Compared to others’ curiosity and gossip, this matter had almost no effect on Sheng Qingxi. On the contrary, she felt a bit more relaxed than usual.
At 9:50 p.m., as soon as the bell rang, the classroom, which had been silent moments ago, suddenly burst into noise.
Sheng Qingxi handed her homework to the group leader, packed her bag, and prepared to head home.
Chen Yi hesitated for a moment, then glanced at Sheng Qingxi and asked quietly, “Sheng Qingxi, could you lend me the math problem Mr. Jiang left us to think about? I’ve been working on it for a long time tonight but still can’t find a simple solution.”
These past few days, Chen Yi had come to realize what it meant to be the top student in No. 2 School.
She had never seen Sheng Qingxi distracted in class. Her notes were meticulously detailed, with each subject carefully categorized. Sheng Qingxi’s notebook of mistakes remained blank, as she hadn’t gotten a single problem wrong.
Before the first evening self-study session started, Sheng Qingxi would finish all the day’s homework. To someone as disciplined as Chen Yi, Sheng Qingxi seemed almost terrifyingly self-controlled.
But every time evening self-study began, Sheng Qingxi would behave in a way that was completely different from what Chen Yi expected.
It seemed like it was Sheng Qingxi’s personal time. She would read extracurricular books, daydream, doodle on blank scrap paper, and occasionally write something down.
Once self-study started, she wouldn’t touch anything related to schoolwork again.
This was something only Chen Yi knew, a secret between them as desk mates.
Sheng Qingxi pulled out her math notebook, placed it on her desk, and kindly flipped to the right page for Chen Yi. “Just take a look and leave it when you’re done; no need to worry about it.”
Chen Yi pressed her lips together. She knew Sheng Qingxi was accommodating her habit. Quietly, she whispered, “Thank you.”
Sheng Qingxi smiled at her, then slung her bag over her shoulder and left.
Chen Yi turned to watch Sheng Qingxi’s retreating figure. In the crowd, she looked so frail and thin.
What kind of person was Sheng Qingxi, really?
—
Sheng Qingxi walked down the dim stairs slowly, carrying her bag. The third-year students’ evening self-study session ended forty minutes later than hers, so Song Shiman was still in class at this time.
For Sheng Qingxi, having close friends was something she had never experienced in her past life.
At first, many people had been willing to be her friend, but after learning she was an orphan, their parents had forbidden them from being near her. This situation had continued all the way to high school.
Sheng Qingxi didn’t have a strong need for friendships. Over the years, she had usually been alone at school. Later, she had put all her energy into work and searching for the cause of that fire.
As she thought about this, Sheng Qingxi paused, then turned and walked in a different direction.
Ten minutes later.
Sheng Qingxi stood at the back door of the senior year class with a cup of milk tea in hand. Through the window, she spotted Song Shiman, who seemed bored after such a long evening self-study session, slumped over her desk in a daze.
Sheng Qingxi softly said something to the person sitting near the window, and that person called out Song Shiman’s name.
Song Shiman, not expecting it to be Sheng Qingxi—since it had been her running downstairs to meet Sheng Qingxi these past few days—was both surprised and delighted when she saw her.
Sheng Qingxi handed the milk tea to her, curving her lips into a smile. “I remembered you like this.”
Song Shiman glanced at the time, took the milk tea, and immediately nudged her forward. “It’s already past ten. You should hurry and catch the bus home. If you miss the 10:10 bus, you’ll have to wait another fifteen minutes.”
She mumbled softly, “It’s not like I get much sleep anyway, when can’t I drink milk tea?”
Though her words said otherwise, Song Shiman felt a sense of joy in her heart. This fleeting happiness almost made her forget that both of them liked Lin Ran.
Song Shiman walked Sheng Qingxi down the stairs and watched as her figure disappeared into the dark.
