CFHE CHAPTER 70.1

December 1st.

At 6:32 in the morning, a tall, slender young man walked into the classroom from outside, naturally placing the takeout bag in his hand on the desk. Fu Yuhan, who had just written the date on a new spiral notebook, lifted his eyelids and curved his lips slightly toward the other person in the dim morning light: “Good morning.”

The takeout bag contained Fu Yuhan’s favorite breakfast—though he wasn’t particularly picky and usually ate together with Wen Yu most of the time.

But this was at least something Wen Yu had specifically gotten up early to bring him.

Young Master Wen had trouble getting up, and only recently had learned to arrive at school early.

“Good morning.” Wen Yu put down his backpack, his gaze lightly falling, “What are you doing?”

“Drawing, can’t you tell?”

“I can tell,” Wen Yu thought for a moment, “I’m asking what you’re drawing.”

It was a new sketchbook.

Fu Yuhan really liked using this kind of spiral sketchbook, drawing many pictures like taking notes. Whether it was the notebook full of Yang Fan drawings that Wen Yu had inadvertently seen before, or the notebooks he usually used for practice, they were all similar in size and style.

Today’s was new.

Wen Yu’s heart stirred slightly, instantly feeling some anticipation.

However, the next second, this expectation was shattered by the other person.

The young man’s cold brows suddenly narrowed, curving into an arc like melting ice and snow, but his words pushed Wen Yu into winter air: “Isn’t the exam coming up? The teacher told us to do more practice… I haven’t decided what to draw yet.”

“I see.” Wen Yu’s eyes turned lightly twice, his calm face showing no fluctuation. After a moment, he smiled lightly and stood up: “I’m going to the bathroom.”

“Mm.” Fu Yuhan responded, and the pencil in his hand traced over “December 1st” in the upper left corner again.

After Wen Yu walked away a few steps, he drew new lines in the blank space of the paper. A bowl of fish ball cart noodles packed in a takeout bag quickly appeared on paper.

Then came delicately shaped crystal dumplings, the desk in front of him, the review book at hand.

And the person who had gently set down the breakfast.

He was indeed doing new practice.

The teacher had indeed told them to practice more.

But preparing a brand new sketchbook and what he chose to draw were his own decisions.

December had arrived, and winter had officially begun without him noticing.

Winter was a wonderful season—snow would fall, the weather would turn cold, ice crystals would form under the eaves in the morning, and exhaled breath would take on a visible white color—

And each day within it was brewing a new spring.

Wen Yu felt he hadn’t been gone long, but when he returned to the classroom, there were already several more people inside.

And Fu Yuhan had already put away that sketchbook and started working on a “Five-Three” practice book.

“Why hasn’t anyone turned on the air conditioning…” Wen Yu said as he walked to the back of the classroom to turn on the AC. When he returned to sit down, he casually touched the back of Fu Yuhan’s hand and, as expected, felt ice-cold skin. “What’s wrong with preferring to huddle in your jacket rather than turn on the air conditioning—are you done with your drawing?”

“Mm, sketch exams are only twenty minutes. The teacher said we need to train ourselves to capture the basic form within five minutes, then use the remaining time for refinement and checking.” Fu Yuhan didn’t seem to react to Wen Yu’s gesture, just focused intently on his Five-Three book, answering lazily, “The weather is already dry, and my throat hurts when I wake up in the morning… wouldn’t turning on the AC make it even more uncomfortable?”

“But aren’t you cold?”

“Not counting the school uniform, I’m wearing three layers. My body isn’t cold,” Fu Yuhan said, “it’s just that my hands don’t warm up easily.”

“…”

“Mm?” Fu Yuhan turned his head, his gaze following Wen Yu’s departing figure, “Where are you going?”

“The school store.”

In the morning, the school store was usually only visited by poor students buying bread to gnaw on. Fu Yuhan couldn’t understand why Wen Yu, who had just come from home, would need to buy something.

Until Wen Yu returned carrying a case of bottled water, placed it behind his seat, opened one bottle and handed it to him.

Fu Yuhan: “…”

“Take it,” Wen Yu said, “didn’t you say it was dry?”

“You…” Fu Yuhan accepted it, looking down at the crystal-clear mineral water bottle somewhat absent-mindedly.

Wen Yu felt around in his pocket again and pulled out a can of coffee, pressing it into Fu Yuhan’s palm.

It was hot.

“The school store just added a warming cabinet with hot drinks for sale. I didn’t know what you liked, so I just grabbed one.” He said, “If you don’t like it, just use it to warm your hands.”

“…Mm.” Fu Yuhan nodded lightly.

He was a bit dazed.

Wen Yu organized the previous day’s homework, suddenly remembering something, and turned to ask him: “By the way, what was that unfinished sentence you were asking on the rooftop of the empty building during evening self-study yesterday?”

