Chapter 16
What should a high school date be like?
Eating ice cream, drinking milk tea, watching movies, strolling around... whatever it is, it shouldn't be doing homework, at least that's what Zhang Chao thought. But under the influence of love, he still obediently finished an English test at the shaved ice shop, and in the process, he gave Mu Zhengxi a second assist.
"Hey, who's that boy?!"
After finishing his math problem, he looked up and inadvertently caught Xu Yue excitedly patting his arm.
Zhang Chao, without batting an eye, replied, "I don't know him. Is he the class monitor's boyfriend?" Bro, that's all I can do for you.
"Boyfriend?! How could that be!"
"Why not?"
Xu Yue stood up; gossipy people are always the most proactive.
"Jiawei."
"Hmm? You're all done?"
"Okay, I'm done writing. Shall we go?"
"OK."
Who is this?
"Oh, this is my friend Mu Zhengxi," Jiang Jiawei introduced. "This is my classmate Xu Yue."
Zhang Chao, who had finished packing, came over and handed the schoolbag to Xu Yue.
"Is the class monitor your friend?"
“Oh right, this is my classmate Zhang Chao,” Jiang Jiawei introduced again, “and my friend Mu Zhengxi.”
Mu Zhengxi coughed lightly, clenching his fist. "Hello, Zhang Chao."
Hello, hello.
"Let's go." Jiang Jiawei picked up her schoolbag, and Xu Yue linked arms with her. The two walked ahead. "Are you two really just friends?" Xu Yue glanced back at the face that looked like a blank new exam paper.
"yes."
If it were anyone else saying this, Xu Yue would have been somewhat skeptical, but it was Jiang Jiawei, and she spoke very frankly.
"So handsome, where did you meet him?"
“He came to my dad’s shop for breakfast, and that’s how we met. My brother also knows him, and they even play basketball together.”
Does he have a girlfriend?
"I don't know."
Are you going to watch the basketball game later?
"Yes, Jingyu wants to go too, do you want to go?"
"I've been out for too long at noon, my mom will kill me."
"Can't I even go to school to watch the game?"
"I doubt it will work."
"All right."
Mu Zhengxi quietly tugged at Zhang Chao's arm.
Zhang Chao slowed his pace a bit, and the two walked side by side. "How was that assist, bro?"
Why didn't you tell me that your school had a basketball tournament?
"Oh, you're interested in this?"
"..."
Passing by the bus stop.
Xu Yue: "Then I'm leaving."
Okay, bye-bye.
"Bye-Bye."
Zhang Chao quickened his pace to catch up, "Hey buddy, I'm off first, see you at school later."
Jiang Jiawei turned into a shop at the intersection.
What brings you to the pharmacy?
"Didn't you injure your face?"
Mu Zhengxi suddenly realized, "Oh right."
The pharmacy clerk asked, "Hello, what would you like to buy?"
"Excuse me, could you please treat this facial abrasion?"
Where did you hurt your face?
"It wasn't me, it was him."
Jiang Jiawei pointed at Mu Zhengxi.
"How did you get injured like this? Handsome, aren't you afraid of being disfigured?"
Jiang Jiawei laughed, "See, I told you so."
Mu Zhengxi scoffed, "I've never had a scar from an injury before."
The shop assistant joked, "You can't have such a handsome face with scars, or your girlfriend will dump you."
Mu Zhengxi subconsciously looked at Jiang Jiawei, his breath catching for a moment.
But Jiang Jiawei simply followed behind the shop assistant, watching her get the ointment and asking about its effects; the suggestive teasing remark seemed to have completely gone unheard.
Frustratingly, when Mu Zhengxi thought back carefully, Jiang Jiawei seemed to have never been interested in his face, which he was so proud of. Her gaze was as indifferent as if she were looking at a glass of cold water, let alone showing any interest.
There was no way around it; sixteen-year-old Jiang Jiawei had a father like Aaron Kwok and a younger brother who looked like a mixed-race person. Twenty-four-year-old Jiang Jiawei, a makeup artist, had seen too many handsome men and beautiful women in the entertainment industry and was already indifferent to them.
