7 Survival

Zhang Guodong arrived late, but he arrived nonetheless. His timing was unfortunate—or perhaps fortuitous—because he happened to witness Li Shuangjie raising her hand against her beloved student council president, Pei Chuyuan. How could this be allowed? His face darkened as he moved to stop her, but the slap landed instead on Zheng Lanyu’s face.

Excellent—at least a capable cadre was spared. Zhang Guodong exhaled in relief, but then a thought struck him: wasn’t Zheng an international student? Coming onto our Chinese turf, how could he just be slapped like that?

“Li Shuangjie! Stop right now!” he barked, immediately stepping in to shield Zheng Lanyu.

“You usually bully your own classmates, and maybe they deserve it,” Zhang Guodong said sternly, “but Zheng is a transfer student who just arrived at Jinggao High not long ago. He’s unfamiliar with the place and hardly someone you should be clashing with. How on earth has he provoked you?”

Li Shuangjie felt inexplicably bewildered. “He didn’t provoke me.”

“Didn’t provoke you? Then why slap him in public?”

Li Shuangjie exchanged a glance with her blonde-haired, blue-eyed deskmate. Suddenly she realized, “Did you call Zhang Guodong here?”

Zheng Lanyu was truly wronged. “I didn’t call him,” he said, his face still flushed from the slap. He turned to Zhang Guodong, looking pitiful. “You’ve misunderstood, Teacher. Li Shuangjie didn’t bully me. This is just... our way of interacting.”

“Interacting?”

Those words fell into a heavy silence. Two faces changed expression repeatedly: Pei Chuyuan and Xia Ya.

Because of Zheng Lanyu’s ambiguous remark, Li Shuangjie’s loyal followers were thrown into a frenzy. Pei Chuyuan’s gentle, elegant face twisted for a moment, his hands clenched tightly by his sides. Xia Ya dropped the book she was holding, which thudded softly to the ground.

Zhang Guodong looked as if he had just heard a ghost story.

“What? You two? In a... relationship?”

“Exactly.” Zheng Lanyu showed no embarrassment. “Friends have different ways of interacting. Slapping is Li Shuangjie’s way of showing she wants to be friends with me. The class monitor slaps me because she appreciates my kindness and admires my character.”

So it was just friendly interaction.

A false alarm. He had scared himself.

Only Li Shuangjie thought, “Did I say that?” When she called him kind, wasn’t it really an insult implying he was foolish but harmless?

Well, since he was willing to speak up for her in front of Zhang Guodong, he was a true hero. Meanwhile, Pei Chuyuan’s emotions eased, and he quickly clarified the situation.

“All right,” Zhang Guodong said. “The three involved come to my office. Everyone else return to your classes.”

The bell rang, and the crowd dispersed. Pei Chuyuan watched the retreating figure of that unattainable person with a bittersweet feeling. He wondered when they might speak again—and whether he might earn another sweet slap. But in the next moment, Li Shuangjie turned back.

Like a fierce winter wind, she swept toward him.

Li Shuangjie was blunt: “You’re President Pei, right?”

Pei Chuyuan instinctively nodded.

Their eyes met.

“I’ve only interacted with you on the exam rankings before, but I’ve long heard you’re a reasonable person. Today’s encounter proves it’s true,” she spoke quickly and unabashedly praised her peer. “I was impulsive earlier, but thank you is more fitting than an apology.”

It was rare for Li Shuangjie to praise a man.

Pei Chuyuan ought to feel honored.

But he didn’t. He paused briefly and asked, “So that’s why you didn’t slap me?”

Li Shuangjie was momentarily stunned. “...Yes.”

“Then next time I won’t be reasonable.”

That caught Li Shuangjie speechless.

She hesitated, pondering.

She didn’t understand—and who could? She certainly didn’t.

“Suit yourself. I’ll thank the you from this time.”

Back in class, Zhou Li was absent—apparently called to the director’s office for a reprimand. The discipline committee member took the stage to maintain order. A few boys slipped out to play basketball during class. After calling them several times, one was missing. Searching the classroom, all eyes landed on Zheng Lanyu.

Zhao Ze patted his shoulder. “Hey! Current sports committee member!”

Zheng Lanyu put down his pen. “Class is in session. What’s up?”

“These two periods are definitely study hall. Come on, wanna play basketball?” Zhao Ze enthusiastically invited. “You American students must be good at basketball, right? Tall as you are, you must be a star on your school team. Want to show us what you’ve got?”

Zheng Lanyu could play, but:

“I don’t think it’s appropriate. Let’s play during gym class.”

“Gym class only has half an hour of free time. That’s not enough.” Zhao Ze, seeing the foreign student’s aloofness, pulled him into a friendly embrace. “Come on, you don’t know yet because you’re new. Let the seniors teach you. Sports committee members always play like this; otherwise, no one respects you.”

Is that so? Zheng Lanyu didn’t quite understand. He recalled Li Shuangjie’s words: “Once someone gains power, friends naturally multiply.” Indeed, since becoming sports committee member, Zhao Ze and others had looked at him with more respect. But did that justify skipping class to play ball?