That sentence with no continuation: “Are you…”

Fu Yuhan’s eyes moved slightly, and he shook his head: “I don’t remember.”

Some questions couldn’t be asked too hastily—at least he felt now wasn’t the right time.

Wen Yu assumed he really didn’t remember. Though somewhat disappointed, he could only mentally note down both Old Fang and Old Sun for their interference, shrugging and saying: “…Alright then.”

During the noon break, Fu Yuhan’s new sketchbook had gained a second page.

Coffee, mineral water, and the back view of his desk mate sleeping with his head down.

…

December 2nd.

Slow-cooked pumpkin porridge, fried eggs, and pan-fried dumplings.

Still a can of coffee for warming hands, and a desk mate who helped him with problems for an hour.

…

December 3rd.

Sesame flatbread with fried dough sticks, soy milk and tea eggs.

Lunch and dinner eaten together, and a stewed soup during evening self-study.

…

School days were a routine between two points, the same route going and coming back.

From bright daylight to sunset, evergreen trees and bare sycamores interwove to decorate the passage of time.

The morning and evening winds gradually became bitter. Due to the cold weather, tree trunks were painted white by municipal gardening workers or wrapped with hemp rope.

After most of the semester had passed, few people at school would question when those two big shots from Class 6 would stop their conflicts. Even minor physical altercations were only seen as childish but common “emotional communication methods” between good friends. No one doubted whether they were good friends, because the two were always together.

Occasionally going to school together, going home together every day.

Walking together, trying new snack shops that opened along the way together.

Fu Yuhan breathed warm air into his palm, finished the last stroke, and closed his sketchbook.

“What were you just drawing?” Wen Yu asked as he came out of the convenience store, pressing a cup of oden with hot broth into his palm.

Fu Yuhan calmly took a sip of the broth and said: “A customer buying things.”

A customer who, seeing him sketching at the street corner and worried his hands were cold, specifically went to queue up to buy oden.

“…Alright.” Wen Yu raised an eyebrow, “What time do you need to be at the exam venue tomorrow?”

“The exam starts at 8 o’clock.” Fu Yuhan said.

“From here… let me calculate.” Wen Yu looked down and thought, “Then I’ll pick you up downstairs at your place at 6:30?”

“Can you get up?” Fu Yuhan’s lips curved upward.

Wen Yu: “I have to get up even if I can’t.”

Fu Yuhan’s fingers, hidden in his sleeves, gently curled toward his palm.

“Besides,” Wen Yu glanced at him, “I have a driving lesson with the instructor at 10.”

“Good,” Fu Yuhan nodded, “then… see you tomorrow?”

“No, I’ll walk you home.”

“I won’t get lost.”

“What does that have to do with me wanting to walk you home?”

“…Fine,” Fu Yuhan sighed lightly, “as long as you’re happy.”

So today, they still walked home together after school.

The next day, Wen Yu indeed arrived as promised, with dark circles under his eyes.

Fu Yuhan still needed to go to his house to get the drawing tools prepared in advance. He really felt that Wen Yu’s behavior of coming to pick him up was somewhat unnecessary, but he didn’t say anything. The two moved from Fu Yuhan’s house to Wen Yu’s house, picked up the things, and then went downstairs to take a taxi.

The vocational art school was a municipal art vocational high school with many studios that could serve as exam venues. Before they even arrived, they could already see many vehicles dropping off examinees from a distance.

Red banners welcoming examinees hung above the main gate, while anxious parents filled with hope waited restlessly, their eyes full of longing.

Fu Yuhan had never expected his parents to show up, and being alone didn’t particularly affect his expression. Instead, it was Wen Yu who looked at the scene outside the window and asked before he got out of the car: “I won’t be able to make it back at noon, so I can’t have lunch with you. Will you be okay?”

Fu Yuhan hadn’t expected him to say this and was amused: “What do you think?”

Usually it was Wen Yu who pestered him to eat together.

Fu Yuhan didn’t really care about eating with a few people.

“I just hope you won’t be too disappointed that no one is waiting for you at the gate.” Wen Yu looked at him and said, “What time does it end in the afternoon?”

“4:30.”

“I’ll try to make it back… call me when you come out.”

Fu Yuhan glanced at him.

Wen Yu: “What?”

“Nothing,” Fu Yuhan shook his head, “tell me ‘good luck’?”

“Good luck.” Wen Yu looked at him seriously, “See you at T University.”

“It’s not time for T University’s school exam yet, you’re being too serious.”

Fu Yuhan smiled lightly and was about to get out of the car, but his wrist was grabbed by Wen Yu.

His hands were always a bit warmer than his own, perhaps due to different constitutions.

“See you at T University.” Wen Yu repeated.

Fu Yuhan was slightly stunned.

He thought for a moment, pulled his hand away, and shook his head: “I won’t say that to you now. Wait… wait until before T University’s school exam, when I’m confident, then I’ll tell you.”

 (advanced chapters available on kofi)