Chapter 48

“There are so many replies below the post. A lot of people are saying it’s sweet, and some are even betting that you two will end up together. I’ve been checking for updates every day too. Judging by their descriptions, it really does sound kind of sweet,” Yang Min said, immediately pulling out her phone. “Let me find it for you…”

“This, this, this, this post.” Yang Min shoved the screen right in front of Qin Xiaoxiao’s face.

Qin Xiaoxiao took a step back. On the screen, there was a few seconds of “Loading…” before the following appeared:

613th Floor – Original Poster

【During the second and third self-study sessions in the afternoon, Ji Wen C placed his hand on Qin XX’s chair back a total of three times and looked at Qin XX a total of four times.

During the break, Ji Wen C leaned over, picked up Qin XX’s cup, and played with it. They exchanged a few words.】

“…” Qin Xiaoxiao raised her hand and pressed the lock screen button. “Let’s go.”

“Hey, I haven’t finished showing you yet!”

“Aren’t you afraid of getting your phone confiscated playing with it here?” Qin Xiaoxiao said calmly as she ascended the stairs. “Let’s head back to the dorms early.”

“Good point. Then I’ll send you the post link when I get back to the dorm.”

“…”

They arrived at the floor where their dorm was located.

Yang Min suddenly stopped.

Qin Xiaoxiao, who was being pulled along, had to stop as well. “What’s wrong?”

“I…” Yang Min hesitated for a moment before continuing, “I wanted to ask… what’s going on with the junior lately? It seems like it’s been a long time… since I’ve seen him waiting for you outside the classroom?”

It’s been almost twenty days.

Qin Xiaoxiao looked at Yang Min. “He’s the same as always, doing well. Probably busy with basketball and other things.”

“I see…” Yang Min’s expression showed obvious disappointment.

With a light sigh in her heart, Qin Xiaoxiao tried to phrase things tactfully: “My uncle and aunt are quite worried about him. Feng Maoxing is always playing around and isn’t too fond of studying. Well, at least there’s one thing they don’t have to worry about—he’s a bit simple-minded. Unlike some boys his age, he doesn’t really have thoughts about dating or finding a girlfriend.”

“His parents don’t let him date?”

“Most parents wouldn’t want kids at this stage to date, right…” Qin Xiaoxiao felt a bit guilty for some reason and paused before continuing, “Besides, Feng Maoxing probably doesn’t want to date either. Given his indifferent attitude toward girls, he might still be single even after graduating from college…”

Yang Min, who more or less caught the underlying meaning in Qin Xiaoxiao’s words, responded, “I see…”

…

Qin Xiaoxiao returned to the dorm, where her roommates were sharing braised chicken feet brought from home.

“Xiaoxiao, want one?” A roommate enthusiastically offered her some.

Another roommate, who was gnawing on a chicken foot, licked the corner of her mouth. “They’re delicious, come have some~”

Over the past few months, their relationship with Qin Xiaoxiao had grown much closer, and the dorm’s atmosphere had become noticeably more friendly and warm.

Qin Xiaoxiao shook her head and politely declined. “I’m pretty full, so I’ll pass.”

“Ah…”

“That’s probably one of the reasons why Xiaoxiao has such a great figure. I can’t do it—whenever I see food, I just can’t resist the temptation.”

Qin Xiaoxiao smiled at the roommate who had just spoken, holding a chicken foot in each hand. “You’re pretty slim yourself. Yang Min even envies you for eating late-night snacks every day without gaining weight.”

“Hehehe~”

After finishing her washing up, Qin Xiaoxiao climbed into bed, took off her outerwear and pants, and lay down.

One roommate was still gnawing on a chicken foot, while two or three others were chatting and laughing.

“Going to sleep already?” Dong Yunfang asked.

The dorm quieted down significantly as everyone looked up at Qin Xiaoxiao on the top bunk.

“No,” Qin Xiaoxiao propped herself up slightly and smiled. “I’m not asleep yet. You can keep chatting.”

Dong Yunfang nodded.

Those eating continued their munching sounds, those chatting resumed their conversations, and those moving around carried on as usual.

Lying there with her eyes open for a few seconds, Qin Xiaoxiao reached under the mattress and pulled out her phone.

She powered on her phone and enabled mobile data.

A message from Yang Min popped up on QQ.

Qin Xiaoxiao turned over, clicked on the link, and opened it.

