Summer in Your Name - 66

The Qingming Festival¹ holiday is approaching.  

(¹: Tomb-Sweeping Day, a Chinese holiday for honoring the deceased, typically involving visiting graves.) 

Sheng Xia had lost track of time, her days blurring together, only marked by the countdown on the classroom blackboard, no longer aware of what day it was 

If she didn’t hear back from the publisher before the holiday, things would get tight afterward.  

Wang Lianhua asked almost daily, “Has it passed?”  

She seemed even more anxious than Sheng Xia herself.  

Sheng Xia, meanwhile, messaged her editor every other day, until even she felt embarrassed by her persistence.

That Friday, the sky was unusually clear, the clouds like spilled buckets of cream.  

Such weather seemed perfect for good news.  

During the afternoon break, Fu Jie quietly approached Sheng Xia, who was focused on her eye exercises², eyes closed, oblivious of her teacher’s presence.  

(²: A daily ritual in Chinese schools, involving massaging acupressure points around the eyes to reduce strain, often accompanied by music or instructions.) 

Suddenly, a voice whispered in her ear: "You passed!"  

Still unsure what had “passed,” Sheng Xia opened her bleary eyes to find Fu Jie’s face right in front of her.

"Sheng Xia, your manuscript passed!"  

Sheng Xia froze.  

“You passed the final review! Are you so happy you’ve gone silly?"  

“What, really?!” Sheng Xia shot up, grabbing Fu Jie’s hands. “Really, Teacher?”  

"Of course! I wouldn't lie to you. The editor said she’s been trying to reach you all day, but you didn’t reply. The holidays are coming up, so she wanted to notify you as soon as possible!"  

Sheng Xia couldn’t find words to describe her joy.

It had been so long since she’d felt this way.

So long.  

Tears of happiness welled up. Fu Jie was no less emotional. The two stood in the middle of the classroom, holding hands, grinning at each other, practically bouncing with excitement.  

After Fu Jie left, Xin Xiaohe came over. "What was that about?"  

Sheng Xia tried to contain her excitement, but her lips curved upward, her eyes sparkling with happiness. She lowered her voice to share the news with her best friend: "Xiaohe, I passed! My manuscript made it through the final review!”

“AAAAAAH, really?! Oh my gosh, published?! You’re amazing, my sister! Is it that publisher you mentioned before?”  

Xin Xiaohe’s voice drowned out the tail end of the eye exercise music, startling a classroom of drowsy students.

Sheng Xia covered her mouth. “It just passed the review. It’s not published yet. Please keep it down."    

Xin Xiaohe immediately reined herself in. "Oh, got it."  

“Then go tell Zhang Shu right now! He’ll be so thrilled he might recover on the spot!”  

Sheng Xia nodded. "Mm!"  

Having someone to share your joy with—someone who truly cares—was wonderful.    

Before, she hadn’t wanted to say anything, partly because she was uncertain about her manuscript, but also because she wasn’t sure about their feelings for each other.  

Now, though things weren’t fully certain, he’d already talked about studying abroad in America to be near her. What was there left to fear?  

Sheng Xia couldn’t sit still. She wanted to message him right away.

But she wanted to tell him in person.  

That night, the moment she got home, Sheng Xia shared the news with Wang Lianhua.  

She'd expected her mother to be overjoyed, but that wasn’t the case.  

There was happiness, but no surprise, as if she’d already known.  

Then again, her mother was always calm and composed, so Sheng Xia didn’t think much of it.

"Tomorrow afternoon, I’m picking up A-Xuan from Dongzhou. I’ll swing by your school afterward to get you—should be right around dismissal time," Wang Lianhua said.    

Sheng Xia thought for a moment. "I can ride my scooter to school tomorrow and come back on my own."  

Wang Lianhua: "No."  

She looked at Sheng Xia with a ‘no one knows a daughter better than a mother’ look—I know exactly what you're trying to pull. 

Defeated, Sheng Xia abandoned her little scheme.  

---

On the way to pick up Wu Qiuxuan, Wang Lianhua received a call from Sheng Mingfeng. She answered, her tone stripped of its usual impatience, leaving only cold indifference. "What?"  

"Is A-Xuan on break?" Sheng Mingfeng asked.  

