Summer's Rose

Chapter 20: The Heartless One

“I just feel like there’s a lot that doesn’t make sense, just guessing,” Wen said, her voice trailing off. Her brows furrowed slightly as she tried to make sense of everything that had been happening. She felt like she was missing some key pieces to the puzzle. There were too many things she didn’t understand, and for someone who liked things neat and clear, it was frustrating. After a brief pause, she added, “But I won’t tell anyone.”

Zhou Nan responded with a simple “Mmm,” his tone betraying nothing. It was as if he had expected this reaction. He glanced at Wen, his expression unreadable as he said, “I know.”

The commotion in Class 17 lasted through half the class period because of this matter. Whispers filled the air, and everyone was caught up in the drama. Some students were upset, others were confused, and a few were just waiting to see how it would all unfold. This wasn’t the first time something like this had happened, but this time felt different. It felt personal.

That night, Hannah also received tons of messages. Her phone buzzed non-stop, and it seemed like everyone was talking about Lucius. People were trashing him, calling him a jerk, and sending their well wishes to her. "Don't let that jerk get you down," they wrote, showing their support in every way they could. The whole class was eagerly waiting for her to return, and they wanted to show her that she wasn’t alone.

...

As Wen walked into the classroom the next morning, she heard a few students gossiping near the door.

"Whoa, look, look, there's a beautiful girl at the door!" one of them exclaimed.

"Wow, she’s stunning," another whispered, as if they didn’t want to disturb her.

"Who’s she here to see?" someone asked, their curiosity piqued.

"Definitely not here for you," came the teasing response.

"Go to hell. Of course, she’s not here for me," the first student shot back, a grin spreading across their face.

The girl at the door was striking. She wore a black and white color-blocked dress that highlighted her slender figure. Her fox-like eyes were slightly slanted, giving her an exotic and mysterious appearance. Her features were sharp and memorable, and she exuded an air of coolness that seemed to set her apart from everyone else. As she lightly knocked on the door, her movements were deliberate, yet graceful, and when she spoke, her voice was calm but alluring.

“Excuse me, teacher, may I see Wen?”

Her smile, though polite, had an undertone of something more — something that caught the attention of everyone in the room.

Mr.Adam, the teacher, glanced at the girl outside, then called out, “Wen, someone’s here to see you.”

Hearing her name, Wen looked up from her desk. Her eyes met the cheerful gaze of Helen, and for a brief moment, the world seemed to slow down. It felt like an eternity since she had last seen her, and a sense of warmth washed over her as she saw the familiar face in the doorway.

She stood up quickly, her heart racing with excitement, and walked toward Helen. There was something magnetic about her presence — something that drew Wen in, making everything else seem irrelevant for a moment.

"Wow, looks like pretty people always hang out with other pretty people," Yong Ming muttered under his breath, unable to hide his admiration. He couldn’t help but whistle as he took in the sight of both Wen and Helen.

"Even Wen’s friends are goddess," he added, his voice filled with awe.

Hao Ming, ever the troublemaker, smirked and replied, “But there are exceptions.”

“Why’s that?” Yong Ming asked, his curiosity piqued.

Hao Ming grinned mischievously. “Like how Zhou Nan is so handsome, and then there’s you…”

“Shut the hell up, Hao Big Head! I swear I’ll smash your dog head in after class,” Yang Shikun shot back, his temper flaring as he shot a glare at Hao Ming. He was already plotting ways to kick him out of the class.

Hao Ming chuckled, clearly enjoying the banter. “Do you think you’re more handsome than Zhou Nan?”

Yong Ming glanced back at Zhou Nan. The boy’s messy hair softened his sharp features, and the scars on his face from a few days ago had already healed. The carefree, slightly rebellious vibe he gave off only made him more captivating. Wen always said that Zhou Nan had a way of attracting attention, even when he wasn’t trying.

"Stop talking nonsense, of course, Zhou Nan is the most handsome man in this school." Yang Shikun admitted grudgingly, a faint blush creeping across his face as he realized the truth in Hao Ming’s teasing.

…

On the rooftop, the evening air was cool as Helen pulled Wen into a warm hug. “Miss me? Girlie,” she asked, her voice soft and teasing.

Helen was taller than Wen, standing at about 5'8". She had always been the protective one, the older sister figure in their relationship. Wen smiled as she felt the familiar warmth of her embrace. There was something comforting about being held by her, something that made Wen feel safe, like she could finally breathe again after all the chaos.

“I missed you,” Wen replied, her voice full of warmth. Her almond-shaped eyes narrowed with joy, and she couldn’t help but feel a little curious. “But why did you suddenly come to A City?” she asked, her curiosity getting the best of her.

Helen pulled away slightly to look at Wen, a slight frown on her face. “Well, it’s all because of some heartless person who came to A City without telling me first, only to let me know after her transfer papers were all set. Didn’t I say I’d come see you as soon as I had time?”

Wen chuckled softly at Helen’s playful tone, feeling a sense of familiarity. “You always say that,” she teased.