Holding the warm milk tea in her hands, Song Shiman wondered, what was so great about men anyway? Would Lin Ran wait for her? Would he bring her milk tea? Would he enjoy wearing pretty dresses with her?
The answer was obvious.
Song Shiman couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. She had originally planned to win Sheng Qingxi over, but why did it now feel like the situation had reversed?
She took a sip of the sweet milk tea, and the delicious taste made her forget all about her concerns.
—
There were three exits at No. 1 High School: the south gate, which was the main entrance, the west gate, which was a side entrance, and the north gate, which was exclusively for school deliveries and usually kept closed. Students typically entered and exited through the south and west gates.
Sheng Qingxi always used the south gate.
The 113 bus stop for No. 1 High was located near the south gate. From Minxue Building to the south gate, there were two paths: a wide, well-lit road and a narrow path that looped around the gymnasium, completely dark and without streetlights.
Sheng Qingxi took the narrow path because it was shorter.
Few people took this path, and since she had lingered a bit today, she was now the only one left walking down the road, her lone shadow blending into the darkness.
At some point along the way, Sheng Qingxi became aware of another set of footsteps behind her.
The person maintained a distance that was neither too close nor too far. He wasn’t deliberately concealing his movements; in fact, it seemed as though he was purposefully making noise, as if to alert her that someone was following.
Sheng Qingxi exhaled softly, listening closely to the sound of the footsteps behind her. It wasn’t Gu Mingji—these footsteps were different from his.
She could feel the person’s gaze on her, and she was almost certain that they were following her.
However, she could sense that the person meant no harm, a sharp intuition honed by years of professional experience.
After thinking for a moment, Sheng Qingxi decided to stop walking.
She stood in the middle of the path, waiting for the person behind her to catch up.
The person, seeing her stop, suddenly let out a low chuckle. The boy’s lazy, slightly hoarse voice rang out next to her ear, sending a jolt through her. “This time, you’re not running?”
Sheng Qingxi froze for a moment, the tingling sensation spreading from the base of her neck through her entire body. Her hand tightened unconsciously at her side. Her thoughts scattered, unsure of how to respond.
Lin Ran’s voice—once she heard it, she could never forget it.
Every time she saw Lin Ran, she grew nervous, both in her past life and in this one.
In her past life, Sheng Qingxi had felt nervous when she secretly went to No. 1’s gates just to catch a glimpse of him. Now, with the possibility of seeing Lin Ran every day, she was even more anxious.
Lin Ran glanced at the girl frozen in front of him, his gaze shifting downward. Even in the darkness, he could clearly see her clenched fists.
He stepped forward to stand in front of her and said calmly, “Come with me, I have something to ask you.”
Sheng Qingxi thought about the two times she had secretly hugged him and nervously pinched her fingertips. Lacking any courage, she immediately admitted defeat. “I’m sorry, Lin Ran. I apologize.”
She then quietly promised, “It won’t happen again.”
Lin Ran let out a small scoff but didn’t reply.
The two of them walked toward the school gate, one in front of the other.
Sheng Qingxi followed closely behind Lin Ran. Every time he took a step, she followed with one of her own. Although they were simply walking, an inexplicable sense of joy rose in her heart.
In her previous life, she would occasionally sneak to No. 1 just to get a glimpse of Lin Ran from a distance at the school gates. She never dared to get any closer.
But now, she could walk this close to him—just a step away.
After passing through the dark road, they circled around a stone path in a garden, nearing the south gate. The closer they got to the gate, the brighter the lights became. The light filtered through the shadows of the trees, casting long slanted shadows over them.
Lin Ran glanced back at her. This little thing was happily walking on his shadow, head down, taking big steps.
She didn’t seem scared of him at all.
From the first time she hugged him, to the second time, and now tonight.
As they were about to reach the school gate, Lin Ran casually asked, “How are you getting home? Is someone picking you up, or are you heading back on your own?”
Sheng Qingxi answered honestly, “I’m taking the bus back on my own.”
