Jiang Sixian didn’t have time to dwell on it, as Tang Qing, having found her meal card, quickly dragged her to the cafeteria.
On their way, many students greeted Jiang Sixian, their eyes filled with varying degrees of admiration. Accustomed to such attention, Jiang Sixian responded politely.
Tang Qing, walking beside her, sighed. “Xianxian, your popularity is as high as ever. Such an outstanding person, regardless of gender, is bound to be admired.”
Jiang Sixian chuckled, a hint of helplessness in her voice. “It’s not really admiration, it’s just…”
Tang Qing interrupted her. “They do admire you, Xianxian. You’ve always had many admirers. Especially since you’re so low-key and gentle, unlike some people… who make a big fuss over receiving a few gifts, practically announcing it to the whole world.”
Tang Qing snorted. “Someone sent you gifts for ages, and you never made such a scene.”
As Jiang Sixian’s staunch supporter, Tang Qing had disliked Jiang Yi from the moment she’d bumped into someone and refused to apologize. Lately, with Jiang Yi stealing the spotlight, Tang Qing found her even more annoying.
Jiang Sixian appreciated Tang Qing’s loyalty, but she didn’t like her constant sarcasm towards Jiang Yi. She paused, then said, “Actually… receiving anonymous gifts can be quite distressing. I also wanted to find that person and refuse them directly. I just didn’t want the hassle, so I ignored it.”
Jiang Sixian lowered her gaze, saying softly, “Jiang Yi’s approach is quite good.”
Tang Qing realized Jiang Sixian was defending Jiang Yi. She paused, then muttered, “Xianxian, I’ve noticed you often speak up for Jiang Yi lately…”
Jiang Sixian hesitated, then replied, “I’m just stating the facts.”
She didn’t continue the conversation about Jiang Yi. They went to the cafeteria, finished their lunch, and returned to find the Class B monitor and Jiang Yi still sitting by the window, staring intently at the back door of their classroom.
Jiang Yi was eating her lunch, scooping soup with one hand as she looked at the little monitor nibbling on a bread roll. “Just give up. With all that commotion earlier, she probably got wind of it. It’s not even certain she’ll come back.”
The little monitor, munching on her bread, retorted, “You never know. She likes you so much, knowing about this, she might even confess on the spot.” She nudged Jiang Yi’s shoulder, asking, “If she confesses, will you accept or reject her?”
Her question drew attention. Jiang Sixian, having just returned to her seat, couldn’t help but glance at Jiang Yi.
Jiang Yi, sipping her soup, rolled her eyes at the little monitor. “I told you, I don’t date early. Accept what?”
The little monitor sighed dramatically. “Such a missed opportunity! You’re the only one among us who might actually get a girlfriend, and you’re throwing it away!”
Jiang Yi, annoyed by her “disappointed parent” act, retorted, “If you want to date early, go ahead. Don’t disturb my pursuit of academic excellence.”
Jiang Yi took another sip of soup, her attention no longer on the back door. Her gaze wandered, landing on Jiang Sixian’s seat.
Jiang Sixian hadn’t expected her to look over and froze. She stood by her desk, separated from Jiang Yi by a sea of tables, her expression unreadable.
Jiang Yi also froze, suddenly realizing this was Jiang Sixian’s class. She had a sinking feeling that Jiang Sixian might have overheard their earlier conversation.
The mere thought made Jiang Yi blush. Already feeling awkward, she now felt even more uncomfortable, wishing she hadn’t come.
Jiang Sixian met her gaze, hesitated, then nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
Jiang Yi quickly looked away, then nodded back, barely managing a greeting.
After their brief exchange, Jiang Yi lowered her gaze and continued sipping her soup. As she ate, she put down her spoon, touched her burning earlobe, and felt like dying from embarrassment.
After Jiang Yi finished eating, the little monitor still hadn’t spotted their target. She paced back and forth anxiously, muttering, “Why isn’t she coming? Why isn’t she coming?”
Jiang Yi cleared her place, carrying her trash. “You won’t find her. News travels fast. She probably heard about it. Give your seat back to your friend and go back to class. It’s almost time.”
Indeed, lunch break was almost over. The little monitor, despite her eagerness, had to give up and reluctantly returned to her classroom.
They’d spent the entire lunch break waiting, achieving nothing. Just as the little monitor suggested trying again tomorrow, Jiang Yi firmly stated, “Absolutely not! Today was embarrassing enough! I don’t care who she is. I’ve already rejected her.”
Before the little monitor could protest, Jiang Yi continued, “No buts. If she came to me directly and confessed, I could reject her properly. Since she’s being so discreet, I’ll respond in kind.”
“That’s final. Listen to me!” Jiang Yi looked at the little monitor seriously. “If you drag me into this again, I’ll be truly angry.”
The little monitor was still reluctant, but she knew Jiang Yi was serious. She sulked for a while before finally saying, “Fine.”
Thus, the “stakeout squad” disbanded. They followed Jiang Yi’s plan, leaving a rejection note on her desk, considering the matter closed.
The next morning, however, Jiang Yi received another gift from the girl, along with a note: “It’s okay, I just wanted to express my feelings. Don’t worry about it.”
What does she mean, “don’t worry about it”?
Jiang Yi was speechless, deciding to ignore it. No matter what the girl sent, Jiang Yi placed it on the windowsill, neither eating nor throwing it away, simply leaving it there.
After a while, her classmates in the back row, seeing the overflowing windowsill, offered to help, consuming the snacks as offerings to their “five internal organs.”
Another week passed. It was Tuesday afternoon, and the last class was PE.
Every year in early November, the school held a sports and culture festival. Besides track and field events, the school also organized basketball competitions.
