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Zhuang Zi’ang hurried out to the corridor, taking two steps at a time. “What brought you here?”
Xiao Yudie pulled out a tube of medicine from behind her. “This is for you. The doctor said it can help with nosebleeds.”
Zhuang Zi’ang reached out to take it; it was just a regular hemostatic medication.
He knew very well that this medicine wouldn’t cure his illness.
Still, he smiled gently. “Thank you.”
“There’s still some time before class. Would you like to sit with me over there?” Xiao Yudie pointed to a nearby flowerbed.
“Of course.” Zhuang Zi’ang nodded eagerly.
In the flowerbed, there were calla lilies, hyacinths, wisteria, and other blooming flowers.
The flowers were colorful and vibrant, vying for attention.
Several butterflies fluttered and danced among the blossoms.
Xiao Yudie adjusted her skirt and sat down gracefully by the flowerbed.
“Did you like the strawberry cake yesterday?”
Hearing this, Zhuang Zi’ang’s heart tightened.
He dared not tell her that the beautiful cake had been trampled into the mud.
Such a pure and innocent girl must believe that the world is full of beauty.
Therefore, he decided to tell a lie.
“Thanks for your suggestion! My little brother really liked that cake; he ended up with cream all over his face, and he even called me ‘brother.'”
“My dad was also very happy. He asked about my studies, and when he found out I came in first again, he gave me a big hug.”
“My mom made a whole table full of delicious food, kept piling my plate, and praised me for being smart and understanding.”
…
A gentle breeze blew, carrying with it a faint floral fragrance.
Xiao Yudie hugged her knees, slightly tilting her head up, her bright eyes blinking as she quietly listened to Zhuang Zi’ang’s tales.
The sounds of basketball games on the playground, the noise from the teaching building, and the chirping of birds in the trees seemed to have faded away.
In that moment, the entire world consisted only of the two of them and the vibrant flowers behind them.
The scenes Zhuang Zi’ang described had appeared in his dreams countless times.
He thought he could deliver his story seamlessly, but his heart felt like it was being tightly squeezed.
The smile he forced out was incredibly stiff.
Having always been a good kid, he certainly wasn’t adept at lying.
“Zhuang Zi’ang, you’re a big fool,” Xiao Yudie suddenly spoke up.
“Why are you calling me that?” Zhuang Zi’ang was taken aback.
“You’re lying to me. Friends should speak the truth to each other,” Xiao Yudie said, gently biting her lower lip.
“I’m sorry…” Zhuang Zi’ang whispered, his voice slightly hoarse.
Many times, the truth is brutally harsh.
He didn’t want his sadness to affect his friend.
“Zhuang Zi’ang, are you still very sad?” Xiao Yudie asked softly.
Zhuang Zi’ang nodded, then shook his head.
“Then after school at noon, I’ll take you to eat something delicious. Wait for me here.”
“Ah? Okay!”
It was almost time for class. Xiao Yudie stood up, waved to Zhuang Zi’ang, and then hopped away.
The bright peach blossom bobbed up and down in Zhuang Zi’ang’s line of sight.
In the blink of an eye, the girl’s figure disappeared into the crowd.
Zhuang Zi’ang held the tube of medicine in his hand; it felt smooth and warm.
Back in the classroom, Li Huang Xuan immediately leaned in. “Son, who was that girl?”
Zhuang Zi’ang replied, “I told you last night. She’s the girl I met when I climbed over the wall. You didn’t believe me then.”
“I believe you now. No wonder you’re not chasing Lin Mu Shi anymore.”
Li Huang Xuan deliberately raised his voice. “Compared to that girl, Lin Mu Shi is really too ordinary.”
Lin Mu Shi had been eavesdropping the entire time.
At this point, she turned her head and gave Li Huang Xuan a look filled with killing intent.
Then she gazed deeply at Zhuang Zi’ang, her heart filled with complex emotions.
Zhuang Zi’ang not pursuing her only meant she had one less backup.
But now that a prettier girl had appeared, the situation had changed.
It was as if she had been surpassed.
For the high-and-mighty school beauty, this was unbearable.
The bell rang, signaling the start of class. This period was Teacher Zhang Zhiyuan’s Chinese class.
After the students stood up and greeted him, he gestured for everyone to sit down.
“Before we begin class, I have an announcement. Zhuang Zi’ang has resigned from his position as class monitor this morning, and I have approved his resignation.”
The students immediately began whispering amongst themselves.
“He really resigned? No one in our class is more suitable to be monitor than him.”
“Yes, Zhuang Zi’ang has done so much for everyone these past two years.”
“To be honest, he’s always been the pride of our class.”
…
Xie Wen Yong was particularly shocked. He had thought Zhuang Zi’ang’s earlier mention of resignation was just a joke.
Unexpectedly, it was true.
The class monitor position he had coveted so much, in Zhuang Zi’ang’s eyes, was truly just a dead rat.
Zhang Zhiyuan said emotionally, “Classmates, let’s give a round of applause to thank Zhuang Zi’ang for his contributions to the class.”
Under his lead, thunderous applause erupted in the classroom.
Zhuang Zi’ang looked around at the familiar faces, a wave of reluctance washing over him.
In three months, he would never see them again.
His classmates were all lovely, and he was grateful for their companionship during his youth.
With the class monitor’s resignation, the vice-monitor naturally took over.
Xie Wen Yong got his wish and became the class monitor, but he wasn’t happy at all.
He only got it because Zhuang Zi’ang didn’t want it.
Jealousy twisted his emotions.
Zhuang Zi’ang didn’t have time to worry about others; he began to focus intently on what he should eat for lunch.
School let out at noon, and classes resumed at 2:30 pm, leaving time for lunch and a midday rest.
During this time, students were free to come and go without any restrictions.
Finally, at noon, the bell rang, signaling the end of classes and lunchtime.
Li Huang Xuan patted Zhuang Zi’ang on the shoulder. “Son, are we still eating in the cafeteria today?”
“I have something to do. Find someone else,” Zhuang Zi’ang said, peering out the window at the flowerbed.
“What’s up? We always have lunch together,” Li Huang Xuan was puzzled.
“I’ll explain later. I’m going now.” Zhuang Zi’ang hurriedly packed his bag and rushed out of the classroom.
Li Huang Xuan’s eyes widened; he felt abandoned.
Until he saw Zhuang Zi’ang waiting by the flowerbed for the girl with the peach blossom in her hair, Li Huang Xuan was about to explode with anger.
“Damn it! He has a girl; he’s heartless, a beast, a beast!”
As soon as Zhuang Zi’ang saw Xiao Yudie, his smile widened. He tentatively asked, “What floor is your class on? You got down pretty quickly.”
“The fifth floor. I ran down because I wanted to see you,” Xiao Yudie said, panting slightly.
A gleam flashed in Zhuang Zi’ang’s eyes.
Does someone run to see me too?
“What do you want to eat? I’ll treat you,” Zhuang Zi’ang said.
“Let’s have a hot pot. There are so many dishes.”
At the mention of food, Xiao Yudie looked like she was about to drool.
“Hot pot at noon? Aren’t you worried about smelling like it afterward?”
“Eat whatever you want! Why worry so much?”
She was incredibly carefree. Being with her made him feel much brighter.
She was so beautiful, yet she refused to be a quiet beauty.
She hopped and skipped when she walked and chattered incessantly when she talked.
She was just like a happy little butterfly.