8 The Campus Antagonist

A radiant sunflower bloomed, its yellow petals strikingly bright against the encroaching night.

Chu Xiang looked down at her.

Cheng Jin gave him a big, beaming smile. “Sunflowers are the sun among flowers. Just seeing one makes the sky seem brighter and lifts your spirits. Don’t you think so?” She said this as she slipped the flower into his arms.

Chu Xiang hurriedly caught it, gazing at the vibrant sunflower, then at Cheng Jin. He did smile and asked, “Why are you giving this to me?”

A faint, belated blush crossed Cheng Jin’s face, quickly masked with a casual tone. “Because the flower shop was closing and these were extras—the boss said, why not take advantage of a good thing?”

Chu Xiang’s mind was clear as a mirror, but looking at the girl before him, radiant and full of youthful energy like a sunflower, he couldn’t help but think that some attachments aren’t just the only light in the dark—they’re also precious because they were once truly received.

He handed the flower back to Cheng Jin. “Thank you. This flower suits you better.”

Cheng Jin held the flower, a hint of helplessness and disappointment in her eyes. “Senior…”

Chu Xiang smiled at her, then walked away without another word.

Cheng Jin turned to watch his slender figure fade into the distance, biting her lip with a mix of embarrassment and loss.

At the corner, Chu Xiang met Wu Qiyun running toward him.

He was surprised. “Wu Qiyun?”

Wu Qiyun stopped, breathless from running. “Chu Xiang!”

Chu Xiang glanced at the black car parked ahead, its door still open, then looked back at her. “What are you…” He followed the car’s path with his eyes and saw where he had been sitting.

Wu Qiyun adjusted her glasses. “I was passing by and saw someone who looked like you on the roadside.”

Since stopping was prohibited up ahead, she had her driver stop here and ran over herself.

Chu Xiang seemed to understand, a smile flickering in his eyes.

“You came looking for me?”

Wu Qiyun responded vaguely, glancing at the road ahead. “Do you want me to walk with you for a while?”

Chu Xiang recalled the day he had walked with her around the track and smiled deeper. “I’m a fragile person, not as strong as you. Walking a few laps would only make me sadder.”

“Ah?” Wu Qiyun was so surprised she thought she’d misheard him. “Then I…” Her usually clever face blanked out, as if her mind had frozen.

The expression of a fool appeared on her normally sharp face, and Chu Xiang laughed heartily, genuinely amused.

Wu Qiyun relaxed and smiled in return.

Chu Xiang was just about to expect her to get angry and retaliate but was surprised when she laughed too. Curious, he asked, “Hey? Why aren’t you mad this time?”

Wu Qiyun turned to walk back. “As long as you’re happy.”

Chu Xiang stood where he was, watching her retreating figure.

After walking a bit, Wu Qiyun noticed the silence beside her, turned, and saw him still standing there.

“Wu Qiyun,” Chu Xiang called.

“Hm?”

“Why did you pass by here today?”

Wu Qiyun said, “My summer cram school is just ahead. I finish class at this time every day.”

“If you hadn’t moved out of your house, would you still pass by here?”

Wu Qiyun was puzzled but answered, “Yes, this is the only route.”

“Then last year when I sat here, why didn’t you come to find me?”

“This time it’s a senior-year teacher; before that, in first and second year, I wasn’t here. I didn’t know you were here.”

“If I were just Chu Xiang, someone you didn’t know back then, would you come?”

“Yang Yunan sat here, I would come too.”

“Is there anything that could stop you from going to cram school?”

Wu Qiyun looked at him quietly. “The promise of the coming-of-age trip.”

Chu Xiang laughed heartily and ran toward her, looping his arm around her neck. “Right! The coming-of-age trip we promised—next week, don’t forget!”

Wu Qiyun was inexplicably amused and couldn’t help but smile as she pushed him away.

Seeing her annoyed expression yet smiling, Chu Xiang’s heart also lightened. He thought, “See, Chu Xiang, if you let go of one person and take a few steps forward, you might meet someone running toward you.”

That person might not be as cheerful and sunny but is strong and kind-hearted, possessing the very strength you lack. She might not give you a bright sunflower but will quietly stay by your side until you emerge from the gloom, never leaving halfway.

And when you think you’re about to drown in an endless dark pool, a little struggle can help you rise, and someone will reach out to you—if not Wu Qiyun, then someone else.

Wu Qiyun’s car circled around to drop Chu Xiang home. As he got out, something was slipped into his palm.

