Summer in Your Name - 27

Sheng Xia returned home to find Wang Lianhua asleep on the sofa, waking up only at the sound of the door. “You’re back. I made you sea cucumber millet porridge. Let me check if it’s still warm…”

She brought a bowl over. “It’s still warm. What did you eat tonight?”

Sheng Xia sidestepped the second question. “Mom, you should rest early. You don’t need to make late-night snacks for me anymore.”

“I don’t have much to do at home anyway.”

Sheng Xia set down her backpack. “You drove a long way today. You should sleep early.”

Wang Lianhua sighed. “If only A-Xuan were like you.” She gestured to the porridge. “Eat it while it’s hot.”

Sheng Xia ate and asked, “How’s A-Xuan?”

“Her face was dark the whole way, but she was fine, didn’t throw any tantrums.”

Sheng Xia nodded. “That’s good.”

Wang Lianhua sat across the dining table. “You came back with that Lu kid today?”

“Yeah.”

Wang Lianhua hesitated, then stopped herself.

Sheng Xia looked up. “Mom, what’s wrong?”

“You’re a good girl, I know,” Wang Lianhua said, still wavering before continuing, “but I was your age once too. No matter what, studies come first, understand?”

Sheng Xia understood, her mother was worried about premature love, always hyper-alert to the slightest hint. Back at No. 2 High School, similar concerns had come up. Sheng Xia even suspected this was part of why her mother had her transfer schools.

“I understand, Mom.”

“Don’t think I’m nagging. Women aren’t like men. We don’t have the luxury of making mistakes. One wrong step can lead to a lifetime of them. You need to know what to do at the right time, no wrong step, got it?”

Sheng Xia ate quietly, nodding faintly.

“I know, Mom. I’ll clean the dishes later. You should rest.”

“Alright, I’m getting old. Even a short drive wears me out.”

“Goodnight, Mom.”

“You sleep early too.”

“Okay.”

The dining room fell silent. Sheng Xia finished eating, washed the dishes, and went to her room to shower.

---

She hadn’t mentioned the school sports festival or the dress. Sitting on her bed, Sheng Xia hesitated for a long time before leaving a message for Sheng Mingfeng.

She knew that if she brought it up with Sheng Mingfeng, Zou Weiping would likely be the one to handle it. If her mother found out, who knows how she’d react. But with her mom, she didn’t even have a chance to bring it up.

Sheng Xia sighed unconsciously.

Forget it. The sports festival doesn't involve third-year students much; her mother probably wouldn’t find out.

The next day, Sheng Xia brought her phone to school. During a break, as expected, Sheng Mingfeng called. She slipped out to the corridor staircase to answer.

Sheng Mingfeng asked carefully about her dress preferences.

“Something simple, a bit long,” Sheng Xia said. “Oh, and the budget needs to be under five hundred.”

“Don’t worry about that. Any other requests? Color? Style?”

“Not really.”

“Great! Participate in activities, connect with teachers and classmates, make friends, it’s all good!” Sheng Mingfeng sounded thrilled. “Want to try it on yourself?”

“No need,” Sheng Xia said, figuring her height and weight were enough to go by. “I don’t have time lately.”

“Alright, I’ll have it ordered and sent to you by Brother Li soon.”

Back in the classroom, Sheng Xia found an uninvited guest in her seat.

Zhang Shu was sitting in her chair, chatting with Hou Junqi in front.

Sheng Xia walked over, expecting him to get up and return her seat. Instead, he leisurely scanned her desk and looked up. “No more candy?”

They’d cleared things up yesterday, so she thought there was no need to bring any today.

And yet here he was, asking about it.

“None,” she said.

Zhang Shu grinned. “What if I’m addicted?”

Go buy your own, Sheng Xia thought but didn’t say.

“Didn’t you say a meal would…” She stopped mid-sentence. She meant to say, Didn’t you say a meal would settle it? But then she remembered—he’d paid for that meal, so not only was it not settled, it tangled things up more.

Zhang Shu tilted his head. “Would what?”

Sheng Xia stayed silent.

Looking at her furrowed brows, flushed with embarrassment, Zhang Shu let out a barely audible sigh. “Fine, let’s call it even.”

Call it even? What does he mean, ‘call it even’?

He stood, seemingly returning her seat back.

Sheng Xia exhaled in relief.

But as they brushed past each other, she felt a warm touch on her cheek, followed by a quick pinch…

He—he pinched her face!