Helen pinched her cheek gently, her expression softening. But then she frowned, her concern evident. “You’ve lost weight again? Didn’t you eat properly?”

Wen shook her head, trying to downplay it. “No, I’ve been eating fine.” But deep down, she knew her health had been deteriorating. Sometimes, she felt nauseous after eating, and there were moments when she couldn’t keep anything down. She tried not to let it show, but it was becoming harder to hide.

Helen raised an eyebrow, not convinced. “You sure? You don’t look fine.”

Wen gave a small smile, trying to change the subject. “Aren’t you busy? Why not stay at my place for a few days before you leave?”

Helen smiled knowingly. “I’m not leaving.” Her voice softened, and there was a tenderness in her eyes. “I’m staying here. Wherever you are, I’ll be there too.”

Wen paused for a moment, her breath catching. She had not expected this. “Huh?”

Helen’s smile grew, her eyes filled with an unspoken promise. “I said I’m not leaving. I’m staying here with you.”

Wen was speechless for a moment. She could feel the weight of Helen’s words settle in her chest. Her heart fluttered. For the first time in a long while, she felt like someone was truly looking out for her. She smiled softly, her eyes welling up with emotion. “Okay,” she whispered.

...

Ten years ago.

Not long after Helen’s mother passed away, her father’s gambling addiction drained the family’s wealth, leaving them deeply in debt. The constant financial strain only worsened as time went on. Fearful of the creditors closing in on them, Helen’s father took her and moved into the house her grandmother had left behind.

Her father was either drunk or coming home from the casino, frustrated and angry. He would often take out his anger on her, lashing out in ways that left emotional scars. It was a dark time in Helen’s life, one that she never wanted to relive.

One day, when Helen was still young, her father came home in a particularly foul mood. He was so drunk that he destroyed everything in their house, smashing plates and furniture. Finally, he locked young Helen outside, leaving her to sit alone in the dark, cold hallway.

The hallway lights were dim, casting long shadows. Helen sat by the door, trembling with hunger and fear. She was too young to understand what was happening, but she could feel the weight of everything pressing down on her.

It was then that she met the little girl in the white dress.

The girl appeared out of nowhere, her smile bright and warm. She handed Helen a carton of milk, her voice sweet and innocent. “Are you the new neighbor? Here, have this milk.”

Helen was too shocked to speak at first, but the little girl simply sat next to her, her eyes sparkling with kindness. “I really like this milk, it tastes great. Aren’t you going to drink it?”

The milk was strawberry-flavored and warm, and for many days afterward, Helen remembered the little girl in the white dress and her sweet, comforting smile.

That little girl entered Helen’s life in ways she could never have imagined. She became a constant presence, someone who would always be there for her, even when things seemed impossible. She stayed by Helen’s side through the hardest times.

As the years passed, Helen grew older, and she realized that she had found something in Wen that she had never thought possible: love, care, and a sense of belonging. Wen wasn’t perfect, but she was everything to her.

When Helen finally graduated from middle school, Wen, who was still in the second year of junior high, told her something that would change everything. “I’m dropping out.”

At the time, Wen took all of her savings — several thousand yuan — and gave it to Helen. “I have money. You should keep going to high school.”

Helen smiled and rubbed her head affectionately. “I’m not good at school anyway. You’re the one who needs to study well.”

At first, Helen worked as a waitress at a restaurant. Every weekend, Wen would come to keep her company. While Helen worked, Wen would sit by her side, doing her homework. She would occasionally look up and smile at Helen, her presence a silent form of support.

One night, things got out of hand. A drunken customer grabbed Helen’s arm, trying to take advantage of her. Wen, who had been doing her homework nearby, immediately stood up, grabbed her papers, and smacked the man’s hand away.

“Sir, this is a restaurant, not a place for you to cause trouble. If you want to mess around, go somewhere else,” Wen said firmly.

The man tried to argue, but the manager stepped in and asked what was going on.

Wen spoke clearly, her voice unwavering. “Manager, this man is drunk and harassing the staff. This is a proper restaurant, and his behavior is unacceptable.”

The manager’s expression turned serious. “Sir, if you don’t stop, I’ll have to call the police.”

The man realized it wasn’t worth it and backed off. He wasn’t just drunk — he had been using it as an excuse to act badly.

Wen, usually so mild-tempered, had stepped in without hesitation to protect Helen. She had always cared more for her than anyone else. That night, Wen became the person Helen had always wanted to be — brave and strong.

On their way home, Helen smiled, her eyes squinting in contentment. “Today, my Wen wen was amazing.”

Wen smiled back. “Guess what? I got into the top three in class.”

“Who’s the amazing one here? Looks like it’s my little Wen wen,” Helen teased as she cupped her face, rubbing it affectionately.

“When you go to university, I’ll come work in your city,” Wen said with a glint of excitement in her voice.

“Okay,” Helen replied, her voice soft but filled with promise.

The cicadas chirped loudly, and the summer night air felt warm. The streetlights stretched their shadows long, casting them across the road. It was a moment frozen in time, one that neither of them would ever forget.