According to the plan, Wen Wan Ning’s Student Union activity was scheduled to end in the afternoon. Although it was raining, since the activities were all indoors, they wouldn’t wrap up early.
Before breakfast, Wen Wan Ning had received a call from a senior from her department asking when she would return. After finishing breakfast and taking her medicine, another call came urging her again.
Shen Jia Yan said thoughtfully, “Wan Ning, let me take you back now. I already delayed your group bonding last night; don’t keep everyone waiting too long today.”
The Student Union’s work and activities were an important part of university life. Getting selected as a cadre in a top university like this was no easy feat.
Shen Jia Yan was a Student Union cadre herself, so she understood these things.
Last night, she had rushed over in a panic not to disrupt Wen Wan Ning’s departmental activities, but because she hadn’t taken her medicine on time, Shen Jia Yan had been worried and anxious.
“It’s fine. I’ll tell the minister and stay here to keep you company.” It was raining outside, and Wen Wan Ning was somewhat worried about her.
Shen Jia Yan pressed down on the hand that had picked up the phone. “It’s okay. Either way, we have to head back to school today; classes start tomorrow.” With that, she pulled out a folding umbrella from somewhere. “I’ll hold the umbrella and walk you back, then head straight to school.”
“You have an umbrella?” Wen Wan Ning’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. “Then why didn’t you use it when you went out earlier?”
Shen Jia Yan smiled faintly. “No, I bought this one from the homestay’s front desk on my way back. It’s just right for you to use now.”
She hadn’t thought about not having an umbrella when she left, but on her way back, she bought one for me, afraid I’d get wet on the way out. Wen Wan Ning’s heart trembled, as if something soft had gently scratched the tip of her heart.
She lowered her head to look at the brand-new folding umbrella, its plastic packaging still unopened. “Shen Jia Yan,” her voice was very soft, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing the raised texture on the umbrella’s surface, “are you an idiot?”
You’re so good to me. If you really end up liking someone else, how could I bear to let go…
“How am I an idiot?” Shen Jia Yan laughed as she tore open the packaging, the plastic film making a faint rustling sound. “This is pretty smart, isn’t it? Knowing to buy an umbrella on the way back.”
“Let’s go. Your senior will urge you again soon.” Shen Jia Yan held the umbrella and headed out.
Wen Wan Ning followed behind her.
After returning the room key, the two walked together to the entrance.
Because the location was a bit remote, they needed to walk a short distance further before cars would pass by.
Shen Jia Yan opened the umbrella and held it over both their heads, the motion so natural as if she had done it countless times.
The rain fell in fine threads, sliding down the umbrella’s surface, weaving a hazy curtain in the morning air. Wen Wan Ning leaned close to her side, catching the faint scent of shampoo on her, mixed with the slightly cool dampness from the rain.
In the rain curtain, the umbrella tilted slightly in a gentle arc. Wen Wan Ning watched as a dark water stain gradually spread across Shen Jia Yan’s right shoulder, like ink blooming on rice paper.
“The umbrella’s tilted.” Wen Wan Ning said softly.
Shen Jia Yan ignored it and tilted the umbrella even more toward her. “Is it?”
Wen Wan Ning suddenly stopped in her tracks. She reached out and grasped the umbrella handle, her fingertips covering the back of Shen Jia Yan’s hand, which was so cold it made her heart tremble.
“This is right.” She forcefully straightened the umbrella, then leaned her entire body against Shen Jia Yan’s in the next second. “Now… neither of us will get wet.”
Their distance suddenly closed to the point where they could count each other’s eyelashes. Shen Jia Yan held her breath, inhaling the faint lavender scent from Wen Wan Ning’s hair, mingled with the fresh rain. The sound of the rain suddenly felt distant, leaving only their intermingled breaths in her ears.
After a moment, they reached the roadside.
Shen Jia Yan hailed a taxi.
The taxi pulled up slowly, and Shen Jia Yan let Wen Wan Ning get in first.
Then, she suddenly shoved the umbrella into Wen Wan Ning’s hands. “Hold this.” Without waiting for refusal, she gave the Hot Spring Villa’s address and scanned the code to pay the exact fare.
“Text me when you arrive.” Shen Jia Yan stepped back, rain immediately wetting her eyelashes as she closed the car door.
Watching the taxi drive away slowly, she finally relaxed a bit.
When she bought the umbrella, there had only been one left. She was determined to make sure Wen Wan Ning took it, afraid she’d get wet when getting out of the car.
Then, she hailed another taxi and got in.
The driver eyed this somewhat disheveled passenger in the rearview mirror. “Miss, where to?”
“Jingbei Media University.” Shen Jia Yan gave the address, her fingers unconsciously tapping on her knee. Amid the rhythmic swish of the wipers, her phone suddenly vibrated.
Wan Ning: [Did you get a cab?]
Shen Jia Yan wiped the water from her screen and replied: [I’m already in the car.]
Wen Wan Ning gripped the umbrella tighter: [Why’d you give me the umbrella?]
Shen Jia Yan looked out the window, recalling how white Wen Wan Ning’s knuckles had been when gripping the handle.
She typed: [Because there was only one left]—deleted. [Afraid you’d get wet]—deleted. [You’re more important than me]—deleted.
In the end, she only replied: [You’ll still have to walk a bit after getting out.]
