Chapter 44: Awakening su cheng

“Huh? Classmate Gu, what are you doing here?”

Su Cheng rubbed her sleepy eyes, her vision slowly clearing from a blur.

Gu Xiya, who had been sitting by the bed, engrossed in her phone, turned to look at Su Cheng, a gentle smile gracing her lips, upon hearing her voice.

“You’re awake. Well, your classmate Lin Shiyue had to leave, so I stayed behind to look after you. How are you feeling now?”

“Thank you so much for doing that.”

Su Cheng pushed herself up, grabbing the phone from beside her pillow and lighting up its screen. “Much better. I remember I was still running, and then I suddenly fainted.”

The missed calls from Yin Xuelian displayed on the screen made Su Cheng’s lips twitch.

“You fainted from low blood sugar. Here, have some water,” Gu Xiya said, handing Su Cheng an uncapped bottle of water.

Su Cheng nodded her thanks, set her phone down, and gulped down two mouthfuls of water before reopening WeChat to check her messages.

This time, Yin Xuelian hadn’t bombarded her with messages; there were only a few unread ones.

[Sister Yin: Little Orange, have you had breakfast yet?]

[Sister Yin: Why aren’t you answering your phone?]

[Sister Yin: Why did you hang up on me? Are you busy?]

[Sister Yin: If you’re done, remember to call me back.]

After reading the messages, Su Cheng, though unsure of exactly what had transpired during her unconsciousness, could piece together a general idea from Yin Xuelian’s texts.

As for hanging up the phone, it couldn’t have been her, could it? Unless she was sleepwalking.

The immediate priority was to call Yin Xuelian back.

“I’m going out to make a call. Classmate Gu, are you going to have breakfast soon?”

As Su Cheng spoke, she rubbed her rumbling stomach, feeling utterly famished.

Gu Xiya offered a slight smile. “Of course, I’ll wait for you.”

Su Cheng darted out the door, immediately dialing Yin Xuelian’s number.

“Hello, Sister Lotus—”

“Little Orange! You finally called me back! What on earth have you been so busy with?!”

The amplified voice from the receiver nearly knocked Su Cheng unconscious; Yin Xuelian’s roar was truly formidable.

“Sister Lotus, please let me explain, don’t get so agitated. I fainted from low blood sugar, I just woke up…”

Before she could finish, Yin Xuelian’s words, filled with surprise and concern, cut her off.

“Ah? You passed out? Are you okay? Oh, my little darling, you shouldn’t push yourself when you’re not feeling well. Are you alright now?”

Su Cheng chuckled apologetically in response. “I’m fine, I’m fine, no need to worry, Sister Lotus.”

“That’s good to hear. It’s a shame I’m not at school right now, so I can’t look after you, sigh…”

Yin Xuelian, her words heavy with regret, let out a sigh, her head bowed.

“It’s really fine. I’m going to get breakfast now; I’m starving.”

“Okay, you go on. Eat a good breakfast. I’ll send you a red packet. I’ve got something to take care of now.”

Su Cheng quickly interjected, “Hey, hey, Sister, you don’t have to—”

–Beep, beep, beep…–

Su Cheng sighed softly, then looked back at her chat with Yin Xuelian on the screen, where a large red packet had abruptly popped up.

[Sister Yin: It’s not Crazy Thursday (TL Note: A Chinese meme referring to KFC’s Thursday promotions where people jokingly ask for money), but I’m still Venmo-ing you 50.]

[Sister Yin: Eat well, get full, and don’t get low blood sugar again. 😉😉]

[Orange: Thank you, Sister Lotus, I’ll take good care of myself. 😄😄]

After claiming Yin Xuelian’s red packet, the prominent ‘50’ on the screen truly indicated, as Yin Xuelian had said, that it was enough for a day’s expenses.

It felt wonderful to be cared for. Su Cheng couldn’t hide her delight, a wide smile spreading across her face. Just as she turned to call out to Gu Xiya, she found Gu Xiya leaning against the doorframe, her gaze fixed directly on her.

“Who were you talking to on the phone? You seemed so happy,” Gu Xiya asked, her expression calm, though a hint of curiosity flickered in her red eyes.

