Chapter 1: The First Day of Unrequited Love - A Humble Love Brain

After the Awakening of Insects, the weather gradually warms up, and it's Monday again, marking the end of everyone's holiday.

Except for senior high school students. Because senior high school students don't get any holidays at all.

Senior high school students often exude a special aura, making them easy to distinguish even when everyone is wearing the same school uniform. Every Monday during the flag-raising ceremony, the playground is packed with people, but the group that looks the most lifeless is the senior high school students.

The college entrance exam is coming up soon, which is already annoying enough, but now I have to stand like an idiot every Monday and listen to the idiot school leaders say some stupid things. This is even more annoying.

The principal was speaking on the stage, but few people were listening attentively. The person next to him yawned, and Xiang Di yawned as well.

When the principal mentioned the upcoming senior high school joint examination, her eyes widened instantly.

Discussions arose from the surrounding area.

"What?!"

"Moragu?"

"They're out so quickly? What kind of terrible grader is this?"

"That's it, I don't want to know."

The joint examination is a long-standing tradition for all senior high school students. It is jointly administered by eight key high schools in the city and is referred to as the Eight-School Joint Examination.

The joint entrance exam is always more difficult than the college entrance exam, and students are most afraid of such a large joint exam. However, the principal was all smiles and announced good news to the whole school: the senior class performed well in this joint exam, surpassing their sister schools. In particular, the student who ranked first in physics came from their school.

Even the first and second-year high school students, who were not directly involved, exclaimed in surprise.

"What? 6."

"unbelievable."

"My god, who is this person? They're so awesome."

Those who were popular and knew a few senior high school students were much calmer at this moment. They could guess who it was without the principal revealing it.

Not to mention the senior students, who have taken the exam so many times already, everyone knows pretty well who will come in first place, unless a dark horse can crush that person.

"Bai Jiangxin, right?"

"If it weren't for Bai Jiangxin, I would have eaten the exam paper."

Xiang Di did not participate in the discussion, but she also felt that it must be Bai Jiangxin.

She silently clasped her hands together in her heart, praying that she could do better on the exam this time. She didn't expect to be number one, since that was unrealistic, but at least she could be closer to him.

The principal announced the name of the first place winner.

“It is Bai Jiangxin from Class 97 of Senior Three. Everyone should learn from him.”

Immediately, the senior class erupted in pronouncements of "I knew it!" and students from other classes all turned to look at the group of Class 97. This joint exam was quite difficult, and everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of the first-place winner so that they could be blessed with perfect scores on their next exam.

Receiving envious yet complex looks from her colleagues, Chen Jinghua, the homeroom teacher of Class 97, felt quite proud, thinking that the college entrance examination should be a sure thing, and that the top scorer would come from their class.

Chen Jinghua intended to give Bai Jiangxin an approving look, but when she looked at her own class's line, she didn't see anyone.

Chen Jinghua asked, "Where is Bai Jiangxin?"

Ye Minjia, who was closest to Bai Jiangxin in the class, said, "Teacher, he went to pee; he really couldn't hold it in anymore."

Chen Jinghua looked embarrassed, and snickers broke out in the queue.

Holding in urine is actually a pretty normal phenomenon. Who hasn't held in their urine a few times during their school years? But it's unimaginable to use it to describe Bai Jiangxin.

Only Xiang Di didn't laugh, because she knew the truth.

Ye Minjia was covering for Bai Jiangxin. Bai Jiangxin hadn't been there since morning reading, and since the first class wasn't taught by the homeroom teacher, no one would call on him. He hadn't come to school yet.

She secretly glanced at Bai Jiangxin eight hundred times a day, so she knew very well.

Even if she didn't have a crush on Bai Jiangxin, as a classmate, she wouldn't tell on him; it's a matter of character.

-

After the morning assembly, everyone left the playground in class lines.

Xiang Di woke up late this morning and didn't eat breakfast. She was starving and told her deskmate Liang Qianqian that if she hadn't returned by the time the bell rang, she would tell the teacher that she had gone to the toilet.

Liang Qianqian: "okok, buy me some bread while you're at it too."

The morning breeze was cool. Xiang Di covered her bangs with her hand and ran towards the convenience store.

It was almost time for class, and the convenience store had already set up a counter.

The bell was about to ring, so Xiang Di urged herself on and quickly picked out two freshly made breakfast breads to pay for.

After paying, she was about to sprint back to the classroom when the curtain of the convenience store was lifted and someone else came in.

Her hurried steps suddenly froze. Before Xiang Di could even process what was happening, her heartbeat had already instinctively quickened.

It is Bai Jiangxin.

The boy was tall and slender, with a schoolbag slung over one shoulder. He had neatly trimmed short hair, wore a loose and clean school uniform, and had regular features, clear eyebrows and bright eyes, a straight nose and thin lips. His eyes were as black as lacquer, and his eyelashes drooped slightly. His expressionless face made him seem unapproachable.

