MM | Chapter 83

Marking

The stage for the arts festival was set in the auditorium of the Affiliated High School. In the afternoon, the first-year classes started rehearsing, and the building was bustling with people coming and going. The second-year students were much calmer, at least finishing their afternoon self-study quietly.

Before class ended, Sheng Wang finished all his papers and sent Jiang Tian a WeChat message:

Say That Again: Boyfriend’s here to check on you.

Oh: ?

Oh: I’m in the classroom.

Say That Again: Who checks that?

Say That Again: Have you finished the papers for today and tomorrow?

The second day of the arts festival was a holiday, considered the last hurrah before the second-year final exams. However, some teachers assigned homework as if they were celebrating, throwing it down like it was free.

Sheng Wang wanted to go out tomorrow, so he urged the person upstairs to finish his homework quickly. Unexpectedly, Jiang Tian soon sent a photo of his desk, showing only three papers, all completed.

Oh: Old He and Sister Jing didn’t give out papers, so this is all for two days.

Say That Again: Damn! I want to go back to Class A.

Sheng Wang, feeling provoked, put away his ten finished papers and was about to go upstairs to find the one who provoked him for dinner when the music teacher entered the classroom.

She clapped her hands at the front door and said, “Come on, pack up, we’re heading to the auditorium.”

“So early?”

“It’s not early, the arts festival starts at 7, and it’s already 5:30,” the music teacher said. “Quick, let’s go.”

“We haven’t had dinner yet.”

“Where’s the class monitor? And the entertainment committee member, go to the supermarket and buy something to snack on. Your performance is quite early, you can eat slowly after.”

Sheng Wang clicked his tongue and had to pull out his phone to tell Jiang Tian to go to the cafeteria by himself.

Backstage at the auditorium, there was a row of dressing rooms. Due to limited numbers, they were shared by two classes. Sheng Wang’s room had “Class A, Class B” on the door, but there was no sign of Class A students.

“Not fair, teacher—” many complained to the music teacher, knocking on water bottles, “Why can Class A have dinner while we have to come so early?”

“Is this your first day seeing this? Class A has always been like this, not bothering to come to the dressing room until the show is about to start. The arts festival doesn’t give out awards!”

The music teacher slapped a talking boy on the back and said, “Stop talking and change into your costumes for makeup! Class A has fewer people, so I told them not to rush over. They’d just be bored waiting.”

The table next to the makeup station was piled with unopened clothes, all white shirts and black trousers, simple and convenient.

Sheng Wang walked over, rummaged through them, and asked, “Can we just take one?”

“No, they’re labeled with names. Didn’t we measure everyone’s sizes before? Don’t wear the wrong one,” the music teacher said. “There are a few from Class A in there too, make sure you check before taking.”

“Class A is wearing the same as us? Teacher, you’re too efficient.”

Sheng Wang thought the names would be on the bags or in inconspicuous places like the collar or cuffs. Unexpectedly, the music teacher was quite creative, having the names printed on the back of the shirts in a graffiti style. From the front, they looked proper, but the back was flamboyant and eye-catching.

As soon as the bags were opened, the dressing room was filled with exclamations of “Whoa.”

Sheng Wang pulled out his shirt, remembering the “Super A” from the last sports meet, and couldn’t resist taking a picture to send to Jiang Tian.

Say That Again: This teacher is something else.

Say That Again: I suspect he’s related to Gao Tianyang, they’re both flamboyant.

Oh: Just your style.

Oh: Didn’t you eagerly want to wear it last time?

Say That Again: ???

Say That Again: I was trying to trick you into wearing it, get it straight.

Say That Again: Oh, wait a sec.

He pulled out Jiang Tian’s shirt and sent a photo over.

Say That Again: See, you can’t escape either, happy?

Oh: …

Oh: Burn it for me.

Oh: I’m not wearing it.

Thinking of Jiang Tian’s reluctant cold face, Sheng Wang couldn’t stop laughing.