It seems like it was during a trip some year that we bought two replicas of elementary school students' certificates, but they were awarded the title of "Best Companion." Mu Zhengxi added a series of prefixes to Jiang Jiawei's name, but when it came to her, all she wrote was "cute."
Mu Zhengxi felt a lump in his throat, a pain even greater than the wound on his face.
"Come on, handsome, sit here. Let me clean you up first, and then apply some iodine and ointment."
Handsome guy? No way, I'm not good enough for him.
Seeing the child's inexplicable low spirits, the pharmacy clerk comforted him, "It's okay, it's just a minor injury, it won't leave a scar."
Jiang Jiawei stood to the side, initially peeking out out of curiosity. But when the cotton swab, soaked in sanitary swab, touched the wound, Jiang Jiawei gasped for Mu Zhengxi, turned away, and began looking at the medicines displayed in the glass cabinet.
The shop assistant asked with a smile, "Are you afraid to look?"
"I feel a lot of pain."
"Are you in pain?"
Mu Zhengxi: "It doesn't hurt."
That's true, injuries at this level are common in football, but Jiang Jiawei's reaction seemed funny.
"How did you get hurt? Were you in a fight?"
Mu Zhengxi quickly denied it, saying, "There was no fight." He explained, "It was a game of football."
"Alright, go back and apply the medicine on time."
"good."
Mu Zhengxi stuffed the ointment he had paid for into the pocket of his large work pants, and did what he had always wanted to do: he reached out and grabbed Jiang Jiawei's ponytail, giving it a light tug.
"They're gone."
"All done?"
"yes."
Does it hurt?
"It doesn't hurt."
"Huh..."
It wasn't a cactus after all; it was a soft ball of yarn.
Mu Zhengxi secretly glanced at the open palm, squeezed it, and found it smooth, somewhat like a fish tail.
"Jiang Jiawei, yes."
"What is this?"
"Strawberry gummies, given to me by the flight attendant on the plane."
"Thanks."
Should I say "you're welcome"? But it's strange. Mu Zhengxi touched his neck and asked, "Is it delicious?"
Jiang Jiawei nodded, "It's delicious."
"It's delicious, I'll ask the flight attendant for more next time!"
Jiang Jiawei laughed, "Is it possible to do it like this?"
"Are you kidding? Buying this isn't that easy, is it?"
Mu Zhengxi reached out and snatched the candy wrapper from her fingertips, stuffing it into his pocket. "I'll bring you some next time."
Did you take a flight back this morning?
"yes."
"You and your grandma have such a good relationship."
Mu Zhengxi replied without batting an eye, "Yes, she's getting old."
"So you have to leave again tomorrow?"
"Yes, we have football training tomorrow morning and tomorrow afternoon."
"Isn't that very tiring?"
Mu Zhengxi did not answer, but instead changed the subject, "Jiang Jiawei, do you know what a goldenrain tree is?"
"Huh? I know, there are some on our school playground. They're so pretty when they're in bloom, the whole row is pink. We even used them to make crafts in art class."
“We have them in my area too. They’re all over the street near my elementary school. Do you know the Black Panther band? One of their lead singers is also named Luan Shu.”
"I don't know that, but our Chinese teacher mentioned that writer, Shi Tiesheng. He wrote about this plant in his book 'Me and the Temple of Heaven.' I wanted to borrow that book when I went to the bookstore last time, but I couldn't find it."
"I'll bring it for you. Is there anything else you'd like to read?"
I'm home.
"I'll go put down my schoolbag and tell Dad we're going to watch a basketball game."
"good."
Mu Zhengxi stood across the street, watching her back.
I remember once, I think I participated in some kind of cultural promotion variety show. During the fluent conversation between Jiang Jiawei and the teacher, one of the guests made a sarcastic remark, "I didn't expect Jiawei to know so much. She's really impressive."
Jiang Jiawei responded: "I just have a low level of education, but that doesn't mean I don't read books."
Mu Zhengxi couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Let's go."
"good."
