High school life was a bit different from what Lin Zhexia had imagined.
It seemed like there weren’t any significant changes—still classes and exams.
But what made her feel more changes were the classmates around her. Everyone appeared to be focused on gossip and rumors, like “who’s dating whom” or “who went to the same school before and has a special relationship.”
The girl sitting in front of her would secretly go to the bathroom after class to apply lipstick, even though the color was so light that there was barely any difference between wearing it and not.
And then there was Chen Lin beside her.
Always up-to-date with school news, chatting with her during breaks, sharing everything from “there’s a handsome guy in our grade who’s been dominating the forum since day one” to “we’ll probably have a five-day military training next week.”
Lin Zhexia, with her head down doing homework, could only remember the last sentence as Chen Lin changed topics too quickly. She casually responded: “Military training next week?”
Chen Lin: “Yeah, I thought we might avoid it. It’s so hot, and we still have to be out in the scorching sun for five days.”
The topic quickly passed.
After finishing her homework, Lin Zhexia secretly opened her phone in her desk drawer and sent a message to Chi Yao: Are you there? are you there? Are you there.
During the break, he replied quickly.
Chi Dog:?
Lin Zhexia immediately reported him: How can you be like this, playing with your phone at school? This is a warning.
Chi Dog: You’re sick
Lin Zhexia got to the point: Show me your class schedule.
She immediately followed up with: I want to see if your class overlaps with ours on any subjects, like P.E. Usually, several classes have P.E. together.
This time, Chi Yao didn’t continue to mock her but sent a photo.
Chi Dog: [Photo]
Lin Zhexia’s words became a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Class 1 and Class 7 did indeed have P.E. together.
It happened to coincide today, in the last period.
Before P.E. class, Chen Lin pulled her to the school store to buy snacks: “…I’m so hungry.”
Lin Zhexia packed up her things: “Let’s go, I want to check it out too.”
Chen Lin was enthusiastic: “I heard the sushi rolls in the school store are especially delicious.”
The school store was next to the cafeteria.
Chen Lin picked up a sushi roll and was about to pay when she felt her pocket: “I forgot to bring money.”
Lin Zhexia searched her pockets and only found two coins: “I… didn’t bring any either.”
“Then forget it,” Chen Lin put the food back, saying dejectedly, “I’ll just endure hunger for one class period.”
Lin Zhexia thought for a moment, then suddenly said: “Do you believe that I can get you this sushi roll with just two yuan?”
Chen Lin looked at her: “Is the store owner your relative?”
Lin Zhexia: “…No.”
Chen Lin’s expression started to become complicated: “Are you planning to buy on credit?”
Lin Zhexia: “Not that either.”
Chen Lin’s expression grew even more complex: “Eating without paying? That’s not right.”
Lin Zhexia used the two coins she had pulled from her pocket to get a bottle of mineral water from the refrigerator, the cheapest kind. She handed the two coins to the store owner: “Wait here, I’m going to rob someone.”
“…?”
Lin Zhexia: “Once I come back from robbing, I’ll be able to support you.”
Lin Zhexia carried the bottle of mineral water and ran to the playground, searching for Class 1.
But since class hadn’t officially started yet, people were scattered without fixed positions, making it difficult to find anyone.
She knew Chi Yao so well that even if she only saw his back or even just the back of his head, she could recognize him at a glance.
After running just a few steps, she spotted Chi Yao on the basketball court.
“Chi Yao!”
There were many people around Chi Yao. The boys were huddled together, and in the distance, a group of girls also seemed to be looking in this direction.
But Lin Zhexia didn’t notice at all. She approached Chi Yao as usual, standing in front of him with a smile: “Chi Yao, are you thirsty? Tired? Playing basketball must be hard work. I saw your heroic figure playing from afar just now. You’re like Rukawa Kaede reborn.”
Because he was playing basketball, Chi Yao had changed into his clothes, a gray T-shirt that hung loosely on him.
Class hadn’t started yet, and he was squatting on the edge of a flower bed by the court with his legs bent.
After hearing Lin Zhexia’s words, he replied with an “Oh” and slightly raised his chin: “Continue.”
“Your basketball skills are transcendent,” Lin Zhexia continued, “breathtaking, divine.”
Chi Yao: “Nice use of idioms.”
Lin Zhexia: “You flatter me. I, Lin, am somewhat culturally refined.”