Chapter 20: First Love

The two – day – one – night trip ended perfectly as Lin Sitian wished. On the return, she was so tired she fell asleep on Zhou Sheng’s shoulder, drooling without noticing. When the bus stopped, Zhou Sheng’s T – shirt had a faint wet spot, but he said nothing—just took a tissue, gently wiping her mouth.
“Stop arrived, Lin Sitian.”
As the bus steadied, Zhou Sheng woke her from his shoulder.
At the West Station entrance, Lin Sitian was drowsy. Li Hailiang and Wang Yue teased as usual—she ignored them, forgetting to be discreet. After saying goodbye, she pulled Zhou Sheng away.
“I’m on her way.” Zhou Sheng awkwardly explained.
Zhou Sheng specially booked a car to take her home. When she got off, he followed.
“No need—hard to get a car nearby.” Lin Sitian said at the stairway.
Zhou Sheng paid, signaled the driver away, then walked to her, taking her bag.
“I’ll carry it up.”
Late spring, evening—sky held a dark purple – pink hue.
As night fell, some old – community families prepared dinner—air smelled of food, with stir – fry sounds.
Lin Sitian held the bag strap, “I can carry it—go home early.”
“It’s fine—I’ll call a car later.”
Her heart skipped a beat; she bit her lip, silent.
He adapted quickly.
They shuffled up the stairway—exhausted from hiking, but the pace felt more than just tired.
“Is your grandma home?” Too quiet—Zhou Sheng forced a topic.
“At dinner time, yes.”
“Then I’ll send you to the 4th floor.”
—Lin Sitian lived on the 5th.
“Why avoid my grandma?” She jumped two steps, turning.
“Be careful.” Zhou Sheng tugged her bag, frowning. “Aren’t your legs sore?”
Sore, yes.
“…Mm.”
Already 3rd floor.
Steps slowed, almost stopping.
“So hungry.” Lin Sitian smelled the food. “Zhou Sheng, hungry?”
3rd – floor light was broken—dim.
“A bit.”
“I’ll go up myself.” She pulled the strap.
Zhou Sheng wouldn’t let go.
Upstairs footsteps reached the stairway.
Lin Sitian mouthed: Neighbor knows me.
Then snatched the bag, ran up, holding the handrail.
Zhou Sheng’s hand stayed raised, empty.
“Leaving?” She waved goodbye.
Zhou Sheng didn’t move—saw a neighbor’s leg on the step, smiling faintly.
“I’ll watch you up.”
Soft, but she heard.
Lin Sitian hesitated—neighbor reached her. “Aunt Lin.”
“Ah, Tian Tian’s back?”
“Mm—went out.” She walked up, glancing at the 3rd floor.
Aunt Lin smiled. “Right—holiday. No wonder your grandma’s been out, skipping meals.”
Lin Sitian smiled, saying goodbye.
Aunt Lin went down; Lin Sitian reached the 4th floor, peeking down.
3rd – floor platform—empty.
She ran home, unlocking the door.
“——Tian Tian?” Grandma’s voice from the kitchen.
“It’s me!”
Lin Sitian rushed to the living – room window.
Soon, a boy’s figure appeared under the dim streetlight.
Lin Sitian watched, heart racing.
Under the light, he was tall and thin, a lone shadow.
A gentle evening breeze blew by the window.
Like a silent agreement, he stopped, looking up at her window.
Heart like water, ripples rising.
That moment—first love.
The alarm rang again. Lin Sitian groped for her phone, turning it off.
After zoning out, she suddenly checked her phone—
Oh no, late!
First day after May Day—Lin Sitian changed, washed, rushed from the bathroom. Grandma was watering flowers, forgetting to wake her.
“Grandma, leaving!”
“Eat breakfast!”
She grabbed a bun, running.
At the school gate, the radio played the end of “Athlete’s March”—classes had started. She was late, missing the main gate, heading for the side door.
Two student – union members stood by—checking uniforms and recording lateness (affecting the class’s red – flag rating and bonus).