What are you laughing at?
Mu Zhengxi shook his head, "No." Then, feeling like something was missing, he asked, "Hey, where's Jiang Jiayi?"
“My dad’s former colleague from the barbershop took him to the countryside to go fishing. He won’t be back until tomorrow.”
The sunlight after 3 PM is golden and not hot; it's very comfortable.
A crowd had already gathered at the basketball court, and Chen Jingyu waved to her, "Over here, Jiajia!!"
I saw unfamiliar faces around her.
Who is this?
"Mu Zhengxi, my friend."
This is Jiang Jiawei's third introduction today.
"This is Chen Jingyu, my classmate."
The name sounded familiar. Mu Zhengxi nodded and said, "Hello."
Upon seeing the other person, Zhang Chao waved to Mu Zhengxi.
Chen Jingyu: "They know each other too???"
Jiang Jiawei: "It's a long story, I'll explain it to you in a bit."
Chen Jingyu raised an eyebrow, pressed her arm down on Jiang Jiawei's shoulder and leaned closer, her words carrying a hidden meaning, "You'll have to explain this to me properly later."
There were quite a few people there. The cheering squads from Class 3 and Class 5 stood together on both sides of the scoreboard, while the other classes who came to watch the fun were divided into male and female groups.
The outdoor basketball court had no chairs; people sat on the ground.
The floor still retained the warmth of the sunlight.
Zhang Chao also came over. He switched seats with another classmate and sat next to Mu Zhengxi.
Jiang Jiawei suddenly remembered, patted Mu Zhengxi's arm, and pointed to the side of the track, "That, the goldenrain tree."
"oh."
“That whole row is.”
"so much."
"Yes, it's especially beautiful in autumn, all pink. That's our school building over there."
Where is your class?
"We are in the rightmost class on the fourth floor, near the stairs."
Zhang Chao silently gave Mu Zhengxi a thumbs up in his heart. His acting skills were unmatched.
The match has begun.
Right at the start, the sports representative from Class 3 pulled up and sank a three-pointer.
The entire venue erupted in cheers.
Mu Zhengxi saw that all the girls in his class across from him had turned into fangirls. Then he turned his head and saw Jiang Jiawei and that girl named Chen Jingyu with their heads huddled together, whispering to each other.
Mu Zhengxi asked Zhang Chao, "Does this sports committee member have a girlfriend?"
No.
Mu Zhengxi carefully examined the man with the buzz cut. He was at least 1.8 meters tall, with tanned skin and some muscle definition, so he was probably an athlete. His appearance was passable, but not bad.
"Jiang Jiawei, do you think he's handsome?"
"Hmm? It's alright." After answering her question, Jiang Jiawei turned back to Chen Jingyu and started talking.
It's alright, um, it's alright.
What does "not bad" mean?
Let's not beat around the bush.
Do you like him?
"ah?"
Jiang Jiawei gave him a look that showed she was very puzzled by the question.
Seeing this reaction, there was no blushing or guilty look, so it must be nothing, Mu Zhengxi nodded to himself with certainty.
Mu Zhengxi shrugged. "Didn't you say a lot of girls like it?" He blinked innocently, as if it were just a casual question.
Jiang Jiawei: "..."
Chen Jingyu pinched Jiang Jiawei's arm and whispered, "You wouldn't be doing this behind my back, would you??"
"No, he's just a friend. He taught my brother how to play basketball."
"real."
"Really, and... he's not from around here."
"Where is he from?"
"He's from Hanyang; he only comes back to see his grandmother on weekends."
"Okay, I knew it! I didn't know which school had someone like that." Chen Jingyu's eyes darted across the room, unable to hide her excitement. "Look, Huang Xiaohong is going to be furious."
"Why?"
"Have you forgotten? She likes Lin Wenjie."
"Wasn't that something from junior high?"
"Did you fall in love with someone else once you got to high school? Didn't you—"
Jiang Jiawei quickly raised her hand to cover Chen Jingyu's mouth.
Lin Wenjie made another three-pointer.
Wow, that's awesome!
