Chapter 12 The Rabbit

As National Day approaches, each class is organizing activities to "welcome National Day," which involves creating blackboard newspapers with the theme of celebrating National Day. These newspapers must be completed before the National Day holiday, and the top three winners will be awarded certificates by the school leaders.

In Yu Bai's class, it was also in full swing, led by the art committee member and several students who were good at drawing.

Because Yu Bai was in the last row, the empty table next to her was used to store various colored chalks, blackboard erasers, and other miscellaneous items.

Meanwhile, several students who were drawing on the blackboard were doodling on the blackboard behind Yu Bai, sometimes accompanied by laughter, and Ming Jing and the others would also join in the discussion.

Yu Bai was completely absorbed in his studies, seemingly oblivious to everything else. Sometimes, he would be called upon to help by handing them a blackboard eraser or something similar.

After school, Jiang Jizhou went to play ball, while Yu Bai stayed in the classroom doing his homework, intending to wait a while before leaving.

Behind him, the art committee member was still diligently drawing with chalk. Before Yu Bai left, he took a special look. On one side of the blackboard was a drawing of People's Liberation Army soldiers saluting the national flag. It was solemn and dignified, but the red tone added a touch of magnificence.

"It's a really good painting," Yu Bai thought for a moment. As he turned to leave, he heard a "thump" sound behind him as someone fell down.

Yu Bai turned around and saw the literature and art committee member lying on the ground, his hand on his ankle, wincing in pain.

Only Yu Bai remained in the classroom, and she hurriedly ran to the arts and literature representative.

"Are you alright? Let me help you to the infirmary." Yu Bai helped her up.

"No, it hurts so much I can't walk." The literature and art committee member was already sobbing softly from the pain, her ankles were too weak to stand up.

Yu Bai was so anxious that he didn't know what to do.

After a moment, she said, "I'll carry you on my back."

The literature and art committee member frowned in pain, but seeing Yu Bai's thin appearance, she couldn't help but worry, "Are you sure you can handle this?"

Yu Bai said, "Let's give it a try."

Yu Bai squatted on the ground, and the literature and art committee member wrapped his arms around Yu Bai's neck and climbed onto her back.

Yu Bai slowly got up, staggering and almost not standing up, but gritted his teeth and stood firm, slowly moving towards the classroom exit step by step.

"Yu Bai, if it doesn't work out, then forget it." The literature and art committee member was deeply moved, and felt very sorry for Yu Bai seeing how hard he was working.

"fine."

Fortunately, the school clinic was not far from the teaching building. Yu Bai felt much better after struggling down from the third floor, and after a while, he arrived at the clinic.

"Phew—" Yu Bai gently moved the literature and art committee member to a chair in the infirmary.

I felt instantly relieved, but my clothes were already soaked with sweat.

After an examination by the school doctor, it was discovered that the art and literature representative had a dislocated ankle, which was then set with a quick "snap".

The two walked out of the infirmary together, and the literature and art committee member thanked Yu Bai, "Yu Bai, thank you."

Yu Bai smiled, her almond-shaped eyes sparkling, "It's nothing."

The literature and art committee member got so close to Yu Bai for the first time and found her to be really beautiful. She had a small, oval face with a bit of baby fat, round almond-shaped eyes, a delicate nose, and red lips with white teeth.

"Yu Bai, have you thought about signing up to hold up the placard at the sports meet?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Bai's eyes widened, and he quickly said, "No, I wouldn't do such a thing."

"Why? You're good-looking, you're good at studying, and you're kind-hearted. If I sign you up, I'm sure a lot of people will vote for you."

How could that be! She was a new transfer student, not very popular, and practically invisible except for her grades. She only gained some presence because of Jiang Jizhou.

She hesitated for a moment, then cautiously declined, "No, thank you."

"Why don't you sign it up? Maybe you'll end up holding up the sign with your brother," the arts and culture committee member continued to persuade her.

"Huh?" Jiang Jizhou signed up too.

“It’s always him for the boys, so it’s already been accepted. For the girls, it’s a matter of registration and voting.” The arts and culture committee member seemed to know her doubts.

So that's how it is. It was because Jiang Jizhou's act of raising a placard made Yu Bai's heart waver.

If she gets elected, she can hold up the placard together with Jiang Jizhou.

Yu Bai pursed her lips, "Okay, I'll sign up. Thank you for your help."

"No problem, I'll just register your name later."

At the school gate, the arts and literature representative said goodbye to Yu Bai and left.

When Yu Bai got home, it was almost nine o'clock.

Chen's mother had left her some food, and when she saw her come back, she went to reheat it. Yu Bai sat at the dining table, looking down at her phone.

She logged onto the school forum and looked through photos of past sports meets at Nancheng No.1 Middle School.

In the photo from his first year of high school, Jiang Jizhou is wearing a black suit, and the girl next to him is wearing a light yellow tulle dress, looking warm and radiant.

In the photo from his second year of high school, Jiang Jizhou is also wearing a black suit, but with a rose tucked into his tie. The girl next to him is the same girl from his first year of high school, wearing a red dress with a large skirt and rose petals adorning the hem.

The two look very well-matched.

Yu Bai scrolled through the comments on the post, and the content of the comments made Yu Bai freeze in place.

I don't eat cilantro: Jiang Jizhou and Ruo'an are such a good match!

Fish Drinking Water: Absolutely! They're the undisputed golden couple of Nancheng No.1 Middle School.

Catnip: 999999999

Uncrowned King: 9999

...

It turns out that this girl is Ruo'an.

Yu Bai's heart grew colder and colder, and the bone-chilling cold invaded every inch of her skin and bones, making her feel an urge to curl up.

She numbly swiped her phone screen until she reached the photo of Jiang Jizhou and Ruo'an.

