Summer in Your Name - 29

Yifang bookstore in the afternoon was quiet and empty, soft, lingering French song playing through the speakers.

Sunlight streamed through the window, enveloping the girl in a halo of light.

Hearing footsteps, the girl slowly raised her head, her eyes like pools of clear spring water.

“A-Shu…”

She called his name, her voice light and soft, like dandelions fluff drifting across a barren field.

“A-Shu…” She looked at him, standing slowly. “I’ve been stuck on this problem for ages. Can you explain it to me?”

Zhang Shu stepped closer, and the halo of light faded, revealing the girl’s face and figure clearly. Her skin was as fair as porcelain, as smooth as jade.

He leaned down to look at the problem, but his eyes caught the papers filled with her neat, beautiful handwriting—Zhang Shu, Zhang Shu, written over and over.

He looked up, about to speak, when the girl flashed a playful smile and threw herself into his arms. “I was wrong, I was wrong! A-Shu, you can punish me.”

Her lips were soft like cream puffs, and kissing her felt like kissing a cloud.

He pinned her between the desk and his chest, resisting the urge to pull her closer, his forearms braced tightly against the desk.

“A-Shu, A-Shu…”

“A-Shu, A-Shu…”

---

Zhang Shu jolted awake with a muffled grunt.

Sweat beaded on his forehead. He glanced down, and sure enough, the summer blanket was tented, slightly damp.

Zhang Shu pressed a hand to his forehead and cursed, “Damn it!”

He checked the time: six in the morning.

What afternoon sunlight?

Just a damn dream.

Zhang Shu dragged himself to the bathroom. Under the showerhead, the broad-shouldered teenager let cold water wash over his flushed face, his toned forearms flexing as he pushed back his wet hair.

How many times has this happened?

Every time he touched her, his nights were filled with vivid dreams. At first, he couldn’t see her face, only heard her voice. Later, he saw her face, but she was fully clothed. This time…

This time, he hadn’t even touched her! 

He cursed under his breath again. “Damn it!”

Was this all he was amounted to?

Back when he and Hou Junqi watched those ‘treasures’, he never felt this kind of lingering effect.

Hou Junqi even mocked him for being unaffected.

But honestly, Zhang Shu hadn’t felt much. At first, it was mildly interesting, but it all blurred together—faces forgotten as soon as he looked away. Not like Hou Junqi, who could identify someone just by a single feature.

Was this how it worked? One taste, and you’re hooked, restless and irritable?

Zhang Shu stepped out of the bathroom, towel-drying his hair, and nearly bumped into Zhang Sujin, who was leaning against the wall with her arms crossed.

“God, sis, what are you doing up so early?”

Zhang Sujin studied his increasingly sharp features and solid shoulders. “My A-Shu’s all grown up.”

Zhang Shu paused mid-towel, eyeing his sister suspiciously. “What’s with you? Creeping me out.”

Zhang Sujin: “What’s with you, showering so early? Didn’t you just shower last night?”

“It’s hot,” Zhang Shu muttered, sidestepping her and shaking water droplets from his hair.

Zhang Sujin watched the lanky teenager, now a head taller than her, with a teasing glint in her eye. “Hot? Your room’s AC is set to 16 degrees.”

“Mind your own business. Want me to pay the electric bill or something?” Zhang Shu slipped into his class uniform and came back out.

“Tch,” Zhang Sujin chuckled, “you throw on any old rag and still look this good. Not bad for Zhang Shu.”

He grinned, cocky and unrestrained. “Look who’s little brother I am.” Then, realizing he was wearing his own design, he backtracked. “Wait, an old rag? This design—take a closer look. Isn’t this artist-level stuff?”

Zhang Sujin laughed and poked his forehead.

“No food prep today, so why’re you up so early?” Zhang Shu asked.

“Making you breakfast,” Zhang Sujin said, heading to the kitchen and bringing out two bowls of frozen wontons. “Didn’t expect a certain someone to be up earlier than the roosters. These are frozen ones, deal with it.”

Zhang Shu straddled a dining chair, digging in with gusto, mumbling through a mouthful, “When you don’t have to prepare food, take a break. You don’t need to make me breakfast. I can grab something outside.”

Zhang Sujin raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Feeling sorry for your big sis now? When did you get so sweet?”

Zhang Shu shrugged. “Take it or leave it.”

Zhang Sujin: "You'll never find a girlfriend with that attitude!" 

He shot her a look that screamed you’ve got issues. “Other parents worry about their kids dating too early. Why are you like this?”

Always probing, dropping hints.

“Early love’s only a problem because most kids lack judgment and can’t protect their partners,” Zhang Sujin said with a smile. “But I think A-Shu’s got his head on straight and could take care of a girl. Didn’t you figure out, all on your own, that brown sugar helps with period cramps?”

