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Zhuang Zi’ang writing Su Yudie’s name on the exam paper was initially just a playful prank.
Unexpectedly, it led to a surprising outcome—her homeroom teacher, Li Junan, came to inquire.
Teacher Li Junan explained to Zhuang Zi’ang that he had overheard some teachers discussing how the top exam paper from the east campus bore the name of one of his students, which piqued his curiosity and prompted him to come and take a look.
“What is your relationship with Su Yudie?” he asked.
“We’re very good friends,” Zhuang Zi’ang replied.
In front of a teacher, he didn’t dare to admit he liked Xiao Butterfly.
He then pointed to the ginkgo tree in the northwest corner of the playground: “I first met her under that tree. She’s really interesting; it’s hard to forget after just one meeting.”
As for the incident of climbing over the wall to skip class, he naturally left that part out.
He also refrained from mentioning any intimate or ambiguous gestures between them.
Teacher Li Junan smiled and said, “She does run around the campus a lot; she really is like a butterfly.”
“Teacher, why did you give her so many leave slips?” Zhuang Zi’ang asked, voicing his confusion.
“Since you’re good friends, don’t you know?” Teacher Li Junan countered.
“As a friend, it’s not convenient for me to ask if she doesn’t bring it up herself,” Zhuang Zi’ang answered sincerely.
Teacher Li Junan spoke with a melancholic tone, “She’s not in good health, so I granted her special permission. If she doesn’t want to attend class, she can come out to play.”
Hearing this, Zhuang Zi’ang’s heart sank.
The phrase “not in good health” was clearly a euphemism.
For a homeroom teacher to be so lenient, her condition must have reached a serious level.
It was reminiscent of how Zhang Zhiyuan treated Zhuang Zi’ang, almost fulfilling any request he made.
Zhuang Zi’ang had suspected this answer before, but hearing it confirmed from Teacher Li Junan’s lips made it all the more real.
So Xiao Butterfly was also suffering from an illness, yet she remained so optimistic and positive.
Zhuang Zi’ang felt ashamed; compared to her, he was truly lacking.
As for the specifics of Xiao Butterfly’s illness, Zhuang Zi’ang didn’t press further.
On one hand, it was a matter of her privacy.
On the other hand, judging by Teacher Li Junan’s expression, he probably didn’t want to disclose more details.
“She’s a poor child; she lost her parents at a young age and has been living with her grandmother. Who would have thought…”
Teacher Li Junan’s voice faltered, choking up before he could finish.
Zhuang Zi’ang felt as if he had been struck by lightning; his head buzzed.
Xiao Butterfly’s background was so tragic.
In comparison, he considered himself fortunate.
A tear silently slipped down from the corner of his eye.
Teacher Li Junan handed Zhuang Zi’ang a tissue. “She’s lucky to have a friend like you.”
“Teacher, do you know where she went?” Zhuang Zi’ang wiped the corner of his eye.
Teacher Li Junan looked up at the sky. “I don’t know; she’s probably where she wants to be.”
Unable to help himself, Zhuang Zi’ang asked more about Xiao Butterfly.
Teacher Li Junan, knowing only a little, shared everything he did know.
When Su Yudie was very young, her parents passed away in an accident. Her grandmother received a sum of compensation and raised her alone.
Around the age of fourteen or fifteen, Su Yudie was diagnosed with an illness that required regular hospital treatment.
The compensation money from years ago had dwindled, gradually filling the endless pit of medical expenses.
Yet she remained optimistic, cheerful, and full of imagination, often bringing joy to those around her.
“That’s about all I know. Didn’t she tell you anything?” Teacher Li Junan asked.
Zhuang Zi’ang sadly shook his head. “No, we just enjoyed eating, drinking, and having fun together.”
Teacher Li Junan smiled wryly. “That’s just how she is; she shares happiness with others while bearing sadness alone.”
Zhuang Zi’ang completely understood her approach, as he hadn’t revealed his own illness to her either.
The sun climbed to its zenith, and its rays became intensely bright.