They looked like a match made in heaven in the photo; the boy was handsome and dashing, and the girl was elegant and beautiful.

"Plop—" A tear fell on the screen, blurring Jiang Jizhou's face.

Yu Bai felt his heart being squeezed, making it hard to breathe.

Even though she already knew about Ruo'an and Jiang Jizhou's relationship, she still couldn't bear to see their beautiful past together.

She stopped crying, trying her best to control her emotions and calm her heart.

"What are you looking at?"

Suddenly, Jiang Jizhou's voice came from behind.

Yu Bai lost his balance, and the phone slipped from his hand and fell to the ground.

Just as she was about to bend down to pick it up, Jiang Jizhou beat her to it.

I stared blankly at the photo on the screen for a moment.

Yu Bai wanted to explain, "I..."

Jiang Jizhou looked up, a teasing smile playing on his lips. "What, have you got a crush on your brother?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Bai felt as if her secret had been exposed, her ears burning, and she forced herself to calm down.

He continued, "They even dug this up."

Yu Bai bit her lip, "No, it's because the literature and art committee member asked me to sign up today, and I just wanted to see what it was like before."

"Oh, I see." Jiang Jizhou smiled, handed the phone to Yu Bai, and turned to go to the refrigerator.

"Who is the girl in the photo?" Yu Bai didn't know where she got the courage, but she asked.

Jiang Jizhou opened the refrigerator door, took out a can of cola, pulled the tab, and heard a slight "sizzling" sound.

It was only a few seconds, but Yu Bai felt like he had waited for an eternity, like a prisoner awaiting execution in court, his palms sweating with tension.

Jiang Jizhou tilted his head back and gulped down a mouthful of cola, then stared intently at Yu Bai. Yu Bai became increasingly nervous under his gaze, but then looked away, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Why are you asking this?"

Yu Bai said in a muffled voice, "I've never seen it before, so I'm curious."

As the night deepened and the dew grew heavy, a cold wind blew against Yu Bai's body, and the sweat on her palms gradually cooled.

Jiang Jizhou just stared at her with a half-smile, and after a long while said, "I don't know her."

Yu Bai was surprised. She looked at Jiang Jizhou, trying to find something unusual on his face.

But it didn't happen.

"But you were holding up signs together, you must be from the same class, how could you not recognize each other?"

After speaking, Yu Bai suddenly felt like she was questioning her husband who was suspected of cheating. She realized this was inappropriate and wanted to explain.

Jiang Jizhou shrugged, a helpless smile spreading across his eyes. "Yes, but I've already forgotten."

"So many classmates, I have to remember them all, you idiot."

So what's the story behind them saying you're dating her?

Yu Bai still had many questions on his mind, but he didn't know how to bring them up.

But judging from Jiang Jizhou's appearance, even though he had talked to Ruo'an, it seemed that he had completely let go of the past.

She didn't know whether to be happy or sad; she felt empty inside.

After a long pause, he finally said in a muffled voice, "Oh, then I'll go wash up."

As he walked past Jiang Jizhou, he reached out and ruffled Yu Bai's hair, amused by her annoyance. "Why are you so curious about other people? Spend more time caring about me."

Yu Bai froze, turned her head to look at Jiang Jizhou, and said in a slightly aggrieved tone, "But you won't let me interfere in your affairs with Uncle Jiang."

A faint sorrow lingered between her brows, revealing a hint of something, and Jiang Jizhou was stunned.

After a while, the thin layer of ice on the Coke can melted into ice water, which flowed into Jiang Jizhou's palm, cool and wet, like tears.

The next second, Jiang Jizhou suddenly moved closer to Yu Bai. Her fair face flushed instantly, and she stepped back, only to find herself pressed against the wall. Her palms were against the wall as she met Jiang Jizhou's gaze. Her voice trembled, "What...what are you doing?"

Jiang Jizhou smiled, and Yu Bai suddenly felt that his gaze was like the one he had when he stared at the target ball in the billiard room that day.

In the silence, Yu Bai's heart pounded faster and faster.

Suddenly, Jiang Jizhou stepped back, tilted his head back and took another sip of cola. His neck was raised, the lines of which were strong and sharp, and his Adam's apple bobbed.

Yu Bai's face grew increasingly hot.

Jiang Jizhou walked straight past her, took a few steps, turned back, and said to her, "It's not that I don't want to tell you, it's just that there's nothing to say."

Yu Bai pursed his lips tightly and nodded.

"It's late, get some rest," he said again, then turned and went upstairs, leaving Yu Bai alone in the living room.

A cool night breeze blew onto Yu Bai's face, relieving the heat, but it still felt uncomfortable.

She patted her face, went to the sink, and splashed cold water on her face before slowly recovering.

After returning to his bedroom, Yu Bai logged out of the No. 1 Middle School forum and prepared to turn off his phone and go to sleep, but then received a message from Jiang Jizhou.

Goodnight, Miss Lop-eared Rabbit.

This was the first time Jiang Jizhou had said goodnight to her since they met.

Yu Bai felt a soft, joyful feeling in his heart.

Let bygones be bygones. Even if they really had something going on, it's all in the past, Yu Bai comforted himself.

Besides, I have no relationship with Jiang Jizhou at all, so what's there to be sad about?

It's fine to just like him quietly.

Miss Lop-eared Rabbit, Yu Bai silently repeated this name in his heart. Was it unique to her?

Yu Bai's face, which she had just washed, felt hot again, and she cursed herself inwardly for being so weak.

Goodnight, Mr. Big Bad Wolf.

After typing, Yu Bai thought it over and over again and felt that it was too ambiguous and obvious, so he deleted the address before sending it.

【Good evening. 】