Chapter 231

Words : 1229 Updated : Oct 15th, 2025

Ji Nian: "......" Nice metaphor, but let’s not use it again. "I wanted to find you right after the first class ended, but there were too many people, so I didn’t go over." Ji Nian explained, taking a couple of steps to catch up with him. The two walked side by side back to the classroom. It ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍was the hottest time of the day, the sun beating down mercilessly. Lu Jinghuai instinctively moved to Ji Nian’s left, shielding her from the sunlight and letting her walk in the shade. "What were you all talking about? Seems like everyone’s really curious about you." Ji Nian fanned herself with her hand. If they weren’t at school, she’d have gladly untucked her shirt from her skirt to get some air. Lu Jinghuai glanced at her flushed cheeks, reddened by the heat, and replied softly, "They asked where I’m from." "And... about my hobbies." Ji Nian perked up with interest. Looking at the reserved young man, she couldn’t help but ask, "So, what are your hobbies?" "Many things." "Skydiving, rock climbing, skiing, and racing—though I’m still too young for that last one. My father won’t allow it." He gave a faint, almost shy smile. Ji Nian’s eyes widened in disbelief. All extreme sports. She’d assumed someone like Lu Jinghuai would prefer reading, listening to classical music, or maybe even attending church every weekend... Noticing he seemed to have more to say, she prodded, "Anything else?" But Lu Jinghuai only looked at her, his gaze flickering with something unreadable before it vanished just as quickly. "Yes." "But it’s a secret." His voice was barely above a whisper, and as he spoke, the corners of his lips curled into a faint, pleased smile. Ji Nian didn’t press further. After all, she had her own embarrassing hobbies. System: Ah yes, the bunny-tailed hemorrhoid expert. Ji Nian: "...I preferred it when you were the silent type." The two soon reached the classroom. The whole way, Lu Jinghuai didn’t ask what Gu Xiuyuan had wanted with Ji Nian, nor did he mention He Xiang. Instead, they chatted casually about his first impressions of the school. When Ji Nian stepped into the classroom, Lu Jinghuai paused, turning to look at a group of girls from the neighboring class chatting in the hallway while eating ice cream. "You go ahead," he said to Ji Nian. Though curious, Ji Nian was too desperate for the sweet relief of the classroom’s air conditioning. "Okay," she agreed, stepping inside—though out of the corner of her eye, she saw Lu Jinghuai heading toward the girls he’d been watching. Does he know them? she wondered. Before she could dwell on it, Shen Qingtang and He Xiang intercepted her. Their synchronized stares told her exactly what they wanted to know. She quickly explained why Gu Xiuyuan had sought her out, though she omitted Yang Xinyu’s personal circumstances and family matters. Relieved that nothing was wrong, the two let it go. At the back of the classroom, a group of boys roughhoused, shoving each other playfully until one knocked over Ji Nian’s deskmate’s glasses. Remembering something, Ji Nian turned to He Xiang and brought up the water-fetching incident from earlier. He Xiang’s dark eyes clouded with confusion. "Was he talking to me?" Ji Nian sighed inwardly. I knew it. To outsiders, He Xiang’s tall frame and sharp features might make him seem intimidating—some aloof, untouchable guy. But in reality, their dear "Haki Xiang" was just a boy who steeped goji berries in his thermos, rushed to put on long johns at the first sign of cold, squeezed toothpaste meticulously from the bottom up, and worst of all—couldn’t recognize faces to save his life. The funniest part? One year, for his birthday, Gu Xiuyuan gifted him a hoverboard to ride to and from the dorms. The next morning, Gu Xiuyuan arrived at school only to see He Xiang carrying the hoverboard in his arms. Yes—the thing meant to be under his feet was instead clutched to his chest. His reasoning? He didn’t want to waste battery, but felt guilty not using it, so... this was his compromise. Gu Xiuyuan didn’t speak to him for a week. Judging by Ji Nian’s expression, Shen Qingtang seemed to guess what she was thinking and burst into laughter, bending over with mirth. "What’s so funny?" He Xiang tilted his head, utterly lost as the two girls exchanged knowing looks. —— Outside the classroom, a girl from Class 2 waved cheerfully at Lu Jinghuai as he turned to leave. A few nosy girls who’d been watching from the doorway nudged each other and approached, teasing, "Isn’t that the hot foreign transfer student from Class 1?" "The school forum’s blowing up about him. Even the high schoolers are asking around." "What did he want? Do you know him?" The girl Lu Jinghuai had spoken to waved them off. "Don’t get the wrong idea—we don’t know each other." When their skeptical looks persisted, she laughed and held up a mini handheld fan. "It was about this." "He asked where I bought it. I told him the supermarket next to Cafeteria 1. Right, Xiu Xiu?" The girl beside her nodded. "Yeah, that’s all it was." The others buzzed with curiosity. "Was he buying it for himself or someone else?" "No idea." "My friend’s in Class 1. She said Ji Nian knows him." "Ohhh, now that you mention it, they’re both mixed-race, right?" "Wait, Lu Jinghuai’s mixed? He doesn’t look like it." "Dunno. I’ll ask my friend to check with Ji Nian." —— "Achoo!" As the break ended and class was about to start, Ji Nian rubbed her nose, wondering if someone was talking about her. Just then, Lu Jinghuai returned, carrying a shopping bag—apparently, he’d gone to buy something. At lunch, Ji Nian kept her promise and treated Lu Jinghuai to a meal. "Cafeteria 2’s better than Cafeteria 1. Or we could go off-campus—there’s a place with amazing pea-noodle bowls, packed with toppings." As she spoke, she tugged Lu Jinghuai along, not by the hand but by the wrist. Though unsure why they were running, Lu Jinghuai obediently let himself be led through the crowd, docile as a leashed pet. "Either’s fine. Whatever you prefer." Truth be told, even if Ji Nian dragged him to eat dirt, he probably wouldn’t complain. As Ji Nian power-walked to beat the lunch rush, a sudden cool breeze brushed her cheek. She turned to find Lu Jinghuai holding a pink mini fan, aimed squarely at her face—blowing her bangs straight up. Lu Jinghuai’s striking looks already drew stares even in the chaos of the lunchtime scramble. Seeing him awkwardly holding up a small fan in that uncomfortable position, even more eyes turned toward the two of them. Yet Lu Jinghuai himself didn’t seem to notice anything unusual. Despite being drenched in sweat, he still asked Ji Nian, "Cool enough? Want me to blow it somewhere else?" Ji Nian hesitated. "Uh... maybe my neck?" Lu Jinghuai nodded and adjusted the angle, directing the little fan toward Ji Nian’s neck. Behind them, unnoticed, a group of girls from Class 2, arms linked, were silently squealing in excitement. Their expressions grew even more thrilled when they got a clear look at the small fan in Lu Jinghuai’s hand. Dashing for food could wait—this was worth pausing for a quick dose of sweetness.

Chapter 231

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