They are the science gods known to everyone in their grade, and they have broken the traditional stereotype of science guys. They are so handsome that even though the school now explicitly prohibits the selection of school beauties and school hunks, they are already the undisputed school hunks in everyone's hearts.

When Xiang Di was a child, she learned traditional Chinese painting from her aunt for a period of time. Every time she saw Bai Jiangxin, she would imagine the scene of line drawing in traditional Chinese painting. With just a few strokes, the painting could vividly depict the majestic mountains, the snow-covered landscape, and the aloof fairy standing alone in the snow scene.

At times like this, she regrets not having continued painting, otherwise she could be cooking for herself now.

After passing Xiang Di, Bai Jiangxin walked straight towards the shelves.

Xiang Di's current mood is no less than that of someone who has won a hidden item in a blind box.

The bell is about to ring. Should I hurry back to the classroom, or... wait a little longer?

After a few seconds of internal struggle, Xiang Di convinced himself.

Let's stay a little longer then, anyway, Qianqian will cover for her.

So she turned around and went back.

Before the shop owner even asked anything, she preemptively offered to explain, "Hehe, there's something I forgot to buy."

The girl, with her pretty and cute face, forced a laugh, while the convenience store owner looked completely bewildered.

Xiang Di walked over quietly.

Bai Jiangxin was picking out bread, and she stood two meters away, also pretending to be picking out bread.

At this moment, her mind and mouth were engaged in a debate.

- You're so naive! You had such a good opportunity, why didn't you say anything and start a conversation?

- Don't be so dense! What if he ignores you? You'd be so embarrassed! Just glance at him to satisfy your craving, don't take yourself too seriously.

...They're classmates, after all. He can't just ignore them, right?

Are you sure he knows you're classmates? You've been in the same class for a semester, have you said a single word to him?

Xiang Di hesitated, only daring to observe from afar.

Until she saw Bai Jiangxin pick out bread with an expired date, without thinking twice, this time her body acted faster than her brain and she walked over directly.

“Um, don’t take this row,” Xiang Di said. “I just checked this row, it’s about to expire. Take the one at the bottom, that one has a fresher date.”

Bai Jiangxin turned his head and met her gaze.

His indifferent gaze fell on her face, and Xiang Di held his breath.

He glanced down at the date again, put the bread back, and took another one from the bottom row.

He said, "Thank you."

Although it was just a very polite thank you, nothing special, Xiang Di felt like she was being overwhelmed by happiness.

What a wonderful day it is today!

The sudden happiness made her a little dizzy. She mustered up her courage and added, "Um, the principal called your name during the morning meeting today."

Most people would probably ask what happened at this point, but Bai Jiangxin didn't. He seemed completely unconcerned as to why the principal had called his name, and instead calmly asked her, "How do you know my name?"

One second she was marveling at her luck, the next second his words were like a bucket of cold water poured over her head.

How do I know? Because they are classmates.

The fact that he didn't know this means he had no recollection of her.

He didn't even know they were classmates.

I'm a little sad. The person I've had a crush on for so long has never actually noticed me.

At that moment, Xiang Di didn't even have the courage to tell him that they were classmates.

She was just glad that she hadn't struck up a conversation with him, and that she had only thought it to herself and hadn't shown it to him, so it wasn't embarrassing.

Xiang Di smiled and said generously, "You're quite famous in our grade, of course I know that."

Feeling disappointed, and to conceal her true purpose for returning, Xiang Di bought an extra loaf of bread before leaving.

-

She ran all the way, arriving at the classroom just as the bell rang.

"I love you, my darling." Liang Qianqian exclaimed, "Why did you buy meat floss? Don't you dislike it?"

Xiang Di explained, "Well, I was in a rush and didn't see clearly, so I just grabbed it randomly."

"Then I can have this pork floss one," Liang Qianqian said.

"It's okay, I bought what you like to eat. You can have this, I'll have the pork floss one. I suddenly want to try it."

"Fine, give it to me if you really can't accept it."

Before the teacher arrived, Xiang Di tore open the packaging and took a bite.

She doesn't like savory bread, so she doesn't like pork floss, but when she saw Bai Jiangxin take a pork floss-flavored bread, she couldn't resist and took one too.

Even though she was just a stranger in Bai Jiangxin's eyes, she still wanted to try everything related to him.

Sigh, such pathetic love-struck fools.

Xiang Di mentally assessed herself in this way and took a bite of bread.

Anyway, he doesn't know she has a crush on him, so it doesn't matter.

Moreover, having a crush on him isn't all bad. Senior year of high school is so tough, and being able to see him at school every day gives you more motivation to study.

Thinking about it this way, the optimistic Xiang Di suddenly felt that it was nothing, and the bread in his mouth even tasted delicious.

She had barely taken a couple of bites when the teacher arrived. Xiang Di quickly put away the bread and hid it in her desk, wondering why Bai Jiangxin hadn't come to class yet. Had he skipped the morning assembly and was planning to skip another class? How was she going to get through the day?

