MM | Chapter 76

Return to School

They returned to the city on Monday after the English competition, perfectly missing a school break. Sheng Mingyang had originally asked Xiao Chen to pick them up at the station, but the Affiliated High School took over the task.

The special car was the same, and so was the driver, but the teacher in the passenger seat had changed from Yang Jing to Big Mouth Xu.

Sheng Wang was a bit relieved, thinking that taking the school car was better than Xiao Chen’s, avoiding the immediate sight of Jiang Ou and Sheng Mingyang when the door opened. However, seeing Big Mouth Xu wasn’t exactly pleasant either. No student who hasn’t graduated likes hanging out with the Director of the Political and Educational Office, especially one who has had their phone confiscated.

As soon as Big Mouth showed up, Sheng Wang stuffed his phone back into his pocket.

“You never listen like this at school. Do you think I can take your phone away out here?” Big Mouth said grumpily. “Are you letting your family know you’re safe or just chatting? If it’s the former, go ahead. If it’s the latter, just pretend I didn’t say anything.”

“My dad’s asking if the school car has arrived,” Sheng Wang replied.

“Of course, you should let him know so he doesn’t worry. Our school is very responsible in this regard, always early, never late. We can’t have students waiting at the station with no one to pick them up.” Big Mouth Xu launched into a lengthy discussion about the school’s dedication to students. Sheng Wang kept nodding while quickly replying to Sheng Mingyang on WeChat.

Health Encyclopedia: The temperature has dropped a lot recently. Your Aunt Jiang says the dorm blankets might be thin. Can you go back to the dorm after class this afternoon? We’ll visit the school to bring you and Xiao Tian some extra bedding.

Store Anniversary: Not cold at all.

Store Anniversary: We’ve missed two weeks of classes, so we might not have time after class.

Health Encyclopedia: Give us the key, and Aunt Jiang and I will handle it.

Store Anniversary: The dorm isn’t just us; there are roommates too. You might scare them by showing up suddenly.

Sheng Wang was typing away when he suddenly heard Jiang Tian say softly, “Why the frown?”

“My dad,” Sheng Wang said, about to show Jiang Tian the conversation, but then hesitated.

First, he didn’t want Jiang Tian to see how much he was trying to avoid Sheng Mingyang and Jiang Ou visiting the school, fearing Jiang Tian might think he regretted something. Second, he didn’t want Jiang Tian to see their names, worried it might burden him.

So, he quickly flashed the phone in front of Jiang Tian’s eyes, then pulled it back, complaining, “My dad insists it’s getting colder and is asking if we’re wearing long johns.”

Afraid Jiang Tian wouldn’t believe him, he reached out and touched Jiang Tian’s thigh, whispering, “Let me check if you’re wearing them.”

“…”

Jiang Tian moved away, blocking Sheng Wang’s hand. Sheng Wang, persistent, tried to sneak back, only to have Jiang Tian grab his wrist.

Big Mouth Xu, who had been talking non-stop, finally paused and turned to look.

The two immediately let go, and Sheng Wang even shifted a bit, leaning against the car window to create a clear boundary.

He was instinctively worried—Big Mouth Xu had sharp eyes and could suspect him of dating just by seeing him send a text. Now, sitting side by side with Jiang Tian under Big Mouth’s watchful eyes, it felt like turning themselves in.

Unexpectedly, Big Mouth just snorted, shook his head, and said to the driver, “Luckily, I only have one son. If I had two, like those two back there—”

He pointed at Sheng Wang and Jiang Tian, “They’d probably be bickering from childhood.”

The driver nodded in agreement, “I have two sons. They fight over toys, food, beds—everything seems better when it’s someone else’s.”

“Right? It’s a headache.”

Big Mouth continued chatting with the driver about parenting, leaving the two in the back alone.

Sheng Wang was stunned for a while before realizing that in Big Mouth’s eyes, he and Jiang Tian were family, brothers. Being close and playful was normal, and they wouldn’t think otherwise as long as they were careful.

…

As long as they were careful, it would be fine.

Sheng Wang slowly relaxed, his mood brightening. Even his replies to Sheng Mingyang became less stiff, as if the phone screen was a protective barrier, resistant to damage.

He shifted to a more comfortable position, leaning his head against the window, his right leg resting against Jiang Tian, and continued chatting with Sheng Mingyang.

Store Anniversary: Tell Aunt Jiang the dorm has air conditioning. We find long sleeves too hot for sleeping. Adding another blanket would make us combust.

Sheng Mingyang replied irritably: Nonsense.

Store Anniversary: It’s true.

Store Anniversary: If you don’t believe me, I’ll take a picture tonight. One of our chubbier roommates even wears a tank top.

Store Anniversary: Do you want to roast your son?

Health Encyclopedia: The temperature will drop further. Even if you don’t use it, having it there as a backup is good.

Store Anniversary: Dad, think carefully. With our dorm cabinets, can we fit extra blankets?

Health Encyclopedia finally hesitated.

Sheng Wang added: Just bring them next time I come home.

Sheng Mingyang probably discussed it with Jiang Ou and finally replied: Fine, next holiday then.

He snapped his fingers lightly, and Jiang Tian looked over, asking, “Finished?”

“Yeah.”

Sheng Wang replied, then opened the pinned chat and typed: I’m so sleepy.

Someone: …

Jiang Tian glanced at him, looking a bit speechless, probably thinking it was silly. His expression said “immature,” but his fingers obediently typed a response.

Someone: If you’re sleepy, sleep.

Someone: We’re still half an hour from school.