Just as he was about to verify with the class leader, the seat beside him was already empty.

Surprised, he asked Zhao Ze, “Since when...?”

“Li Shuangjie is the queen of skipping class, don’t you know?” Zhao Ze laughed heartily. “Why do you think Zhou Li insists on seating her farthest from the door? Relax, the discipline committee doesn’t manage her. Even the class monitor skips class!”

“Alright then.” Zheng Lanyu gave up resisting.

A few boys took advantage of bathroom breaks to sneak out.

Li Shuangjie had a bad feeling.

Her rollerball pen ran dry.

What did that mean? She was in the middle of working on problems! Frustrated, she flicked the pen away. She was a bit annoyed anyway—the last month’s monthly exam rank still bothered her. Although she was first in the grade and twenty points ahead of the second-best science student, she was only nine points ahead of Pei Chuyuan.

Nine points? What did that mean?

The difference in whether a Chinese essay was on topic.

The second or third sub-question of a final math problem.

Of course, arts and sciences couldn’t be lumped together, and scoring on four minor subjects varied. But Li Shuangjie refused to let any smart biology student surpass her! Searching for external excuses might be useful in rough patches, but it wasn’t a reason for a woman to lose heart or slack off!

She got up to buy a new pen. On her way to the convenience store, she spotted an international figure on the playground.

Hey, our school really has a lot of foreigners.

Wait—that’s Zheng Lanyu!

Li Shuangjie frowned. Mondays had two classes in the morning, during which the student council patrolled the campus. Why was he out here playing basketball? Sure enough, a group of student council members in black uniforms soon caught him.

Xu Shan, head of the discipline department, approached and questioned him.

Two minutes later, she scolded sharply, “Skipping class and still this arrogant? Are you saying several boys in your class skip class to play basketball?”

Zheng Lanyu stammered, “No, no.”

He was tongue-tied, unsure how to explain.

“If yes, then yes. If no, then no,” Xu Shan pressed him. “You said earlier you were waiting for someone.”

Zheng Lanyu was caught. He really was waiting for someone. Although he’d skipped class to play basketball, once he arrived at the court, he felt uneasy and wanted to leave. But Zhao Ze persuaded him to watch the court for a while. Then the others never returned.

Zheng Lanyu knew he couldn’t reveal the truth. Class honor belonged to all. One person skipping was less damaging than a group. So he clenched his teeth and swallowed the truth: “I lied earlier. No one else... It was only me skipping class.”

Xu Shan said, “Then come with us to the academic affairs office.”

Zheng Lanyu resignedly followed, but then he heard a voice.

“Wait.”

Li Shuangjie.

Class monitor Li.

You had to admit, having her there carried weight.

She stood by a camphor tree nearby, leaning carelessly. She spoke, but didn’t hurry over—coming too fast might seem like she was trying to bail him out nervously. Once everyone noticed her presence, she strolled over calmly: “What’s going on?”

Someone said, “Your class? Skipping class!”

“Obviously! I’m the class monitor. How could I not know?” Li Shuangjie gave a look that said, “Do you have to remind me?” Without looking at anyone else, she addressed Zheng Lanyu: “I told you to wait for me at the convenience store. How did you end up at the basketball court? So much stuff to carry, and you just left me to do it alone!”

Xu Shan doubted, “Was he really waiting for someone?”

“Otherwise why would I be here?”

“You...” someone started to speak.

“What? Am I a truant too?” she cut them off, taking the initiative and making the accusers feel like they were wrongly accusing her. The boy scratched his head, trying to explain, “No, but he was holding a basketball, and he stayed on the court for a while. Since we found him skipping class, we can’t just let it go without proof!”

Li Shuangjie muttered, “Zheng Lanyu is indeed a good person.”

“What do you mean?” the boy asked.

“He kindly took in a homeless basketball.”

“Hey!” The boy disagreed. “What do you mean took in? Does the basketball run to him by itself? He must have stolen it from the classroom! And what’s a homeless basketball? I recognize this one—it’s a limited edition, Zhao Ze’s!”

Li Shuangjie said, “The basketball hasn’t said a word, but you’re speaking for it? Maybe it willingly came to the court for Zheng Lanyu to play with. Zheng Lanyu didn’t skip class; he got lost after waiting for me at the convenience store and was kindly taken in by the basketball court.”

“Li Shuangjie! That’s nonsense!”

Li Shuangjie smiled. “Think whatever you want.”

The person with the most authority, Xu Shan, didn’t speak immediately. After a moment’s thought, she relaxed and said, “You said you had something to move earlier. What was it?”

“Props for the sports meet. Zheng Lanyu is the sports committee member—if he doesn’t help me, who will? Are you going to help me carry them back?”

“Don’t even think about it!” the boy snapped.

“We’re cadres, not laborers!”

“Then don’t hold me up. I have to go to the academic affairs office.” Li Shuangjie said firmly, “You falsely accuse my sports committee member, I’m going to ask Director Zhang for an explanation.”

