Chapter 20: Jealousy

Though Jiang Xihan was teaching, her attention stayed fixed on Ji Pei.

She noticed Ji Pei wasn’t listening but flipping through her notebook, scribbling and looking guilty.

After these few days, Jiang Xihan had gotten to know Ji Pei well.

That guilty expression—she’d seen it on Ji Pei’s face many times, all too familiar.

Her lips curved slightly. She’d planned to call Ji Pei to answer a question.

But seeing her now, it might scare the poor thing.

Jiang Xihan thought, forget it. She’s just a kid. Sitting in class listening was already good enough.

After writing the wrong name, Ji Pei felt awkward. What if Jiang Xihan asked for the notebook and saw her unauthorized scribble?

Ji Pei squirmed, secretly pulling out her phone under the desk, spotting a message from Ji Fan.

Ji Fan: [Sis, why’re you at the public lecture? Didn’t you say you’d drop Professor Jiang off and go home?]

Ji Pei read it, biting her lip, typing letter by letter with one finger.

Ji Pei: [Focus on class, don’t get distracted.]

Ji Pei: [I’m Professor Jiang’s personal caretaker now. I’ll be taking her to school for the next week.]

Ji Fan, sitting in the back with a classmate, snuck a photo of Ji Pei on her phone and sent it.

Ji Fan: [Sis, you’re in the front row. Careful, Professor Jiang might catch you.]

Ji Pei chuckled inwardly, thinking Ji Fan was such a coward. After locking eyes with Jiang Xihan again, she guiltily stuffed her phone under the desk.

Knowing when to yield was a fine tradition.

Finally surviving the lecture, Ji Pei stretched, tidied the notebook, and placed it neatly in front of her.

Students streamed out for lunch. Jiang Xihan stayed in her wheelchair, waiting for the room to empty, as was her habit.

Just when Ji Pei thought the classroom was clear, a hand patted her shoulder. Turning, she saw Ji Fan.

Still wary of Jiang Xihan, Ji Fan greeted her, then whispered to Ji Pei, “Sis, I’m going to eat with classmates.”

Ji Fan bolted, vanishing in a flash.

Ji Pei stood, smiling, moving behind Jiang Xihan, hands on the wheelchair.

“Professor Jiang, she’s scared of you, hiding from you.”

Jiang Xihan nodded, hearing Ji Pei add,

“If she takes your class, call on her every day. Make her answer questions.”

Bai Yin grinned, unable to resist.

“Ji Pei, what’s your beef with her?”

Ji Pei laughed.

“Her? She slacks off all day, saying she’ll be a great doctor. Who’d dare let her treat them?”

Bai Yin’s face fell at “doctor,” probing,

“Ji Pei, where’s your sister working later? You gotta tell me.”

“…”

***

Lunchtime arrived.

This time, Ji Pei openly used Jiang Xihan’s card.

She and Bai Yin found a quiet corner with few people, settling Jiang Xihan first before queuing for food.

Ji Pei had craved yellow braised chicken rice last time but didn’t get it, still tempted.

But it was at the far west canteen. She didn’t mention it, too shy to make Jiang Xihan, in a wheelchair, trek with her.

It’s just chicken rice. She could make it at home—clean and healthy.

Ji Pei recalled eating with Jiang Xihan last time; she only ate vegetarian dishes, not a single meat.

But with her sprained ankle, didn’t they say eat what you injure? Should she get Jiang Xihan pig’s trotter rice?

Thinking this, Ji Pei couldn’t help laughing, caught by Bai Yin.

Bai Yin leaned in, curious.

“What’s so funny?”

Ji Pei whispered,

“I’m wondering if I should get Professor Jiang pig’s trotter rice. Think she’d eat it?”

Bai Yin shook her head.

“From years of knowing Professor Jiang, she doesn’t like meat. She rarely eats at the canteen, lives like clockwork. Sometimes I think she’s a robot.”

Ji Pei’s gaze landed on Jiang Xihan, waiting quietly in the distance.

