Gardenia Blossom Season

Part 6

11

Soon, it was time for final exams.

In these recent exams, Xu Xing Zhan's grades hadn't continued to decline, but he still hovered around fifth place in the grade.
As for the top spot in science that he was used to holding, it had become something I had firmly secured.

On the day the final grades were released, I went to the homeroom teacher's office to collect my report card.

I overheard the homeroom teacher from Class 2 talking, "Ah, if Xu Xing Zhan puts in a bit more effort next semester, he'll easily reclaim first place. I've reviewed his test papers, and most of his point deductions were due to careless mistakes.
After all, he's a boy, not as meticulous as a girl, but still sharper than the girls."

My homeroom teacher just smiled without responding.

When the Class 2 homeroom teacher saw me, she quickly changed the topic.

My homeroom teacher asked me what my plans were for the winter break.

I initially wanted to say I had none, but then I changed my mind.

"A few classmates and I are planning to form a study group to focus on science subjects. We've found a male student who's really good at science to help us."

The Class 2 homeroom teacher interrupted, "No wonder Xu Xing Zhan mentioned that he'd be tutoring classmates over the break. So it's for your class, huh..."

I replied, "Oh, no, I wasn't talking about him. The male student who's really good at science is Zhou Ji from Class 1."

"..."

My homeroom teacher stifled a laugh, "Zhou Ji agreed to it?"

"Yes. In exchange, I'm tutoring him in liberal arts."

Just then, the Class 1 homeroom teacher burst into the room.

"I heard you mention Zhou Ji. What were you saying about him?"
Zhou Ji himself was right behind him.

My homeroom teacher laughed and explained the study help arrangement to him.

Realization dawned on him, and he chuckled, "So, Xu Zhi is the 'genius' Zhou Ji was talking about, the one helping him with liberal arts. I thought his recent improvement in that subject was because I'd scolded him into it."

As he spoke, he gave me a pat on the shoulder, "Xu Zhi, make sure to work this brat hard over the break."

He also said to Zhou Ji, "Zhou Ji, show off that brilliant mind of yours to our class as well."

The Class 2 homeroom teacher added, "I have to say, boys' brains are just naturally sharper. Look at Zhou Ji and Xu Xing Zhan from our class—they can both ace science without breaking a sweat."

Zhou Ji peeked out from behind his teacher, "Are you complimenting me, sir? Thanks. But I don't think I'm as smart as Xu Zhi from Class 3. She's truly impressive. This time, she was the only one in the entire school to get a perfect score in physics. I actually came here to check out her test paper."

His dimples appeared as he smiled.
Even though he was smiling, his tone carried a hint of sarcasm.

The Class 2 homeroom teacher was momentarily speechless, and just then, the class committee member from their class walked in. She muttered something under her breath and turned away.

Zhou Ji sneakily flashed me a victory sign.

12

Winter break.

I had just stepped out the door, ready to head to the library, when I bumped into a group of people at the entrance across from me.

Jian Qing Mai and a few of her friends were pressing the doorbell. Within a few seconds, Xu Xing Zhan opened the door from the inside.

I glanced at him briefly, then looked away.

Jian Qing Mai's laughter echoed in my ears: "I remember you saying you and Xu Zhi are neighbors, but I didn't realize you guys lived this close."

Xu Xing Zhan let out a small "hmm" and invited them inside.

As I changed my shoes, I heard Xu Xing Zhan's voice behind me.

"Xu Zhi, you're avoiding me."

It was a statement, not a question—uttered with complete certainty.

I found it amusing. "You're overthinking it."

"Then why, when my mom invited you over for dinner, did you never come again?"

"Too much homework. No time."

"Xu Zhi—"

Jian Qing Mai, already inside, poked her head out again. "Xu Xing Zhan, everyone's waiting for you. Why aren't you coming in?"

She glanced at me with a meaningful look.

"Xu Zhi, I hope we can still be friends."

Xu Xing Zhan said this, then closed the door before I could respond.

I laughed out of sheer exasperation.

Standing at the door, I sent him a message on WeChat: 【I don't befriend people who lack manners.】

After hitting send, I deleted his WeChat contact along with his phone number.

Predictably, Xu Xing Zhan didn't respond.

If he hadn't said those words today, we might have quietly remained in each other's contact lists.

But he called us "friends."

A deeply ironic label.

There was never any talk of "friends" or "neighbors" between us.

In the face of everyone's teasing, their playful comments, he never denied anything.

I liked Xu Xing Zhan, and I believed he had liked me, too.

But now I realized I was wrong.

I was simply a shield he used to deflect others.

And I endured his cold words without complaint, never causing trouble, passively accepting it all.

To put it bluntly, I was his simp.

For the past decade, I had centered my life around either textbooks or Xu Xing Zhan. I barely had any close friends.

People's first impression of me was always: Xu Xing Zhan's childhood friend, Xu Zhi.

But now?

I was Xu Zhi, the top student of Jiang High School.

No longer someone's shadow.

Without Xu Xing Zhan, my future suddenly seemed bright and wide open.

In the days I no longer paid attention to him, I found more time to invest in myself and to appreciate the beauty around me.

"Knock, knock."

At the library, across the table from me.

Zhou Ji waved his phone at me, signaling for me to check mine.

【Xu Zhi, it's snowing.】

Outside the window, the daylight was dim, and snowflakes were drifting down.

But I saw a ray of light.

The boy in front of me flashed a dimpled smile, then sent another message:

【Today's the first snow of the season. Make a wish.】

I looked up, meeting his shining amber eyes.

【Then let's wish for a future filled with light and grandeur for us both.】