The boys were suddenly silenced by this accusation. “Nonsense! No one’s accusing him. Stop talking rubbish!”

“Just kidding.” Li Shuangjie laughed and patted Xu Shan’s shoulder. “About the speech under the national flag.”

“Oh, you mean the grade’s top student giving a speech. I’ve heard of you, the rebellious academic genius. You usually don’t participate in these events. Usually it’s Pei Chuyuan or the second-ranked arts student who speaks. Are you planning to go up this time?”

“Exactly! Even the discipline head said so!”

In any organization, flattery is always necessary.

Li Shuangjie joked with the cadres as they walked away.

Zheng Lanyu didn’t understand how he had been exonerated. He stood holding the basketball, like a puppy awaiting orders. Li Shuangjie thought he was ridiculously naive, but what could she do? As the appointed sports committee member, even a rookie had to be taught. She shot him a glance.

“Follow me,” she mouthed.

Zheng Lanyu obediently trailed behind the group.

At the teacher’s building, the elevator could only fit two groups at a time. It was too crowded to squeeze in. Li Shuangjie took the initiative to pull Zheng Lanyu back, saying they’d wait for the next elevator. For a moment, only the two of them remained. The lazy smile on Li Shuangjie’s face vanished instantly; she looked at Zheng Lanyu with an expressionless gaze.

“Do you want us dead?” she said. “You fool!”

“Sorry, sorry...” he barely managed to apologize.

Li Shuangjie slapped him swiftly.

“Say something,” she narrowed her eyes coldly.

Zheng Lanyu covered his face. “...Thank you.”

Now he felt the slap was too light.

Her obedient deskmate showed a touching dependence. Well, mostly it was those beautiful emerald eyes. Zheng was foolish but truly lovely. Li Shuangjie couldn’t bring herself to be too harsh. “...Forget it,” she waved her hand. “It’s not entirely your fault.”

Her frostbitten brows lowered.

“We two main fools have been set up.”

“Set up?!” Zheng Lanyu was utterly clueless.

“Lower your voice. This isn’t something to be proud of!”

Just then the elevator arrived again, and they stepped inside. Leaning against the railing, Li Shuangjie let down her guard, speaking calmly but with restrained anger.

“You took Zhao Ze’s basketball because he told you to come. They say you skipped class to play basketball, and you blindly followed them?”

“Yes.” Zheng Lanyu’s tone was plaintive, almost like a child asking the monitor to defend him—something he hadn’t realized himself. “I went with them to the court, but I felt uneasy and wanted to leave. They asked me to watch the court for a while, and then they disappeared.”

“They’re all sitting comfortably in the classroom right now, believe it or not,” Li Shuangjie sighed. “You’re too honest. They took advantage of that. You just watched because they told you to. They’re using your honesty to get you into trouble! When the time comes, they’ll tell the homeroom teacher you’re unfit to be sports committee member.”

Zheng Lanyu panicked. “Ah? How can that be?”

“Sigh! This system, you just have to figure it out.”

“What should I do...” He quickly made up his mind. “Class monitor, don’t worry. Even if I get punished or have to write a self-criticism, I won’t snitch on the others. I won’t let you be affected.”

“...Unbelievable.” Li Shuangjie rubbed her forehead.

“Who are you trying to impress? Yourself, Zheng Lanyu?”

“Ah?” He blinked, tears sparkling in his eyes.

“Xu Shan bought it. This matter’s not up to you.”

Zheng Lanyu still didn’t understand. Well, golden retrievers aren’t known for their intelligence but for loyalty. Li Shuangjie pityingly pinched his cheek. “So, baby golden retriever, you think I just do speeches under the national flag for fun? Got nothing better to do? It’s all to cover your backside. You skipping class doesn’t benefit Xu Shan, but she can handle having the top student give a speech.”

“Ah! Director Zhang surely...”

“Yes. I have influence.”

Zheng Lanyu thought for a moment and bowed again to apologize. “Sorry, it’s all because I trusted Zhao Ze, making you have to speak under the national flag...”

“Don’t say that, don’t say that.” She raised her hand. “You don’t have that kind of face. Don’t think too highly of yourself. Helping you is helping myself.”

“Also,” she looked calmly at the rising floor numbers.

“Before I was class monitor, I was also sports committee member.”

“Is that so...” Zheng Lanyu was surprised and voiced his doubts. “Actually, I don’t quite understand why you became class monitor. You don’t seem keen on handling these things… and every time you manage the class, you seem a bit... temperamental.”

“I didn’t want to either,” she shrugged.

“But the power of speech must be held by women.”

So that was it. Because the sports committee role didn’t hold enough authority to defend the girls in class, she became class monitor. Zheng Lanyu understood her mindset and suddenly felt a heavy weight on his shoulders, making it hard to take a step.

At just that moment, the elevator doors slowly opened.

He was about to step forward, but Li Shuangjie had already walked far ahead.

A small step.

A giant leap.