Chapter 48 The Evolution of a Class Flower

Chapter 48 The Evolution of a Class Flower

Ning Song smiled sweetly in the photo.

This selfie was taken without any particular angle. Honestly, neither Sheng Yan nor Ning Song looked as good in it as they did in person, but it was still pleasing to the eye and made one's heart flutter.

Because both of them looked incredibly youthful and beautiful.

This was a color that Pu Yu lacked—bright and vibrant. He seemed more like a shadow, making even Ning Song appear somber when they were together. On the other hand, Sheng Yan, with his cheerful and passionate demeanor, felt like a ray of light.

Pu Yu stared at their group photo, feeling a monster twisting and crawling in his heart.

The next morning, Ning Song and Sheng Yan got up early. Sheng Yan started filming videos right after getting up, while Ning Song, still half-asleep, covered his face from the camera. Sheng Yan said, "Capture the beauty of life through the lens."

While Ning Song was brushing his teeth, Sheng Yan stood behind him, filming their reflections in the mirror. He mimicked Ning Song by zooming in on the lens until only Ning Song's face was visible. Ning Song raised an eyebrow at the mirror; he had become neat and poised, his features more striking. His thick hair barely showed any curls, transforming his cute look into a handsome one. Sheng Yan remembered how Ning Song looked the first time they met, carrying a cardboard box with a large, heavy backpack on his back. He thought this new student looked so pitiful.

"My little Aning is growing up," he said.

Ning Song smiled and leaned closer to the mirror, saying, "I do seem to have gotten better-looking."

The change was visible even to himself, and it must be even more noticeable to others. Although he couldn't compare to someone as handsome as Sheng Yan, he was now far above average, which made him quite satisfied.

Seeing Sheng Yan smiling at him, he rinsed his mouth and said, "Stop filming, hurry up and wash up. I'll take some more photos of you."

The sun hadn't risen yet, but Ning Song dragged Sheng Yan to the flower fields to take photos.

"Look at those distant mountains, the mist, and these damp flowers. Trust me, we'll get great shots," Ning Song said. "Don't be shy, strike a pose!"

Sheng Yan laughed heartily. Though he usually loved admiring himself, today he was somewhat reserved when posing. Ning Song said, "Don't pretend, just be yourself!"

Sheng Yan chuckled, "This is called being artistic. Do you understand?"

He straightened up and said to Ning Song, "Look, the sun is rising."

Ning Song turned around and saw the red sunrise, its golden rays illuminating the morning jasmine fields and them. He suddenly recalled the lyrics, "Sunshine on you," thinking that this moment was no less beautiful than the pink dawn Sheng Yan had shown him before.

He took many photos and posted them on FB on the way back.

By the time they reached school, their excitement had gradually faded.

They arrived a bit late and hesitated between going back to the dormitory to change into their uniforms or heading straight to class. They decided to go to class first.

The two rushed through the campus and parted ways in the corridor between classes three and four.

Fortunately, they entered the classroom just as the bell rang, beating the teacher by a step. Their green uniforms drew everyone's attention.

Ning Song quickly ran to his seat. Qiao Qiao said, "I thought you were going to skip class."

Ning Song hurriedly pulled out his English book and glanced over at Pu Yu, only to see another student sitting in his place.

Qiao Qiao whispered, "Pu Yu changed seats. He's in the back now."

Ning Song looked back and saw Pu Yu sitting alone in the corner of the last row.

He was stunned for a moment. Pu Yu didn't look at him, seemingly engrossed in a book.

"What's wrong with your neck?" Qiao Qiao asked.

Ning Song scratched it, "I don't know if it's an allergy or a bug bite. My leg has it too."

The teacher had already come in, so he stopped talking.

This was an English class. They had two English teachers: one local and one white from the European Federation. Today, it was the latter who taught oral English and preferred interactive teaching. He knew Ning Song's spoken English was the weakest and always liked to call on him to interact during class.

Ning Song's English had improved significantly, but his spoken skills were still lacking. In the past, whenever he spoke in class, some students would snicker, but that no longer happened. Perhaps they had grown accustomed to it.

Anyway, now everyone in the class was quite polite to him except Jin Yang, who still disliked him.

After enduring the class, Ning Song immediately ran to the restroom.

Having been in the car for so long, he had rushed straight to the classroom upon returning and had been holding it in.

He bumped into Sheng Yan coming out, and they silently went to the restroom together. On the way back, Sheng Yan pulled him to a convenience store to buy food.

They had returned in such a rush that they hadn't had time for breakfast.

Sheng Yan bought sandwiches and milk, one set for each of them, and they ate while walking back. Sheng Yan looked down at his neck and said, "Stop scratching."

"It doesn't itch anymore."

