ATLAS TRANSLATES

Tao Zhi knew Jiang Qi Huai could be mean, but she hadn’t expected him to be this cruel.

Although he had chosen a gentler way to express it, his words essentially meant — How dare you think about dating with such low scores? Your grades aren’t good enough for me.

His tone and attitude seemed very serious, without any obvious contempt. It was just a pure rejection based on the reasoning that if you can’t even score 700 points, don’t bother with unnecessary things.

That was even more hurtful than mockery.

Even Tao Zhi, who wasn’t particularly empathetic or kind, felt a pang of heartache for Li Shu Fei.

Tao Zhi thought that if Jiang Qi Huai had said something like that to her, she might have punched him in the head.

Sure enough, Li Si Jia lowered her head and fell silent, her shoulders trembling slightly.

Tao Zhi wondered if he had made the poor girl cry.

After a while, Li Si Jia raised her head again, her face flushed as she bit her lip and said, “I understand. Does Jiang mean he likes students who perform well academically?”

Jiang Qi Huai remained silent.

His reaction seemed like a tacit agreement. Li Si Jia nodded and gathered her courage to continue, “Then if I can score 700 points in the next monthly exam, I hope Jiang will consider me.”

She didn’t wait for Jiang Qi Huai’s response and ran away immediately.

When Jiang Qi Huai turned around, he saw Tao Zhi crouching nearby, supporting her head with both hands, intently staring ahead without sparing him a glance.

Before he could speak, Tao Zhi immediately proclaimed with suspicious innocence, “I’m watching the first-years play basketball.” In front of them on the outdoor basketball court, a young boy dribbled past his opponents, ran quickly to the opposite hoop, jumped high, and sent the ball accurately through the basket.

Tao Zhi clapped her hands: “Nice shot!”

Jiang Qi Huai: “…”

Jiang Qi Huai raised his hand and lightly tapped her head: “Let’s go.”

Tao Zhi stood up covering her head. Her legs were a bit numb from crouching too long, so she jumped a couple of times before bouncing after him.

She tilted her head to look up at Jiang Qi Huai without saying anything.

The boy’s jawline was lean and clear, curving gracefully to his ears. His neck was long with a sharp Adam’s apple, his shoulders broad yet slim, his white T-shirt and school uniform jacket half-concealing the outline of his collarbones.

“What are you looking at?” Those pale thin lips parted, carrying the characteristic sharp edges of youth in his clear and cold enunciation.

“I was thinking…” Tao Zhi drawled lazily, speaking honestly, “If we just looked at your appearance and ignored your personality, I can see why Li Shu Fei would fall head over heels for you.”

Tao Zhi had seen plenty of handsome guys before.

There was no shortage of the cold, aloof, academic elite type, but Jiang Qi Huai couldn’t be categorized that simply.

The edges in his personality were actually very obvious, and he made no attempt to hide this sharp aggressiveness. He had poor empathy and ability to relate to others, was harsh and unsympathetic.

Tao Zhi thought if you cut this person open, he would definitely be black inside.

But that image was too bloody.

She shrank her neck and looked away: “You should speak more tactfully and leave some face for the poor girl.”

Jiang Qi Huai glanced sideways: “I thought I was being quite tactful.”

Where were you being tactful?!

Aren’t you just showing off?!

Tao Zhi rolled her eyes: “This only worked because our poor Li Shu Fei has such a gentle and soft personality. If it were someone else hearing those words of yours…”

She grew curious as she spoke: “Your Highness, if Li Shu Fei really scores above 700 points in the next exam, would you consider her?”

Jiang Qi Huai lowered his eyes: “If I were you, I’d worry about other things right now.”

Tao Zhi paused: “Other things? Like what?”

“Like,” Jiang Qi Huai paused, “The reason why the homeroom teacher is looking for you after you skipped a class.”

Tao Zhi: “…”

Tao Zhi panicked a bit: “Did Teacher Wang come to the classroom last period?”