The school bell rang, echoing across the campus.
Teacher Li Junan patted Zhuang Zi’ang’s shoulder. “Don’t be sad. I didn’t come to you for anything else; I was just curious to see her friend.”
Zhuang Zi’ang respectfully replied, “Thank you, Teacher, for telling me so much about her.”
As they descended from the rooftop, they passed the teachers’ office.
Zhuang Zi’ang made a request, “Teacher, could you help me sign something?”
Teacher Li Junan was a bit surprised but didn’t ask further, nodding in agreement.
Zhuang Zi’ang grabbed some paper and a pen from Zhang Zhiyuan’s desk. Teacher Li Junan took it and swiftly signed his name.
The signature was indeed identical to the one on Xiao Butterfly’s leave slips.
It looked almost like a scribble; he couldn’t recognize a single character.
“Teacher, why do you write your name so hard to read?”
“Blame Su Yudie for that! She keeps imitating my handwriting to sign leave slips for her classmates, which made me spend dozens of dollars designing such a complicated artistic signature,” Teacher Li Junan explained.
After hearing this, Zhuang Zi’ang couldn’t help but smile again.
She really was quite mischievous.
After bidding farewell to Zhuang Zi’ang, Teacher Li Junan returned to the west campus.
His visit answered a significant portion of Zhuang Zi’ang’s questions, but he still felt that things weren’t that simple.
There were still some aspects that seemed a bit unreasonable.
Additionally, learning that Xiao Butterfly was also suffering from an illness felt like a heavy stone pressing down on his heart, making it hard for him to breathe.
It seemed as if fate was playing tricks on two unfortunate souls.
“Son, I’ve been looking for you everywhere. Let’s go eat together,” Li Huang Xuan’s voice interrupted Zhuang Zi’ang’s thoughts.
He collected himself and pulled his phone from his pocket, handing it over.
Li Huang Xuan was overjoyed. “How did you get this?”
Zhuang Zi’ang held up a finger. “Shh, keep your voice down; I ‘borrowed’ it from Teacher Zhang’s drawer.”
Li Huang Xuan quickly stuffed the phone into his pocket, and the two of them sneakily made their way to the cafeteria.
“Son, you’re so loyal; I’ll treat you to lunch today,” Li Huang Xuan declared.
“Great! I want stir-fried shredded beef and braised pork,” Zhuang Zi’ang replied.
While they were eating in the cafeteria, Xie Wen Yong and Lin Mu Shi suddenly approached with their trays and sat down across from them.
Zhuang Zi’ang didn’t even look up, burying his head in his food.
Li Huang Xuan, however, was visibly annoyed. “With so many empty seats, why are you squeezing in here?”
Lin Mu Shi placed a chicken leg onto Zhuang Zi’ang’s plate. “Zhuang Zi’ang, eat more. I bought this specially for you.”
Xie Wen Yong was surprised. “Mu Shi, why are you being so nice to him?”
Jealous flames burned brightly in his eyes.
It was over; the goddess had someone in her heart.
Zhuang Zi’ang, however, replied nonchalantly, “Thanks for your kindness, but I can’t eat any more.”
Lin Mu Shi insisted, “You used to be so nice to me; now I want to return the favor.”
Zhuang Zi’ang felt helpless.
She could continue being the self-absorbed school beauty; there was no need for her to show cheap sympathy just because he was nearing his end.
He handed the chicken leg to Li Huang Xuan, who understood his intention and took it without hesitation, taking a few bites.
“Thanks, great school beauty! This tastes really good,” Li Huang Xuan exclaimed.
Lin Mu Shi, unfazed, looked at Zhuang Zi’ang with determination. “Zhuang Zi’ang, it won’t be in vain. I will treat you a hundredfold, a thousandfold better.”
Zhuang Zi’ang could only smile bitterly. Where had she been all this time?
If it weren’t for the fear of her exposing his secret, he would have wanted to confront her right then and there.
Late-found affection was lighter than grass.