It had been a long time since they last met, and Shen Jia Yan felt a little excited. She barely slept well all night.
The next day, she got up early and dressed up carefully.
Xu Jingyao, lying on the bed, rubbed her eyes and looked closely at Shen Jia Yan. With a sly smile, she said, “Jia Yan, are you going out on a date today?”
Shen Jia Yan paused while straightening her clothes. “Ah, no, just meeting an ordinary high school classmate.”
“Really?” Xu Jingyao grinned mischievously. “You dressed up so nicely just to meet an ordinary classmate?”
Fu Jinxi and Zhang Min poked their heads out from behind their bed curtains upon hearing this.
“Jia Yan always looks good, but she looks even better today,” Fu Jinxi teased along.
Zhang Min yawned. “A woman dolls herself up for the one who pleases her. That high school classmate is no ordinary one.”
Right on the mark.
Shen Jia Yan’s cheeks visibly flushed red.
“Hey, don’t talk nonsense. It’s just been a while since we met, so I simply tidied myself up,” Shen Jia Yan explained forcefully.
With that, she immediately stood up, checked the time on her watch, and said, “Well, I have to go. The agreed time is coming up. Text me if you need me to bring anything back.”
Shen Jia Yan hurried out of the dormitory without giving them a chance to say anything.
If she didn’t leave now, they would see right through her.
Xu Jingyao lay back on the bed and muttered softly, “Who schedules a meeting this early? Are they going to have breakfast together or something?” She didn’t press further.
Shen Jia Yan, thinking she hadn’t revealed too much, walked happily along the campus path.
It took about half an hour by subway from Jingbei Media University to Jingbei University.
Since she left early, she wasn’t in a rush. She checked her backpack.
Huo Xiang Zheng Qi water, sunscreen spray, mosquito repellent, mineral water—all packed.
She was still a bit worried about Wen Wan Ning and planned to bring these things to her.
Time was about right. She slung on her backpack, boarded the subway, and headed to Jingbei University.
As the subway threaded through the city’s underground veins, Shen Jia Yan’s fingers unconsciously tapped on her backpack strap, the rhythm speeding up.
A month without seeing her, she imagined what Wen Wan Ning looked like now. Had her hair grown longer? Had she gotten tanned over the summer vacation? Without high school’s immaturity, was she even prettier? These fragmented thoughts churned in her mind, making her foot tap lightly on the ground without realizing it.
The train suddenly entered a tunnel, turning the window into a blurry mirror. Shen Jia Yan saw her upturned lips, quickly pursed them, but couldn’t suppress the sparkle in her eyes.
“Next stop, Jingbei University Station.”
The announcement snapped her out of her reverie. Shen Jia Yan shot to her feet, nearly bumping into the handrail. She took a deep breath, adjusted her backpack straps, her fingers trembling slightly.
Long time no see—she was a bit nervous.
The moment the doors opened, autumn wind carrying the scent of ginkgo leaves rushed in.
She wondered if Wan Ning was looking forward to the meeting as much as she was.
Shen Jia Yan stood at the subway station exit, looking ahead where the bold characters “Jingbei University” stood out.
The school wasn’t far. She glanced at the sky and walked straight ahead.
Wen Wan Ning had military training today and no time to pick her up. Shen Jia Yan hadn’t told her what time she was coming either.
She wanted to sneak a peek, to quietly watch Wen Wan Ning training in her camouflage uniform without her knowing.
It must look great.
Shen Jia Yan passed through Jingbei University’s gates. The campus was filled with freshmen in camouflage uniforms everywhere, with resounding slogans rising and falling.
She strolled slowly along the tree-lined path, her heartbeat quickening with the approaching footsteps. Rounding the teaching building, a wide training field came into view.
In the neat formation, she spotted that familiar figure at a glance.
Wen Wan Ning stood in the front row of the queue, a few strands of sweat-dampened hair peeking from under her camouflage cap brim. The loose camouflage uniform couldn’t hide her upright posture, the belt cinching a slender waistline. With the instructor’s command, she turned sharply, her profile edged in gold by the sunlight.
“Attention!”
Wen Wan Ning’s straightened spine made Shen Jia Yan hold her breath. Those slender fingers, usually holding a pen, now pressed tightly against her pant seam.
The rest whistle sounded, and the formation scattered instantly. Wen Wan Ning took off her hat to fan herself, then suddenly turned as if sensing something, looking toward where Shen Jia Yan stood.
Shen Jia Yan hurriedly hid behind a ginkgo tree but still caught Wen Wan Ning squinting in confusion. Clutching her pounding heart, she noticed how the camouflage uniform made Wen Wan Ning’s collarbone strikingly clear, sweat beads sliding down her neck into her collar.
“Assemble!”
Wen Wan Ning’s jogging back to the formation mesmerized Shen Jia Yan. So that’s what she looked like in camouflage—it was so beautiful. Her sun-reddened ear tips, sweat-soaked back, and flying hair strands when turning were vivid details no phone call could convey.
Shen Jia Yan quietly pulled out her phone, aiming the lens at the person shining in the sunlight.
She spent the entire morning behind the ginkgo tree, accompanying Wen Wan Ning’s training.
