Chapter 10: I’m Socially Anxious

Jin Zhuo’s expression faltered slightly at the sound of her voice.

Just moments ago, Qin Yingxia seemed perfectly fine when they parted ways. How could she be crying already?

“Missing home?” Xie Chi asked instinctively, “Ah, it’s just like that when you first arrive at university, it’s unavoidable…”

You’ll get used to it eventually.

Jiang Yinghuai smacked his lips, feeling a strange sweetness in his mouth, “Maybe so…”

He furrowed his brow, staring at the milky white liquid in his cup, “Damn it—”

Xie Chi rubbed his nose, slipping away to the bathroom before anyone else could react, and quickly locked the door, “Bro’s taking a shower, all other personnel, retreat!”

Jiang Yinghuai: “Xie Chi, I’m waiting for you to come out!”

You dog!

You know you’re just trying to get me into trouble!

Jin Zhuo put on his headphones, blocking out the sound of their playful banter. Unconsciously, he finished reading through Qin Yingxia’s work from beginning to end.

Similarly, Jin Zhuo also noticed the photo of her wearing the Jinghe No. 1 Middle School uniform.

Jinghe?

The young man’s expression turned serious, his newly dried black hair falling over his forehead, causing a slight itch.

He casually grabbed a pen and twirled it in his hand, his eyes darkening, as if searching for Qin Yingxia’s face in the depths of his memory.

Due to his father’s job transfer, Jin Zhuo transferred to Shangjing No. 1 Middle School in his second year of high school.

However, his academic records remained at Jinghe No. 1 Middle School, so he returned to Jinghe to take the college entrance exam.

In total, Jin Zhuo spent only a year and a half at Jinghe No. 1 Middle School.

Qin Yingxia was a year younger than him, and their paths only crossed during his second year of high school, so he didn’t have a deep impression of her.

But Jin Zhuo felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity with her. Perhaps this familiarity came from a chance encounter on campus?

Jin Zhuo couldn’t remember.

It seemed like neither of them had really paid attention to each other’s appearance.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t be so unfamiliar now.

Thinking about this, Jin Zhuo stretched his lips into a faint smile and put down the pen he had been playing with.

•  

The next day, Qin Yingxia woke up with puffy eyes. She glanced at the time, it was ten in the morning.

She didn’t have any morning classes today, just a meeting with the media club in the afternoon.

So, Qin Yingxia lay in bed for a while before slowly getting up to wash and freshen up.

“Xiao Xia, you’re awake!” Xu Siwan came in from the doorway, carrying freshly bought breakfast, “I just finished class and came back, I got you breakfast, it’s still warm…”

“Fansteamed dumplings from the second-floor cafeteria, they’re amazing with vinegar! I also got you a cup of soy milk, drink it while it’s hot!” She shoved the food into Qin Yingxia’s arms and quickly went to the bathroom to wash her face.

The summer in the imperial city was long, and the temperature in September was so high that your shoes could melt after being outside for ten minutes.

Qin Yingxia leaned on the balcony door frame, her lips curving into a dimple, “Thank you, Senior Sister, you’re so kind!”

Xu Siwan: “Are you feeling better?”

As soon as she finished speaking, Qin Yingxia paused her bite of the dumpling, her eyes lowered, her eyelashes fluttering slightly, “…Yeah, I’m much better.”

Last night, she had softened her heart. She couldn’t bring herself to be angry with a three-year-old child.

So, she put on her pajamas and left the dorm.

She found a spot with good lighting near the playground and video-called Qin Yang.

Qin Yingxia knew in her heart that Qin Yang truly loved his sister.

It was she who couldn’t get over her own inner struggles, and she always had a grudge against little Qin Yang.

Xu Siwan happened to see her sitting on a bench by the roadside, wiping away tears, as she was returning to the dorm.

Xu Siwan chose not to comfort her on the spot, mainly because she was afraid Qin Yingxia would feel embarrassed.

After all, they had only known each other for a short time, and they were a year apart.

She lingered downstairs in the dorm building, waiting for Qin Yingxia to adjust her emotions before pretending to “bump into” her.

“Hey? Xiao Xia, you’re back too, what a coincidence!”