As the lights in the dormitory went out with the sound of the curfew bell, the glowing phone screen stood out in the darkness. Qin Xiaoxiao quickly adjusted the screen brightness.

When she returned to the forum page, she accidentally tapped on a spot, causing the page to switch to her account’s personal favorites.

No, it should be said, the favorites of the original owner of this body.

——

(A Must-Read for High Schoolers) How to Become a Fresh and Perfect Goddess

【Tips】 Want to become an elegant and delicate girl?

Various recommendations to help everyone transform into eye-catching little fairies.

…

Besides these, the rest were posts with titles containing “school bully,” “Ji Wenchen,” or “JWC.”

Seeing these on this app for the first time, Qin Xiaoxiao paused for a second before switching back to the post page Yang Min had sent her.

Title:

【Chat Post】 Ji Wen C and Qin XX Became Desk Mates…

OP

As the title says, Ji Wen C and Qin XX became desk mates…

1st Floor

?? Is it the Ji Wen C we all know, and that Qin XX who looks as beautiful as a fairy?

2nd Floor

OP is an idiot. What’s the point of using initials like that? Anyone from Second High can figure out who they are. [Funny][Funny]

3rd Floor

[Watching the drama] Leaving a mark before it gets heated, grabbing a front-row seat.

4th Floor

I remember someone posted a while ago speculating that the school bully was going to fight the school beauty. [Shocked][Shocked][Shocked] And now they’re desk mates?

5th Floor

Reply to 4th Floor: You didn’t get the full scoop, bro. That post was deleted by the admin (the school bully’s buddy)! It was all just speculation—some people guessed the school bully was going to pursue the school beauty, and others even guessed they liked each other, bro.

6th Floor

OP, is that it? Don’t tell me you just posted a title and called it a day?? Are you in the same class as them??? How about showing some proof first??

…

15th Floor

Damn, I purposely walked past their hallway, and it’s true—they’re really sitting together! And the school bully isn’t in that king’s corner anymore!

16th Floor

As a long-time lurker and a student from Class 8, I’ll chime in—it’s true, they’re desk mates now. By the way… our homeroom teacher is very democratic about seating arrangements, letting everyone choose where they want to sit, so…

…

The front rows were filled with random passerby comments. Qin Xiaoxiao decided to click “View Only OP’s Posts.”

32nd Floor – OP

Ji Wen C came to the classroom and fell asleep.

The male transfer student YYC came over to ask Qin XX about homework (?). Ji Wen C woke up and seemed to look at Qin XX for a bit too long.

43rd Floor – OP

During chemistry class, there was an issue with the video equipment.

Ji Wen C was woken up (?), and the first thing he did was talk to Qin XX. They exchanged a few sentences, but I didn’t catch the exact count.

63rd Floor – OP

Class started, but Qin XX still hadn’t returned. Ji Wen C wasn’t sleeping—his fingers tapped on Qin XX’s desk a few times, looking a bit bored.

Qin XX came back, and Ji Wen C started talking to her.

P.S.: OP feels like Ji Wen C has been sleeping less and talking more lately.

89th Floor – OP

[Stop asking for photos already. Do you think OP dares to take any? Nope, not a chance.]

Qin XX was eating some candy, and Ji Wen C seemed to say he wanted one too.

Qin XX gave him one, and Ji Wen C quickly popped it into his mouth.

114th Floor – OP

There’s a follow-up about the candy.

In the afternoon, Ji Wen C brought a big bag of candy (it looked like a certain Guan-brand preserved plum candy) and placed it on Qin XX’s desk.

Qin XX seemed to refuse it, so Ji Wen C put it back into his drawer.

152nd Floor – OP

[Thanks to the admin for marking this post as featured. OP will try to keep records updated promptly.]

OP’s desk mate said that Ji Wen C packed dinner for Qin XX and brought it to the classroom. It was fried rice from a newly opened stall that’s notoriously hard to get.

Qin XX ate it.

P.S.: OP should’ve come to the classroom earlier—regrets not witnessing this moment.

P.P.S.: OP’s desk mate thinks the two of them will be together within three months and wants to bet with OP. Should OP take the bet?

199th Floor – OP

[Your broke OP didn’t take the bet. OP doesn’t dare to speculate when they’ll get together. OP is just a quiet recorder.]

Ji Wen C has come to the classroom for five consecutive days.

During self-study, he placed his hand on Qin XX’s chair several times.

