Chapter 39: Past Shadows

Outside the classroom, before Liu Ya even stepped in, she heard cheerful laughter coming from inside. Liu Ya felt a flicker of joy. She knew that laugh anywhere.

Curious, she quickened her pace, wanting to see what was so amusing. But when she stood at the door, the smile on her face instantly froze.

(What’s going on?)

She saw Gongyu and Yaqi chatting happily, having a great time, their relationship clearly harmonious. Liu Ya immediately walked over.

“Hey, you’re back.”

“…What?”

Liu Ya stared coldly at the two. She forgot to keep her smile on her face. She just stood there.

“What… are you two doing?”

“Nothing. Can’t we chat?” Gongyu said, not in a good mood.

Liu Ya forced a smile and moved closer to Yaqi.

“Ha… Sure. Of course you can.”

“But I need to help her with her lessons. Could you please step aside?”

As she spoke, Liu Ya leaned closer to Yaqi. Gongyu didn’t acknowledge her; instead, she turned to Yaqi and gave her a look. Yaqi noticed, bit her lip, then turned to Liu Ya.

“Um… Liu Ya?”

“Hm? What is it, Sister Yaqi?”

“I…”

The words Yaqi wanted to say caught in her throat. It was a simple matter, but now she couldn’t bring herself to say it.

(Strange… Why do I feel a bit off? It’s just about tutoring.)

(And this could clear up the misunderstanding and make things easier for Liu Ya. Why can’t I say it?)

“I…”

“Hm? Go ahead, what’s wrong?”

Yaqi’s face showed difficulty. Her voice grew softer until it was just mumbles. Gongyu sighed and spoke up.

“I’ll be helping Yaqi with her lessons from now on. You don’t need to anymore.”

“Ah… Huh?!”

Liu Ya’s eyes widened. She thought she must have misheard. She looked at Gongyu, then at Yaqi, then back at Gongyu.

Yaqi silently averted her gaze, smiled awkwardly, and twirled her hair around her finger.

“You say you’ll help her… but I’ve been the one tutoring her all along!”

“Yeah, so what? It doesn’t have to be you, does it?”

“But… I’m top of the grade…”

“That has nothing to do with what’s in the textbooks, does it? Besides, I’m in the top fifty. I know what I need to.”

“But…”

Liu Ya looked at Yaqi and grabbed her arm tightly.

“Is this true, Sister Yaqi?”

“Mm… Mm.”

“Then…”

Liu Ya’s eyelids slowly drooped. She stared at Yaqi with empty eyes.

Yaqi quickly explained.

“It’s… it’s just that you’ve been running around like a top lately, Liu Ya. You haven’t rested at all. I was afraid of troubling you too much, so I thought…”

(Huh… Why do I feel like I’ve done something wrong?)

“So… that’s how it is.”

Yaqi silently turned her head away. Liu Ya didn’t respond. She just stood there woodenly, as if her soul had already wandered off.

Yaqi looked at Gongyu. Gongyu nodded. Then Yaqi turned back and shook Liu Ya’s arm.

“Liu Ya?”

“Ah? Oh…”

Liu Ya was dazed for a moment, then came around. She let go of Yaqi’s arm and said crossly.

“How can you change your mind so suddenly? I had everything prepared for you, and now you just switch like that…”

“Sorry, sorry~ I just thought this way you could take a break?”

“I’m not tired! Why would I need a break? Besides, I’m the top of the grade! Can you really learn anything from her?”

With that, Liu Ya pointed at Gongyu. Gongyu didn’t hesitate and slapped her hand away.

“Ah!”

“If you’re going to talk, talk. No need to point fingers. Is this the quality of the top student?”

“I…”

Liu Ya’s face wrinkled with grievance. She clenched her fists unwillingly. Gongyu snorted dismissively and turned away.

Seeing Liu Ya like this, Yaqi suddenly remembered what Gongyu had said earlier. She furrowed her brow slightly. She hesitated, then tugged at Liu Ya’s hand.

“Liu Ya… are you angry?”

Hearing this, Gongyu turned back as well, staring at Liu Ya with contempt.

“What would I be angry about! You’re the one who broke your word! We agreed I would help you, so why did you go to Gongyu?”

“But I wanted to let you rest. You’ve seemed really tired lately. I noticed you fall asleep as soon as you lie down at night.”

“Hm?”

Gongyu looked at Yaqi with confusion.

“I was…”

“Besides, isn’t this all for the sake of my studies? As long as I improve, isn’t that enough? Gongyu is in the top fifty too. She’s very capable.”

“So she’s better than me?”

“Oh, that’s not what I meant… It’s just…”

Yaqi felt stuck, as if something was caught in her throat. She pursed her lips tightly. For some reason, her heart felt uneasy. After hesitating for a while, she forced herself to speak.

“Actually, as long as my grades improve and I pass the test, it doesn’t have to be you tutoring me, does it…”

“I…!”

“So if that’s the case, why can’t Gongyu do it? Unless… you have some other reason, Liu Ya?”

