As for Bo Jiangxin, his interactions with Wang Sicheng were surprisingly peaceful.
Although Wang Sicheng usually talked a lot and dared to disturb anyone, he never dared to bother Bo Jiangxin.
Whenever he couldn’t hold back and tried to say something, a cold, indifferent look from Bo Jiangxin discouraged him immediately.
This week, the three science subjects—Physics, Chemistry, and Biology—all had a weekly exam.
Chen Jinghua looked at Bo Jiangxin’s perfect scores in Physics and Chemistry, and his near-perfect score in Biology, nodding with satisfaction.
Xiang Di’s progress was also significant; even her weakest subject, Chemistry, scored eighty points this time.
This child had indeed endured the temptation of a handsome guy—being assigned Zhōu Línxiāo as her deskmate was a wise move.
Clearly, these two seat changes were smart decisions, and both kids could now focus on studying properly.
Chen Jinghua felt proud and confident that he would be on the list again for the Special-grade Teacher award this year.
For third-year high school students, Sunday was their only precious day off. Boarding students had to return to school Sunday afternoon and attend late self-study at night, so this day off was especially valuable.
The final late self-study session on Saturday was about to end, but Xiang Di was completely unable to concentrate, her mind only on going home.
She was counting down silently when Zhōu Línxiāo gently tapped her shoulder with his pen.
Zhōu Línxiāo asked directly, “Are you free tomorrow?”
Xiang Di nodded. “Yeah, why?”
“Can I treat you to a meal tomorrow?” Zhōu Línxiāo said. “I want to thank you for treating me to so many delicious things these past few days.”
Xiang Di wasn’t expecting reciprocation, so she waved off politely, “No need, it’s not much money.”
Zhōu Línxiāo said, “It’s not about money. It’s about reciprocation. My mother said that when Chinese people make friends, it’s not about expensive gifts, but about mutual give-and-take. You treated me, so as a friend, I have to treat you back.”
Using such worldly wisdom with that exotic face made it hard for Xiang Di to refuse.
She scratched her head and asked cautiously, “So… just the two of us eating?”
She wasn’t sure if his mother taught him that Chinese people are cautious about male-female interactions, and generally avoid one-on-one meals unless necessary.
Zhōu Línxiāo immediately noticed her hesitation, raised an eyebrow, and smiled. “You seem really scared to eat alone with me?”
Before Xiang Di could answer, he lowered his eyes, chestnut lashes shading his clear olive eyes, sighed in an exaggeratedly sad way.
“We’ve been deskmates for days. Miss, what else do I have to do to earn your trust in my character?”
He said it clearly and even called her “Miss,” giving the moment a dubbed film vibe.
Xiang Di hurried to explain, “That’s not what I meant… I just…”
After all, a nearly 1.9-meter-tall mixed-race guy with hard muscles all over was intimidating.
Though she trusted his character after a few days, what if—
She had seen many news stories where wanted murderers appeared harmless before capture; no one expected them to be killers.
Her size was so small compared to Zhōu Línxiāo’s; he could break her waist with one hand.
Seeing her flustered expression, he smiled again. “It’s okay, I understand. How about this: invite a few more people, and I’ll treat you all to a meal.”
Then he turned and tapped Ye Minjia’s desk.
Ye Minjia was tutoring Liang Qianqian on some problems. Hearing the noise, he looked up. “What’s up, bro?”
Zhōu Línxiāo invited Ye Minjia and Liang Qianqian.
When Ye Minjia heard it was a buffet costing several hundred per person, his mouth watered, but he shook his head regretfully.
“Can’t tomorrow. It’s my grandmother’s birthday. I have to celebrate with her,” Ye Minjia sighed. “You guys go ahead. Remember to take lots of photos to tease me later.”
Xiang Di asked Zhōu Línxiāo, “If the Class Monitor can’t make it, can we eat next week instead?”
Zhōu Línxiāo said, “Sure, up to you.”
So it was settled—they would eat together during the next holiday.
Zhōu Línxiāo knew Ye Minjia was close to Bo Jiangxin and asked if he wanted to invite him too.
But Ye Minjia shook his head: “No thanks. He never joins these gatherings.”
Zhōu Línxiāo nodded, respecting Bo Jiangxin’s serious cleanliness issues.
Xiang Di, quiet beside them, pursed her lips disappointedly. Zhōu Línxiāo and the others were discussing where to go after eating next week. She didn’t mind; she would just follow along.
She cupped her face and glanced toward Bo Jiangxin’s side.
