Chapter Eleven: Sharing an Umbrella

In front of the laboratory building, four long lines stretched out, all students clad in uniform school attire except for a few dressed in casual clothes of different colors.

Lu You sat beneath a banyan tree, holding an umbrella, a small handheld fan, and a tiny bottle of fragrant lotion. The umbrella and fan were purchased at a convenience store on the way to the lab building. The fragrant lotion came after he sat under the tree for a while, noticing five or six bug bites on his arm, prompting him to circle back to buy it.

Several parents were seated around him, along with small groups of students chatting quietly.

Lu You gazed at the ever-lengthening queue ahead with eyes as listless as a decaying salted fish.

A few middle-aged women sat down beside him.

Aunt A said, “This weather is really scorching.” Then, glancing at the small fan in Lu You’s hand, she asked, “Hey, kid, you’ve been using that fan for a while now. Mind if I give it a try?”

Lu You didn’t even glance at her, remaining lost in thought.

Seeing no response, Aunt A furrowed her brow, tapped Lu You’s shoulder, and raised her voice a few decibels, “I’m talking to you! Why aren’t you answering?”

Still, Lu You didn’t turn around or acknowledge her words. He quietly shifted to the side, continuing to wallow in his own world.

He only spoke to reasonable people; talking to those without brains was a waste of time and energy—they wouldn’t listen anyway.

Aunt A’s expression stiffened. She scoffed and whispered to Aunt B beside her, “Kids these days really lack manners.”

Aunt B just smiled without replying.

Aunt A, seeing no agreement, changed the subject: “This school really has good facilities—lush greenery, clean dorms and classrooms, and plenty of space.”

Aunt B nodded, “Yeah, it’s well done. I heard this year they recruited several top teachers. The teaching should be excellent.”

Aunt C added, “I think the management here is pretty strict too. My son said some classmates had to start classes the very afternoon they registered.”

Aunt A said, “You must mean those two rocket classes. My son’s in one of those. When he heard classes would start in July, he was so angry he wouldn’t even eat.”

Aunt C asked, “Your son’s that impressive? What score did he get in the high school entrance exam? Mine got 734, but he said he’s quite a bit below the cutoff.”

Aunt A replied, “That is quite a difference. My son got 745. The school seems to pick the top 100 students based on their scores.”

Aunt C sighed, “I wish my son could study with yours, but he only starts next month. He’s still traveling out of town, so I have to handle the registration.”

Aunt A said, “What a pity. My son’s not here either. He said he had to start classes this afternoon and wanted to play around in the morning, so he left the registration to me. By the way, how about yours?”

Aunt B said, “Mine’s in line now. He said the sun’s too hot over there, so I’m waiting here; he’ll come over once he’s done.”

Aunt A asked, “Which one’s your son?”

Aunt B replied, “The second line, the one paying fees.”

Aunt A looked, “He looks tall. What’s his name? Which class?”

Aunt B said, “His name is Deng Rui.”

The atmosphere froze instantly.

Lu You nearly burst out laughing. After all that chatting, it turned out the son was the top scorer, and he was enduring the sun alone in line.

After Deng Rui arrived, the three aunts dispersed. Aunt B followed her son away, while the other two stopped their awkward chatter. Aunt A moved to the first line; Aunt C went to the last.

Lu You put the fragrant lotion into his bag, slowly stood up, and glanced up at the cloudless sky.

Damn it, Li Yu, you’re in for it later.

Taking a deep breath, Lu You opened the umbrella and picked up the small fan. As for why it wasn’t a sunshade, the convenience store only sold rain umbrellas—take it or leave it. Just as he was about to step forward, a striking figure appeared.

...

Tang Wan and Xu Nian soon arrived at the classroom of Class 2.

They signed in with the teacher, found their payment slips, and then casually picked seats closer inside to rest.

Xu Nian immediately collapsed onto the desk, cool and refreshing, deeply comfortable.

“Ahh~ I feel alive again.”

Tang Wan placed her backpack on the desk, took out a pack of wet wipes, pulled one out, and carefully wiped her arms, forehead, and neck.

Xu Nian also grabbed a wipe, patted her neck, and grumbled, “Maybe I won’t go later. Will you pay the fees for me?”

“No. You have to do your own stuff.”

Tang Wan picked up her backpack, set it on her lap, and started wiping the desk with a wet wipe.

“Come on, Wanwan, help me out this once. Besides, what’s the difference between queuing alone or with two people? Plus, one of us can rest. Isn’t that better?” Xu Nian argued.

“Then why am I not the one resting?” Tang Wan refused to listen to her flawed logic.

“I’ll buy you Zhong Xuegao ice cream!” Xu Nian tried bribery when reasoning failed.

“I’m not paying an IQ tax. Also, my period is coming; can’t eat cold things,” Tang Wan still refused.

“I’ll treat you to a nice meal.”

“No need. I have money.”

“I’ll write your test papers.”

“You’re not faster than me at writing.”

“If you don’t help me, you’re a little dog!”

“Wanwan stays unaffected.”

...

The teacher, sitting at the podium, watched the two girls bickering and had a sudden idea.

“You two seem free. How about one of you stays to watch the class while the other goes to pay the fees?”

Both girls fell silent, exchanging “friendly” glances.

Seeing their silence, the teacher thought a moment and said, “If neither of you has plans, the one with long hair can help me...”

Xu Nian immediately interrupted, “Teacher, we’ve discussed it. I’ll stay to watch class; she’ll pay the fees.”

Then she laid her bank card and payment slip in front of Tang Wan and said, “Tang Wan, please take care of it.”