Store Anniversary: Can I have a human pillow?

Store Anniversary: Never mind, I know I can’t.

Jiang Tian’s thin eyelids lifted slightly, landing on Big Mouth Xu’s head, staring for about five seconds before lowering again, a silent display of annoyance. It was a simple action, but on Jiang Tian, Sheng Wang found it amusing.

Big Mouth Xu, with his director’s occupational habits, was observant. He heard Sheng Wang’s light snort and turned to ask, “What’s so funny?”

Sheng Wang instantly put on a serious face, saying, “Nothing, just saw a joke on Moments.”

Big Mouth looked interested, “Oh? What joke?”

Sheng Wang: “…”

This time, Jiang Tian turned his head away.

What a joke.

Sheng Wang shifted his foot, discreetly stepping on Jiang Tian’s shoe.

Fortunately, Big Mouth wasn’t insistent on hearing the joke and was soon distracted by the driver’s conversation. Sheng Wang slumped back into his seat.

Store Anniversary: I miss Uncle Xiao Chen.

Store Anniversary: I could lie down in the back seat of Uncle Xiao Chen’s car.

Store Anniversary: He wouldn’t ask what joke I was reading.

Someone: Move your foot first.

Store Anniversary: With Big Mouth in front, I have to behave from head to toe. Only my foot can rest on you for a while.

Store Anniversary: Is that not okay either?

Someone: …

Sheng Wang teased Jiang Tian, chuckling quietly, feeling stifled in the car, eager to reach school.

Once they got off the car, it would be better. Once at school, it wouldn’t be so stifling, he thought.

However, when they actually got off, he realized he was wrong. The school was big, but it wasn’t much better than the car.

They returned around noon, running into Shi Yu and Qiu Wenbin when they went to the dorm to drop off their luggage. Then they met Old Man Ding and Mute at Wutongwai Alley for lunch.

Sheng Wang used to think those alleys were empty and quiet, but now they felt too lively. Elderly people greeted them with groceries, kids ran around playing, and many homes had open windows on the first floor, with people watering plants, cooking, or watching TV and chatting.

The school’s Road No. 3 wasn’t as quiet as before either. Students walked along the tree-lined paths with drinks or newly bought stationery. Not many, but it gave the illusion of a constant stream.

The bustling alleys and streets.

Only at this moment did Sheng Wang truly realize the “holiday” was over. In the longer days ahead, they’d have to hide themselves, their intimacy and joy tucked away in more private, secret places.

In hidden corners, where no one knew.

*

As they went upstairs, they ran into a group of teachers coming from the cafeteria, including teachers from Class A, Class B, and Class 9.

Yang Jing called out to them, “I had a class this morning and couldn’t make it to the station. Did you drop your luggage at the dorm?”

“Yeah,” Sheng Wang said, “We just had lunch.”

“I heard you two were sick?” He Jin was, as always, the first to worry about their health.

“Huh?” Sheng Wang and Jiang Tian exchanged glances and quickly looked away.

“We had a cold for a bit,” Sheng Wang pointed at Jiang Tian, “He even had a fever.”

“I heard about that. They said the place you stayed had a water outage, and several people got sick, right?”

Jiang Tian wasn’t surprised by this, having participated in competitions before, but Sheng Wang looked shocked. He Jin explained, “There are only so many teachers involved in competitions in the province, and they all know each other. The school worries you might not take care of yourselves, so they always ask around.”

“Oh, no wonder.”

“And your performance and report cards during the training are sent to the school as feedback,” Yang Jing said. “We received them yesterday.”

Sheng Wang: “???”

“Why do you look so shocked?” Yang Jing said with a smile, “Did you skip class or break the rules?”

“No,” Jiang Tian said, “We just took a day of sick leave.”

“I saw that. The feedback mentioned it. You two performed well overall, except for the sick leave, you didn’t miss a class,” Yang Jing said. “You’re considered outstanding students, but you lost some points in the PK scores.”

The Class 9 English teacher asked, “Oh? How much did they fall behind?”

Yang Jing replied, “Four or five points.”

“Who’s in the lead?”

“Who else? No. 1 High School.”

“That’s basically… a bit tricky.”

The teacher probably wanted to say “basically hopeless,” since the training scores can affect students’ mindset during the competition. Those in the lead might be more relaxed, while those behind feel more pressured, which could widen the gap if not managed well.

But considering the students’ feelings, he chose a more tactful expression.

The Class B English teacher patted Sheng Wang and Jiang Tian on the shoulder, saying, “It’s okay. Making it to the finals is already a breakthrough. No matter what, it’s a great experience.”

Yang Jing agreed, “Yes, you’ve already made us proud. By the way, did Old Xu say anything when he picked you up? He was going on and on about your scores yesterday, asking if there’s a chance for a national third place.”

Sheng Wang answered honestly, “He didn’t say much at first, just chatted. Later, he mentioned that the competition has few winners, and if we could get a third place, the school would be very satisfied. He told us not to worry and to prepare well for other competitions.”

Yang Jing nodded, “Good, at least he said something less exaggerated.”

“Old Xu likes to exaggerate. It’s better to be modest,” He Jin laughed and asked the students, “So, how did you respond?”

Sheng Wang hesitated for a moment and said, “It’s not likely to be just third place.”

He Jin: “…”

Well, that’s even more ambitious than Old Xu.

Yang Jing looked at the two bold students, unsure whether to be happy or worried, and said, “Alright, the results come out next month. I’ll be waiting to see how you manage more than a third place.”