Wang Lianhua: "Yes. I’m picking her up now. We’re on the way.”  

Sheng Mingfeng: "Alright. I’ll arrange lunch for the holiday. Let the girls know in advance."  

Wang Lianhua: "Got it."    

After a long pause, just as Wang Lianhua was about to hang up, Sheng Mingfeng added, “I’ve paused Sheng Xia’s study-abroad classes for now. She should focus on the college entrance exams first."  

Wang Lianhua raised an eyebrow, not holding back her frustration. "What was the point of all that back-and-forth? You’re so indecisive. You should've just let her focus on the exams from the start."  

Sheng Mingfeng didn’t take the bait. "I don’t think it was indecisive. I still think going abroad is the best path, but I’m respecting her choice.”

  

That sounded like a dig at her. Wang Lianhua hung up.  

They were never suited for calm, civil conversations. Even half a sentence felt like too much.

A few days earlier, Sheng Mingfeng had called, asking if she would still insist on keeping their daughter at Nanli even if Sheng Xia got accepted into Heqing University.

The question made Wang Lianhua’s blood boil.  

Did her ex-husband really take her for such a shortsighted person?  

"Of course not. You think you’re the only one who cares about her future?”

Hearing her answer, Sheng Mingfeng said, "Then let’s each take a step back."  

She was confused by his words.

As it turned out, Sheng Mingfeng had asked Li Xu to look into the independent enrollment process and contacted a provincial-level publisher in their region. He’d intended to leverage his connections, within ethical bounds, to give Sheng Xia an edge.

But the publisher informed him that Sheng Xia’s manuscript had already passed.  

The editor-in-chief even called Li Xu personally to lavish praise on Sheng Xia, calling her a rare literary talent with both skill and integrity.

Naturally, they didn’t forget to compliment Sheng Mingfeng for raising such a daughter.  

His attempt to use his connections had failed, but his daughter had earned him plenty of face.

It stirred something in Sheng Mingfeng.  

Getting published in a provincial literary press—or even a provincial magazine—was no small feat. Sheng Mingfeng, having overseen publicity work in the past, knew how tough it was.

The former was even harder.  

And Sheng Xia? She was only seventeen.  

All these years, he’d prided himself on understanding Sheng Xia better than Wang Lianhua.  

Now, he wasn’t so sure. Had he ever truly understood his daughter?  

When Wang Lianhua heard the story, felt a quiet surprise.  

Of her three daughters, Sheng Xia had always been the most academically stable, but when it came to ‘surprising’ people, Wu Qiuxuan usually took the spotlight. Sometimes even Ningning could be more surprising than Sheng Xia.  

Sheng Xia was too steady, too calm, too obedient.  

No one expected her to quietly pull off something this big  

Wang Lianhua finally asked Sheng Mingfeng, "Why? Why are you suddenly so invested in her independent enrollment?"  

She'd assumed he would be the last person to want it to succeed. Wouldn’t he prefer it to fail so Sheng Xia has no choice but to follow his plans?  

Sheng Mingfeng replied, "Because Sheng Xia said she wanted to make this decision for herself."  

---  

High school seniors only have one day off for the Qingming Festival. When she learned Sheng Mingfeng had arranged lunch, Sheng Xia couldn’t help but think, The heavens are on my side.

So before leaving, she told Wang Lianhua, “Mom, I’m going to Tao Zhizhi’s place to hang out this afternoon.”

Wang Lianhua frowned. “Visiting someone’s house on Qingming Festival?”  

Sheng Xia: "..."  

She hadn’t considered that!  

Unexpectedly, Wu Qiuxuan came to her rescue. "Mom, update your mindset, would you? Who cares about that stuff when going on dates these days?"  

Date.  

Though Wu Qiuxuan meant her ‘date’ with Tao Zhizhi, Sheng Xia felt exposed, her head bowing guiltily.  

Wang Lianhua paused, then nodded thoughtfully.  

The three sisters headed out.  

Zheng Dongning suddenly turned back, calling into the house, “Mom, you should go on a date too!”

Her voice was sweet and clear.  

The little girl then grabbed Wu Qiuxuan’s left hand and Sheng Xia’s right, pressing the elevator button herself.

