Chapter 9: Why Did He Agree So Quickly?

Tang Susu looked up and met the boy’s deep, almond-shaped eyes.
“I just want you to go to the hospital and get your leg treated,” she said earnestly.

She gently ran her fingers through her long hair and pulled out a thick stack of cash from her wallet.
“I know you don’t like me. So I’ll give you the money—can you go to the hospital yourself?”

The boy lowered his gaze, staring at the money in her hand. It was a thick wad.
He raised his eyelids slightly, a mocking smile curling at his lips.
“Sure.”

“Really?” Tang Susu’s eyes lit up.

She had thought he’d refuse her “dirty money.” If she’d known it would be this easy, she would’ve just given him the money earlier.

But the next second, doubt crept in. It couldn’t be that simple. He’d agreed too quickly—it was hard to believe.
She looked up at him, testing the waters.
“I’ll be back this evening to check on you. If you didn’t go to the doctor, I’ll keep pestering you until you do.”

“Fine.” The boy replied nonchalantly.

With that promise, Tang Susu finally felt relieved.

Just then, her stomach growled.

Tang Susu placed a pale hand over her belly and smiled.
“I haven’t had lunch yet. What do you want to eat? I’ll order for both of us…”

Halfway through the sentence, she abruptly stopped. She’d just realized—aside from 500 yuan she saved for living expenses, the rest of her money was gone.

That 500 yuan had to last her two months.

After yesterday’s fallout with Tang Honghou, asking him for more money was no longer an option.

The boy seemed to notice her awkwardness and spoke with sharp sarcasm.
“What, didn’t you say you were going to treat me to lunch?”

Tang Susu froze. Meeting his mocking gaze, her brows furrowed slightly.

He must’ve realized she had no money left and still jabbed at her. How rude!

“I spent all my money to pay for your treatment,” she said matter-of-factly, straightening her back and sitting lightly on his bench.
“So today, I’m freeloading off you. Whatever you eat, I eat.”

The boy looked down and said coldly, “I’m not eating lunch.”

Tang Susu’s face stiffened. He really didn’t give her any room for kindness.

But she had anticipated he wouldn’t offer her food, so she wasn’t too disappointed. She’d only brought it up out of spite.

Come to think of it, she was the one who hurt his leg. It made sense that he hated her.

Once his leg healed, she wouldn’t bother him anymore.

She’d just quietly keep an eye on him. If something bad happened, she’d help from afar.

Having sorted through her thoughts, Tang Susu stood up. A dull pain came from her knee. She didn’t linger.
“Alright, I’m heading back to school. Don’t forget to see the doctor this afternoon, okay? I’ll be back after school to check your diagnosis slip.”

She looked at him seriously.
“Remember, once your leg’s healed, I won’t bother you again—unless you want me hanging around every day.”

With that, she left cheerfully.

He sat there, eyes lowered. The iodine and cotton balls lay silently on the desk. He picked them up with his long fingers and put them back in the drawer.

…

Tang Susu walked out of the shantytown. A few people waited at the bus stop not far away.

She hesitated at the intersection, then made her way toward the stop.

With only 500 yuan left, she could only afford to take the bus from now on.

These two months… were going to be rough.

At least she could eat dinner at home. But after yesterday’s fight with her family, she didn’t have the face to go back tonight.

She’d have to tough it out for a few days. She’d treat it as a forced diet.

…

Lingcheng No.1 High School

When Tang Susu returned, the lunch break hadn’t ended yet.

She tiptoed toward the classroom.

“Hey, Tang Susu!”

Someone called out to her.

She turned and saw Meng Xue.

Tang Susu pointed at herself, voice low and uncertain.
“Me?”

They weren’t close. In the original story, she only started targeting the heroine after realizing the male lead liked her. For now, the two had a peaceful truce.

Meng Xue nodded seriously. Her voice was soft and a little timid.
“Last time, you asked me for He Zhimou’s address. Did you go see him? Do you know what happened to him? He hasn’t been to school for days.”

Tang Susu looked at her. Even in her gentleness, she had a core of firmness. As expected of the heroine—kind-hearted and genuine.

He Zhimou had such a low presence that even when he stopped attending, no one noticed—or cared.

Except for the female lead.

After he lost his leg in the original story, Meng Xue visited him once, bringing fruit and flowers despite not having much money herself.

He Zhimou never forgot that act of kindness, even as an adult.

Tang Susu had to admit, a heroine is still a heroine. She has her own halo.

When I went to see him, he told me to get lost.
When she went, she became a light in his darkness.

The novel never made He Zhimou’s feelings for her explicit, but even years later, he kept trying to stay close to her. What else could that mean?

Tang Susu touched her deflated pocket.
I went into debt for him and didn’t even get a thank-you.

People really aren’t equal.

“He hurt his leg. He’s recovering at home,” she answered softly.

“He’s injured? Is he okay?” Meng Xue was shocked.

Tang Susu hesitated, then told the truth.
“Not really. If you want to visit him, you should.”

With He Zhimou’s reclusive personality, he probably wouldn’t mind seeing Meng Xue. He might even be in a better mood afterward.

Meng Xue nodded.
“Okay. I’ve been busy lately, but I’ll visit him when I can.”

Tang Susu nodded and returned to her seat. Her deskmate wasn’t napping, still reading a book.

No wonder she’s a top student, Tang Susu thought.

She pulled a book from her drawer.
If I want good grades, I have to work for them.

…

Fourth Floor

Li Yang had just come out of the restroom.

He liked slacking off during lunch break and was leaning lazily against the hallway railing.

Class 10’s classroom was at the far end. He glanced inside casually.

By the window, a girl sat upright. Her pale skin practically glowed, and the way she held her pen—so focused and graceful—was like a pianist playing a beautiful piece.

Damn, he thought, when did Class 10 get a girl with such presence?

“Hey!” he called out instinctively.

The girl turned her head.

Li Yang’s eyes widened in disbelief—it was Tang Susu without makeup!

He rubbed his eyes. Still her.

“Tang Susu… you’re studying?”

Tang Susu, mid-reading, looked up in confusion.
“Is there a problem?”

Okay… it was surprising. Tang Susu was known for hating studying and always had the lowest grades.

Seeing her with a book was… weird.

Li Yang shook his head and ran off.

Tang Susu shrugged and went back to her book.

…

Li Yang burst into his classroom and rushed to Ji Yuhao’s desk, where he was solving an advanced math problem.

“Bro, Tang Susu is seriously studying now!”

Ji Yuhao’s pen paused in mid-air.
“What’s it got to do with me?”

“What do you mean?” Li Yang was excited.
“Remember a few days ago, when she gave you that handmade gift? She said it took a whole week to make and asked you to accept it. You rejected her and told her if she had that much free time, she should use it to study instead.”

He nodded admiringly.
“She’s really serious about chasing you, huh? She’s even studying now! You must be some kind of god—making a slacker want to improve her grades.”

Clack! The pen hit the desk.

Ji Yuhao looked up, eyes cold.
“Someone else’s studying has nothing to do with me.”

Li Yang smirked knowingly.
“Got it, got it. You don’t want to talk about Tang Susu. You like quiet girls who study hard. Like that girl from the math competition you did with last time—”

Thump. Ji Yuhao lightly slapped his desk.
“If you have this much time, go study. Monthly exams are coming. Watch out—your dad’s gonna beat you again.”

“Let him beat me.” Li Yang shrugged, like a pig unafraid of boiling water.
“I don’t love studying. I don’t have a crush who makes me suddenly want to improve.”

Seeing Ji Yuhao’s face start to darken, he bolted out of the room.