As Wished

After the last exam was finished, some students had already left the examination hall and were being interviewed by reporters outside. Zhong Su, Pei Dashan, and Pei Huan watched the school gate, and before long, Pei Yan emerged. Perhaps because of Pei Yan’s handsome appearance, the reporters quickly approached him, microphones in hand, eager for an interview. Pei Yan handled the situation with ease, as he did everything, and the three paused in their steps, watching with anticipation as Pei Yan spoke to the media.

Once the interview was over, Pei Yan turned and walked toward them. Pei Huan hurriedly asked, “How did the exam go today?”

“It went pretty well,” Pei Yan replied, carelessly.

“Judging by your confidence, are you aiming to be the top science student?” Pei Huan teased with a smile.

Pei Yan raised an eyebrow at her words. “Who knows? Maybe.”

The siblings exchanged only a few words before Zhong Su and Pei Dashan interrupted, and Pei Yan patiently answered his parents’ questions one by one.

That evening, they dined out to celebrate the end of Pei Yan’s college entrance exams. Afterward, Pei Yan’s spirits were visibly brighter; he could converse with Pei Dashan and Zhong Su at the dinner table for quite some time, whereas before the exams he would eat hurriedly and rush upstairs to study.

Later, after showering, Pei Huan lay on her bed, idly chatting with Lu Yinghuai on WeChat.

Since their outing together the day before, Pei Huan felt their relationship had taken a qualitative leap forward, even more than after the New Year’s Eve party. Lu Yinghuai no longer responded indifferently to her chatter; now, he would answer a few sentences, and when in a good mood, reward her with a smile.

Pei Huan felt a wave of emotion at Lu Yinghuai’s transformation.

Pei Huan: Pei Yan finished his exams today. He said he did really well.

Lu Yinghuai replied after a few seconds: Pei Yan has always been the top science student in senior year. Doing well is only natural.

Pei Huan: I thought you didn’t know about these things.

Lu Yinghuai: Sometimes, when checking grades, I glance at other grades and remember them by chance.

Pei Huan: How rare.

They chatted back and forth, and even as Pei Huan prepared for bed, she was reluctant to end the conversation. But remembering she would see Lu Yinghuai tomorrow, the feeling of loss eased a little.

After the college entrance exams, first- and second-year students returned to school as usual. The learning atmosphere in the second-year intensified; Pei Huan could clearly sense it. Teachers never failed to remind them that next year’s exam would be theirs, and that if they didn’t work hard now, they would regret it later.

Li Xuan and his group still joked around with Pei Huan as usual, but she noticed Li Xuan had begun to study seriously. Once so carefree, now he could focus on his studies. Although Pei Huan initially felt nothing, the class atmosphere was infectious, and she became tense as well, jotting down science notes when she had time or asking Lu Yinghuai for help.

A few days before the exam results were released, two well-known universities’ admissions offices suddenly called Pei Yan. At first, Pei Yan thought it was a scam and refused to answer, but the calls persisted. Finally, Pei Yan, unable to bear it any longer, answered, only to hear the caller introduce themselves as the admissions office of University A.

With the phone on speaker, the other three in the family heard everything, all looking at Pei Yan in disbelief.

University A was a prestigious institution with a long history and a strong academic foundation—one of the top universities in the country, where countless students competed fiercely to enter. Now, with the admissions office calling directly, it was utterly unexpected.

Pei Yan, however, remained calm and exchanged words with the caller. After hanging up, University B called as well, and Pei Yan responded in the same composed manner. When the call ended, an odd silence filled the living room.

Pei Huan reacted first, grabbing Pei Yan’s shoulders in excitement. “Brother, is it true?”

“It’s true,” Pei Yan nodded.

Pei Huan threw her arms around him. “Congratulations, brother!”

She rambled on incoherently, but every word was a congratulation for Pei Yan. As she spoke, she began to cry, leaving Pei Yan both amused and exasperated, though he patiently comforted her in her excitement.

Once Pei Huan was soothed, Zhong Su and Pei Dashan, faces lit with joy, asked Pei Yan a few questions before finally relaxing. That night, the Pei family was enveloped in the happiness of Pei Yan’s outstanding achievement.

In early July, Pei Huan faced her final exams. After only a few days of celebration, she threw herself into her studies. At school, she could ask Lu Yinghuai for help; at home, she turned to Pei Yan, who was now more patient than ever in teaching her.

“The first big question on the math exam is about derivatives. This part is pretty tough for you,” Pei Yan explained patiently. “But if you remember these formulas and go step by step, even if the result is wrong, you’ll at least get some points for your process.”

Pei Huan watched as Pei Yan wrote on the scratch paper, quickly memorizing what he taught her.

By early July, the heat grew even more oppressive. Temperatures in Lingcheng soared to thirty-six degrees, and students preferred to stay in air-conditioned classrooms, showing little enthusiasm for PE classes.

