Chapter 022

Meng Li didn’t even know how she ended up saying such a thing. Before she transmigrated, she had been the most well-behaved girl. But now, she occasionally showed a bit of a rogue attitude, probably due to the influence of the original body’s personality and memories.

However, when facing someone like Ji Chen, this behavior was actually more fitting.

After all, they were both people who lived on the edge. Who had time to act like a sweet, innocent little kitten?

After saying, “Five cents for a copy,” Meng Li’s heart began to race in her chest, pounding loudly.

It wasn’t until she reached out to take Ji Chen’s money and slipped it into her pocket that her heart continued to race, as if she had just committed a small theft.

After securing the money, the “little thief” pressed her hand gently against her chest, took a deep breath to steady herself, and then picked up her pen to begin writing Ji Chen’s assignment.

Since it was the first day of school, the homework assigned by the teacher was very simple and not much in quantity.

Meng Li finished writing Ji Chen’s homework in just under half of the class period.

While she worked, Ji Chen had his head down on the desk, fast asleep.

Once she was done, Meng Li set her pen down, closed Ji Chen’s notebooks, and quietly placed them back on his desk.

Afterward, she immersed herself in her own book, paying no attention to what Ji Chen was doing or what the teacher was saying.

The two of them had been transferred to Cuihua High School midway through the term because of some conflict between their families. The teachers at Cuihua knew a bit about them and were aware of their notorious reputations, so they all tacitly turned a blind eye to their actions.

As long as they didn’t stir up anything, the teachers chose to overlook everything else.

Reading their own books or sleeping quietly during class—it wasn’t such a bad arrangement, was it?

Ji Chen had slept through the entire class, only waking up when the bell rang at the end of the lesson.

He furrowed his brows slightly, clearly reluctant to open his eyes.

When he realized that his sleepiness was no longer coming back, he slowly opened his eyes.

As his eyes gradually adjusted, with his face still resting on the desk, the first thing he saw was Meng Li sitting beside him, deeply engrossed in her book.

He had never seen this side of her before. He had always thought of her as just a wild kid—someone who, besides carrying half a backpack filled with bricks or causing trouble around school, never really did anything else.

Reading seriously?

That didn’t seem like something she would do.

But the person before him now was focused and absorbed, her profile appearing as if it had been meticulously sculpted.

The warm sunlight of the rising sun streamed through the window, casting a soft glow over her face.

Before, Ji Chen had never thought Meng Li was particularly delicate-looking. Though she was fair and slim, and a bit shorter, she had a strong, rough aura about her, wild and untamed. But now, her face could truly be described as “delicately carved from jade.”

Under the soft light of the early sun, every pore on her skin seemed to radiate a calm and gentle energy.

Having woken from his nap, he found himself staring at her unconsciously for a moment. His throat felt dry, and his heart became restless. Ji Chen quickly averted his gaze, took a deep breath, and stood up. The movement was so abrupt that he pushed the chair away, then grabbed his homework and left the room, heading for the office.

Meng Li heard the noise but didn’t look up, keeping her full attention on her book.

As she read, she was also thinking to herself that she should make time over the weekend to go to the bookstore and buy more books. The ones provided by the school were nowhere near enough for her.

…

After collecting the money and finishing the homework, Meng Li and Ji Chen returned to their usual state of ignoring each other. That was the nature of their relationship now. Though they had pretended to make peace, they were still enemies at heart.

Meng Li’s thoughts hadn’t changed. She was still focused on staying as far away from Ji Chen as possible.

People like him could be nice one moment and bad the next. What if she accidentally angered him and he changed his mind about wanting to beat her up?

They were classmates, sure, but it was best to keep conversations with him to a minimum.

Once the class was over, she would quickly avoid him and stay as far away as she could.

Following this plan, Meng Li made her way to the cafeteria after school let out for lunch, making sure to avoid Ji Chen.

She walked quickly, got her meal, and ate just as fast.

After finishing her lunch, she headed outside the school, heading to the residential building she had found earlier to use the restroom.

Afterward, she found a small park with good sunlight and a pleasant environment, where she rested on a bench, basking in the sun during her lunch break.

The residential building was empty during the day, and the small park was just as quiet.

For miles around, there wasn’t a soul in sight. She basked in the warm sunlight, enjoying the peacefulness and comfort. It was much more relaxing than staying in the classroom.

Ji Chen also went to the cafeteria alone. By the time he had processed everything, Meng Li had already dashed past him like a gust of wind.

When he finally got his meal and sat down at the table, Meng Li had already finished eating and was leaving the cafeteria.

At first, he didn’t pay much attention, but as he sat down with his meal, his eyes naturally lifted. He noticed Meng Li, already done eating, heading toward the door.

In that moment, Meng Li appeared like a quiet, low-key loner, going about everything without a word or sound.

As Meng Li’s figure disappeared through the cafeteria door, Ji Chen withdrew his gaze, and subconsciously thought to himself—this kid is so different now. Back then, he used to love making a scene wherever he went, enjoying being called “Third Master Meng,” but now, he doesn’t even wear his military uniform anymore.