Wang Lianhua wasn’t the only one shocked. Wu Qiuxuan and Sheng Xia, standing outside, were equally surprised.  

But their mother’s expression wasn’t just shock, it almost looked… flustered?

In the elevator, Wu Qiuxuan shook Zheng Dongning’s little hand. "Ningning, what were you talking about earlier?"  

Zheng Dongning stayed silent.  

Back to normal.  

Wu Qiuxuan sighed.  

Sheng Mingfeng didn’t do anything fancy, just reserved a private room at Zhenpinyuan.  

But this time, he also brought along some milk tea.  

Ningning sipped happily. Wu Qiuxuan and Sheng Xia exchanged a look. Their eyes conveyed the same thought: No way Sheng Mingfeng bought this. It’s definitely Zou Weiping.    

Wu Qiuxuan, never one to pass up free stuff, gulped hers down. Sheng Xia, who wasn’t fond of milk tea, set hers aside.

Sheng Mingfeng asked each of them about their studies and daily lives, inquiring if they needed anything.  

Ningning naturally shook her head. What could she possibly need?

Still, Sheng Mingfeng had prepared a set of art supplies for her—a dazzling array of two or three hundred paintbrushes.

Wu Qiuxuan, on the other hand, had a whole list of demands, the main one being: "I want to go back to Nanli for high school!”  

To her surprise, Sheng Mingfeng didn’t shut her down. He considered it. “Study hard. If you score high enough for No. 1 High School, I’ll think about it.”  

"Really?!" Wu Qiuxuan hadn’t expected him to agree so easily. She was overjoyed.  

"I keep my word."  

But then her face fell. With her grades and just a few weeks left, getting into No. 1 High School was like climbing to the heavens.

Finally, it was Sheng Xia’s turn.  

Sheng Mingfeng: "Did your mother tell you? You don’t have to attend study-abroad prep classes anymore."  

Sheng Xia was also overjoyed. "No…"  

Sheng Mingfeng repeated himself.  

Sheng Xia hesitated. "Dad… help with the publishing thing?”

"No. Absolutely not," Sheng Mingfeng denied. "Ask your Brother Li if you don’t believe me. He handled everything about this matter. I had the idea, but you beat me to it.”  

Wu Qiuxuan: "Wow, sis, you’re amazing! Can I brag to my classmates that my sister’s a writer?”  

Sheng Xia: "Don’t talk nonsense!"  

"Focus on your studies. If you don’t do well on the college entrance exam, you’ll still need to take the prep classes again." Sheng Mingfeng emphasized. 

Wu Qiuxuan: "Dad, why are you so set on sending sis abroad? Send me instead—I’d love it!”

“You’d just go to play, not study!”

“Pfft, just admit you’re playing favorites. No need for all these excuses.”

The meal was surprisingly pleasant, something that rarely happened.  

Sheng Mingfeng had no real holiday. Throughout the meal, they watched him repeatedly decline incoming calls.  

After lunch, the driver took the girls home, while Sheng Mingfeng drove back to work alone.

Sheng Xia gave the driver Tao Zhizhi’s address.  

Wu Qiuxuan declared she wasn’t going home either—she was coming along. Sheng Xia couldn’t argue her down, so she agreed.

Unexpectedly, Ningning also clung tightly to Sheng Xia's arm, refusing to let go.  

And that was how the three sisters stood side by side at the entrance to Tao Zhizhi’s neighborhood, waiting.

Sheng Xia hadn’t actually planned to go to Tao Zhizhi’s. Naturally, Tao Zhizhi wasn’t prepared, showing up disheveled to meet them.  

Tao Zhizhi's parents had gone back to their hometown for ancestral rites, but with only one day off, she stayed behind alone.

She shot Sheng Xia a look: What’s going on here?!

Sheng Xia pouted; even she didn't know how it had come to this.

Ugh, one lie required so many more to cover it.

On her phone, a certain someone was pressing her:

"Done eating?"  

"On your way yet?"  

Sheng Xia could only reply honestly: "My sisters are still with me. I can’t come yet."  

Song Jiang: “Bring them along.”  

Sheng Xia: "…"  

Compared to being found out by her sisters, not seeing him felt even more unbearable.  

She’d just have to risk it. Worst comes to worst, she’d just bribe them into silence.  

