Chapter 30: Parent – Teacher Meeting

By the end of May, the parent – teacher meeting rolled around—an event that felt almost as nerve – wracking as the college entrance exam itself for Lin Sitian.

Zhou Sheng’s mother, Lin Yuyan, was in her early forties. She carried herself with a gentle grace, but Lin Sitian had heard from Zhou Sheng that she could be strict when it came to family rules.

At the school gate, Zhou Sheng walked side by side with his mother, talking softly about his recent exam results. As they headed toward the classroom, Lin Sitian was huddled by the corridor railing, phone pressed to her ear, her voice laced with frustration.

Zhou Sheng slowed down, letting his mother walk ahead a little, and listened quietly. Through her half – spoken complaints, he pieced together her troubles: no one in her family could make it to the meeting. Her mom had left home when she was three, working in a distant city, and they’d lost touch after the divorce. Her dad was stuck at a construction site out of town, too swamped to take time off. The only one who’d ever cared enough to attend such events was her grandma—and now grandma was in the hospital.

She hung up the phone with a sigh, her shoulders slumping. “I’ve always been alone like this,” she muttered, more to herself than anyone else. “Guess I’ll just get used to being alone forever.”

Zhou Sheng stepped forward, his shoes scraping lightly against the floor. He stood beside her, looking out at the playground where a few students were chasing each other. “You’re not alone,” he said firmly. “I’m here. And I want you to lean on me—whenever you need to.”

She turned to him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “What if you get tired of it? What if I’m too much?”

He shook his head, his gaze steady as he met her eyes. “I’ll never get tired. I’ll prove it to you—every day.”

They stood there for a while, the noise of the school fading into the background, until the bell for the meeting rang. Zhou Sheng squeezed her hand gently before going to find his mother. Lin Sitian took a deep breath, straightening her clothes, and walked into the classroom to explain to the teacher why no one from her family was there.

As she walked out of the classroom after talking to the teacher, she almost bumped into Zhou Sheng and his mother. Lin Yuyan smiled warmly, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “You must be Sitian, right?” she said. “Zhou Sheng has told me about you. Thank you for looking out for him these days—he’s been more relaxed since you became his deskmate.”

Lin Sitian’s face flushed, and she waved her hands quickly. “No, no—it’s not like that! He’s the one who helps me more. He tutors me, and… and he makes me want to study harder.”

Lin Yuyan laughed softly, patting her arm gently. “You two take good care of each other. That’s what friends do—though I have a feeling you’re more than just friends.” She winked playfully, then added, “How about coming over to our house for dinner this Saturday? I want to cook something nice for you.”

Lin Sitian froze, panic fluttering in her chest. She didn’t know how to answer—what if she said the wrong thing? She glanced at Zhou Sheng, silently begging for help.

Zhou Sheng stepped in, his voice calm. “She’d love to come, Mom. We’ll be there on Saturday.”

Lin Sitian shot him a grateful look, and Lin Yuyan nodded, satisfied.

By Saturday, Lin Sitian was standing at the entrance of Zhou Sheng’s apartment building, her hands clutching the hem of her dress. She’d spent an hour picking out an outfit, worrying if it was too casual or too formal. Taking one last deep breath, she pressed the elevator button—ready to step into a part of Zhou Sheng’s life she’d never seen before.