Chapter 17: Helping Me Catch Up?

After finishing the 800-meter run, Bei Xiaolin collapsed onto the grass, gasping for air. “I can’t… I need to lie down.”

“Get up!” Cheng Yuan grabbed her arm and pulled her to her feet. “You can rest after your breathing returns to normal. Not now.”

“So tired…” Bei Xiaolin bent over, hands on her knees, her cheeks flushed with exertion and eyes filled with frustration. Why does gym class always involve running?

“Once you’re used to it, you’ll be able to run a kilometer without breaking a sweat,” Cheng Yuan said calmly. For her, another kilometer would’ve been easy. She had always enjoyed working out, learned proper breathing techniques, and found peace in physical activity.

With forty-five students in the class, only six could run at a time. After finishing their round, Cheng Yuan and Bei Xiaolin strolled toward the edge of the field to rest.

“Yuanyuan, I’m going to buy water. Want one?” Bei Xiaolin asked.

“Yes, please.” Cheng Yuan instinctively reached for money, then remembered she’d spent everything on Aunt Yu’s hospital bills. Her pocket was emptier than her wallet.

“If you dare try to pay, I’ll never talk to you again!” Bei Xiaolin glared at her before hurrying off to buy drinks.

Cheng Yuan didn’t argue. They were close friends, and buying each other snacks and drinks without settling accounts was second nature.

“Cheng Yuan.”

Yu Qing spotted her sitting alone on the lawn and jogged over, his voice full of gratitude. “Thank you so much for today.”

“You’re welcome,” Cheng Yuan replied, eyeing his round figure. “Isn’t your class still running?”

Yu Qing: “……”

Can we not bring up the running part?

“If it weren’t for you, my mom might’ve…” Yu Qing paused, overwhelmed by the thought. “I’ll repay the medical expenses when I get home. I don’t even know how to thank you for carrying her to the hospital.”

He hated owing favors—especially to Cheng Yuan.

“There’s no need. Aunt Yu has helped me before,” Cheng Yuan said gently. She realized her earlier harsh words to Yu Qing had been uncalled for. Regardless of whether her father and Aunt Yu ended up together, she had no right to take it out on him.

“Actually, Yu Qing, I should apologize.” She looked him in the eye, voice sincere. “I shouldn’t have said those things about you and Aunt Yu.”

Yu Qing froze. He would never forget the things she’d said. But now, staring into her honest gaze, his anger softened.

After a moment, he murmured, “The past is the past. Thank you for saving my mom. Really, we should be the ones thanking you.”

He wanted to offer money, but his family was struggling, and his mother’s condition was still uncertain. The words stuck in his throat.

“Then why don’t you help me with tutoring?” Cheng Yuan suggested, sensing his dilemma. It was the perfect time—she needed help catching up with her coursework anyway.

“Aren’t you the one always playing games?” Yu Qing’s round face scrunched up, his eyes full of suspicion. Since when did you care about school?

At first, because they were neighbors, he used to encourage her to study, telling her education was the only way out. But she never listened—always hanging out in internet cafés.

“College entrance exams are coming,” Cheng Yuan said, rubbing her nose sheepishly. “I really need to buckle down if I want to get into Hai University. My grades are horrible right now. So… can you tutor me?”

Yu Qing stared at her, hesitated, and finally nodded. “Okay.”

He looked like he wanted to say more but held back. Cheng Yuan knew exactly what was on his mind, but she didn’t explain. Words meant little right now. Once the college entrance exam results came out, everything would speak for itself.

Just then, someone from Yu Qing’s class called him back for his turn to run. As he jogged off, Bei Xiaolin returned, waving two water bottles.

“What a coincidence!” she said. “Lin Juan bought water for the whole class to win their favor.”

Cheng Yuan blinked. Lin Juan?

Not just any water—she bought a bottle for everyone?

Forty-five people. Even at bulk prices, that’d cost forty or fifty yuan—nearly a quarter of an average monthly salary. Could Lin Juan really be that generous?

Cheng Yuan stared at the bottle in her hand, something about it gnawing at her. In her memory, Lin Juan was petty, stingy, and never gave an inch. They had always been like oil and water—at odds even on the best of days.

After the humiliations Lin Juan had suffered the last couple of days, why would she buy her water?

It didn’t make sense.

Trusting her gut, Cheng Yuan decided not to drink it just yet. Instead, she went over to “thank” Lin Juan and used the opportunity to swap bottles. They all looked the same anyway.

“Thanks for the water, Lin Juan,” she said sweetly. After swapping, she drank the one in her hand without hesitation. If she was wrong, then no harm done. But if she was right…

A cold glint flashed in her eyes. She wasn’t someone to be messed with.

“You’re welcome,” Lin Juan said, smiling as she watched Cheng Yuan drink more than half the bottle. It was as if their past confrontations had never happened.

Even Bei Xiaolin looked puzzled. “Yuanyuan, did you two make up?”

“She wants to act generous, and I’m part of the class. Why shouldn’t I take the water?” Cheng Yuan tilted her head and finished the bottle. “Only a fool turns down free stuff.”

“Fair point. If she’s playing the rich girl act, we shouldn’t hold back either.” Bei Xiaolin draped an arm over her shoulder. “Should I buy everyone bubble tea next? I just heard a bunch of classmates praising her generosity.”

“Looks like your dad’s allowance is more generous than mine,” Cheng Yuan teased.

Bei Xiaolin snorted. “He wouldn’t dare cut me off. If he does, I’ll flip the house upside down.”

The two girls laughed and joked as gym class drew to a close. But just before the bell rang, Cheng Yuan, who had been keeping an eye on Lin Juan, noticed something strange.

Lin Juan’s face was unnaturally flushed. Her eyes were hazy, and she kept tugging at her clothes as if uncomfortable.

Something’s not right.

Cheng Yuan’s heart skipped a beat. She had swapped her bottle out of caution—never drinking anything she hadn’t kept her eyes on. Once, a careless mistake had nearly cost her dearly. She’d learned her lesson.

Still, she had thought Lin Juan wouldn’t dare try anything. But now—

Lin Juan’s cheeks turned even redder. She tugged her shirt halfway up, exposing her stomach and underwear. A nearby classmate quickly rushed over and warned, “Lin Juan, even if you’re hot, you can’t just strip!”