The Secret Behind the Smile

In Ye Nanzhi’s memory, Chu Ran was rarely the one to lower her head first.

She was unwilling to express her emotions directly; whether she liked someone or not, she never said it plainly.

Even when things had escalated to such a state between them in the past, Chu Ran had never broken that final barrier of transparency.

She was like a cloud in the sky—appearing pure and flawless, yet utterly out of reach. Those who didn’t know her well often said she was just an arrogant heiress putting on airs.

But Ye Nanzhi understood that Chu Ran preferred to express her thoughts through actions rather than words.

For instance, Chu Ran could use cherry ice cream as an apology or meticulously prepare a pair of shoes for her. But as for why she did these things, Chu Ran would never say.

She didn’t mention it, and Ye Nanzhi didn’t ask. They had always maintained a certain delicate sense of balance.

The chill of autumn had already enveloped the city. The once lush green trees were now a vibrant gold. As the autumn wind swept past, fallen leaves danced in the air, gathering and scattering in turn.

After some time, the car slowed to a halt. Ye Nanzhi stepped out in her new shoes to find they were at a primary school.

“I contacted the person in charge before coming. You just focus on taking photos and keeping records later,” Chu Ran arranged everything. After registering at the security post, she led Ye Nanzhi onto the campus.

It happened to be recess, and students were active outside. Chu Ran pointed to various corners of the campus, explaining the characteristics of the architectural spaces to Ye Nanzhi.

Ye Nanzhi was frantic, trying to balance taking photos and jotting down notes.

In particular, the academic terms Chu Ran used were ones she had heard of but didn’t quite fully grasp.

“Look at that corner. Because the space is small, it can only accommodate three to five people, making it suitable only for small group activities. Therefore, students who play in this area tend to have closer relationships,” Chu Ran said, pointing to a spot.

Gradually, Ye Nanzhi noticed something unusual.

Chu Ran seemed incredibly familiar with this school. Everything she said sounded as if it had been prepared in advance, comparable to a professional tour guide’s script.

“This area is frequently used because it’s near the teaching zone. Similarly, as an interaction space, the fourth and fifth floors house the school leaders’ offices, so no children are willing to go up there.”

“How do you know that?” Ye Nanzhi interrupted her.

“What?” Chu Ran turned back.

“I said, how do you know this school so well?”

Before Chu Ran could answer, a weathered voice broke in: –Xiao Chu, over here!–

Chu Ran turned around, and a rare smile appeared on her cold face. “Teacher Wang!”

It was a teacher with graying hair at her temples, appearing to be in her fifties. She had a naive, charming smile and a face full of kindness. She stood at the office door, waving at the two of them.

Teacher Wang’s eyes shone with uncontrollable joy upon seeing Chu Ran. –The principal told me today that a teacher from Shen University was coming for a survey, but I never expected it to be my former student!–

Teacher Wang noticed Ye Nanzhi behind Chu Ran. –This young lady is so young; is she also a teacher at Shen University?–

“She isn’t. She’s a student at Shen University, researching this topic with me,” Chu Ran replied, then added, “Like you, she’s a Primary Education major.”

–Primary Ed! That’s good. You’ll be a teacher when you graduate,– Teacher Wang’s eyes reddened with emotion as she ushered them into the room.

–Chu Ran, when I first taught you, you were so small, barely reaching my waist. Look at you now…– As Teacher Wang spoke, she pulled the first album from a stack in the cabinet and called Ye Nanzhi over.

–Little girl, come here. See if you can find your Teacher Chu.–

Ye Nanzhi’s gaze quickly locked onto a young girl in the front row. The girl wasn’t very tall, quite thin, with neat short hair. Her school uniform was so crisp it didn’t have a single wrinkle.

“It’s this one, right?” Ye Nanzhi asked, pointing at the figure.

Teacher Wang looked at Chu Ran. –She really is your student; she found you in the crowd instantly.–

Ye Nanzhi looked at the small figure in the photo, then turned a beaming smile toward Chu Ran. “You were so cute when you were little!”