It was so fast she didn’t even see which hand he used, when he raised it, or when he pulled it back.

Then he smirked, let out a short laugh, and walked away.

What… what did he just do? Was this what he meant by ‘call it even’?

Sheng Xia, stunned, touched the pinched cheek, nervously scanning the room.

Maybe their positioning blocked the view, or maybe he was too quick, no one seemed to notice.

Except—

Hou Junqi, right nearby.

Hou Junqi’s jaw dropped, then he broke into a sly grin, muttering “Holy shit,” under his breath, turning away while shaking his head, mumbling, “Awesome,” “Too smooth,” “Who could resist that?”

Sheng Xia sat down, gulped water, keeping her hand on her face, afraid her blush would give her away.

Across the classroom, she glared at Zhang Shu’s back.

He was already at his seat, glancing her way, intentionally or not. Sheng Xia quickly turned to the window before their eyes met.

She pushed the window open for air.

The stuffy corridor offered no breeze. The girl took deep, futile breaths.

---

By Friday afternoon, Li Xu delivered the dress.

As soon as school ended, Sheng Xia rushed to the north gate. She saw Li Xu’s car parked under a tree, him standing beside it with a huge box. Despite the heat, he wore a pinstripe shirt and a black vest, looking polished at just over thirty. He’d probably just come from a meeting.

Sheng Xia felt a bit embarrassed. In terms of service, Li Xu never let Sheng Mingfeng down.

His professional demeanor made her hesitant to approach.

“Xiaxia!” Li Xu called out first.

“Brother Li, have you been waiting long?”

“Just got here.” He glanced at the large box. “Want me to carry it to your class?”

Sheng Xia shook her head. “I can manage.”

“There’s more in the trunk.”

She assumed it was the usual fruits or snacks from Sheng Mingfeng. “No need, I’ve got evening study.”

“It’s accessories for the dress, packed separately.”

Li Xu handed her the big box and opened the trunk, pulling out a shoebox and two velvet boxes, each about the size of file folders.

This…

“It doesn’t need to be this fancy.”

Li Xu, just the delivery guy, had no response to that. “Should I bring them in for you?”

The boxes weren’t heavy, but their size made it tough for Sheng Xia to carry alone.

She checked the time, most students were at dinner, so the classroom should be empty. She nodded.

Li Xu carried the big box, and Sheng Xia held the smaller ones, following behind. A few steps in, they ran into Zhang Shu and Hou Junqi.

They were heading to eat.

“Little Sheng Xia?” Hou Junqi greeted first.

Sheng Xia froze. This Schrödinger's encounter…

Zhang Shu glanced at the man behind her, then at the boxes. “Need help?”

Li Xu looked to Sheng Xia for her call.

She hesitated briefly. Li Xu’s formal attire felt out of place for school, he looked like an education official on inspection.

To Li Xu, she said, “My classmates can help me bring it in.”

He nodded, his gaze shifting between Zhang Shu and Hou Junqi before handing the big box to Hou Junqi.

Zhang Shu naturally took the three smaller boxes from Sheng Xia’s arms.

She waved goodbye to Li Xu, and the three headed through the north gate.

Hou Junqi glanced back at the car disappearing around the corner, thinking: A6 with a red flag—simple car, not-so-simple owner.

Being nosy by nature, he couldn’t resist. “Little Sheng Xia, who was that?”

Sheng Xia was used to these questions and answered without thinking. “My dad’s colleague.”

Hou Junqi hadn’t expected that answer. He chuckled, “Oh, haha, got it,” and dropped it there.

Sheng Xia hadn’t anticipated the boxes taking up so much space. She’d thought a single bag by her desk would do, but these wouldn’t fit in the classroom.

Hou Junqi suggested, “Why not keep them at A-Shu’s place?”

Zhang Shu raised an eyebrow, nodding in agreement.

His place was close, but going back and forth didn’t feel right.

Sheng Xia thought for a moment. “Let's just leave them here for now. This afternoon, I’ll ask Teacher Fu if I can store them in her office.”

Zhang Shu noticed her avoidance and frowned slightly.

Hou Junqi asked, “The sports festival is still a while away. Why bring the dress now? Why not keep it at home?”

Because I can’t keep it at home.

Sheng Xia sighed inwardly, wishing Hou Junqi’s curiosity would dial down just a bit.

As she pondered how to respond, a cool voice came from behind. “Mind your own business, this is a fairy affair.”

Uh…

Sheng Xia’s peripheral vision caught Zhang Shu’s indifferent profile.