Ning Song still paid some attention, not wanting Pu Yu to see. They finished their sandwiches and drank their milk outside the classroom. Qiao Qiao leaned out the window and asked, "I saw Brother Yan's post on FB. You guys went to see the flowers without me. That's not cool."

"I brought him because he likes jasmine. You don't like it," Sheng Yan said.

"Who wouldn't like such a vast field of flowers? Let's go again this weekend."

Ning Song nodded, "There are other flowers there too. It's really worth a spring outing. We can invite others and go camping."

"How about Peach Blossom Valley? There are peach blossoms everywhere, and there are plenty of places to play," Sheng Yan suggested, not wanting them to go back to the jasmine fields. "We can also go rafting there."

"Peach Blossom Valley is too far away," Qiao Qiao said.

Sheng Yan replied, "It's perfect for a two-day trip."

After finishing his food, Ning Song walked over to Qiao Qiao. He saw Pu Yu return with a cup of water from the front of the classroom, passing by without looking at them.

"Why did Brother Yu change seats?" Ning Song asked Qiao Qiao.

Qiao Qiao said, "I don't know. When I came in this morning, he had already switched seats."

Ning Song lowered his voice and said, "Look at Jin Yang; he's about to cry."

Jin Yang remained motionless, lying on the table.

Ning Song entered through the back door to find Pu Yu and asked, "Why did you move here?"

Pu Yu glanced at Ning Song, his expression stiffening.

Ning Song looked at Pu Yu and felt that his demeanor seemed to shatter instantly. Pu Yu suddenly came to his senses and said, "Did a bug bite your neck?"

Ning Song tilted his chin up, scratching his neck, "Maybe."

In fact, with a bit of normal thinking, one would know it couldn't be a hickey, but that momentary misunderstanding still made Pu Yu feel like he had fallen into an icy pit and couldn't climb out.

He looked at Ning Song, catching a glimpse of Sheng Yan by the window, drinking the milk he often gave Ning Song, watching them leisurely. The sunlight fell on him, and he realized that neither Sheng Yan nor Ning Song had changed into their school uniforms. In a sea of black uniforms, they were the only two in light green.

He had brought his school uniform to class today.

Pu Yu got up and took out the uniform from his locker.

"Did you bring my school uniform?" Ning Song asked in surprise.

Pu Yu replied, "It's mine. Go change, don't get caught by the discipline department."

Ning Song changed his shirt right there in the classroom. Pu Yu was not only half a head taller than him but also had a much larger build. Ning Song's shoulders were narrower, making the uniform look particularly ill-fitting on him. He rolled up the sleeves and glanced at Pu Yu, who sat there writing without looking up.

He then took the pants to the restroom to change.

Sheng Yan said at the door, "There's another set in the classroom."

"It's not mine, it's Brother Yu's," Ning Song said as he ran to the restroom.

Sheng Yan wasn't sure whether to marvel at how thoughtful Pu Yu was for bringing Ning Song's uniform or at how pervasive Pu Yu's influence was, even getting Ning Song to wear his uniform.

Seeing the person you like wearing your rival's clothes is something anyone would care about. When Ning Song came out in the uniform, Sheng Yan particularly missed the refreshing green of jasmine that Ning Song usually wore.

In this school, only Pu Yu suited the uniform, while Ning Song suited brighter colors, brighter clothes, and a brighter person.

Seeing Sheng Yan still standing outside their classroom, Ning Song said, "Quickly hide, don't get caught by the discipline department."

Sheng Yan replied, "I have plenty of points to spare."

Envy.

Sheng Yan's high points were not just due to his exceptional performance in sports and art classes but mainly because his family had donated a building to the school.

Large donations also earned points, which ordinary people couldn't match.

He could afford to take frequent leaves to work.

"This uniform doesn't fit well and looks terrible," Sheng Yan said.

"Just make do. I worked hard to accumulate these points; losing even one hurts."

Hearing this, Sheng Yan felt even more inadequate compared to Pu Yu.

He needed to try harder!

Ning Song came in wearing the uniform, put away the pants he had taken off, and looked back at Pu Yu, who was still writing. Pu Yu's clothes had a faint mint scent that softened his heart. As the bell rang, he rolled up his pant legs and returned to his seat.

At lunchtime, they ate together, and Ning Song sat next to Pu Yu.

While eating, Qiao Qiao flipped through the latest FB posts by Sheng Yan and Ning Song, sharing them with Pu Yu across Qiao Qiao: "Sheng Yan is really uncool, taking Aning to such a nice place. Look at this picture, it's so beautiful, and this one too."

One photo showed Ning Song's back view.

Sheng Yan's midnight FB post had fans flooding the comments asking who Jasmine was, many guessing if Brother Sanhuo was dating someone.

By morning, when he posted the jasmine field, fans assumed he meant actual jasmine flowers.

"The guy in the photo with him isn't the same guy who took pictures of him last time?"

