Senior Cheng (2)

An arm lightly nudged Yuelin's side.

"Excuse me, Professor. I have something to give you first." Yuelin rummaged through her bag, taking a big white envelope with a hospital logo on it.

Feeling intrigued, Professor Liu angled his body to receive the envelope and break its seal. Inside, there were few pages of medical examination paper and two pieces of handwritten letter from Yuelin's parents.

He took a look at the medical papers first.

The report neatly stated Yuelin's current condition. Both physically and mentally, especially the latter part.

After suffering a total of fifteen days in coma triggered by brain infection, the doctor concluded that Yuelin likely experienced a fugue state.

During the coma, Yuelin was 'shortly-conscious' for two times on the second and third day.

Both times, Yuelin was awake enough to response to communication attempts. Her response had been normal at first. However, on the third day, she barely recognized her mother or any of her friends who were present.

Since then, her condition started deteriotating until she was placed under sedation and fell into coma again.

It was also concluded that with each passing day, the chance of her memories digressing was likely high.

While Yuelin permanently waking up came as a big suprise and was considered a miracle, her possible memory loss had been anticipated.

Off the record, the doctors at the hospital were pretty surprised at Yuelin's seemingly calm and accepting attitude. After running some tests, they discharged Yuelin and prescribed her for a follow up check up twice a month.

Professor Liu finished reading the medical report in less than five minutes with several furtive glances thrown at Yuelin's direction.

The report was set aside. He reached for her parents' letter next.

In the letter, Yuelin's parents wrote that they originally planned to have Yuelin take a break this semester. But because Yuelin insisted on attending, they thought that having their daughter back in a familiar surrounding, particularly an environment where Yuelin used to learn what she loved, would boost her chance of recovering.

Basically, they weren't very concerned with Yuelin's academic achievement. She didn't need to get the best scores or even successfully pass a class this semester.

Her parents empashized that they only wanted their daughter to get better.

They hoped Yuelin's advisor would understand and won't pressure her too much.

They also requested the professor to take care of their daugther and instantly contacted them if something happened.

It was truly a beautiful letter. Personally composed by Yuelin's mother with the help of her husband. Their love, concern, and consideration shone through from each word in those two sheets of paper.

When the hands that held the letter were put down, Professor Liu carefully looked at his student's face.

The same student who was once very shy and told him she was unsure of what she is going to focus pursuing in visual arts.

That's why she hadn't taken any minor class yet and he was about to remind her to take one this semester because she is entering her fouth year.

Professor Liu was lost in thought. He reminiscenced that day of conversation as if it were yesterday.

In fact, it had happened two semesters ago.

"Yuelin, you don't..remember me?"

Meeting her professor's misty eyes, Yuelin answered resolutely.

"I might not, Professor. But from now on, I will always remember you."

* * *

Two young women were seen exiting the visual arts' lecturer room.

"Phew, that went well!" Aoning exclaimed after she walked two steps away from the closed door. "Whatever did your parents write in that letter anyway? Professor Liu is easy-going but I never saw him tear up like that before."

Yuelin replayed her professor's reaction. "I have no idea either."

"I forgot to ask. How do you get your parents' permission? I even thought you might stay in City K for longer," Aoning asked curiously.

Yuelin's lips quirked up. "It's all thanks to Yingjie-gege."

Before Aoning could reply, a familiar deep voice interrupted them.

"Excuse me."

They both turned to see the speaker.

Aoning covered her mouth with one hand. Her eyes widened.

The figure approached the two of them.

"Excuse me, I still feel bad for accidentally hitting you earlier with the door. I brought a cooling cream here. My friend guarantees it can ease the pain. Does your forehead still ache?" Cheng Anrong awkwardly asked.

"Thank you. My forehead is allright. It doesn't hurt anymore." Just a bit throbbing, Yuelin silently added. "I can use some cooling cream though."

This cooling cream sounded interesting. At any rate, she felt like she had to try it since it was freely offered.

"It's yours. Once again, I'm sorry."

Cheng Anrong transferred a small blue oval box to Yuelin's hand.

"If there's nothing else, I will be going now."

Yuelin examined the small box. "En. Just be careful next time."

Cheng Anrong nodded and scurried away.

After he disappeared to the nearest stair, Aoning turned to Yuelin whose attention remained glued on the box.

"Holy moly, that was Senior Cheng. Up close. Twice. In one day. Yuelin, my heart can't take it."

