Chapter 18
As autumn deepened, the sycamore leaves shed their last traces of golden color. The days of my second year of high school were filled with more and more exams, and the air was filled with a quiet tension. Ever since Wang Lei joined the arts class, Zhao Jinglu's backseat had been replaced by a quiet girl, and the lively and boisterous breaks between classes had faded considerably. But after the turmoil of the Gaoxin incident and the subtle stimulation of Ling Peng's appearance, her "revolutionary friendship" with Fan Chen had actually solidified into a more solid understanding.
During the break, Fan Chen tapped Zhao Jinglu's arm with his fingers and lowered his voice: "Hey, if you keep reading that book 'Weakness of Human Nature' so unscrupulously, it will become a weakness for the teacher to target you." His tone was still full of the familiar teasing, the banter between brothers.
Zhao Jinglu rolled her eyes at him, but couldn't help but curl her lips. "Fan Banxian'er, can you give me something useful? Like, will there be a pop quiz in the next Chinese class?"
"The secret cannot be revealed." Fan Chen closed his eyes and counted on his fingers, pretending to be profound. Then he moved closer and said, "Honestly, Xu Linjie's eyes have been looking at you with a lot more depth these past few days. Your sudden sense of boundary has really shocked me."
The smile on Zhao Jinglu's face faded a little. Fan Chen was right. Ever since Teacher's Day, a strange atmosphere had settled between her and Xu Linjie. Although he later apologized in person, she tried to be more honest and more cautious, as Ling Peng had suggested. She no longer walked him home from school almost every day, occasionally leaving with Fan Chen or other classmates. She also began to selectively accept the snacks and small gifts he brought her, and tried to give something of equal value in return, not wanting to owe him too many favors.
Xu Linjie obviously felt this change. He was still gentle, but that gentleness was tinged with caution and an imperceptible sense of loss. He no longer took the initiative to suggest weekend dates, but his eyes followed her more often. That kind of concentration and expectation sometimes made Zhao Jinglu feel pressured. Because of the distance and space, she gradually found that her dependence on him was more of a habitual dependence and appreciation of his talent. She also felt warm when he took care of her meticulously and properly, but the intense attraction that made her heart beat faster and her face flushed always seemed to be a little lacking. Moreover, deep down, she could not accept completely narrowing her circle of friends and isolating herself in order to meet his expectation of "complete companionship." This clear awareness made her feel guilty and alienated when facing him.
On an ordinary Thursday afternoon, Zhao Jinglu's phone vibrated in her schoolbag. It was a text message from Ling Peng.
"The project simulation finally passed! The instructor praised the ingenuity of the idea. Thanks to the books you helped me find; one of the papers provided a crucial insight. My team members all wanted to thank you for being such a lucky charm."
His relief was palpable between the lines. Zhao Jinglu's lips curled up unconsciously as she read the message, as if she were a part of it, sharing in the joy of success. This feeling of being needed and appreciated was pure and bright.
She replied: "Really? That's great! Congratulations! I was just leading the way, you guys are amazing (thumbs up)"
Ling Peng quickly sent another message: "Why are you being so modest? You have to be included in the list of achievements. By the way, how are things going lately? How's that research on 'Weakness of Human Nature' going? Are you feeling any better?"
He still remembered her embarrassment and confusion that day. Zhao Jinglu's heart warmed, and her fingers typed quickly: "Yes, much better. I'm trying hard to put it into practice, and it seems to be working. Thank you for the antidote, it's working well."
Ling Peng responded with a laughing emoji: "It seems that I am quite competent as a psychological counselor. I can consider getting another degree."
The two chatted back and forth for a while, the atmosphere relaxed and pleasant. Ling Peng seemed to be in a very good mood and talked more than usual.
Finally, he casually suggested, "Zhang Hao and Sun Wei are going back to see Lao Wang next week, and they're clamoring for a get-together. Do you want to join us? Let's just... well, represent Lao Wang's outstanding students and entertain us idle people. And let me formally express my gratitude on behalf of the rest of the team by treating you to a meal."
Dining with him and his friends? That seemed beyond the bounds of a typical schoolmate's schedule. But she barely hesitated, the urge to see him overpowering her shyness. Chatting with him was always so easy; he understood her confusion and shared her joy.
"Okay. But the title of outstanding student is too stressful, so I won't wear it that day. :)" Ever since he saw her most embarrassing side, she no longer had to be polite and reserved to him as before.
"Okay, it's settled then. I'll let you know the exact time and place."
"good."
After putting the phone down, Zhao Jinglu realized her heart was beating a little faster and her cheeks were slightly hot. A secret, excited anticipation, like tiny bubbles, was bubbling from the depths of her heart.
Meanwhile, Ling Peng had just put his phone down, a smile still lingering on his lips. Shen Siyu approached with two cups of coffee, handing him one. Her eyes flicked across his lit phone screen, and she casually asked, "Who are you chatting with? So happy? I've never seen you text so often before." Her tone was a hint of pouting, but there was a scrutiny deep in her eyes.
Ling Peng took the coffee and the smile on his face faded a little: "Oh, it's the high school junior who I met last Teacher's Day, Zhao Jinglu. She helped me on the project before, and I want to say thank you to her." He thought that Shen Siyu should remember the name when he mentioned it.
Shen Siyu paused for a moment, barely perceptible, as she stirred her coffee. She certainly remembered that girl, pretty and charming, standing next to Ling Peng and the teacher with a harmless smile on her face. Ling Peng's carefree smile at her at that time had made her feel uncomfortable.
"Oh, her." Shen Siyu took a sip of coffee, her tone calm, "How can a high school student help your university project? She's quite capable." Her words sounded like a compliment, but if you tasted it carefully, there was a hint of imperceptible contempt and doubt.
Ling Peng frowned slightly, not liking her tone: "It was just a coincidence. She took me to find some hard-to-find information, and it really helped a lot." He didn't want to explain more, feeling that it was unnecessary, and he also felt a vague sense of irritation that he couldn't explain.
"Really?" Shen Siyu put down her coffee cup, took his arm, raised her face, and smiled brightly again. "Then you really should thank her. I also want to thank her for allowing my little Pengpeng to finally complete his mission and have time to accompany me."
Ling Peng looked at her beautiful smile and nodded, but the sense of relief he'd felt from the success of the project and chatting with Zhao Jinglu seemed to fade a little. He had a vague feeling that Shen Siyu wasn't as completely indifferent to Zhao Jinglu's presence as she appeared to be.
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