7 – So Cute It Makes One’s Heart Race
The young man before her, usually as serene as the moon and clear as the breeze, revealed a terrifying and unfamiliar side, causing Lin Xuexuan to step back in fright.
She stared at him wide-eyed, as if she no longer recognized him.
Although Jiang Yubai was usually aloof and indifferent toward others, he had never been this cold, fierce, and filled with such hostility.
This was completely different from the image of the Study God she had always admired!
She pressed her lips together tightly.
No, it couldn’t be.
She was so outstanding and kind—how could Jiang Yubai possibly dislike her?
It must be Jiang Yuxing’s fault!
Surely, it was because she had mentioned Jiang Yuxing’s name earlier, annoying Jiang Yubai.
That must be why he lost his temper and showed her such a frightening side.
Yes, that had to be it!
After this self-reassurance, a smile gradually returned to Lin Xuexuan’s face.
“It’s my fault; I shouldn’t have brought up Jiang Yuxing again,” she said gently, smoothing the stray hairs by her ear. “Since you’re fine, I’ll head back now.”
With that, Lin Xuexuan turned and walked straight back to her seat.
Hmph.
She would never be like Jiang Yuxing, so lacking in self-respect, clinging desperately to others.
A girl like her, who knew when to advance and retreat and had a sense of propriety, was the one boys would find truly precious.
Such a simple concept—what would a girl like Jiang Yuxing, who threw herself at others, possibly understand?
After Lin Xuexuan left, the irritation on Jiang Yubai’s face had yet to fade.
With a cold expression, he reached up and tugged at his usually immaculate tie.
Unable to resist, he lifted his gaze and discreetly, habitually, looked in Jiang Yuxing’s direction.
The Little Fox was chatting with someone beside her, her delicate and charming eyes curved like crescent moons as she laughed. Her bright, lively smile crashed vividly into his line of sight.
Jiang Yubai stared at her unblinkingly, the earlier restlessness in his expression easing instantly.
Behind his thin glasses, his cool eyes betrayed a wave of obsessive longing.
He really… wanted to possess her.
But was he worthy?
Jiang Yubai lowered his gaze to the financial aid application form in his hand. The blazing infatuation that had just surged in his eyes was doused like water, turning dim and obscure in an instant.
They were similar in age, yet their lives were worlds apart.
Her father, Huo Chi, was an internationally renowned car racing champion with countless awards. Her mother, Jiang Li, was a world-famous illustrator with numerous exhibitions.
She had grown up without a care, cherished and carefree, radiant and vibrant.
And him?
He had irresponsible parents, an old, dilapidated house, a grandmother with limited mobility to care for, and overwhelming medical bills…
Even their classmates, given their family backgrounds, couldn’t believe they had known each other since childhood.
What right did he have to reach for this star, to pluck this exquisite rose?
—What do you even like about Jiang Yubai?
—Of course, because he’s good-looking!
The conversation between Jiang Yuxing and Meng Ling replayed in his mind, word for word.
Jiang Yubai smiled self-deprecatingly, casting a shadow over his expression.
In truth, he had known this harsh reality for a long time.
Jiang Yuxing only liked him for his looks, nothing more.
Out of kindness, and because she liked his face, she drew close to him and claimed to like him.
The dazzling Little Fox had always been drawn to appearances since she was young, unable to resist anything beautiful.
But once she obtained it, she would quickly lose all interest and discard it without a second thought.Jiang Yubai had witnessed how much she loved a dress today, only for her to discard it tomorrow—never seeing her wear it again.
There was also a time she adored a limited edition hair clip, wearing it daily until she spotted a new design and abandoned it completely.
Therefore, he absolutely must not let her discover the filthy, humble secrets buried in his heart.
If she learned he had long belonged to her,
she would undoubtedly discard him like those tired dresses and hair clips—treating him as garbage, never glancing his way again.
Jiang Yubai had grown up without a sense of security.
Even his closest parents could abandon him.
What right did he have to expect someone as dazzling as the stars to stay by his side forever?
If she were to grow weary of him, tossing him aside like trash without another look…
Jiang Yubai weakly closed his eyes, fists clenching.
He would surely wither away…
Unrequited love is a solitary battlefield of chaos.
Restrained and enduring, insecure and anxious, he did his best to hide his secret.
He didn’t dare hope for an important place in her heart—
only wishing to remain in her sight a little longer, just a bit longer.
That would be enough for him…
But he didn’t know—
possessiveness is the hardest thing in the world to overcome.
Once it takes hold, there’s no shaking it off.
Not even the most aloof and disciplined Study god could escape it.
