Chapter 55: Nostalgia, New Beginnings, and Lingering Gazes

Upon dismissal from school, Qin Dong followed the crowd out of the gates.

She intended, as always, to walk home.

She had only walked a few meters when a tall figure caught up to her.

A tremor ran through Qin Dong’s heart; she quickly glanced at Chen Chenchen, who was walking naturally beside her, and asked, “What is it?”

“I just want to walk home with you slowly.”

Qin Dong suppressed the flutter in her heart. “Why did you suddenly decide to walk me home?”

“A bit of nostalgia, perhaps?”

‘Nostalgia…’

She recalled their middle school days, when they would take the same bus home. Even though his house was not in the same direction as hers, he would always walk her to her doorstep.

She genuinely missed those times.

It had been a year… a whole year since they had spent time together like this.

A faint smile touched Qin Dong’s lips. She lowered her gaze, silently walking while staring at the ground.

Although she didn’t know why Chen Chenchen had suddenly changed, for now, she decided not to overthink it and simply enjoy the moment.

“Then let’s indulge in some nostalgia.”

The young girl flashed a brilliant smile at the young man, her steps gradually becoming lighter.

****

Around half past five in the afternoon, Zhong Tian returned home.

As usual, he parked his bicycle in the stairwell, then unlocked the front door with his key.

“I’m home.”

Entering the house, he was greeted by the fragrant aroma of cooking and the rhythmic clatter of a wok.

Zhong Tian walked over to Su Linxi, donning an extra apron. “Didn’t my sister tell you?”

“She messaged me on WeChat.”

“Then let me take over. You should rest,” Zhong Tian said, reaching for the spatula in her hand.

Su Linxi gently pushed his hand away. “I’ve rested all day.”

Helpless, Zhong Tian could only sit on the sofa, silently watching Su Linxi cook.

Su Linxi plated the dishes and carried them to the dining table.

“Please, have a seat first.”

Zhong Tian nodded, taking a seat opposite her at the dining table.

Zhong Jing should be home soon, so they decided to wait for her.

“Zhong Tian,” Su Linxi began, “Regarding your comic, they’ve already started promoting it.”

“Oh?” Zhong Tian was somewhat surprised, as he hadn’t been informed about this.

“Your editor informed me,” Su Linxi explained. “It’s scheduled to begin serialization online in about three days.”

Zhong Tian nodded.

He had accumulated some drafts himself; he would send them to Editor Lin Chu tonight.

****

It was quitting time.

Adhering to her principle of never working a second longer than necessary, she bid farewell to her colleagues, preparing to leave the office.

As she was stepping out of her office, a somewhat familiar man entered the company through the main doors.

It was the man who knew Zhong Tian from before.

‘What was his name again?’

‘Oh, right, I never asked his name.’

Upon seeing Zhong Jing, the man with the gentle demeanor immediately brightened, striding quickly towards her.

“Hello, I’m Chu Han. I submitted some photography here before… I wanted to ask about the approval status.”

‘Ah.’

Only then did Zhong Jing recall the matter.

‘I forgot to inform him earlier…’

“It was approved,” Zhong Jing stated, her voice cool and clear. “It has already been published, in the magazine from two weeks ago. As for the payment… let’s discuss it tomorrow.”

It was already past work hours.

She wanted to get home quickly.

Chu Han paused, taken aback by her words, then quietly replied, “Alright…”

After watching Zhong Jing leave the company, a somewhat dazed Chu Han only then came to his senses and departed.

He intended to buy a copy of their company’s magazine from two weeks ago.

……

The company was relatively close to home; in just ten minutes, Zhong Jing had returned.

“Sis, dinner’s ready.”

Quickly changing into her slippers, she tossed her small bag onto the sofa, then sat at the dining table, picked up her rice bowl, and immediately helped herself to her favorite dish.

Tonight’s meal was prepared by Su Linxi. Her cooking was always a little saltier than Zhong Tian’s, but the flavor was still good.

She ate unhurriedly, her expression remaining calm and unruffled.

The Zhong family generally adhered to the rule of silence during meals. After finishing dinner without a word, Zhong Tian instinctively rose to clear the dishes.

Su Linxi also helped.

Zhong Jing watched them.

Ever since her previous “declaration of sovereignty” to Su Linxi, Su Linxi had become remarkably diligent. When Zhong Tian wasn’t home, she would proactively take on all the housework and complete it flawlessly, almost seeming more like the mistress of the house than Zhong Jing herself.

‘What was this? Was she trying to curry favor with her and Zhong Tian?’

Zhong Jing had long since realized that Su Linxi was after Zhong Tian. She also had a fair idea of what kind of girls her younger brother liked, and Su Linxi’s current demeanor was entirely within Zhong Tian’s strike zone. If only she looked a bit more mature, Zhong Tian would probably be completely captivated.

If Zhong Jing hadn’t been in the house, the two would likely have become a couple long ago; she might even be an aunt by now.

She watched their backs as they washed the dishes.

Zhong Jing didn’t want Zhong Tian to date, though she knew she couldn’t and shouldn’t stop him.

She rose and retreated to her room.

‘No more thinking. Time for bed.’

****

Yu Naixi awoke to find it was already past six in the evening.

The school should be empty by now, save for the third-year students.

Her legs were still trembling, forcing her to lean on the wall and move with difficulty.

