Summer in Your Name - 54

It was unusually hot in Nanli today.

Zhang Shu wore a black shirt over his black T-shirt, prompting Zhang Sujin’s disapproval. "Are you going to a funeral?"

Only then did Zhang Shu realize this outfit was indeed inappropriate. He'd only been thinking that whenever he wore black before, Sheng Xia always gave him extra looks.

But today was a special occasion, Zhang Shu changed into a white T-shirt with a blue shirt, sleeves casually pushed up to his forearms, clean and crisp, though perhaps overly casual.

Lu Zheng had sent a car to pick them up. The driver communicated with Zhang Sujin using sign language, which surprised Zhang Shu.

"The service staff who work for him are mostly people with disabilities," Zhang Sujin explained.

Zhang Shu raised an eyebrow—that's an intriguing discovery.

When they arrived at the hotel, the Lu family was already there.

Lu Zheng's parents have both passed away, but he’d invited close uncles, aunts, and in-laws to hold court. Lu Youze’s family was present too.

A dozen or so people sat around a massive round table, each exuding an air of poise and grandeur.

Compared to the Lu family's grand entourage, Zhang Sujin and Zhang Shu seemed a bit sparse with just the two of them.  

It was Zhang Shu’s first time meeting Lu Zheng face-to-face. His future brother-in-law had a slightly frivolous look

When they shook hands, Zhang Shu subtly tightened his grip, pinching the web between thumb and forefinger—a move that typically made people wince. But Lu Zheng didn’t flinch. Instead, he pulled Zhang Shu closer with a tug, patted his shoulder, and said "So you're A-Shu! Handsome!”

He carried himself like both an elder and a brother, as if nothing had happened.  

Zhang Shu released his grip—this guy had some substance

Everyone stood up to greet each other.

Lu Youze stayed seated, calmly observing the harmonious atmosphere. 

His gaze settled on Zhang Shu.

In contrast to the Lu family’s polished attire, Zhang Shu’s outfit was far too casual.  

But one had to admit, in the opulent elegance of the private room, Zhang Shu held his own.

Someone in class once said Zhang Shu looked expensive, carrying a natural nonchalance, like he had everything and cared about nothing.  

If you didn’t know his background, you’d think he came from wealth at first glance.

Both siblings were like that. With nothing behind them, they strode forward as if leading an army of thousands.

Even now, Zhang Shu likely has never been to a place like this before, yet his eyes didn’t wander. No small gestures, no curious glances, as if stepping into this room was no different from walking into a classroom.  

Unfazed by the opulence around him.

"Bro, your classmate is so handsome!" a cousin whispered to Lu Youze.

Lu Youze replied expressionlessly, "Mm, he's the school heartthrob."

"Wow, what about you?"

"Me?" Lu Youze suddenly smirked, self-deprecating. “They call me the prince.”

"Hahaha, that's right!"

Lu Youze glanced at his carefree cousin. “If it were you, who’d you pick, the heartthrob or the prince?”

"If you're the prince, doesn't that make me a princess? Of course I'd pick the school heartthrob."

Is that so?

Maybe. From ancient times to now, princesses never cared for princes. They fell for poor scholars or humble guards. From folktales to idol dramas, it was always the same.  

The Lu family’s banquet had its share of formalities. Lu Zheng introduced both sides, followed by elders leading three rounds of toasts, each speech longer than the last. Beneath the capitalists polished words, it was hard to tell if the sentiments were genuine or just for show, but the atmosphere remained warm and harmonious.  

Zhang Shu wasn’t annoyed, but he wasn’t exactly thrilled either.  

This was his sister's future family. He didn't seek to fit in, but he'd show respect.

“So, Zheng, are you planning to get engaged first or what?” an elder at the head of the table asked.

Lu Zheng, arm around Zhang Sujin, shouted across the massive table, “Either way is fine, the sooner, the better!”

Zhang Shu had never seen his sister blush like that.

Lu Zheng added, “We’ll get the marriage certificate first. After A-Shu and Youzai finish their college entrance exams, we’ll hold the wedding!”

Youzai? Like a baby cub?

Zhang Shu nearly spat his wine across the table.

"Lu Zheng! Don't call me that!" Lu Youze snapped in anger.

The table erupted in laughter.

"Youze, don't be rude. You can't call your younger uncle like that," Lu Youze's father, Lu Cong, chuckled as he raised his glass. "It's your call anyway, so congratulations in advance! As for the preparations, leave them to your sister-in-law!"

The group chatted about wedding customs.  

No matter how wealthy a family is, in the end, the conversation will always circle back to their children.

Academic performance was an inevitable topic.  

