Su Qing felt fortunate that her injuries were almost healed, leaving only bruises on her knees and elbows. Even if Su Rao saw her wearing a short-sleeved shirt, she could find an excuse.
She just didn't know when the competition results would be released, and she was anxious to take Su Rao for a check up.
Although Su Rao claimed to be fine, Su Qing was still worried.
Her life was uneventful, almost eerily peaceful. Her life seemed to have suddenly become quieter, with fewer people and things around her.
Students who had just returned from the competition always attracted the attention of their classmates. Many who had never been outside Wuzhen were chattering with Su Qing.
The girl patiently answered each question without showing any impatience.
It wasn't until several days later that the excitement died down.
After the waves of students had left, Zhang Yihan finally found a chance to talk to his deskmate. Perhaps because they hadn't seen each other for several days, he felt a little reserved.
"Su Qing, how are you? Are you sure you'll get first place?"
"Don't forget to treat me to dinner when the time comes."
The girl tidying her desk, upon hearing this, immediately remembered the exercise book Zhang Yihan had given her. She lowered her eyes and bit her lip. Looking at that sincere face, she felt a pang of guilt.
She had lost the test paper, and she hadn't bought the book she'd promised the boy. And now, she'd heard that this brilliant deskmate was already planning to be admitted to Peking.
She was about to say something when a person, Liu Ranran, crouched on the table, placed two pieces of cake on it, and pulled over a chair, interrupting their conversation.
"Who's treat to dinner ah? How can I be left out?"
Blinking, she pushed a piece of cake toward Su Qing, placed a small fork on it, and motioned for Su Qing to eat. She then began to dig in without hesitation.
Zhang Yihan paused, his mind racing.
"Eat, eat, eat! All you hear is 'eat!' I mean, if Su Qing wins first place, she'll treat for a meal!"
Hearing this, Liu Ranran stretched out her arm and smacked him hard on the arm.
"What's wrong with eating? Do you think anyone else is as skinny as you, so thin they could be blown away with a fart?"
…
It was so unrefined! Zhang Yihan blushed and his ears choked at the words, completely at a loss for words.
Su Qing rubbed her forehead, also embarrassed by the words. Liu Ranran herself felt deeply embarrassed after the words left her mouth, her round face flushing slightly, and she could only tug at Su Qing's clothes.
"Qing Qing, you eat cake. If you want to treat for a dinner, just treat me, not Zhang Yihan. He should treat us."
"You've already passed the entrance exam for Peking University, and you're still here every day pretending to be cool in class...!"
As the curse words escaped her lips, Liu Ranran covered her mouth and glared at Zhang Yihan.
"You really are! I came here to take classes because I don't want to waste my time. Besides, if you all have any questions, I'm willing to teach you all everything I know."
"And don't be ridiculous! It's just a competition. There's still an interview, and quite a few people have passed the competition this time."
Although Zhang Yihan said this, it was clear that the boy's face and eyes were filled with confidence. As he spoke, Zhang Yihan glanced at Su Qing subtly, but seeing that the girl was quietly eating cake, he quickly averted his gaze.
He came to school, actually...
Suppressing his panicked thoughts, he said, "When I pass the interview, and if Qing Qing also makes it through the competition, I'll treat you also. Is that okay, Sister Liu?"
The moment she heard Sister Liu's words, Liu Ranran felt like exploding.
But Su Qing, speaking in a gentle voice, turned and looked at Zhang Yihan.
"How can that be possible? We, the Ranrans, were originally supposed to have two meals, but now it's just one."
Zhang Yihan felt a tinge of panic when the girl glanced at him, worried Su Qing might see something. But hearing her calm voice, he suppressed his uneasiness and panic.
Liu Ranran, standing nearby, chimed in, "That's right, you stingy bastard! You're trying to get a free meal from Qing Qing? No, you have to treat us separately."
Zhang Yihan instantly felt relieved, and he nodded quickly.
In the days since returning, she'd been focused on her studies. But when she heard today that Jiang Sui didn't seem to be on the list of students recommended for admission to Peking University, a slight ripple welled up in Su Qing's heart.
Hadn't he always been ranked first? How could he not have been recommended? It was strange. However, Su Qing suppressed these thoughts in the face of her studies.
Test after test, a world of questions.
The only difference was that after self-study, she no longer procrastinated, but instead started home as soon as the bell rang. However, she encountered no more incidents on the way home, as she had done the last time.
Even the road she took home was lit up with streetlights and surveillance cameras.
This made Su Qing feel strangely at ease. However, even standing beneath the sycamore tree, her fingers would still curl slightly, her eyes trembling as she walked.
Around the corner, cold fingers grasped her wrist.
Perhaps it was the boy's aura that was too strong, or perhaps she had become familiar with him; the first thing she saw was his face.
It felt like they hadn't seen each other for ages.
Did he seem unhappy?
Jiang Sui leaned against the wall, Su Qing standing not far away.
The moment the boy appeared, Su Qing's mind flooded with memories of their connection. It seemed as if a week had passed since they'd spoken, or even looked at each other, like strangers.
The boy, as he'd said, seemed genuinely determined to let her spend the rest of the year in peace.
And then, today, he suddenly appeared... Su Qing felt a little uncomfortable, a little dazed, and lowered her head, unsure what to do.
The two of them remained silent for a long moment, the wind rustling and the streetlights illuminating the room as bright as day.
A long moment passed.
"Su Qing, don't get so close to your deskmate."
Jiang Sui's words were blunt, his blazing gaze fixed on Su Qing's face.
Dazed, she tried to pull her wrist back, but the boy's strength was too great, giving her no chance.
"You pinched me."
She felt a little aggrieved, blinking her eyelashes and biting her lip.
Her wrist was released.
"I wasn't close to him."
It sounded like an explanation, yet it wasn't. It was a straightforward narrative, devoid of emotion, and indifferent.
"This week, he fetched you water three times, you asked him five physics questions, and he asked you for help on an English essay. And you two had dinner plans today?"
The young man raised his eyelids indifferently, his clear, cold eyes captivating. His tone was a little cold, and he casually flicked his lighter, as if venting anger?