A Cold and Aloof Top Student Is Relied Upon - Chapter 53

Chapter 53: Returning to School

◎Roommate◎

On August 10th, senior high school students returned to school early. The weather wasn’t cooperating; it had been pouring rain all day with no sign of stopping.

The school announced that students could delay their arrival and urged everyone to be careful and not travel in the rain.

Gu Zhu had already packed her bags for school. For the last few days of the holiday, she and Gu Baozhi had been in the small town of Licha. The summer brought many tourists to the seaside resort, and the snack shop Gu Baozhi had opened with Chang Yuehua was fortunate enough to catch the wave of customers.

The shop was very busy, so Gu Zhu served as a waitress. She had a good memory and could quickly remember complicated and numerous orders, along with special requests. This impressed customers, who were amazed by her memory, especially after learning she was a senior. Many of them wished her success in her exams ahead of time.

Even though it was still a year away, it made Gu Baozhi and Chang Yuehua happy to hear. They would often give away free drinks or desserts or offer discounts.

Gu Zhu appreciated their well-wishes. She was a woman of few words and seemed distant, but luckily, Chang Yuehua’s daughter, Chang Xiling, was a clever and sweet-talking girl who followed her everywhere. She eagerly accepted the kind words on her sister’s behalf and returned a basketful of blessings, making everyone laugh.

Chang Xiling was like the shop’s mascot, a lucky charm, and a clingy “sister-lover.” The little girl, who was enjoying a truly long summer vacation, pouted with sympathy when she heard her sister was returning to school early. “I’m going to miss you so much, Sister. School is so hard!”

“But all the kids in town know I have a beautiful and smart sister. They’re all so jealous. When you become the top scholar, I’ll be the top scholar’s sister, so you have to work hard!”

She sounded like a vain but very motivating little person.

“Why can’t I be the top scholar’s sister?” Gu Zhu asked in a low voice, teasing her with a straight face.

Chang Xiling felt guilty. Being the top scholar sounded terrifying. She just wanted to be a happy kid who was “good enough,” with “good enough” grades, a “good enough” school, and “good enough” money when she grew up. She could get her sense of pride from other people, like her dear, beautiful sister, right?

So she blinked innocently, pretending not to understand, and quickly waved to change the subject when the bus arrived. “The bus is here, the bus is here!”

Gu Zhu got on the bus. She was going back early to get ready. Gu Baozhi planned to return the day before school started, and Gu Zhu had told her not to bother, but her mother was always stubborn about this. Especially since it was senior year, she insisted on personally picking her up and dropping her off, saying she was afraid of an accident happening on the road.

Even Chang Yuehua couldn’t dissuade or stop her. Seeing Chang Yuehua’s subtle hints and gestures, Gu Zhu decided not to argue and just agreed.

It was already 4:30 p.m. when the heavy rain finally showed signs of stopping. A little while later, it was reduced to a gentle drizzle. Seizing the opportunity, Gu Zhu prepared to leave.

Gu Baozhi called a motorized rickshaw from the corner. Afraid of wasting Gu Zhu’s time, she didn’t haggle over the price. She helped her carry her bedding onto the rickshaw and they headed to the school.

On this day, family members were allowed in the dormitories. Gu Baozhi followed her all the way to her dorm room door. When Gu Zhu opened the door, she froze for a moment. “Why are you living alone?”

Gu Zhu pushed the door open to let her mother in. She first glanced at the bottom bunk, which was empty except for a wooden board. She then looked back at Gu Baozhi and explained, “The other dorms were full, so I’m staying here.”

“Oh, that’s good too. It’ll be quiet, and it’ll be easier to study.” Gu Baozhi nodded and helped her tidy up the desk and closet. The room wasn’t particularly dirty, just a little dusty, so they finished quickly.

After Gu Zhu finished making her bed, Gu Baozhi saw that there was nothing left to do and prepared to leave. Gu Zhu walked her downstairs. On the way, they ran into a few familiar classmates. After exchanging greetings, they each went about their business.