At school, she was like an invisible person, sitting at the back of the class in silence, her head buried in books, making it seem like she was actually here to study.

At meal times, she quickly rushed to the cafeteria, ate, and then ran off again.

Ji Chen lowered his head and took a couple of bites, but his thoughts hadn’t fully settled when two dark figures suddenly appeared in front of him.

He looked up to see Yu Sitian and Wan Hong, each holding a lunchbox, sitting down at the small round table where he was.

Yu Sitian and Wan Hong placed their aluminum lunchboxes on the table, acting as if they were the best of friends with Ji Chen.

Yu Sitian smiled and spoke up, “So, how is it? Is our school’s food better than the food at your school?”

Ji Chen lowered his gaze and continued eating his meal. “It’s about the same.”

Yu Sitian still smiled gently. “When you first eat it, it’s fresh, so it’s quite good. But after eating it for a while, you’ll get tired of it and realize it doesn’t taste that great.”

Ji Chen kept eating without saying anything more.

Yu Sitian seemed to feel a bit awkward. After thinking for a moment, she tried to change the topic. “I heard Meng Li transferred here too, and he’s still sitting next to you. How are you two getting along?”

Ji Chen paused with his chopsticks but didn’t look up.

He didn’t respond to Yu Sitian’s question, his tone slightly indifferent and impatient. “Didn’t your parents teach you? Don’t talk while eating.”

His words left both Yu Sitian and Wan Hong stunned.

Yu Sitian’s expression turned particularly unpleasant, her face shifting between red, white, and black with anger.

It felt like there was a needle under her seat, and she was itching to get up and move to another table immediately.

But with so many people in the cafeteria, and everyone watching, Yu Sitian held back, grabbing Wan Hong’s hand to stop herself. She buried her head in her food and remained silent.

Ji Chen ate much faster than they did. Once he finished, he stood up and left without even saying a word.

Yu Sitian and Wan Hong stayed at the table, quietly finishing their remaining food.

After lunch, they didn’t head back to the classroom. Wan Hong pulled Yu Sitian around the school, looking for a quiet spot.

Finding a secluded area with no one around, Wan Hong whispered to Yu Sitian, “Ji Chen is so ungrateful. Is that how he talks to girls? What’s he so proud of? No manners, and don’t even get me started on his so-called gentlemanly demeanor.”

Yu Sitian kept her head down, clearly in a bad mood.

Seeing that she wasn’t responding, Wan Hong continued, “What do you even like about him? Besides looking good, coming from a good family, and always trying to show off, what else is there? He’s not at all considerate toward girls, his words have no tact, he acts like a thug—he’s not even better than Xiao Jianguo.”

Yu Sitian murmured softly, “You don’t understand.”

Wan Hong glanced at her. “I don’t understand? When you’re looking for a man, you should look for someone who treats you well, who cherishes you. If you end up with someone like him, after marriage, the one who’ll be wronged is you.”

Yu Sitian kept her head down and didn’t say anything further.

Wan Hong sighed, glancing at her, and didn’t bother saying more.

…

When Ji Chen returned to the classroom after lunch, he thought Meng Li should have already been there. However, when he walked in and looked around, he found that her seat was empty. He turned to scan the room but didn’t see her sitting anywhere else.

Feeling a bit bored, he sat down at his desk and began to idly spin a pen, lost in thought.

He figured Meng Li would return soon, but when she did, there were only five or six minutes left before the afternoon class started.

Ji Chen watched as she walked in and sat down at her seat. Unable to resist, he asked in a casual tone, “Where did you go?”

Meng Li looked a bit dazed, glancing at him and then at the others, before asking, “Are you asking me?”

Ji Chen’s gaze shifted back to her. “Who else is there?”

Meng Li was still a little confused. She thought to herself, We’re neither friends nor close, so why is he asking about me?

Meng Li thought for a moment and, still in a daze, replied to Ji Chen, “What’s it to you?”

Looking at her face, Ji Chen wasn’t angry. His tone remained calm. “You’re my desk mate now, so of course it’s my business.”

Meng Li still didn’t understand what he meant. After a moment, she asked, “Are you trying to be nice to me, trying to become brothers?”

Ji Chen was momentarily stunned, and it took him a while to process. He scoffed and said, “Who wants to be your brother? Don’t flatter yourself.”

Meng Li nodded slowly. “Good, because I have principles.”

Ji Chen: “…”

This little rogue “Third Master Meng”, actually claimed to have principles?

Ji Chen was about to say something more, but the bell signaling the start of class rang, and Wang Chaohai entered the classroom. The conversation was cut short, and with the class monitor’s call of “Attention,” everyone stood up. Ji Chen casually greeted, “Good afternoon, teacher,” then sat down and settled into the class.

Bored in class, with his desk mate being someone who didn’t say a word to him, Ji Chen occasionally paid attention to the teacher’s lecture.

