Chapter Six: Tugging at Sleeves

Previously, Yu Sheng had only told Gu Yan about Yu Chen’s situation after they began dating. If memory served, it was sometime after the monthly exams that Yu Chen was assaulted—his legs and arms brutally broken. From that point on, he spiraled into despair, succumbed to depression, dropped out of the top high school, and frequently attempted suicide, though never successfully. The pain of it all weighed heavily on Yu Sheng.

The incident with Yu Sheng’s younger brother left their entire family reeling. Any mention of it in front of Yu Sheng would instantly redden her eyes with tears. She always blamed herself for not noticing sooner, for not helping him in time, and Gu Yan’s heart ached for her as well.

The most difficult part, however, was that Gu Yan knew almost nothing about what had actually happened or who was responsible. Yu Sheng grew so upset whenever the subject arose that Gu Yan didn’t dare probe further. Yet, since the attack took place after the monthly exams, that meant there was still time left.

“Do you need me to call in a leave for you?” Yu Sheng asked Yu Chen.

“No need. We have monthly exams tomorrow too. I need to check my seat number and pick up my backpack.”

Hearing this, Gu Yan suddenly thought he could go to Yu Chen’s school in person and get a clearer idea of the situation.

“I’ll help you pick it up after school this afternoon,” Gu Yan offered.

“Ah, you don’t need to trouble yourself. I can get it for my brother,” Yu Sheng replied.

“I’ll go with you. His school is quite far, after all.”

Is he worried about my safety? Yu Sheng wondered.

“Well, alright then.”

“Hey, are you two just deciding this without asking me?” Yu Chen protested loudly.

“Oh, hush. With your legs like that, how are you supposed to go to school?” Yu Sheng smacked his arm lightly.

“Ow!” Yu Chen grimaced, clutching his arm, but quickly resumed his mischievous grin.

“Sis, when you find a boyfriend, make sure he can withstand your roughhousing.”

Seeing Yu Chen back to his playful self, Yu Sheng felt her worries ease.

“Keep pretending and I’ll give you more than a gentle tap,” she threatened.

Gu Yan stood silently, lost in thought. As they had agreed that morning, he would accompany Yu Sheng to Yu Chen’s school that afternoon. So during the last class, he tapped Yu Sheng on the back, reminding her not to forget their plan.

“What’s up? Where are you two going together?” Lin Ning asked, her face full of curiosity.

“We’re just going to my brother’s school to pick up his backpack,” Yu Sheng replied helplessly.

“Your brother’s backpack, and he’s going with you?” Lin Ning arched an eyebrow.

“It’s just helping out. Don’t overthink it.” Yu Sheng was at a loss for how else to respond.

Gu Yan, listening in from behind, couldn’t help but chuckle at their conversation.

Well done, great assist! Gu Yan praised Lin Ning silently.

“Do you live with Yu Sheng?” Gu Yan’s deskmate, Chen Ke’an, asked quietly.

“Huh? No.”

I wouldn’t mind living with her. (No, wait, that’s not right.)

“Why do you ask?” Gu Yan replied.

“I live in the same complex as Yu Sheng. Yesterday, I saw you two go into the same building.”

Same complex?

“I’m renting an apartment right below her place—we’re in the same building.”

“Oh, I see.” Chen Ke’an smiled.

Did I just make him think I have a closer relationship with Yu Sheng? Gu Yan suddenly had a mischievous thought.

“But I do eat at her place, and I get along well with her family,” Gu Yan added, watching Chen Ke’an’s face for any sign of disappointment.

“That’s convenient. Saves you from ordering takeout,” Chen Ke’an replied, entirely unfazed.

That left Gu Yan a bit disappointed; he’d half expected Chen Ke’an to be a potential rival.

Previously, Gu Yan hadn’t rented the apartment in Yu Sheng’s building, so he hadn’t realized Chen Ke’an also lived in the same complex. Perhaps it was the butterfly effect, but though they hadn’t known each other well before, they’d ended up as deskmates this time.

Now, even as deskmates, Chen Ke’an was rather quiet, so they rarely chatted.

“Yeah, it is nice,” Gu Yan agreed.

After school, Yu Sheng and Gu Yan took a cab to Yu Chen’s school. They worried that if they walked, Yu Chen’s classroom would already be locked by the time they arrived.

Yu Sheng hadn’t visited Yu Chen’s school often before, finding it too far and frankly, too much trouble.

But today, upon arriving, Yu Sheng was surprised. Though both schools were prestigious, the area around Yu Chen’s was far less secure. The neighborhood across the street was full of old apartment buildings, and in the alleyways, a few young delinquents lounged and chatted.

“Don’t look over there. Be careful, or they’ll target you,” Yu Sheng warned, tugging Gu Yan’s sleeve as she saw him glance toward the alley.

Gu Yan only laughed, “Let them target me. Aren’t you here? Didn’t your brother say you’re a great fighter?”

“I can’t save you!” Yu Sheng blushed, dragging Gu Yan quickly toward Yu Chen’s school.

Gu Yan looked down at the hand clutching his sleeve, resisting the urge to reach out and hold it.

This isn’t bad either, he thought.

“Did I ever tell you? When I was in elementary school, one day on my way home, I stopped to watch some people playing badminton in the square,” Yu Sheng began, her voice rambling.

“But I didn’t notice that behind them was a gang of delinquents.”

“I was watching them play, but those guys thought I was watching them.”

“Once I realized, I hurried home. Halfway there, I glanced back and saw them following me.”

“Luckily, I knew the neighborhood and took a detour to run home.”

Yu Sheng recounted her childhood brush with trouble.

“Did you ever run into them again?” Gu Yan asked, concern in his voice.

“No, after that I never dawdled on the way home again. I’d go straight home after school,” Yu Sheng replied.

From now on, with me here, you’ll never have to worry or be afraid again, Gu Yan thought silently.

“How about I walk you home from school from now on?” Gu Yan said aloud.

“Huh? No need, that was just elementary school. I’m not afraid anymore—if I were scared of trouble, how could I ever become a police officer?”

Not afraid, yet you just told me that story, Gu Yan thought.

“But I’m scared of delinquents,” Gu Yan shamelessly claimed, just to have a legitimate reason to walk her home.

“Well, alright, but there aren’t really any delinquents in my neighborhood,” Yu Sheng mumbled the last part.

Gu Yan pretended not to hear and, in a smooth motion, took hold of Yu Sheng’s sleeve.

Oh dear. Yu Sheng’s cheeks flushed red once more.

Sometimes Yu Sheng felt her skin didn’t match her personality—she saw herself as tough, but her skin was terribly delicate. A light scratch would bleed and scar, and her face flushed far too easily. Whether she was nervous, shy, or angry, her face would reveal it long before she realized it herself. If she did realize, the blush would only deepen, making her all the more distressed.

When they reached Yu Chen’s classroom, only a few students remained. The others looked on with curiosity as two students from another school entered.

“Excuse me, are you here to pick up Yu Chen’s things?” a girl wiping the blackboard asked.