“Mm,” Jiang Qi Huai didn’t even blink, “He did.”

Tao Zhi: “…”

The two walked into the teaching building. Tao Zhi reluctantly climbed the stairs while holding the handrail. Standing in front of Teacher Wang’s office, she quickly thought about what to do. She raised her hand, pulled down the corners of her mouth with her fingertips, and knocked on the door with a weak expression. Then she pushed the door open and said listlessly: “Teacher Wang.”

Teacher Wang was grading papers and looked up briefly: “You’re here? I was just thinking of asking you and Jiang Qi Huai about this week’s class meeting. It’s been almost a month since school started, do you have any ideas?”

“?”

Tao Zhi looked up confused: “Class meeting?”

“We have monthly exams next week. I was planning to have a motivational class meeting next week, but your math teacher just took that slot, so we’re moving it to this week,” Teacher Wang said while grading papers, “This will be handled by you class monitors. Think about what theme to use, something positive and uplifting. No problem, right?”

Tao Zhi had entered feeling quite guilty, but when she heard it wasn’t about her skipping class, she immediately stood straight: “No problem!”

Teacher Wang looked up at her puzzled: “Usually you complain about everything I ask you to do, why are you so enthusiastic this time?”

Tao Zhi said seriously: “This is part of my duties as class monitor.”

Jiang Qi Huai made a light, scoffing laugh through his nose beside her.

Tao Zhi secretly pinched his arm while keeping her hands behind her back.

Teacher Wang didn’t notice their little interaction: “Alright, you two can go back now. Discuss it with the publicity committee member too.”

Tao Zhi acknowledged and left the office first.

Jiang Qi Huai followed and closed the door.

As soon as he came out, Tao Zhi said quietly: “Liar.”

Jiang Qi Huai walked forward.

Tao Zhi: “Jiang Qi Huai is a liar.”

“…”

Tao Zhi: “Jiang Qi Huai deceives innocent girls.”

Jiang Qi Huai: “…”

He turned around: “I was just trying to give you some tension.”

Tao Zhi “hmph”ed and strode past him with a toss of her head, her high ponytail swishing and brushing against his uniform collar.

Jiang Qi Huai raised his hand and lightly touched where it had brushed, lowering his neck.

It was a bit itchy.

Publicity Committee Member Jiang Zheng Xun was doing his fifth self-reflection, thinking that maybe he shouldn’t have run for this position during the class officer elections.

Earlier, Zhao Ming Qi had also teased him, saying that for a boy with such a masculine name, how come he didn’t like playing games or sports, and instead always liked to work on things that girls typically enjoyed.

Jiang Zheng Xun thought Zhao Ming Qi’s thinking was problematic.

What’s wrong with being a boy?

Boys can also like drawing, making class newsletters, and organizing class meetings and activities. What does personal interest have to do with gender? These things don’t conflict at all.

That was until Teacher Wang asked him to work with the two class monitors.

Jiang Zheng Xun looked up at the two people sitting opposite him. Jiang Qi Huai was passing the class meeting theme proposal he had just prepared to Tao Zhi: “The publicity committee wrote this.”

Tao Zhi had her chin resting on the chair back, playing games on her phone without looking up: “Not talking to liars.”

Jiang Qi Huai: “…”

He pushed the notebook in front of Tao Zhi: “Take a look, if it’s good we’ll go with it.”

Tao Zhi didn’t even glance at him: “Can’t hear liars talking either.”

Jiang Qi Huai: “…”

Several classes had passed already.

Jiang Qi Huai’s patience was always limited, and seeing both leaders’ faces getting as cold as ice, Jiang Zheng Xun cleared his throat, took the notebook from Jiang Qi Huai, and carefully handed it to Tao Zhi, speaking softly: “Um… although it might be a bit childish and cliché, I personally quite like it. Monitor, please take a look.”

He even used the respectful form of address.

Tao Zhi paused her game-playing, feeling it wasn’t right to take out her anger on others. She put her phone in her uniform pocket and looked up, taking the notebook to read.