"My CEO Lin is so handsome!!"
"Class Three, Class Three, is extraordinary!"
Another round of cheers erupted.
Only six or seven minutes had passed, and Class 3 was already leading Class 5 by ten points.
Zhang Chao shook his head, "No good, Class 5's touch is just awful today." He nudged Mu Zhengxi's arm, "What do you think?"
Mu Zhengxi propped his head up with his hand and said, "Why does your referee act like a novice?"
"Haha, they were trained by our PE teacher on short notice."
"..."
Mu Zhengxi remained silent and made no further comments. Comparing the level of his school's competition with that of the county's class basketball tournament was unfair, Jiang Wenqing said. "A sense of superiority under conditions of unequal resources is shameful."
The basketball, which was being fought over, slipped from the player's grasp and flew into the crowd of onlookers.
"Hey hey!"
Jiang Jiawei and Chen Jingyu reflexively closed their eyes and covered their heads.
The cuff of her shirt brushed against her cheek. Jiang Jiawei opened her eyes and turned to block Mu Zhengxi's ball in time, leaving him less than a fist's distance away.
The basketball players came over and asked, "Did you miss, kid?"
Jiang Jiawei was still shaken, but quickly waved her hand, "It's okay, it's okay."
The other person said to Mu Zhengxi, "Thanks, classmate."
Mu Zhengxi nodded.
Eyes began to turn toward them, diverting half of the sidelines' attention from the basketball game.
Whispers circulated about this unfamiliar face.
Chen Jingyu gossiped: "Does he have a girlfriend?"
"who?"
"Your friend."
"have no idea."
"There must be."
Jiang Jiawei turned her head and asked, "Do you have a girlfriend?"
The businesslike tone and manner of speaking made Mu Zhengxi jump, as if he were being checked up on. "Where did this girlfriend come from!"
Finding a girlfriend? Isn't that blatant adultery?! He's a man of morals and integrity!
Jiang Jiawei turned to Chen Jingyu and repeated, "He said no."
Chen Jingyu was speechless, forcing a smile, and said in a low voice, "I didn't tell you to ask directly."
Jiang Jiawei said cheerfully, "It's okay, he won't mind."
Mu Zhengxi, who was secretly eavesdropping, noticed it keenly. He forced a smile, nudged Jiang Jiawei's arm, stared straight at her, and deliberately asked, "What, are you going to pursue me?"
Jiang Jiawei was taken aback, her expression directly conveying her bewilderment at Mu Zhengxi's inexplicable idea.
"No."
These three words were spoken with the weight of a water chestnut cake, striking the pride of the young male high school students with a heavy blow. Mu Zhengxi gritted his teeth. As expected of Jiang Jiawei, she was like an old father looking at a girl who insisted on running off with a blond-haired guy, holding his anger in but not daring to vent it, and trying to coax her gently, "So who do you want to pursue?"
"I didn't intend to pursue anyone."
"You're not lying to me?"
Why would I lie to you?
Alright, even without him, it's still better than having some random guy like Zhang San or Li Si. Mu Zhengxi let out a half-breath.
The first quarter of the game has ended.
Zhang Chao asked, "Shall we go buy a bottle of water?"
Mu Zhengxi turned to Jiang Jiawei and asked, "What kind of water do you want to drink?"
"Hahaha."
Where is your classmate?
What would you like to drink?
"Just like you."
"She's just like me."
"good."
Chen Jingyu asked again, "Tell me honestly, do you like him?"
Jiang Jiawei shook her head. "No."
"real?"
"Really?"
Chen Jingyu glanced at the person opposite her out of the corner of her eye. "Yeah, you think men have a bit of weird taste. But doesn't he like you?"
"No."
"So quick to deny it?" Chen Jingyu raised an eyebrow, a slight smile playing on her lips. "How did you know?"
That's how I feel.
Chen Jingyu said meaningfully, "Sometimes feelings are wrong."
Jiang Jiawei crossed her arms and said, "There are other emotions between boys and girls besides just liking each other."
Chen Jingyu gave her a standard smile, clearly not believing her.
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