She’d heard Xin Xiaohe say that line before and found it cute, but from Zhang Shu’s mouth, it felt off, like he was annoyed.

The classroom was nearly empty. After setting down the boxes, Sheng Xia joined the two for dinner. Throughout the meal, Zhang Shu ate silently, eyes fixed on his food. He wasn’t talkative at meals normally, but Sheng Xia was sure—he was upset.

Why was he suddenly upset?

He’d been fine at the school gate, even offering to help.

So strange.

That afternoon in the classroom, a few girls gathered around Sheng Xia’s desk. One called out, “Wow, Sheng Xia, is this the dress you’re wearing for the sign-bearing? Can we take a look?”

Sheng Xia hadn’t seen it herself yet. Glancing at the clock, she said, “Class is about to start.”

“Then we’ll check it out after class,” the girl said.

“Okay,” Sheng Xia agreed.

“Xiaxia, the box has a logo from an up-and-coming designer brand. My idol wore something from them for a promotional event, it was a huge hit! I saw it all over Weibo fan pages and news sites, it left a big impression!” the girl gushed.

Sheng Xia understood each word but struggled to follow the whole sentence. Still, it sounded like the brand was pretty good.

The girl continued, “It’s gotta be gorgeous! How much was it? Did you buy or rent?”

Sheng Xia thought for a moment. “Over six hundred.”

Saying exactly five hundred felt too deliberate, and since she’d chipped in a hundred herself, not too much or too little to draw attention, it should be reasonable.

The girl’s expression shifted subtly, her voice lowering. “Oh? Then it’s probably not authentic. Renting the real thing costs thousands.”

Sheng Xia was startled by the price. Sheng Mingfeng wouldn’t rent a knockoff, and Zou Weiping even less so.

Another girl chimed in, “It’s fine, it’s just a small event. The style’s what matters.”

“Yeah, exactly,” others echoed.

Sheng Xia could sense some girls were both disappointed and relieved.

She exhaled quietly.

Hou Junqi, at the desk in front, listened silently, shaking his head with a sigh: Some people go all out to stand out, while others try so hard to blend in. What a show.

The first class that afternoon was Teacher Fu’s Chinese lesson, a bit sleep-inducing on a Friday.

After class, everyone was drowsy, and the knockoff rumor seemed to kill interest in the dress. No one mentioned looking at it again. Sheng Xia waited until Teacher Fu left the classroom, then caught up after her to ask if she could store the dress in her office. Fu Jie happily agreed. Sheng Xia called Xin Xiaohe, and the two carried the boxes upstairs behind Fu Jie.

The Chinese department’s female teachers were all young. Sheng Xia noticed Affiliated High School wasn’t afraid to hire young educators. Teachers like Fu Jie and Lai Yilin, both master’s graduates, had taught for just two years since starting with the first-year class. At No. 2 High School, such new teachers wouldn’t be trusted with seniors.

Young teachers brought fresh methods, effective results, and bonded well with students.

“Sheng Xia, you don’t know how to do makeup yet, right?” Fu Jie asked, settling at her desk.

Sheng Xia set the boxes down and shook her head.

Fu Jie smiled warmly. “How about I do your makeup for the opening ceremony?”

Sheng Xia blinked. “Do I need makeup?”

Xin Xiaohe jumped in, “Of course!”

Fu Jie added, “You’re representing Class 6’s image!”

Xin Xiaohe nodded vigorously. “Exactly! all signboard goddesses wear makeup!”

Sheng Xia pursed her lips and nodded.

Fu Jie asked, “What’s the dress like? Let me see so I can plan the makeup style.”

Sheng Xia didn’t know herself, so she opened the box.

The dress was folded in layers. Lifting it revealed its full form, a black velvet strapless bodice with brass-accented lace at the waist. The skirt was a serene gray-blue, layered with intricate golden embroidery. The muted gray-blue balanced the opulent gold, tempered by the black velvet for an elegant, sophisticated look.

The shoebox held black retro heels. One velvet box contained a black crown, the other a black velvet choker and elbow-length velvet gloves.

“Is this… Hepburn?” Fu Jie’s eyes lit up, holding the dress against Sheng Xia. “Yes, the contrast is stunning.”

Sheng Xia eyed the strapless bodice. Was this really okay to wear at school?

She’d only specified skirt length, not the top. Had Sheng Mingfeng seen the dress? Did he and Zou Weiping think this was fine?

