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Arranging for her to sit with Zhou Linxiao—this move was truly the right one.
Looks like both seat changes were wise decisions. Now the two kids could finally study properly.
Chen Jinghua was very proud, feeling that in this year’s special-grade teacher evaluation, he would definitely be on the list again.
Senior year students only had one precious day off each week—Sunday. And boarders had to return to school on Sunday afternoon, and still attend evening self-study, so this one day off was especially precious to them.
The last evening self-study session on Saturday was about to ring the bell. Xiang Di had completely lost the ability to study. Her mind was full of thoughts about hurrying home. While she was counting down in her heart, Zhou Linxiao beside her suddenly lightly tapped her shoulder with his pen.
Zhou Linxiao directly asked, “Are you free tomorrow?”
Xiang Di nodded. “Yeah. What’s up?”
“Can I treat you to a meal tomorrow?” Zhou Linxiao said. “I have to thank you for treating me to so much good food these past few days.”
Xiang Di had not treated him to food in order to be repaid. She waved her hand politely. “No need, no need. It didn’t cost much anyway.”
Zhou Linxiao said, “This isn’t a money issue. It’s an issue of courtesy. My mom said that when Chinese people make friends, they don’t emphasize giving how expensive a gift is, but they emphasize reciprocity. You treated me to food, so as a friend, I must treat you back.”
He actually used such an exotic-looking face to say such seasoned life wisdom. For a moment, Xiang Di really found it hard to refuse.
She scratched her hair and asked tactfully, “Then… will it just be the two of us eating?”
She did not know whether his mom had also taught him that Chinese people are very cautious about interactions between the opposite sex. In non-necessary social situations, men and women generally rarely go out to eat alone.
Zhou Linxiao instantly sensed her thoughts. He raised an eyebrow and smiled. “You seem very afraid to eat alone with me?”
Before Xiang Di could answer, he lowered his eyes slightly. His chestnut-colored eyelashes covered his clear olive eyes, and he sighed, looking hurt.
“We’ve already been deskmates for several days. Miss, what exactly will it take for you to believe in my character?”
He said this sentence with clear articulation, and even called her “Miss,” carrying quite a dubbed-film flavor.
Xiang Di hurriedly said, “That’s not what I meant… I just…”
After all, a mixed-blood boy nearly one meter ninety tall, with his whole body full of hard muscles—although after a few days of getting along, she trusted his character a lot, but what if…
She had seen quite a few news reports. Many wanted murderers, before being caught, also gave people around them the impression of being harmless. No one would have thought they would actually kill.
The size difference between her and Zhou Linxiao was really too big. One of his palms could directly snap her waist.
Seeing her anxious-to-explain look, Zhou Linxiao smiled again. “It’s okay, I understand. How about this—let’s call a few more people. I’ll treat you all to a meal.”
After saying that, he turned his head and knocked on Ye Minjia’s desk.
Ye Minjia was teaching Liang Qianqian how to solve a problem. Hearing the movement, he raised his head. “What’s up, bro?”
Then Zhou Linxiao invited Ye Minjia and Liang Qianqian.
Upon hearing that Zhou Linxiao was going to treat them to an all-you-can-eat buffet that cost several hundred per person, Ye Minjia felt his saliva start to secrete. However, he still regretfully shook his head.
“Can’t tomorrow. Tomorrow’s my grandma’s birthday, I have to go celebrate with her.” Ye Minjia sighed. “You guys go eat. Remember to take more photos and send them to me later so I can ease my craving.”
Xiang Di discussed with Zhou Linxiao. “If the class monitor isn’t free, can we eat next week?”
Zhou Linxiao said, “Sure, up to you guys.”
So it was settled like this: when they had a day off next week, they would go eat together.
Zhou Linxiao knew that Ye Minjia was close with Bai Jiangxin, and asked whether they should also call Bai Jiangxin.
Who knew Ye Minjia directly shook his head. “Forget it. He never participates in this kind of group meal.”
Zhou Linxiao knew about Bai Jiangxin’s severe cleanliness obsession, and nodded, indicating respect.
Xiang Di, who had not spoken, pressed her lips together in disappointment. Zhou Linxiao and the others were still discussing whether to go somewhere to play after eating next week. Xiang Di didn’t really care. Anyway, she would just follow them when the time came.
She propped up her face, turned her head sideways, and could not help glancing toward Bai Jiangxin.
As a result, Wang Sichen, who was blocking Bai Jiangxin, happened to notice and raised an eyebrow at her. “What, seeing that I’m handsome, sneaking a look at me?”
Xiang Di made a gagging motion, then quickly turned her head back.
Seeing her, Wang Sichen remembered again. “Hey, don’t forget to help me buy cream puffs tomorrow.”
Xiang Di let out an “aiya.” “Got it, you don’t have to remind me every day.”
“I’m just afraid you’ll forget.”
