She asked a series of questions in a low voice, specifically to prevent Lin Ziyang, who was standing at the door, from hearing. However, her concerned words did not make the girl open her heart; instead, the girl just lowered her head, her eyes appearing somewhat dark.
“She didn’t bully me. She helped me find these clothes. I have to change out of them before I go to school in a bit.”
“If she didn’t bully you, why did she make you wear women’s clothes?” Liu Yinuo’s brow furrowed.
She looked at the girl beside her. To be honest, this outfit suited the girl’s temperament perfectly and looked like a great fit, but that wasn’t enough to dispel her doubts.
“I wanted to wear them myself…”
The food was ready, and she was using a spatula to scoop the meal from the pan into a bowl.
“You’re lying again.” Liu Yinuo stared into the girl’s eyes, suddenly feeling a bit angry. Why aren’t you willing to tell me the truth? I would definitely stand on your side; I would definitely do what’s best for you. Why are you so unwilling to open up to me?
“I’m not…” Having finished serving the dish, the girl didn’t dare to look at Liu Yinuo. She turned her face away and quietly averted her gaze.
However, Liu Yinuo suddenly reached out and grabbed her wrist, startling her so much that her hand shook, nearly dropping the dish on the floor.
“Is Lin Ziyang threatening you and telling you not to speak? It’s okay. No matter what it is, I will help you. Tell me, okay? You can still come to my house; my parents won’t make things difficult for you anymore. Remember? We made a promise yesterday—you’d come over to cook for me, and I’d help you with your studies.”
The girl kept her head down as Liu Yinuo leaned closer and closer. She stared straight into the girl’s eyes, trying to discern what she was thinking from those humble pink eyes. However, she saw nothing; all she found was a haze of gloom.
“Class Monitor…”
Steadying herself and gripping the dish tightly, the girl’s voice carried a hint of a plea.
“My sister is still watching…”
Only then did Liu Yinuo realize that Lin Ziyang was still standing there, quietly watching her. Lin Ziyang’s gaze was cold, but Liu Yinuo didn’t care. With a cold snort, knowing she wouldn’t get anything out of Ye Xingmian right now, she simply walked out of the kitchen and brushed past Lin Ziyang.
“I didn’t eat lunch, so I’ll join you guys for a meal. Any problem with that?”
Lin Ziyang had been staring at her. Wherever she went, Lin Ziyang’s eyes followed. Even when she sat down at the dining table, Lin Ziyang sat down right next to her.
“If the Class Monitor is willing, then of course it’s no problem,” Lin Ziyang said flatly.
Ye Xingmian walked out of the kitchen carrying the dishes. She looked at the two of them tentatively. For some reason, she felt the atmosphere between them was a bit off.
It was probably her own fault, she thought.
The girl actually really wanted to agree to Liu Yinuo’s offer. She could feel that Liu Yinuo was different. The Class Monitor truly cared about her and truly wanted what was best for her. But the reality of the situation wouldn’t allow her to think that way. If she really went to the Class Monitor’s house again and Lin Ziyang told her foster parents about her situation, she would be kicked out of the house. The best-case scenario would be Liu Yinuo taking her in, but she really couldn’t get over that mental hurdle. The Class Monitor was simply too dazzling to her; they were like people from two completely different worlds. Precisely because of this, she didn’t dare to accept the Class Monitor’s kindness.
So, this was actually enough for now. Anyway, in another half a year, she would be able to leave this place, and all this mess would have nothing to do with her anymore.
Even though that brief afternoon at the Class Monitor’s house had been truly comfortable and happy, she felt that it didn’t belong to her.
Besides, even if the Class Monitor could accept her, the Class Monitor’s parents… if they found out she was a male-to-female freak, they would probably refuse to accept her too, right?
Feeling a bit depressed, the girl quietly walked to the dining table and placed the prepared dishes on it.
“I’ll go get the rice for you.”
Picking up two bowls, she stepped into the kitchen again. Behind her, the sounds of the two of them talking reached her ears. They seemed to be intentionally lowering their voices; she couldn’t hear the specific content, only that they were talking about something behind her back.
Her eyes dimmed. She actually wished the Class Monitor wouldn’t pay so much attention to her. It was a heavy burden. Unearned kindness always made one feel guilty, especially for someone as helpless as her. She didn’t know how to repay the Class Monitor’s kindness, nor did she want the Class Monitor to be angry because of her. It would be better if yesterday’s events had never happened at all, and she and the Class Monitor were still just two strangers attending classes in the same room. The Class Monitor would continue being the star student, and she would still be that anonymous piece of trash in the corner. They were never supposed to cross paths.
Silently scooping the rice, she added a few honey dates this time, specifically hiding several extra ones at the bottom of the Class Monitor’s bowl.
Then she returned to the living room, preparing to place it on the table.
Sure enough, as soon as she returned, the conversation between the two immediately stopped. Lin Ziyang leaned back in her chair and browsed her phone, while Liu Yinuo looked at her with sparkling eyes.
“Student Ye’s skills are really good. The food smells so fragrant and looks great too. Do you usually cook like this at home?”
“Um…” She hadn’t been praised like this very often. The girl lowered her head, feeling a bit bashful. She felt that what she had made didn’t deserve such praise from the Class Monitor; it was just a regular home-cooked meal that anyone could make.
She placed the bowl of rice with the extra dates in front of the Class Monitor and the other bowl in front of Lin Ziyang.
“You guys eat first. I still have some things to do.” Not wanting to insert herself into the tense atmosphere between the two, the girl wanted to go do something else first and come back after they finished eating.
“Huh? Is Student Ye not eating?”
“No… I still have things to do…”
“How can that be? Come here and sit right next to me.”
“Ah? That might not be very good…”
“Oh, what are you thinking? Just come over.”
In the end, unable to argue with the Class Monitor, the girl hesitated for a moment before sitting down next to Liu Yinuo.
“Here, you eat this bowl first. I’ll go get another one for myself.”
Upon hearing this, the girl waved her hands repeatedly.
“No… how could I do that?”
However, giving her no room to refuse, Liu Yinuo smiled and pushed the bowl toward her, her attitude very firm.
“Just like that. I’ll go get the rice first. You start eating.”
Watching her walking figure, the girl’s expression was a bit dazed.
So now, in the entire dining area, only she and Lin Ziyang were left.
Naturally, she couldn’t eat. Looking at Lin Ziyang in front of her, she felt a strong sense of restlessness. For some unknown reason, she felt guilty. She remained silent for a long time, finally unable to stand the stifling atmosphere any longer.
“Ziyang…”
Lin Ziyang looked up, her gaze icy as she looked at her.
“What is it?”
“No… it’s… it’s nothing…”
It felt as if her attitude had suddenly reverted to how it was before yesterday, as if the events of the morning were just an illusion. The girl shook her head uneasily and ended up just sitting there quietly, waiting for the Class Monitor to return with her food.