Jiang Zheng Xun’s theme was about growth and change.

Everyone’s life has different stages, and no one can grow up without changing. The person you wanted to become when you were little might not be who you want to be when you grow up, and good grades now don’t represent everything.

It was indeed quite corny, but Tao Zhi liked it.

She tapped the notebook and looked up at Jiang Qi Huai: “See?”

Tao Zhi crossed her legs and emphasized each word: “Good grades now don’t represent everything.”

“…”

Jiang Qi Huai couldn’t be bothered to argue with her.

The final interactive part of Jiang Zheng Xun’s class meeting theme was to write down childhood dreams and current aspirations. Seeing these two about to start arguing again, he quickly asked Tao Zhi: “Monitor, did you have any dreams when you were little?”

Tao Zhi turned her head and thought for a moment: “When I was very young, I wanted to marry the chicken butcher.”

Jiang Zheng Xun didn’t follow: “The what?”

“The chicken butcher. My family wasn’t well-off when I was little. I don’t remember much, but I know I was always happy when we had meat for dinner. Then I had this annoying little brother I had to share with,” Tao Zhi looked disgustedly at Ji Fan sleeping soundly at the other end of the classroom. She held up three fingers, “When I was five, I couldn’t compete with him. From a plate of chicken wings, I could only grab three, while that pig would snatch all the rest.”

Jiang Zheng Xun: “…”

You can remember a chicken wing battle from when you were five until now?!

Jiang Zheng Xun thought this but didn’t dare say it out loud.

“So I wanted to marry the chicken butcher, or open my own chicken shop, then I could eat as much as I wanted without having to fight with my annoying brother for chicken wings,” Tao Zhi continued.

Jiang Zheng Xun thought your main reason was just that you hated your brother.

He nodded and agreed: “That’s quite a practical dream.”

As they were talking, Li Shuang Jiang’s head suddenly popped up from behind Jiang Qi Huai and Tao Zhi: “Hey, it’s young master’s birthday tonight, are you all coming or not?”

“You already told me this morning,” Jiang Zheng Xun said slowly, putting away his notebook, “Not going.”

Li Shuang Jiang wasn’t happy and glared at him: “If you don’t come, I’ll tie you up and bring you there.”

Jiang Zheng Xun: “That settles it then.”

Tao Zhi turned around: “It’s your birthday today?”

“Yeah,” Li Shuang Jiang said, “Didn’t I tell you? I posted it in our Justice League group.”

Tao Zhi had turned off the notifications for that group too, so she really didn’t remember.

“I just told Ji Fan while playing basketball, he’s coming too,” Li Shuang Jiang said, half-leaning on the desk and swaying, “Big sis, are you coming?”

Tao Zhi had no objections: “Sure.”

Li Shuang Jiang turned to look at Jiang Qi Huai: “Huai bro, are you coming?”

Jiang Qi Huai was about to refuse.

Li Shuang Jiang frowned and said seriously: “Huai bro, this isn’t good. You didn’t come to the team building last time either. Studies are important, but aren’t extracurricular activities important too? As our Pretty—”

Seeing that he was about to say that stupid name of their ridiculous league, Jiang Qi Huai felt a headache coming on and interrupted him: “What time?”

“Right after school,” Li Shuang Jiang said excitedly, “Give the league members some face, it’s settled then.”

After Li Shuang Jiang finished speaking, he floated away to call Zhao Ming Qi.

Tao Zhi looked at Jiang Qi Huai and lowered her voice: “I didn’t check that group, I didn’t prepare a gift for him.”

Jiang Qi Huai glanced at her: “You think I would check?”

Tao Zhi: “Why didn’t you check? I already turned off the blocking for you.”

She finished speaking and then shut up.

Jiang Qi Huai looked at her meaningfully.

“What are you looking at,” Tao Zhi scratched her nose tip, “You discovered it long ago, didn’t you?”

Jiang Qi Huai turned slightly: “I did discover it, I just didn’t expect you to admit it so frankly.”