Tang Wan gritted her teeth, forced a smile, and replied, “You’re welcome, Xu Nian.”

...

When Tang Wan reached the front of the laboratory building, a few strands of hair stuck to her smooth forehead and cheeks.

She tucked the rebellious strands behind her ears and looked toward the queue ahead.

Suddenly regretting, she had left her umbrella in the classroom, thinking carrying her backpack would be hot.

Just as she was about to queue up, a shadow passed by, blocking the scorching sunlight.

Turning around, Tang Wan was surprised, “You’re not home yet?”

Lu You stood there holding the umbrella in one hand and the fan in the other, a faint smile on his face.

“I wanted to go back, but someone forcibly handed me a bank card and payment slip, forcing me to queue.”

“You too?” Tang Wan was even more surprised.

“Also?”

Tang Wan briefly recounted what had happened in the classroom.

Lu You sighed, “We all once had a good friend.”

“Enough about them. Let’s queue first. Better than standing here baking in the sun, even with an umbrella, it’s uncomfortable.” Tang Wan gently urged.

The two joined the end of the line. Lu You was about to say he’d stand behind her with the umbrella, but then noticed he was shorter than Tang Wan, feeling an inexplicable sadness.

“You… you stand behind me then. You’re taller, so holding the umbrella is better. I’ll stand in front with the fan to cool you,” Lu You said, his voice tinged with sorrow.

Looking at the slightly shorter boy before her, whose face showed sadness but still delicate and refined, Tang Wan couldn’t help but laugh.

Lu You said plaintively, “Is what I said funny?”

“Ahem, no… no, give me the umbrella. Let’s queue,” Tang Wan quickly controlled her expression and changed the subject.

The first time they met, Lu You sat on a chair and Tang Wan hadn’t noticed his height. Now, she realized this handsome, gentle cat-loving boy was shorter than her.

Thinking this, a smile slowly spread across Tang Wan’s face.

“Enough already, hurry up and take the umbrella. Let’s queue.”

Tang Wan immediately became serious, took the umbrella Lu You handed her, and queued with him.

...

Their recent interaction, coupled with their attractive appearances, drew many gazes from those around.

Noticing the attention, Tang Wan whispered apologetically, “Sorry, I think we’re drawing a bit too much attention.”

Lu You glanced around and replied softly, “It’s okay. Excellent people always attract attention, especially when two stand together.”

“You… you’re kind of shameless!” Tang Wan saw a new side of Lu You for the first time.

“What’s the use of shame? Besides, I’m just telling the truth. If I were six feet tall, I’d blind everyone.”

Tang Wan felt as if she had entered a new world.

A handsome young man and woman sharing an umbrella—on TV, it would be a romantic scene. But in reality, the taller girl held the umbrella while the boy, slightly shorter, held a small fan. The romance became warmth, like an older sister caring for her younger brother, and a brother understanding his sister—a picture of family harmony.

That’s how others saw it.

But as participants, they didn’t know what others thought.

It was Tang Wan’s first time sharing an umbrella with a boy outside her family, and she felt a bit uneasy. Seeing Lu You naturally stand before her, she asked curiously, “Lu You, do you often share umbrellas with girls?”

Lu You turned his head, puzzled, “My mom and sister count?”

“Besides family.”

“No, never. Why do you ask?”

Tang Wan hesitated, then said, “It’s my first time sharing an umbrella with a boy. I’m a bit nervous. You seem so at ease; I wanted to ask for some advice.”

“What do you mean by advice?” Lu You’s face darkened slightly. “Be clear. It sounds like something else and could be misunderstood.”

Realizing how easily her words could be misinterpreted, Tang Wan blushed faintly and hurried to explain, “Not that! I meant, do you spend a lot of time with the opposite sex, so you’re not nervous?”

Lu You’s expression returned to normal. After a moment of thought, he answered, “I’ve talked to quite a few girls, but never really spent time with them.”

Tang Wan looked puzzled.

“In middle school, many girls wanted to get to know me, but I rejected them all,” Lu You rephrased.

“Why did you refuse?”

“They had ulterior motives. More precisely, they weren’t interested in me, but some wanted to use them to get close to me for their own ends.” Lu You’s gaze grew deep.

Tang Wan was even more baffled, feeling he spoke in riddles. “You’re making it sound so complicated. I don’t get it.”

Lu You smiled, “If you understood, we wouldn’t even know each other.”

Seeing he didn’t want to explain more, Tang Wan changed the subject, “Then why do I feel like you’re quite comfortable sharing an umbrella with me? Am I not much like a girl?”

Lu You narrowed his eyes, still smiling, “Whether you look like a girl, just look in the mirror—you’re the best example of one. Whether I’m nervous or not, you can tell by feeling my pulse.”

He raised his right hand in front of her.

Tang Wan looked at the slender, fair wrist—almost like a girl’s—and, recalling his words, blushed deeper. Her ears reddened as she nervously pressed down on his right hand, then pushed his shoulder, turning him away so he wouldn’t see her shy expression.

“Stop joking around. You say you can’t talk to girls, but you clearly know a lot.”

“Hey, you’ve got it wrong. This skill is natural. Many words just come out naturally.”

“No! No!” Tang Wan kept holding him, not letting him turn back.

“You’re so… good-looking…”

Lu You tried to say more, but Tang Wan cut him off fiercely.

“If you say another word, I’ll gut you!”

Lu You immediately fell silent.

Good grief, are all beautiful women this scary?

Little did he know, that phrase had slipped out from Xu Nian while gaming—an impulsive outburst. Now, with her head lowered, her face flushed like autumn leaves, no one could see.