The first period was math class, renowned for its hypnotic effect.
The homeroom teacher, surnamed Ji with a temper like a powder keg, was affectionately nicknamed “Teacher Ji” by the students.
“Jiang Yuxing! Where’s your homework from yesterday? Did you mail it to outer space? Huh?”
Ji Shuangxiang stormed into the classroom, slamming a stack of assignments onto the podium with practiced ease, eyes bulging like copper bells as he glared at the girl below.
Jiang Yuxing: Huu huu huu Zzz…
Her head rested comfortably on a soft corgi pillow, rosy lips smacking lightly as she slept soundly.
Ji Shuangxiang: ?
He took a deep breath, furiously rolling a homework book into a megaphone to roar, “Jiang! Yu! Xing!”
A explosive shout blasted beside her ear.
Jiang Yuxing drowsily opened her eyes, sat up in confusion, and glanced around. “Huh? Is school over?”
Ji Shuangxiang: ?
“Pfft—”
Several classmates couldn’t suppress their laughter.
Beside her, Meng Ling facepalmed, looking utterly defeated.
Jiang Yubai watched her contrasting cute demeanor, the corner of his lips quirking imperceptibly.
So adorable.
Ji Shuangxiang was fuming, nearly steaming.
“Jiang Yuxing, stand up right now!”
He waved the homework book. “Why didn’t you submit your math homework yesterday? Make something up.”
Yuxing yawned as she rose, her reddish-brown long curls slightly disheveled, a few stray hairs sticking up.
Blinking away sleep-induced mist, she looked surprised. “Huh? Was there math homework yesterday?”
Ji Shuangxiang: ?
Seeing him on the verge of combusting, Yuxing licked her lips and promptly backtracked, “Oh, right, right—I forgot to do it.”
Hearing this, Ji Shuangxiang let out a bitter laugh.
He uttered the classic line of every dedicated teacher: “Forgot again? Why don’t you forget to bring your head to school while you’re at it?”He stared at the girl who looked quite intelligent and couldn’t resist firing off four rapid questions, “Was yesterday’s homework difficult? Aren’t these all topics we covered in class? You couldn’t solve any of them? Not even a single step of the solution?”
Jiang Yuxing replied breezily, “I could.”
With a serious expression, she explained, “First, pick up the pen. Second, open the homework. Third, question my existence. Finally, open Honor of Kings. Done.”
Ji Shuangxiang: ?
Xiong Ge and the others nearly laughed themselves unconscious.
Honk honk honk honk, save me!
Holding back laughter is so hard!
Ji Shuangxiang pinched his philtrum, desperately taking deep breaths.
Actually, Jiang Yuxing’s grades weren’t too bad—she was average overall—but math was her unconquerable weakness.
As her main subject teacher, Ji Shuangxiang refused to believe she was hopeless and thought she could still be saved.
He picked up a piece of chalk, turned around, and wrote one of last night’s homework problems on the blackboard. “Come up here and solve this.”
Sigh.
Why does something as painful as math exist in this world? (? ? ?? )!
Jiang Yuxing reluctantly walked up to the platform, took the chalk, and smoothly wrote “Solution:” on the board.
Then nothing followed.
Ji Shuangxiang: ?
“How about this,” Jiang Yuxing suggested earnestly, seeing that he was about to be driven mad by her again. “Teacher Ji… oops, I mean, Teacher Ji, why don’t you split the answer into three options, A, B, and C? I’ll pick one for you based on intuition?”
“Don’t worry, my sixth sense is pretty good,” she added seriously. “After all, I have to guess answers in every math exam. My intuition has been trained to perfection, reaching the pinnacle of skill.”
Ji Shuangxiang produced his sixth question mark of the day: ?
“Jiang! Yu! Xing! Are you rebelling?!” This time, Teacher Ji completely lost his temper, pointing downward and roaring again, “Get the hell down and stand for the rest of class! From now on, you stand during every one of my lessons!”
Jiang Yuxing: !
There was at least one math class every day, and occasionally two in a row.
One class lasted 45 minutes, two classes meant 90 minutes.
Making her stand bored for that long would be worse than torture! _(′?L」 ∠)!
Just as Jiang Yuxing walked down with a miserable expression, a clear, pleasant voice suddenly spoke up.
“Teacher, I can answer for her.” Jiang Yubai slowly rose from his seat, looking at her with a subtle softness in his handsome, pleasing features. “I can also tutor her after class to help improve her grades. I hope you’ll exempt her from standing as punishment.”
The lively and delicate Little Fox had never endured such hardship before.
Even if she didn’t mind, he couldn’t bear to see it.