“What’s there not to admit,” Tao Zhi imitated Li Shuang Jiang’s tone from earlier, “As a member of our Pretty Girl Justice League, you should indeed be more sociable.”

Jiang Qi Huai: “…”

Tao Zhi raised her hand and patted his shoulder: “Our Your Highness.”

Jiang Qi Huai didn’t speak, wondering what mischief she was up to now.

Tao Zhi deliberately raised her voice: “The backbone of the Pretty Girl Justice League!”

Jiang Qi Huai: “…”

The restaurant Li Shuang Jiang chose for his birthday dinner wasn’t far from school, about a ten-minute walk.

Li Shuang Jiang was very popular and had called a bunch of friends. A group of boys walked in front, arms around shoulders, chatting about games and sports matches, while the girls followed behind talking about clothes and the latest manga and novels.

Tao Zhi was chewing on a milk candy, walking at the back with Fu Xi Ling. The large group arrived at the restaurant where Li Shuang Jiang had reserved a private room in advance. It was a large round table that could seat more than ten people, with boys sitting on one side and girls on the other.

Tao Zhi stood at the door to make a phone call to Uncle Gu to let him know, and was the last one to enter.

When she went in, everyone had already ordered and started chatting. Fu Xi Ling had saved her a seat, with Jiang Qi Huai on her right.

Being in a private room, the boys became more uninhibited, ordering a case of beer with one bottle per boy.

Tao Zhi often drank when she went out with Song Jiang and others. She was sitting by the door with the case of beer at her feet, so she casually took out a bottle, opened it, and slowly poured it into a glass.

No one paid much attention, except Li Shuang Jiang who looked over: “Big sis drinks?”

Tao Zhi held the beer bottle and blinked: “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing nothing, it’s just that girls can drink if they want to, no pressure,” Li Shuang Jiang quickly said, “Big sis, how’s your alcohol tolerance?”

Tao Zhi thought for a moment and said seriously: “Not that great.”

Li Shuang Jiang usually appeared casual but was actually quite considerate of girls, and was about to suggest she drink coconut juice or something instead.

“But I should be able to drink all of you under the table until you’re hugging toilets,” Tao Zhi continued.

“…”

Li Shuang Jiang gave her a respectful bow.

While they were chatting, the server came in to serve the dishes.

Sixteen and seventeen-year-old boys, who would get three scoops of rice at the cafeteria, had enormous appetites. Li Shuang Jiang had ordered a full table of dishes, and the server brought them in one by one.

Tao Zhi sat next to the entrance where dishes were being served, so she had to lean aside each time to make way. She supported herself on the soft chair cushion and tilted her head slightly as the server put two dishes on the table.

Fu Xi Ling glanced at them and made a sound of surprise, saying: “Miss, you brought an extra plate here. We only ordered one plate of cola chicken wings.”

The server looked down at their order slip: “No, it’s correct. Two orders of cola chicken wings,” she looked at Jiang Qi Huai, “This young man came out earlier and added another order.”

Fu Xi Ling made an “oh” sound and quietly thanked the server.

The private room was noisy, and no one paid attention to their exchange.

Tao Zhi turned her head to look at Jiang Qi Huai.

He had been quietly sitting there the whole time, only responding when someone spoke to him. When no one talked to him, he just silently ate peanuts, in stark contrast to the other boys who were acting like monkeys, showing their teeth and waving their arms around.

Tao Zhi was about to ask him why he ordered an extra serving.

Suddenly Jiang Qi Huai put down his chopsticks and leaned forward slightly, his fingers gripping the edge of one of the plates of cola chicken wings and pulling it forward, placing it in front of Tao Zhi.

Tao Zhi was stunned for a moment.

The white porcelain plate was pulled over, its edge making a crisp but faint sound as it hit against the beer glass, the sound drowned out by the laughter and conversation.

“Eat,” Jiang Qi Huai said quietly, “No one will fight you for these.”