Xu Tingbai not eating the cake she brought left Lin Qingle feeling down for two or three days. She wasn’t upset with Xu Tingbai’s attitude; she was just disappointed about the cake. It was expensive, and it was such a shame that not a single bite had been eaten.
It was Wednesday, and Lin Qingle left home early in the morning.
“Qingle, wait up!” Jiang Shuyi quickly bought breakfast at the corner and caught up with her.
“Morning,” Lin Qingle greeted.
“Good morning,” Jiang Shuyi replied, glancing at her. “By the way, Qingle, are you still mad at Yu Tingting?”
“Huh?”
“I noticed that you haven’t seemed too keen on talking to her lately. Is it because of what she said about Xu Tingbai?”
Lin Qingle took a bite of her custard bun and didn’t deny it. “I didn’t like the way she talked about him.”
“…Yeah, what she said was definitely a bit too much. But don’t worry, I already spoke to her about it, and she knows her comments were out of line,” Jiang Shuyi said. “Actually, she even asked me to apologize on her behalf.”
“Apologize to me?” Lin Qingle shook her head. “If anyone deserves an apology, it’s Xu Tingbai.”
“True.” Jiang Shuyi thought for a moment, then asked, “When you were in school before, were you pretty close with Xu Tingbai?”
“Sort of…” Even if he doesn’t acknowledge it now.
“No wonder.”
Lin Qingle got along well with her classmates; she was good at her studies and had a gentle, endearing appearance, so many classmates liked to come to her for help with questions.
That afternoon, after explaining a math problem to the student in front of her, she and Jiang Shuyi went to the cafeteria to grab dinner together.
“Wait up, you two!” As they neared the cafeteria, Yu Tingting came running up to them. “You guys walk so fast; I’ve been trying to catch up for ages.”
Jiang Shuyi teased her, “I thought you said you were going to have noodles outside?”
“I just suddenly felt like having a meal instead.” Yu Tingting glanced at Lin Qingle with a clear attempt to make peace. “How about I treat you two today?”
Jiang Shuyi laughed, “What’s the occasion?”
“Oh, nothing. It’s just…” Yu Tingting took Lin Qingle’s arm. “I came to apologize. Qingle, don’t be mad at me; I won’t speak like that anymore, I know I was wrong.”
Having someone apologize to her so suddenly left Lin Qingle feeling a bit awkward.
“Come on, let me treat you; you can pick whatever you want!”
Lin Qingle hesitated, “No need… I’m not upset anymore.”
“Doesn’t matter; it’s my treat today, so let’s go!” Yu Tingting enthusiastically dragged her along.
With Yu Tingting’s insistence, Lin Qingle had no choice but to go along. They found a seat in the cafeteria and sat down.
Nearby, a boy said loudly, “Kun, Dai Rong must be blind. With such a great guy like you standing right there, how could she choose to look at that blind guy instead?”
“Yeah, what’s so great about that Xu guy anyway?”
“Hey… I followed Dai Rong secretly the other day, and sure enough, I saw her go looking for that Xu Tingbai guy, bringing him a bunch of things. You think… they might actually be together?”
A group of boys was sitting at the next table, chatting as they ate. Normally, Lin Qingle wouldn’t pay much attention, but then they mentioned “Xu Tingbai.”
Lin Qingle glanced over calmly.
“Damn it! Watch your mouth. Do you even know what you’re saying? There’s no way they’d be together! Dai Rong’s just being kind to him out of pity. She wouldn’t really get with him—are you crazy?”
“Yeah, true. After all, he’s just a blind guy.”
“Alright, alright, drop it. I’m sick of hearing about him.”
The boy called Brother Kun looked furious, grabbed his tray, and left. The others quickly stuffed their mouths and followed him out.
Lin Qingle withdrew her gaze from the boys.
Jiang Shuyi gave her a look and said, “That guy’s a second-year named Zhang Yikun. Everyone at school knows he’s into Yan Dairong.”
Apparently, Zhang Yikun always accepted whatever things Yan Dairong gave him.
Lin Qingle stirred her rice, feeling a bit glum at the thought. Xu Tingbai had thrown away her cake.
“Who’s Yan Dairong?”
Yu Tingting replied, “She’s in Class 5, and she’s Yu Jiayou’s cousin. As for her looks… well, she’s okay.”
Jiang Shuyi added, “Come on, she’s our school heartthrob’s cousin; she’s more than just okay—she’s beautiful! Practically a school beauty.”
“School beauty? Who decided that? Which committee made that decision?” Yu Tingting scoffed. “She’s just average if you ask me. I’m even better than her.”
“Oh, sure…”
“Alright, but Qingle’s prettier! That’s fair, right?”
Jiang Shuyi rubbed her chin thoughtfully, “They’re different styles, but… I agree!”
“Is she close with Xu Tingbai?” Lin Qingle asked.
From her memory, she didn’t know anyone named Yan Dairong, so she figured Yan hadn’t attended their elementary school.
