Chapter Two: Squeezing onto the Bus

The boy before her wore a short-sleeved school uniform. He turned, closed the door, and looked up, locking eyes with Jiang Muwen.

Jiang Muwen’s heart thudded heavily in her chest, then she lifted the hand holding the milk. “Owah ah ah, I brought this for you,” she mumbled, the words muffled into an incantation by the steamed bun in her mouth.

Wen Yichen’s brows furrowed slightly, his gaze dropping to her lips. With a reluctant sigh, he raised his hand and mercilessly pulled the bun from her mouth.

“Speak clearly.”

“My mom told me to bring you some milk…” Jiang Muwen chewed her bite, extending the carton toward him.

Wen Yichen didn’t take the milk right away. He adjusted the strap on his backpack and turned toward the elevator.

“I thought you didn’t like milk. Why do you have two bottles?” he asked offhandedly.

Jiang Muwen truly didn’t like milk, but—

“I need it to grow,” she replied, grasping for an excuse. She knew Wen Yichen liked milk, so she was trying to get used to it as well. If they ever did live together, wouldn’t she have to—

“Then you should drink more.” The budding image of a married life in Jiang Muwen’s mind was promptly shattered by Wen Yichen’s blunt words.

Her thoughts were yanked back, and she looked at Wen Yichen again. Perhaps because she was shorter, Wen Yichen, standing inside the elevator, seemed especially tall to her.

“What are you thinking about, Jiang Muwen? If you don’t get in, I’m closing the door,” Wen Yichen called coldly, one hand holding the bitten bun, the other pressing the elevator button.

“Oh, oh…” Snapping out of her reverie, Jiang Muwen hurried into the elevator.

The elevator descended with only the two of them inside. In the silence, only their breathing could be heard.

“Wen Yichen, the milk…” Jiang Muwen raised her hand again, trying to hand him the carton.

Wen Yichen glanced at her hand, obediently responded, and finally took it.

“And… my bun…” Jiang Muwen gestured awkwardly at the bun in his hand. He seemed to have forgotten he was still holding the half-eaten bun; if she hadn’t mentioned it, he might have walked right into the classroom with it.

The air grew awkward after her words.

“Here.” As the doors opened, Wen Yichen shoved the bun back into Jiang Muwen’s hand before striding out of the elevator.

Wen Yichen’s long legs carried him quickly, forcing Jiang Muwen to hurry to keep up.

He was not one for small talk, a natural introvert, and Jiang Muwen was too shy to chatter away beside him like a sparrow. In quiet companionship, they made their way to the bus stop.

At last, Wen Yichen broke the silence. “When we get to school, don’t let anyone know we’re neighbors.”

“Huh?” Jiang Muwen looked up, puzzled by his words.

He simply answered with a quiet “mm.”

“But why?” Jiang Muwen still didn’t understand.

“No reason. The bus is here.” Wen Yichen clearly had no intention of explaining further. As the bus pulled up, he boarded.

Jiang Muwen didn’t know that back in their third year of middle school, Wen Yichen had been in a different class, yet tutored her every day. Eventually, word got around. By day, his classmates would tease him with her name; by night, he’d hear her whisper, “I can’t solve this problem.” He considered it a miracle he survived that entire year.

Monday buses were always packed. Wen Yichen’s height made it easy for him to grip the handrail, but Jiang Muwen wasn’t so lucky. In this sardine-can of a bus, not only could she not steady herself, but she could hardly breathe.

The air was thick with the mingled scents of breakfast and perfume. The ride was rough, but finally, she managed to squeeze her way to Wen Yichen’s side.

Timidly, she reached out and clung to the hem of his uniform.

Wen Yichen was standing near the rear door—convenient for getting off. Feeling his hem tugged, he glanced down.

Their eyes met. Jiang Muwen quickly averted her gaze, flustered. “I… there’s nothing else to hold on to…”

With the crowded bus, if the driver braked suddenly, she’d lose her balance. Better to hold onto Wen Yichen; it made her feel safer.

A hush fell after her words. The atmosphere grew awkward, and with people pressing in on all sides, Jiang Muwen felt increasingly uncomfortable.

She frowned slightly and shifted her stance, trying to find a more comfortable position. She started out facing forward, then sideways, and finally found herself pressed right up against him.

After a moment, Wen Yichen sighed softly, a trace of resignation in his gaze.

Warm breath brushed the top of Jiang Muwen’s head. His low voice sounded in her ear, “Come here.”

“…Huh?” Jiang Muwen’s heart fluttered; she hadn’t quite processed his words.

She looked up to see Wen Yichen making a small space for her in front of him.

“If you want to be squashed like a pancake, suit yourself,” he muttered, preparing to move back.

“This… isn’t it a bit much…” Jiang Muwen hesitated, worried it might seem too intimate.

Sensing her thoughts, Wen Yichen asked, “Is this our first day meeting?”

Jiang Muwen stared blankly, then shook her head.

“Fine, don’t come over then…”

Seeing him about to reclaim the space, Jiang Muwen quickly protested, “No, I’m coming!”

He made no further comment, just shifted back a little. Thanks to her small frame, she slipped easily into the space in front of him.

Once steady, Jiang Muwen looked up, watching Wen Yichen’s reflection in the window, bathed in gentle autumn sunlight. Though his face was expressionless, tinged with the impatience of a crowded commute, she found him especially handsome—and she truly liked him just like this.

The crowded bus jostled on, every turn pressing Wen Yichen closer to her. The faint scent of his hair, mingled with the warmth of early autumn sunlight, filled her senses and made her feel inexplicably at ease.