A Cold and Aloof Top Student Is Relied Upon - Chapter 55

Chapter 55: Su Li

◎The Never-Ending Rainy Season◎

This was Gu Zhu’s last time going to the music studio this semester. After passing her Grade 8 exam, she had a long talk with Gu Baozhi and decided to focus on her academics. With senior year starting, even Saturdays were now filled with classes. As time was compressed, they had no choice but to weigh the pros and cons.

Although she was smart and a fast learner, she couldn’t afford to be careless. Gu Zhu’s target university meant competing against countless geniuses. The world was full of talent, and a moment of inattention could leave her behind, so she had to give it her all.

After class, she carefully put her pipa back in its case. After listening to her teacher’s routine words of advice, she finally spoke. “Teacher, I won’t be coming to class for a while. I’ll have to stop until the college entrance exam next June.”

Her teacher was taken aback. In truth, many students drop their extracurricular classes during crucial periods. She knew Gu Zhu was a senior, and an excellent one at that. It was only right for her to focus on her studies, but she still felt a sense of regret. “I was thinking you could take your Grade 9 exam next spring, and with a bit of hard work in the autumn, you could pass Grade 10 in one go. It looks like we’ll have to postpone that now.”

“You are the most hardworking, most persistent, and most insightful student I have ever taught. You have a very keen sense of emotion. Even though on the surface you seem a bit distant, the feelings in your playing are always rich and full. This past year especially, your playing has grown even more. I’m very happy for you and very proud.”

“With your talent, it’s a good thing you’re not pursuing an artistic path. You must work hard! I hope to hear your good news next year and continue to be your teacher.”

The not-so-young female teacher, who had been influenced by music for a long time, exuded an elegant and composed air. Her cheongsam outlined her slightly full figure, and the fine crow’s feet around her eyes held a gentle, kind smile. As she held out her hands, Gu Zhu put down her pipa case, stepped forward, and gently hugged the teacher who had been with her for four years. “Thank you, Teacher.”

“No need to see me off. Goodbye, Teacher.” At the door, she turned and waved goodbye, then walked toward the person who had been waiting for her by the roadside.

Outside the studio was a huge banyan tree. Its roots were in a round, gray concrete planter, half on the street and half on the sidewalk. Its thick branches blocked out the strong sunlight, and long, brownish roots hung down. This old tree was said to be a hundred years old, yet it still stood tall.

It had silently provided shade for many generations. No matter who they were, it accepted them all. Underneath the tree, one person in the shade was particularly special: young, beautiful, and tall, sitting on an electric scooter with her long legs resting on the ground. Her exposed skin was so fair it seemed to glow. When she saw the person she was waiting for, the sudden smile on her face was more dazzling than the sunlight reflecting off the road.

Gu Zhu approached and took the helmet Bai Tan handed her. After putting it on, she sat down on the back. The pipa case lay across her back. Once she was comfortable, she leaned forward, naturally wrapping her arms around the other’s waist. “Let’s go.”

Every Sunday, if they weren’t staying at school, they would go to the county library. The journey there and back was their time to rest together. The return trip was especially nice, as it was in the evening. The setting sun leaped between the buildings, casting an orange-red glow over the streets. As they rode forward with the wind, it felt like they were racing the sunset.

When they arrived at the library, they went up to the second-floor study room. In the second half of the year, more people were preparing for exams, but thankfully, the study room was spacious with plenty of seats. They preferred to sit in a corner, hidden by greenery, which felt like their own private space and allowed them to focus more.

This time, however, something was different. An takeout bag was on their usual seat, as if declaring that the spot was taken. Just as they were about to look for another place, they noticed a note on the bag.

TO: Student Gu, here’s a bubble tea for you. Please accept it! Thank you again for your help [heart]!

“There’s no signature. Do you know who it is?” Bai Tan held the conspicuous note, which was written with a highlighter. She was a little confused. After coming to the library for so long, she didn’t know Gu Zhu knew anyone here. Was it a way for someone to get closer or hit on her?

She felt a little sour inside but didn’t show it. Before knowing the full story, it wasn’t a good friend’s behavior to jump to conclusions and get jealous.

It was easy to guess who it was. Gu Zhu stared at the note for a moment. She hadn’t really taken Su Li’s words of thanks to heart. It was a normal thing to do, almost a small matter, yet someone had remembered it so clearly. She instinctively looked at the security guard’s desk at the entrance, but it wasn’t a familiar face.

Perhaps Su Li had seen her over the past few weeks and had figured out her schedule, which led to this action. Gu Zhu carried the bag of bubble tea and pulled Bai Tan to other book stacks, trying to find the person who might be hiding, and quietly explained the situation to her on the way. But they found nothing.

Su Li wasn’t there. She had probably anticipated that Gu Zhu would come looking for her and had left early. With no luck, they returned. She would have to find a way to return the favor next time and thank her.

Not wanting to waste the kind gesture, Gu Zhu opened the insulated bag and took out the bubble teas. The cool condensation covered her hands. It was a very popular brand of bubble tea, and she had gotten the most famous flavor. The label on the cup thoughtfully noted which one was sugar-free, which meant she must have asked about her preferences.

She was truly serious about buying her bubble tea. Gu Zhu frowned slightly, remembering Su Li’s busy part-time jobs. These two cups of bubble tea might have been a whole day’s wages for her. She started to feel a bit worried.

“Don’t worry,” Bai Tan said, comforting her. “When we get back to school later, we’ll go to her dorm and thank her and invite her to dinner!”