When he started feeling drowsy, he simply laid his head on the desk and fell asleep.

He endured the remaining lessons, waiting for the school day to end. When the bell rang, he grabbed his empty backpack, slung it over his shoulder, and left the school.

Xiao Jianguo, Zheng Hang, and the others were waiting outside, leaning on their bicycles.

As Ji Chen approached, Xiao Jianguo asked, “Aren’t you going to wait for Yu Sitian?”

Ji Chen didn’t seem particularly concerned, replying indifferently, “She probably won’t be coming.”

After Ji Chen had embarrassed her so openly at noon, it was clear that Yu Sitian must be upset.

Before Xiao Jianguo could ask the specifics, Zhang Yue suddenly spoke up. “Hey, hey, do you guys see who’s over there?”

Ji Chen, Zheng Hang, and the others turned to look in the direction Zhang Yue was pointing. They saw Zhuo Xi and his group, who had also ridden their bikes over, just as they were meeting Meng Li, who had just walked out of the school gates.

The five of them stood together, chatting and laughing.

Zhuo Xi and the other four, all tall, were smiling and looking at Meng Li, as if they were checking on her well-being.

Zhang Yue shuddered unconsciously and continued, “You guys notice anything? Ever since that fight, Third Master Meng’s been acting all strange. Just look at him now—doesn’t he seem kinda… girly? And when he’s with those four guys, it’s like they’re treating him like a little girl, fussing over him. Doesn’t it feel like that?”

Zheng Hang and Qian Yan’er clicked their tongues. “You know, you’re right. How did that guy become so… soft?”

Ji Chen glanced at his four friends, realizing that he wasn’t the only one who felt something was off about Meng Li. It seemed like Meng Li really had changed—she had become quieter, gentler, and even a bit more obedient than before.

After looking at his friends, Ji Chen turned his gaze back to Meng Li. She had already climbed onto Zhuo Xi’s bicycle and was smiling sweetly, like she had just eaten honey.

The group of them walked away, chatting and laughing, in a lively and carefree manner.

Once Meng Li was gone, Ji Chen lost his patience and didn’t want to wait any longer. He hopped on his bike and left.

Only Xiao Jianguo stayed behind, waiting for a while until Yu Sitian finally appeared.

Zheng Hang, Zhang Yue, and Qian Yan’er weren’t interested in Yu Sitian. Their minds were still occupied with Meng Li’s situation. The three of them rode up to Ji Chen, turning to look at him as they asked, “Why is Third Master Meng at your school?”

Without turning his head, Ji Chen casually explained, “His family transferred him here. He’s in my class and sits next to me.”

Zheng Hang widened his eyes in disbelief. “Damn, what are the odds? You two just can’t seem to avoid each other!”

Ji Chen chuckled lightly. “I wish I knew.”

He had clearly agreed to make peace and had been actively avoiding that guy, yet somehow, they ended up as desk mates. It left him feeling uneasy.

Zhang Yue grinned and said, “You two must be fated to be together.”

Qian Yan’er also laughed, adding, “If it really doesn’t work out, you two could just become sworn brothers.”

Ji Chen shot them both a glare. “Shut up!”

Zhang Yue and Qian Yan’er exchanged amused glances and, understanding that the topic of Meng Li was off-limits, didn’t bring her up again.

…

Ji Chen and his friends spent the evening eating and fooling around until late, before finally dispersing to head home.

Those who didn’t want to go back home stayed at Ji Chen’s place to hang out.

That night, Ji Chen lay in bed alone, but perhaps because he had slept too much during the day at school, he just couldn’t fall asleep now.

It was like he was bewitched—his mind kept drifting back to Meng Li’s quiet, obedient, and gentle profile under the sunlight.

The more he thought about it, the more restless he became. Then he remembered her smiling brightly and sweetly while sitting on Zhuo Xi’s bike after school, and his restlessness grew even more.

For some reason, he felt a tightness in his chest, as if something was stuck there.

Unable to sleep, Ji Chen finally got up and switched on the bedside lamp.

The light flickered on, and Ji Chen reached over to open the drawer of his three-drawer desk. He pulled out a green-wrapped fruit candy.

Leaning against the headboard under the lamp, he absentmindedly stared at the candy in his hand.

After a long moment of staring, a thought suddenly flashed through his mind—he might have developed some impure feelings for Meng Li.

The moment the thought crossed his mind, Ji Chen was instantly disgusted with himself.

It felt like waking up from a nightmare. He quickly tossed the candy back into the drawer and shook his head vigorously.

Sleep was already elusive, and now his mind was running wild.

In an effort to stop his mind from wandering further, Ji Chen cleared his thoughts, threw off the blanket, and got up. He dressed and went outside to lift stones for exercise.

When he finally felt tired, he returned to bed and lay down. Only then did he fall into a deep, peaceful sleep, as though the whole night was wrapped in warm sunlight, quiet and undisturbed.