He opened his hand to find a sweet orange-flavored candy.

He smiled, unwrapped it, and popped it into his mouth. The sweet orange scent immediately spread in his mouth, the sugary taste lifting his spirits. Walking up to his doorstep smiling, he saw Yang Yunan sitting on the steps, legs stretched out long and white, leaning against the door, playing on his phone… the smile in Chu Xiang’s eyes deepened.

Two days later, the long-awaited coming-of-age trip began.

Chu Xiang’s uncle’s surname was Zhang, and his cousin, Zhang Zhuyun, was a 14-year-old girl who arrived at Chu Xiang’s home the night before, dragging her luggage. The next day, the Zhang family driver came again to pick up the siblings and Wu Qiyun.

Wu Qiyun carried only a backpack. Coming downstairs, the night before had been too dark to see clearly, but today she wore a short T-shirt, shorts, and sneakers, showing her long, fair legs. Her hair was still in a ponytail, but her thick glasses were gone, replaced by contact lenses. When she hurried up to Chu Xiang, he hesitated for a moment before calling out.

“Wow, sister, you’re so tall and slim!” Zhang Zhuyun’s eyes lit up.

Chu Xiang took another careful look at Wu Qiyun. Indeed, she was tall, not a little bookworm but a youthful and beautiful girl.

Wu Qiyun glanced at the unfamiliar young girl, then at Chu Xiang, waiting for him to introduce her.

Chu Xiang finally realized his oversight and pinched his fingers in frustration, showing no sign on his face. He introduced naturally, “This is my cousin, Zhang Zhuyun. You can keep each other company over there.”

Zhang Zhuyun was naturally outgoing. Except for a bit of fear toward her usually aloof cousin, she quickly warmed up to everyone. “Yeah, yeah! Sister, I want to share a room with you!”

Wu Qiyun smiled at her. After agreeing to Chu Xiang, she had felt uneasy about lodging and traveling with strangers but now breathed a sigh of relief.

The three got in the car, with Zhang Zhuyun linking arms with Wu Qiyun, chattering nonstop.

“Sis, what’s your name?”

“Are you classmates with brother?”

“Are you… hehe… brother’s girlfriend? I promise I won’t tell!”

Chu Xiang, sitting in the front passenger seat, turned to glare at his cousin. “First year of middle school and already thinking about this stuff? I’m going to tell uncle and aunt to keep a close eye on you. You’re definitely up to something.”

Zhang Zhuyun: “??! You say it’s fine for you to invite a female classmate on a trip, but I ask one question and it’s a problem!”

“Unfair!”

Wu Qiyun looked out the window, pursing her lips in a smile.

There were ten people in total on this trip: Chu Xiang’s group of three; Chen Qian and his girlfriend; Yang Yunan successfully invited Cheng Jin; and three other friends from their compound. Four girls and six boys—just right.

Chu Xiang was the last to arrive because Zhang Zhuyun had overslept, and he had to pick up Wu Qiyun again. When they met, he immediately saw Cheng Jin beside Yang Yunan.

Cheng Jin’s eyes brightened when she saw him but dimmed when she noticed Wu Qiyun.

Chu Xiang was truly surprised—had Cheng Jin ever really liked him? But turning to see Yang Yunan’s eyes fixed solely on Cheng Jin, the two quickly fell into their usual playful bickering, and Chu Xiang shook his head silently.

Ignoring the quarrel, Chen Qian waved to everyone. “Let’s go, the great grasslands await!”

The itinerary to the grasslands was Chen Qian’s idea to please his girlfriend. The others were casual, willing to follow wherever he led. So once the plane landed, they obediently went wherever Chen Qian directed.

On the first day, the ten who didn’t want to endure hardship stayed in a hotel. Later, they found an authentic local restaurant and ordered all the specialty dishes.

Lamb shumai, Inner Mongolian steamed buns, lamb noodle soup, milk tea… The waiter even explained how to eat them. The group of teenagers, all in their growth spurt, immediately dug in, chopsticks clashing in a lively scene.

With their voracious appetites, a plate of buns vanished like lightning.

Chu Xiang knew these “hungry wolves” well and quickly piled generous portions onto Wu Qiyun’s refined plate. One bowl wasn’t enough; he even added from his own.

Wu Qiyun had only taken half a bite of a bun and was stunned by the scene.

Zhang Zhuyun knew the drill. Growing up eating with them, her chopstick skills were well-honed. Not only that, she was eating from her bowl while watching the pot, anxiously calling, “Brother—brother—quick, help me get some lamb shumai!”

