I Waited for You for Fifteen Years - Chapter 5

I arrived early. When I reached the classroom, none of my classmates had arrived yet, except for the boarding students who were catching up on sleep at their desks. Seeing me arrive, Sheng Yitang greeted me dizzily; before I could even respond, she slumped back down and fell asleep again.

The classroom was terrifyingly quiet, so I tried my best to keep my movements light. After tidying up my things, I felt bored, so I followed suit and sprawled across my desk. However, I kept my head turned, watching the scenery outside the window.

In the summer, the sky brightens quickly. The sky that was gray just a moment ago had now become bright and clear. The birds in the trees began to show off their singing voices one after another, and the cicadas followed suit with their chirping.

Gradually, the classroom filled up, the hallways slowly grew quiet, and the class bell rang.

I lifted my head, stretched, and patted Sheng Yitang awake beside me.

Why do we have to stand up for morning reading? I’m so sleepy and tired; I can’t keep reading.

Just as I was about to sneak back into my seat, Teacher Jiang walked in the very next second. With a solemn face, he scanned the entire class and then raised his volume: “Everyone, get your spirits up and read loudly! Don’t act like a bunch of wilted eggplants, half-dead and lifeless!”

Sigh, forget it. I’d better just stand here honestly.

Studying in class is truly dull, and time seems to slow down. For someone like me who hasn’t been to school in three lifetimes, it is truly an ordeal.

Fortunately, I inherited Wen Ling’s IQ, so learning new knowledge isn’t too difficult.

The grueling morning reading session finally ended. Drowsiness surged over me; unable to hold on any longer, I flopped onto my desk and fell fast asleep.

By the time I was woken up again, the first period was already half over. Sheng Yitang patted my shoulder gently. I lifted my head bleary-eyed, only to lock eyes with the little old man who taught mathematics.

“Some students, ah, sleep so soundly during class time. Those who didn’t know better would think you came to school specifically to learn how to sleep.”

I knew he was talking about me and felt embarrassed instantly, quietly lowering my head. Fortunately, the little old man was a friendly teacher; he was only joking to liven up the atmosphere. Seeing the class brighten up a bit, he turned back and continued his lecture.

Sheng Yitang pointed at the math book I had been using as a pillow and kindly reminded me: “Hurry and open your book. He’s explaining this problem right now.”

I opened the book, but after just one glance, I felt a headache coming on. Intersections, unions, a whole pile of symbols it was frustrating just looking at them.

Sigh, I have to study hard. I can’t lose face for Wen Ling.

After undergoing “eighty-one tribulations,” the agonizing morning finally passed.

Sheng Yitang pulled me along to meet up with the other two. Sui Yue had heard from some upperclassmen that there was a particularly delicious Hot and Sour Rice Noodle shop near the school, and she planned to take the four of us there to try it.

There is a giant statue of Confucius in the school’s central plaza. It’s not far from the school gate, and students or parents are often seen waiting for people under the statue. I heard from teachers and seniors that this is a famous landmark. Besides being a meeting spot, whenever there are major exams, students inevitably come here to offer fruit and snacks, kneeling and praying. It’s a unique local tradition.

Sure enough, Sui Yue and Shen Leqing were waiting for us there. When Sui Yue saw the two of us, she even jumped up and waved her hand, for fear we wouldn’t see her.

“You guys are finally here! It’s noon and I’m about to die from the sun,” Sui Yue rushed toward us excitedly, not forgetting to complain with a pitiful pout.

Behind her, Shen Leqing walked over slowly with a cold face, holding a sun umbrella. “Who told you to show off? You refused to share the umbrella with me.”

“Who wants to squeeze in with you? It’s so awkward.”

“I’d be even happier if you didn’t come. Who cares about you?”

Watching them bicker was actually quite interesting. I exchanged a look with Sheng Yitang, and we both tactfully suppressed our laughter.

Sui Yue finally realized what was happening and glared at us. “What are you doing? You two are just standing there watching the show?”

Sheng Yitang replied, “What else? It’s very entertaining.”

“Alright,” Shen Leqing stepped forward, forcibly pulling Sui Yue under her sun umbrella, and turned back. “Let’s go. If we don’t leave now, there won’t be any seats left.”

Sui Yue glared at Shen Leqing again, but I don’t know what Shen Leqing said to her, because in the next second, she stayed put and let herself be pulled along without resisting.

Looking at the two of them, I felt something was “off” not that their behavior was strange, but… there was an indescribable atmosphere.

After exiting the school gate and walking past two streets, we reached the “Fat Aunt’s Hot and Sour Rice Noodles” that the seniors had praised so highly. As expected, the shop was packed. They had even added several tables on the street outside, which were also full of students.

We managed to snag a seat and ordered the signature hot and sour rice noodles. As a lover of heavy spice, I specifically requested extra chili oil for my portion.

The “Fat Aunt” in the shop was warm and friendly. She worked in an orderly and brisk manner. Bowls of rice noodles were carried out steadily by her; she skillfully added toppings and prepared sauces before delivering them to the students. I watched her in a bit of a daze. No wonder her shop was so well-loved.

In just a short while, our four bowls of rice noodles arrived. As soon as they were served, I could smell the fragrance wafting up with the steam. The four of us didn’t hesitate; after all, eating was the priority.

As a veteran food lover, I could tell after just one mouthful that the taste was extraordinary. The spiciness was just right and the flavor was very authentic. It truly lived up to its reputation.

