Chapter Four
Today has been unlucky enough.
If you can't afford to offend her, can't you at least avoid her?
You Congxi put his hands in his pockets and stepped forward.
The sounds of drinking and finger-guessing games drifted over from across the street, growing increasingly noisy in the sweltering summer night.
Perhaps she should have her fortune told; this kind of bad luck can't go on forever.
Thinking this, she quickened her pace, leaving the noise behind her further and further away. She wondered if it was just her imagination, but the familiar fragrance seemed to be getting closer and closer.
You Congxi hesitated for two seconds, then looked back—
It was completely empty.
Only a few older men remained, sitting under the shed, drinking and singing.
Shen Yue, who was standing there just moments ago, had long since disappeared.
Several cars sped past, breaking the stillness. You Congxi looked away and chuckled self-deprecatingly.
Maybe everything that just happened was just a hallucination caused by my own anger.
Let's hurry home and end this ridiculous day—
A warm sensation suddenly came from my wrist.
You Congxi subconsciously turned around.
A white T-shirt with a skull print, and a pair of school uniform pants that she was wearing.
A breeze blew by, and You Congxi blinked.
She didn't look up again, and tried to pull her hand away, but to no avail.
"Let go."
She was more exhausted than ever before, and didn't want to have any contact with anyone. All she wanted to do was go home, take a hot shower, and lie in bed with the air conditioning on.
Feeling the pressure on her wrist loosen slightly, You Congxi broke free of his hand, didn't look back, and strode forward.
After the mental exhaustion comes nameless anger.
You Congxi admitted that he had indeed attributed the resentment he had accumulated throughout the day to Shen Yue, and that he should blame Shen Yue for his own actions in coming to him.
The fragrance wafted into her nostrils on the evening breeze. You Congxi abruptly stopped, turned around, and glared angrily at the spirit behind her who had braked suddenly: "What exactly do you want?"
"sorry."
You Congxi was stunned by this sudden apology.
The roadside was empty, with only the occasional chirping of cicadas. The tall streetlights cast their beams down, and swarms of flying insects gathered around the light source.
Shen Yue's gaze swept over the tail of her eyebrows, and his hand, hanging at his side, unconsciously rose and fell, ultimately just twirling the bulging hem of her pants.
You Congxi seemed to catch a glimpse of a dark red color.
"I'm sorry, I promise they won't bother you anymore."
Shen Yue's drooping eyelashes trembled.
"I shouldn't have taken your book without your permission today. I won't do it again next time."
His voice was a little hoarse, and because of the distance, You Congxi could smell a faint scent of alcohol on him, mixed with his original fragrance, which made her feel a little dazed.
Shouldn't he have punched her and then the two of them had a free-for-all fight? Why is he apologizing to her?
Shen Yue paused, his lowered eyes devoid of emotion: "Don't go into the alleys alone next time."
"......"
After drying his hair, You Congxi turned on the air conditioner, pulled out a chair, and sat down at his desk.
She stared at the two items neatly arranged on the table—
Tear of paper, tear of a band-aid.
She looked at them, and they looked at her.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds.
You Congxi: "..."
never mind.
You Congxi opened the drawer and threw in two pieces of junk.
The next second, she used two fingers to pick out the band-aid and threw it into the trash can without hesitation.
You Congxi glanced expressionlessly at the Band-Aid lying quietly in the trash can and snorted coldly.
Go back to your home.
I don't know whether to refer to the band-aid or its original owner.
Her phone rang, so she turned off the main light, turned on the dim bedside lamp, tossed herself onto the bed, and opened her chat.
Rat Poison Cookies: [Did he really say that?]
Rat Poison Cookies: [Is this a provocation?]
I am a fish: [Yes.]
I am a fish: [He told me not to go into the alley alone anymore.]
I am a fish: [With a sour face.]
I am a fish: [Warning me.]
Rat Poison Cookies: [Damn it, eight people going into the alley isn't a reason for those two thugs to extort you! And they dare to give you a dirty look and warn you?]
Rat Poison Cookies: [Grandma's kicking him to Antarctica tomorrow!]
I am a fish: [But he also gave me a Band-Aid]
I am a fish: [His hand looks injured; the wound is horrible.]
Rat poison cookies: [Throw them away.]
