Chapter 72
While Chi Jun logged into the school's official website more than twenty times a day to check if the promotional video had appeared, Xu Qingzhou, as one of the main characters in the promotional video, didn't seem to care much about it.
After filming the promotional video, she put the matter out of her mind and focused on her studies.
One day during a break between classes, she and Zheng Yangshu were discussing a difficult math problem when a girl who had just returned from getting water passed by. She winked at Zheng Yangshu and made strange "tsk tsk tsk" sounds.
Xu Qingzhou looked at Zheng Yangshu in confusion, and Zheng Yangshu smiled and said, "Don't mind her, she just likes to joke."
Xu Qingzhou was even more confused.
?
Was that girl joking?
She didn't want to think about it anymore and turned her head to continue looking at the questions. Zheng Yangshu twirled her pen, seemingly lost in thought:
"Qingzhou, have you checked the school's official website?"
Xu Qingzhou shook his head, suddenly remembering the promotional video.
Has the film been released yet?
Zheng Yangshu nodded.
Xu Qingzhou reached into the drawer of the table to retrieve his phone, but Zheng Yangshu had already opened a webpage and handed him the phone.
What came into view was the scene that left the deepest impression on Xu Qingzhou during the filming that day—he and Zheng Yangshu, carrying books, walked towards the corridor in front of the flower bed, chatting and laughing.
Because she couldn't speak, she could only lip-read silently at the time, which is still a little embarrassing to think about.
Fortunately, in the video cover image that was uploaded, against a backdrop of sunlight and green trees, she and Zheng Yangshu simply smiled with their heads slightly lowered, without lip-syncing.
There is a small gray triangle in the middle of the photo.
Xu Qingzhou clicked on the video, which began with an aerial view of the entire campus. The camera then zoomed in, showing Zheng Yangshu and Xu Qingzhou sitting opposite each other by the bookshelves, both engrossed in reading the books on their laps.
The next three minutes of the video included all school facilities such as the sports equipment room, playground, and screening room, with Xu Qingzhou and Zheng Yangshu appearing prominently in the footage.
I watched a video that was just over three minutes long without even realizing it.
For someone like Xu Qingzhou who isn't good at taking photos, the framing is impeccable, and the editing and transitions are smooth and fluid. After watching it, one would indeed feel the urge to study at such a school.
It's definitely a great promotional video.
[You took a really good photo]
When returning the phone, Xu Qingzhou praised Zheng Yangshu.
The other person smiled sheepishly.
"Really? I think you filmed it better."
There was one more thing Zheng Yangshu didn't say: since the promotional video went online yesterday evening and spread rapidly, he received a bunch of WeChat messages from former classmates or friends.
Most of the comments were joking, asking if he was dating the girl in the video, saying the two looked like a perfect match.
Some people asked him for Xu Qingzhou's contact information on the spot after learning that they were not a couple, but he refused them all.
However, despite considering Xu Qingzhou's feelings, Zheng Yangshu did not say these things. As the video spread more and more widely, Xu Qingzhou inevitably heard some rumors.
The first thing that comes to mind is that she is dating Zheng Yangshu.
At first, Xu Qingzhou didn't care and thought it was all nonsense.
But gradually, she began to be stopped by unfamiliar girls on her way to and from school, or during breaks when she went to the restroom, and they would ask her what her relationship was with Zheng Yangshu.
On one occasion, a girl whose school uniform was covered in black pen drawings and whose hair was dyed red warned her in a harsh tone to stay away from Zheng Yangshu.
Xu Qingzhou finally felt troubled.
Fortunately, a few days later, the homeroom teacher, Mr. Zhao, rearranged the seats again. Xu Qingzhou was moved to the far east side of the classroom, and Zheng Yangshu was moved to the far west side.
Whether it was Xu Qingzhou's repeated clarifications that finally took effect, or the distance between the seats on the east and west sides that gave the girls a strange sense of security, in any case, the number of girls harassing her decreased significantly.
Of course, Xu Qingzhou also suffered a lot of trouble from boys during this period.
Some liked to peer through the classroom windows and ask which one was "Xu Qingzhou" who was filming the promotional video, while others were bolder and would stop Xu Qingzhou in the corridor and confess their feelings directly.
However, there were also some shy and introverted girls who would silently and without even showing their faces, but would keep stuffing milk tea, snacks, and chocolates into Xu Qingzhou's desk.
Xu Qingzhou had nowhere to return the snacks, so he could only place them outside the classroom window to indicate that he had not accepted them.
