Lin Ran’s previously tense nerves relaxed at Sheng Qingxi’s reaction. He didn’t care about anyone around him as he sat casually, legs spread slightly apart, his posture as relaxed as if he were lounging on a couch in a club, not on a school bus.
But despite his laid-back posture, Lin Ran didn’t leave space between them. Instead, he boldly and arrogantly edged closer, pushing into Sheng Qingxi’s personal space.
Until their legs touched.
The warmth of his body seeped through the breathable fabric of their school uniforms.
Sheng Qingxi shifted uncomfortably, but the more she tried to retreat, the more Lin Ran encroached. It was as if he was intentionally using this method to forcefully close the distance between them.
She didn’t speak, and he didn’t either. The two of them remained locked in a silent standoff.
Lin Ran raised his hand and put on his headphones, his movements leisurely. Then, he crossed his arms and closed his eyes.
Sheng Qingxi let out a small sigh. She didn’t know what was wrong with Lin Ran, or what she might have done to upset him this time.
She furrowed her brow, trying to recall anything that had happened that week. She had even gone out of her way to avoid him during PE class and hadn’t run into him outside of school.
She hadn’t bothered him at all.
So why was he angry again?
The back row was enveloped in a tense silence, but up front, He Mo and Xie Zhen were dying of curiosity. They were desperate to know what was going on in the back row, but neither dared to turn around. Instead, they resorted to stealing glances out of the corners of their eyes, trying to catch a glimpse.
After whispering briefly to each other, they decided to fake a selfie, using the front camera to check out the situation behind them.
What they saw left them speechless.
Lin Ran was sprawled out like a king, fast asleep, while Sheng Qingxi was practically squished against the window. Lin Ran looked every bit the bully, while the delicate girl next to him seemed pitiful and helpless.
He Mo was heartbroken—how tragic!
Xie Zhen’s chubby face twitched slightly—Lin Ran, you’re ruthless!
Just as they were getting engrossed in the scene, Lin Ran suddenly opened his eyes and shot them a cold, warning glance that needed no explanation.
He Mo scrambled to shut off his phone, while Xie Zhen buried his face in his chips.
Lin Ran had originally intended to see how long Sheng Qingxi could tolerate the situation, but with her current attitude, it seemed like she would just quietly endure the entire ride, allowing him to bully her as much as he wanted.
Lin Ran discreetly retracted his leg and finally closed his eyes to genuinely sleep.
Noticing his movement, Sheng Qingxi quietly let out a breath of relief. She carefully shifted to the side, but only a little—she was afraid that if she moved too much, it would make Lin Ran uncomfortable while he slept.
Since Lin Ran had closed his eyes, the back row fell into a long, quiet lull. The road was still smooth at this point. Sheng Qingxi closed the half-open window, reducing the wind to barely a whisper.
It had been a long time since Sheng Qingxi had been this close to Lin Ran. She sat quietly in her seat, turning her head to gaze out of the window.
The bus ride from their school to Sishi Mountain was two hours long. As time passed, the once lively bus gradually quieted down, with many students opting for a second round of sleep—after all, they’d need the energy for the hike ahead.
Perhaps lulled by Lin Ran’s scent, Sheng Qingxi also slowly closed her eyes.
Ten minutes later.
Lin Ran’s eyes suddenly opened.
Sheng Qingxi’s breathing had become steady and calm, so light that if it weren’t for his years of boxing training, he might not have even noticed it.
Only then did Lin Ran turn his head to look at her. Even in sleep, she sat upright, her hands neatly folded on her lap.
She was always so well-behaved. Even her sleeping posture was perfect.
Her long, thick lashes rested peacefully against her eyelids, and a few strands of dark hair fell over her shoulder, partially covering her delicate profile. Her soft, pale pink lips were slightly pursed, and her small chin looked sharper than it had last week.
She’d lost a bit of weight.
While others had stuffed their backpacks full, Sheng Qingxi only carried a small bag, probably containing just a bottle of water.
Lin Ran didn’t hold back, casually reaching over and grabbing her backpack. He opened it and quickly scanned the contents. He ignored the toiletries and clothes in the main compartment, focusing on the outer pocket, which held only a bottle of water, a chocolate bar, and a small box of medicine.
He frowned. She hadn’t even brought her phone.
Lin Ran tapped on Xie Zhen’s seat, startling him into turning around with wide, terrified eyes. Before Xie Zhen could say anything, Lin Ran spoke in a low voice, “Give me your bag.”
Xie Zhen handed over his bulky, ten-pound bag.
Lin Ran: “…”
If it were anyone else, this bag would have been thrown straight into their lap.
Lin Ran rummaged through it, finding mostly junk food—puffed snacks, spicy strips, jellies, and even a few packs of sunflower seeds. He sorted through the items carefully and finally chose a few cakes, dried fruit, and some candy to put into Sheng Qingxi’s bag.
These things weren’t too heavy.
After zipping up her backpack, he placed it back in its original spot.
As the bus reached the outskirts, the road became increasingly uneven, causing the bus to jolt and shake.
Lin Ran glanced at Sheng Qingxi, whose head was about to hit the window. He reached out, caught her, and gently but firmly guided her in the opposite direction. Slowly, she leaned against his shoulder.
Only when Sheng Qingxi settled against his shoulder did Lin Ran smile, a hint of satisfaction curling the corners of his lips.
Watching the entire scene reflected in the bus window, He Mo was speechless: “…”
Brother Ran is the ultimate silent lover.
As the bus began to jolt, Sheng Qingxi struggled to wake from her slumber, though her mind remained hazy. Her cheek seemed to be resting against something warm and firm—someone’s shoulder.
