Chapter 3
The corridor was buzzing with activity, the stream of people leaving school like a flood, pushing forward. Zhao Jinglu and Xu Linjie walked side by side, about half a person's distance between them, neither appearing too close nor being separated by the crowd.
After the initial surprise, Zhao Jinglu quickly calmed down. Her heartbeat calmed down and her mind started to work. She secretly glanced at Xu Linjie beside her. He was also quite tall, about half a head taller than her, wearing a clean school uniform with a straight shoulder line. He walked with a steady posture, unlike Fan Chen who was always swaying around, nor like Wang Lei who was a little sloppy. His profile was clear-cut and his nose was very straight. He really looked like the kind of quiet student who would be very popular with the instrument class teacher.
So... what did he mean? Zhao Jinglu pondered. Was he simply passing by? Or was he like some of the classmates who had secretly paired up? She didn't have a deep impression of him. She only knew that he existed. She had run into him a few times in the hallway during junior high school. He always seemed to be in a hurry, carrying a black instrument case.
The silence was a bit subtle. Zhao Jinglu wasn't used to this kind of silence and was just trying to find a topic to break the awkwardness, like asking if the clarinet was difficult to play, when Xu Linjie spoke first, his voice gentle and his tone as casual as if he were discussing the weather:
"Did you take all the notes on the Western Zhou Dynasty clan system that our history teacher taught us today? I feel like I'm a little behind."
"Huh? Oh, I think... I remember the general idea." Zhao Jinglu was stunned for a moment. She didn't expect him to talk about this. "It's about the primogeniture system. It's quite complicated."
"Yes, there's also the difference between major and minor transactions. It's easy to confuse them." Xu Linjie naturally continued the topic, frowning slightly, as if he was genuinely pondering a difficult question. "If it's convenient later, could you please lend me your notes to compare them? I'm afraid I've missed something important."
His reasoning was perfectly legitimate, even tinged with the scholarly exchange of ideas between studious individuals, instantly dispelling all the chaotic, pinkish speculation in Zhao Jinglu's mind. She nodded immediately, her tone becoming more relaxed and natural. "Sure, no problem. But my notes are a bit messy. Gao Xin's are clear and logical."
"It doesn't matter, as long as you can understand it." Xu Linjie smiled and casually said, "Gao Xin is really amazing. He's good at all subjects."
The conversation shifted to classes, homework, and mutual acquaintances. Zhao Jinglu noticed that Xu Linjie spoke calmly and clearly. While not as witty as Fan Chen, he was never dull. Chatting with him felt... very comfortable, no pressure.
As they reached the exit of the teaching building, the golden light of the setting sun washed over them. Xu Linjie naturally leaned to the side, using his shoulder to shield her from the students rushing over to her house. His movements were smooth and unforced, more like a subconscious display of gentlemanly demeanor.
This detail made Zhao Jinglu feel more favorable towards him - at least he was a well-educated person.
"Which direction do you live in?" Xu Linjie asked casually, as if he was just mentioning it casually.
"You have to take bus No. 28." Zhao Jinglu pointed to the bus stop outside the school gate.
"What a coincidence! I'm also on that bus." Xu Linjie's eyes flashed with just the right amount of surprise, and then he naturally suggested, "So after school... if it's on your way, can we go together? We can even discuss homework on the way."
So, "Let's go together" wasn't just for today, but for the future? The added reason of "discussing homework" further imbued the invitation with the air of pure friendship. Zhao Jinglu pondered: It wouldn't be bad to have someone to walk with and chat along the way. It's better than being alone and daydreaming. Besides, Xu Linjie was an old classmate, so getting to know him better would be nice.
So, she nodded and said calmly: "Okay, it's on the way anyway."
The bus stop was crowded, mostly students from the school. The two of them stood slightly to the side, continuing their previous conversation. Xu Linjie mentioned seeing a performance by her dance class in junior high school.
"I remember one performance where you performed the Mongolian chopstick dance. You had a solo, and your movements were so crisp and moving, and very appealing," Xu Linjie recalled with admiration. "Being offstage and onstage... it felt quite different. You were like two completely different people."
Zhao Jinglu was a little embarrassed: "On stage, that's for the performance. Off stage, I'm just... an ordinary student."
"Everything is fine." Xu Linjie looked at her and said seriously.
The No. 28 bus lurched into the station, and the crowd stirred. When they boarded, Xu Linjie let her get on first, then quietly stood behind her in the crowded carriage, not getting too close, maintaining a comfortable distance.
The car started, and the familiar street scene outside the window slowly receded. Zhao Jinglu gripped the handrail, feeling calm. She secretly glanced at Xu Linjie next to her. He was looking out the window, a faint smile on his face.
She suddenly remembered the silly expressions of Fan Chen and the other two in the classroom just now, and couldn't help but want to laugh.
The car swayed as it carried two classmates who had just begun to get to know each other, heading towards the familiar route home. Everything was natural and ordinary, just like the beginning of many friendships at this age.
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