The next morning dawned clear, as if Suzhou were trying to redeem itself for the previous day's storm. The first rays of sunlight slid down the still-wet rooftops, reflecting in the quiet canals. A light breeze rustled the plum tree leaves in the school courtyard.Sui walked slowly through the hallways. Her body still tired, but her heart… different. There was a small smile on her face — almost invisible, but real. A quiet relief, like someone who, after a long time underwater, surfaces and breathes again.That's when Li Xiaoqing's voice cut through the air, bringing the whirlwind back.— Guys! I swear on my grandmother: I saw Gabriel speaking Chinese with my dad. Fluently. Like he was born here!Chen Yue laughed loudly.— Dreaming again, Xiaoqing? He's a foreigner!— I know what I heard!Sui stopped. She didn't look at her friends. But something inside her trembled. "Are you lying to me, Gabriel?"She didn't have time to think further. Her name was called over the school's loudspeaker.
In the principal's office, the director stood waiting, hands clasped behind his back.— Sui Lin, please, take a seat.She obeyed, trying to hide her anxiety.— I have important news. The school has decided to award you a Merit Scholarship. One thousand yuan per month, starting next month.She blinked, unbelieving.— I… I don't understand. Why now?— The school is receiving funding from companies to improve infrastructure, and it comes with scholarships to support students with financial difficulties.Sui brought a hand to her mouth, her eyes brimming with tears.— Thank you… I… I don't even know how to thank you.— Just keep being who you are. That's enough.
In the courtyard, under the plum trees, Gabriel sat with an open book on his lap — though his gaze was lost in the sky.Sui approached slowly.— Studying or just pretending?He looked up and smiled — a gentle smile, as if he already knew she'd come.— Waiting for company. But it seems I got more than I expected.She sat beside him, her heart still racing from the conversation with the principal.— Something happened… that still feels unreal.— Let's hope it's a good kind of unreal.— I got a scholarship. A thousand yuan per month.Gabriel's eyes sparkled. But he showed no surprise — as if he already knew.— I'm happy. But not surprised.— What do you mean?— You deserve it. They just didn't know where to look. Now they do.Sui smiled, her eyes a bit wetter.— After the storm…— …comes the sun — he completed.— Just one more month of hardship — she added.They sat in silence. The wind blew softly, carrying the scent of plum blossoms. When she looked again, she noticed Gabriel was crossing his legs more easily. He didn't limp like before. There was lightness in his movements.— Your leg… seems better.— A little — he replied, without avoiding the subject. — Sometimes, it gets better when we allow ourselves to stop running.Sui didn't know what to say. But she kept those words as if they were something precious.
After class, Gabriel caught up with her at the school gate.— Can I ask you a favor?She raised an eyebrow, pretending to be suspicious:— Another one?— I need to do some shopping. Some relatives of mine are coming to visit and will stay for a month and... I'm a disaster in the supermarket. Can you help me?— Sure. How many people are coming?— Three people: my aunt and two cousins, one your age and one about your sister's age.— Let's go. But it'll be a bit expensive to shop for a whole month.— That's fine. It'll be a pleasure to do this shopping.
The supermarket was a maze for Gabriel. For Sui, a place full of quiet memories. She walked between the shelves like someone visiting a sacred place — with reverence, but without attachment. Her eyes avoided the products she had longed for many times.— Choose as if it were for your home — he said.— Are you sure?— I am. And I trust your taste.She picked rice, eggs, vegetables. Stopped in front of a tray of sweet rice cakes. Her eyes lingered there a bit longer.— Your sister likes those? — he asked.— It's her favorite snack. But no… it's expensive.He picked up the tray and put it in the cart.— Consider it a gift from my… mysterious cousin.— You're impossible.— And you're too kind to deny it.They laughed. Their laughter met in the middle of the aisle and stayed there, light.
At the register, the final amount was high. Sui widened her eyes.— This is crazy…Gabriel simply swiped the card, without hesitation.— Crazy is not helping when you can.
Outside, the same black car from the other night was waiting. Sui noticed. Again. But said nothing.— Drop Sui home first — said Gabriel to the driver, in terrible Chinese. She had to help translate.
On the way, Gabriel answered his phone and spoke in Portuguese. Sui didn't understand a word but noticed his expression changed.— What happened? — Sui asked.— Oh… my relatives. Change of plans. They're not coming anymore.— What? How so?— Something came up. So since I can't keep all this food, it's yours.— I can't accept all this, Gabriel.— Yes, you can. Pay me back later.— With what?— Lunches. And maybe… a smile, once in a while.She bit her lip, defeated.
At her door, Sui's mother widened her eyes.— Sui… where did all this come from?Gabriel replied promptly:— Raffle. First customer of the day. One month of free groceries.Sui rolled her eyes, tired of his creativity.— Skilled liar.— I prefer "convincing narrator."She handed him a sweet rice cake.— First installment of the payment.— I'll keep it safe.
Sui's mother held her daughter's hand, her eyes glistening.— Tonight… I'll sleep without fear.
Sui walked Gabriel to the gate. The lanterns were starting to light up on the porches. The afternoon light was fading slowly.— Thank you… — she said, unable to hide what she felt.— For what?— For treating me like I'm more than what I have.He hesitated. Then answered, almost in a whisper:— Because you are.
She stood there, watching the car disappear around the corner. For the first time, she didn't feel alone.
Later, lying on her mattress, the wind rustling the curtains, she thought about Gabriel's smile. His eyes. The way he didn't run — not from her, not from himself."Maybe the world still hides good people... and maybe, just maybe, he's one of them."
Across the city, Gabriel leaned his forehead against the car window. The lights reflected on the glass like distant stars.— I said she was strong… — he murmured in Portuguese.— But I didn't know I'd be the one to heal first.And then he smiled.Like someone keeping a secret too beautiful to share.Some encounters don't change the world. Just one life. And that's already everything.