So, after Wu Qiuxuan’s dramatic ‘spinning, jumping, eyes closed’ performance and various exaggerated squeals, the four sisters took a taxi to the hospital.

---  

In the hospital room, Zhang Sujin stared in shock at a certain handsome young man coming out of the bathroom—

Zhang Shu had called earlier, asking her to bring him a set of casual clothes and his shoes.  

Now, he was dressed in a black T-shirt, jeans, and sneakers, all his bandages hidden beneath the clothes, looking nothing like a patient.  

His stubble, untouched for days, was cleanly shaved. Had he even styled his hair?  

What was going on?  

The nurses had been calling him the ‘hospital heartthrob’, and now he was acting like he had an idol image to maintain?

Still, it had been a while since she’d seen him this lively. Zhang Sujin’s eyes warmed.  

"Sis, cut some fruit," he instructed.  

Zhang Sujin: "…"  

Soon, the reason was clear—Sheng Xia was coming.    

And she was bringing a few friends.

Though the age range was… quite varied.

Sheng Xia burned with embarrassment.

Who brought their entire family to visit someone in the hospital?  

She stood at the doorway, awkwardly waving a hand. "Sister Sujin."  

"You’re here. Come in."  

"Okay…"  

The moment she stepped inside, Sheng Xia froze.  

Zhang Shu was sitting on the edge of the hospital bed, one long leg stretched out, the other lazily propped on a chair’s crossbar. Scrolling through his phone, then looked up—  

It was just like seeing him back in class, leaning against a desk.

 

The relaxed, carefree, sun-kissed Zhang Shu.  

Sheng Xia was momentarily dazed.

She wasn’t the only one.

Tao Zhizhi: Wasn’t this guy stabbed? How’s he looking so lively? 

Wu Qiuxuan: Screw fangirling over celebrities. This guy had to be my brother-in-law! 

Silence blanketed the room.  

Only Zheng Dongning moved. She broke free from her sisters’ hands, walked straight to Zhang Shu, and stared up at him wordlessly, her big eyes darting around. 

Her gaze was filled with curiosity—and fascination.  

Sheng Xia: … If I leave now, will it make this less embarrassing?

Snapping back, she hurried forward, pulling Ningning back by the hand. “Sorry, my sister, she…” 

"She’s adorable," Zhang Shu interrupted, pinching Zheng Dongning’s cheek. “Really adorable.”

Soft, squishy cheeks—just like her sister’s.

He pinched again, then winced slightly from the strain on his abdomen, straightening up quickly.

To everyone’s shock, she giggled, shyly turning to bury her face in Sheng Xia’s leg.

Zhang Sujin borrowed a few stools, invited them to sit, offered some sliced fruit, and tactfully exited the room.  

Sheng Xia was at a loss.  

"Aren’t you going to introduce us?" Zhang Shu prompted.  

Sheng Xia blinked, belatedly realizing. “Oh right.”

Tao Zhizhi let out a stifled laugh and whispered to Wu Qiuxuan, "Doesn’t this scene remind you of something?"  

Wu Qiuxuan met her eyes. “Meeting the parents.”

Tao Zhizhi laughed. “Too far! I was just thinking it’s like a silly girl bringing her boyfriend to meet her besties.”  

Wu Qiuxuan: "Huh? That's what you thought? But isn't that what's happening right now?"

Tao Zhizhi gave her a thumbs-up.  

Impressive. When it comes to shipping, no one beats a fangirl. Just put anyone in the same frame, and it’s basically a wedding in their minds. 

The two barely paid attention to Sheng Xia’s introductions—they already felt familiar with Zhang Shu.  

Wu Qiuxuan had been bragging to everyone at school that the heroic top-scorer had a crush on her sister.

Too bad no one believed her.  

With Wu Qiuxuan around, there was no such thing as an awkward silence—though getting a word in was the real challenge.

Her questions were relentless, blunt, and aggressive, like a tabloid reporter celebrities dread but can’t shake.  

"Brother Shu, have you ever dated before?"  

"Not even in middle school? No way. Don’t worry, I won’t post it online."  

"You’re so good-looking, why haven’t you dated?”  

"When are you dropping an EP?"  

“Does being smart conflict with being handsome?”  

"What's better, dating or being the top scorer?"  