Soon, the final exams arrived. Pei Huan’s grades had improved significantly, but she was still assigned to the third exam hall. This time, she sat in the first seat, which felt unfamiliar and uncomfortable, especially with the proctor sitting right in front of her.

After finishing the last subject, Pei Huan felt completely relaxed—at last, she could enjoy herself.

On her way downstairs, she ran into Lu Yinghuai, who asked in a quiet voice, “How did you do?”

“Not bad. All the science questions were within my grasp, but anything too difficult I just couldn’t solve,” Pei Huan replied honestly.

“Do you think you’ll pass?” Lu Yinghuai raised an eyebrow slightly.

“I’m confident about the liberal arts,” Pei Huan said. “As for science, I’ll be happy with any points I get.”

Her words were rather tentative, but Lu Yinghuai merely smiled at her, saying nothing to discourage her.

“Will you go out during the summer?” Pei Huan asked suddenly.

“Go out?” Lu Yinghuai was momentarily taken aback.

They’d gone out before, but Lu Yinghuai was still caught off guard by her spontaneous invitation.

“Yes, otherwise you’d be bored at home by yourself,” Pei Huan said naturally.

“I wouldn’t be very bored,” Lu Yinghuai replied, expressionless. “Sleeping and reading at home passes the time quickly.”

“That’s not much fun,” Pei Huan dismissed his words outright. “So will you come out with me?”

Pei Huan fixed her gaze on Lu Yinghuai, who met her look for a few seconds before surrendering. He nodded slowly, tacitly accepting her invitation.

“Then we’ll see each other in the summer?” Pei Huan smiled and raised her eyebrows.

“Mm, see you in the summer,” Lu Yinghuai nodded.

Once their things were packed, they left. At the school gate, they parted ways. As Lu Yinghuai walked away, he could still see Pei Huan waving to him from a short distance away. The sunlight was perfect, and the girl waving at him seemed to be bathed in gold. Even if he couldn’t see her face, he could imagine her bright smile—a lively spirit unique to Pei Huan, always captivating him.

After watching for a while, Lu Yinghuai’s thoughts shifted and he turned back. Pei Huan saw him return and asked in surprise, “Weren’t you going home?”

“I’m not in a hurry,” Lu Yinghuai replied lightly.

From their initial farewells to now, with Lu Yinghuai walking beside her, Pei Huan still felt a sense of unreality.

Passing a convenience store, Pei Huan asked, “Do you want some ice cream?”

“Mm,” Lu Yinghuai agreed.

They entered the store together. Lu Yinghuai watched as Pei Huan picked out ice cream for him, and his memory drifted back to the rainy night when Pei Huan lent him her umbrella.

Lu Yinghuai let his mind wander. When Pei Huan looked up after choosing, she found him staring at her, his eyes reflecting something she couldn’t understand. She waved a hand in front of his face, and Lu Yinghuai snapped back to reality, saying, “I think I still haven’t returned your umbrella.”

Pei Huan remembered too, and replied nonchalantly, “You can return it whenever.”

“What if I don’t return it?” Lu Yinghuai teased.

“That’s fine too,” Pei Huan laughed.

Pei Huan paid for two ice creams and handed one to Lu Yinghuai. They walked home together.

“Lu Yinghuai,” Pei Huan suddenly called his name.

“What is it?” he asked.

“What do you think of me?” Pei Huan asked, as if casually.

Lu Yinghuai answered honestly, “You’re pretty good.”

“How good?” Pei Huan pressed.

“I don’t know. Just… pretty good,” Lu Yinghuai said truthfully.

They chatted idly until Pei Huan reached her doorstep. After saying goodbye, she was about to turn when Pei Yan opened the door and saw the two standing outside. He looked at Pei Huan, then at Lu Yinghuai, his eyes gradually showing a hint of amusement.

Pei Huan was caught off guard by Pei Yan’s appearance, her expression stiffening for a moment before she regained composure. “Brother, why did you come out?”

“Did I interrupt your romantic moment?” Pei Yan said leisurely.

“Do you have a death wish, Pei Yan?” Pei Huan feigned a threat.

Pei Yan said nothing, shutting the door as if nothing had happened. Pei Huan, speechless, chatted a little more with Lu Yinghuai before entering. Pei Yan was lounging on the sofa watching TV, legs crossed. When he saw Pei Huan return, he teased, “Well, you finally decided to come home?”

Pei Huan gave him a middle finger, making Pei Yan laugh so hard his shoulders shook.

A few days later, all the grades were released. Pei Yan was Lingcheng’s undisputed top science student. When Pei Huan went back to school with him, she saw huge banners hanging, celebrating Pei Yan’s achievement.

Even the news app pushed notifications, and when Pei Huan saw Pei Yan’s student photo in the article, she stared for a few seconds before nodding in approval—Pei Yan really did have some good looks.

Pei Yan’s dream school was University A, and now his wish was fulfilled.

Pei Huan took advantage of the celebrations to treat Pei Yan to several meals, but his good mood meant he indulged her.

After all, spending a little money on Pei Huan was hardly a big deal.