Mouse poison cookies: [I'll bring you bear-patterned cookies tomorrow.]
Rat Poison Cookies: [Probably went to a fight, serves them right.]
I am a fish: [Yeah, I've already thrown it away.]
Mouse Poison Cookies: [Mouse Spinning Around.JPG]
You Congxi put away his phone and unconsciously touched the scabbed wound at the end of his eyebrow.
She turned off the bedside lamp, and for the first time ever, she didn't play her favorite puzzle game before bed. Instead, she set a timer for the air conditioner, draped the summer blanket over her stomach, closed her eyes, and prepared to fall asleep.
Ten minutes later.
You Congxi suddenly opened her eyes, threw off the covers, got out of bed with a stiff face, and picked up the band-aid from the trash can.
......
Luckily, it was a newly replaced garbage bag.
You Congxi thought of this in a daze a second before falling asleep with a band-aid on his face.
-
Before going to the exam hall the next day, You Congxi put on the little bear-shaped band-aid that Qu Qi had brought her.
Qu Qi cupped her face and screamed, "Oh my god... is there anything cuter than you, little fish?!"
You Congxi has round eyes with exceptionally clear whites, making his pupils appear even darker and brighter. The corners of his eyes curve slightly downwards, giving them an almond-shaped appearance when his eyelashes are lowered, and a round shape when he lifts his head.
A pale yellow band-aid covered the end of her eyebrow, making her almond-shaped eyes stand out even more, and making her skin appear even whiter.
You Congxi turned her head away shyly, only to meet the gaze of Shen Yue, who was staring intently at her from behind.
?
What kind of look is that?
Warn her not to tell anyone about what happened last night?
When You Congxi looked over again, Shen Yue had already turned his head and was talking to He Qi. He was wearing a black T-shirt today, which made him look even taller and more upright. Several blood-red letters were printed on the chest, making him stand out among the blue and white school uniforms.
They're not even going to catch fish in the ocean?!
Qu Qi followed her gaze and asked, "What's wrong?"
You Congxi mumbled something vaguely, then quickly glanced at the man in black and the window next to the corridor.
September is the school's hygiene month. We will not only strictly enforce discipline and hygiene, but also crack down on all behaviors that violate school rules, regulations, and discipline.
Even a student like Shen Yue, who is known for his reckless behavior for 29 out of 31 days a month and for frequently receiving punishments and writing self-criticisms, is somewhat intimidated by the disciplinary measures during Hygiene Month.
There weren't many people in the classroom; most were sitting quietly in the exam room, making the most of their time to review their notes.
The space, though not large, is completely visible from the window.
No one noticed the cell phone on Shen Yue's desk, or the cigarette pack with half its head sticking out of the desk, nor did anyone notice the head of student affairs gradually approaching from outside the window.
Besides visiting Congxi.
You Congxi unconsciously raised his hand and touched the band-aid on the end of his eyebrow.
Qu Qi asked with some concern, "Is it still in pain?"
“No,” You Congxi shook his head, deciding to let him fend for himself, “It’s just a little hot.”
Qu Qi checked the exam supplies again, looked around, and seeing that no one was paying attention, lowered her voice and gossiped: "Did you hear? Yesterday, someone offended Shen Yue, and he went to the neighboring No. 10 Middle School and took on a group of people by himself. He fought his way in and out three times. He was incredibly awesome."
You Congxi was taken aback, recalling the dark red that had flashed before his eyes last night.
The clattering of keys grew clearer in his ears, while Shen Yue, oblivious to the fact that he was on the edge of a cliff, was typing something on his phone with his head down.
Qu Qi glanced furtively at the person involved and continued, "Anyway, according to insiders, Shen Yue acted out of a fit of rage for a woman, and specifically brought her to that alley where the incident occurred, the one near our school..."
As he spoke, Qu Qi frowned, glancing at You Congxi and then at Chen Yue. A sudden thought struck him, so unbelievable that he spoke slowly and deliberately:
"...You are...my...confidante?"
Before You Congxi could process the explosive news and Qu Qi's incisive question, Lu Botao's clothes were already reflected in the gleaming window—
"Chen Yue!"
Shen Yue felt a gust of wind blow by. He looked up and saw a girl blocking his way, her eyes twitching uncontrollably.
