Shen Jia Yan hadn’t wanted Wen Wan Ning to go eat with them. Aside from wanting to go out alone with Wen Wan Ning, the more important reason was that she had heard some unfavorable things about No. 1 Middle School.
Although No. 1 Middle School had excellent teaching quality, there were always a few male and female students who liked to hang out with “social” friends from outside. Some even dated in junior high and hooked up, which made Shen Jia Yan somewhat worried.
Wen Wan Ning certainly wasn’t that kind of person, but she feared that such people might appear around her.
“Yeah, mainly to keep Xin Xin company. I wasn’t too comfortable with her going alone,” Wen Wan Ning explained.
“Oh.” Shen Jia Yan couldn’t hide her disappointment. She wanted to stop her but felt she had no right to.
Seeing Shen Jia Yan’s expression, Wen Wan Ning vaguely understood and teased her, “You don’t want me to go?”
Shen Jia Yan decided not to beat around the bush and voiced her concerns directly. “I don’t really want you to go, but it’s just because the weather’s bad, it’s evening, there are boys and girls—I’m afraid it won’t be safe for you all.”
Wen Wan Ning smiled at that and said, “So you’re worried about me? You’re so cute, haha. It’s fine. If you’re really worried, I’ll let you know once I’m safely home.”
Shen Jia Yan hadn’t expected Wen Wan Ning to offer to report her whereabouts proactively. She sat up straight in surprise, satisfied as she said, “Alright, I’ll wait for your message.”
The two exchanged smiles.
After the fourth period bell rang, school was dismissed.
Wen Wan Ning packed her bag and glanced at Shen Jia Yan. “I’m heading out. You should go home early too.”
“Okay.”
Even though Wen Wan Ning had promised to contact her once she got home, Shen Jia Yan still felt a bit down watching her leave.
She packed her own bag and prepared to head back to the dorm.
The weather was bad, so Shen Jia Yan called Jiang Jing to say that the snowy roads were treacherous and it wasn’t safe to drive, so no need for the driver to pick her up. She’d just stay in the dorm for the night.
There was another reason too—if something happened to Wen Wan Ning, she could head out easily.
It was just a classmate dinner, so nothing should happen, but she still couldn’t shake her unease.
As she exited the teaching building, snowflakes danced wildly through the sky with no sign of stopping, falling in thick sheets.
What an atmospheric Christmas, Shen Jia Yan sighed inwardly.
Too bad she couldn’t enjoy the snow with the person she wanted to…
She walked slowly along the path to the dormitory building, reaching out to catch the falling snowflakes. They melted in her palm, turning into a faint, imperceptible mist that dispersed transparently into the air of her breath.
The melted snowflakes mirrored her current mood—lifeless.
She took a long time on that short stretch of road and finally arrived at the dorm entrance. She pushed the door open and went in.
Han Shuang and Jiang Shuang paused what they were doing and looked toward the door.
Han Shuang spoke first. “Jia Yan, not going home today?”
“Yeah, the roads are bad. I’ll stay in the dorm tonight,” Shen Jia Yan replied as she set down her bag.
She noticed Han Shuang seemed to be pairing outfits and casually asked, “Heading out?”
“Yeah, the class president invited a few classmates from our old junior high to dinner nearby. I’m going too.”
A flash of delight crossed Shen Jia Yan’s eyes. She quickly followed up, “With Wan Ning and Lü Xin?”
“Yeah.” Han Shuang nodded at her reflection in the mirror, satisfied.
Perfect, Shen Jia Yan thought. With Han Shuang going, she could look out for Wan Ning a bit, stay in touch with her anytime, and Shen Jia Yan could even use picking up her roommate as an excuse to check on them.
The corners of her mouth curved up slightly. “Then be careful on your way. Contact me if anything comes up, and let me know when it’s over. It’s not safe at night—I’ll come pick you up. I’m on campus anyway with nothing to do, and with the special circumstances today, the dorm supervisor won’t check beds. Coming and going should be easy.”
Han Shuang was a bit surprised by Shen Jia Yan’s sudden attentiveness.
“What’s with you today, being so nice all of a sudden? Got some ulterior motive?” Han Shuang teased meaningfully.
“No, just normal concern for a classmate and roommate.” Shen Jia Yan tried to mask her real intentions but couldn’t help adding, “Just… take good care of my deskmate.”
Han Shuang had a sudden realization and teased, “Oh~~ So that’s your real goal. It’s mainly your deskmate you’re worried about. I’m just an afterthought. Sigh…” She feigned hurt.
Shen Jia Yan hurriedly smoothed things over. “Hey, don’t say that. I care about both—one’s my deskmate, one’s my roommate. Both important. It’s so late, and you’re all girls—it definitely isn’t safe. You need protection from a free combat expert like me.”
When Shen Jia Yan was little, Shen Yan and Jiang Jing had discussed having her learn a martial art for self-defense.
Their original plan was taekwondo—less aggressive, good for basic self-defense, and helpful for fitness.
But Shen Jia Yan chose free combat instead. She figured if she was learning, it should be something that could protect not just herself, but others too.
It turned out she had real talent for it—her skills far surpassed her peers.
Seeing Shen Jia Yan’s cute flurry of explanations, Han Shuang stopped teasing. “Alright, I believe you. Since you’re so awesome, I’ll wait for you to pick me up tonight.”