“A-Shu’s the top student at Affiliated High School!” Lu Zheng boasted.

This praise put Lu Youze, his classmate, in an awkward spot.

Zhang Sujiin secretly pinched Lu Zheng's thigh.

“Wow, that’s impressive! Your family’s genes are something else, Sujin!”

“Such a fine young man, want to join the company later, kid?”

"What an occupational disease you've got there. You're scouting high schoolers now? That’s some HR mindset!”

 "Hahaha..."

“Youze’s heading abroad for business school, right?”

Lu Youze’s mother chimed in, “Yes, to the University of Pennsylvania.”

“That’s impressive too! Maybe he could do his master's degree at his younger uncle's alma mater!"

"Our family sure has its share of talented ones, doesn't it...?"

"Certainly does..."

After more chatter and clinking glasses, Zhang Shu excused himself to Zhang Sujin and slipped out to the restroom during a lull.  

 

When he came out of the restroom, he spotted someone in the courtyard—Lu Youze. 

It wasn’t entirely surprising.

Since Zhang Shu first entered the room, Lu Youze had already looked like he had something to say.

Say what you will about capitalists, their money sure gets spent.

Having a restroom inside a private dining room wasn't unusual, but a lofty courtyard with a tree that never saw daylight? That's taking things a little too far.

Under the tree sat an oddly shaped sofa, he wasn't even surprised anymore.

Zhang Shu mentally scoffed but didn’t care much.

He walked over and sat on the other end of the S-shaped sofa.

Each occupied a curve, like separate harbors, not interfering but aligned if they turned to face each other.

Oh, this was art.

"Do you think your sister will be happy?" Lu Youze spoke first.

Zhang Shu’s brows furrowed sharply, his gaze cutting like a blade as he turned.

Lu Youze met his eyes. “I think she will.”

Zhang Shu’s tense expression eased slightly.

Lu Youze continued. “Because she’s marrying my uncle, Lu Zheng. Someone who was left to his own devices since childhood but grew up strong enough that nothing seems to challenge him. A man whose decisions brook no argument, who can clear any obstacle and silence any doubter just because he wills it.”  

Zhang Shu listened quietly, neither interrupting or responding.

"Without him, you wouldn't see such a harmonious scene today. Your sister’s lucky—there aren’t many Lu Zhengs in the world.”

Zhang Shu could sense where this was going.

Lu Youze: "But there aren't many people like Lu Zheng in the world." 

He emphasized the word ‘but’. 

Zhang Shu tightened his grip on his phone and said firmly, “If you have something to say, just say it. No need to beat around the bush.”

He found these conversations annoying—always starting from the bottom of some logical chain, as if spouting grand philosophy would make you profound.

Lu Youze, undeterred, continued with seemingly unrelated thoughts, "In my first year, I saw you fighting and thought it was wrong, so I told the teachers. I believed they could help guide you back to the right path. I meant no harm—that’s what my upbringing taught me. But for you, perhaps solving problems with fists was normal, and that's what the environment you grew up in taught you. Neither of us was wrong, yet we’ve been at odds for over two years…”  

“Later, though, I changed my perspective. I realized everyone has their own way of handling things, so I stopped minding your hostility toward me."

Zhang Shu cut him off, "It's not that you stop minding; it's that you can't do anything about it. Can you out-argue or out-fight me?"

"..."

"True."

Zhang Shu continued, “No need for high-minded talk. I’ll guess what’s in your head. You look down on me but try to hide it, thinking it’s beneath you to show disdain, like it makes you less refined, less classy.”

“So you act tolerant. That ‘I-won’t-stoop-to-argue-with-fools’ look you give Hou Junqi? If you just argued with him a bit, would he still target you like that?”

“Who would hold a grudge for two whole years over one minor report? You pretend to treat everyone as equals when clearly you think you're better than them—that's what really annoys people. Don't you know there's a saying ‘the more you try to hide something, the more obvious it becomes’?”

Lu Youze stiffened, his eyes flashing denial and defense.

Zhang Shu looked at him and suddenly understood. "Don't look so surprised. You don't think you're like that, do you? When you act a certain way long enough, it becomes part of who you are."

“But you’re right about one thing, neither of us are wrong, just products of different environments. So spit it out. I won’t curse or hit you today. Say what you want, let it rip.”  

Lu Youze looked away. “Talking it out like this, I see how different we are. Environment, family background, it’s obvious how much they played a part. I said there aren’t many like Lu Zheng. You’re not Lu Zheng. The gap between you and Sheng Xia—can you bridge it? You’re gifted, you work hard, you can change your future. But you can’t change the gap you’re born with.”

