah, I’ll be right in. You go ahead.”
With that, Shao Han didn’t push. “Alright then. We’ll head in. Come soon, Jia Yan—it’s hot outside.”
“Okay.”
A while later, Shen Jia Yan checked her watch. Time was up, so she headed to the private room.
As the meal neared its end, a classmate suggested KTV. Shen Jia Yan agreed without hesitation—this meant more time with Wen Wan Ning.
She booked Room 112 and led everyone there by taxi.
At the KTV, she reserved two rooms: a larger one for Xia Yuxin and the others, and a smaller one for Wen Wan Ning’s Year 1 group to avoid awkwardness.
However, she only stayed briefly in the big room, spending most of her time in the small one.
Xia Yuxin couldn’t stand it. When Shen Jia Yan popped into the big room to check supplies, she pulled her aside to a quiet spot.
Frowning, she lectured, “You’re way too biased toward her. Wan Ning’s important, sure, but what about all of us in here? It’s not great if you’re always gone.”
“Aw.” Shen Jia Yan rarely wheedled. “But you’ve got it covered, plus Yu Fei and Chu Ye. Help me out. Seeing Wan Ning during break is rare—I have to make every second count.” She raised an eyebrow. “Right?”
Xia Yuxin sighed lightly. “Fine, you win. I’ll sacrifice for your love life.”
“Hehe.”
They reached the big room door.
“Jia Yan.”
Shen Jia Yan paused mid-push and turned.
“Shao Han, what’s up?”
Shao Han approached. “I have something to tell you.”
