Zhou Wan understood his implication, and her body stiffened.
As Lu Xixiao leaned closer, Zhou Wan wanted to step back, but he held her chin in his hand. Shocked into immobility, she could only helplessly widen her eyes.
Lu Xixiao leisurely observed her reaction, and just as his lips were about to make contact, Zhou Wan sharply turned her head away.
The sudden movement accidentally knocked the glass off the coffee table.
With a thud, it fell onto the carpet.
Lu Xixiao froze, maintaining his original position and distance.
Zhou Wan leaned back further, lowering her head as her chest heaved from the shock.
This is bad.
He must be angry now…
But unexpectedly, Lu Xixiao started laughing.
He leaned back on the sofa, head tilted as he laughed, his voice heavy with nasal congestion from his cold, emerging from deep in his throat, deep and husky like a bass speaker.
“I thought you could keep playing obedient until the end,” he said. “Guess not.”
“…”
Zhou Wan thought how could someone be so difficult?
He had seen through her all along, knowing she wasn’t as docile and obedient as she appeared. He didn’t ask why, nor did he care which side of herself she showed him – he just wanted to see her flustered and blushing.
Zhou Wan’s face grew even redder.
After enjoying her reaction for a while, Lu Xixiao said with a smile: “Go back.”
Zhou Wan was startled.
He raised an eyebrow: “Don’t you have class?”
*
Zhou Wan made it back to school just in time for competition class.
Only she and Jiang Yan had qualified for the National Physics Competition, so the teacher found a small classroom for just the two of them.
Seeing her, Jiang Yan asked quietly: “Didn’t you say you weren’t coming?”
Zhou Wan: “Something came up earlier.”
Though Jiang Yan found it a bit strange, he didn’t ask further.
After the competition class ended, Zhou Wan packed her bag and headed out.
Gu Meng linked arms with her, chatting as they walked down the stairs.
Gu Meng had recently fallen in love at first sight with a third-year boy but didn’t dare ask for his number or make any moves. She could only keep telling Zhou Wan how handsome he was.
Zhou Wan couldn’t picture the appearance Gu Meng described, so she asked: “Do you have a photo?”
“How would I dare take his picture?” Gu Meng said. “Just know that he’s super super handsome!”
Zhou Wan thought for a moment and asked: “How does he compare to Lu Xixiao?”
“Oh, Lu Xixiao is better looking,” Gu Meng laughed. “He’s the acknowledged school heartthrob, but too many girls like him. Having a crush on him would be too painful – only a fool would like him.”
Zhou Wan stayed silent.
“Zhou Wan!” Jiang Yan ran up from behind.
“What is it?”
“Tomorrow’s Saturday, want to study together at the library?”
“Tomorrow?” Zhou Wan considered. “I’m not sure if I have other plans tomorrow, I’ll text you later.”
Jiang Yan nodded: “Okay.”
As they reached the school gate, Zhou Wan’s steps suddenly faltered.
Lu Xixiao stood beneath the crooked tree at the school gate, leaning lazily against the trunk. The golden sunset shone on him, making everything around him bright.
Many female students were eyeing him.
Suddenly, he looked up and saw Zhou Wan.
Then he noticed Jiang Yan standing beside her and frowned slightly.
He walked over.
Zhou Wan’s heart suddenly tightened.
Gu Meng had also noticed Lu Xixiao but hadn’t paid much attention until he kept walking closer and finally stopped in front of Zhou Wan.
“Hospital or arcade.” His eyes were downcast, voice indifferent.
Gu Meng’s jaw dropped enough to fit an egg.
Zhou Wan clutched her uniform hem tightly: “Arcade.”
“Let’s go then.”