“Okay, we’ll go back early tonight.” Hearing Bai Tan’s words, Gu Zhu nodded. She knew it was useless to worry too much. She cleared her mind of her jumbled thoughts and focused on her studies again.

When they returned to school, they went to knock on the door of Su Li’s dorm on the opposite corridor. Her roommate told them Su Li hadn’t returned yet. They thought they had just missed her, but over the next week, they still couldn’t find Su Li. Her roommate told them that Su Li had taken a leave of absence and they didn’t know when she would be back.

With this worry in her heart, on another Sunday, Gu Zhu woke up early. After finishing the breakfast Gu Baozhi had prepared, she put on her backpack and headed to the library.

At the corner, Bai Tan’s electric scooter was already waiting.

Without saying much, the two of them headed to their destination. The library had just opened. The security guard at the door was already familiar with the two regulars. After greeting each other, Gu Zhu stopped at the entrance and didn’t immediately go upstairs.

Soon, a familiar figure appeared. Seeing Su Li, Gu Zhu finally felt the weight in her heart lift. For some reason, she always felt a sense of unease toward Su Li. She couldn’t ignore this thin, solitary girl.

“Su Li.”

Hearing someone call her name and seeing Gu Zhu, Su Li was a little surprised. “Why are you two so early today?” Seeing that they hadn’t gone upstairs but were standing by the door, clearly waiting for someone, she hesitated. “Were you waiting for me?”

“Yes,” Gu Zhu nodded. “I received the bubble tea you sent last time. I wanted to thank you in person, but I couldn’t find you, so I thought I’d try my luck here.”

Understanding the meaning in her tone, Su Li’s heart fluttered for a moment, feeling a bit awkward, but a smile appeared on her face. Waving her hand, she said, “No need to thank me, no need to thank me. It was to repay you for your help. It’s what I should have done.”

“You two should go study. Don’t waste time. I have to get busy, too. I have a lot of books to put away today.”

She seemed very eager for them to leave so they wouldn’t ask too many questions. Gu Zhu pursed her lips, knowing she shouldn’t interfere too much in someone else’s life. She swallowed her questions.

Senior year was already a busy time, yet Su Li wasn’t at school but was working part-time. This wasn’t something to be taken lightly, but it also wasn’t something Gu Zhu could interfere with.

“Okay, you go on then.” In the end, she didn’t ask. After saying goodbye, she and Bai Tan went upstairs.

Sensing her preoccupation, Bai Tan gently patted the back of her head and wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. She comforted her softly, “At least we know she’s safe. We can pay more attention later if we get a chance. Don’t think too much, okay?”

“Okay,” Gu Zhu nodded, but she didn’t expect that chance to come so quickly.

Suddenly, there was a commotion outside the door, as if someone was desperately calling a name. The library had a rule against making a commotion, but this person was too anxious to care about the rules. It couldn’t be a minor matter.

The few people who had arrived early in the study room looked outside. Gu Zhu also instinctively perked up her ears, and to her surprise, she caught a familiar name.

“Su Li!”

“Su Li!”

“Where are you!”

She was stunned. She got up and walked out the door, and from a distance, she saw the woman who was searching turn into a doorway. She quickly hurried over. Just as she got close, a person rushing out bumped into her. Luckily, Bai Tan, who had followed her out, caught her and steadied her so she didn’t fall into the wall.

Seeing Su Li running away in a panicked hurry, Gu Zhu asked the woman who had come out, “Sister, what happened? What’s wrong with Su Li?”

The woman heard her call Su Li’s name and assumed she knew her. She sighed and said in a regretful tone, “Her grandma is critically ill. She might not make it.”

Hearing the news, the two of them exchanged a look. They didn’t bother with their things in the study room and ran out, following Su Li’s figure.

Probably in her panic, Su Li was flustered as soon as she got out the door and didn’t know which way to go. She looked lost at the busy street, filled with cars and people, but she was completely disoriented.

“Su Li!”

Gu Zhu and Bai Tan each took one of her arms, supporting her. Seeing her face was covered in tears, they were filled with sadness. “Where do you need to go? We’ll go with you.”

With people to support her, Su Li was able to collect herself a little. She swallowed her sobs with difficulty. “I have to go to the People’s Hospital. Please, take me. I don’t have the strength… waah…”

“Okay, we’ll take you. Don’t worry.”

Bai Tan ran to the side of the road and hailed a taxi. After the three of them got in, they immediately headed to their destination. When they got out, they ran to the operating room. The hospital reeked of disinfectant. The scorching sun was blocked outside and couldn’t get in, and only a faint, grayish light enveloped them, making them feel a sense of coldness.

They were too late. All that awaited them was the doctor’s cold words, “My condolences.” The corridor was empty. Besides the family of a neighbor who had helped her, no one who should have been there was present.

“Grandma!” The sudden wail echoed through the corridor. At the door where the surgery light had gone out, Su Li collapsed on the ground, crying out helplessly, hoping that the only elder who had ever cared for her would appear and embrace her with her wrinkled but forever warm hands, and tell her, “Don’t be afraid. Our good girl will be happy forever!”

But without you, how can I be happy?

No one in this world will ever love me again.

Footsteps rushed from behind. Latecomers brushed past Gu Zhu and the others. Several men and women cried and hugged each other, but then they started blaming each other for being irresponsible and careless.

Gu Zhu couldn’t help but feel sad. She couldn’t do anything, but she could be there for Su Li for a little while.

The death of a loved one was a never-ending rainy season of sadness. It felt as if a seed in her heart was being drowned in the dampness, waiting to rot.

Gu Zhu lowered her eyes, but she couldn’t hide the tears that fell.

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