Other teachers in the office craned their necks to look.

“Teacher Fu, your student’s quite the beauty, huh?”

“Of course! Look whose student she is.”

“Don’t play favorites now, you’ve got two other classes.”

“Mind your own business.”

Sheng Xia and Xin Xiaohe exchanged glances, surprised by the teachers’ casual banter.

Lost in thought, Sheng Xia heard Fu Jie tease softly, “Sheng Xia, you must’ve spent a pretty penny on this, huh?”

Xin Xiaohe answered for her, “She chipped in a hundred. This dress looks so high-end, it doesn’t lose to ones costing a thousand.”

Fu Jie, carefully folding the dress back, was shocked. “A hundred?”

Catching Sheng Xia’s lowered head, she smiled knowingly. “Well, that’s a steal.”

The break was short, Sheng Xia and Xin Xiaohe returned to class.

In the office, teachers who’d been at their desks gathered around.

“Ask your student where she rented it. My sister-in-law’s preparing for her wedding, six hundred is such a steal, perfect for a toast dress!”

Fu Jie raised an eyebrow. “This is a real ‘Hepburn.’ Six hundred’s impossible.”

“Authentic?”

“Yup, and the shoes are Dior, also real.”

Fu Jie came from wealth. Her work attire was simple, but off-duty, she was a fashionista. If she said it was real, it was.

“Students these days go all out for an event?”

Fu Jie shook her head. “My naive student probably has no idea.”

“She’s really pretty, though!”

“And such a good personality.”

---

Downstairs, Sheng Xia’s ears were filled with Xin Xiaohe’s gushing. “It’s too gorgeous!” “Low-key yet luxurious!” “Elegant black swan!” “It’ll blind some people in that other class!”

Sheng Xia was starting to worry it might be too much. She’d never worn a strapless dress before.

“Xiaohe, has anyone worn a strapless dress for sign-bearing before?”

“Almost always strapless or spaghetti straps,” Xin Xiaohe said. “Some even wore wedding dresses in past years. That day’s all about showing off, isn’t it?”

Sheng Xia felt a bit reassured.

On Monday, it was time to switch seats again. Sheng Xia had to move across the classroom to the first row. This time, it wasn’t Xin Xiaohe’s ‘special day’, so she volunteered to help. The two girls struggled to carry the desk, pausing every few steps to rest.

“Wow, Xiaxia, why’s your desk so heavy?” Xin Xiaohe panted.

Sheng Xia, catching her breath, said, “Probably too much stuff.”

Her drawer was packed full, neat but cramped.

Xin Xiaohe sighed. “How did Zhang Shu carry it by himself last time? Compared to him, we’re total weaklings.”

Sheng Xia recalled how Zhang Shu had moved her desk at the start of the semester, his arm muscles straining. It couldn’t have been easy for him either.

“There wasn’t as much stuff back then,” Sheng Xia said encouragingly. “We’re doing great.”

Before she finished, a cool voice came from behind. “Really? Moving like turtles, but the persistence is admirable.”

Sheng Xia turned. The latecomer stood at the classroom door, his expression less than friendly.

“Put it down. You’re blocking the way,” Zhang Shu said impatiently. He walked up to Sheng Xia, slipped off his backpack, and handed it to her. “Hold this.”

Sheng Xia stared, confused. What?

Zhang Shu shoved the backpack into her arms, grabbed the desk with both hands, and lifted it. The contents of the drawer clattered. Xin Xiaohe snapped out of it and stepped aside. The boy carried the desk to its spot with ease.

Xin Xiaohe glanced at Sheng Xia and gave an awkward smile. “Guess there’s a strength gap, huh?”

Sheng Xia, holding Zhang Shu’s backpack, followed him to the seat, muttering, “My bookcase is still over there.”

Since he was so strong, he’d probably be happy to help a bit more, right?

Zhang Shu looked up, chuckling softly. “Getting pretty comfortable ordering me around today, aren't you?”

Ordering? The word felt harsh, and his tone suggested he wasn’t thrilled. Sheng Xia creased her eyebrows, explaining, “I didn’t mean it like that. Sorry.”

She set down his backpack and turned to fetch the bookcase herself.

The girl left him with her back turned.

Zhang Shu was dumbfounded, speechless. She couldn’t even handle that light teasing? Would she cry if he said anything harsher?

She’d been so guarded around him before, and now she was asking for his help, but he couldn’t even joke without her reacting like this?

She really was untouchable.