Qin XX, focused on writing, probably didn’t notice.

241st Floor – OP

Qin XX was writing something, and Ji Wen C stretched his neck to try and see it.

A love letter for someone else? OP guessed wrong.

The classroom was too noisy during the break, but OP vaguely heard words like “switch” and “desk mate.” Is Qin XX planning to change desk mates? Does she not want to sit with Ji Wen C anymore?

Ji Wen C’s expression instantly turned icy, sending chills through OP and OP’s desk mate, who couldn’t help but shiver.

He didn’t agree to Qin XX changing desk mates.

After that, OP couldn’t quite hear what they were saying (too quiet!), but Ji Wen C’s expression softened a lot, and he kept talking.

They spoke a lot today.

271st Floor – OP

Qin XX left the classroom during the break.

About a minute later, Ji Wen C leaned over, took the opened bag of preserved plum candy from Qin XX’s desk drawer, and added a few pieces of his own from his drawer into her bag.

…

Her phone vibrated, and a “20% battery remaining” low battery warning popped up.

After tapping “Close” on the notification, Qin Xiaoxiao noticed the time in the top-right corner.

…Had she really spent so much time on this without realizing it?

She exited the app, disconnected the mobile data, and turned off her phone.

Qin Xiaoxiao turned over, lying on her back. Having just stared at the bright phone screen, all she could see now was darkness.

The dormitory had long since quieted down, and the steady breathing of her sleeping roommates was audible.

She loosened her teeth, which had unknowingly left an imprint on her lips.

After calming her mind, she began to recall the content she had reviewed today, just as she usually did…

…

Qin Xiaoxiao’s phone usually only needed to be charged once a week when she went home.

But she hadn’t gone home two days ago.

The dormitory didn’t allow students to use electricity, not even providing outlets.

Students had to sneakily charge their phones in the classroom when the teacher wasn’t around or line up at the school store to charge them.

Qin Xiaoxiao, who rarely used her phone at school, hadn’t originally planned to charge it.

On Tuesday morning, after hesitating for a moment, she decided it was better to keep her phone charged. It gave her a sense of security in case she needed it, and she would also need it to contact her parents before the weekend break.

As usual, Yang Min didn’t manage to wake up early to go have breakfast with Qin Xiaoxiao that day.

Qin Xiaoxiao bought breakfast at the cafeteria and then headed to the school store.

The line for charging phones was even longer than the one at the cafeteria windows.

After waiting five or six minutes, it was finally Qin Xiaoxiao’s turn.

She placed her phone on the counter. “Auntie, I didn’t bring a charger…”

“If you don’t have a charger, that’ll be an extra 2 yuan. How long do you want to charge?” The fast-talking auntie swiftly slid Qin Xiaoxiao’s phone into a small basket.

“I’ll pick it up after class at noon.”

“That’ll be 4 yuan in total.”

After paying, Qin Xiaoxiao received a card.

As she walked out, she happened to see Yang Min approaching.

“Xiaoxiao!” Yang Min hurried over.

Qin Xiaoxiao stood still, waiting for her.

“Came to the school store to buy something? Charging your phone?”

“Mm.” Qin Xiaoxiao handed Yang Min her portion of breakfast.

“You should’ve told me earlier! I could’ve taken it to the classroom to charge for you,” Yang Min said. Her current seat was near the wall, with a multimedia screen in front. She often used the outlets on the wall or behind the screen to charge her phone during breaks.

Qin Xiaoxiao tugged her forward. “Keep your voice down.”

“It’s fine. Early in the morning, no teachers or school leaders ^[1]school leaders refers to administrative staff or higher-ranking officials in the school, such as principals, vice principals, or other managerial figures. will come to the school store anyway. By the way, Xiaoxiao, why are you charging your phone? Our Xiaoxiao rarely uses her phone, right?”

“Ah, could it be…” Yang Min leaned close to Qin Xiaoxiao’s ear and whispered, “to stay in touch with the school bully?”

“…No.”

Qin Xiaoxiao entered the classroom. On the desk next to hers was an English textbook that hadn’t been closed since the day before.

On top of it were a few worksheets that had been handed out yesterday.

Morning reading, the first class, the second class…

Most of the morning had passed, and the seat next to Qin Xiaoxiao remained empty.

Since that day on Sunday… Ji Wenchen hadn’t come to the classroom.

So, was he planning to give up on making it into the top 100 in the next monthly exam?