Thursday noon, the school was filled with a festive atmosphere. Due to New Year’s Day, they got an early holiday starting from noon, with evening self-study resuming on Monday.
As per holiday tradition, some classmates would usually organize group meals and karaoke. Tonight was New Year’s Eve, and many had been discussing in the class group chat since last night about where to celebrate.
Xu You sat at her desk, copying down the problems the teacher had left on the blackboard. Beside her, Zheng Xiaolin excitedly discussed New Year’s Eve plans with those sitting behind.
Whispered discussions drifted over:
“Let’s go to the Clock Tower on Peace Street for New Year’s!”
“Are you kidding? Last time there was almost a stampede, you forgot?”
“Can’t we do something different? Peace Street will be packed.”
“Hahaha, you forgot last year’s countdown there? We were surrounded by couples everywhere, it was so depressing…”
“No way, I’m staying home to watch the Mango TV New Year’s show…”
“You’re so boring…”
“…”
“Oh right!! Youyou!”
Zheng Xiaolin suddenly seemed to remember something and turned to ask, “Are you free tonight?”
“Huh?” Xu You was busy writing, “What did you say?”
Before Zheng Xiaolin could repeat herself, a tall, slim figure appeared before them.
The words caught in her throat.
Xie Ci stood leaning against the podium, hands in his pockets, and nudged Xu You’s desk with his knee. “Want to hang out this afternoon?”
“Move, you’re blocking me from copying,” Xu You leaned slightly, peering around to the left.
He laughed softly, lowering his eyes to ask: “Are you coming or not?”
Xu You shook her head, “Can’t, I have something to do.”
It wasn’t a lie – she really did have plans. She’d been having intermittent stomach pains lately, and since it was a holiday, Chen Xiuyun had time to take her to see a doctor.
“What is it?” his voice lowered.
“Something important.”
He persisted: “Like what?”
Xu You finished copying the last character, pausing her pen on the paper before answering softly: “Please stop asking, I really have something to do.”
“Do you always have something to do whenever I ask you out?” Xie Ci asked flatly.
Xu You was speechless, clutching her pen cap tightly as she continued shaking her head.
The atmosphere suddenly became tense.
People nearby glanced back and forth between Xu You and Xie Ci, saying nothing.
After two or three seconds of silence with her head bowed low, Xie Ci let out an “Oh” and walked off the podium, leaving the classroom.
Xu You stared blankly at his retreating figure.
Thinking to herself.
He seemed… angry…
A bit temperamental.
Zheng Xiaolin sat stunned for a while, processing the fact that ‘Xie Ci actively invited Xu You to hang out.’ After all, in her eyes, the two were complete opposites.
One was an introverted, gentle top student, the other a handsome troublemaker who didn’t study…
Her reaction was delayed, but she suddenly burst out: “Youyou, is Xie Ci pursuing you?!”
Zhu Xiaohao sitting behind them put his head in his hands, speechless.
This was something the whole class already knew…
“…Xie Ci seemed really scary for a moment there, his eyes were so cold.”
Zheng Xiaolin patted her chest and said to Xu You: “You’re new so you don’t know, but Xie Ci actually has quite a temper. Though he hasn’t lost his temper in a while, it’s rare now. It’s because whenever he used to get angry, he’d get physical with people, and no one dared provoke him…”
That afternoon.
The city hospital was still packed with tired-looking people coming and going, even during the holiday. Fortunately, Chen Xiuyun had made an appointment in advance, so she took Xu You directly to the surgical area.
There were still some people queuing ahead of them, so Chen Xiuyun and Xu You sat on the long bench to wait.
“Your grandmother said she dreamed of you visiting her the other day.”
Hearing this, Xu You froze, “Ah…”
“Grandmother said she misses you so much.”
“I miss her too.”
Xu You felt a twinge in her heart.
“She’s getting old, her health isn’t good anymore, sigh…” Chen Xiuyun looked at Xu You’s physical examination form. “Don’t study so late in the future, you’ll ruin your health.”
“I get up every night and see your room light still on…”
Xu You made a sound of agreement, “There’s a lot of homework, mom.”
