Chapter 71: Irresponsible

April Nanliu unusually rainy.
Noon—clouds heavy—air oppressive.
Rain before first period.
Worst—grade two class four—PE cut—substituted by homeroom teacher—swallowed complaints.
Half class few answers—dazed—changed to quiz—rest.
Melatonin resistance—insomnia—late start—full morning—no food—cookie nap.
Office fine—class dizzy—low blood sugar likely.
Planned after class—overestimated—ten minutes before end—students restless—held forehead pale sweat—silent—sat until collapsed.
Carried to meeting room—too far office infirmary.
“Find teacher—glucose?”
“Stay watch—run fast!”
Urgent voices.
Cold table—nausea less—still weak sweat.
Quiet—open slit—student stop—“Don’t move teacher rest.”
One eye up—familiar young face bending worried.
Stunned—like Qi Yu eyes full concern.
“Teacher uncomfortable?”
Hallucination from illness.
“Better now.” Sit slightly—still wall white.
Breath—look Qi Xuan—pause.
Since split—Qi Xuan face more like Qi Yu—eyes pure sincere youth.
“Qi Xuan—your sister… how?” Blurted—late.
Strange.
Xuan blank—look away—forced smile—“Haven’t chatted—random ask.”
Smile fell.
“Oh… she’s fine.”
“Good… good.” Turn—rest forehead.
Xuan not good at reading people—
“But…”
Heavy lids—“But what?” Stare.
Xuan grip tight—words stuck.
“What?” Heart hung.
“Nothing… just—take care—you look bad.”
Blank—“Thanks.” Smile.
Eyes dodge—doubt—
Student water—silence—doubt buried.
……
Rain evening—fresh grass earth.
After school—walk playground—pavilion bench.
Sunset—students training—smile at goals.
Familiar—class four—Lin Jun Chen Mo—greetings—chat—leave.
Lin Chen shoulders touch—disappear—
Youth love blunt—no words—instinct near.
High school “chance” meets Qi Yu—shy joy—gifts excuses—stolen glances—
Love so obvious—
Like hate now.
Sunset dark—self-mock smile.
……
Meet Li Wen—new noodle shop—full—corner seat.
Low blood sugar care—Li Wen call—wedding congrats—
“Friend wedding next week—abroad—too far.”
“Church abroad?”
Li Wen whisper—“No groom—bride—you get it.”
Heart stir—“Not strange—normal.”
“Your family old teachers—I thought you’d find it abnormal.”
Smile silent.
“Friend went through hell—family oppose—control—won’t marry man—coming out day mom cry threaten jump—she said die together—mom quiet—lucky didn’t break for family—envy.”
Stare table—“If… forced give up for reasons—understandable?”
“No!” Excited—“Say it solve—jump threat solved—one-sided abandon irresponsible—same as dump!”