Seeing that Gu Zhu seemed to be handling her social life well, Gu Baozhi felt a sense of relief. She told Gu Zhu not to walk her any further, simply reminding her to study hard and not waste time. It was senior year, and every second counted.

Gu Zhu knew she couldn’t argue with her mother. She nodded and agreed, watching her leave. As she turned, someone suddenly jumped at her. Gu Zhu instinctively took a step back and looked up to see a delighted Luo Minmin.

“My dear deskmate! Oh, wait! My dear former deskmate! A whole summer has passed, and you’re still so beautiful and lovely. I’m so glad I got to see you first today. Even though we’re forced to be apart now, we’re still on the same floor. I believe our friendship, no matter the distance, will be stronger than gold and will never fade!”

The dramatic flair of Luo Minmin, who had successfully changed classes, seemed to have increased even more. After her long speech, Gu Zhu only wanted to respond with an ellipsis.

Her expression was helpless, but her downturned eyes seemed to shimmer with an invisible smile. “Long time no see, Minmin.”

“Boohoo! Deskmate, this is the first time you’ve ever called me so tenderly. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and familiarity breeds contempt! I’m now starting to think you never loved me at all!” Luo Minmin covered her face, pretending to cry loudly, her mouth full of accusations. Her voice was not small and attracted many stares.

Gu Zhu quietly pressed her lips together and reverted to her emotionless expression. Her cool, clear eyes glanced at Luo Minmin’s peeking gaze, then she turned and left without a word, her back utterly heartless, causing the sobbing person to stop and follow awkwardly.

Well, then. Gu Zhu’s love was as fleeting as the shooting star she was lucky enough to see that night.

Returning to the fifth floor, a person was standing at the stairwell, leaning on the railing, her expression lazy and her eyes full of smiles. “Hi~ my dear roommate, I’ve been waiting for you for a long time!”

Bai Tan’s long hair fell on her shoulders, with a small pearl hairpin shaped like a cat clipped to the side.

Seeing her wearing the hairpin she had personally made, Gu Zhu’s lips curved into a small smile. She stepped up the stairs and approached her. “Where were you just now?” She hadn’t seen anyone come upstairs, yet Bai Tan was waiting for her here. It was clear she had arrived earlier.

Bai Tan touched the tip of her nose. “I was just chatting with them in dorm 512.”

Gu Zhu then understood that Bai Tan had been hiding, afraid that Gu Baozhi would be displeased with her, and only came out after she had left.

Gu Baozhi was already worried about people getting too close to her. Although she currently accepted Bai Tan’s existence, if she knew she had become her roommate, she would probably be unhappy.

Gu Zhu felt a little guilty inside, but she couldn’t solve the problem. It was like a dead end. Only by smashing through the wall would there be another way out.

The unknown was always the scariest thing. Gu Zhu couldn’t predict if there would be another wall after another, so she hesitated and stood still.

A palm gently patted the back of her head, and she snapped out of her thoughts. She saw Bai Tan’s eyes filled with smiles, warmth, and acceptance, as if she were telling her that everything was okay. Gu Zhu relaxed her tightly pressed lips and quietly tugged at the corner of Bai Tan’s clothes.

Seeing them so engrossed in each other, speaking in riddles that confused her, Luo Minmin narrowed her eyes. Her gaze, like the fiery golden eyes of the Monkey King, flashed with sharp and intelligent light as she scanned them. “Something’s not right. Very not right. You two are definitely hiding a secret from me!”

Gu Zhu was startled by her sudden voice and quietly pulled her hand back. She was briefly flustered by the realization that Bai Tan had captivated all her attention.

This version of herself was so unfamiliar it made her uneasy.

“Of course we’re hiding a secret from you,” Bai Tan said, pulling Gu Zhu closer. To Luo Minmin’s shocked and vindicated gaze, she boldly put her arm around Gu Zhu’s shoulder, then smiled brightly and proudly. “If I didn’t hide it, I’m afraid you would get so angry that you’d quit your new class and come back to kick me out, after learning that I’ve not only become our top student’s roommate but will also replace you as her deskmate!”