The response came quickly: [What about you?]
[It’s fine. By the time I get to school, the rain might have stopped.]
A few minutes later, Shen Jia Yan received a reply: [You’re soaked through, aren’t you?]
Shen Jia Yan looked at the message popping up on the screen, her fingertip gently stroking the edge of her phone. Raindrops from her hair tip dripped onto the screen, blurring Wen Wan Ning’s words.
She typed back: [I’m okay. The car has AC.]
After sending, she watched the “The other person is typing…” indicator linger for a long time.
Finally, Wen Wan Ning’s message arrived: [Jia Yan, I know you’re worried about me, and likewise, I’m very worried about you too. Don’t always just give without receiving—give me a chance to care for you, okay?]
Wen Wan Ning’s fingers hovered over the keyboard, then added: [Drink some hot water when you get back. Don’t catch a cold.]
The rain outside the window grew heavier, blurring the city’s outlines. Shen Jia Yan gazed at her reflection in the glass—hair wet and plastered to her forehead, clothes half-damp, looking a bit bedraggled. But her heart felt filled with something warm, even her chilled fingertips gradually warming up.
Her lips curved slightly as she replied: [Okay. (happy puppy jpg)]
Her phone vibrated again: [Shen Jia Yan, next time we meet, I’m going to give you a proper scolding.]
Followed by: [(puffy-cheeked kitten jpg)]
Shen Jia Yan laughed out loud. The driver glanced at her curiously in the rearview mirror. She lowered her head and typed: [Okay, I’ll be waiting.]
After sending, she pressed the phone to her chest, feeling the joyful thump of her heart. The rain pattered on the roof like an impromptu jazz drum solo, and her mood matched its most upbeat rhythm.
※
Life returned to normal.
Lately, Shen Jia Yan spent her time either in class or holed up in the Music Society.
The club was preparing for a major performance soon, so everyone was rehearsing intensively.
Having been in the club for over a year, Shen Jia Yan had developed great chemistry with the others. Her drum set skills were already excellent with a strong sense of rhythm; after deeper study, her performance style gained more tension and maturity.
She practiced diligently because she wanted to invite Wen Wan Ning to watch her perform, though she wasn’t sure if she’d have time yet.
At eight in the evening, practice ended.
Shen Jia Yan took the custom drumsticks Wen Wan Ning had given her back to the dormitory.
Of the two pairs Wen Wan Ning had gifted her, one was displayed in a case at home, and the other she brought to school. But she rarely used this custom pair, reluctant to wear them out.
She only brought them out in the last couple of days because of the performance.
After her routine pre-bed preparations like showering and making the bed, she sat in her chair, chatting with her roommates while waiting for the time she had arranged with Wen Wan Ning.
Xu Jingyao came out of the bathroom drying her hair. “Jia Yan, not to nag, but your progress is way too slow. You’re already sophomores, and you haven’t moved forward a single step.” She sat down and kept drying her hair. “I mean, you two talk on the phone almost every night, winter or summer. Isn’t that ambiguous enough? She really doesn’t sense anything at all?”
Fu Jinxi chimed in, “Yeah, I think only couples contact each other that frequently. You see, the ones having late-night phone chats in every corner of the dorm are usually little couples.”
Shen Jia Yan crossed her arms over her chest and leaned back, slyly saying, “Who says all little couples chat on the phone?” She lifted her chin toward Xu Jingyao. “Look at Jingyao; she doesn’t even call her boyfriend much.”
“Hiss—” Xu Jingyao rolled her eyes dramatically. “Don’t bring up that pot.”
Xu Jingyao had recently had some conflicts with her boyfriend and they were on the verge of breaking up.
Zhang Min closed her book. “But if there was a girl as good to me as Jia Yan is to her, I’d have fallen long ago.”
Xu Jingyao huffed twice. “Stop it; now you make me want a girlfriend too.”
“Hahaha…”
Shen Jia Yan checked the time, grabbed her phone, and stood up. “Not chatting with you all anymore; I’m off to bravely pursue love.”
She walked to her usual spot with her phone and dialed Wen Wan Ning’s number.
When the call connected, Wen Wan Ning was sitting in her chair reading a book. Hearing Shen Jia Yan’s familiar voice from the receiver, she smiled unconsciously.
“Hello,” Shen Jia Yan’s voice came through with a hint of laughter, “all done for the day?”
Wen Wan Ning held the phone in one hand and put the book away with the other. “Yeah, all done.”
After some small talk, Shen Jia Yan probed, “Wan Ning, this Saturday at seven in the evening, our club has a performance at the School Theater. I’ll be performing. Do you… have time to come watch?”
Saturday evening. Wen Wan Ning thought for a moment; she should be free.
She softly agreed, “Sure.” Then, raising an eyebrow, she asked, “Do you need me to cheer for you?”
Hearing her agreement, Shen Jia Yan’s tone brightened noticeably. “Really? If you come, I’ll definitely perform beyond my best.”
Wen Wan Ning couldn’t help laughing. “That confident?”
“It’s not confidence,” Shen Jia Yan paused, her voice suddenly softening with a touch of caution and tenderness, “it’s just that when you’re by my side, I always feel especially assured.”
Wen Wan Ning’s heart trembled, as if gently touched by something.