“That’s just common sense,” Zhang Shu lowered his head awkwardly and muttered, "Stop worrying about me."

He swallowed the last of his wontons and turned the tables, eyeing Zhang Sujin. “But you! Got a boyfriend yet? No dates on weekends?”

Zhang Sujin picked up the bowl. “Got one in a bit.”

Zhang Shu raised an eyebrow, mood lifting as he patted her shoulder. “That’s my sis! Go for it, but be home by ten.”

Zhang Sujin: …

As Zhang Shu grabbed his backpack to leave, Zhang Sujin called after him, “Zhang Shu

His back stiffened—full name meant serious business. He turned. “What?”

“If you start dating, tell me. No, you have to tell me,” Zhang Sujin said, her expression earnest and insistent. “Your sister has important things to say.”

Under her intense gaze, Zhang Shu couldn’t muster a snarky comeback. After a two-second pause, he nodded. “Got it.”

---

Sunday afternoon, Class 6 gathered in their class uniforms to practice their formation for the school sports festival.

Their class uniform was a bold, vibrant yellow, designed by Zhang Shu with artistic “SIX” lettering that cleverly hid a chubby, Q-version caricature of their homeroom teacher, Wang Wei, complete with his signature stray hairs. Cute but not childish, with a trendy streetwear vibe, everyone loved it.

The formation required carrying a banner, their class banner read: You have your poetry and paintings, we have our own pastoral poet—knockoff edition.

Printed at the bottom was Zhang Shu’s Q-version caricature of Wang Wei again.

School sports festivals were the same everywhere, poking fun at the homeroom teacher was the main theme.

Sheng Xia thought they’d practice for days, but it was just one lap, and they were done. Xin Xiaohe explained that Affiliated High School’s sports festival opening ceremony was super casual—no strict formations, no rehearsals. The class uniforms made it clear who was who, and everyone just marched past the stage in a noisy, cheerful mess.

So Sheng Xia didn’t need to practice holding the sign either, just walk casually, and that was that.

This was how a sports festival should be: laid-back, all about enjoying the moment.

---

The festival ran from Wednesday to Friday, with the opening ceremony on Wednesday morning. Sheng Xia arrived at school at six, as usual, and did some English listening practice until Fu Jie called her over.

Fu Jie laid out a makeup case on the desk, and Sheng Xia stared at the array of bottles, jars, and brushes that looked nearly identical yet slightly different. “Teacher, are we using all of these?”

That’d take forever.

“Of course not,” Fu Jie laughed. “But almost.”

Sheng Xia: …

She sat in Fu Jie’s chair while Fu jie stood, applying makeup. Sheng Xia felt a bit awkward. “Teacher, should I grab a chair from the classroom for you?”

“No, no, I can’t sit still anyway.”

So Sheng Xia watched Fu Jie’s hands dance with various tools in front of her face.

“So nice, young skin doesn’t cake at all.”

“So nice, these brows barely need shaping.”

“So nice, no need for nose contour, just a touch of highlight.”

“So nice, these lashes don’t even need falsies.”

“So nice, you don’t even tear up with inner eyeliner.”

…

The clock ticked from 6:40 to 7:55. Fu Jie finished the final step, tilted Sheng Xia’s chin to inspect her work, and beamed with satisfaction. “Perfect. Go change and we'll do your hair.”

What? It’s not over yet?

“Go call someone to help carry your dress and things to the sports field,” Fu Jie instructed, starting to pack up. “I’ll head over once I’m done here.”

“Okay,” Sheng Xia replied.

The school had set up rooms under the sports field’s main stage for the ‘goddesses’ to do makeup and change, so they wouldn’t have to walk around in their dresses.

Sheng Xia felt the makeup tight on her face, a bit uncomfortable. She kept her head down as she reached the classroom, looking for Xin Xiaohe, but her friend wasn’t at her desk. Sheng Xia lingered by the back door, scanning the room.

“Wow, Sheng Xia!”

Someone gasped, and suddenly almost everyone turned to look at her.

“So pretty…”

“Like a celebrity!”

“She’s totally winning today.”

“It’s Sheng Xia…”

Sheng Xia froze, caught off guard by the admiring, awestruck stares. Her palms grew warm, and heat crept up her cheeks. She didn’t know what she looked like now, she’d never thought makeup suited her. Her past attempts at makeup for performances always left her looking strange, not like herself, so she hadn’t expected much this time…

As she stood there, dazed, a lazy voice came from behind. “What are you doing? Blocking the way?”

Sheng Xia, gripping the doorframe, turned and met Zhang Shu’s impatient eyes.

