The Silent World And Him - Chapter 25

Chapter 25

He would never leave her, no matter when. When Qin Yu made this promise, Pu Chen happened to bite into a raisin on the bread, and the sour-sweet taste spread across her tongue.

Promises at this age are dreamlike and fragile, like beautiful bubbles that burst on their own after blooming in colorful splendor, without any external force needed.

Pu Chen knew that such words were even more fragile than bubbles, yet she was still willing to believe him.

She bit into another raisin, silently facing the person in front of her.

She didn’t know what to say.

All her luck in life was used up when she met him.

Qin Yu didn’t need her response; he just wanted her to understand his feelings.

He gestured for her to drink water again, saying, “After you finish eating, I’ll go over today’s math lesson with you again.” She hadn’t listened in class at all, but he noticed everything.

Pu Chen nodded, not refusing his kindness this time.

She picked up the water cup, drank half of it, took a deep breath silently, feeling as if her roller coaster of a morning had turned life gray and bleak, but Qin Yu had once again filled it with colors.

It doesn’t take courage to have a crush on Qin Yu, but every step afterward, whether facing herself or the gaze of so many people in the class, requires courage she can’t imagine.

“Why are you daydreaming again?” Qin Yu took the water cup from her hand and closed it.

Pu Chen nibbled on her bread, holding her phone tightly in her other hand, and after hesitating, she voiced her concern: [Aren’t you afraid of what others might say about you?]

She was afraid. She didn’t want him to become gossip fodder for others’ boredom.

Qin Yu: “Say what about me? That I like you?”

If only it were that simple, but it definitely isn’t.

Pu Chen: [There might be even more hurtful things said.]

Qin Yu shrugged, “If they think I’m abnormal, that’s their business. I can’t expect everyone to think like me. Pu Chen, don’t belittle yourself. It’s not just me who likes you; there are other boys too scared to admit it.”

Pu Chen never thought she had such charm, so when he mentioned many boys liking her, she was a bit incredulous. [You don’t need to comfort me.]

“Do you think I’m comforting you? Even I like you. Just think about how likable you are.”

“…”

“It doesn’t matter if other boys like you; they can’t compete with me.”

“…”

“You don’t need to worry about others making fun of me. I don’t care. If they gossip behind my back, it’s because I’m good-looking, smart, and wealthy. Otherwise, they wouldn’t pay attention to me.”

“…”

Pu Chen held up her phone, unable to type a response.

Qin Yu opened another bag of bread, this flavor better than the one with raisins, and left it next to her for her to eat.

He asked, “Anything else worrying you? Tell me all at once.”

Pu Chen shook her head slowly.

Qin Yu was worried, afraid she would keep her sadness inside.

Originally, he didn’t want to mention things he didn’t want to bring up, but now he mentioned them to comfort her: “I transferred schools because of something others saw as intolerable at my previous school. I don’t care what my classmates say. My family felt I had to transfer, and they arranged it while I was hospitalized, finding me a new school.”

Pu Chen asked with concern: [Where were you injured?]

Qin Yu pointed to his abdomen. “Got stabbed several times.”

Teasing her, “Don’t anger me in the future, or this part will hurt.”

Pu Chen wasn’t in the mood to joke with him. [You haven’t fully recovered yet?]

Qin Yu: “I’m fine now. Don’t worry, I didn’t get into fights with others. It’s about my parents’ relationship issues, which affected me.”

He noticed her attention drifting from his original intention and corrected her: “I’m telling you this to let you know I genuinely don’t care about others’ opinions. I’ve been through life and death. Do you think I’d care about a few mocking words?”

Pu Chen could imagine how painful his injuries were. She promised him: [I won’t make you angry in the future, never.]

Qin Yu chuckled, “You can make me angry, but don’t sulk alone.” He took out a math book from a pile of textbooks and opened it, earnestly reading the questions he would explain to her later.

More people gradually filled the classroom, returning after lunch.

Curiosity couldn’t be avoided. Once seated, they wanted to take a glance at Pu Chen and Qin Yu.

Pu Chen felt countless probing gazes and pretended to calmly lower her head to eat her bread.

