C1  Something to Ask for

“Nuan Nuan—”

Su Na stood at the back door of the classroom, softly calling toward Wen Nuan, who was sitting in the very last row, her breath misting faintly in the air. Her face was written all over with the expression of someone seeking a favor.

Wen Nuan was half-leaning on her desk, absentmindedly gazing out through the glass window. One hand was propping up her cheek, while the other held a pen, tapping it lightly against her head in no particular rhythm. Hearing someone call her, she straightened her posture and lazily turned her head toward the direction of the voice.

“Mm?” Wen Nuan let out a slightly surprised hum, then casually said in a languid tone,
“Nana, what brings you here?”

“Shhh—”

Su Na made a gesture for speaking softly, as though she had some kind of secret to share, or perhaps she was afraid of disturbing other classmates who were resting.

She stood at the back door of the classroom, looking at Wen Nuan sitting there dazed, slow to react, and beckoned for her to come out.

Only then did Wen Nuan realize, straightening her legs, sliding her chair gently backward to make room for herself to stand. She tossed the pen in her hand onto the desk and, with a little excitement, walked toward Su Na.

“Nana, how come you’re here at this time? Do you need something from me?” Wen Nuan asked happily.

Su Na called her name again, “Nuan Nuan—”

“What is it, Nana?”

A moment later, Su Na, looking shy like a new bride, twisted and hesitated, seemingly unsure how to begin.

“Oh— I get it,” Wen Nuan said suddenly, “You’re in love, aren’t you? Come on, do you have someone you like? Tell me who it is!” Her eyes sparkled as she fixed her gaze on Su Na’s slightly flushed cheeks, half-teasing and half-curious.

Wen Nuan and Su Na were the kind of close friends who shared everything—good news or bad—with each other, never keeping secrets. Since schooldays kept them busy, they usually only had time to meet on Saturdays and Sundays. For Nana to seek her out at this hour meant there was definitely something going on, Wen Nuan thought to herself, unknowingly voicing her curiosity.

“Aiya, Nuan Nuan, keep your voice down!”

“Nana, just tell me—did I guess right?” Wen Nuan asked, her face full of eager curiosity.

Su Na’s cheeks turned even redder as she took a letter from the pocket of her school uniform.

“Haha, I knew it!” Wen Nuan exclaimed, “You sneaky thing, there’s definitely something going on. See? I caught you red-handed.” Despite her delicate and pure features, Wen Nuan’s personality was bold and carefree, almost boyish.

No sooner had the letter left Su Na’s pocket than Wen Nuan snatched it up, as if afraid Su Na might change her mind and refuse to let her see it.

“Let me see which guy is so impressive that he’s caught our Nana’s eye.” She spoke with the righteous air of a brother ready to fight for a friend,
and naturally read out the name written on the envelope: “Lu Jinnan.”

“Shhh— Nuan Nuan, lower your voice!”

Su Na grabbed her and pulled her toward the other end of the hallway. Wen Nuan lowered her voice, saying, “Aiya, Nana, why are you so timid? We’re acting like we’re doing something shady.”

Seeing Su Na remain silent, she continued, “Lu Jinnan? Isn’t he the school heartthrob? Nana, I’ve heard this guy’s really boring—always in the library and nowhere else. What’s so good about him? You could like anyone else, but why him? He’s practically a bookworm. Tch, what a pity. All right, tell me—what do you want me to help you with?”

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notes:

• School heartthrob here translates “校草” (xiào cǎo), a Chinese slang term literally meaning “school grass,” used to describe the most handsome and popular male student in a school.

• The expression like a new bride conveys Su Na’s shy and bashful demeanor, often used in Chinese literature to describe someone acting reserved and demure.

• “Brother ready to fight for a friend” reflects Wen Nuan’s “两肋插刀” (liǎng lèi chā dāo) attitude—an idiom meaning being willing to help a friend at any cost, even if it means personal risk.