Sheng Xia.

Finally, after all that talk, here's the key word.

Zhang Shu gave a short laugh. “If you like her, go for it. Why waste words on me?”

Lu Youze: "Like I said earlier, I mean no harm. I won't pursue her. If our paths align, things might happen naturally. I won’t deny I like Sheng Xia. But I’m not here to compete with you. Romance at our age doesn't interest me, nor would I stoop to steal others' crushes. But a relationship between you and Sheng Xia is like hitting a south wall¹, it's harmful for both of you. I'm only stating facts here."

(¹: A metaphor for an insurmountable obstacle, implying a futile effort.) 

After a moment of silence, Zhang Shu said, "People do things for reasons. When those reasons aren't something to be proud of, they unconsciously deny them—that's what you are. Can't you see? Why else would you bring this up if not for yourself? For my sake?

As for hitting a brick wall, how would you know you can't break through it if you never try? You rich kids weigh risks too heavily, waiting for things to fall into place on their own. But people with my background believe in hard work and fighting for what we want. There's nothing I can't achieve if I give it my all. If there is, then it's simply because I no longer want it.”

"No," Lu Youze countered, "If there is, it's because you know you can't get it, so you convince yourself to stop wanting it."

“Fine,” Zhang Shu didn’t deny. “But for Sheng Xia, so far—and maybe for my whole life—I’ll never stop wanting her.”

Lu Youze: "But she won’t promise forever lightly, and she won’t wait. She’s going to the U.S. for college. Are you going too? Or are you ready for a four-, five-year long-distance relationship across countries? You have no foundation and come from completely different worlds. Are you so sure you can cross that divide?” 

At these words, Lu Youze saw a crack in Zhang Shu’s usual nonchalance.

“Her family’s pushing her to apply to Penn, but she doesn’t seem happy about it. I hate to admit it, and I’m jealous, but she’s hesitating because of you.”

“You’re strong—two months, and you pulled her from below the cutoff to twenty points above. But so what? You’re aiming for university in Heyan, right? It's either Heqing or Haiyan, those are your choices.”

“What about her?”

“Let's say she's willing to stay in the country for you. With her scores, she'll probably only get into some lower-tier universities in Heyan. How does that compare to Penn? If she applies to other cities, you'll be apart. You've barely known each other—can your relationship survive that distance? Let's not even talk if she's going abroad.”

“This is your situation now; no path works. She could have better options, she deserves better options. But the way things are, she’ll end up with nothing. You know this.”

You know this.  

He did know.  

He had to know.  

Silence stretched between them. Lu Youze added, "Don't make foolish, selfish choices, Zhang Shu."

Zhang Shu stood abruptly but said nothing. After half a minute, he asked, “You done reporting, big nephew?”

Lu Youze stood too, baffled by the nickname. After all that said, he still has the mood for this? Lu Youze snapped, "Zhang Shu!”

Zhang Shu walked off, tossing back, “Alright, cub, your uncle gets it.”

Lu Youze: “…”

---

The lunch ended exactly before two, as if no one wanted to linger a second longer.

It was strange for such a harmonious gathering. With everyone in such high spirits, why not linger over drinks and conversation until late afternoon?

But they didn't.

Outside the hotel, Zhang Shu told Zhang Sujin he was leaving and declined Lu Zheng’s driver.

He planned to take a cab but checked and saw the hotel was less than three kilometers from Yifang Bookstore. It was still early, so he walked.

The wine made him drowsy, especially after the second half, where he’d taken every glass, red or white. The breeze weighed heavy on his head.

The weather was perfect, the sun blazing, camphor tree leaves gleaming green. Zhang Shu walked under their shade, her voice echoing in his ears— 

"Nanli's camphor trees, that's A-Shu being unreasonable!"

"A-Shu, A-Shu, A-Shu..."

How could someone make a name sound so heart-stirring?  

That day during evening study, she stood by the podium and said to him, “Zhang Shu, the teacher wants to see you.”

His heartbeat had slowed.  

She didn’t know.  

And back then, he hadn’t cared much either.

Moments he hadn’t paid much mind to now replayed in Zhang Shu’s mind.

Finally, they stopped on their first meeting. 

Or rather, their second meeting.

For Zhang Shu, it was the first. He hadn’t really noticed her during the scooter incident—such a pity.

The second meeting, senior year, at the bike shed.

Half a year later, every detail was still crystal clear.

Purple-red sunset, scorching evening breeze, rustling leaves…

Everything about that summer was hot and noisy.

Only the flustered girl’s face was cool and calm. 

Like a glass of cucumber juice after intense exercise.