Zhao Shu came up from downstairs, holding several bags of spoils, and threw two bags onto Pu Chen and Qin Yu’s table, “Snatched these from Peng Jingyang, a bit spicy. Chen Chen, pair it with your bread.”

Pu Chen picked it up, a bag of spicy sticks.

Qin Yu didn’t like these snacks, but his third uncle’s cousin loved them, nicknamed “Spicy Stick Prince.”

He stuffed his bag into Pu Chen’s school uniform pocket. When Pu Chen turned to look at him, he acted as if nothing happened and continued to look at the math problems in the book.

“Oh, not bad.” Zhao Shu teased Qin Yu a bit, then went back to her seat humming a song.

The nonexistent love triangle that everyone worried about didn’t exist at all. A few girls suddenly realized that Qin Yu and Pu Chen were a pair, while Zhao Shu and Peng Jingyang had a deep relationship.

“I have another tasty bread here. Want some?” Qin Yu was afraid Pu Chen hadn’t eaten enough, so he asked.

Pu Chen had a small appetite, one bread was enough for her. She shook her head: [I’m full.]

She wiped the corners of her mouth with a tissue, saying, “Let’s talk about the topic.” During the conversation, she got distracted twice, while Qin Yu was tapping his pen on the textbook. Each time, she quickly refocused.

Qin Yu was patient, unsure if she had understood, he said, “This question is difficult, let me explain it again to deepen your understanding.” Puchun didn’t really understand the question and appreciated Qin Yu’s thoughtfulness, saying, “Thank you.”

Qin Yu looked at her and said, “Don’t thank me in the future, or I won’t explain the questions to you.” Puchun promised, feeling obliged; if she didn’t respond, he would stare at her until she did, making her blush.

During lunch break, Qin Yu helped her with math and physics. After finishing the last question, Puchun went to the restroom and took a breather in the corridor outside. She was now the center of gossip, with everyone paying attention to her every move, making her feel uncomfortable and almost unable to walk straight from her seat to the classroom door. Once outside, Puchun took a deep breath.

“Stella,” Zhao Shu leaned against the back door of the classroom, waiting for her to go to the restroom together. In class, apart from Qin Yu, Zhao Shu was her other anchor; with Zhao Shu around, she naturally felt secure. Puchun had forgotten her phone earlier and patted her uniform pocket.

Zhao Shu understood and said, “It’s okay if you forgot your phone; I don’t have anything important to say anyway, just idle chatter. You don’t have to listen if you don’t want to.” Zhao Shu hooked her shoulder and whispered, “Hey, how does it feel to be publicly confessed to by the school’s heartthrob and top student? Are you so happy you could die?”

Puchun felt awkward and shyly pushed Zhao Shu away. Zhao Shu laughed, “Like me, other girls envy you; they can’t help but be curious, no malice intended. You don’t need to feel burdened.” Puchun nodded vigorously, silently saying, “Thank you.”

Coming back from the restroom, she planned to spend some more time in the corridor. Zhao Shu patted her shoulder, “Don’t stay outside too long. I’m going in to read a novel; today’s the big finale of the serial I’ve been following.” Puchun waved her hand, indicating she should mind her own business.

Leaning on the railing, facing the wind, she tried to sort out her jumbled thoughts. Suddenly, a shadow appeared next to her, and she turned abruptly. Yin Hao was leaning on the railing next to her, sighing deeply.

Puchun wondered why he was sighing. Yin Hao, usually eloquent, now seemed tongue-tied. He scratched his forehead and consoled her, “Well, you have to look at it positively. Without today’s events, Qin Yu probably wouldn’t have known about your crush, and you wouldn’t have known that he actually likes you. Isn’t it great now?”

Puchun didn’t want him to blame himself and nodded along with his words. Yin Hao explained, “I’m not saying this to absolve myself of guilt. Just consider it fate; it’s a blessing, not a curse.” Puchun remained silent.

To express his apology, Yin Hao volunteered, “I promise to submit my English homework on time from now on and not drag you down anymore. For the next two years, I’ve got your back, so no one can say you and I can’t get along.” Puchun smiled.