“Can’t you finish it at school?” Chen Xiuyun adjusted Xu You’s collar. “Look how much pain you’re in during your period, you can barely eat – it’s because you’re not getting enough sleep…”
As they were talking, the operating room door opened and a nurse poked her head out calling: “Number 89, is Xu You here?”
“Yes, yes.” Chen Xiuyun got up, holding Xu You’s hand.
The gastroscopy was quite troublesome.
First came the endoscopy.
Xu You took a small bottle of something like capsules, then received general anesthesia and lay on the operating table.
With two or three people ahead of her, she dozed off while waiting.
When she woke up, it was already four in the afternoon.
Showing the results to the doctor, they said it wasn’t serious – just some chronic gastritis. She needed to watch her diet.
Her father had a business dinner tonight, and Chen Xiuyun had to stay at the hospital to look after Chen Lizhi who had just given birth.
So Xu You had to take the bus home alone.
Still groggy from the anesthesia and feeling weak, she took a shower and collapsed into bed, falling asleep again.
She was woken by her phone ringing on the bedside table.
“Hello…” Xu You rolled over, fumbling for her phone in the dark and putting it to her ear.
As soon as it reached her ear, the noisy background sounds burst through the phone, hitting her eardrum.
Xu You frowned and pulled it away slightly, checking the caller ID.
—
New Year’s Eve. A big group from Class 9 had booked a hotel restaurant near the countdown clock tower.
They had been eating and drinking since six o’clock, and the party was in full swing.
“Brother Ci, want to go clubbing later? My friend just opened a new place.”
A boy at the table took a drink, “I haven’t been, but I heard it’s wild.”
“Where is it?” Song Yifan asked.
“Not far, just next to Zhongbai Plaza.”
“Is Brother Cheng going?” the boy turned to ask.
Tu Xiaocheng had one arm around his girlfriend as he laughed, “You clueless idiot, to hell with that. Having fun with my girlfriend is way better than hanging out with you guys, okay?”
“Hahahahaha, damn.”
“What kind of fun? Share some tips!”
“Hahahahaha shit.”
Amidst the laughter, Song Yifan turned to ask Xie Ci, “What about you, Ci?”
“Not going.”
He didn’t even look up, cigarette between his lips.
Song Yifan saw his complete lack of interest. After a moment of confusion, he suddenly realized: “Oh… right… you’re also a taken man now.”
Xie Ci said nothing.
The air pressure around him dropped even lower.
“What?! Xie Ci has a girlfriend? When did this happen?! Never heard about it!” someone exclaimed in surprise.
Song Yifan couldn’t help himself: “Tsk tsk, you might not believe this story…”
“Are you done? Looking for trouble?”
Xie Ci sat there quietly, head lowered as he played with his lighter, his expression unreadable.
Song Yifan immediately fell silent.
Li Jieyi, sitting opposite, watched Xie Ci take another drink from the table and suddenly remembered something. Looking around, he asked puzzled: “Wait, why isn’t Xu You here today?”
Xie Ci had been quite dejected all evening, barely speaking.
But at that name, he showed some reaction. He glanced sideways, “Since when are you so familiar with her?”
Li Jieyi grinned innocently, “Come on, am I not even allowed to say her name?”
Just then, the hall door opened and a server led someone in.
She had loose black hair, wore a large green knit scarf, and a white down jacket.
The noisy crowd didn’t notice the small disturbance at the door.
But the people at Song Yifan’s table instantly fell quiet.
Xie Ci was still looking down, smoking, when someone nudged his arm.
He looked up.
—
Xu You couldn’t resist Fu Xueli’s repeated phone calls anymore.
She briefly discussed it with Chen Xiuyun on the phone. When Chen Xiuyun asked about the situation, Xu You said she was going to celebrate New Year’s with her current classmates.
Chen Xiuyun just told her to be careful and not stay out too late, otherwise agreeing.
Xu You sat with Fu Xueli at a table full of Class 9 students.
“Youyou, have you eaten?”
Fu Xueli was happy to see her arrive, “I’ll take you to see the fireworks by the river later.”
