2 – Peeking at me?
To the astonishment of many, the lower half of Xin Jushang’s face hidden behind the mask was not some breathtakingly beautiful visage, but rather a face covered in red, swollen acne.
Under the bewildered gazes of everyone, Xin Jushang quickly returned to her seat, bent down to retrieve a new mask from her backpack.
Although this was just a mango allergy, she couldn’t be bothered to explain it to everyone. It also conveniently helped her avoid some unwanted romantic attention.
Beauty had brought her many advantages, but it was also this very pretty face that had once left her with lingering shadows.
Coming to Hengmu meant a fresh start in her life—a chance to begin anew here.
With the mask back on, Xin Jushang felt as if a heavy weight had been lifted from her heart, inexplicably bringing her a sense of relief.
The unpleasant little incident during the break was soon forgotten by everyone. By letting things take their course this time, Xin Jushang secured a peaceful half-month in this class.
Since Zhou Yuchuan had personally witnessed his new deskmate’s “true appearance,” he tried his best to hide his unease and awkwardness, moving his desk back to press closely against Xin Jushang’s.
Noticing this, Xin Jushang’s hand, which had been writing, suddenly paused. She tilted her head slightly, her gaze lingering on Zhou Yuchuan.
In the days since transferring to this new class, she realized she had never really observed her new deskmate closely.
At that moment, sunlight filtered through the gaps in the window, casting a golden glow over the boy as if outlining him in light.
Zhou Yuchuan, who was being watched, was idly folding a paper crane out of sticky notes. Perhaps sensing the intense gaze fixed on him, he uncomfortably touched his earlobe and turned his head to meet Xin Jushang’s eyes—
“Peeking at me? Am I that handsome?”
His eyes were bright, the corners slightly upturned, carrying a somewhat captivating charm.
Xin Jushang froze, as if caught cheating on an exam by a teacher, a flicker of panic flashing in her eyes.
She never expected that the first time she secretly glanced at a boy in her life, she would actually be caught.
How utterly embarrassing.
Though inwardly annoyed, Xin Jushang tried her best to stay calm, pretending not to have heard Zhou Yuchuan’s words and lowering her head to continue looking at the questions.
But the pen in her hand tightened, and her handwriting grew somewhat messy.
Suddenly, a low, husky teenage voice sounded beside her ear—
“I know you’ve fallen for me, but I’m sorry to say, my heart already belongs to someone else.”
Xin Jushang was stunned for a few seconds, feeling utterly bewildered.
How could her new deskmate be so narcissistic?
Out of good personal upbringing, Xin Jushang could only listen expressionlessly as Zhou Yuchuan continued his personal declaration:
“Maybe moving my desk back these past few days made you misunderstand. I apologize for that. Keeping my distance earlier was purely because I was worried Jianing might get jealous, but later…”
Xin Jushang didn’t want to hear Zhou Yuchuan’s explanation at all. Right now, she just wanted to find some tape to seal his mouth shut.
As for the “Jianing” he mentioned…
Was that the childhood sweetheart he supposedly transferred schools for, as the rumors said?
Xin Jushang couldn’t help but find it amusing. She finally understood what Zhou Yuchuan meant.
So he thought she looked ugly without the mask, but just didn’t have the nerve to say it outright.
“Zhou Yuchuan,” she finally couldn’t hold back and spoke softly, “I don’t like you.”
“Then did you peek at me?” Zhou Yuchuan quickly turned the accusation around.
“…”
Silence was the Cambridge Bridge tonight.
Peeking at Zhou Yuchuan was indeed an undeniable fact, impossible to wash clean.
Xin Jushang now intensely disliked the arrogant narcissist beside her.
Thus, a fire smoldered in her heart, still unquelled by the time school ended. So when Xu Zhiyan asked if she wanted to go to the milk tea shop together after school, she hesitated only a few seconds before firmly nodding.
Like many girls her age, Xin Jushang occasionally needed sweets and milk tea to wash away her bad moods.
This was the first time Xin Jushang agreed to walk home with Xu Zhiyan after school. Xu Zhiyan was extremely excited, enthusiastically sharing all sorts of school gossip along the way.
Xin Jushang was more like a qualified listener, quietly listening to Xu Zhiyan’s chattering gossip without interrupting, occasionally responding with a few words.
The evening sunset was exceptionally gentle, with occasional breezes brushing past, stirring the stray hairs by Xin Jushang’s ears.
Even wearing a mask, she still looked like a beautiful girl who had stepped out of a manga, so lovely it sparked endless imagination.
Xu Zhiyan happened to turn to speak to Xin Jushang and caught this exact scene.
Although she had seen Xin Jushang without her mask in class before, Xu Zhiyan stubbornly believed that Xin Jushang just had problematic skin—her facial features were actually very pretty.
“Jushang,” Xu Zhiyan swallowed and mustered her courage, “My dad knows a really good dermatologist. Should I introduce you?”
Hearing this, Xin Jushang’s walking pace faltered for a moment but quickly returned to normal.
She was just about to explain to Xu Zhiyan when the other girl spoke first—
“Jushang, I swear to you, I really think you’re beautiful!”
Xu Zhiyan, as if worried Xin Jushang wouldn’t believe her, immediately raised her hand solemnly to swear to the heavens, “I just want you to be even more beautiful, absolutely no other meaning.”
Xin Jushang was amused by Xu Zhiyan’s desperate attempt to save face—this was the first time she had smiled since coming to Hengmu High School.
A warm current also flowed through her heart.
“My skin will get better.” Xin Jushang lifted her gaze to look at the anxious girl before her, curving the corners of her lips, “Thank you.”
After packing up two cups of milk tea at the shop, they were just about to push the door open when Xin Jushang bumped into a familiar figure.
…Zhou Yuchuan.
Why was it this narcissist again.
Xin Jushang quickly lowered her head, pretending not to see the boy before her. Just as she was about to hurriedly walk past, a strong hand wrapped around her shoulder.
Zhou Yuchuan had one arm around Xin Jushang’s shoulder and the other pressed against the door, deliberately not letting her leave.
Xu Zhiyan tried to pull her away from the side but was deterred by Zhou Yuchuan’s gaze.
“My dear deskmate,” Zhou Yuchuan leaned close to Xin Jushang’s ear, lowering his voice, “Help me with something.”
She could even clearly feel the warmth of his breath as he spoke.
Xin Jushang lifted her eyelids, meeting Zhou Yuchuan’s gaze.
To her surprise, Zhou Yuchuan looked like a heartbroken puppy abandoned by its owner.
The next second, he buried his head in her shoulder, his voice sounding muffled, as if he had caught a cold—
“Let me lean on you for a moment, just a moment.”