Chapter Eight
The next day, the campus was abuzz with rumors of a changing of the guard.
Han Shuguang, walking through the campus, wherever he went, drew fervent admiration from anyone who crossed his path. It was as if he were some strange new animal in the zoo. Once the rumor spread that the school's top dog had changed, there was no stopping it. How subtle and powerful human language is! It can elevate an unknown person to the peak of glory in an instant, or plunge someone enjoying infinite honor into a stinking cesspool. He didn't want to be a famous figure on campus, but as the Chinese saying goes, "Accidental success," and thus he ascended to the so-called throne of "leader."
No matter how brilliant a figure he became on campus, he could not illuminate the darkness in Ao Cheng's heart. It was like a kerosene lamp suddenly deprived of oxygen, extinguished. Nor could he help his friend bring love closer. Great men cannot control love.
After a day of brewing, his status as "leader" was confirmed.
On his way to the classroom the next day, he encountered several familiar faces who surrounded Han Shuguang and Ao Cheng. One of them was Zhao Hai from their class.
"Shuguang, no, I should call you 'Brother Guang.' I never expected you to beat up our school's 'big boss' yesterday until he ran away crying. You're really something," said Zhao Hai, his words heavy with flattery. Looking at his fawning face, Han Shuguang wanted to slap him across the face but refrained due to their being classmates. He detested such small-minded people.
"If this title of 'leader' could restore my friend's happiness, I would gladly take off this crown and wear it on my head. But it cannot. It will bring him no honor, only harm. What use is it? It cannot save my friend, and I plan to discard it." Han Shuguang thought here but cursed his own powerlessness.
Ao Cheng followed Han Shuguang absentmindedly, as if wherever Han Shuguang went, he would follow without purpose, just following. When Han Shuguang stopped to chat with others, Ao Cheng also stopped. However, he paid no attention to their conversation, showing no interest whatsoever. He wouldn't urge his talking friend nor leave on his own.
"What leader, I don't want to be one. If you want, you can have it. I don't mind," said Han Shuguang with a slight sarcastic smile.
Those accompanying Zhao Hai saw they weren't getting any benefits and remained silent. Some looked up at Han Shuguang with admiring eyes, others stared at their shoes. At this moment, no one noticed whether Ao Cheng existed or not. Ao Cheng only listened to their talk.
"Oh, that's incredible. A leader isn't something anyone can become. It takes a lot of courage, which I lack. But I can be your best friend. You wouldn't deny me that favor, would you?" Again, Zhao Hai showed his obsequious nature. His mouth split into an ugly gap, revealing pale yellow teeth, half laughing, half grimacing. Losing face yet still forcing a smile, Han Shuguang hated such pretentious people.
Han Shuguang found Zhao Hai's affected manner disgusting, but since he still had some value, he didn't kick him away.
"Friends, I have many. My best friend is only one: him, the one beside me. I'm sure you know him." Han Shuguang turned his head and solemnly looked at Ao Cheng, who appeared preoccupied and hadn't heard their conversation.
"Then what about me..." Zhao Hai's face alternated between red and white.
"You... let me think." Han Shuguang paused for a moment, "First, help me with something. If you do well, I'll make you my second-best friend. How does that sound?"
Looking at Zhao Hai's hesitation, Han Shuguang added, "Don't worry, I won't ask you to do anything against school rules or against your conscience."
"Well, okay, tell me what it is. I'll surely do it to your satisfaction. Otherwise, consider us strangers," Zhao Hai agreed after hearing the last sentence, his face glowing with pride.
"But I have another requirement," said Han Shuguang.
"What is it? Just say it. I promise I'll agree, as long as I become your second-best friend," Zhao Hai now had no reservations.
"Never mention I'm the leader or call me 'Brother Guang' in front of anyone. I hate all that nonsense. You also can't use such titles to swindle or cause trouble," Han Shuguang said seriously.
"Alright, I promise. Now, what is it you need me to do? I'll do everything possible to fulfill it," Zhao Hai replied confidently.
"Wait a moment." Han Shuguang pulled Ao Cheng aside and said, "Cheng, go to the classroom first. I'll be there soon. Yesterday's incident probably won't be resolved so easily." He lightly patted Ao Cheng's shoulder to show his concern. An idea flashed in his mind to possibly rescue his fallen friend.
"No, I can't let you bear it alone. I have a share too. Otherwise, how could I feel at peace? Don't forget we are friends, close as brothers. Have you forgotten?" Ao Cheng's lifeless eyes finally lifted, pitifully staring blankly at Han Shuguang. In a short while, his vacant gaze disappeared back into his hollow eyes. Han Shuguang regretted saying that last sentence. He originally wanted his lost friend to quickly return to the classroom, but instead made things worse.
"Trust me, I'll be fine," Han Shuguang said, applying more force when patting Ao Cheng's shoulder. After a while, Ao Cheng returned to the classroom like a walking corpse. Han Shuguang's concerned gaze followed him until he entered the classroom. For some reason, looking at his friend's thin back, his heart ached.