Xu You took off her scarf and smiled, eyes crinkling, “Haha, okay.”
“The dishes are almost gone, let me order something fresh for you.” Fu Xueli raised her hand.
Xu You quickly stopped her, saying: “No need to trouble yourself, I had a gastroscopy this afternoon, I can only eat bland food.”
“What?” Fu Xueli looked down at her face, worried, “Are you okay? I didn’t know you were sick when I called you out.”
“It’s nothing serious,” she explained quietly.
“What can you eat then?”
“Just some porridge is fine.”
A while later, white porridge was served.
Xu You picked up her spoon, scooping it up bit by bit, blowing to cool it before eating.
She listened to the others chatting nearby.
Li Xiaoqiang was eating a pancake while looking at his phone.
Zhu Xiaohao leaned over to see what he was doing. He exclaimed dramatically, “Damn, Li Xiaoqiang you’re such a girl, still reading romance novels.”
“Look at these titles.” Zhu Xiaohao leaned in closer.
“Fuck, shut up.” Li Xiaoqiang dodged away and locked his screen, but Zhu Xiaohao had already seen.
He read the titles one by one: “The Fierce Husband, Picking Up Happiness, Him and His Cat…”
“Fuck you, stop it.” Li Xiaoqiang was extremely embarrassed, his face bright red.
Everyone around burst out laughing.
“I’m taking Xu You to the river later, I won’t go back with you.” Fu Xueli rested her chin in her hand, looking at Xu Xingchun beside her.
He just nodded slightly, saying nothing more.
“Hmph.”
Fu Xueli poked Xu Xingchun’s chin, “Are you unhappy?”
Xu Xingchun caught her wandering hand and put it on his leg.
Being a holiday, he wasn’t wearing his school uniform. Instead, he wore a dark blue jacket with simple jeans. Tall and long-legged, with clean-cut, delicate features, he had caught the serving girl’s eye several times earlier.
“What?” Fu Xueli tried to pull her hand back but found it being held quite firmly.
“What time will you be done?” he asked.
Fu Xueli laughed inside but deliberately said: “Can’t you be more direct?”
—
Xu You was afraid of hot food, so she could only take small sips of porridge.
She was very focused while eating, head down, eyes fixed on her bowl.
After a short while, a voice suddenly came from above her head.
“Your hair.”
Xu You’s movements stopped.
Xie Ci propped one hand on the chair back, holding a small strand of her hair, and said to Li Xiaoqiang nearby: “Switch seats.”
He sat down. She felt even more uncomfortable.
This afternoon… he had clearly been angry.
Xu You tried her best to ignore him, spooning up her porridge one scoop at a time.
Xie Ci had been drinking, and his whole demeanor was languid. He rested one foot on the chair’s cross bar, leaning slightly forward, his fair face showing a hint of flush.
“I called you this afternoon, you deliberately didn’t answer?”
He really had no patience left. He’d been annoyed all afternoon, and whenever he had a free moment he thought of her, which just made him more annoyed. But just now, the moment he saw Xu You, half his anger flew away. Originally he had planned to sit in his spot and hold out for a few seconds, not actively seeking her out. But she acted like she hadn’t even seen him.
After enduring for a while longer, his heart tormented, he finally couldn’t take it anymore and got up under Song Yifan and the others’ teasing looks.
Xu You thought about the time he mentioned, keeping her head down and slowing her porridge eating, “No, I was at the hospital, probably didn’t hear it.”
“Hospital? Why were you at the hospital?” His brows instantly furrowed.
Xu You answered: “Nothing serious, just went for a check-up.”
“So when you told me you had something to do at noon, you meant going to the hospital?” he pressed.
Xu You nodded, fidgeting with her stainless steel spoon.
“Xu You.” Xie Ci called her name.
Xu You looked up.
He leaned in close, ignoring everyone else, and said softly: “Don’t make me angry next time, okay?”
“What?” Xu You was confused.
Xie Ci stared at her.
Xu You: “…”
He spoke slowly, emphasizing each word:
“I only hold my temper because I like you, understand?”
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