She had made too many modifications today… Jiang Nanjin, Chen Chenchen, the student council, Li Jianren, and Zhong Tian…

The burden was growing heavier and heavier.

Yu Naixi, supporting her head with one hand and the wall with the other, struggled to leave the second-year teaching building.

‘She wondered how many more times she could make changes.’

[I told you, just modify Zhong Tian’s perception so he falls in love with you. Wouldn’t that be enough?]

“Shut up.”

Yu Naixi mumbled to herself, responding to the voice only she could hear.

[Still clinging to such pointless persistence.]

“Shut up.”

[Pfft—who tells themselves to shut up like that?]

Yu Naixi gritted her teeth, her pale, delicate face now etched with intense fury.

[Anyway, you’ll become like me sooner or later. Don’t be angry for now.]

[Bye-bye~]

Under the setting sun, Yu Naixi gasped for breath, as if trying to alleviate a headache, or perhaps to dispel her anger.

‘Who would ever become like you…’

Yu Naixi gritted her teeth, straightened her posture, and walked step by step towards the school exit.

****

After finishing their visit to the bookstore, Bai Ruijin and Zheng Qiao decided to have dinner together.

The noodle shop, named “Summer Slumber,” was almost completely full, with most of its patrons being students from Taishen High School.

Zheng Qiao’s mother emerged from the kitchen, carrying bowls of noodles. Seeing the two girls, she smiled. “Xiao Bai, you’re here! Have a seat first. What would you like to eat?”

“Beef noodles are fine, Auntie. Thank you.”

Although it wasn’t their first meeting, Bai Ruijin was always taken aback by Zheng Qiao’s mother’s warmth. Feeling a little overwhelmed, she sat down at a small table with Zheng Qiao.

“How’s the recruitment for your literature club going?” Zheng Qiao asked, pulling out two plastic cups and filling them with tea from a teapot. “Is it after the cultural festival?”

“Mm…”

“You should really seize the opportunity to get on good terms with Li Jianren then.”

“I know…”

It was clear that Bai Ruijin was a little uneasy.

Zheng Qiao also felt a bit uneasy.

But this was something she couldn’t help with; it was entirely up to Bai Ruijin’s own fate.

However, according to comics and novels, for a girl to pursue a boy, it only takes one or two moments of his heart fluttering. Given Bai Ruijin’s appearance and personality, if she wasn’t hesitant and took the initiative, it should be quite simple.

The main issue, however, remained Li Jianren’s assertion that he didn’t want to be in a relationship.

Zheng Qiao found Li Jianren’s words rather unbelievable.

‘How could a high school boy not want to date?’

‘And with his carefree, slouching demeanor, how could he possibly be a good student who prioritizes academics above all else?’

She was increasingly suspicious that Li Jianren had a one-sided crush on Zhong Tian.

‘If that’s truly the case, then what about Xiao Bai?’

She looked at Bai Ruijin, then silently took a sip of tea.

“By the way, Qiaoqiao, how’s your singing practice going?”

Zheng Qiao’s eye twitched. She put down the plastic cup and swallowed her tea. “…I still haven’t practiced enough…”

“I really don’t understand singing… why do I have to participate?”

“Well… because Qiaoqiao is quite handsome, and your athletic ability is strong,” Bai Ruijin said. “You’d definitely be well-suited to dress up as a boy.”

“Handsome…” Zheng Qiao sighed helplessly, tilting her head back to drink more tea. “Even if it’s a compliment, I can’t bring myself to be happy about it.”

‘If only I could be as beautiful as Zhong Tian…’

Zheng Qiao suddenly lamented in her heart.

‘It wasn’t that she craved others’ admiration or boys’ pursuit… she just wanted to please herself. Well, it wasn’t like she *didn’t* want the former either.’

While Zheng Qiao was lost in thought, their noodles arrived.

After thanking Zheng Qiao’s mother, Bai Ruijin unwrapped her disposable chopsticks, carefully picked up the thin noodles, blew on them to cool them, and began eating in small, delicate bites.

Compared to Bai Ruijin, Zheng Qiao ate with far greater gusto and speed.

Within minutes, Zheng Qiao had devoured a large bowl of beef noodles.

Bai Ruijin, having only eaten half, had even burned her tongue on the noodle soup.

“Eat slowly.”

“Mm.”

……

Zhong Tian sent the first three chapters of his manuscript to Editor Lin Chu and received an “ok” in reply. He then put down his phone, deciding to get some cola to drink.

He opened the refrigerator, only to discover that the cola he had bought earlier had vanished.

‘Of course, with Zhong Jing around, how could any cola possibly last until now?’

He returned to his room to retrieve his phone, then, after a brief greeting to Su Linxi, he left the house.

He walked all the way to the convenience store outside their complex, picked up eight cans of cola, and proceeded to the checkout.

The clerk was still the same young man whose bangs almost completely obscured his eyes. He remained silent, simply staring at Zhong Tian’s face.

Zhong Tian, highly sensitive to gazes, noticed the clerk’s stare, but he paid it no mind, for he had encountered such looks far too many times.

Zhong Tian understood the minds of young men.

Carrying a large bag of cola, he headed home.

The clerk watched him leave, then silently opened his computer, accessed the surveillance footage, and repeatedly watched the segment of Zhong Tian’s recent purchase.

He took several screenshots featuring Zhong Tian’s face and saved them to his phone.

Having completed all this, he gazed at his phone, a look of rapture on his face.