Finally, with the instructor’s “Dismissed,” the morning session ended.
Shen Jia Yan stood up, adjusting her backpack strap, when a shadow suddenly fell over her.
She looked up to find Wen Wan Ning standing right in front of her, camouflage cap removed and held in her hand, a few sweat-dampened strands sticking to her forehead.
In the sunlight, her lashes cast fine shadows on her face, a knowing smile on her lips. “Had enough looking?”
Shen Jia Yan’s ears burned instantly. Wen Wan Ning carried the scent of sunlight and lavender; her camouflage collar slightly open, revealing a patch of sunburned skin at her collarbone.
“I…” Shen Jia Yan opened her mouth but saw Wen Wan Ning reach for her backpack.
She quickly snatched it back. “You just finished training—you must be tired. I can handle it myself.”
Wen Wan Ning smiled and didn’t tug further. “We’re on lunch break. Want me to take you to the cafeteria for their famous rice noodles?”
Shen Jia Yan nodded, her gaze involuntarily falling on Wen Wan Ning’s slightly reddened nape from the sun. The collar of her camouflage uniform was damp with sweat, gently rubbing against her skin as she walked.
“When did you spot me?” Shen Jia Yan asked softly.
Wen Wan Ning turned back and winked. “From when you were sneaking photos behind the parasol tree.”
“Then…” Shen Jia Yan recalled the high school sports meet when her photos got deleted.
Wen Wan Ning saw her worry and chuckled lightly. “This time, you’re allowed to take them. I won’t make you delete any.”
Shen Jia Yan’s heart tingled as if gently scratched by a feather, a numb itch spreading.
Wen Wan Ning turned and continued walking. Shen Jia Yan followed dazedly, suddenly noticing Wen Wan Ning’s right hand extended backward in that all-too-familiar waiting pose.
Sunlight filtered through ginkgo leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground between them. Shen Jia Yan quickened her steps and gently took that hand.
Wen Wan Ning’s palm was warm and damp, her thumb web rubbing against her skin. A month’s longing gained real warmth in that moment.
After lunch, they didn’t linger—Wen Wan Ning’s afternoon training was about to start.
They walked together toward the training ground.
“Wait.” Shen Jia Yan stopped and took off her backpack.
“What’s up?” Wen Wan Ning watched puzzled as she unzipped it.
Shen Jia Yan pulled out a bottle of sunscreen spray and set the bag by her feet. “Come here.” She uncapped it. “Let me spray some sunscreen on you. Your skin is so delicate—don’t get sunburned.”
Wen Wan Ning froze, watching Shen Jia Yan’s serious profile outlined by dappled treeshadow light spots. She subconsciously touched her heated arm, where the skin was indeed slightly reddened.
“Turn around,” Shen Jia Yan said softly, her voice carrying an irresistible gentleness.
Wen Wan Ning obediently turned, feeling the cool mist settle lightly on her nape. Shen Jia Yan’s fingertips brushed her hair ends if at all, spreading the sunscreen evenly. The sensation was like a feather, sending a faint shiver down her spine.
Shen Jia Yan shook the bottle and continued, “Arms up.”
Wen Wan Ning complied, spreading her arms, the cuffs of her camouflage sleeves gently rolled up. Shen Jia Yan’s movements were feather-light, as if handling a fragile treasure. The mist carried a faint mint scent, melting into cool relief on the hot skin.
After the last spritz, Shen Jia Yan put it away and grumbled slightly, “I told you on the phone yesterday to do sunscreen properly, and you said you would. But on the first day of training, I already caught you slacking.”
Wen Wan Ning half-whined coquettishly, “Okay, I know. I’ll pay attention from now on. Thanks, my best deskmate.”
Shen Jia Yan smiled and nodded. “Let’s go—your training time is coming up.”
“Mm.”
Soon, Wen Wan Ning asked, “Are you heading back later?”
“Mm…” Shen Jia Yan hesitated, then probed, “Can I stay with you until training ends today?”
Today was her last day off; she wanted to spend more time with Wen Wan Ning, even if just watching from afar—it would satisfy her.
Wen Wan Ning’s steps paused slightly, her camouflage shoes scraping lightly on the asphalt. “Really?” She turned. “You’ll sit by the field all afternoon?”
Shen Jia Yan nodded, fingers twisting her backpack strap unconsciously. “I’ll just sit under the shade over there.” She pointed to the parasol trees around the field perimeter, her voice growing softer. “I won’t disturb your training.”
The treeshade shifted slowly underfoot. As the instructor’s roar came from the other end of the field, Wen Wan Ning suddenly grabbed Shen Jia Yan’s wrist with one hand and pointed to a distant tree with the other.
Her palm was thinly sweaty, the rough, warm camouflage fabric brushing her skin. “Then sit under the shadiest one.”
Shen Jia Yan’s eyes curved upward. “Okay.”
Wen Wan Ning turned and ran to the formation.
Shen Jia Yan stood under the ginkgo tree, watching that figure blend into the neat ranks. The heat blurred her vision, but her heartbeat grew clearer.
As the shadows slanted westward, Shen Jia Yan’s gaze always followed the most radiant figure in the queue. Wan Ning in camouflage looked a hundred times better than she had imagined.
