Time always flies.
The warmth flowing through fingers makes people reluctant to let go.
After almost half a month, the results of the English competition are finally in.
Li Ran stood at the podium, radiant, and announced the results at the end of the lunch break.
You all probably know what it means. During high school, even the slightest news would keep everyone engrossed.
Li Ran looked at the students below, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"The results of this English competition are in!"
"There's a first place winner and a second place winner in our class."
Li Ran had just learned the results after receiving a phone call.
The results of these competitions are usually announced to the teacher, so Su Qing hadn't been aware of them. She knew the results would be out in the next few days, but she was still a little caught off guard.
She paused as she closed her English textbook. Unaware, everyone's eyes flicked between her and Jiang Sui, with Zhang Yihan staring at her blatantly.
First place, and second place.
"Oh my god! There were only two people in our class participating, and one took first and the other took second. That's incredible!"
"The class teacher will be so happy!"
"Of course, but Su Qing's achievements are nothing to be underestimated. She even took second place in the English competition."
A small murmur rang out.
Everyone almost assumed Jiang Sui was first.
"This time, our first place is Su Qing, and our second place is Jiang Sui. One got 100 points, and the other 99!"
After Li Ran finished speaking, she said a few words, encouraging them to learn from Jiang Sui and Su Qing. Then, she told Su Qing and Jiang Sui to go to her office together, and then left.
"Su Qing actually got first place. She must have gotten a perfect score in her essay, oh my goodness."
Many people exclaimed, their gazes fixed on Su Qing.
"I think Su Qing is quite pretty, even prettier than our school beauty."
"If she wasn't, how could she study with Jiang Sui everyday?"
"Don't be fooled by her innocent appearance. She's got a lot going on inside..."
There were countless whispers, both good and bad, about her. This was the first time Su Qing heard them so clearly. As she left the classroom, the people, having clearly noticed the person ahead of her walk away, started to raise their voices. She lowered her head, pursed her lips, and watched Jiang Sui walk ahead.
She couldn't help but clench her fingers.
Inside the office, Su Qing and Jiang Sui stood side by side.
Li Ran sat on a chair, holding her thermos.
"Although you did well in the competition, you still need to take the upcoming midterm exam seriously. If you have any difficulties in your studies or life, please contact your teacher promptly."
"The bonus will be deposited into your accounts next Monday. One is 20,000 yuan, and the other is 5,000 yuan."
"Take this form and fill it out."
After receiving the form, Su Qing and Jiang Sui sat side by side at a blank table nearby and began filling it out diligently.
Su Qing seemed to have known she'd have to fill out a bank card form, so she pulled it out of her pocket and set it aside.
But when she was halfway through filling it out, she turned and noticed that a faint, almost invisible, peripheral vision was constantly glancing at the numbers on her paper.
Jiang Sui's bank card information was exactly the same as hers.
She reached out and covered the last few pieces of information on her card. She raised her eyes, frowned, and pursed her lips.
"Jiang Sui, what are you doing..."
Perhaps because they were in the teacher's office, Su Qing kept her voice low, sneaking closer to Jiang Sui, but then pulled away as she finished speaking.
The young man gently placed the pen in his palm on the paper. All the information had been filled out, except for the bank card number where his finger was pointing, which was blank.
"I didn't have my bank card with me, so I filled in yours."
His tone was calm, his eyes expressionless. He seemed even a little puzzled as to why Su Qing had covered her bank card number from him. So Jiang Sui reached out and tried to pry away Su Qing's fingertips.
To see the remaining digits.
Su Qing clasped her palm over hers, lowering her head.
"Your wallet is in your pocket, with the bank card inside..."
Su Qing stared at him, licking her lips. She spoke softly, her eyes glancing at the young man's pocket.
Today he was wearing gray sweatpants, a white short-sleeved shirt, and a school uniform jacket. He looked handsome and refreshing.
He always liked to keep things in his left pocket.
His phone, keys, and wallet were all together, but he didn't have the habit of carrying a school bag.
Su Qing hadn't noticed at all. Over the past few days, they'd gradually gotten to know each other quite well.
The boy simply blinked, then reached out and pulled out a pocket from his sweatpants. Aside from his phone and keys, there was nothing inside.
?
"Do you want to look over there?"
Su Qing's palm, clasped over the paper, was slightly damp. She certainly couldn't stand up and look to his right. Besides, she knew his habit; he didn't keep things on his right side.
"I really didn't bring my wallet today. May be I need to share a meal with you when we get to the cafeteria."
Although they'd been together during study time recently, they hadn't eaten together much, except for the occasional water fetching or snacks from Jiang Sui.
She didn't know what was wrong with Liu Ranran lately. Every time get out of class was over, she'd rush over to her like lightning, grab her hand, and go out to eat.
Coincidentally, whenever Jiang Sui and Hu Yifan were in the cafeteria, they were outside, and when they were outside, they were in the cafeteria.
When asked what was going on between her and Hu Yifan, Liu Ranran blushed and remained silent, so Su Qing stopped asking.
"Are you trying to get a free meal? I agreed to go out with Ranran for some wonton."
After Su Qing finished speaking, she realized that wasn't the point and half-clenched her fingers.
"You really didn't bring any?"
"Really."
"Then when the bonus comes on Monday, I'll transfer the money to you via WeChat."
Su Qing bit her lip and mentally prepared herself for a moment before removing her fingers.
Seeing Jiang Sui write down the same bank card number as hers, she felt a strange feeling inside.
Jiang Sui's lips curled slightly, but he didn't respond.
Fortunately, Li Ran didn't see her own. She simply asked, "Have you two checked it?" and "Have you verified it?" and other similar questions, and then put the paper away.
However, it seemed he really didn't take his wallet...
Lunch had indeed been shared with Su Qing.
Su Qing had wanted to text Liu Ranran to let her know she was having lunch with Jiang Sui.
Unexpectedly, before she could even send her message, she received one from Liu Ranran, saying they wouldn't be having dinner together today.
Just as Su Qing opened the text, she received another from someone she didn't know.
[Congratulations, you won first place in the competition. That's great, Su Qing. Did you get 20,000 yuan?]