Chapter 60: What’s Wrong with You

She recalled the tacit understanding they had just moments ago when adding each other on WeChat—she simply handed over her QR code without a word, and he promptly took the initiative to add her.

It’s really not that hard to get someone’s WeChat ID!

Xu Yannuo’s lips curled slightly as the girls beside her continued discussing Chen Ciyi. Just then, the restroom door in front of her opened—it was finally her turn.

They had originally planned for Chen Ciyi to keep watch while Xu Yannuo, fully prepared, would confront the seniors that evening. Unexpectedly, whether due to other commitments or unforeseen circumstances, the seniors never showed up. But their absence was for the better—Xu Yannuo wasn’t exactly bored enough to be eager for a fight. The next day at school, however, Xu Yannuo and Chen Ciyi heard that the notorious girl who refused to wear the school uniform had suddenly fallen ill with a high fever the night before—possibly due to the stress of senior year—and was rushed to the hospital. Naturally, her lackeys had no mood left to show up for the confrontation.

By the third-period break, Xu Yannuo was already hungry, having eaten too little that morning. Lunchtime was still far off, and as luck would have it, Chen Ciyi had overslept during first period and missed the chance to grab snacks from the store during the earlier break. Now, neither of them had a single bite to eat.

Xu Yannuo glanced at the wall clock—seven minutes until the next class. There was still time to make a quick run to the store. She got up and headed downstairs, with Chen Ciyi noticing her movement and following along to the supermarket.

During the third break, the supermarket wasn’t crowded, with just a few scattered students buying snacks. It was nothing like the first break, where not only were people rushing to buy breakfast and snacks, but even those getting drinks at the entrance seemed to be fighting for them. Without some skill and stamina, you wouldn’t be able to get anything.

The two entered the campus supermarket, which was more like a small convenience store, and headed straight to the snack aisle. Just as Xu Yannuo picked up a bag of chips, she overheard some boys from an unknown class bragging loudly behind the shelves about how amazing their class’s performance had been at the sports meet two days prior. Xu Yannuo rolled her eyes—wasn’t the excitement supposed to have died down by now? They really had nothing better to brag about! As she was mentally吐槽, the boys happened to finish browsing that aisle and walked over to the one where she and Chen Ciyi were. Suddenly, their eyes met, and the two boys burst into arrogant laughter. “Well, if it isn’t the weaklings from Class 8! Hey, I heard your class ranked last overall in the sports meet. How can you be so pathetic? Oh yeah, what’s-his-name from your class, Zhang something—was his legs uneven or what? Damn, he ran so slow! Hahaha!”

The other boy noticed Chen Ciyi. “Oh, isn’t this the top student from Class 8? All you know how to do is study, huh? You didn’t even sign up for a single event at the sports meet. Tch, you’re pretty tall, but who knew you were actually disabled!”

It was clear that the boy was picking on them precisely because they seemed weak, waiting for Chen Ciyi to lose his temper and throw a punch so he could have an excuse to bully him even more.

But Chen Ciyi didn’t feel anything about such provocations. In fact, he felt nothing about those high school seniors that day either. He got angry because they bullied Xu Yannuo at school. Back in the original No.2 High School or even during middle school, people at this level wouldn’t even get a chance to speak to him, let alone expect a response.

Chen Ciyi silently stood behind Xu Yannuo.

The two boys opposite them burst out laughing, “What a fucking coward.”

Xu Yannuo took a step forward, shielding Chen Ciyi behind her, then looked at the two boys, her frightened eyes almost welling up with tears. “Um, could you leave after you’re done shopping? I…” Her voice grew quieter as she spoke. “I’m a little scared.”

The two guys opposite probably also felt that bullying a little girl wasn’t very meaningful, especially someone as weak and short as her. Moreover, there were other girls chatting and laughing behind the nearby shelves, and it seemed they were about to stroll over to this aisle. If they came and saw the two of them lingering here to bully a little girl, it wouldn’t look good if word got out—where would their pride be then?

After that, the two casually grabbed a bag of Lay’s potato chips and walked past Xu Yannuo and Chen Ciyi to browse another aisle of shelves.

Xu Yannuo watched their figures disappear around the corner into another aisle, leaving only her and Chen Ciyi alone in this row again. Her expression returned to normal as she continued picking out snacks.

Beside her, Chen Ciyi leaned in close, his lips curling into a smile and his eyes teasing as he praised, “What great acting skills, deskmate.”

Xu Yannuo didn’t hold back either. “Thank you for the compliment.”

After picking out the snacks, the two of them walked to the checkout counter together. Chen Ciyi paid, and then they returned to the classroom.

On the way, they ran into one of Chen Ciyi’s admirers. Encouraged by the two other girls beside her, she walked toward them. Xu Yannuo thought about stepping aside to let them chat, so as not to make the girl feel awkward with him around. But the girl walked straight up to Xu Yannuo instead. He was taken aback and pointed at himself, “Me? Did you get the wrong person?”

As a result, the girl pulled Xu Yannuo aside, leaving Chen Ciyi standing alone. Later, she handed Xu Yannuo a small gift and an envelope, then stole a glance at Chen Ciyi. “Can you help me pass this to him later when you return to the classroom? I tried giving it to him in person last week, but he walked away without even looking at it.”

Xu Yannuo nodded and took the items. “Oh, sure.”

The girl, seeing that the gift had been delivered, immediately thanked them happily and then ran off with her friend. Perhaps due to nervousness, she ran especially fast and was out of sight in the blink of an eye.

Xu Yannuo, holding the item in her hand, was about to return to Chen Ciyi’s side when she realized he had already left at some point. Xu Yannuo quickly took the item back to the classroom, wondering if he had gone ahead. Upon arriving, she found Chen Ciyi already sitting at his desk, unwrapping a bag of chips he had bought from the campus store.

Xu Yannuo returned to her seat, and Chen Ciyi handed her the chips.

Xu Yannuo placed the item in her hand on the desk and reached out to take the chips. “Why did you leave?”

Chen Ciyi took out another bag and continued opening it, “Weren’t you chatting with your girlfriends? Me standing there would’ve just been a bother.” He wore a smug expression that practically screamed, “Look how considerate your deskmate is—praise me now!”

Xu Yannuo laughed helplessly, then pushed the gift and envelope on the table toward him. “Sorry to disappoint, but they weren’t my girlfriends—they were your admirers. And someone already tried giving you a gift before, which you refused. Thanks a lot!”

The chips in Chen Ciyi’s hand clattered to the ground as if on cue. He stared blankly at the gift—no way, how could he have no memory of this at all?

Xu Yannuo gave him a deadpan look. His expression made it clear he genuinely didn’t remember. “Well, I’ve delivered the stuff for you. Make sure you read it. Don’t let her feelings go to waste,” she said, then lowered her head to munch on the chips.

Chen Ciyi looked at the gifts and envelope in front of him but still threw them into the trash bag beside the desk. After eating a few more potato chips, he turned to Xu Yannuo and said, “Hey, desk mate, can I discuss something with you?”