Seeing her smile, Yin Hao relaxed, relieved. If she had become withdrawn because of the diary incident, he would regret it deeply. In the classroom, Qin Yu waited for Puchun for more than ten minutes. Not seeing her return, he stood up and looked out the window. Only when he saw Puchun’s figure did he relax.

In the afternoon class, Puchun’s attention was somewhat focused, with less time for distractions. During break, Qin Yu leaned against the wall, playing with a pen. He hadn’t done any problems all day, not even opened his materials. Puchun didn’t want her situation to affect his competition review plan and asked him, “Why aren’t you doing problems?”

Qin Yu looked up at her, “I’m in a good mood today, so I’m slacking off.” He said it confidently, leaving Puchun speechless. Qin Yu sat up straight, asked for a few pieces of paper, and covered his hand while writing on them, not letting her see what he was writing.

After writing on two pieces of paper, he folded each several times into small balls. “Pick one and see if you can win the grand prize of luck.” He held out his hand with the two paper balls and placed them in front of her.

Puchun asked, “What prize?” Qin Yu replied, “You’ll find out once you pick one.” Puchun randomly chose one and unfolded the crumpled paper, which read: “Thank you for participating! Participation Prize: Eleven pieces of chocolate.”

Qin Yu took out eleven pieces of chocolate from his bag and handed them to her, preemptively warning, “Don’t eat too much; it’ll give you cavities.” Puchun instinctively retorted, “I’m not a child; I won’t get cavities.” She didn’t intend to take them, saying, “I have chocolate already.”

Sugar and chocolate are two snacks that are never missing from her schoolbag.

Qin Yu said, “I bought these, different from yours. From now on, when I give you chocolate, I won’t need to use my mom as an excuse.”

Pu Chen suddenly understood: “The chocolate you gave me last time, which you said your mom brought back from a trip, was actually bought by you, right?”

“Yes, I had my grandparents send it from abroad. They said that if they get the chance, they’d like to invite you to London. They’re very open-minded.” Qin Yu placed the chocolate in her desk hole, “As long as you don’t get tired of it, I’ll buy it for you every day.”

Pu Chen couldn’t handle such straightforward kindness, so she changed the subject: “Can I open the other note to take a look?”

Qin Yu took back the paper ball: “No, if there are too many surprises, they won’t be surprising. Save it for tomorrow noon.”

He put the paper ball into the storage bag of his backpack.

Hearing this, Pu Chen suddenly wished she could fast forward to tomorrow noon.

* * *

After evening study, Qin Yu met Lu Bo Sheng downstairs in the teaching building.

Lu Bo Sheng seemed to be waiting for him on purpose, holding the latest issue of “Nature” in his hand.

Pu Chen and Zhao Shu greeted Lu Bo Sheng and left together.

Lu Bo Sheng handed the magazine to Qin Yu, and they walked towards the school gate, where the parking lot was also located.

“You came back early this morning?” Qin Yu asked abruptly.

Instead of answering, Lu Bo Sheng asked, “Did your dad tell you?”

Qin Yu replied, “Yes.”

His father had flown to New York during the holidays and coincidentally stayed at the same hotel as Lu Bo Sheng. They ran into each other at the hotel restaurant.

He asked, “Did you go to see Auntie?”

Before Lu Bo Sheng could ask why he was called Auntie, Qin Yu explained, “Zhao Shu and the others call Pu Chen’s aunt directly ‘Auntie’. I think Auntie sounds better than former teacher, and you also don’t like the word ‘former’, right? In the future, I’ll strive to call you Uncle.”

Lu Bo Sheng was so pleased with the title Uncle that he didn’t question the logic behind Qin Yu’s explanation.

“How are things with Auntie now?” Qin Yu was concerned about the progress between Lu Bo Sheng and Pu Wenxin, thinking their remarriage would be highly beneficial to him and Pu Chen.

Lu Bo Sheng replied, “I just went to see her.”

Before, Pu Wenxin didn’t know he was in Su City, and he could endure not seeing her. But since the parent-teacher meeting, his longing grew uncontrollably. During the May Day holiday, he flew over and met her twice, totaling less than three hours, as she was always busy working overtime.