They were far apart, but Ji Pei could vaguely see Jiang Xihan look up, then down, probably wondering why they weren’t back.

Their turn to order came. Ji Pei messaged Jiang Xihan, asking what she wanted, snapping a photo of the options for her to pick.

Jiang Xihan opened the small image—Ji Pei’s photo.

Ji Pei: [So many choices.]

Ji Pei: [Bai Yin says you don’t eat meat. I think you need more protein.]

Ji Pei: [The braised pork ribs look good. I’ll get you some.]

Ji Pei: [No refusing!]

Jiang Xihan’s smile lingered. She replied, “Okay,” but her phone buzzed again.

It was a Fenbei notification.

Jifeng: [Wife, look at all the food in our school canteen. Tastes great too.]

Jifeng: [[Photo][Photo]]

Jiang Xihan opened them. The photos were identical to Ji Pei’s.

Always reporting everything—Jiang Xihan typed back, satisfied.

Dongri: [Looks plentiful.]

Jifeng: [Next time, I’ll sneak you in to eat. I’ll use my sister’s card. I’m not a student anymore, can’t swipe mine.]

Dongri: [Okay.]

Ji Pei returned with two trays, Jiang Xihan pocketing her phone.

One tray was placed before her—Ji Pei’s order, with braised pork ribs and glossy stir-fried greens.

Bai Yin had said Jiang Xihan was picky, but Ji Pei, delivering meals for two days, hadn’t noticed.

Jiang Xihan ate everything she brought, spotless.

Ji Pei had asked if she avoided anything. Jiang Xihan always said she’d eat whatever was made.

Sitting across from Jiang Xihan, Ji Pei handed her chopsticks. “Can’t just eat veggies. You need meat and greens balanced.”

Jiang Xihan nodded.

“Mm, balanced diet.”

Ji Pei was eating eggplant with minced meat when a shadow loomed.

Looking up, a girl with pink hair smiled down at her.

“Hi, can I sit next to you?”

“Sure, go ahead.”

Ji Pei didn’t think much, scooting her chair over. The pink-haired girl set her tray down beside her.

Jiang Xihan’s chopsticks paused. She glanced at the girl diagonally across, lowered her eyes silently, and kept eating.

Ji Pei, on the left, ate with her right hand, occasionally brushing the girl’s arm, so she switched to her left.

After a few bites, she noticed Jiang Xihan’s gaze on her left hand.

“I’m a lefty, practicing with my right hand lately.”

The meal was silent. Even chatty Bai Yin stayed quiet, likely captivated by the food.

Ji Pei finished, looked up, and saw Jiang Xihan was done too. She proactively cleared her dishes, placing them on a nearby cart.

When she returned, the pink-haired girl had finished.

Her gaze swept lightly over Ji Pei. Standing with her tray, she accidentally tipped it, splashing leftover soup onto Ji Pei’s clothes.

“Sorry!”

The girl panicked, pulling out tissues to wipe Ji Pei’s clothes, but Ji Pei dodged.

“It’s fine, I’ll handle it.”

From the girl standing to tipping the tray, splashing Ji Pei, every move and expression was seen by Jiang Xihan.

Her face remained blank, brows slightly furrowed, her expression sour.

“I was careless. Let me take it to clean for you.”

Ji Pei felt the words sounded familiar, shaking her head with a smile.

“No worries, it’s just a bit. I’ll wipe it off.”

“But your shirt’s Chanel. It’ll ruin if you don’t wash it.”

Ji Pei replied casually,

“It’s a knockoff.”

Her gaze shifted, noticing Jiang Xihan was gone, leaving only a lonely figure wheeling away.

Ji Pei sidestepped the girl, chasing after, grabbing the wheelchair.

“Professor Jiang, why’d you wheel off alone?”

Jiang Xihan pulled tissues from her bag, spotting the dark stain, and naturally pinched Ji Pei’s shirt, gently wiping it clean.

Ji Pei stood, head lowered, at a loss.