Chapter 35: Back to School

Bai An watched Lin Zhixia, who was now sitting on a chair, and felt that everything about him was annoying.

Coldly, she said, “Thank you for delivering the things, but it’s getting late. After you finish this cup of water, you should leave.”

Before Lin Zhixia could respond, Wanqing, standing to the side, disapproved, “He traveled such a long way to bring you something, and you want to send him away?”

“What do you mean ‘long way’? His house is just a short distance from ours,” Bai An scoffed.

Seeing this, Lin Zhixia stood up, placed the cup on the table, and softly said to Wanqing, “I should indeed be heading back.”

Wanqing, seeing that he was about to leave, urged Bai An to send him off.

Bai An grabbed Lu Jin’an’s hand in refusal. “It’s already dark, and I’m scared. I’m afraid of ghosts.”

Lu Jin’an, noticing Bai An’s reluctance, turned to Wanqing and said, “I’ll go see him off.”

“No need to trouble yourself. If possible, could Bai An walk me to the gate of the courtyard?” Lin Zhixia asked.

Lu Jin’an raised an eyebrow at Lin Zhixia.

Wanqing, noticing that the guest was speaking, didn’t think it would be appropriate to refuse, so she lowered her head and comforted Bai An. “It’s just to the courtyard gate, it won’t take long.”

“Fine.” Bai An reluctantly walked out of the room. When she saw Lin Zhixia still standing there, she urged him, “Let’s go.”

Bai An walked Lin Zhixia to the courtyard gate, and once he stepped outside, she raised her hand to close the door.

“Wait a minute.” Lin Zhixia leaned against the door and looked at Bai An, whose head was wrapped in bandages, and asked, “Are you coming to school tomorrow?”

Bai An was confused by his sudden question, but after thinking for a moment, she replied, “Of course, I’ll go.”

Lin Zhixia looked at Bai An’s serious face, smiling somewhat inexplicably, “That’s good.”

When Bai An returned, Lu Jin’an asked, pretending to be nonchalant, “Did he say anything?”

Bai An looked up at him and casually said, “He just asked if I’m going to school tomorrow.”

“Are you still going?”

Wanqing, who overheard, pulled Lu Demin’s arm and asked, “After what happened today, will Bai An still go to school tomorrow?”

Lu Demin adjusted his glasses, seemingly contemplating the matter.

Before he could speak, Bai An hurriedly called out, “Of course, I’m going to school tomorrow.”

Lu Demin sighed after seeing Bai An’s determined expression. “Since Bai An wants to go, let her go.”

Lu Jin’an glanced at Bai An and sat down beside her. “If anyone bullies you again, just tell me, and I’ll help you.”

“No need, brother.” Bai An raised her arm and patted it. “If anyone dares to bully me, I’ll beat them until they can’t find their way.”

Wanqing looked at Bai An’s confident attitude and smiled indulgently, tapping her nose. “You… do you still look like a girl?”

“No one said girls have to act a certain way. A girl can be whatever she wants to be,” Bai An replied confidently.

Wanqing was amused by Bai An’s mature attitude and nodded without saying anything more.

The next morning, Bai An, as usual, grabbed her small bag and prepared to go to school.

Lu Jin’an wanted to accompany her, but Bai An firmly refused.

“Brother, you don’t need to see me off. I made plans with Da Zhuang.”

Lu Jin’an frowned at being rejected and asked, “When did you make these plans?”

“I don’t remember when exactly,” Bai An shook her hand at him. “Brother, you go ahead. I’ll wait for Da Zhuang here.”

Lu Jin’an walked over to Bai An and reminded her, “Be careful with your face. Don’t let it get wet.”

“Got it~”

Lu Jin’an hadn’t walked far when he ran into Da Zhuang, who had come to pick up Bai An for school. He gave Da Zhuang a cold look.

“Bai An, is your brother in a bad mood?” Da Zhuang asked, recalling the look Lu Jin’an had given him earlier. He couldn’t help but shiver in fear.

Bai An, puzzled, replied, “I don’t think so. He seemed fine this morning.”

Da Zhuang, seeing the bandage on Bai An’s head and the cuts on her face, couldn’t help but speak up, “That Guo Dan is really something. How could he hit you so badly? Don’t worry, Bai An, I’ll make sure to get revenge for you.”

“Revenge?” Bai An thought of the injuries on Guo Dan’s face from last night and the extra things around the house. She waved her hand dismissively. “It’s fine, it’s fine. I think he’s already gotten what’s coming to him.”

Hearing this, Da Zhuang suddenly stopped and patted Bai An’s shoulder, speaking in frustration, “Bai An, you’re too soft-hearted. He treated you like this, and you’re still saying it’s fine?”

Seeing Da Zhuang so serious, Bai An was a bit at a loss. “I really think it’s fine now.”

“No, Bai An,” Da Zhuang raised his voice suddenly. “I’m definitely going to get revenge for you.”

“Really no need.”

“It’s a must.”

“No need.”

“Yes, I have to!”

“Alright.” Bai An looked at Da Zhuang helplessly and said, “But Guo Dan realized his mistake later, so don’t be too hard on him.”

After all, from what she saw last night, Guo Dan did look pitiful in that state.

“I’m still going to pick on him,” Da Zhuang crossed his arms and loudly declared, “I’m eliminating harm for the people!”

Seeing Da Zhuang’s silly expression, Bai An shook her head.

When they arrived at school, Da Zhuang tried to make Bai An sit next to him, but she refused and sat at the same spot as yesterday.

As soon as Bai An entered, the previously noisy classroom instantly fell silent, and everyone stared at her.

Bai An didn’t mind, simply laying her head on the desk and looking out the window.

“Bai An.” A very annoying voice rang out in her ear.

Bai An didn’t move a muscle.

Da Zhuang saw Guo Dan walking toward Bai An’s seat and, thinking he was up to no good again, immediately stood up and yelled, “What are you doing?!”

Guo Dan, who had intended to sincerely apologize to Bai An, lost his courage the moment Da Zhuang shouted.

“I was going to ask you what you’re doing,” Da Zhuang said, staring at Guo Dan’s swollen face covered in bruises, somewhat hesitantly.

“I didn’t!” Guo Dan gritted his teeth and blushed, stammering, “I’m not trying to bully her, I just… I just…”

Bai An looked at Guo Dan in confusion and asked, “Are you trying to take your thing back?”

“Ah?” Guo Dan turned pale at being called out, but he still nodded.

Bai An took out the little tiger plush from her cloth bag and handed it to him. “This is probably what you want, right?”

Guo Dan snatched the plush from her hands, gave her a quick glance, and turned to walk back to his seat.

Da Zhuang, utterly confused, wondered why the plush was in Bai An’s hands.

Bai An noticed the puzzled look Da Zhuang was giving her but said nothing and continued resting her head on the desk.