It soothed all his restlessness.

Zhang Shu suddenly laughed.

If this wasn’t love at first sight, what was?

He was defeated, utterly charmed.

When he arrived at Yifang Bookstore, it was still 2:30 PM.

Wandering inside, he saw the table from his dream, bathed in sunlight.

In that dream, he had kissed her almost breathless on that table.

Zhang Shu shook his head, the alcohol bringing a slight dizziness. He suddenly craved sugar, so he stepped out to the newsstand across the street, bought a lollipop, and grabbed a bottle of water.

As he was gulping down water, a familiar white electric scooter came into view.

Across the street, the girl stopped but didn’t get off. She glanced at her watch, seemed to think, then turned the scooter around and rode away.

Zhang Shu sat on a low stool by the newsstand, tearing open the lollipop wrapper. 

The tree shade cloaked him in shadow, separating him from the sunny world outside, like two different realms.

For the first time ever, Zhang Shu felt a sense of defeat and helplessness.

From leaving the hotel until now, it was lodged in his throat, ready to burst.

Never had he felt this way before.

His friend's words from last night's gathering echoed in his ears:

“Sheng Mingfeng, solid political record… at his age, he might climb higher… the kind of person you only see on the nightly news…”

"But why would kids with her background take the tough college entrance exam with us? I thought they'd all use their connections to study abroad.”

"Same thought. Even if she doesn't go now, won't she eventually?"

Zhang Shu’s mind churned with images and voices, a chaotic mess. He crunched the lollipop, pulled out the stick, bought another, and popped it in his mouth.  

Sucking lightly, a faint sweetness lingered.

Sheng Xia appeared again.

This time he saw clearly—she was wearing a dress.

A white dress, nearly blending with her fair skin.  

Stunning.

No word in the world was too beautiful for her.

She was too perfect.

His head spun, and he almost laughed—had she ever truly appeared in his life, or was she just a beautiful mirage of his youth?

When he first learned about Sheng Mingfeng’s status, he'd thought:

So what?

He wanted her. He wanted to have her.

Maybe it was youthful arrogance, but that same arrogance made him realize he’d never wanted anyone or anything this badly, stirring a reckless confidence.

He watched as she entered the bookstore and sat at that sunlight-drenched table by the window.

She kept checking her phone, her lips pursing unhappily.

She pulled out a sparkling hairpin and pinned it by her ear.

Dazzling.  

Ah, should he tell her that no accessory could shine brighter than her?

His phone vibrated. He opened it.

Time had slipped to 3:30 PM.

Jasmine: “Where are you?”

His girl was waiting for him.

Their date.

Lu Youze’s words, harsh but real, echoed.  

"You can change your future. But you can’t change the gap you’re born with

Yes, that's why when he sent Sheng Xia home, he could only say goodbye hastily a block away.

While Lu Youze, approved by her mother, could walk her to her door.  

That was the gap they were born with. 

"This is your situation now; no path works… she’ll end up with nothing.”

Zhang Shu wanted to look to the sky, but all he saw were the dense camphor leaves.

No one could give him answers.

Was wanting her selfish?

He lowered his head and typed:

"I'm sorry."

Coward. Deleted.

"We can't go on like this,"

Coward. Delete.

"I need to think things through."

Yes, you do need to think, but not like this. Delete.

He made a voice call.

He watched her pick up instantly.

They both spoke at the same time—

"Hello, are you…”

“Sheng Xia, go home first.”

There was a pause, then the girl's gentle voice came through. "Huh?"

Zhang Shu: "I can't meet you today."

He feared he wouldn't be able to control himself and say or do something irreparable.

She seemed stunned, then said lightly, “Oh, no worries! You’re busy, and I haven’t arrived yet anyway. I’ll head home then?”, 

"Yeah."

Fool. How could there be such a girl? He, this good-for-nothing, had stood her up, and yet she was trying to make excuses to lessen his guilt.

The call ended.

But Sheng Xia didn’t leave, and neither did Zhang Shu.

She sat quietly, removing the hair clip, looking dejected. A waiter refilled her water, asking if she wanted to order. She did, but when the food arrived, she didn’t touch it.  

She picked up a book to read, stayed until the last rays of sunlight filled the floor-to-ceiling window. She glanced outside, closed the book, packed her things, and left.

When her scooter disappeared from view, Zhang Shu stood up from the stool. Under the curious gaze of the newsstand owner, he bought his fifth lollipop of the day then turned around and left.

The afternoon breeze had sobered him up.

Had he figured anything out?

Nope.

Still wanted her just as much.

She wasn't just a fleeting fancy for him.

---

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