Unlike homeroom teachers, subject teachers have to manage everyone in the class, unless the student is the kind with a very strong presence.

For example, Bai Jiangxin. The teacher glanced around and noticed that Bai Jiangxin wasn't there, so she specifically asked, "Where's Bai Jiangxin?"

Ye Minjia used the same excuse: "The teacher went to the toilet."

The teacher had just said "Oh" when a "Report!" came from the doorway.

With a schoolbag on his back and bread in his hand, he clearly didn't come from the toilet.

The teacher wasn't stupid; of course she saw through it. She joked, "No wonder you're the top student in our grade. People go to the toilet to unload goods, but you go to carry them, huh?"

Someone couldn't help but laugh. Ye Minjia rolled her eyes. This guy, really, he's not even bothering to act anymore.

Teachers always tend to favor good students, especially Bai Jiangxin. Having made a joke, and not minding Bai Jiangxin's lateness, they let him in.

Completely ignoring the teacher's joke, Bai Jiangxin walked towards his seat, then suddenly paused.

Xiang Di quickly lowered his head, burying his face in the mountain of books, pretending to be looking for a book.

Bai Jiangxin walked through the aisle between the desks and sat down in his seat.

As soon as he sat down, Ye Minjia next to him complained, "Brother, you could at least have put on an act just now. I was saying you went to the bathroom a second ago, making me look like a clown."

Bai Jiangxin frowned: "Why didn't you say so earlier?"

"You're blaming me now?" Ye Minjia rolled his eyes again. "Do you know that the principal called your name in front of everyone today? If it weren't for my quick thinking and resourcefulness, the whole school would know you were late. You should thank me."

Ye Minjia teased, "Hey, guess why the principal called your name?"

“I know,” Bai Jiangxin said.

How did you know? Do you have super hearing?

Bai Jiangxin slightly raised his chin and pointed ahead: "That girl told me."

Ye Minjia looked ahead: "Who is it?"

"The third row," Bai Jiangxin described it, "the one with bangs and a bun."

Ye Minjia, being the class monitor, quickly guessed it.

"Xiang Di?"

"Her name is Xiang Di?" Bai Jiangxin frowned slightly, then asked another question, "Was she in the same class as us from the first year of high school?"

"No, she was in our class last semester," Ye Minjia couldn't help but say. "Brother, you're really oblivious to what's going on around you. We were in the same class for a whole semester, and you don't even know her?"

Bai Jiangxin didn't pretend and simply hummed in agreement.

Ye Minjia: "..."

However, it's understandable. There are dozens of people in the class, and even if you see each other every day, you might not say a word to someone you don't know well for a whole semester.

Even he, the class monitor, had barely spoken a few words to Xiang Di.

At the beginning of the senior year, the school re-assigned classes based on the overall grade rankings. Many students in their class were already in the honors class and had been classmates for two years, but Xiang Di had only transferred from a regular class in her senior year. After a semester together, they hadn't spoken much, and Ye Minjia's impression of her was limited to—

Her grades were above average in the class, not outstanding, but not dragging down the class average either. She wasn't tall, and had a delicate and pure appearance. She looked very young; you could easily mistake her for a first-year high school student. She had a well-behaved personality. In short, she was the kind of student that teachers liked and trusted the most, besides the top students.

A well-behaved student who is obedient, quiet, not particularly outstanding, but never causes trouble.

She seemed like the kind of girl who was afraid to talk to boys, so Ye Minjia was quite surprised that she would take the initiative to talk to Bai Jiangxin.

Ye Minjia suddenly said cheekily, "Do you think she might have feelings for you?"

Bai Jiangxin was looking down at a book when he heard this, and frowned slightly: "What nonsense are you talking about?"

“You don’t understand, girls are very subtle when they like someone,” Ye Minjia said mysteriously. “Because unrequited love is a silent mime, grand only in the heart.”

Hearing these sarcastic words, Bai Jiangxin's brow twitched, and she asked him, "...Where did you hear that from?"

Ye Minjia put her arm around his shoulder and said smugly, "It's my original work. What do you think? Pretty good writing, right?"

Looking down at the hand resting on his shoulder, Bai Jiangxin had already heard the truth from the depths of Ye Minjia's heart.

[Actually, that day our homeroom teacher handed in a romance novel, and I secretly took it back to my dorm to read. The plot was about a female lead who had a crush on a male lead for twenty years, then died in a car accident, and the male lead got married without even knowing that the female lead had a crush on him.]

[These are the words the female lead wrote in her suicide note. And let me tell you, they're quite heartbreaking; they even made a strong, sturdy man like me cry.]

"..."

What kind of normal person would write something like this in their suicide note?

Bai Jiangxin felt a chill in his heart.

Ye Minjia continued, "Do you think Xiang Di has a crush on you?"

A hint of mockery flashed in Bai Jiangxin's cool, dark eyes as he spoke calmly.

"I don't know how she is, but I think you should go to the hospital and make an appointment as soon as possible."