Chapter 21 Chestnuts

Yu Bai felt herself enveloped in warmth. She opened her sleepy eyes and saw Jiang Jizhou standing in front of her.

"You've arrived." Yu Bai stood up.

She only realized after she finished speaking that some classmates were deliberately passing by her and Jiang Jizhou, watching them and whispering among themselves.

Yu Bai was instantly wide awake, her face flushed.

The coat Jiang Jizhou had just draped over her shoulders was on her shoulders, while Jiang Jizhou was only wearing a thin black shirt. Yu Bai wanted to take it off and give it to Jiang Jizhou, but Jiang Jizhou said, "I'm not cold, you wear it."

As he spoke, he walked forward, and Yu Bai quickly followed.

"Where are we going?" Yu Bai asked him as she put on her clothes.

Jiang Jizhou turned to look at her. The afterglow of the sunset fell on Yu Bai, making her look exceptionally gentle. He parted his thin lips slightly and said in a lazy tone, "Walk with me for a while."

The afternoon competition was nearing its end, and the crowd on the playground was sparse. On the lawn, a student was playing and singing with a guitar, while other students quietly listened to the music.

Yu Bai and Jiang Jizhou stood side by side in the crowd. Yu Bai could feel the gossipy gazes on her and Jiang Jizhou. She felt a little awkward and glanced at Jiang Jizhou. He seemed oblivious, after all, he was always the center of attention, so he didn't care.

When the song ended, enthusiastic applause broke out, and Yu Bai clapped along with it.

Jiang Jizhou walked through the crowd to the boy playing the guitar, said something, and the boy handed him the guitar.

Jiang Jizhou can sing? Yu Bai had never heard of it before.

At this moment, because Jiang Jizhou was playing and singing guitar, even more people gathered around. Yu Bai was swept up by the crowd and unexpectedly ended up at the very front. Not far in front of her was Jiang Jizhou, who was sitting cross-legged on the lawn, holding a guitar in his arms. He looked up at her and smiled gently. Yu Bai's heart skipped a beat.

"Amber-colored sunset, like sugar, in a beautiful distance."

I fell madly in love with your face even without makeup.

...

I quietly appeared beside you.

I smiled and quietly observed your flustered appearance.

The color of the orange sea at dusk fell on the playground, Jiang Jizhou's lazy voice flowed in my ears, and his gaze, seemingly casual, fell on Yu Bai, gentle and romantic.

Amidst the jeers and cheers from the surroundings, Yu Bai blushed deeply, her hands and feet trembling unsure of what to do.

"Jiang Jizhou and Yu Bai are really having an affair."

"How could he possibly fall for Yu Bai? His taste is terrible."

"Yes, although she's good at studying and looks alright, isn't she deaf?"

...

The whispers and murmurs were like fine needles pricking Yu Bai's ears.

As the last line of the lyrics fell, Jiang Jizhou put down his guitar and walked to Yu Bai's side.

Yu Bai subconsciously took a step back to keep his distance from him. When he looked up, he saw a hint of vulnerability and confusion in Jiang Jizhou's injured eyes.

Yu Bai felt even more pain in her heart. She turned and left, and Jiang Jizhou did not follow.

As she walked out of the playground, she staggered back and looked around, but didn't see Jiang Jizhou. She turned her face away and continued walking forward, tears welling up in her eyes. All the confidence she had built up earlier vanished.

Yu Bai hated herself for being so insecure and sensitive deep down, and this insecurity made her stubbornly push everyone away.

Her tears fell, the setting sun grew cold, and her shadow stretched long.

Unbeknownst to her, Yu Bai walked out of the school gate. Nancheng No.1 Middle School is located in the city center, and outside is a bustling street. At this moment, the neon lights gradually lit up. She walked in the middle of the endless stream of people, numbly and helplessly following the flow of people.

As darkness fell and the deep blue night descended, a cold autumn wind blew by, and Yu Bai shivered, realizing with a start that he had walked into a sparsely populated alley.

There were osmanthus trees planted in the alley, and amidst the fragrant aroma of osmanthus, Yu Bai also caught a whiff of roasted chestnuts.

Although she was very sad, Yu Bai hadn't eaten properly all day and was really hungry. She also really liked roasted chestnuts, so she went to the cart and asked the price.

The vendors selling roasted chestnuts were a middle-aged couple. When they saw Yu Bai, they gave her simple and honest smiles and gestured with their hands. Yu Bai realized that they were also disabled, or even more so than her, and that they could not speak.

Yu Bai was stunned for a moment. The middle-aged man took out his phone, opened the calculator page, typed in 30, showed it to Yu Bai, and then pointed to the stove.

Yu Bai snapped out of his daze, looked at his phone screen, then at the stove, and realized that the chestnuts would be ready in 30 minutes.

After so long, the night grew colder, and Yu Bai couldn't help but shiver again.

Hesitating for a moment, she looked up and saw the man's somewhat ingratiating smile, and Yu Bai's heart was instantly pierced.

She smiled and said to the couple, "Then I'll wait a moment."

Yu Bai stood there waiting. Luckily, she had Jiang Jizhou's coat, otherwise she would have frozen to death. Thinking of Jiang Jizhou, her heart felt like it was being gripped by an invisible hand, and the pain was suffocating.

At this moment, the middle-aged woman stood up, handed her simple stool to Yu Bai, and gestured for Yu Bai to sit down, but Yu Bai waved his hand repeatedly to refuse.

She crouched down, head down, shoulders hunched, arms crossed over her chest, trying to lessen the biting cold wind.

After an unknown amount of time, Yu Bai suddenly felt a shadow fall over her. She turned around and saw Jiang Jizhou standing behind her. He was wearing a black overcoat, tall and slender, with his eyes lowered, looking at Yu Bai indifferently.