"That's him, Brother Sanhuo's classmate."

"Is Brother Huo's classmate also so handsome? It seems only handsome guys hang out with handsome guys!"

"Brother Sanhuo's personal photographer! These photos have such a great atmosphere and feeling."

Li Qingyuan approached with his tray, smiling and asking Ning Song, "Did you two have fun yesterday?"

His tone and smile carried a teasing undertone, evident to those who knew the situation.

Sheng Yan was completely elated, with rosy lips and white teeth, saying, "If we didn't have class, we could have stayed there a few more days."

"I mentioned to them this morning that we could go camping together on the weekend. Brother Yan suggested going to Peach Blossom Valley," Qiao Qiao said.

Everyone started discussing the possibility of camping at Peach Blossom Valley, inviting various people. Ning Song glanced at Pu Yu and noticed he was very subdued.

He nudged Pu Yu's leg with his knee, and Pu Yu turned around, his face expressionless, "What's wrong?"

His voice was unusually gentle, almost too gentle, as if forced.

"Xiao Song."

Pu Yu and Ning Song turned around to see Shen Lingsi approaching with his tray.

"Senior."

Everyone greeted Shen Lingsi except Pu Yu.

Shen Lingsi sat down beside him and asked Ning Song, "What's with the school uniform you're wearing?"

Ning Song, with his sleeves rolled up, revealing his pale wrists, said, "I'm wearing Brother Yu's school uniform today."

Shen Lingsi's eyebrows twitched involuntarily as he smiled and asked, "Why are you wearing his? What about yours?"

"He came back to school too late today and didn't have time to change into his uniform," Qiao Qiao explained for him.

Shen Lingsi let out a sigh of relief. "How did you get in without your uniform?"

"Sheng Yan took care of it," Ning Song replied.

Shen Lingsi glanced at Sheng Yan. "Where did you two go?"

Ning Song then told Shen Lingsi about the video shoot he and Sheng Yan had done yesterday.

Li Qingyuan looked at Sheng Yan and said, "Oh, it was for the video shoot. I thought you were taking Aning out for his birthday."

Sheng Yan chuckled lightly, glancing at Pu Yu, who was still eating with his eyes lowered, as if he hadn't heard anything.

He didn't even seem to lose his appetite like he used to.

Shen Lingsi seemed to believe the story about the video shoot and turned to Ning Song, saying that next week they would be holding a spring social event with Li Hua Girls' School. In the afternoon, they would meet with the student council members from Li Hua Girls' School to discuss the details, and Shen Lingsi wanted Ning Song to join them to take meeting notes.

"I'll come with you after I finish eating. I've never taken meeting notes before, so I'm not sure how it works."

"Just look at what Senior Brother Zhang did; it's very simple," Shen Lingsi said. "Go back to the dorm and change into your uniform first. Wearing one that doesn't fit is not a good look."

This suggestion pleased Sheng Yan, who added, "I already told him it looks bad because it's too big."

He then glanced at Pu Yu again, noticing that Pu Yu still showed no expression.

It seemed as if he had already been through so much that these little jabs no longer mattered.

Ning Song went back to the dorm and changed clothes. Then he went to the office building, where he stayed until past two o'clock, before heading to art class. After art class, he went straight to the shooting range, practiced, showered, and immediately boarded the bus to Li Hua Girls' School.

This was his first time entering a girls' school.

The number of people attending the meeting was small, including Shen Lingsi, Zhou Lü, and a few other core members of the student council. He and Senior Brother Zhang were the only ones with lesser roles. The atmosphere of the girls' school was completely different from the boys' school. As the bus drove in, he saw groups of girls, feeling as if he had entered another world.

After the meeting, he ate dinner with Shen Lingsi and the others in the girls' school cafeteria. By the time they returned to Upper East Boys' School, it was already past eight in the evening. They worked in the office with Senior Brother Zhang until nearly ten o'clock, and then Shen Lingsi sent him back to the dorm.

Not seeing Pu Yu in the dorm felt unusual to Ning Song.

Moreover, Pu Yu hadn't even texted him despite being away for so long.

Usually, by dinnertime, Pu Yu would ask, "Are you back yet?"

Young Master Pu must be angry again.

So Ning Song called Pu Yu. "Where are you?"

"In the classroom," Pu Yu replied.

"At this hour?"

"Yes."

"Waiting for me?"

"No, preparing for my French exam."

Ning Song hung up, planning to surprise Pu Yu with some warmth.

He bought some drinks and brought Pu Yu's school uniform to the classroom.

He treated Pu Yu well because Pu Yu treated him well. He was the type to repay kindness tenfold. Despite Pu Yu's clinginess, he was pitiful and gentle, like a stray puppy, which made him endearing.

