Extraordinary Genius

“Xinxin, it’s raining today. Don’t go to school today. You can stay at home for revision or go out and play with your friends.” Her mother said.

“Mum, it’s fine. The rain is not heavy, and I can take the bus to school.” Zhou Kexin carried her school bag and an umbrella and left for school.

Zhou Kexin went to school every day during the school holidays was to prepare for her exams. But there was something more important. She was waiting for a letter.

Since year 1, she will receive 2 to 3 letters. But during year 2, that ‘Second most handsome person on earth’ went to Hong Kong University as an exchange student. They had only exchanged 3 letters in total.

‘Second most handsome person on earth’ had stated that he will be returning back to Beijing University soon in his last letter. He also said that he will write to her after he returns. But where was the letter?

To receive the letter earlier, Zhou Kexin returned to school every day. Of course, she told her parents and friends that she was doing her revision in school.

“Girl, no need to ask. There are no letters for you today.” Mr. Li, the security guard at the school, said.

Zhou Kexin was disappointed. She lowered her head and walked slowly to her classroom. Why was there no letters? Did he forget about me? He wants to stop being my penpal? But in the last letter, we are still chatting happily.

Zhou Kexin was alone in her classroom. It was raining today, and none of her classmates were back in school for revision. Zhou Kexin sat at her seat and took out her history textbook. She opened the book carefully. There were a few letters in between the pages.

She took out the letters and starts reading them. She had read these letters dozens of times until the edges of the letter began to curl.

But Zhou Kexin still wants to read them even when she could memorize all the contents of the letters. She had read it until she was able to imitate ‘Second most handsome person on earth’ handwriting.

After reading all the letters, she folds it back carefully and kept it in between her history textbooks. After that, she took out her geography books and start studying.

……

The next day, it was still raining. But Zhou Kexin still insists on going back to school. She did not want to miss the letter.

When Zhou Kexin arrived at her school’s entrance, Mr. Li ran out from his security post and waved to her. “Hey, Girl! Your letter is here!”

My letter?!

This moment was Zhou Kexin’s happiest moment of her life. She had waited long enough for this letter.

Zhou Kexin ran to the security post. In her hurry, she even forgets to lift up her umbrella. She did not mind the raindrops falling on her. Her uniform and hair were slightly wet from the rain. She would normally walk carefully during rain to avoid the puddles on the ground. But now, she couldn’t care less. Her shoes were wet when she ran towards the security post.

“Grandpa Li, give me my letter!” She ran into Old Mr. Li’s security post and shouted.

“Here is a towel I gotten last month and still have not used it before. Wipe yourself dry first. If your letter got wet, the words might be smudged.” Old Mr. Li laughed and passed a new white towel to Zhou Kexin.

Zhou Kexin heard that she might make the letter wet, and she resist the urge to touch the letter. She took the towel and wipe away the water droplets on her, especially her hands.

“Here, have some hot water. You must be careful not to catch a cold.”

“Thank you. Grandpa Li, I will not drink the water. I will go to the classroom now.” Zhou Kexin grabbed the letter on the table and kept it in her school bag. She kept it in between her books and opened up her umbrella. She walked quickly towards her class.

Old Mr. Li shook his head. It’s just a letter, and she had been asking every day. Now, she got her letter, and she does not need to be so excited. The letter will also not fly away.

Zhou Kevin ran back to her classroom and opened the door with her keys. There was no one in the classroom. She closed the door and returned to her seat. She can’t wait to read the letter.

But Zhou Kexin took out a handkerchief to wipe her hands first before taking out the letter from her books.

On the envelope, the address was written in familiar handwriting. The name written on the envelope was ‘Second most handsome person on earth’!

Zhou Kexin was smiling even before she read the letter. She opened up the envelope carefully and took out the letter.

There were only two pages. Zhou Kexin unfolds the letter and starts reading.

I had returned from Hong Kong University. You can use this address in the future. To be back at a familiar place feels so good…….

After reading the two-page letter, Zhou Kexin felt it was not enough. She wanted more. She picked up the envelope and look inside. It was empty.

She read the letter two more times and took out a stake of letter papers from her bag to write a return letter.

‘Second most handsome person on earth,’ have you become the most handsome person on earth? The last time you said that Hong Kong is a bustling city. Do you feel disappointed to return back to Beijing? After you graduate, will you go to Hong Kong to look for work?

I was second in my class for my last semester exams. The difference between me and the first position was only 1 mark. I knew how to answer one of the questions, but I still got it wrong.

Do you think that I will be able to get into a university in Beijing? Our school is not some good high school. I heard that if I apply for some unpopular courses, I get a higher chance of getting accepted. Should I do so?

……

Zhou Kexin finishes writing her letter, and she checked her letter twice for spelling and punctuations mistakes. It was just like she was sitting for her exams. She blew lightly on the letter to make sure the ink was dry before she starts folding the letter carefully.

Zhou Kexin was not like Feng Yu. Feng Yu would just fold the letter twice and stuff it into the envelope. Zhou Kexin used origami methods she learned when she was young to fold her letter. She folded her letter into the shape of a little man. Although she was not good at origami, she still feels the letter looks more beautiful this way.

She placed the paper man into an envelope she prepared a long time ago. The address and stamp were already written on the envelope. She sealed the envelope with glue and double check if the envelope was sealed properly before keeping it in between her books.

“Bye, Grandpa Li.”

“You are going back early today? Remember to drink more hot water to prevent catching a cold. Aside from studying, your health is also very important.” Old Mr. Li waved to Zhou kexin. How come she only stayed in school for about an hour? She usually stays in school for at least 2 hours.

If Old Mr. Li knew that Zhou Kexin did not even look at her books and just spent all her time reading and writing a letter, he would surely be speechless.

It was raining, and Zhou Kexin did not want to drop the letter into the letterbox in case it got wet. She went to a post office and passed the letter to the staff there.

On her way back, Zhou Kexin was wondering how that ‘Second most handsome person on earth’ would react when he received her letter……