She stepped aside, explaining, “I’m looking for Xiaohe.”

Their eyes locked. Zhang Shu, who’d arrived at the classroom just in time, froze, his usual carefree expression tinged with a slight daze.

For a moment, neither spoke.

Sheng Xia’s mascara-coated lashes fluttered as she looked up at him. 

The clock ticked from 8:00 to 8:01. Zhang Shu’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He looked away, scanning the classroom. Xin Xiaohe was nowhere in sight.

The entire class was staring, gawking at their class’s star of the day.

“What do you need her for?” Zhang Shu asked, his voice a little tight.

At this distance, from this angle, Sheng Xia noticed his sharp Adam’s apple again, her heart skipping a beat. She looked down, saying softly, “I need Xiaohe to help me carry some stuff.”

Zhang Shu cleared his throat. “The dress?”

How did he know? Sheng Xia nodded. “Yeah.”

“Come on, I’ll carry it for you.” He tossed his backpack onto the last desk by the window, not caring whose seat it was, and headed for the stairs.

Sheng Xia pressed her lips together and followed.

In the classroom, classmates exchanged knowing glances, smirking and whispering in small groups.

“They’re totally dating. Look at that vibe, I’ll eat chalk if they’re not!”

“They’re kinda perfect together!”

“Didn’t Zhang Shu like Chen Mengyao?”

“That’s ancient history. He’s been into Sheng Xia for a while now.”

“Really?”

“Did you not see those little notes?”

“In front of Zhang Shu, Sheng Xia looks like a little white rabbit.”

“She’s so pretty, I’m jealous of beauties but not goddesses—I’m sold!”

“Zhang Shu’s eyes just now? Totally smitten.”

---

Fu Jie raised an eyebrow when she saw Zhang Shu was the one who showed up to help, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “Since we’ve got a guy here, you handle everything, Zhang Shu. Sheng Xia, don’t lift a finger, you’ll sweat and ruin your makeup.”

Sheng Xia flushed, feeling it was a bit much.

Zhang Shu’s brows lifted slightly, but he nodded. “Sure.”

He bent down, stacking small boxes on top of a larger one, and hoisted them with ease. “Where to?”

“The sports field,” Fu Jie said. “Sheng Xia, lead him there, then put on your dress. Don’t touch anything else, I’ll come over to do your hair once I’m done here.”

Sheng Xia nodded.

They walked downstairs, one behind the other. As they passed through Class 6’s corridor, a wave of cheers and teasing shouts erupted from the classroom.

Sheng Xia quickened her pace. Zhang Shu acted like he didn’t notice, keeping his usual leisurely stride. They crossed the garden and reached the sports field.

The field was a riot of color—flags fluttering, crowds buzzing. The warm-up music blared, bold and energetic, as students in their class uniforms turned the track and field into a kaleidoscope of colors.

The sports field was international-standard size, and getting to the main stage meant a long walk, plus navigating some stairs.

Sheng Xia glanced back. “Is it heavy? I can take the small one.”

Before she finished, she stumbled, nearly missing a step while walking backward…

“Watch it!” Zhang Shu’s hands twitched, almost dropping the boxes to catch her, but she steadied herself. He sighed, his tone sharp, eyes exasperated. “Clay Buddha, just walk properly!”

Sheng Xia patted her chest, focusing on her steps, and dropped the offer to help.

How embarrassing.

Maybe it was her makeup or Zhang Shu’s fame from the flag-raising ceremony, but as they crossed the track, heads turned. Sheng Xia even spotted a school reporter with a camera filming them.

She was starting to regret asking Zhang Shu for help.

They finally reached the back of the main stage. Sheng Xia checked the room number.

Hou Junqi had shown her the way on Sunday, Classes 1 to 10 of senior year were assigned to Room 105.

The door to Room 105 was wide open, laughter and chatter spilling out.

“We’re here,” Sheng Xia said, turning to take the three small boxes from Zhang Shu’s arms. “This way, it’s easier for you to get inside.”

Zhang Shu’s lips curved. “Not bad, you’ve got some manners, Clay Buddha.”

Sheng Xia: …

She peeked inside first, saw other boys in the room, then turned back. “You can come in.”

Heads turned as they entered, all eyes on the striking pair at the door.

They really were a sight, practically glowing. The word ‘perfect match’ might as well have been written on their foreheads.

Dressed in the same class uniforms, they’d be mistaken for wearing couple outfits if this weren’t the sports festival.

Zhang Shu was a school legend, his rumored love stories enough to fill a novel that could circle Affiliated High School three times. The supposed heroine of that novel, the school beauty, was currently changing into her dress in the changing area. 

So who was this stunning girl by his side?

---

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