Just as he finished laughing, the door to the dressing room was pushed open, and two groups of people came in one after the other. The first two were the Class B monitor and entertainment committee member who had gone to buy dinner, carrying four large convenience bags filled with bread and biscuits.

A crowd swarmed over, ready to grab the food, when the second group entered.

Everyone paused, then exclaimed, “What the heck, Class A is here so early today?!”

For once, Class A arrived early, with seven or eight people for both performing and helping out. Jiang Tian was at the back, earphones in, left hand scrolling his phone, right hand holding a takeout bag from the cafeteria, the aroma wafting out.

He entered with his head down, raised the bag to Sheng Wang, and said, “Dinner.”

The group grabbing bread and biscuits went wild, questioning the class monitor: “Why didn’t we get any hot food? Why didn’t you go to the cafeteria?”

“Dream on, the cafeteria’s packed!” the monitor replied irritably.

Gao Tianyang, familiar with everyone, shook his script and chimed in, “No, queuing isn’t the problem, the key is missing a brother.”

Sheng Wang lightly kicked the back of his knee, laughing and cursing, “Get lost, jealous?”

“Not jealous, Sheng-ge, cherish this time. Soon this treatment will belong to someone else, right Tian-ge?” Gao Tianyang pulled a chair to sit in front of Sheng Wang, leaning on the backrest and winking at Jiang Tian.

Jiang Tian placed the food beside Sheng Wang, frowned, and asked, “What are you talking about?”

“Tsk—” Gao Tianyang raised his head dissatisfied, and while others weren’t paying attention, he lowered his voice and reminded, “The one you’ve been chatting with, the stunningly beautiful one. Isn’t she your soon-to-be girlfriend?”

Sheng Wang: “…”

Jiang Tian quickly glanced at someone, grabbed an unopened shirt, and tossed it aside, saying “Hmm.” A moment later, he added, “Remove the ‘soon-to-be’.”

Gao Tianyang: “???”

That simple statement nearly drove his childhood friend crazy. If it weren’t for the teacher present, Gao Tianyang would have gossiped with him endlessly.

The Class B group was munching on dry snacks, Yang Jing and Zhao Cai called Xiao Lajiao over to help with makeup for the girls. The music teacher was busy applying foundation to the boys, creating a chaotic scene.

Gao Tianyang moved away from the running crowd, dragging his chair closer to Sheng Wang, trying to pull in an ally: “Hey Sheng-ge, did you hear? Tian-ge has a girlfriend.”

Xiao Lajiao, holding a makeup brush for Yang Jing, turned her head sharply, first looking shocked. Then she quickly kicked his chair.

Gao Tianyang almost fell. He steadied himself and turned to ask, “Why kick me?”

Xiao Lajiao gave Yang Jing a look and whispered, “Do you think your voice is that low?”

Gao Tianyang shrank his neck and shut up.

After that, those feeling stifled included not only Gao Tianyang but also Xiao Lajiao. Her eyes were already big, and now they were even more noticeable, frequently sneaking glances at Jiang Tian, looking as if she couldn’t believe it. When she met Sheng Wang’s gaze, she hurriedly looked away, blushing and staying quiet.

Yang Jing was doing makeup for Li Yu. While applying eyeshadow, she chatted around and asked Jiang Tian, “I heard you just learned the guitar?”

“Yeah.”

“How’s your practice going?”

Before Jiang Tian could answer, Sheng Wang’s actions froze for a moment. He tossed a jujube into his mouth, thinking it was a good question… He had used the excuse of teaching Jiang Tian guitar to stay at school for a week, but besides not mastering the guitar, they practiced everything else.

At this age, full of passion and restlessness, once you get a taste, it’s hard to stop. The dorm’s bunk beds weren’t wide, and once the curtains were drawn, it felt like an isolated sanctuary—cramped, narrow, but incredibly safe. They kissed and caressed inside, doing private and intimate things.