Jiang Shuyi explained, “When the Xu family was still well-off, their families probably interacted a lot—both wealthy families with business connections. But after the Xu family’s incident, I doubt they kept in touch… Whether Yan Dairong and Xu Tingbai are still close now, I’m not really sure.”
Yu Tingting interjected, “Didn’t you hear Zhang Yikun just now? He said the two are pretty close.”
Jiang Shuyi shrugged, “They also said they’re together. Is that believable?”
“Probably not. I mean, how could Yan Dairong be with Xu Tingbai…?” Yu Tingting trailed off, suddenly realizing the implications of what she said. She quickly clarified, “Oh, I just mean with her family background, it wouldn’t make sense. It’s not that I’m looking down on Xu Tingbai! I swear!”
Lin Qingle pressed her lips together. “Let’s just eat.”
“…Oh.”
Lin Qingle had walked the alleyways of Yue Qian Road countless times lately, and that Saturday, she found herself there again out of habit.
That day, Xu Tingbai returned on time, and Lin Qingle followed him, though she didn’t greet him.
When she reached the usual spot where she would turn back, she decided to go home.
She realized she was feeling a bit angry—not because he ignored her or scolded her, but because he was willing to accept others’ kindness but not hers.
Back in elementary school, she’d known how popular he was, how people liked him. But he had always treated her, his desk-mate, a bit better, being kinder to her than anyone else, even if he was friendly with others.
Now… things were different.
When she got home, she sulked all night, even considering never trying to find him again.
But the next morning, she laughed at her own thoughts from the night before.
Given his current situation, it was good that someone wanted to treat him kindly. Whoever it was, having someone’s goodwill could only be a positive thing.
So her frustration vanished as quickly as it had come. By the following weekend, she made an excuse about going to the bookstore for research and left her house, heading toward Xu Tingbai’s neighborhood again.
She waited at the alley entrance for a while until she saw Xu Tingbai walking by. Today, he didn’t choose his usual noodle shop but went directly into the alley. Lin Qingle trailed him from afar, wondering what to say when she caught up to him.
“Finally caught you, Xu Tingbai.”
Turning a corner, she suddenly saw several people ahead. They strolled over to him as he approached, blocking his path.
“I heard you accepted stuff from Dai Rong, huh?” The boy in a blue shirt stepped forward, anger simmering on his face. “What right do you have to take her things?”
Xu Tingbai was as tall as them but much thinner. He didn’t react to their words, his expression indifferent as he tried to walk around them.
“What? Acting all high and mighty, huh, you blind punk!” The blue-shirted boy kicked hard at Xu Tingbai’s cane, sending it flying several meters away.
Xu Tingbai froze, a flicker of anger appearing on his face.
“You took her stuff and won’t even admit it? Where’d you put it all?” The boy in blue grew angrier. So what if Xu Tingbai looked good? He was still just a blind guy. Why should Dai Rong be giving him food and drinks?
Growing more furious, he grabbed Xu Tingbai by the collar and shoved him back.
“Say something! What, are you deaf as well as blind?”
Caught off guard, Xu Tingbai slammed into the wall behind him with a dull thud, grimacing from the pain.
“Get out of my way!” he snapped, swinging his arm in defense, but the blue-shirted boy easily dodged it.
The boy sneered, “Xu, you still think you’re some big shot? You’re just a blind guy; know your place. Trying to cozy up to Dai Rong? With someone like you, you couldn’t even carry her shoes… oh wait, you wouldn’t even know where they are, would you?”
“Pfft—hahaha!”
Laughter erupted from all sides, filling the air around him, but his world was dark, empty—he couldn’t see where they were.
What’s Invisible, Even Retaliation Becomes a Joke!
Xu Tingbai’s face turned pale, his unfocused eyes “saw” the source of the voice, and his fingertips clenched tightly, causing pain in his palm.
“Are you going to get it out or not? Can’t find it? If you can’t, just tell me, I’ll go home and help you look for it,” the man in blue sneered, reaching out to grab his collar again.
The collar tightened, and the fabric constricted around Xu Tingbai’s neck, making it hard for him to breathe.
He gritted his teeth and was about to push the person in front of him away when suddenly, the hand clutching his collar released.
“I called for help!”
He first heard a voice rise in front of him, followed by a faint scent of jasmine.
His nose tingled slightly; it was hair, and the fragrance came from the strands.
He realized someone was standing very close in front of him.
The man in blue was taken aback as someone pulled his hand away; he looked down to see a girl who had just stepped in between him and Xu Tingbai. The girl was only as tall as his chin. She protected Xu Tingbai behind her and looked up at him with cold eyes.
“Who the hell is this…”
Lin Qingle, who had run over quickly, was still catching her breath. She pushed the man in blue back. “Get away from him! Otherwise, I’ll scream for help right now!”