Chu Xiang’s chopsticks reached for the last shumai, just as Yang Yunan’s did.

They locked eyes, a silent battle waged between them.

Yang Yunan: You only care about girls and ignore your sister, now you’re stealing Cheng Jin’s share!

Chu Xiang: One each, right? Is she not eating?

Yang Yunan: She loves it! So what if I eat an extra one? Look at Wu Qiyun’s plate!

Wu Qiyun picked up a shumai and looked around. “Order another plate.”

Chu Xiang leisurely withdrew his chopsticks. “Fine, Zhuyun, you can have it.”

Zhang Zhuyun pouted and snorted at Yang Yunan.

Yang Yunan paid no attention to the little girl. He hadn’t realized Chu Xiang was so sly. Seeing Wu Qiyun’s plate nearly overflowing, he was inspired to follow suit but almost got cut off.

Wu Qiyun laughed at the two boys, then moved her shumai over Chu Xiang to her little cousin’s bowl.

Zhang Zhuyun happily said, “Yun sister is the best.”

Chu Xiang clicked his tongue. “Alright, I haven’t eaten a single bite yet—I’m the only bad guy here.”

Wu Qiyun calmly sipped the uniquely flavored milk tea. “Another round is coming right up.”

The three single guys watched the trio with “family” and sneered.

Yang Yunan threw back, “What do you know!”

Wu Qiyun leisurely enjoyed the delicacies before her, never once grabbing food herself. Just the portions Chu Xiang gave her were enough to fill her up. After eating, she watched the group of boys who had grown up together bicker and laugh. She suddenly realized that Chu Xiang could be so vibrant—not because he talked much or was overly emotional, but because of the joy and ease in his eyes, something rarely seen before.

Being cared for by Chu Xiang, she glanced at Chen Qian tending his girlfriend and then at Yang Yunan, who, despite his grumbling, was feeding Cheng Jin. Sitting beside Chu Xiang, she felt uneasy, unable to stop her thoughts wandering in that direction. After a moment, she forcibly stopped herself and wondered quietly: What does Chu Xiang mean?

Fortunately, little Zhuyun soon pulled Wu Qiyun into conversation, helping her set Chu Xiang temporarily aside.

The next day, the group rented a van to explore the grasslands.

Chu Xiang took his sister out and, before bed, carefully checked the precautions. Then he knocked on their door to remind them, “The grasslands are windy. If you wear hats tomorrow, make sure they’re secure. Don’t wear shorts or skirts; the grass will scratch your feet. Long pants are best.”

He stood at the door, hand on the handle, glancing at Wu Qiyun inside who was drying her hair.

Zhang Zhuyun found him nagging. “Got it, got it. I’ll wear jeans tomorrow, definitely won’t get blown away.”

Chu Xiang pressed her head gently. “Bring a jacket. It’ll be cloudy tomorrow and might rain. Temperatures can drop quickly. Don’t complain about the trouble now and then bring useless stuff.”

Zhang Zhuyun pushed him away. “Alright, alright—” She suddenly stopped and winked at him. “Brother, how about you go out and chat for a while, and I’ll stay in the room?”

Chu Xiang glared at her. “Last rule: no going out alone! Except with me, no one else. Understand? No one.”

Zhang Zhuyun asked softly, “Not even Sister Yun?”

Chu Xiang was resolute. “No. Two girls alone isn’t safe.”

Zhang Zhuyun was happy her brother cared but thought he was dense. She whispered, “Then you go out with Sister Yun. I’ll stay in. Brother Yunan and Brother Qian both went to see their girlfriends. How can you be so stupid?”

Chu Xiang looked at the next room where Cheng Jin and Chen Qian’s girlfriend stayed. Both were in their first year of high school and close friends. He patted the little girl’s head. “Go to bed early; we have an early start tomorrow.”

Zhang Zhuyun’s face fell instantly, resenting her stubborn cousin. “Bye!”

Before the door closed, Wu Qiyun looked up and caught the gaze of the one outside. Their eyes met, and he smiled at her.

She instinctively looked away, her heart inexplicably fluttering. Nearby, Zhuyun grumbled, “My brother is hopeless.”

Chu Xiang stood by the closed door, downcast but unable to suppress a smile. Hand on his chest, though he’d never been in love, seeing someone and feeling inexplicably happy—was this what it meant to like someone?

Probably so.