Therefore, starting this week, the PE teacher began training the class basketball teams. Jiang Yi, with her cast still on, was naturally exempt from PE.
Plus, the gymnasium was stuffy. She decided to just make an appearance, then went to the lawn below the teaching building, found a large tree, leaned against it, put on her headphones, and closed her eyes for a nap.
It was October, and although the sun was still strong, it had lost its summer heat. Filtered through the leaves, the dappled sunlight on the ground held only a gentle warmth.
A cool breeze blew. Jiang Yi, in her short-sleeved PE uniform and a thin jacket, dozed under the tree. Soon, she drifted off to sleep.
She didn’t know how long she’d been asleep when a girl, walking from the gymnasium towards the teaching building, spotted her.
The girl looked around, seeing no one else nearby, only the gentle breeze, and walked towards Jiang Yi.
Jiang Yi, covered by her thin jacket, her head tilted against the tree, seemed fast asleep.
The girl bent down, watching the shadows cast by Jiang Yi’s long eyelashes, and reached out, wanting to touch her cheek. As her fingertip brushed against Jiang Yi’s skin, the sleeping girl’s brow furrowed slightly, as if about to wake.
The girl quickly withdrew her hand and took a step back. She waited for a few seconds, seeing Jiang Yi only turn her head and continue dozing, then cautiously stepped forward again, placing her fingertip on Jiang Yi’s cheek.
As her fingertip touched Jiang Yi’s skin, a wave of joy surged through her, a happy smile appearing on her face.
Unable to contain her happiness, the girl’s lips curved upwards. She gazed at the sleeping Jiang Yi, her eyes lingering on her lips, her courage seemingly growing.
She withdrew her hand, took a deep breath, bent down, and leaned closer to Jiang Yi’s lips.
Just then, footsteps sounded behind her.
The girl froze, stopping her movement, and turned to see Jiang Sixian standing nearby.
In the sunlight, the girl in the white blouse and gray plaid skirt held a bottle of water, her expression cool as she watched. The girl, flustered, blushed, and quickly ran away.
Jiang Sixian watched her retreating figure, then turned her gaze back to Jiang Yi.
She recognized the girl. It was the same girl Jiang Yi had helped in the cafeteria. Seeing her touch Jiang Yi’s face, Jiang Sixian realized this girl was the one who had been sending Jiang Yi gifts.
Jiang Sixian tightened her grip on the water bottle. She thought for a moment, then walked towards Jiang Yi.
She stood before the sleeping girl, looking down at her. Jiang Yi, covered by her jacket, her eyes closed, her brow furrowed, raised her hand and scratched the spot where the girl had touched her.
Seeing this, Jiang Sixian felt a pang of discomfort. She thought for a moment, then bent down and pressed the cool water bottle against Jiang Yi’s cheek.
Jiang Yi, who had felt like a bug had crawled on her face, now felt like she’d been touched by ice. She frowned uncomfortably. Her eyes fluttered open, and in her hazy vision, she saw Jiang Sixian standing before her.
Jiang Yi frowned, looked up at the person standing before her, confirmed it was Jiang Sixian, then closed her eyes again, continuing her nap.
It was just Jiang Sixian, not some dangerous person.
Thinking this, Jiang Yi dozed for a while longer.
But soon, she realized something was wrong. Jiang Sixian? The same Jiang Sixian who was supposed to be avoiding her?
Jiang Yi’s eyes snapped open, her head jerking back and hitting the tree with a thud. She cried out in pain, fully awake.
Jiang Yi hissed, holding her head with one hand, and looked up. Sure enough, Jiang Sixian stood before her.
Jiang Sixian stood under the tree, backlit by the sun. She wore a white blouse and gray plaid skirt, her light gray tie neatly knotted, her long hair loose around her shoulders. A gentle breeze ruffled her hair, making her look incredibly alluring.
The breeze carried a faint, sweet fragrance. Jiang Yi belatedly realized it was Jiang Sixian’s pheromones.
Jiang Yi suddenly remembered their conversation in the hospital, feeling both guilty and awkward.
She instinctively curled up, pulling off her headphones with one hand. “Is something the matter?” she asked.
Jiang Sixian didn’t answer, but reached out and touched Jiang Yi’s face with the water bottle.
Once, twice, repeatedly touching the same spot.
Jiang Yi, still slightly dazed, quickly reacted, grabbing the water bottle with her right hand. She looked at Jiang Sixian, puzzled. “What are you doing?”
Jiang Sixian paused, then said, “It’s dirty here.”
Jiang Yi released the water bottle and touched the spot where Jiang Sixian had touched her. “Really? No wonder it felt itchy. Maybe a bug crawled on me.”
Jiang Sixian suddenly smiled, put away the water bottle, and looked at her. “Yes… a bug crawled on you. Go wash it.”
“Oh, okay.” Jiang Yi pushed herself up with one hand.
She glanced awkwardly at Jiang Sixian, picked up her jacket, draped it over her shoulder, and said, “Thanks. Class will be over soon. You should go back and pack your bag. I’m leaving. Bye.”
Jiang Yi didn’t want to interact with her any further and quickly walked towards the teaching building.
Jiang Sixian stood there, watching Jiang Yi’s retreating figure, her gaze lingering on her exposed, slender legs and toned arms.
She paused, then called out to Jiang Yi, “Don’t sleep outside like that again. It’s dangerous.”
Jiang Yi, her back to Jiang Sixian, waved her hand dismissively. “I’ll think about it.”
Jiang Sixian watched her go, unwilling to look away. Only after Jiang Yi disappeared into the teaching building did Jiang Sixian finally turn and head back to her classroom.
