What are you afraid of?

Su Qingwan led the groggy Xu Lin to the school infirmary, where Xu Lin caught sight of Dr. Wang, the school physician, approaching with his large black-rimmed glasses. He couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment; the beautiful nurse from TV dramas and anime was a myth—here was only a stern, elderly man.

“Let’s check your temperature first,” Dr. Wang said.

“Alright.”

“Ms. Su, you can return to your class. Leave him to me.”

“There are only three or four minutes left in the period. I’ll stay for a bit. I’ll contact his family and let him go home early to rest. In this state, he won’t absorb anything in class anyway.”

“That’s fine. Young people these days eat better than before, but their health seems to worsen. They need more exercise.”

“Dr. Wang, in our entire high school, you could count the number of PE classes we’ve had on your fingers. How are we supposed to exercise?”

Xu Lin, standing by, raised his arm in protest—an act typical of students.

“You kid, even with a fever you’re still chatty. But you’re right, the school should think about this. That’s why we have morning calisthenics, but you still need to exercise outside of school.”

“Understood. My constitution really is weak. I should start working out.”

A few minutes passed in silence. Su Qingwan said nothing, while Xu Lin occasionally chatted with Dr. Wang to keep himself from nodding off.

After a while, Dr. Wang glanced at the thermometer—another familiar reading above thirty-nine degrees; this time, it was nearly forty. He left to fetch medicine and prepare an injection.

Su Qingwan hesitated for a moment, then sat next to Xu Lin. “What have you been doing these past few days? How did you manage to catch a cold?”

“I didn’t bring an umbrella when I went back to my hometown. Got caught in the rain.”

“Are your parents at home?”

“They’re at work. No need to bother them. Give me a shot, and once my fever drops, I’ll go back to class.”

“Is your throat sore?” Dr. Wang asked as he mixed the medicine.

“It was a little yesterday when the fever started. Now it’s fine, just a bit of a cough.”

“Alright, come over for the injection, then rest here for a while. I’ll get you some medicine.”

Xu Lin dutifully went over, leaned beside the bed, and turned his head away. Boys never seem to mind, but having someone look at his backside made him feel a little embarrassed.

The injection was quick; the sting lasted only a moment, and Dr. Wang pressed a cotton swab to disinfect the spot.

“Ms. Su, do you have class? I need to step out. Can you keep an eye on him for a bit? I have to get more medicine, but I’ll be back in half an hour.”

“My last class this morning is the final one, so I’m free now. Go ahead.”

“Thanks. And you, young man—your medicine is on the table, all packed. One pack each time, twice a day, for three days. Before or after meals, either is fine.”

“Thank you, Dr. Wang. How much is it?”

“Eighteen. With the school subsidy, just pay ten. Leave it on the table.”

With that, he removed his white coat and left the infirmary. Xu Lin waited a moment, then pulled up his trousers.

“Xu Lin, are you feeling any better?”

“A bit, but I’m still weak.”

“Mm.”

Silence fell between them. After half a minute, Su Qingwan asked, “Want some water?”

“No, thanks.”

“…”

A few slightly awkward minutes passed, then the class bell rang. Xu Lin took a deep breath and sat back beside her.

“Ms. Su, I owe you an apology.”

“What for?”

“I honestly didn’t think things through. I saw you disliked blind dates and acted impulsively. I know it might have hurt your reputation, so that’s my fault.”

“Xu Lin, sometimes people just can’t resist certain things. Even when I try my hardest, I feel powerless.”

“Ms. Su, I disagree. I believe the so-called shackles are ones we put on ourselves.”

“You’re still young…”

“I’m not that young. And you don’t need to see yourself as an adult. We’re only five or six years apart, aren’t we?”

“If you think you’re an adult, then you wouldn’t feel powerless to resist—that’s actually a sign of immaturity.”

Xu Lin’s tone sharpened suddenly. Su Qingwan hadn’t expected a student to address her so directly, but she found herself unable to refute him.

“Maybe you’re right,” she sighed. “I really am immature. But how can I go against my parents’ wishes?”

“No matter what, they’re my parents! Severing ties, storming out… I’m not a child anymore.”

Her eyes reddened instantly, and she seemed on the verge of shouting, but forced herself to hold back since they were at school.

“What is it your parents are pursuing?”

“What do you mean?”

“They want you to meet this man, maybe even marry him—is it really just for themselves? If the answer isn’t yes, then there’s still hope.”

Xu Lin leaned back calmly in his chair, sipping water, glancing at her. His words struck her heart.

She recalled many childhood memories, closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and turned to look at him.

“Would you like to hear a story?”

“Ms. Su, I love stories.”

“It might ramble a bit…”

“I’ll listen patiently.”

“Many years ago, two childhood friends from the same village worked hard to leave the countryside and were admitted to university.

Later, each found their way in the world—one became a teacher, the other passed the civil service exam.

But life in the big city was harsh. After they married, though their lives were better than most, with a child on the way, they had to be extremely frugal just to get by.

A few years later, the husband’s job took the family to a small city. The pay rose, expenses fell, and life stabilized—a reason for joy.

But then, the wife suddenly fell ill, and happiness gave way to hardship once more. At that point, the husband’s supervisor came forward to help, asking nothing in return. That kindness forged a deep friendship between the two families.

Later, their daughter started elementary school, coincidentally with the benefactor’s son. Over dinner, the families made a casual promise: if possible, their children should marry in the future. That promise lingered as both kids grew up—the girl became a teacher, the boy dropped out early to start a business.

Years later, the benefactor’s father mentioned it again, saying his son needed to settle down. The families agreed, and a blind date was arranged. The girl didn’t want to go, but her parents told her to humor them.

She forced herself to attend. The man was excellent, but she didn’t like him. She told her parents, who said nothing.

But over time, every so often, her parents pushed her to meet the man, have dinner, chat. She grew increasingly uneasy.

Until one conversation with the man revealed something startling—their parents had already discussed the engagement, and a date was being set.

She was stunned and didn’t know what was happening. She went home to ask her parents, thinking it was just talk, but their reply shocked her.

‘He’s a good kid, both families know each other well. Most importantly, his father helped us so much. He’s asked, how can we refuse?’

At that moment, she felt as if she’d been sold—just because of gratitude. She couldn’t understand.

She approached the man again, explained her feelings, but he simply said he couldn’t change his father’s mind, and he thought she was fine.

She spent some time in a cold war with her parents, even tried approaching the benefactor’s father, but in the end, all her efforts failed.

She felt utterly bound—sometimes she even comforted herself: he wasn’t handsome, but his character, manner, and family were all good. Maybe she could compromise, maybe…

But then she learned from friends that the man wasn’t short of girlfriends, his private life was messy, and most importantly—

He’d dropped out of high school because he got a girl pregnant, though they later broke up.

She told her parents, but they kept insisting, ‘His father says he’s changed, he’s steady and mature now. Give him another chance, talk to him more.’

But I… I really don’t want to… I’m exhausted! Sometimes I really want to explode, but they are my parents, and he truly is our family’s savior…”

“Done?”

“Mm.”

“I honestly don’t know what to say. That’s it? Su Qingwan, what are you afraid of? Just do it!”