Yu Bai let out a soft "ah," her lips barely closing as she tried to stand up, but her legs were numb from squatting for too long, and she swayed unsteadily. Jiang Jizhou put his arm around her waist, and Yu Bai stiffened. Seeing his cold expression, she tried to break free, but he held her even tighter.

Do you hate me that much?

Jiang Jizhou's voice was hoarse and restrained, and Yu Bai's eyes immediately reddened.

She lowered her eyes, desperately trying to control her emotions, and said in a low voice, "No."

"No?" He wouldn't let her go and continued to press her. Yu Bai had nowhere to retreat, so she simply shook her head slightly.

Just then, the roasted chestnuts were ready. Yu Bai broke free from Kaijiang Jizhou's grasp and went to get the chestnuts. The man was packing the chestnuts for her, while the woman stood by the cart, looking around.

Yu Bai was a little confused. The man looked down and typed a line of text, then showed it to Yu Bai on his phone screen: "I'm afraid the city management officers will come."

Yu Bai understood, and felt even more sympathy and heartache for this disabled but determined and optimistic couple.

Jiang Jizhou came over and said he would buy all the chestnuts in the pot.

Yu Bai was surprised and turned to look at him. Jiang Jizhou's profile was still taut, handsome, and cold.

Yu Bai bit her lip, "Why did you buy so much?"

"Let them go home early."

Jiang Jizhou saw the expression on Yu Bai's face when he felt sorry for the disabled couple, and he felt sorry for Yu Bai as well.

Jiang Jizhou scanned the QR code and gave the other party 2,000 yuan. The couple pulled Jiang Jizhou and repeatedly refused, wanting to return the money.

But Jiang Jizhou just smiled casually and pulled Yu Bai away.

He had long legs and didn't care about Yu Bai, taking big strides. Yu Bai staggered and barely managed to catch up, saying, "Jiang Jizhou, slow down."

Jiang Jizhou didn't say a word and just kept walking forward.

Yu Bai's wrist ached from being pulled so hard, and she almost cried. "Jiang Jizhou, my hand hurts."

Jiang Jizhou stopped and released Yu Bai's hand, which had a red mark around it.

Jiang Jizhou didn't look at her. He put his hands in his pockets, tilted his head slightly, and the white light of the street lamp shone on his face. Yu Bai thought she saw a slight glimmer of tears in his eyes, and she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her heart.

"I feel pain too."

Jiang Jizhou's voice was very soft, like a light feather landing on Yu Bai's heart, but it felt like a thousand pounds, making her heart ache even more.

"I'm sorry." Yu Bai looked down at the ground, tears falling "plop plop" onto the ground, wetting a patch.

Jiang Jizhou did not respond, but turned his head to look at Yu Bai. When he saw her tears, his heart softened again.

All his temper vanished when he was with Yu Bai.

"Don't cry." Jiang Jizhou gently patted Yu Bai's head and said softly, "Eat some chestnuts, I'm hungry too."

"Okay." Yu Bai took out a plump roasted chestnut, peeled off the shell, and carefully handed it to Jiang Jizhou, saying softly, "Here you go."

Jiang Jizhou watched as Yu Bai's slender, pale fingers trembled as she handed a chestnut to her. Jiang Jizhou's heart softened completely, and she was no longer angry about Yu Bai's sudden departure on the playground.

He picked up a chestnut, popped it into his mouth, and found it sweet and delicious.

"It's delicious."

Yu Bai looked up, her eyes sparkling, "I'm glad you like it."

After hesitating for a moment, Yu Bai said, "Thank you for helping them earlier..."

As she spoke, she looked down at the large bag of chestnuts at her feet and said, "I bought so many chestnuts."

Jiang Jizhou hummed in agreement.

Another gust of cold wind blew by, and Yu Bai shivered from the cold.

Jiang Jizhou wanted to take off his coat and give it to Yu Bai, but Yu Bai firmly refused, saying, "I'm already wearing your coat, it's okay, you'll be cold too."

Jiang Jizhou smiled and said, "Then let's take a taxi home."

Yu Bai nodded, "Mhm."

While waiting for a car by the roadside, Yu Bai secretly glanced at Jiang Jizhou.

She was happy and touched, a mix of emotions swirling in her heart. She never expected Jiang Jizhou to come looking for her.

"Why are you looking at me?" Jiang Jizhou suddenly met Shang Yubai's gaze.

"No." Yu Bai looked away, her gentle and calm face flashing with the panic of being caught peeking. Jiang Jizhou couldn't help but chuckle.

He took a small, exquisite gift box out of his pocket.

"This is for you." The voice was somewhat casual, with three parts arrogance and seven parts gentleness.

Yu Bai glanced at the gift box, her face flushing, "Why are you giving this to me?"

"A gift for the first place winner of the competition." Jiang Jizhou smiled.

"I...it's just a running race, no need," Yu Bai politely declined in a low voice.

Jiang Jizhou's smile faded, his face darkened, and his tone became slightly irritated, "Are you going to make me angry again?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Bai quickly accepted the gift, afraid that Jiang Jizhou would really be angry. She whispered her thanks, "Thank you."

"Open it and take a look."

Yu Bai opened the gift box, inside was a pink diamond necklace, so beautiful it left people speechless.

Yu Bai covered her mouth, thinking of the very expensive necklace, and timidly asked, "Is it very expensive?"

Jiang Jizhou smiled and said, "It's not that expensive for me, so you don't need to feel pressured."

Yu Bai gripped the gift box even tighter.

When the radiant person you only dare to secretly admire approaches you, but you are like moss growing in the shadows, joy and pain begin from that moment, tormenting every inch of your heart.

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Author's note: The song I'm playing and singing is Jay Chou's "Carnival".