Lin Sitian didn’t want criticism. As one member recorded, she lowered her head, trying to sneak by.
But the other stopped her.
She looked up—Zhou Sheng’s face.
She signaled him, but he shook his head.
Lin Sitian pouted.
“I’ll record.” Zhou Sheng wrote in the notebook.
You…Lin Sitian glared—he looked away.
Nearby latecomers were stopped by the principal (nicknamed “Black Whirlwind”—strict, loud, spitty).
Lin Sitian thought: So unlucky.
Couldn’t run—lined up with others at the flower bed, enduring his scolding.
“Holiday brain dead? Late first day! You’re students—not just eating/sleeping/playing! Look at you—hair uncut, uniform messy, no badge! Don’t want to study?!” He tugged a boy’s empty badge.
Lin Sitian froze—realized she forgot her badge.
Panicked, she met Zhou Sheng’s gaze—both saw her panic.
Late + no badge = 4 points deducted—she’d be criticized, cleaning for a week.
Zhou Sheng stepped beside her.
Lin Sitian bowed, feeling something pressed into her hand—badge – shaped.
Looking up, Zhou Sheng’s badge was gone.
He nodded—she quickly pinned it.
Zhou Sheng stepped forward, writing.
“Girl late!” The principal reached her, spitting on Zhou Sheng’s chin (he’d shielded her). Scanning her—no flaws. Then, “Zhou Sheng, badge?”
Zhou Sheng looked down. “Lost it, sir.”
A member testified: “He wore it—probably lost.”
“Lost? Can’t help. No deduction—look later, reapply if not found.”
“No need—wrote my name.” Zhou Sheng answered seriously.
Lin Sitian was confused—teacher said no deduction, but he wrote his name. Like being criticized?
The principal moved on, seeing Zhou Sheng still there. “Zhou Sheng, duty done—back to class?”
Zhou Sheng hesitated. “…Teacher asked me to carry workbooks—said to go with a classmate.”
“Which classmate?”
He glanced at Lin Sitian.
“Go on.” The principal waved.
Lin Sitian followed, relieved.
“Good thing you thought of this—saved me.”
“Not an excuse.” Zhou Sheng stopped.
“Huh?”
“I really carry workbooks.” He smiled. “But you don’t need to—I can manage.”
“Came already—” She stepped back. Zhou Sheng tensed. “You…not messing up is enough.”
“You dislike me?”
“No.” He continued up, pretending indifference.
She followed. “Why write your name? Less points—now we’ll both be scolded.”
Zhou Sheng’s voice was calm. “Unfair not to write—you forgot the badge, deserve two points.”
—So Zhou – strict.
Lin Sitian thought him silly, then accepted.
This is Zhou Sheng—she loved him like this. No complaints.
Looking around, she tugged his uniform. “Long time no see, Zhou Sheng.”
Zhou Sheng stopped. “Only a day.”
“Only a day?—Replied twice yesterday—cheating?” She pouted.
Zhou Sheng turned, rubbing his neck. “Family guests—stayed all day. Couldn’t help.”
Lin Sitian pouted. “You said that.”
“Sorry.”
…No need for formality—she didn’t want an apology.
She just wanted…
“Hug.”
A simple coquetry.
Lin Sitian knew he wouldn’t hug in the office—even without cameras, his personality wouldn’t.
But—
Lin Sitian’s eyes widened.
Nose filled with agarwood—body wrapped in a firm chest.
First time—PE uniform felt soft.
“Hug.” Zhou Sheng whispered.
Her mind blank—only his warmth and the bright morning light, like a dream.
He really wanted to date her.
…
…
The hug was short—voices came. Zhou Sheng let go.
Someone came down, carrying workbooks.
“Monitor?” Yuan Xiao (entertainment rep) and Fang Changmin (math rep) spoke.
Zhou Sheng and Lin Sitian stood face – to – face—awkward.
“Why…workbooks?” Zhou Sheng frowned.
“Teacher thought you were busy—sent us.” Fang Changmin said.
“Need help?”
“No—few.”
They went back to class together.