Zhang Shu sighed silently and started after her. Two steps in, he saw Lu Youze approaching, carrying her bookcase, with Sheng Xia trailing behind, her eyes full of gratitude.

“Thanks,” Sheng Xia said.

“No need to be so polite. If you need help, just call me. I’m right nearby,” Lu Youze replied, turning slightly.

They reached the seats. Lu Youze, ignoring Zhang Shu, asked, “Xiaxia, where do I put it?”

Xiaxia?

Zhang Shu crossed his arms, still catching his breath, and could only sneered. He’d lugged that huge, heavy desk, and she gave him the cold shoulder. But Lu Youze carries a tiny bookcase, and she’s all warm and grateful? Talk about double standards.

Sheng Xia hesitated. Last time she sat here, Zhang Shu had placed the bookcase in the middle. Now…

His expression was like a mother hen guarding her chick—ready to fend off any eagle getting near his territory.

“Under my desk,” Sheng Xia said.

Zhang Shu swallowed the words ‘Put it in the middle’ before they could escape.

He stepped aside for Lu Youze and called Hou Junqi to leave the classroom.

The space under the desk was tight. With the bookcase there, Sheng Xia’s legs were cramped in the small space, stiff by day’s end.

She didn’t speak, and neither did he. The stalemate lasted the whole day.

Hou Junqi suffered the most. Zhang Shu’s sharp tongue was brutal today. He could guess with his toes that the two behind him were in a cold war.

Still, it was kind of entertaining.

At 11 p.m., Lu Youze came to call Sheng Xia to head home.

Looking up from her assignment, Sheng Xia realized how late it was. Her efficiency was awful today. She packed her assignments to finish at home.

Zhang Shu was still there, seated with his back toward her, completely blocking her way out.

She made plenty of noise packing up, clearly signaling she was leaving, but he didn’t budge.

Sheng Xia sighed inwardly and called out, “Zhang Shu…”

Her tone carried a faint irritation, unlike usual. Zhang Shu raised an eyebrow, leaned back in his chair, and looked straight at her.

He had no real motive. They hadn’t spoken all day, and he just wanted to see if she’d say even a single word more—maybe something like “I need to get out,” like before. Perhaps then, he might half-tease, half-give in, and break the stalemate.

But what he didn’t know was that, to Sheng Xia, his posture screamed: Beg me.

She was in a bind. Lu Youze was waiting.

Seeing this, Lu Youze couldn’t hold back. “Zhang Shu, are you being childish or what?”

The words shifted the room’s atmosphere. Hou Junqi stood up but awkwardly sat back down after a glance from Zhang Shu.

Sheng Xia froze.

Zhang Shu turned his head. “What’s it to you?”

Though Lu Youze was standing and Zhang Shu sitting, Zhang Shu’s aura held strong. His calm, breezy tone left Lu Youze momentarily speechless.

“Why don’t you go tattle? Skip Old Wang and the grade director—go straight to the principal. Suits Young Master Lu’s status,” Hou Junqi mocked coldly from the side.

The air crackled with tension.

Sheng Xia hadn’t expected things to escalate like this. Her eyes darted, unsure where to look.

She didn’t know if she should side with Lu Youze, who was sticking up for her, or stay out of it entirely.

Zhang Shu caught her nervous glance from the corner of his eye and let out a low sigh. He pulled his chair, making space for her to pass.

Sheng Xia exhaled in relief. As she stepped into the aisle, she heard Zhang Shu’s still-cool voice behind her. “Be safe on the way.”

Sheng Xia paused, turning stiffly. Was he talking to her?

He had to be, there was no one else.

“Uh? Oh, got it,” she stammered.

Sheng Xia and Lu Youze left the classroom.

The brief but charged love triangle drama came to an end.

Onlookers couldn’t quite tell who’d won between the two male leads.

Zhang Shu? But the heroine left with Lu Youze.

Lu Youze? Yet the heroine’s dazed, flustered response seemed like a guilty girlfriend caught mid-fling.

Hou Junqi grumbled, “That jerk, acting all gentlemanly in front of girls. Disgusting.”

Zhang Shu ignored him, focusing on his assignment.

“Hey, A-Shu, do you know Lu Youze got an electric scooter too?” Hou Junqi’s tone dripped with disdain. “Same as Sheng Xia’s, just black. Tiny thing, looks so girly when he rides it.”

Zhang Shu glanced up, scoffing. What, matching couple scooters?

Childish.

---

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