The Chu Ran of back then was very different from the one now. Now, Chu Ran usually kept a stoic face, and her few smiles were mostly out of politeness or to maintain her image as a lecturer.

But the girl in the photo was different. Beneath fluffy bangs was a bright, smiling face. Her eyes were curved like crescent moons, and her thin lips were upturned, revealing a row of neat teeth.

This was the first time anyone had used the word “cute” to describe Chu Ran. She felt quite uncomfortable; a rare heat began to rise in her cheeks.

Teacher Wang teased her: –What’s there to be shy about in front of your own student!–

Ye Nanzhi chimed in: “Exactly! Why are you shy about showing me!”

Teacher Wang treated Ye Nanzhi like family, reminiscing as they looked at the photos. –Chu Ran was quite the troublemaker when she was little. Who would have thought that the ‘king of the kids’ back then would become an architect returning from abroad and then a university teacher!–

Chu Ran still had a main task for coming today. After chatting with Teacher Wang for a while, she explained her purpose: she needed the children to help fill out a questionnaire.

Teacher Wang said it was no problem and led them toward the classrooms.

While Ye Nanzhi stayed in the room to distribute and collect the surveys, Chu Ran waited by the door. Taking advantage of the brief separation, Teacher Wang spoke softly behind Chu Ran: –How is it that you’re finally willing to come back?–

Chu Ran gave a faint smile. “There were changes in the Chu family.”

–That matter… have you handled it?–

As soon as Teacher Wang finished her sentence, Chu Ran’s lips pressed into a tight line, and the smile on her face faded.

In Teacher Wang’s memory, Chu Ran—the leader of the children—had never shed a tear or cried out in pain even when she fell and scraped her knees bloody.

In her whole life, Chu Ran had only cried twice.

Once was when Chu Ran had just started middle school and her mother passed away.

Tears had soaked her floral skirt as the little girl cried for a long time with her head on Teacher Wang’s lap, saying her mother was gone and she was now a “wild child” without a mom.

At that time, Teacher Wang had gently stroked Chu Ran’s hair, telling her it was okay and that she would stay with her in place of her mother.

Since then, Teacher Wang had been involved in every major event of Chu Ran’s life.

From small things like Chu Ran’s first period and her first pack of sanitary pads, to big things like the day of the National College Entrance Examination, it was Teacher Wang waiting outside the exam hall.

Teacher Wang had witnessed Chu Ran’s growth. She saw a lively little girl turn into what she was now—as if she had sealed herself in a shell, showing neither smiles nor disappointment.

Later, Chu Ran went to the distant North for university. Due to work, Teacher Wang could no longer witness her growth in Harbin.

She seemed to be doing well there, rarely coming back during holidays. On a rare occasion she did return, Chu Ran had come to find her, her eyes filled with unmistakable joy, looking a bit like her childhood self again.

Chu Ran told her she had found someone she liked and would bring her to meet her if there was a chance.

Teacher Wang had nodded and agreed.

But not long after that, on a rainy evening, Chu Ran—who should have been in the North—suddenly returned to Shen City.

She held an admission letter from a prestigious overseas university, but there was no joy on her face. Instead, her skin was slightly flushed, and the tears in her eyes were indistinguishable from the rain.

Chu Ran said she was going abroad and might never come back.

She urged Teacher Wang to take care of her health and left her a bank card. Chu Ran said the money inside was earned by her own hands and every cent was “clean.” Before Teacher Wang could finish speaking, Chu Ran had turned and run out, vanishing into the rain.

–I’ve kept that card for you. I’ll give it to you as a dowry when you get married.– Teacher Wang looked at Ye Nanzhi’s silhouette in the room and added: –Or perhaps as a betrothal gift.–

Chu Ran snapped her head around, her shocked gaze betraying the truth.

–What are you looking at?– Teacher Wang asked with a smile. –If it weren’t for that kind of relationship, would you be in such a hurry to bring her to meet me?–