Seventeen or eighteen-year-old boys were full of energy. Sheng Wang was usually fine, but in those moments, he always sweated easily. He always thought his brother didn’t sweat, cold as if he never felt hot. Only these days did he realize they were the same.

Jiang Tian wore long pants, his forehead damp with sweat. When he reached for the water cup, the lines of his shoulders, back, and neck would form a beautiful arc, similar yet opposite to his daytime self, with an indescribable allure.

Whenever he saw this side, Sheng Wang couldn’t even remember there was a guitar in the room.

He was an unqualified “teacher,” and the “student” wasn’t diligent at all. The only consolation was that the other was truly smart, and despite the sporadic practice, he managed to learn “Childhood.”

Jiang Tian was answering Yang Jing’s question when Sheng Wang snapped back to reality, only to hear an exclamation beside him. Something splattered on his white shirt. He looked down to see a row of ink spots flying diagonally from the lower left side to the hem.

“…Sorry!” The class monitor, holding a pen, looked bewildered, “I was revising the lines for the interlude, and the pen wouldn’t write, so I shook it a couple of times.”

The music teacher let go of the boy she was working on and walked over, stretching Sheng Wang’s shirt and shaking her head, “No, this is too obvious. You’re standing in the center of the row, you can’t wear a dirty shirt.”

The class monitor, feeling guilty, grabbed a wet tissue and clumsily tried to wipe it off.

“Hey, don’t—” The music teacher couldn’t stop him in time, and the ink spots smudged even more.

Sheng Wang: “…Class monitor, I suggest you run for your life.”

The music teacher glared, and the class monitor hurriedly ran to the door. At this point, getting angry was useless; they had to solve the shirt problem.

“How about just wearing the white T-shirt underneath?” Yang Jing suggested.

“It’s a choir, mismatched outfits look bad, and even minor flaws are noticeable,” the music teacher said. “How about swapping with someone in the back row?”

“Take mine.” Jiang Tian handed his unopened shirt to Sheng Wang.

The music teacher was momentarily stunned, “What will you wear?”

“Anything, it’s not a group performance,” Jiang Tian said.

Li Yu agreed, “Our performance only has two people, as long as the colors match, right, teacher?”

“That works,” the music teacher said.

Sheng Wang quickly changed, now wearing a shirt with “Jiang Tian” printed on the back. The front was pristine white, with no visible issues.

“When you get off stage, be mindful. Face sideways to the audience, and those behind you, don’t stray too far, block a bit,” the music teacher instructed. “Otherwise, wearing someone else’s name might be awkward.”

Yang Jing, standing nearby, quipped, “You’re overthinking it, he won’t feel awkward.”

Sheng Wang laughed.

He knew Yang Jing didn’t mean it that way, but for him, wearing a shirt with Jiang Tian’s name felt like a public declaration.

The dressing room door was knocked, and the coordinating teacher came to remind them, “Class B’s performance is in 15 minutes, get ready. Class B is followed by Class A, with the skit first, then the guitar and vocals.”

Once the coordinating teacher left, the dressing room atmosphere turned tense. The previously laughing and playing students quieted down, some needing the restroom, others going out for fresh air, and some heading to the side of the stage to watch.

Li Yu was prone to nerves. After Yang Jing finished her makeup, she pulled Xiao Lajiao outside. Most of Class B had finished their makeup, even the boys had a simple base. Yang Jing, holding a makeup brush, scanned the room and set her sights on Sheng Wang.

“You’re the face of the group, right? Come here, let me give you a handsome look!” she beckoned.

“No, no, no.” Sheng Wang quickly backed away, “I’ll pass.”

“Everyone else has makeup, why aren’t you joining in?”

Sheng Wang grabbed Jiang Tian and put him in front, saying, “If you must, use him. If he wears makeup, so will I.”

Before Yang Jing could speak, Jiang Tian said, “No way.”

In the end, the music teacher stopped Yang Jing’s mischief: “With their complexion, they don’t need foundation. My powder could darken them, believe it?”