Lu Bo Sheng shifted the conversation, “I talked to your dad for a while. Since he and your mom realized their past mistakes and want to make amends, you should give them a chance.”

From the teaching building to the parking lot, Qin Yu didn’t argue and listened seriously to everything Lu Bo Sheng said.

After all, he and Lu Bo Sheng were likely to become a real family, so getting along with him was definitely the right move.

Qin Yu earnestly said, “Mr. Lu, feel free to visit Auntie during holidays. I’ll look after Uncle Pu and Pu Chen for you. You’ve always cleaned up my messes, now it’s my turn to help you.”

Lu Bo Sheng found it both amusing and annoying, “Just don’t cause any trouble for me.”

Qin Yu promised, “I won’t cause you any more trouble, only make things better.”

Lu Bo Sheng interpreted Qin Yu’s current “unusual” behavior as a result of his reconciled relationship with his parents, making him more obedient.

As they approached the school gate, they parted ways.

Outside the gate, Qin Yu saw two figures, one tall and one short, at the alley entrance.

Pu Chen was holding Pu Wanli’s arm with one hand, looking up at him while holding a phone with the other hand, seemingly in a good mood.

Qin Yu took out his phone from his school uniform pocket and took a photo from a distance.

Back home, Qin Yu showered and started doing exercises. After giving himself a day off, he caught up in the evening, finishing all the exercises he needed to do.

Around eleven o’clock, he asked Pu Chen, “Finished your homework?”

Pu Chen had wanted to send him a message earlier but was afraid of disturbing him. Now, seeing his message, she quickly replied, “Finished, doing math exercises.”

Qin Yu advised her, “Don’t stay up too late. If you have any questions, I’ll explain them tomorrow. Sleep early.”

Pu Chen responded, “Almost done.”

She hesitated whether to say goodnight, but he sent another message, “Let me know when you’re going to sleep.”

This made her feel their relationship was gradually getting closer.

Qin Yu put down his phone and focused on competition problems.

Twenty minutes later, Pu Chen told him, “I’m going to sleep.”

Qin Yu replied, “Aren’t you going to say goodnight?” He had asked her to tell him before sleeping just so he could say goodnight.

These were the two words Pu Chen had wanted to say to him for a long time, “Goodnight.”

Qin Yu responded, “Goodnight, sweet dreams, and no sneaking candy in your dreams.”

The next day was cloudy with rain in the forecast. The wind had blown all night and hadn’t stopped yet.

Pu Chen gave up on wearing a skirt and found some long pants to put on.

Her dad made fancy rice balls today. Qin Yu loved these, and her dad made them every few days.

While eating, Pu Chen received a message from Qin Yu: “I’ll be downstairs at your place soon.” Then five or six more messages followed.

Pu Wanli poured his daughter a glass of milk and asked her, “Your aunt?”

Pu Wenxin was in New York, and because of the time difference, she often sent messages to Pu Chen during her breakfast, reminding her not to be picky with her food and to drink milk and eat fruit.

Pu Chen shook her head and told her dad the truth, “It’s not Auntie, it’s Qin Yu. He’s on his way over here, said he can’t wait another minute for his breakfast.”

Pu Wanli laughed, thinking Qin Yu must be hungry to come over so early. Usually, his daughter brought breakfast to school for him. “He’s growing, gets hungry easily.”

He added another rice ball and half a portion of fruit to Qin Yu’s packed breakfast.

Pu Chen, reminded by her dad, noticed that Qin Yu seemed a bit taller than when he first transferred. She wasn’t sure if it was just her imagination.

To save time, while her dad packed Qin Yu’s breakfast, she sped up eating her own.

Pu Wanli, afraid she might choke, gently patted her back, “Slow down.”

Pu Chen stuffed the last bite of the rice ball into her mouth and shared her good news with her dad, “Dad, I’ve decided to study law and become a lawyer. Qin Yu asked his parents, and they said I can become a lawyer even with my situation, though it will be much harder for me. But I’m not afraid of hard work. Auntie also said it couldn’t be worse than my first two years of elementary school. You don’t have to worry about me. I’ll study well with Qin Yu’s help. He’ll teach me what I don’t understand.”