Han Shuguang took two steps and reached Zhao Hai and his group.
"You guys go back too. Keep an eye on Cheng; don't let anything happen to him. Or else, I'll hold you accountable," Han Shuguang said after seeing the others leave. Turning to Zhao Hai, he continued, "Didn't you say a while ago that our school's beauty queen was very pretty? I want to know who she is and her name. Can you take me to meet her?"
Hearing this, Zhao Hai's face lit up. This was his forte; he was known in class for his scheming ways, though it had also gained him the affection of a few young girls. Last time, he successfully gave a gift to Yu Meijing, and she happily accepted it. Ao Cheng and Han Shuguang were far less clever in this aspect, so they decided to rely on Zhao Hai. Zhao Hai already knew everything about the person Ao Cheng yearned for, even though he still liked Yu Meijing. But nothing could control his roving heart and scheming mind. Whenever a beautiful woman passed by Zhao Hai, he had to uncover every detail about her. This seemed to be his style, almost a duty. No matter what, he always succeeded, doing it flawlessly, even unbeknownst to Yu Meijing herself. He often prided himself on having such a sharp mind.
"Let's go then. Time waits for no man," Han Shuguang habitually glanced at his watch.
"Based on my estimation, the girl you fancy must be in the classroom. She usually gets there early, coming early and leaving late being her usual study pattern. But frankly speaking, her academic performance isn't great. Despite her hard work, fate doesn't favor her, and her grades haven't improved much. They are far behind yours, even your best friend surpasses her greatly. Based on my years of experience, beauties have brains dumber than pigs. Look at the academically excellent girls in our school; they are all born unattractive to society. There's nothing we can do about it. Perhaps this is a peculiar law of humanity, and I absolutely loathe this ridiculous and perverted rule," Zhao Hai scratched his scalp, almost bald, and prepared to launch into a long lecture, but Han Shuguang cut him off.
"Let's go handle the important matters first. Tell me your philosophy later. I'm thoroughly sick of it," Han Shuguang walked away before Zhao Hai could finish.
"Fine, no lecture then. Let's go," they started walking again and chatting. "You two were truly destined to be a pair. Beauty matches hero."
"Don't jump to conclusions. We'll see. Suppose the beauty you mentioned doesn't appeal to me. This is between the two of us; no third person should know. I don't want it spreading around."
"Of course. If I slip, you can dismember me. Do you still not trust me?"
Han Shuguang had been worried about this issue. If things went wrong, Ao Cheng would surely fall into despair. Since Zhao Hai had spoken, he decided to take it step by step. At this point, he found Zhao Hai wasn't entirely repulsive.
In no time, they arrived at the window Han Shuguang and Ao Cheng knew all too well.
"Look, I'll point out the beauty to you. The one diligently doing homework over there," Zhao Hai pointed at someone, and both his finger and Han Shuguang's gaze landed on the same person.
"Lower your voice, don't let others hear," Han Shuguang warned Zhao Hai cautiously.
"It's really her, just as Ao Cheng predicted," he pondered. "Things are getting harder. How many admirers must she have? How much effort will my friend need to get her, or even speak a word to her? Difficult indeed." With this thought, his gaze withdrew from her.
"Let's go. Do you know her name?" Han Shuguang asked Zhao Hai despondently on behalf of his friend.
"She's called Yi Yao. So many people pursue her, more than the dust on the ground. Hard to believe, right? I'm smarter. Knowing I couldn't have her, I chose someone effortlessly attainable as my girlfriend. How wise!" Zhao Hai bragged.
"Are there really that many people pursuing her as you say?" Han Shuguang doubted.
"That's true. In our school, from every grade, those secretly or openly loving her, sending her love letters daily, countless. I bet if she collected all the letters sent to her each day, even a backpack wouldn't suffice. Puzzlingly, she neither reads nor accepts them. Rumor has it that people from other schools also send her love letters, all ending the same way—rejected outright."
"Is she as pure as you say? Or are you exaggerating?"
"I swear to heaven," Zhao Hai raised his right hand solemnly, making Han Shuguang laugh.
"Alright, I didn't ask you to swear. I simply can't believe she's as you describe," Han Shuguang chuckled. "We've reached my seat. Go back to yours. I believe what you say." Unconsciously entering the classroom, Han Shuguang waved for Zhao Hai to return to his seat.
Before sitting down, Han Shuguang first saw his friend, whose face he hadn't scrutinized for a while. Upon careful inspection, he was startled. Ao Cheng was pale, emaciated, listless, frail, and his face devoid of blood color. His lips were slightly red, but a purplish-black, not the radiant red of health. Those hands currently gripping the pen trembled, as if writing each character required all his strength. His once adorable large eyes were sunken deeply into their sockets, as if they might fall out at any moment. Seeing this, Han Shuguang felt as if knives pierced his heart. How could he bear to watch his dearest friend weaken day by day?