“I won’t.” Xiang Di said. “I have a very good memory.”
And besides, she still had to buy cream puffs for Bai Jiangxin tomorrow. Forgetting everything else was possible, but forgetting this was impossible.
Xiang Di secretly said in her heart: you brat should just be glad, you’re benefiting from my husband’s light.
When people chat and whisper, time passes especially fast. The bell for the end of evening self-study rang without warning, and everyone was instantly liberated.
The teacher in charge of supervising evening self-study was also liberated, and quickly left the classroom.
“Go home, go home! Liberation, liberation!”
“Tomorrow I’m going to lie at home the whole day!”
Tomorrow he didn’t need to wake up early. Wang Sichen had made plans today to play games with people, and was rushing home to turn on his computer. He grabbed his backpack and ran off.
With Wang Sichen gone, Xiang Di finally saw Bai Jiangxin.
So annoying. With Wang Sichen in between them, even if she wanted to sneak a glance at him during class, she was blocked completely. And being blocked would be fine, but Wang Sichen was also extremely self-absorbed, and every time thought she was looking at him.
What a pity he was also about to go home. She wouldn’t see him again until Monday.
While she was feeling regretful in her heart, Bai Jiangxin, who was unhurriedly packing his bag, suddenly turned his head and met her gaze.
Xiang Di’s little heart stopped again. She hurriedly showed a smile and found an excuse to talk to him. “Um, do you still remember the thing about me treating you to cream puffs?”
Bai Jiangxin gave an “mm” and said, “If you’re busy on the weekend, then forget it.”
“No, no, I’m very free on the weekend.” Xiang Di said. “I just wanted to ask you—do you want to eat them the same day, or should I give them to you on Monday?”
Actually, she hoped he could eat the freshest ones of the day, which just meant spending a few dozen more on delivery. It was fine. For Bai Jiangxin, she was willing to spend this money.
And also… this way, she could know where Bai Jiangxin lived.
She swore she absolutely was not trying to be a stalker! She simply wanted to understand him a little more.
Bai Jiangxin said, “Same day. Didn’t you say they’re only good on the same day?”
“Yes, yes, same day is best. Then I’ll call a delivery runner to send them to you tomorrow?” Xiang Di nodded, her tone hesitant. “Then are you convenient… to give me your home address?”
Bai Jiangxin was concise. “No need.”
“……”
Rejected so suddenly, Xiang Di lowered her head, her face heating up.
Sure enough, he wouldn’t easily tell her his home address.
“No need to find a delivery runner. I’ll go look for you directly tomorrow.”
Xiang Di suddenly lifted her head. “Ah?”
“I’m saying, I’ll go directly to your place tomorrow to get them from you.” Bai Jiangxin’s tone was calm. “Is that convenient for you?”
Xiang Di said blankly, “It’s convenient. I’ll be at home the whole day tomorrow.”
Bai Jiangxin: “Okay.”
After they made the arrangement, Bai Jiangxin picked up his backpack and prepared to leave.
She was standing in the aisle. Seeing that he was about to leave, she hurriedly turned her body sideways.
Her figure was already slender to begin with. With this move, she completely cleared space for Bai Jiangxin to pass, avoiding touching him.
At the moment they brushed past each other, Bai Jiangxin lowered his head and saw her dazed expression—long, straight eyelashes completely still, lips slightly parted.
And between the two of them, there was still a full one-centimeter gap.
He stared at that distance. Xiang Di thought he felt the aisle was cramped and didn’t want to touch her, so she moved her foot back a little more, pressing herself closer to the edge of the desk.
She thought, this way he should be able to pass, right?
Bai Jiangxin called out to her, “Xiang Di.”
Xiang Di was stunned, looking at the school emblem printed on the left chest of his uniform, and then heard him say lightly, “Actually, you don’t need to pay so much attention to keeping distance between us.”
Only then did she lift her head to look at him.
Because she was still in a state where her brain was rapidly spinning, analyzing his words word by word like doing reading comprehension, the girl’s lips were still slightly parted, revealing a bit of the edge of her upper teeth.
It hadn’t rained all week. The classroom was very dry. Even teachers had to take a sip of warm water after speaking a few sentences to moisten their throats. To prevent her lips from chapping, Xiang Di carried lip balm with her. The balm was very moisturizing, coating her lips like plump dewdrops.
An eighteen-year-old face—fair, clear, and tender enough to drip with freshness—didn’t need any elaborate makeup in the first place. Just this bit of “dew” was already enough.
Bai Jiangxin’s breathing tightened.
The next second, he almost fled in panic, striding quickly out of the classroom.
He wasn’t frightened by Xiang Di’s heart-voice.
He was frightened by his own.
Fortunately, only he himself knew what an absurd thought had flashed through his mind in that very second.
When Grandpa had told him the methods to hear heart-voices again, aside from hands, he hadn’t thought about any other places at all.