He frowned: "What's wrong with your eyes?"
Could it be that the Mohicans injured his eyes yesterday?
Damn it, just crippling both hands is too lenient.
They should shave that ungrateful brat's hair from the middle into the horns of the Bull Demon King, and also gouge out the third eye of the Heavenly Eye. Then they should make the two of them perform on the Tianqiao Bridge, playing the Bull Demon King battling Erlang Shen.
You Congxi, trying to give him a meaningful look, said: "..."
You Congxi was impressed.
Is this person mentally challenged?
"What's going on? Why are you all gathered here instead of going to the exam hall?!"
Lu Botao's powerful voice came over, and You Congxi's back stiffened.
In fact, there were only two people at Shen Yue's table: her and He Qizheng.
Hearing the sound, He Qi turned to the side, revealing half of the open space. Lu Botao was only half a step away from catching Shen Yue, that idiot, red-handed.
"Shen Yue, you're not wearing your school uniform again!"
The roar was almost right next to You Congxi's ears.
It's over.
He Qi was thinking in despair.
How could he forget that the ocean would be patrolling the examination hall before the exam today?
My poor brother—my wretched brother—
"Take it out! Don't try anything funny!"
Holy crap, a cigarette!
He Qi was startled when he suddenly caught sight of the most dangerous thing.
When did his brother buy the cigarettes?
His brother smokes now?!
His brother is truly finished this time. Da Hai has always had a zero-tolerance policy towards tobacco, and his unfortunate brother—
Where's the cigarette?
He Qi looked at the empty table drawer in astonishment. The cigarette pack that was half-exposed just a second ago had now vanished!
"Where's the cigarette?" Lu Botao narrowed his eyes and said coldly, "Take it out, or I'll force you to search me myself."
Shen Yue curled his fingers, which still retained a soft touch, and his heart was about to jump out of his chest.
She...she actually touched my hand...
Doesn't she hate me...?
Seeing the boy's absent-minded expression, Lu Botao was furious: "Chen Yue! Did you hear me??"
Shen Yue snapped out of his daze, not daring to look at You Congxi, who was pretending to be a bystander, and coughed lightly: "Director, I don't have a cigarette."
Lu Botao raised an eyebrow: "No cigarette? Then what did I just see? A lollipop?!"
Shen Yue rummaged through the desk drawer and then folded out the two trouser pockets: "Really, there's nothing there, Director. Why don't you believe me?"
Lu Botao sneered, "Your credibility with me is zero. Don't think you can cause trouble at school just because you're a good student. If you get another demerit, you'll be suspended. Behave yourself for the next few days! I wasted all my time talking to you after school yesterday! Wear your school uniform properly. If I see you not wearing your uniform this afternoon, you're not allowed into the school gate, understand?!"
Shen Yue drawled in response, "Yes—"
Lu Botao gave it a good talking-to and was barely satisfied. He glanced at You Congxi sitting at the table in front of him, opened his mouth, and then suddenly turned around and said, "You really didn't lie?"
Shen Yue was so startled that he leaned back: "Really, no! Didn't you just see it?"
Lu Botao's eyes darted around for a moment: "Then why are your ears red?"
Shen Yue's face was tense, his teeth almost grinding to powder: "I... am hot."
You Congxi glanced at the standing air conditioner in the classroom, which was set to 19 degrees Celsius.
Young people really have a lot of energy.
"......"
Lu Botao finally left.
Several people breathed a sigh of relief at the same time.
You Congxi glanced out the window, making sure the director was out of sight, before taking out his phone and cigarettes from his pocket and placing them on Chen Yue's desk.
Qu Qi was still clueless: "Xiaoyu, when did you buy these cigarettes? Did you get a new phone?"
He Qi grinned at You Congxi, revealing eight small white teeth: "Thanks, You Congxi. If it weren't for you, Chen Yue would be finished this time."
Shen Yue put his things into his schoolbag, stood up, and his 187cm height forced You Congxi to look up at him.
Something round was stuffed into my hand.
...
The boy had already walked far away; all that could be seen was his tall, slender back, slowly shrinking in the field of vision.
You Congxi spread out his palm.
A grape-flavored lollipop lies quietly on top.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