A conspiracy! This is definitely a conspiracy!

How bold! This treacherous minister who is corrupting the court is taking advantage of the situation and trying to rise through the ranks. She should be condemned and executed!

Luo Minmin’s hands trembled. She wanted to demand an explanation, but couldn’t find the words. Sigh! She was the emperor’s favorite, but her departure meant her position was bound to be replaced. If she had to blame anyone, it could only be herself.

Boohoo. She wanted to shed some sad tears again. High school seniors had no human rights, only the rule of power, and grades were the only hard currency.

Luo Minmin had only been defeated by herself.

With a dejected back, she left in disappointment.

Bai Tan: “…I didn’t say anything I shouldn’t have, right?” The sight of that heavy back suddenly made her feel so guilty.

Gu Zhu sighed, Luo Minmin’s dramatic spirit was burning brightly again. She thought that with Luo Minmin’s imagination, she would be most suited to be a writer, a screenwriter, or a stage actress. It was a mistake that Li Ruoruo hadn’t let her participate in the last stage play. She was a born actress.

Back in the dorm room, Gu Zhu helped Bai Tan put away her things. With the bedding laid out, the bottom bunk was no longer just a bare wooden board. The two beds, with their different patterns, instantly made the room feel doubly cozy and full.

When it was time to sleep, Bai Tan leaned over from the bottom bunk, carefully folding the newly hung calendar and tucking it away. When Gu Zhu came out of the bathroom after washing up, she patted her bed and invited her, “Let’s sleep together!”

For some reason, Gu Zhu suddenly remembered the things in the drawer of Bai Tan’s room back in Shengcheng. The small, exquisite toys flashed in her mind, and she shook her head impulsively. “No, minors need to maintain an appropriate distance.”

After saying it, she realized what she had said, froze in place, and her face flushed crimson.

Wait, what on earth am I saying?!

Bai Tan was indeed stunned by her words. After she recovered, she quickly got out of bed, pushed her onto her own bed, and trapped her while laughing. “But baby, I’m already an adult. How about you call me ‘sister,’ and I’ll let you go?”

Gu Zhu: …

Covering her face, she turned her head away, avoiding Bai Tan’s bright, smiling eyes, afraid she would see a blushing, shy person who didn’t look like herself.

Easily charmed by her appearance, Bai Tan’s hands on her shoulders tightened for a moment and then slowly loosened. The calendar page was still tucked under her pillow, reminding her of the chasm that still couldn’t be crossed.

The impulsiveness of youth could be fiery, but for the sake of the one she loved, it could also be restrained and gentle. She grabbed the blanket, covered Gu Zhu with it, then got out of bed to turn off the light before climbing into the top bunk. A small night light cast a gentle glow. Amidst their clearly beating hearts, she said softly, “Goodnight.”

Wrapped in the bedding that seemed to hold another’s sweet scent, Gu Zhu mumbled, “Goodnight.”

The next day was the senior year opening flag-raising ceremony. A week ago, Lin Qingmei had already told Gu Zhu that she would be giving a speech as an outstanding representative. After the flag was raised and the host announced the next part of the program, Gu Zhu slowly walked onto the stage.

Below her was a vast, dense crowd. They were all in uniform blue-and-white clothing, standing in neat rows. There were nearly a thousand of them, young and innocent, gathered to fight for a common ideal and future.

“Who says you have no clothes? I’ll share my robe with you.”

At this moment, they were all comrades.

“—Know your weaknesses and strive forward, look toward the distant mountains and move onward. Believe that one day your dreams will be within reach, and your efforts will be seen by the long sky.”

“May we all become the best versions of ourselves.”

With that, she bowed and walked off the stage.

After yesterday’s thunder and rain, the day was now clear. A gentle breeze met the morning sun. Returning to her classroom, she walked through the crowd toward the back. As she passed Bai Tan, she paused slightly, then stood behind her.

Perhaps in front of us, there are all a series of mountains. They respond to your call and are silent about your climb, but one day, we will all build a tall tower on their summit.

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