Zhang Shu answered with surprising patience, as if he weren’t dealing with an obnoxious little sister but a peer.  

"No."  

"Really, no."  

“Haven’t met the right one.”  

"What’s that?"  

"You tell me."  

"I don’t choose."  

Wu Qiuxuan glanced at her sister, raising an eyebrow and lowering her voice. “What do you think of my sister?”

Sheng Xia finally snapped. "Wu Qiuxuan!"  

Who was really the older sister here?    

Zheng Dongning giggled on the side: “Sister is pretty.” 

Zhang Shu pinched Ningning’s cheek again. "Ningning is right."  

Sheng Xia: "…"  

The afternoon was chaotic. Between Wu Qiuxuan’s antics and Tao Zhizhi’s teasing, Sheng Xia’s face cycled through shades of red and green.  

She deeply regretted bringing them.  

She hadn’t even gotten a proper moment to talk to him!  

The three girls didn't know, but she knew how serious his injuries were. Sitting and chatting for so long—he must be exhausted.

So she stood up first. "It’s getting late. We should go. He needs rest."  

“Late? Sis, it’s only four!” Wu Qiuxuan protested.  

Now that she mentioned it, had they really been here for two hours?  

He’d sat there, chatting and laughing, for two whole hours.

"No. We’re leaving." Her tone brooked no argument.  

Wu Qiuxuan, for all her boldness, still listened when Sheng Xia used that voice. She immediately hopped off Zhang Shu’s hospital bed. 

Yes, at some point while chatting, seeing the bed empty, she had climbed onto it, crossing her legs, lounging like it was her own home.  

Stealing the magpie’s nest.

Zhang Shu didn't seem to mind.  

As the four girls stood to leave, Sheng Xia met Zhang Shu’s lingering gaze.  

Hey, why does it feel like she came for nothing?  

"We’re going. I’ll come back another day.”  

She expected him to just nod or give a casual reply, given all the people around.  

Instead, Zhang Shu stood too, closing the distance between them. "Another day? Which day?"  

"Tsk tsk tsk."  

“Should we step outside?”

"Let’s go, Sis Zhizhi."  

Halfway out, they turned back to pull Ningning along, "Ningning, come on. You’re way too bright here."  

Sheng Xia: "…"  

She glanced down at his abdomen, then looked up again. "Are you feeling much better? You can walk like this now?”  

He was so close, their breaths almost mingling.  

"Mhm." he answered briefly. 

Sheng Xia: "Then, can you take the second mock exams?”

"No."  

Sheng Xia: "Huh?"  

“Can’t walk too long or sit too long.”    

"But you've been sitting for so long today—" Sheng Xia gently pushed at his chest, urging him to lie down. “Rest!”

Her hand was caught.  

His voice came from above her head. "Don’t you have something else to tell me?"  

Something else.  

Of course she did!  

"My manuscript passed! I should be able to sign the contract after the holiday. I’ll make it in time for Heqing University’s independent enrollment deadline!" Her eyes crinkled into crescents as she shared her joy with him.  

Zhang Shu’s eyes lit up, his fingers slipping between hers, giving a gentle squeeze. “You’re amazing.”  

Then he chuckled, remembering something. “No, you’re nìhai.”  

His voice was low, tender.

Sheng Xia’s ears burned. She lowered her head, only to see their still-intertwined hands. Flustered, she turned away.  

As she did, she caught sight of two heads peeking through the small window at the door. Catching her glance, they ducked back.

Sheng Xia:…  

Her palms were burning, her ears blazing.

She couldn’t stay any longer.  

She pulled her hand free. “Rest. I’ll come back soon.”  

"Promise?"  

"Promise."  

He finally let go.  

She took a few steps toward the door, then suddenly turned back. He was still watching her.  

"A-Shu, if I get into Heqing University, will you be with me?" Her voice was calm but firm. 

Zhang Shu froze.  

Sheng Xia pursed her lips, then, without waiting for an answer, pushed open the door and left.

She didn’t need his answer. She knew it would be a nod.  

Zhang Shu lay back on the bed, his mind looping her parting words.

Had she misunderstood, or was he overthinking? Weren’t they already together?

Still wait until college?  

What difference did it make, dummy! 

---

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