Su Cheng slipped her phone into her pocket, meeting Gu Xiya’s gaze. “Just an upperclassman. Shall we go get breakfast?”

Gu Xiya didn’t hesitate or press for more details, simply falling into step with Su Cheng as they headed towards the cafeteria.

Coincidentally, they arrived just as the upperclassmen were having breakfast, so Su Cheng quickly bought some steamed buns and soy milk before hurrying out of the cafeteria, with Gu Xiya doing the same.

“Classmate Su, do you usually eat red bean buns?” Gu Xiya asked curiously, watching Su Cheng eat with such relish.

“Yes, they’re my favorite. Someone also told me that Xihua’s red bean buns are the best, and they really are better than any you can buy outside.”

Su Cheng took a bite of the sweet, chewy red bean bun; the soft, glutinous red bean paste melted in her mouth, leaving a rich bean fragrance that lingered delightfully.

Gu Xiya responded softly, her gaze never leaving Su Cheng’s face, every movement observed keenly.

Watching Su Cheng devour half a bun in just a few bites, a little unconcerned about her image, Gu Xiya couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Slow down, I’m not going to snatch it from you.”

Su Cheng suddenly paused her chewing, glanced at Gu Xiya, and then resumed.

“Ah, well… I’m usually like this, I’m used to it. Plus, I’m terribly hungry today; I just really want to eat.”

Gu Xiya nodded understandingly.

“Oh, so that’s what low blood sugar does? You only bought two; is that enough?”

“Plenty, plenty. I’ve become… no, actually, I don’t eat much, haha.” Su Cheng laughed awkwardly, having almost misspoken, her eyes darting specifically towards Gu Xiya.

Gu Xiya seemed not to have heard, her eyes fixed on the red bean bun in her hand. She took a delicate bite, then turned her gaze to Su Cheng.

“Look at you, what a mess you’ve made. Let me wipe it for you.”

Gu Xiya pulled a clean, pink handkerchief from her pocket, intending to wipe the red bean paste from the corner of Su Cheng’s mouth.

“I can do it myself.”

“Don’t move. I’ll wipe it for you; it’ll be cleaner.”

Su Cheng no longer refused, nodding in agreement.

Gu Xiya walked over to Su Cheng with a beaming smile, and in that instant, Su Cheng’s mind superimposed the smile from her dream onto the one before her, causing her eyes to glaze over for a moment.

“You’ve become a little calico cat. Come on, give me a ‘meow’.”

Gu Xiya playfully stroked Su Cheng’s smooth chin, truly like someone teasing a small white cat.

“Meow, meow~ No, no, I’m not a cat,” Su Cheng said with a slightly petulant tone.

Gu Xiya chuckled, then carefully folded the handkerchief stained with red bean paste and meticulously tucked it into her pocket.

“Alright, little kitty’s mouth is clean now. Be careful later, okay?”

Su Cheng pouted slightly and hummed, “I’m not a little kitty, you are.”

Gu Xiya shook her head, laughing, and teased, “Just now, you really looked like a cat with kibble all over its mouth from eating, so adorable and lovable.”

“No, no, I’m not. I’m super fierce.”

Su Cheng, wanting to drop the cat topic, continued to munch on her bun.

Seeing this, Gu Xiya gradually let her smile fade, finishing the rest of her bun in a few quick bites, then chugging down the remaining soy milk.

Gazing towards the western sports field not far away, Gu Xiya suddenly spoke.

“Um, I’ll go ahead. I need to use the WC.”

“Oh, go ahead. I’ll head straight back afterward.”

Gu Xiya nodded and jogged all the way to the public restroom.

****

Inside a restroom stall, Gu Xiya carefully pulled out the handkerchief she had used to wipe Su Cheng’s mouth just moments before; the red bean paste stain on it still retained a faint warmth.

Bringing the handkerchief to her nose, she detected not only the sweet scent of red bean paste but also a faint trace of Su Cheng’s delicate fragrance.

As she inhaled this unique scent, a thrill ran through Gu Xiya’s body, and a peculiar flush spread across her cheeks, as if she were utterly captivated by that subtle orange aroma.

‘Hiss… darling… I want you so much…’

‘When will I be able to devour you…’

‘Heh heh… tying you up… that should be quite nice, shouldn’t it…’