When he arrived at the classroom, he found Pu Yu there. At this hour, Pu Yu was the only one left, and only a couple of classrooms in the entire building were still lit. Entering through the back door, he smiled and said, "Why are you studying so hard?"

Pu Yu turned to look at him.

Ning Song sat down beside him, placing the school uniform on his desk, and said, "I bought you some food – your favorite shrimp congee and an iced Americano."

Pu Yu said, "I'll finish this part."

Ning Song watched him write, and when he finished, Pu Yu drank the congee.

Pu Yu ate the congee gently, which made Ning Song feel even more uneasy.

If he was jealous, he should just admit it. Ning Song was used to his jealousy, but now Pu Yu was acting indifferent, which was strange.

They needed to talk.

"Don't act like you're half-dead," Ning Song said.

Pu Yu paused, knowing exactly what he meant, and asked, "Is this not good? Don't you want me to be like this?"

Ning Song replied, "I can't say no. It was Yan's birthday yesterday."

Pu Yu said, "I didn't say anything."

"You didn't say anything, but look at your face."

Pu Yu remained silent.

Was he not allowed to control his feelings? Did he not even have that freedom?

"Are you upset because I went out with Yan yesterday and spent the night outside?" Ning Song asked. "We even slept in the same bed."

His meaning was that Pu Yu was even closer.

In the end, Pu Yu said, "Yeah, he's just like me."

"…You're both my friends. Do I have to stick only with you?" Ning Song reasoned with him, "I can't ignore others, can I?"

Pu Yu said, "I'm not angry with you. I know you haven't done anything wrong."

"But you're unhappy."

"What am I supposed to do?" Pu Yu said, "You don't even know why I'm unhappy."

"It's just because I get close to others. When I get close to others, you get upset."

Pu Yu shook his head and said, "It's not like that."

He looked at Ning Song and said, "Being friends with me must be hard for you, right? You always have to consider my feelings, unlike when you're with Sheng Yan and the others. Being with me is always so suffocating."

Hearing him mention the word 'suffocating,' Ning Song exploded, saying, "Your current behavior is indeed making things very difficult for me."

Pu Yu fell silent.

Ning Song glanced at him, and Pu Yu said, "Go back."

Ning Song, feeling frustrated, said, "If being with you is so hard, why should I even come over? Am I a masochist? It's because I care about you."

The two of them were silent for a while, then Pu Yu said, "I'm sorry."

Ning Song got up and left. As he reached the door, he came back and kicked Pu Yu's chair hard. The force almost toppled it over, and the school uniform on the table fell to the ground.

Then Ning Song walked away without looking back.

Pu Yu sat there alone, feeling the cold from the iced Americano freeze his hand.

Every time Ning Song was with Sheng Yan, he seemed radiant, leaving Pu Yu in awe.

Like that night riding the electric scooter, or this time with the group photo.

Physical closeness or shared living spaces only made him jealous, but these instances caused him real pain.

Pu Yu had always thought he just wanted to be Ning Song's closest friend, as long as no one surpassed him.

But reality told him that friendship couldn't be exclusive; there would always be fluctuations in closeness. His possessiveness and jealousy were abnormal, causing him immense pain. Most importantly, this torment was endless. It wasn't the first time, nor would it be the last. It would only worsen as their relationship deepened. Whenever he cared too much, he would become jealous, and whenever he became jealous, Ning Song would notice and try to accommodate his feelings. Even now, when Ning Song came to see him, he wouldn't feel the same satisfaction as before.

He was already affecting Ning Song's normal life, and who knew what would happen in the future. He couldn't change or control it.

Ning Song could tolerate and understand him now, but what about later? This behavior seemed so abnormal because he didn't want to be like everyone else. He wanted a unique position, one that wasn't meant for a friend.

How could an extremely jealous secret admirer play the role of a good friend?

Pu Yu stayed in the classroom for another half hour, feeling even more miserable than the previous night. He picked up the school uniform from the floor, folded it neatly, and put it in his bag. He organized the English tutoring materials he had prepared for Ning Song, then left the classroom with his bag.

As he stepped out, he saw Ning Song leaning against the wall by the back door, looking fierce in the night.

Ning Song looked at him and pushed him hard again.

Pu Yu was initially stunned, probably not expecting him to still be there, then he smiled, but it was a smile uglier than tears.

"I don't know what you're up to," Ning Song said angrily, "When I've been so good to you."

This was their first argument. Teenage boys couldn't stay calm; a sharp ache surged between them.

Pu Yu said, "Maybe I've been hiding something from you. Your kindness makes me feel even more guilty."

He said to Ning Song, "Ning Ning, actually, I don't want to be your friend."

Ning Song pushed him hard again upon hearing this.

He hit the door frame, his eyes reddening, but he still managed to say, "I like you, Ning Ning. I want to be your boyfriend."