However, Sheng Yitang didn’t seem very good at handling spice. After only a few bites, her face was flushed red and her lips were swollen. She kept sticking her tongue out and fanning herself, drenched in sweat. I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. She stared at me with a resentful look, then snatched the ice-cold Coke I had just bought from my bag the one I hadn’t even taken a sip of yet.

If you drink that, what am I supposed to drink!

I almost wanted to take it back, but looking at her state, I figured I’d just buy another bottle.

Sui Yue laughed so hard she doubled over, even dragging Shen Leqing along to laugh. Shen Leqing was quite considerate, handing her a tissue and offering her own water bottle.

“Sheng Yitang, after all these years, how are you still so weak? When you agreed to come eat rice noodles, I thought you had finally learned how to eat spicy food,” Sui Yue teased her.

“Yeah,” Shen Leqing added. “If you can’t eat spicy food, just say so. There’s no need to suffer like this. I’ll go order a non-spicy portion for you.”

Perhaps Sheng Yitang felt her pride was at stake, as she stopped Shen Leqing. “No need. I can eat it. I just got choked up. I must learn how to eat this spice!”

Seeing this, the three of us stopped trying to persuade her. We ate our own food while keeping an eye on Sheng Yitang’s condition.

In the end, she couldn’t take it anymore and admitted defeat, but because she was afraid of wasting money, she used water to rinse the noodles and barely finished the whole bowl.

Since the lunch break was long and eating the noodles had delayed our return to school, we decided to just wander around the streets. This was much more interesting than staring blankly back at school.

We turned into a boutique shop filled with a dazzling array of small goods, blind boxes, and plush toys. It was my first time visiting this kind of shop, so I found it quite novel. I looked around on my own, and our little group naturally disbanded.

The wall in front of me was hung with colorful hair accessories, so many that it was dizzying. I randomly picked up a blue and white headband and tried it on, but I didn’t think it looked good, so I shook my head and put it back.

Just as I put down the headband, another red hair tie immediately caught my attention.

For some reason, the image of Zhang Youning wearing a red hair tie while making a cake last night suddenly surfaced in my mind. She had looked so gentle and beautiful.

I looked at other colors, but I felt they weren’t as good as the red one. After several rounds of trying them on and daydreaming, I chose two red hair ties with similar styles.

“Wen Ling, which of these two charms do you think looks better?” Sheng Yitang walked over holding two plush bears of different colors.

One was white and one was brown. To me, there wasn’t much of a difference. However, thinking that since they were charms, a darker color would definitely be more resistant to dirt.

“The brown one. This one is cuter,” I pointed at the brown bear.

Sheng Yitang nodded. “I also think the brown one is pretty. Then I’ll choose this one!”

She hopped away, while I looked at the plush toy section, lost in thought.

After paying and walking out of the boutique, we all showed off the items we had picked. Sheng Yitang kept stroking the bear’s soft fur, while Sui Yue and Shen Leqing were… playing with a pair of magnetic suction bracelets.

Unknowingly, we walked to Lilac Street. I thought of Zhang Youning and wondered if she was in her shop right now. With a “let’s see” attitude, I glanced toward her storefront.

Sure enough, Zhang Youning was there. She was right at the entrance of the shop, supervising the workers as they installed the sign.

A-Ning’s Afternoon Tea. A simple and cute name.

I wanted to call out to her, but unfortunately, the distance across the road was too far. More importantly, she couldn’t hear me.

Her back was turned to me. Her hair was still tied up with a red hair tie. she was looking up at the workers as they installed the sign, her hand raised in the air as if she were gesturing something.

If she were to turn around and look at me now, perhaps she would give me a sweet smile.

“Wen Ling, what are you looking at? Let’s go, class is starting soon,” Sui Yue called my name.

I snapped out of it, nodded, and caught up with them, no longer paying attention to Zhang Youning.

Just as we were about to turn the corner and leave, I instinctively glanced back at Zhang Youning one last time. This time, I actually made eye contact with her.

She was looking in my direction, her expression blank for a moment. I thought she had just glanced over randomly and didn’t recognize me, but in the next second, she suddenly gave me a gentle smile and waved.

I hurried to respond to her, but unfortunately, there wasn’t much time to do anything else. I could only say a hasty goodbye and catch up with my friends.

Shen Leqing noticed the movement on my side. She looked at Zhang Youning in the distance and then at me, asking, “Who is that pretty older sister? Do you know her?”

I nodded. “She’s my neighbor. She’s opening a dessert shop here and is supervising the renovation. We just happened to run into each other, so we said hello.”

Hearing our conversation, the other two also looked toward Zhang Youning, but she had already gone inside, so they saw nothing.

“Is that ‘A-Ning’s Afternoon Tea’ her shop? It looks nice. Let’s go check it out together when it opens,” Sheng Yitang suggested.

“I think that sounds good, but let’s talk about it later. There are only ten minutes until class,” Shen Leqing said calmly.

Sui Yue looked at her watch and immediately sensed disaster. With a “Holy crap,” she grabbed us and started running.

Fortunately, we were fast and managed to reach the classroom just in time. However, we were all drenched in sweat and panting for breath.

Sheng Yitang and I stood at the classroom door. Teacher Jiang glared at us and gave us a couple of warnings before letting us into the room smoothly.

Teacher Jiang was lecturing at the front. Sheng Yitang was beside me tidying her things. I leaned on the desk, looking at the hair tie in my hand, then out the window, dazed and lost in thought.

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