Liu Ya didn’t answer. Yaqi waited anxiously. She looked up curiously and saw that Liu Ya’s expression was completely calm, without a ripple. Seeing this, Yaqi secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

(Ha! I knew Liu Ya couldn’t possibly… But now there’s a new problem… Sigh…)

Yaqi hung her head helplessly. Liu Ya glanced at Gongyu, took an exaggerated deep breath, leaned back against the desk, crossed her arms over her chest, and put on a smile again. She spoke lightly.

“Heh. Don’t misunderstand! I’m just upset about your sudden change of heart! Who you get tutoring from has nothing to do with me. What other reason could I have? Ridiculous!”

“Sorry about that…”

“Fine! This way I’m free too! I’m not saying you! You have no clue! A dummy like you, besides me, who else could teach you?”

“Hey, aren’t you being a bit harsh?”

“Hmph! You really have no idea, do you?”

“You’re as dumb as a pig all day! You can’t learn anything! All you do is sleep, sleep, sleep! Calling you a pig is too generous!”

The more Liu Ya spoke, the more worked up she got. Yaqi’s face, which had been guilty, started to show a hint of anger.

“Liu Ya, that’s going too far.”

“Hey, hey, hey! Alright, alright! Anyway, it’s none of my business anymore. Let me through!”

“Oh!”

Liu Ya pushed Yaqi onto the desk, squeezed past her, and sat down heavily. She propped her head on her hand and stared out the window.

Yaqi straightened up and rubbed her chest, a bit flustered. Gongyu shot Liu Ya a contemptuous look, then turned to Yaqi.

“Yaqi, come sit next to me next class.”

“Huh? Can I?”

“What?!”

Liu Ya immediately turned around, eyes wide as she stared at them.

“Sister Yaqi’s seat isn’t even there! Who said you could change things on a whim?”

“Why not? It’s an empty seat anyway! And I can teach her anything she doesn’t understand in class. What’s the problem?”

“That’s still not allowed!”

“What’s the problem?”

Their voices grew louder. It felt like they were about to argue. Yaqi stood beside them, frightened and not knowing what to do. Gongyu didn’t waste words and directly took Yaqi’s hand.

“Yaqi, pack up and come over next class.”

“Ah… Okay…”

“No! Who agreed to that?!”

As she said this, Liu Ya immediately grabbed Yaqi’s other hand and held it tightly.

“What does it have to do with you? Does it need your approval?”

“I…”

“Mind your own business!”

“Did… did the teacher agree?”

“Then go tattle to the teacher!” Gongyu shouted at Liu Ya.

Liu Ya’s body trembled at the shout. The corners of her mouth quivered. Her eyes reddened. She lowered her head and bit her lip tightly.

Gongyu was startled for a moment, but then she snorted and turned away.

Yaqi was also startled. When she came to her senses and looked at Liu Ya, she saw her standing there with her head down, frozen. Guilt welled up in Yaqi’s heart. She gently tugged at Liu Ya’s hand.

“Liu Ya… hey…”

Suddenly, a drop of water fell with a plop onto the back of her hand. Yaqi looked up in surprise and met Liu Ya’s eyes. They were wide and glassy, the corners trembling constantly, filled with grievance and fear.

Liu Ya noticed and immediately darted behind Yaqi.

“I… I have student council business. I’m leaving first.”

“Hey, Liu Ya, wait! Liu Ya!”

Liu Ya ran off without looking back. Yaqi watched her retreating figure, dazed. Then she turned and glared angrily at Gongyu.

“Gongyu! You went too far!”

Gongyu snorted, propped her head on her hand, and turned away, muttering.

“I… I didn’t say anything…”

“Then why did you shout at her?”

“I didn’t…”

“You did! Reason doesn’t need a loud voice. What was with all that yelling?”

“I…”

Gongyu frowned and stole a glance at Yaqi. Yaqi’s normally gentle eyes had become sharp and serious, a stark contrast to her cute face.

Only then did Gongyu realize her actions had been a bit extreme. After hesitating for a moment, she slowly turned back and spoke softly, head lowered.

“I didn’t scold her…”

“Then just say it nicely! I already agreed to do your experiment. Why did you have to make things difficult for her?”

“Her reaction then showed she was guilty…”

“No, it doesn’t!”

Yaqi slammed the table and stood up, staring intently at Gongyu. Gongyu was startled and averted her gaze.

“Then… what about you now? You still say you don’t like her…”

“I…”

Yaqi slowly lowered her head. She sat down and calmed herself for a moment before speaking softly.

“Sorry. I was a bit harsh too.”

“No! I’m not angry because I like Liu Ya!”

“Oh? Then why?”

Yaqi paused, bit her lip, and said with difficulty.

“Because… Liu Ya was bullied in elementary school.”

“Wh… what?”

Gongyu’s eyes widened. She turned to look at Yaqi. What met her eyes was a look of reluctance, tenderness, and a strong protective instinct.

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