Lin Ran responded, “Alright, then let’s talk at the bus stop.”
With that, Lin Ran walked straight out of the gate without swiping his card, and the gatekeeper didn’t stop him. Sheng Qingxi pulled out her campus card from her backpack pocket, swiped it, and then followed him out. By that time, Lin Ran was already some distance ahead.
She jogged to catch up.
Hearing the sound of running footsteps behind him, Lin Ran raised an eyebrow slightly.
This little thing was quite obedient.
By then, the bus had already passed one stop, and the platform was empty.
Lin Ran stopped at the bus stop, turned around to look at Sheng Qingxi, who still had her head lowered, and gestured toward the bench with a nod of his chin, speaking in a calm tone. “Sit.”
Sheng Qingxi glanced at the bench and sat down as he instructed.
Lin Ran stood there looking at the bus routes on the board, his eyes scanning over each one. “Which bus are you taking?”
Sheng Qingxi replied softly, “The 113.”
Lin Ran glanced at his watch. “You’ve got five minutes. I’ll leave after asking you this.”
Sheng Qingxi pressed her lips together. “Go ahead.”
Lin Ran crossed his arms, towering over her as she sat on the bench. He didn’t mince words. “There’s a rumor saying that you transferred to No. 1 because of me. Is it true or false?”
Normally, Lin Ran would never ask something like this. He wasn’t someone with narcissistic tendencies. But after Sheng Qingxi had secretly hugged him twice, he had every reason to believe there might be some truth to the rumor.
Sheng Qingxi looked up at Lin Ran. He stood in front of her, backlit, with most of his face obscured in shadow. Only the sharp line of his jaw was caught in the light.
With just one glance, she quickly lowered her head. “It’s true.”
Lin Ran: “…”
It really was true.
Lin Ran furrowed his brow, trying to give her some advice. “You’re still young. You should be focusing on your studies. Didn’t your parents tell you that you should work hard and improve every day? No dating.”
Sheng Qingxi paused for a moment and quietly replied, “I’m not dating.”
Lin Ran: “…”
For the first time, Lin Ran found himself at a loss for words. He rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache coming on. This girl was even harder to handle than Lin Yanyan. Even Song Shiman was easier to talk to.
He gave her a sideways glance. “If you’re not dating, why did you hug me? The first time was at school, fine, but the second time you even ran to the club to block me. Do you know that’s harassment?”
Sheng Qingxi apologized softly, “I’m sorry.”
She added, “I promise there won’t be a third time. I’m really sorry.”
The line of Lin Ran’s lips tightened slightly. “Alright, that’s enough. And don’t walk alone on unlit roads after school this late.”
The little thing kept her head down for a long time without responding. After a while, seeing that he hadn’t left yet, she finally looked up and met his eyes. “You can go. I’m not afraid of the dark.”
Lin Ran, not keen on dealing with a stranger any longer, turned and left.
But he couldn’t help feeling irritated. How could this little thing be less sensible than Lin Yanyan? Was this about being afraid of the dark?
Didn’t young girls these days have any sense of safety?
Thinking about the things that might happen in the coming month made him even more frustrated. He quickened his pace toward the school’s parking garage.
When Lin Ran rode out on his motorcycle, he saw Sheng Qingxi still sitting by the bus stop, staring at her palms as if lost in thought.
Lin Ran pulled down his visor and no longer looked her way.
The roar of his motorcycle echoed loudly as he sped off into the distance.
Meanwhile, at the bus stop, Sheng Qingxi could feel the sweat in her palms. She had been too nervous. It wasn’t until the sound of the engine had faded that she dared to lift her gaze and look at the empty street.
Before long, the 113 bus slowly pulled up to the stop.
At the intersection, hidden in the shadows, a dark motorcycle was parked. The rider watched the slim figure on the 113 bus. Once the bus passed through the intersection, the rider restarted the engine and sped away.