Yang Jing looked at the foundation shade in her hand, momentarily speechless, and had to put down the brush.

Hanging onto Jiang Tian’s shoulder, Sheng Wang sighed in relief, only to see Yang Jing circle around, rummaging through the makeup box, and pull out a lipstick.

“Forget the foundation, but lipstick is a must, or you’ll look pale on stage,” Yang Jing said earnestly. “Stage lights can make you look sickly.”

This time, the music teacher didn’t stop her, instead actively agreeing, “That’s true.”

Sheng Wang and Yang Jing stared at each other for a few seconds before he bolted. But Jiang Tian, the bastard, grabbed him, severely hindering his escape, and the Class B boys who’d already been made up didn’t let him go either. With a shared sense of camaraderie, they pinned him down under Yang Jing’s brush.

“This color looks great on fair-skinned guys, trust me,” Sister Jing said, speaking like a devil, and applied a layer without hesitation. Sheng Wang had never tried this stuff, feeling strange, instinctively wanting to wipe it off with the back of his hand, but Sister Jing stopped him, “Don’t smudge it, or it’ll smear.”

“…”

Sheng Wang wanted to eat someone alive.

Yang Jing, having finished with one, set her sights on another.

Jiang Tian reacted quickly, almost disappearing out the door the moment she turned her head. Sheng Wang was stunned for a second, then immediately chased after him: “Don’t run, why didn’t you feel guilty when you set me up?”

The auditorium’s first floor was bustling with lights and sound, people everywhere. Jiang Tian turned at the end of the corridor and headed to the second floor, with Sheng Wang following.

The two tall boys, with long legs, took the stairs three at a time, reaching the fourth floor in no time.

There were still people going to the restroom on the second floor, but the third and fourth floors were dark, surrounded by a dim gloom. The sound and excitement were muffled beneath them, separated by thick walls, feeling a bit suffocating.

The fourth-floor stairs led to the rooftop. Sheng Wang felt a chill as he reached it, just as Jiang Tian slowed down. Without a word, he hooked Jiang Tian’s neck, pulling him down, laughing and cursing, “Still setting me up?! If you do it again, we’ll go to the rooftop together.”

Jiang Tian let him hold on, supporting himself on his knees, chuckling deeply, “Not necessary.”

“Bullshit, it’s always not necessary with you. When Sister Jing pinned me down, why didn’t you say not necessary?” Sheng Wang leaned on him, catching his breath.

After a moment, he noticed his palm was covered in dust, so he let go of Jiang Tian’s neck: “Damn, this stair railing hasn’t been cleaned in a year?”

“There’s a restroom nearby,” Jiang Tian nodded toward it, “Go wash.”

Moonlight poured down the rooftop stairs, clear and bright. Jiang Tian straightened up, leaning against a clean railing to wait.

Sheng Wang came out after washing, flicking water from his fingers as he approached: “Fairness is important, if I wear it, you have to too, or this won’t end.”

Jiang Tian watched him come closer and asked, “Are you serious?”

“Yeah, think about what to do,” Sheng Wang said.

The two stood off half-seriously, half-jokingly for a while before Jiang Tian finally relented. He nodded, then pinched Sheng Wang’s chin and leaned in. Yang Jing’s lipstick was slightly sticky, and when their lips touched and parted, there was a slight pull.

Jiang Tian moved back a bit and said, “I’ve worn it.”

“You are just…”

“What?”

“Nothing,” Sheng Wang squinted and bit down again.

Xiao Lajiao never expected that taking Li Yu to the rooftop to ease her nerves would lead to witnessing such a scene.

The corner of the hallway under the moonlight wasn’t completely dark; everything had an ambiguous half-light, half-shadow outline. The boy she once had a crush on was quietly kissing another boy.

It wasn’t until the two went downstairs that she snapped out of her blank state and emerged from behind the restroom wall.

Class B’s performance time was near. Li Yu came down from the rooftop and was startled by Xiao Lajiao’s appearance: “Pepper? What’s wrong? You look like you’ve lost your soul after going to the restroom.”