Pu Wanli’s happiness was written all over his face. He reminded his daughter, “Mr. Lu said Qin Yu is planning to study abroad and is preparing for competitions. Does he have time to tutor you? Don’t let it affect his studies.”

Pu Chen replied, “It won’t. I’ve got it all planned out. Qin Yu’s goal is MIT. I can’t compare to him. I’ll be content if I get into a law university.”

Pu Wanli rubbed his daughter’s head, unsure how to express his feelings. All his comfort came out in one sentence, “Don’t overwork yourself. Happiness is most important.”

Pu Chen smiled, “I’m very happy now. Last night, I was even motivated while studying.”

After saying goodbye to her dad, she grabbed her bag and Qin Yu’s breakfast and hurried downstairs.

Qin Yu was standing on the curb waiting for her, holding a box of milk.

At 6:26 in the morning, he saw her.

Pu Chen walked up to him in a few steps, “Were you in a hurry?”

Qin Yu said, “Not at all. I’m not hungry. I came specifically to pick you up and go to school together.”

He told her, “From now on, I’ll wait for you here every day.”

Pu Chen was secretly happy but didn’t show it on her face.

She handed him the rice balls and carried his milk and the fruit her dad had prepared.

The two walked at a leisurely pace. It was still early, and the alley was quiet. The breeze carried the scent of someone’s roses, filling the air.

Pu Chen tilted her head and looked at him, “Have you grown a bit taller?”

“Yeah. Eating Uncle Pu’s nutritious breakfast every day, I’ve grown a couple of centimeters.”

Pu Chen smiled and then stopped talking, letting him eat his breakfast quietly.

Qin Yu stopped and said, “You walk in front of me.”

But that way she wouldn’t be able to see him.

Pu Chen said, “It feels awkward walking in front.”

Qin Yu said, “You’ll get used to it eventually. It’s windy today, I’ll walk behind you to block the wind.”

Pu Chen found an excuse, “I’m wearing a lot, I’m not cold.”

Qin Yu had to let her be.

Pu Chen kept a moderate distance from him, occasionally slowing down on purpose to glance at his back. When he turned to look for her, she would quickly catch up.

As they left the alley and reached the zebra crossing, cars from both directions slowed down to give way. They quickly crossed.

Entering the school, Pu Chen handed him the milk, telling him not to just eat the rice balls.

Qin Yu took the milk, drank a few sips, and handed it back to Pu Chen.

Pu Chen was puzzled, “Aren’t you drinking it?”

Qin Yu said, “I am, but I’ll eat a few bites of the rice ball first. You hold it for me, and give it back when I want to drink it. If you can’t finish your milk during the break, I’ll hold it for you too.”

Pu Chen thought he was just speaking casually.

She had a habit of drinking milk or yogurt during the break, a habit she’d maintained since elementary school.

After the break exercise, the first thing Pu Chen did when she returned to her seat was to take out her milk, insert the straw, and sip quietly.

Qin Yu always wanted to laugh when he saw her drinking milk, feeling that her two-handed grip on the milk carton made her look like a child.

As soon as Pu Chen looked up, she saw Qin Yu smiling at her, walking in from the front door, watching her as if no one else was around.

When Qin Yu sat down in his seat, she asked, “Why are you laughing?”

Qin Yu rested his chin on his hand and looked at her, “Nothing, I just find everything you do amusing and interesting.”

At times like these, Pu Chen had no way to respond.

Qin Yu said, “I’m telling the truth.”

Pu Chen: “…”

He insisted on saying it again.

Seeing that she wasn’t drinking her milk anymore, Qin Yu reached out, “I’ll hold it for you, give it to you when you want to drink.”

Pu Chen didn’t have the nerve to let him hold the milk. She quickly shook her head and bit the straw, “I’m drinking it.”

Qin Yu didn’t insist. He picked up a few pens on her desk and put them in her pencil case, saying, “I don’t have a pencil case, so I’ll keep my pens with yours. They finally have a home.”

Not only did he put his pens in her pencil case, but he also put his Chinese book on her bookstand, next to her Chinese book, and then took her math book and placed it next to his stack of books, right next to his math book.

Pu Chen silently drank her milk, pretending not to see anything.