"Cheng, I have some uplifting news for you," Han Shuguang's voice quivered, as if it came from somewhere else.
Ao Cheng raised his head, scanned him with a vacant gaze, then buried himself back into his unfinished work, as if nothing could excite him anymore.
"What good fortune could come to me, this unfortunate soul? Without her, I wouldn't care for even a jade throne," he finally put down his pen and muttered softly.
"I know her name now."
"Really?" Ao Cheng's voice rose sharply, surprising everyone to glance at him, but he didn't care. Anything else mattered little compared to her. Eyes previously reduced to ash now blazed with renewed fire.
"Her name is Yi Yao. As you said, she truly is our school's beauty queen."
"Yi Yao, her name alone suggests unparalleled beauty. This news alone makes me happy for a while," he said, then the light in his eyes vanished abruptly, extinguished like a torrential rain. "Knowing her name is good, letting me falsely rejoice. It can slightly uplift my spirit. For how many days have I lacked joyous moments? But after this, I might fall into deeper despair. I don't mean to blame you. I merely feel my spirit dwindles day by day. This news quickens my heartbeat, but over time, I'll fear her name, perhaps even hearing it could end my life..."
"Stop, please stop. Don't say such discouraging words. Let's implement the plan today—no, now! Write her a letter. I'll be your faithful messenger, ensuring your satisfaction," Han Shuguang didn't want to hear misfortune about his friend and forbade him from saying it. His hand tightly gripped Ao Cheng's cold ones, his emotions so intense he hurt Ao Cheng.
"Write a letter? Easier said than done. The consequences? To be rejected like those unlucky souls, losing face throughout the entire school. Worse yet, everyone will gossip behind my back, or even to my face, hurling insults like 'a toad wanting to eat swan meat,' and who knows what else. Then dying would be easy."
Each word Ao Cheng spoke pierced Han Shuguang's heart like needles. Tears welled in his eyes. "Relax. Could you listen to me just this once? I swear by our deep friendship, you won't end up as you fear. Instead, contrary to that, until she agrees to be your girlfriend, alright? Trust me." During their conversation, the teacher had already taken the podium.
Finally, under Han Shuguang's persistent persuasion, Ao Cheng agreed to follow his friend's advice. He resolved that this was his last chance—success or failure, live or die. Death meant little to him.
Chapter Nine
After class, they bought the most expensive and elegant stationery in the school store, faintly fragrant with flowers. Satisfied, they left the store, now focusing on drafting a reasonable love letter—not overly enthusiastic, yet not dull. Writing such a letter would require considerable deliberation. Finding time wasn't an issue since Ao Cheng could dedicate any study time, even leisure time, even going without food, drink, or sleep, all for crafting the perfect love letter.
By the end of the morning classes and afternoon, Ao Cheng finally handed over a satisfactory letter to Han Shuguang for preview. Countless sheets of paper had been torn in the process of writing this letter, written and rewritten until this final copy ended up in Han Shuguang's hands.
The content of the letter read:
Yi Yao,
It took me a long time to learn your name.
Learning your name filled me with excitement beyond imagination. Your illustrious name has captivated me for so long. Every time I catch a glimpse of your mesmerizing eyes, I am utterly entranced. But such occurrences aren't daily blessings for someone as unfortunate as me. There are so many who admire you, heads nearly broken in pursuit, and I am among them. Fortunate am I, for I am sunk deeper than most.
You may not notice this insignificant speck of dust, but I wish to be blown by the wind to your feet daily. Time has kept me struggling in secret longing for nearly a year. From the first day I opened my studies, the moment I laid eyes on you, I fell in love. The word "like" barely conveys a thousandth of my feelings for you, and the word "love" stimulates my cells too intensely. Let's stick with "like."
Surely, you feel nothing for me, for I am transforming into a shapeless shadow because of you, like a freshly picked cucumber that wilts with time, growing softer and softer, eventually rotting beyond recognition. Right now, I am in my softest state.
But perhaps you might pity this devoted admirer, even sprinkling a drop of water from your vast ocean of love on me. That would be like receiving all the brilliance of the sun. I believe you will, won't you?
I've seen the misfortune of those who pursued you and failed. Were I in their place, I'd drown myself in the lake, unable to bear rejection. Yet, I cannot control my heart, for it is entirely your slave. To avoid further rebuke from you, it's best I leave.
Let's start as ordinary friends first, calming my fervent heart. Please grant my humble request!
This concludes the letter, unsigned. When Han Shuguang asked why, Ao Cheng blushed and said, "I fear she might reject me, so it's better not to sign. Receiving her reply is more important than knowing my name. This way, at least she won't refuse me. Is it decent enough?"
"As long as it's your own writing, it's fine."
Those brief lines took Ao Cheng the whole evening self-study session to transcribe onto the letter paper. As the last word was written