"... can't take what?" Yuelin asked distractedly. Her expression was focused on the box's list of ingredients. In the next second, those hazel eyes sparkled. "Wow, there are honey and lavender here."

"..."

"Aoning, that senior of yours is very generous," Yuelin praised.

He is your senior too.

Yuelin suddenly looked up. "What is his name again? The one you used to call him?"

Aoning gave Yuelin a withering stare which could be translated to I-know-you-have-amnesia-and-all-but-how-can-you-forget-the-ultimate-coolness-that-is-Senior-Cheng.

Seeing her friend's weird expression, Yuelin wondered what great sin she might have commited but her mind simply drew a blank.

Aoning exhaled. "Senior Cheng. His full name is Cheng Anrong, or betten known as Aaron Cheng."

Good name.

"Senior Cheng is the pride of our faculty. Talented, capable, and hardworking," Aoning's eyes turned dreamy. "In his third year, he already formed a startup studio with his friends. Last year, he also won an international photography award in Country R."

"Amazing." Although Yuelin didn't get a clear idea what startup studio is, but to be given an honor in another country must be a really great achievement.

"Yes! He is very amazing indeed. He was supposed to graduate last year, but he took an extended semester because of his busy schedule. This September, I plan to give him a small bucket of flower to congratulate him on his graduation."

Yuelin gave her friend a thumb up like how little Rui usually showed her when she figured out something right during their mini tutorial lesson in modern day technology.

Her friend frowned in return. "You used to be terrified of Senior Cheng, though."

Huh. "How come?"

Eyes darting left and right, Aoning slowly whispered. "During our first year as new student, the seniors were doing role-play to introduce us to university life. They were mainly divided into three groups. The kind senior, the scary senior, and the neutral senior.. It was some sort of tradition."

There were this kind of groups? University life never ceased to surprise Yuelin.

"As you can see, with his appearance alone, Senior Cheng fits right in to the scary part. Although I'd prefer to describe him as cool and broody instead, but you get the idea."

Truth is, she didn't get the cool and broody part yet. But Yuelin didn't say anything. She encouraged Aoning to go on.

"Senior Cheng was officially the leader of the scary group. At that time, the orientation lasted for three months on each weekend. Yuelin, you were absent for five times while the limit for abstaining is three. When you showed up the next weekend, a small group of seniors from the scary group asked you to join them for a moment. Senior Cheng was included."

Aoning hesitated.

"I'm not sure what happened but you came back almost crying. Your eyes were red but you said you were okay. I guessed they gave you a bad scolding but you told me to not say anything. Since then, you diligently attended the orientation. Not missing one until the three months period ended. The seniors never called for you again."

Yuelin was silent.

"Yuelin, do you happen to remember... something unpleasant?"

"I don't. It's just that.."

"Yes?"

"...Senior Cheng seemed like a nice person." Albeit stiff and a bit intimidating.

Aoning almost burst out laughing. "I believe you won't be saying that if it were the old you."

"If it were the old me, how would I react when meeting Senior Cheng?"

Aoning pondered for a bit. "You'd be avoiding him as soon as you saw him. Possibly leaving me without a second though if I'm not fast enough to follow you."

The answer somehow startled Yuelin. "That bad? What if I don't have a chance to do all that and have to face him eye-to-eye like before?"

"Mm, you'd probably faint."

"....."

Yuelin searched Aoning's eyes. Her friend's expression was dead serious.

"Well... Senior Cheng may be someone I admire, but you are my friend first, Yuelin. You should know that I will always be on your side."

* * *

~Bonus material~

A few weeks before...

Yingjie: Yuelin, do you want to take a semester off from the university?

Yuelin: What is this 'university'?

Yingjie: It's a place where you go studying

Yuelin: Like a school? I go to school too like Little Rui?

Yingjie: *smiles* Yes, but your school and Little Rui's are different. University is like an advanced place to study after you finished high school and elementary school

Yuelin: *already daydreaming* It must great...

Yingjie: So, do you want to fill in a semester leave reque-

Yuelin: Big brother, I want to go to university! I want to go to school too like Little Rui!

(For the record, Yingjie already graduated from uni and currently worked in City K)

Yingjie: "..."

Yingjie: Are you sure?

Yuelin: Yes!

Yingjie: Very sure?

Yuelin: Very, very sure!

Yingjie: *sigh*

Yingjie: I will talk to Mom