Shen Jia Yan flashed an OK sign at Han Shuang. “Deal. And call me anytime if something happens midway.”
Han Shuang joked, “Got it. Don’t worry, I’ll take extra good care of your deskmate, haha.”
Shen Jia Yan’s face flushed red instantly, all the way to her ears.
※
Yang Hongzhuo and a few guys had arrived at the hotel early. All the rooms were booked except for the largest private room, which could fit two tables but felt especially spacious with just their one group tonight.
Han Shuang arrived soon after.
“Hey, class president, you guys are all here.” Han Shuang greeted Yang Hongzhuo first as she entered the room.
Yang Hongzhuo flashed his signature smile. “We’ve been here a bit. Can’t keep the girls waiting on us guys.”
Han Shuang’s big eyes scanned the room: Yang Hongzhuo, Li Xiao, Yang Qihang, Zhou Peng—all guys she got along decently with and who seemed like okay people. But when she spotted the last guy, she froze slightly.
Li Jian. High school classmates might not know him well yet, but anyone from No. 1 Middle School junior high certainly did.
His grades were decent, but he always hung out with shady “social” types from off-campus, using them to bully classmates. Han Shuang couldn’t understand why Yang Hongzhuo had invited him.
While the others chatted, Han Shuang quietly WeChatted Yang Hongzhuo: [Class president, why’d you invite Li Jian?]
Yang Hongzhuo glanced at her and replied: [He heard about the gathering and asked if he could come. He’s been pretty low-key this semester, and since we’re all classmates, I said yes.]
Though uneasy, Han Shuang saw Yang Hongzhuo had explained and there were other guys there, so she let it drop.
Yang Hongzhuo pushed the menu toward everyone. “Take a look and see what you want. Wan Ning and Lü Xin should be here soon.”
Just as he finished, Wen Wan Ning and Lü Xin walked in.
Lü Xin greeted first. “Everyone’s here? Sorry we’re late.”
“No worries, we haven’t waited long. Grab a seat.” Yang Hongzhuo beamed.
Han Shuang waved them over eagerly. “Wan Ning, Lü Xin, over here—we saved spots for you.”
Wen Wan Ning and Lü Xin sat down beside Han Shuang.
After they settled, they noticed Li Jian too and were surprised, but after Han Shuang quietly explained, they didn’t press.
Yang Hongzhuo handed a menu to Han Shuang. “Here, you three girls pick what you want.” He and the other guys looked at another menu to order.
Han Shuang passed the menu to Wen Wan Ning with a sly grin. “Wan Ning, see what you like. Your deskmate entrusted me to look after you—I gotta take good care of you.”
Wen Wan Ning paused at that.
Deskmate? Shen Jia Yan—she was so thoughtful. It felt pretty nice to have her deskmate thinking of her.
Seeing Wen Wan Ning’s lips curve up slightly, Lü Xin laughed. “Deskmate? Jia Yan, right? So considerate. How come she didn’t check on me? I’m jealous.”
She and Han Shuang turned to Wen Wan Ning with mischievous grins.
“I already said, it’s deskmate concern. If you want her to worry about you, sit next to her,” Wen Wan Ning explained, her cheeks faintly pink.
“Fine, let’s switch sides next week. I’ll sit with Jia Yan.”
Wen Wan Ning rolled her eyes playfully at the joke but said nothing.
“Alright, stop teasing Wan Ning. What do you want to eat? Let’s order,” Han Shuang steered back.
After Lü Xin ordered a few dishes, she passed it to Wen Wan Ning.
Wen Wan Ning didn’t even look. “I’ll have blanched vegetable hearts.” She handed the menu back to Han Shuang.
“Right, Wan Ning’s favorite is blanched vegetable hearts. Order that for her,” Lü Xin added.
Han Shuang mentally noted the dish, planning to “sell” this intel to Shen Jia Yan for a high price later.
Once the food arrived, Yang Hongzhuo raised his glass filled with soda, ready to speak like an old leader.
“We can’t drink yet, so let’s fill up on beverages first.”
Everyone poured drinks into their glasses.
Yang Hongzhuo cleared his throat and continued, “It’s been a while since school started, and it’s rare to get together like this. Being in the same class is fate—even though we’ll split classes soon, let’s cherish this time. No matter what class we’re in later, stay in touch. Come, cheers!”
The mood livened up, and everyone ate and chatted happily.
When they were mostly done, Li Jian stood and went out.
Moments later, he returned with four rough-looking “social” guys. “Class president, a few of my bros were eating nearby. Mind if they join us?”
Seeing these four men reeking of street toughs, Han Shuang instantly grasped Li Jian’s intentions that night. Before Yang Hongzhuo could respond, she stood and pulled Wen Wan Ning and Lü Xin up.
“Class president, it’s getting late. Us three girls should head back—our parents told us to be home early.”
She headed for the door.
But as the three reached the room entrance, the newcomers blocked it.
“Where you girls off to? We just got here—sit down, let’s get to know each other, build some rapport.” One man on a chair smirked sleazily.
The three were forced back to their seats.
Han Shuang panicked, unsure what to do. Suddenly, she remembered Shen Jia Yan mentioning her free combat training and to call if needed.
While no one noticed, she WeChatted Shen Jia Yan: [Jia Yan, Li Jian brought guys. We can’t leave. Need backup. Room 112.]
