Sheng Yu Institution is situated on top of a beautiful hill, or rather, Sheng Yu itself is an evergreen hill. A myriad of trees flourished from within the campus, from camphor, maple, cherry blossom, cinnamon, to the French Indus, palm and gingko trees……
The trees in the south are very different from the trees in the north. In Xiao Mi’s previous institution, a tree is a tree; a bamboo is simply a bamboo. However, in Sheng Yu Institution, the trees are surprisingly dense. Hundreds of bamboos grew close-knit together, a majestic display. Similarly, the canopy of camphor trees prevented any sunlight from penetrating into its undergrowth. Their branches swayed in the wind, flaunting many diverse actions.
There is a bending lane leading in to Maple Park. There, the hill is laminated with layers of palm, cinnamon, maple and Oleander. These trees overlapped one another, top to bottom, brimming with rich and green vitality. This season marked the end of May. Oleander had blossomed across the hill. There was an abundant sea of huge carmine flowers, and although they couldn’t be considered rare or valuable, taking in that resplendent sight filled people’s hearts with bliss. The mountain path twisted to reveal irrigation drains, as leaves sway to the wind, giving off a refreshing scent. The trickling sound of water tinkled in the backdrop. Walking along this path, Xiao Mi felt as if she had entered a fairyland.
The Maple Dormitory is just as awesome.
Upon opening the windows, you could actually see East Lake from a distance away!
The lake and sky shared the same colour, stretching to form a wide scenery. Xiao Mi took in a deep breath; she could almost smell the breeze blowing across the East Lake. Heehee, to be honest, that wind carried a hint of fishy stench. Yet, it was still possible to imagine it as invigorating and pleasant.
“There is only one more month left before this school term ends. Why didn’t you wait for next term before transferring over?” Wei Guo Guo asked curiously. She was lying on the dormitory bed, relishing the chocolates Xiao Mi bought for her.
Xiao Mi switched on the table lamp, and fished out a diary from the drawer. She pondered for a while before answering, “I want to find a person.”
“Find a person? Who?” Wei Guo Guo further inquired. She slowly savoured her chocolate, drunken in its flavour. “Which faculty is this person from?”
“That person has already been found.”
Xiao Mi smiled. Yeah, she’s really fortunate to have found him upon her arrival in this school.
“Is it your friend? A guy or a girl?” Wei Guo Guo probed continuously. Ah, one piece of chocolate is indeed too little for her. Even after finishing it, she still felt unsatisfied; her stomach empty. Initially, she had wanted Xiao Mi to buy two chocolates for her, but upon realizing that Xiao Mi has barely 50 dollars in her wallet, she decided to have only one.
Xiao Mi scratched her head, “That……” She did not know how to reply Wei Guo Guo, yet she didn’t want to deceive her.
At that moment, the dormitory door opened.
Yang Ke Wei stormed in, her face dismal. She flung her books onto her bed and cast an icy glance at the chatting girls. “It’s 10pm, time to shut the lights for sleep.” As she said that, she reached out her hand to switch off the main lights to the dormitory.
“Piack’. The click of the switch was heard, and the dormitory instantly fell into darkness. Only the table lamp on Xiao Mi’s study desk continued to give off a warm glow.
Wei Guo Guo sat upright in her fury. “Hey! Yang Ke Wei, 10pm is still the normal time for work and revision, okay?! What rights do you have to switch off the lights?” This was so infuriating; Yang Ke Wei had always been like this. If she wanted to sleep, she could turn off the lights as early as 8pm. Otherwise, if she didn’t, she would not allow the lights to be switched off even up till 2am! If Cheng Yuan was in the dormitory, she would not have dared to be so cocky. It was obvious that Yang Ke Wei saw her as an easy target for bullying.
Yang Ke Wei fell onto her bed, her body rigidly erect, as she drew the curtains with a “Shua” Her face overcast, she faced the ceiling with her eyes shut.
“Ohhh… Someone is jilted.” Wei Guo Guo hummed a tune, lifting her washbasin contemptuously as she prepared to wash her face for sleep. “The number one beauty of the business faculty was rejected outright in public. Aiyaya, it’s indeed massive news!”
“Wei--Guo--Guo!”
A book flew out from Yang Ke Wei’s bed.
Wei Guo Guo, with her swift reflexes, closed the door out of the room. The book slammed hard on the door with a “Bang!”, a sound that brought out the bursting fury of its owner.
The dormitory went instantly quiet.
The glow from a table lamp emanated its warmth.
Xiao Mi sat quietly in front of the desk. She sucked in a breath as she flipped open the diary on the table. The pages of the diary were light blue, with various angels printed in darker lines.
She lifted her pen, trying hard to smile sweetly just as an angel would--
Yi,
I’m sorry. I did not know it was you at first; that’s why I pushed you onto the ground. Was it very painful? Were you hurt? Mm, of course I understand that you wouldn’t be angry at me, but I would still be worried. It’s all because of my impetuous behaviour…... You said before that it was my flaw. So I’ll try to change slowly from now on, all right?
Your smile is really beautiful.
The other angels must like you a lot.
My new school is really gorgeous. The teachers are friendly and my classmates are very amicable too. There are four people staying in my dormitory: Wei Guo Guo, Cheng Yuan and Yang Ke Wei. Their names are really lovely, aren’t they? Not only do their names sound lovely, they are really nice people. They treat me with much care and hospitality. So, you don’t have to worry about me. J
I will definitely have a good sleep tonight, as I can see you again tomorrow.
Muacks!
- Xiao Mi who loves you
* * *
Cheng Yuan was exchanging demonstrations and practices with the teacher.
Displaying healthy rosy cheeks, a brisk pace, with an agile, flexible posture, the sporting Cheng Yuan asserted a compelling, dauntless presence. The snow-white volleyball gracefully bounced off her forearms, tracing elegant arcs through the air which were steady and accurate.
“Fifty-six!”
“Fifty-seven!”
“Fifty-eight!”
......
As the number of digs increased, excitement suffused through the crowd and the girls started to cheer exuberantly in unison. Xiao Mi and Wei Guo Guo were squashed amidst the crowd, waving their fists in cheering and rallying for Cheng Yuan, the pride of their dormitory!
Xiao Mi has already gained a slight understanding of Cheng Yuan.
Cheng Yuan was an outstanding student amongst females in Sheng Yu Institution, and was greatly respected by her fellow schoolmates. She had a pitiful past. When she was three, her parents passed away from a flood, where all their properties had been swept away. She was solely brought up by her aunt, and lived through poverty; many times, she had to rely on neighbours or kind-hearted souls to fund her school fees and allowances. However, she was brilliant in her academic studies; and came in top for almost all her exams. She also has a nice character, and was once elected as an excellent student on national standard.
When Cheng Yuan was accepted into Sheng Yu Institution, in their care towards her, the school had not only waived her school fees but also arranged a management job in the dormitories for her aunt.
To repay the school, Cheng Yuan took part in every single competition she could, be it IQ tests, public speaking competitions, debates, volleyball and basketball tournaments…… Cheng Yuan took part in all of them and won subsequent trophies for Sheng Yu.
Cheng Yuan is the glory of the school.
Yet, Xiao Mi knew that Cheng Yuan had strived a lot to obtain these achievements. Every day, she would never return from the study hall before midnight. The moment dawn awakens, at 5am, she would wake early to train her physique, in preparation for an upcoming competition.
* * * To Be Continued * * *