Only then did Xiao Lajiao truly realize what she had seen.

“Are you okay?” Li Yu grew more concerned.

Xiao Lajiao was shaken a few times before finding her voice. She opened her mouth, then pressed her lips together. After a moment, she shook her head and said, “No, I just… remembered something.”

“What is it? Is it important?”

“No,” Xiao Lajiao shook her head again, “No.”

*

Class B’s choir performance wasn’t particularly remarkable; it was a time-saving, convenient program. They simply divided the parts, with the girls in the front row each holding a lamp, creating a somewhat neat and warm scene. Yet, as they left the stage, they still received enthusiastic applause and whistles, making Sheng Wang think they were really giving face.

Performers couldn’t return backstage; teachers would guide them directly to the audience seats.

Sheng Wang wanted to sneak away but couldn’t, so he followed the others to Class B’s assigned seats. He borrowed a tissue from a classmate to wipe the remaining color from his lips, then hooked his fingers around the knot to pull off the uniform tie.

Halfway through, a few girls from another class in the front row turned around: “You looked especially handsome today.”

Sheng Wang was momentarily surprised: “This song can make someone look handsome?”

“Who cares about the song, it’s your face!” One girl, bold and direct, leaned back on her chair and asked, “Do you mind having a partner?”

“…”

Sheng Wang politely smiled, “Sorry, I already have someone.”

The girl turned back disappointed, while Shi Yu almost twisted his head off: “What did you just say?”

Sheng Wang leaned back in his chair, rolling the tie into a ball and handing it to the entertainment committee member collecting them, “Why are your ears so sharp now?”

“Really?” Shi Yu asked incredulously.

“What do you think?” Sheng Wang said.

Shi Yu muttered to himself for a while, thinking Sheng Wang had just found an excuse to politely refuse. Sheng Wang didn’t say more, pointing at the stage to signal him to watch the performance.

Shi Yu turned back, but Sheng Wang’s thoughts wandered.

The recent time spent together gave him a sense of reckless abandon, making him want to reveal a bit, even when he knew what the most sensible answer was. He was eager to subtly tell everyone that he had someone he really liked, someone he didn’t want to keep hidden in the dark.

Laughter rose and fell in waves from the audience, ebbing and flowing. Sheng Wang snapped back to reality amid the noise, realizing Gao Tianyang and Song Sirui’s skit was nearing its end.

The lights dimmed as they left the stage, the last bit disappearing at the upper right corner of the curtain. The auditorium was quiet for a moment, then slowly filled with voices as the lights came back on.

A spotlight descended like a pillar from the heavens, with Jiang Tian standing in its center.

Restrained cheers rose from the audience, but they couldn’t drown out the buzzing discussions from Class B. Sheng Wang didn’t catch what they were saying; he was focused on the person on stage, who was wearing his shirt, the one mistakenly splattered with ink.

But now, the ink spots were invisible. Jiang Tian had tucked that half of the shirt into his pants, leaving the other half hanging out. The fabric draped loosely over his waist and hips, forming geometric folds—cool, with a hint of a young man’s unique rebelliousness.

His eyes were lit with a shallow color, glancing up with a slight gleam. His gaze swept the audience, finding Sheng Wang’s spot, giving a brief look before lowering his eyes to test the sound.

Jiang Tian strummed the strings briefly, then gestured to Li Yu beside him.

The guitar’s wooden tones resonated slowly. Sheng Wang always thought it was a magical instrument, as if any casual strum evoked the dazzling youth of sunny days, like a boy running on a lined track on the playground, yet always tinged with a sense of nostalgia.

Even though he was at that age, he sometimes wanted to describe the scene with “that year.”

That year, the person he liked played a song on stage, and when he turned to leave, his back bore Sheng Wang’s name.

The applause was warm and enduring, like a grand blessing.

No one knew they were together, but everyone had seen them together.