But as she caught the familiar scent, she slowly drifted back into sleep, her subconscious assuring her that she was safe.
—
Sishi Mountain was located in the eastern suburbs of the city, surrounded by towering peaks and steep cliffs. One side of the mountain was rugged and perilous, with the highest peak nearly touching the clouds, its summit perpetually shrouded in mist. The other side, however, was flat and ideal for outings and picnics.
A river wound through the expansive forest, bisecting the mountain. From the summit, one could see almost all of Chucheng.
Twelve buses came to a stop at the foot of the mountain.
It was at this point that Sheng Qingxi woke up. As she opened her eyes, she immediately sensed something was off. The familiar warmth and texture beneath her head were unmistakable.
She quickly distanced herself from Lin Ran.
Lin Ran watched her in silence.
Sheng Qingxi blinked a few times to clear her head before glancing at Lin Ran. His face remained expressionless, and there was no hint of emotion in his eyes. She pursed her lips and softly apologized, “Sorry, Lin Ran.”
A faint red mark had formed on her cheek from resting against his shoulder for so long.
Her lovely almond-shaped eyes still carried traces of sleep.
This was the first time she had spoken to him since that night.
Despite her simple apology, Lin Ran felt an unexpected sense of satisfaction rising within him. He shifted his gaze, restraining himself from looking at her further. He gave a low, nonchalant “mm” and walked off the bus first.
Xie Zhen and He Mo, seeing Lin Ran getting ready to leave, quickly followed.
Sheng Qingxi rubbed her eyes. She didn’t remember when she had leaned against him, as she rarely slept so deeply.
Once most of the passengers had gotten off, Sheng Qingxi grabbed her bag and prepared to disembark. Gu Mingji, who had been waiting for her, stood up and followed her down the bus steps.
Not far away, Lin Ran stood watching the two walk one after the other. Before they could notice his gaze, he looked away, no longer paying them any attention.
After getting off the bus, Sheng Qingxi and Gu Mingji were supposed to return to Class 6’s group.
But He Mo and Xie Zhen had already come up with a plan during the ride. As Lin Ran’s close friends, they felt it was their duty to help secure his future happiness. So, they dashed over to find Old Qu.
Old Qu was just about to line everyone up when he was blocked by the two of them. Confused, he asked, “What are you two doing?”
Xie Zhen placed an arm around Old Qu’s shoulders and, in a serious tone, said, “Old Qu, my man!”
Old Qu: “…”
Is this kid out of his mind?
He Mo, wearing a guilty expression, chimed in with an air of regret. “Old Qu, Ah Zhen and I were sitting next to the two top students from Class 6 on the bus today. We feel so ashamed. They didn’t even waste time during the ride—they were discussing exam questions the whole way. We deeply regret not paying attention to our studies. So, we were thinking, maybe during this outing, you could keep these two top students with us. They could share their study habits or tips with us either during the trip or tonight. What do you think?”
Xie Zhen quickly added, “Even if we don’t understand, the rest of the class will definitely benefit from it.”
Old Qu didn’t immediately respond, watching these two boys put on a show.
Although he had no idea what they were plotting, the suggestion wasn’t a bad one. Everyone was usually too busy with their studies to have time for this, and summarizing and exchanging study tips was actually a great habit.
Old Qu thought for a moment and then agreed, “Alright, I’ll go talk to Old Jiang.”
After Old Qu left, Xie Zhen and He Mo exchanged glances and high-fived, celebrating their success.
Their plan had worked.
Sheng Qingxi and Gu Mingji were stopped halfway as they were heading back.
Old Qu smiled warmly at the two of them and said gently, “Kids, I have something I’d like to ask for your help with.”
Gu Mingji immediately responded, “Mr. Qu, go ahead.”
Old Qu didn’t beat around the bush and explained, “I’d like to take advantage of this spring outing to have the two of you talk to our class about your study habits and share some good routines. I know you’re usually busy, and I don’t want to disturb you, but if you agree, I’ll go and inform your teacher, Mr. Jiang.”
Gu Mingji didn’t mind at all, and he turned to Sheng Qingxi, asking softly, “Xiao Xi, what do you think?”
Sheng Qingxi hesitated for a moment, her mind filled with concerns about Lin Ran.
But Old Qu’s request was a simple task for them.
She nodded, “I can do it.”
Seeing their agreement, Old Qu smiled, “Great! Just follow our class for now, and I’ll go talk to your teacher. I’ll be back soon.”
Old Qu patted Gu Mingji’s shoulder before heading off to Class 6.
Meanwhile, Lin Ran stood lazily leaning against a tree, idly fiddling with a silver lighter. His hand stilled the moment his peripheral vision caught sight of two figures approaching. Sheng Qingxi and Gu Mingji had returned and were now heading towards Class 1’s group.
Since their inclusion was last-minute, both Gu Mingji and Sheng Qingxi naturally lined up at the back of Class 1’s group. And at the very end of that line was Lin Ran.
Gu Mingji wasn’t about to leave Sheng Qingxi at the very back, so she ended up standing directly behind Lin Ran.
From the front of the line, Old Qu’s voice echoed faintly, “I shamelessly asked the teachers of Class 6 to let us borrow the top student and the transfer student. You guys better behave and uphold Class 1’s reputation.”
The students of Class 1 laughed and teased Old Qu in response.
Sheng Qingxi clutched the straps of her backpack tightly, feeling a bit nervous.
Gu Mingji, thinking her backpack must be heavy, offered, “Xiao Xi, let me carry your bag for you. I didn’t bring much.”
Sheng Qingxi instinctively wanted to decline, but before she could speak, Lin Ran’s voice interrupted coldly.
He called her name—
“Sheng Qingxi.”