Chapter 59: The Three Who Took the Initiative |
By the flowerbed lined with heart-shaped candles, Liu Xinyue clung to Jiang Xueli, wailing uncontrollably.
The cold wind slapped against her face.
Jiang Xueli kept comforting her, but she couldn't stop thinking about what had just happened—the so-called "Big Brother" and the girl who confessed to him had kissed for a full five minutes.
She couldn't even begin to imagine how deeply Liu Xinyue was hurt, especially since she had stood there and watched the whole thing.
"Xinyue, don't cry… You have to stay strong…"
Liu Xinyue sobbed, her voice choked and broken:
"I… I liked Big Brother for so many years. Even when I was overseas, I already liked him. The only reason I came back to the country was because he was studying here… But in the end, I still lost… and I lost so badly."
Liu Xinyue had learned her lesson. Regret filled her voice as she looked at Jiang Xueli.
"If I had known… If I had known, I should've called him earlier. I noticed a long time ago that she was making big moves, showing signs that she was going to confess… But I hesitated. I didn't even realize it at first! Lili, you have to learn from me! Never underestimate a love rival!"
But the next second, she had a realization… Lately, He Qing and Han Wenwen had been acting kind of suspicious too.
…No way, right?
She comforted her best friend for a long time that night. But unexpectedly, that very night, Jiang Xueli had a similar dream.
In her dream, flower petals rained down from the sky. The surroundings were a beautifully landscaped park with a flowerbed. In front of the flowerbed, heart-shaped candles flickered, and a crowd had gathered around.
Standing at the center of the heart-shaped candles were He Qing, dressed in a white dress, and that handsome big idiot.
Beside them, Han Wenwen smiled encouragingly at her best friend, while Jiang Xueli stood at a distance, watching.
He Qing clutched a bouquet in her hands and spoke hesitantly:
"I… I like you! Lin Zhengran, will you be with me?"
Lin Zhengran’s eyes were deep and unreadable.
"Of course. Although, I actually prefer tsunderes more than you… But since you confessed first, I'll be with you."
He Qing was thrilled. "R-Really? That’s amazing!"
Han Wenwen clapped her hands. "Congratulations, Little Qingqing, on your successful confession!"
The surrounding crowd started cheering. "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"
In the dream, Lin Zhengran hooked a finger under He Qing’s chin. Little He Qing closed her eyes, and the two of them slowly leaned in closer… closer…
At exactly midnight, Jiang Xueli shot up in bed, her face red with shock.
"AH?! W-What kind of dream was that?!"
That bizarre dream kept her up all night.
The next morning at school, before class started, Jiang Xueli glanced back at He Qing, who was sitting obediently at her desk, massaging her fingers.
As she rubbed them, she suddenly placed one in her mouth while using her other hand to flip open the textbook for the next period.
Her cute little face puffed up slightly because of the finger in her mouth.
Even if she was a love rival, Jiang Xueli had to admit…
"She’s so cute…"
But remembering last night’s dream sent a chill down her spine.
"She wouldn’t actually confess, right…? If she really did… then…"
At that moment, she overheard a conversation between some girls nearby.
"Hey, did you hear? A new zoo just opened in the city! I heard they have a lot of rare animals. Do you guys want to go?"
"I heard about it too! I even got a bunch of flyers! I really want to go! They even have a giant python!"
"That sounds terrifying, which makes me want to go even more! Give me a flyer!"
The classroom filled with chatter as the girls excitedly passed around the zoo’s promotional flyers. Curious, Jiang Xueli peeked over to take a look.
The flyer had close-up images of tigers, lions, and peacocks.
Her eyes sparkled. She was tempted.
"A zoo? Our city actually has a zoo now? I've never been to one before!"
Almost instinctively, she thought about asking Lin Zhengran to go with her. Maybe that would help her shake off last night’s ridiculous dream.
She glanced at the ticket price—80 yuan per ticket. It wasn’t too expensive. She still had some leftover New Year's money from last year, enough to buy two tickets.
And so, over the next two days, whenever Jiang Xueli was alone, she secretly practiced in front of the wall, rehearsing how to invite Lin Zhengran to the zoo.
Two days later, on Thursday afternoon, the second period was math class.
Near the end of class, the teacher sat at the podium, allowing the students to self-study and discuss.
Lin Zhengran was reviewing Han Wenwen’s latest mock exam paper—she had scored in the 70s. He marked the incorrect answers.
"The solution method for these problems is similar to what I explained last time. As long as you clarify the problem-solving steps, it’s actually quite simple."
Han Wenwen didn’t respond. Instead, she lazily rested her chin on her desk, fox-like eyes admiring Lin Zhengran’s profile.
Lin Zhengran looked at her in exasperation. "Han Wenwen, are you even listening to what I’m saying?"
Han Wenwen hummed. "I heard you, but I didn’t really understand… Lin Zhengran, can you explain it again?"
She just wanted to hear him talk.
Lin Zhengran rolled up the test paper into a tube and bopped her lightly on the head. Han Wenwen let out a small "Ow~" like a pitiful kitten, eyes brimming with exaggerated grievance.
"Lin Zhengran, you’re so mean~"
"I’ve explained it to you three times already. Are you deaf? Try solving it yourself—it’ll take you one minute."
He placed the paper on her face. Han Wenwen was just about to sit up and work on the problem when she suddenly heard the sounds of another class being dismissed.
At the back of the classroom, Jiang Xueli peeked inside, watching.
Han Wenwen’s fox-like eyes gleamed mischievously. She sat up slowly and smiled at Lin Zhengran.
"Lin Zhengran, I’ll do the math problem during night study. Otherwise, if I finish it now, you won’t have time to check it."
Then she subtly gestured toward the back door.
"Because Jiang Xueli seems to have something to say to you."
Lin Zhengran turned his head and locked eyes with Jiang Xueli, who was standing at the door, blushing.
She immediately looked away, whistling silently as if she were just passing by. But in reality, she lingered awkwardly by the entrance.
Lin Zhengran wondered why she had come looking for him during the break.
The teacher announced the end of class, and Han Wenwen was the first to leave. As she passed Jiang Xueli, she gave her a knowing smile.
"Such nice weather today~"
Jiang Xueli glared at her in embarrassment and watched as she walked off toward the girls’ restroom.
Lin Zhengran stepped out of the classroom, curious. "You looking for me?"
Hearing his voice, Jiang Xueli immediately straightened up, hands behind her back, and blurted out:
"What do you mean ‘looking for you’? I’m just passing by. That’s all."
Lin Zhengran was about to head to the restroom himself when—
Jiang Xueli suddenly called out to him, clutching her hands behind her back, her face red as she stammered:
"Big idiot, um… This Saturday, don’t forget to practice singing with me! You helped He Qing train last week, so this week, it’s my turn."
Lin Zhengran nodded. "Got it. I’ll come over to your place on Saturday."
Jiang Xueli grinned. "Great! Make sure you come—I have something to tell you then."
"Something to tell me?"
She hesitated before quickly correcting herself. "Ah, you misheard! Nothing, nothing at all! I was just passing by!"
She skipped away.
Lin Zhengran wiped a bead of sweat off his forehead.
When he came out of the restroom, Han Wenwen was waiting by the sinks. She handed him a tissue.
"Here. Wipe your hands."