“I just bought some Lixiang Boba!”

“The new milk tea at the school gate just opened and they’re having a promotion, buy three get one free! Perfect for the four of us in the dorm, hehe…”

…

Qin Yingxia snapped out of her thoughts, her eyes slightly moist, “Senior Sister is so kind…”

“Oh, you’ve been praising me so much, I’m getting embarrassed!” Xu Siwan’s cheeks flushed slightly from the compliments.

She couldn’t help but pinch Qin Yingxia’s cheek, which was soft and squishy. “Don’t forget about the Media Club meeting this afternoon. I heard your president will be there too.”

It was rare…

“Will Jin Zhuo be there?” Qin Yingxia’s voice held a hint of excitement.

She had read on the forum that Jin Zhuo rarely attended these meetings, and Xie Chi usually went.

Xu Siwan replied, “Yeah, he’s been quite proactive this time. He probably wants to properly explain the Media Club’s rules to the new members…”

When she turned around, Qin Yingxia was gone.

“Huh?”

Xu Siwan looked around and found that she had slipped into the bathroom at some point.

Qin Yingxia stared at her own swollen eyes and the faint dark circles under them in the mirror, feeling utterly miserable.

Crisis!!!

What to do?

She didn’t look her best right now…

How could she continue her “gradual” plan to win over Jin Zhuo?

She should have cried fewer tears last night if she knew Jin Zhuo would be there.

•  

Far away in Building 10, Jin Zhuo was completely oblivious to the fact that he was about to be the target of a “strategy” plan. He was lounging in his chair, watching a debate competition.

His cheeks were slightly puffed out as he sucked on a mint to stay awake. Sometimes, when he saw something interesting, the corners of his lips would curl up in a smile of approval.

“Fold a thousand paper cranes, then tie a red ribbon…”

Xie Chi’s alarm went off, its sound echoing through the entire dormitory.

He closed his eyes and fumbled for his phone, but couldn’t find it. Eventually, he forced his eyes open a crack, letting out a soul-crushing groan, “…Sleepy=_=”

It was one in the afternoon.

The new student meetings for various clubs were scheduled to begin at two o’clock.

Thankfully, Jin Zhuo and Pei Lanhe were actually doing their part this time, not leaving Xie Chi to run around for three clubs by himself.

Xie Chi crawled to the edge of the bed and looked down. He was the only one still in bed, while the other three were all ready.

“That’s more like it!”

He was instantly energized, hopped out of bed, and started happily picking out his clothes. He even exaggeratedly styled his hair.

Jin Zhuo picked up the baseball cap that was lying nearby and put it on. His gaze fell on the maple leaf bookmark on the shelf.

Every year, Jinghe High School gave graduates a graduation gift.

The maple leaf bookmark was one of them.

He stared at it for two seconds before stuffing it into his pocket.

…

When Jin Zhuo arrived at the Media Club office, the seats on both sides of the long table were already filled.

“Bro, everyone’s here.” The person in charge of taking attendance handed the attendance sheet to Jin Zhuo.

The young man’s gaze swept over everyone, finally landing on the figure huddled in the corner.

Qin Yingxia was wearing black-rimmed glasses, her head down, her long hair cascading down, trying to minimize her presence as much as possible.

Jin Zhuo smiled, discreetly retracting his gaze, and sat down in his chair. “Hmm, everyone’s on time. That deserves praise.”

The new students had already spent the night scouring the forums and online communities, learning about the president’s personality.

“Our president is so handsome! And he seems to have a good temper…”

“…He’s really good, and he doesn’t like following the rules. I heard that the Media Club president from last year was really fond of putting on airs, demanding that juniors and underclassmen bow and say ‘Hello, senior’ whenever they saw him on campus. Those who didn’t greet him had to write a five-thousand-word reflection.”

“That’s ridiculous…”

“…”

The smile on Jin Zhuo’s face didn’t fade, but his eyes, naturally cold, made him seem unapproachable.

The new students gradually stopped talking.

His voice rang out again, laced with a hint of laughter, “The Media Club’s reputation hasn’t been very good the past two years. I’m sure you’ve all heard the reasons…”

“I, personally, seem perfectly fine, but…”

“I’m socially anxious.”