The man in blue wasn’t prepared for this and stumbled back a step. He looked down at his chest in disbelief before glaring at Lin Qingle. “Scream for help? You little brat, are you trying to fight me?”
The man in blue’s expression was menacing, and Lin Qingle felt scared inside, but there was no hint of retreat in her eyes. “You’re the one who shouldn’t be touching him. A whole gang of people picking on one person—what kind of hero do you think you are… a good man?”
She wasn’t very good at cursing, and her cute appearance only made her words less forceful.
“Pfft—still calling yourself a hero? I like being a pirate; what’s it to you? Get lost, get lost!”
Lin Qingle stood her ground.
“Still not leaving? Move aside!” The man in blue saw she wouldn’t budge and reached out to push her. Lin Qingle was small and fragile compared to the tall guy, so with just a shove, she fell to the side.
As she fell, she instinctively put her hands out to break her fall, but the ground was uneven, with small stones scattered about, and her palms scraped against them, drawing blood.
However, she didn’t have time to worry about that; she quickly got back up and stood her ground, her voice slightly trembling. “I know you’re from No. 4 High! You!”
Lin Qingle pointed at a boy standing behind the man in blue. “You’re wearing a school uniform and still dare to come out and bully people? Aren’t you afraid of getting into trouble?”
“What… Kun, Kun ge?” The boy in the school uniform looked a bit anxious as he glanced at the man in blue.
The man in blue shot him a glare. “What the hell are you wearing a school uniform for on the weekend?”
“…I just threw on a random outfit.”
“Are you crazy?” After berating the boy, the man in blue turned back to Lin Qingle, calming down a bit. “What’s wrong with wearing a school uniform? You think you can report me or something?”
Lin Qingle retorted, “Then why don’t you try it, Zhang Yikun? Do you dare me? I can call the police right now and take them to the school to point you out! It’s a fact that you hit me!”
Though Lin Qingle was small, her expression held a conviction that made it seem like she could follow through on her words.
Moreover, Zhang Yikun didn’t expect her to know his name; he frowned. “When the hell did I hit you?!”
Lin Qingle raised her hand. “This counts as hitting.”
Zhang Yikun: “…”
Lin Qingle pressed on, “Aren’t you leaving? Seems like you’re just waiting for me to go to school and get you in trouble!”
Zhang Yikun’s forehead was throbbing with anger, and after glaring at her for a while, he finally spat, “Damn! Let’s go.”
After all, he was a student from No. 4 High, with a bright future and good grades. No matter how bad or unruly he was outside, he still feared getting punished by the school.
Zhang Yikun stormed away a few steps before turning back unwillingly. “Xu Tingbai, be smart and don’t get close to Dai Rong from now on! And you!”
He pointed at Lin Qingle. “I’ll remember you; don’t let me run into you again.”
“…”
The chaotic footsteps gradually faded away, and Lin Qingle let out a sigh of relief. She turned to Xu Tingbai. “Are you hurt? Did you just bump into something? Does it hurt?”
Xu Tingbai pressed his lips into a thin line, remaining silent.
“Wait a minute,” Lin Qingle said, jogging a short distance to pick up his cane and placing it in his palm. “Here.”
As she offered him the cane with one hand, she gently placed her other hand on his palm, guiding him to hold it.
It felt soft.
He could feel her palm, small and damp from her nerves after the confrontation.
“Are you really not hurt?” she asked.
Xu Tingbai avoided her hand, not saying a word, and walked straight ahead.
Lin Qingle followed closely, feeling uneasy. “About them and Dai Rong… you and Dai Rong…”
Suddenly, she wasn’t sure how to ask; it felt like a personal matter. After thinking for a while, she finally said, “Do they often come to bother you like this?”
“…It’s none of your business.”
Lin Qingle ignored him and directly said, “If they come again in the future, remember to call the people living nearby. Don’t just stay silent.”
“Why are you back again?” Xu Tingbai stopped and gritted his teeth. “Haven’t I told you many times not to come back?”
“Yeah, I have… but I just wanted to come and eat rice noodles today.”
“…”
How many times has she used that excuse? Does she think he’s an idiot just because she comes every day for rice noodles?
Lin Qingle continued, “Um, can I come over to your house today?”
Xu Tingbai almost blurted out, “You can’t come to my house!”
“It’s not that! Don’t worry; I’m not going over for noodles! It’s because I hurt my hand, really! Here, touch it; there’s blood.” Lin Qingle, worried he wouldn’t believe her, took his hand and brought it to her arm, enduring the pain as she said, “Does your house have antiseptic? I want to put some on before going home, or my mom will worry.”
“Xu Tingbai? Is that okay…”
She came again, tugging at him.
His fingers brushed against the uneven skin on her arm where it had been scraped by the stones, and the sensation felt strange.
This strangeness was just like the fresh fragrance he smelled when she stood protectively in front of him earlier.
Inappropriate and unreasonable.
___________
Author’s Note: It’s a relationship of mutual redemption~