The homeroom teacher, Mr. Zhao, quickly discovered the matter.
Ultimately, this whole thing was caused by the promotional video, and Xu Qingzhou was a promising student who could get into a top university, so how could he let those stinky boys hold him back?
Old Zhao immediately reported the problem to his superiors. During a routine meeting, the leaders explicitly and implicitly conveyed to all class teachers the notice that "students in their classes must not engage in early romantic relationships or harass the protagonists in the promotional video."
Xu Qingzhou's surroundings were finally much quieter.
That day, just before school ended, Xu Qingzhou was called to Old Zhao's office again.
As she expected, what Lao Zhao really wanted to ask was how his recent study environment was and whether he had been disturbed by those people again.
Xu Qingzhou thought for a moment and replied:
Thank you for your help, teacher. The situation is much better now.
"Is no one looking for you anymore?"
[Very few]
"Okay, that's good then," Old Zhao finally nodded in relief: "If this happens again, remember to tell me immediately."
Finally, he added, "Your senior year is a crucial time. You need to be mindful of your own situation, okay?"
Xu Qingzhou nodded.
"Alright, it looks like it's going to rain, let's go back."
*
At 6:30 p.m., the students who were studying at school had already bought their meals and returned to their classrooms one after another.
On Xu Qingzhou's way back to the classroom from the office, a strong wind was blowing outside the corridor. Looking into the distance, the sky was gloomy and full of dark clouds, and the trees were bent over.
It looks like it's definitely going to rain.
Xu Qingzhou hurriedly returned to the classroom, packed his schoolbag, and came out. The sky seemed to have become even darker.
In this kind of weather, if she rode an electric scooter, she might be able to get back to her rented apartment before the rain started. But unfortunately, she forgot to charge her scooter last night, so she has to run back now.
Knowing that the rain wouldn't wait for anyone, Xu Qingzhou skipped down the steps, and once she was out of the stairwell, she ran wildly towards the school gate without looking back.
However, when they reached the middle of the main road, large raindrops began to fall.
Xu Qingzhou didn't bring an umbrella, so he could only use his schoolbag to shield his head.
But you can't keep carrying your schoolbag like that, otherwise you'll not only get soaked, but the books and test papers in your schoolbag will probably get ruined by the rain.
When he reached the school gate, Xu Qingzhou stopped, using the bricks and stones above as cover.
She patted the rain stains off her backpack, watching the rain and hoping it would stop soon, while debating whether to go to the store across the street to buy an umbrella.
Just as they were hesitating, a voice suddenly came from not far away.
"Xu Qingzhou".
Xu Qingzhou looked up.
A boy wearing a blue casual tracksuit walked over, holding a gray umbrella.
When she got closer and her face was clearly seen, her expression changed.
It's Zhang Zhiming.
In fact, Xu Qingzhou couldn't remember what the boys who approached and harassed her looked like or what their names were.
The reason she knew the boy in front of her was Zhang Zhiming was because he introduced himself to Xu Qingzhou at their first meeting, and then for several days afterward, he kept asking people to send flowers and chocolates to Xu Qingzhou.
Unlike other boys, Zhang Zhiming always clearly writes his name on every gift he receives.
Therefore, Xu Qingzhou had an impression of him.
Whether they wrote anything or not, Xu Qingzhou eventually threw them, along with the unsigned gifts, out the classroom window.
Xu Qingzhou thought that since she hadn't received anything from him for several days, Zhang Zhiming had probably finally given up. That's why when Lao Zhao asked him, she replied that basically no one was bothering her anymore.
But less than twenty minutes later, they ran into Zhang Zhiming again...
Xu Qingzhou looked somewhat dazed.
Zhang Zhiming's smile remained unchanged. He walked over to Xu Qingzhou and stood beside him, speaking familiarly:
"It's been several days since we last met. My sister and I went on a trip abroad these past few days, so I haven't been able to come and see you."
"..."
Turns out they just went out to play...
Xu Qingzhou had just sighed inwardly when Zhang Zhiming handed her a bag:
"Here, a gift I brought back for you from abroad."
Xu Qingzhou quickly waved his hand.
Zhang Zhiming insisted on giving it to her, and after a few rounds of back and forth, the bag fell to the ground with a "plop".
Xu Qingzhou: "..."
Zhang Zhiming: "..."
After a few awkward seconds of eye contact, Zhang Zhiming smiled and bent down to pick up the bag.
"Alright then, I'll keep it for you for now."
