The following day was on a Saturday. It was just a few days after the celebration of the New Year so the winter break was almost over and schools would reopen in two days. Sun Hua wasn't fond of wearing cardigans or hoodies despite the cold weather but that particular day she wore one to cover up her wounds. After a while she took off the cardigan because she felt a bit hot and convinced herself she would wear it the moment she would hear her mother opening the front door.She got so busy watching TV that she didn't notice her mother coming in.
"What happened to your arms?"
Sun Hua was startled and quickly covered her arms.
"No need to cover them up. I've already seen the wounds,"Sun Lian spoke in a sarcastic tone."Did you fight with someone at the backyard?"
'How did she know about the backyard?'Sun Hua wondered.
"The backyard is a mess so I know the wounds must have been caused by the rose thorns,"Sun Lian continued speaking in a serious tone.
"I thought you didn't care about the backyard,"Sun Hua chuckled awkwardly.
"I don't but I know you care and I don't understand why you would ruin them."
"I was attacked by a coyote,"Sun Hua joked.
Only when Sun Hua realized her mother's seriousness about the matter was when she decided to explain the incident with Chen Jun. Sun Lian was so enraged that she got up angrily to go to their neighbours' house to avenge her daughter. Sun Hua went after her to prevent her from creating more discord. This was between Chen Jun and her ;she didn't want the parents to be involved. When they reached at the door , the doorbell rang. Sun Lian opened the door revealing Zhao Ying who grinned at them. Zhao Ying's smile and manner of handling things could make the enemy retreat.
"Miss Sun,"Zhao Ying called out still smiling.
Sun Lian was confused and curious at the same time wondering how this new neighbour she had never seen figured out her name. Sun Lian's rage dissipated and she smiled.
"Come in,"Sun Lian ushered her in.
Zhao Ying walked in carrying a shopping bag. She handed it over to Sun Hua.
"I noticed you got injured last night so I bought you some medicinal cream for your wound and some fruits,"Zhao Ying spoke gently.
"No need Mrs Chen. I already applied some."
"Just take it so I can have a clear conscience. And I apologize for son's aggressive behaviour."
"Sun Hua keep them," Sun Lian spoke in a commanding voice.
Sun Hua went back to her room leaving the two of them to talk.
Zhao Ying explained how she loved reading fashion magazines and she had seen Sun Lian on some of the magazines. Sun Lian was working in a small fashion company as both a designer and a model. Zhao Ying explained that they had moved to Shanghai because her husband Chen Yuxuan had been transferred to work there and also due to the fact that their daughter had gotten into Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Zhao Ying went on to inquire about Sun Hua's school Shanghai Jiao Tong Affiliated High School. Chen Jun was a sophomore just like Sun Hua.
On Monday,the school reopened as students resumed their studies. Sun Hua was in Class 3 while Chen Jun was enrolled in Class 1 because he was excellent in his studies especially sciences. When Chen Jun walked in to the classroom,their homeroom teacher Mister Ma was already in class greeting the students. Mister Ma asked him to introduce himself.
"Hello everyone I'm Chen Jun,"he spoke calmly.
"Which Jun?"a girl asked from the back.
"Jun as in talented or handsome."
"It suits you,"the same girl shouted again.
Mister Ma directed him to sit at a vacant seat at the back of the middle column next to a boy in glasses. Meanwhile in class three ,the students were roaming around giving each other 'I miss you 'hugs.
"Hey Hua Hua you've become thin again,"a cheerful girl with a slightly plump figure talked playfully as she approached Sun Hua.
The girl was Gao Han,Sun Hua's best friend.
"Are you sad that your desk mate transferred to another school?" Gao Han asked leaning on Sun Hua's desk.
"She transferred?"Sun Hua asked nonchalantly.
"You didn't know and you're her desk mate? Should I come sit with you?"
"No. We won't concentrate during lessons."
"You're right. Anyway how was your holiday?" Gao Han leaned in closely.
Sun Hua pushed her face away.
"Go away you're too close."
"You'll deform my face one day."
"I will pay for your plastic surgery,"Sun Hua said teasingly.
"I want a perfect face like yours."
"My face? I inherited my mother's features that's why I'm so beautiful,"Sun Hua bragged.
Before they could talk more,their homeroom teacher Mister Liu walked in. Mister Liu was in his early forties and always wore glasses and always had a solemn expression imprinted on his face. Immediately everyone saw him they quickly settled down and froze. He glared at them indicating he was about to scold them but he greeted them instead. They all responded with surprise in their voices. He then proceeded to the roll call. This wasn't the usual Teacher Liu. This strange behaviour made the students mumble nonstop trying to guess what could have lifted his spirits.
Some of the Class 1 students had made it to National Science Contest in their first term of sophomore year and they had met Chen Jun there. That time he was cheerful handsome boy who everyone wanted to befriend. Among Chen Jun's acquaintances,there were two boys Han Yu and Duan Yuxi and a girl called Xu Hui. Chen Jun quickly reformed the bond with the two boys.
When the students gathered at the school cafeteria during lunchtime,students from class three stared at Chen Jun as he walked with his group of friends to a table next to that of Class 3 students.
"That's the new boy who got enrolled in Class 1,"a Class 3 girl commented.
"I heard he's a genius. Han Yu and Duan Yuxi met him at the National Science Contest last year,"another girl commented.
"Oh My God he's so handsome,"Gao Han exclaimed.
Whilst Chen Jun chatted excitedly with his friends,Sun Hua glared at him. She couldn't believe he was such a different person from the day they met.
'If only they knew he's a lunatic who sings sad songs at the backyard in the middle of the night. What a two-faced guy!'Sun Hua scoffed at her own thoughts.