The first letter, after two drafts, didn’t end up saying anything special. Jason Walker read it and felt a bit disappointed. She said, “Brian Clark, what you wrote is way too bland. Henry Webb won’t feel my burning heart or my volcano-like passion at all.”

Brian Clark knew that for Jason Walker, it was mostly just for fun. She was always like this—loud and dramatic, always talking about who she liked. On campus, she could fall in love at first sight with just a glimpse of someone’s back. But usually, her crushes lasted only a few minutes, and even if she got rejected, she didn’t feel embarrassed—she’d just laugh it off as usual.

“The first time shouldn’t be too much, right? If I wrote it the way you wanted, I think it’d be way too over the top.” Brian Clark analyzed it seriously for her. She also knew that Jason Walker wasn’t really that invested. After all, after just one Mid-Autumn break, Jason Walker’s enthusiasm was already fading. If Brian Clark hadn’t brought it up again, Jason Walker would have quickly forgotten about wanting to pursue Henry Webb.

There was a little something on her own mind, too.

But she didn’t dare think too much about it. Rather than a love letter, it was more like talking to herself. Teacher Xiao Xu had already told everyone that after the National Day holiday, there would be the first monthly exam. No doubt, everyone would be studying hard over the break, even if they joked, “I just played the whole time and barely reviewed.” That kind of talk was never to be believed.

Ryan Miller reminded Jason Walker to be prepared for the letter to sink without a trace. There were rumors that when Henry Webb received love letters, he wouldn’t even look at them—he’d just toss them in the trash, which was full of shattered girlish hearts.

It didn’t matter. That was Brian Clark’s first reaction—she had already mentally prepared herself for the worst.

But since Ryan Miller knew about it, Jason Walker asked Ryan Miller to deliver the letter. As soon as he came back, she excitedly tugged at his sleeve and asked, “Well? Well?”

“No reaction at all. He didn’t say a word.”

“Did you see him throw it in the trash?”

“No, he went into the classroom. I don’t know if he threw it away later!”

Brian Clark listened to the conversation carefully, her emotions rising and falling, but her face stayed calm as she quietly wiped the desk with a castor oil cloth until it gleamed.

The school liked to plant roses—pink, yellow, white—but only the bright red ones looked like bursts of fireworks, dazzling in the eyes, like someone who always shone brilliantly.

Before the holiday, Teacher Xiao Xu emphasized the upcoming monthly exam and then let everyone study on their own. Somehow, someone started a conversation, saying there was no need to take the test to know that the top spot would go to either Henry Webb or Grace Bolton. They had both graduated from the best middle schools and gotten the best entrance exam scores.

Grace Bolton was clearly used to this kind of talk. She shook her head modestly. “There are lots of hidden talents at Meizhong. You never know.”

Her middle school was good, and many of her classmates had also gotten into Meizhong, so there were always old friends in the class, and everyone spoke casually.

It was strange—Brian Clark hadn’t paid much attention to Grace Bolton before, but ever since hearing those few words from Ryan Miller, she couldn’t help but notice Grace Bolton’s clothes, her expressions and tone when she spoke, and how she was always actively involved in class activities—cheerful, enthusiastic, and generous.

All of this made Brian Clark feel a vague, indescribable sense of inferiority.

“Oh, even if Henry Webb gets first place, it doesn’t matter. He’s going abroad anyway, so he’s not really competing for a spot,” a boy said meaningfully. Grace Bolton smiled, agreeing.

Brian Clark heard every word.

So, other people knew he was going abroad, too. She had thought no one knew, and she’d guarded this secret closely, never telling anyone, even though Henry Webb had never asked her to.

Another wave of indescribable disappointment washed over her.

Everyone chatted and joked about Henry Webb so easily, but she couldn’t. She thought that chance encounter had given her something special—like his warmth, or the knowledge that he planned to go abroad. But in reality, everything about him could be openly discussed at Meizhong.

On the last day before the holiday, she didn’t get a reply from Henry Webb—of course she wouldn’t. But the sunset that evening was beautiful, the world vast and open. Brian Clark stood alone in the corridor outside the classroom, staring at the evening clouds for a long time before heading home.

Chapter 9: National Day Holiday, Henry Webb sprains his ankle playing basketball...

During the National Day holiday, Henry Webb sprained his ankle playing basketball. That letter was the one he opened out of boredom while lying on the balcony at dusk.

He had received many letters before and often tossed them aside without a second thought. Henry Webb had no interest at all in this kind of adolescent affection. He didn’t like any girl—never had.

Growing up, there had already been enough melodrama in his life to give him a headache. He didn’t see the point of liking someone.

If there was any coincidence, it was that at this moment, the gentle afterglow of sunset felt like a pair of affectionate hands resting on him, and he opened the first letter.

The girl’s handwriting was like an elementary schooler’s—overly neat. Henry Webb’s first impression was bad, and he frowned slightly without realizing it.

“Greetings.

I know this letter might disturb you, but I couldn’t help writing it anyway. I think this is probably just one of the many letters you receive—nothing special. So, if you actually see these words, I already consider myself very lucky.