Just then, Wang Sicheng, who was blocking her view of Bo Jiangxin, caught her looking and raised an eyebrow. “What, looking at me because I’m handsome? Sneaking a peek?”
Xiang Di made a gagging gesture and quickly turned away.
Seeing her, Wang Sicheng remembered, “Hey, don’t forget to buy me cream puffs tomorrow.”
Xiang Di groaned, “I know, you don’t have to remind me every day.”
“I’m just afraid you’ll forget.”
“I won’t,” Xiang Di said. “My memory is good.”
Plus, she was also going to buy cream puffs for Bo Jiangxin tomorrow; forgetting that was impossible.
Talking quietly made time fly. The late self-study bell rang suddenly, liberating everyone at once.
The supervising teacher also left quickly.
“Go home! Liberation!”
“Tomorrow I’m staying in bed all day!”
Wang Sicheng had arranged to play games with friends and rushed home with his backpack.
Without Wang Sicheng in the way, Xiang Di finally saw Bo Jiangxin.
So annoying. With Wang Sicheng sitting between them, even stealing a glance at Bo Jiangxin during class was blocked.
And Wang Sicheng, ever self-absorbed, always assumed she was looking at him.
Unfortunately, Wang Sicheng was going home soon, and they wouldn’t meet until Monday.
Just as she regretted this, Bo Jiangxin, slowly packing his bag, suddenly turned and caught her eye.
Xiang Di’s little heart skipped a beat. She quickly smiled and found an excuse to talk to him. “Um, do you still remember I promised to treat you to cream puffs?”
“Huh?”
Bo Jiangxin nodded, “If you’re busy this weekend, it’s fine.”
“No, no, I’m free all weekend,” Xiang Di said. “I just want to ask, do you prefer eating them the same day, or should I bring them on Monday?”
Actually, she hoped he could eat the freshest ones on the same day, even if it cost a few extra bucks for delivery. No problem—she was willing to spend that for Bo Jiangxin.
Also… that way she could know where he lived.
She swore she wasn’t trying to be a stalker; she simply wanted to know him a little better.
Bo Jiangxin said, “Same day. Didn’t you say that’s the best?”
“Yes, yes, same day is best. Should I order a delivery guy to bring them to you tomorrow?”
Xiang Di hesitated, “Would you mind… giving me your address?”
Bo Jiangxin replied curtly, “No need.”
Caught off guard by the refusal, Xiang Di lowered her head, feeling warmth in her face.
He really wouldn’t give out his home address easily.
“Don’t bother with delivery. I’ll come get them from you tomorrow.”
Xiang Di suddenly looked up. “Huh?”
“I mean, I’ll come to your place to get them tomorrow,” Bo Jiangxin said calmly. “Is that okay?”
Xiang Di said blankly, “Yeah, I’ll be home all day tomorrow.”
“Good.”
After confirming, Bo Jiangxin grabbed his bag and prepared to leave.
She stood in the aisle and quickly stepped aside.
Her slender figure gave Bo Jiangxin enough room to pass without brushing against her.
As they passed, Bo Jiangxin lowered his head and caught her dazed expression—her long straight lashes still, lips slightly parted.
Between their bodies was still a full centimeter of space.
He stared at the gap. Xiang Di thought he was avoiding touching her because the aisle was narrow, so she moved her feet back to the desk edge.
She thought, now he should be able to pass.
Bo Jiangxin called her name, “Xiang Di.”
She was startled, looking at the school badge printed on the left chest of his uniform, then heard him say quietly, “You really don’t need to be so careful about the distance between us.”
Only then did she raise her head to look at him.
Her mind was racing, analyzing every word he said. Her lips were still slightly parted, showing a hint of upper teeth.
The classroom had been dry all week with no rain.
The teacher sipped warm water frequently to soothe his throat. To prevent chapped lips, Xiang Di carried lip balm with her, which was moisturizing and like dew covering her lips.
Her eighteen-year-old face was fair, clear, and radiant, needing no fancy makeup—just a little dew was enough.
Bo Jiangxin’s breath tightened.
The next second, he nearly fled, quickly leaving the classroom.
He wasn’t scared by Xiang Di’s heart voice, but by his own.
Luckily, only he knew how absurd the thought that flashed through his mind in that instant was.
When Grandfather told him the way to hear heart voices again, he never considered anywhere but the hands.
But now…
Bo Jiangxin closed his eyes.
There’s no way he’d dare touch there. Bo Jiangxin, are you crazy?