Xu Qingzhou remained silent, looking up at the sky for the nth time in this quiet atmosphere, hoping the rain would stop soon so she could leave this place of trouble immediately.
Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned; the rain showed no sign of letting up, and Zhang Zhiming noticed her predicament.
"You didn't bring an umbrella, did you? Here, let me take you home."
He opened the umbrella and reached out to pull Xu Qingzhou along.
Xu Qingzhou subconsciously dodged to the side, smiling and shaking his head:
No need, thank you.
Zhang Zhiming: "It's okay, I have plenty of time."
[Really, you don't need to.]
"My umbrella is quite big."
Xu Qingzhou shook his head again.
After being rejected repeatedly, Zhang Zhiming finally started to lose face.
He squeezed the umbrella handle hard, stared at Xu Qingzhou for a while, and suddenly asked:
"Xu Qingzhou, what exactly are you dissatisfied with about me?"
Before she could answer, Zhang Zhiming continued, "I think I'm pretty handsome, tall, and from a well-off family. What is it about me that you don't like?"
Judging from the boy's expression, he was genuinely puzzled as to why his good qualities couldn't win her favor.
Xu Qingzhou carefully considered his words and wrote on the paper:
You're a really nice person.
She actually wanted to add "but," but after writing only four characters, Zhang Zhiming interrupted her:
"Give me a break, don't try to give me the 'friend zone' card."
"Xu Qingzhou, I'm telling you right now, if you don't give me a proper reason today, I won't give up on you."
Xu Qingzhou: "..."
The rain was still pouring down.
After the boy's resounding words, the boy and girl stood silently facing each other beneath the bricks above the school gate.
The atmosphere, though seemingly casual, inexplicably carried a sense of confrontation.
After a long while, Xu Qingzhou sighed.
I'm currently a senior in high school, so my studies should be my priority.
Unexpectedly, Zhang Zhiming only glanced at it and then smiled easily:
"I didn't say I wanted you to date me right now. I'm just being nice to you first. As for a romantic relationship, we'll decide after you finish your college entrance exam."
Meeting the boy's gaze, Xu Qingzhou had a vague feeling that no matter how legitimate the reason, it would be useless.
She pursed her lips and increased the force.
But I don't like you.
Zhang Zhiming's smile widened:
"You haven't spent much time with me, how do you know if you like me? After you finish your college entrance exam, I'm confident I can make you like me."
Xu Qingzhou: "..."
The boy's eyes gleamed with smugness, clearly indicating that he wouldn't care about any legitimate reasons given.
Were all those high-sounding words he said just a way to play with her?
A surge of anger welled up from the bottom of his heart. Xu Qingzhou took a deep breath, his expression gradually turning cold.
Of course I know I won't like you.
Because I have a boyfriend.
Unexpectedly, Zhang Zhiming laughed even more heartily upon seeing these words.
"Who? The one who filmed the promotional video with you? Xu Qingzhou, I'm not stupid, I know him—"
Xu Qingzhou: [It wasn't him]
The girl answered decisively, her expression resolute.
Zhang Zhiming's smile froze for a moment.
He stared at Xu Qingzhou for a long time, then finally chuckled, as if teasing a child, and said:
"Fine, even if I believe you, tell me his name and what he looks like?"
Xu Qingzhou: [I'm more handsome than you]
He's taller than you.
[Your temperament is better than yours]
When writing these three sentences, Xu Qingzhou felt that it was a bit cruel of him to say such things to a narcissistic boy.
However, considering Zhang Zhiming's shamelessness, she could only force herself to be ruthless.
Fearing Zhang Zhiming wouldn't believe him after writing it down, Xu Qingzhou hesitated for a moment, then added four more words to the paper:
His name is Xu Jun.
Xu Jun?
Zhang Zhiming felt that the name sounded somewhat familiar.
Whether the name sounds familiar or not is secondary; the main issue is that these characteristics are too vague and arbitrary. It's obvious that they don't have a specific boyfriend and are just making things up on the spot.
Thinking of this, Zhang Zhiming was completely relieved.
"Come on, Xu Qingzhou," he laughed, "It's raining quite heavily, you should let me take you home quickly. All this talk about a boyfriend is completely fabricated—"
He reached out his hand towards Xu Qingzhou as he spoke.
However, before he could finish speaking, through the patter of rain, he suddenly heard a lazy male voice—
"Zhouzhou?"
Zhang Zhiming turned his head to look.
The next second, they were stunned.
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