Sang Zhi heard the sound of other classes’ doors being forcefully closed outside. Perhaps it was just her imagination, but she felt that the silence at this moment seemed even quieter than before.
Every slight movement made by a single person seemed magnified at this moment.
The words he said the day before seemed like a mere joke.
Unable to wait any longer, Sang Zhi suddenly stood up.
The chair slid backward with a harsh sound, making one’s ears ache. She stopped in her tracks, her eyes gradually reddening. She forced herself to keep a straight face and suppressed her feelings of grievance.
”Never mind.”
She casually stuffed some books into her backpack, slung it over her shoulders, and walked out.
The end of the first-year middle school classes was early, finishing around four o’clock. Now it was just past five, and the corridors were already empty, with only a few scattered people visible.
Sang Zhi lowered her head and rushed down the stairs.
Her steps were quick, and she didn’t pay attention to the path ahead, resembling a headless fly. Suddenly, she bumped into a human wall. She took a few steps back, muttered an apology, and without even looking up, continued walking forward.
At the same time, the person she bumped into spoke up, “Excuse me, do you know the way to Class 1-1?”
The man’s tone slightly rose, and the ending of his words naturally stretched out. When he spoke, there was a touch of indescribable laziness, as if he was leaning in close to the ear, carrying a breath that tickled people’s hearts.
It felt somewhat familiar.
Sang Zhi turned her head.
Duan Jiaxu was standing by the railing, dressed in a white suit and pants. His bangs were slightly long, covering his eyebrows, and his features were so outstanding that they bordered on being too beautiful. He lowered his eyelids and looked at her face, and a relaxed smile appeared at the corners of his lips. “Sang Zhi?”
Sang Zhi stared at him for a few seconds but quickly lowered her head again, not saying anything.
She didn’t know whether to consider this encounter expected or unexpected.
Noticing her red eyes, Duan Jiaxu squatted down to look at her. “Crying again?”
”…”
He found it amusing. “Are you that scared?”
Sang Zhi pressed her lips together and remained silent.
Duan Jiaxu chuckled. “Stop crying. Let this Ge take the blame for you.”
Sang Zhi looked at him.
Duan Jiaxu ruffled her hair and asked, “Do you want to go to the classroom now, or to the office?”
Sang Zhi didn’t answer his question but reproached him, “Why did you come so late?”
At her words, Duan Jiaxu raised an eyebrow playfully and said in a good-natured tone, “What time should I have come?”
Sang Zhi replied stiffly, “I finished school at 4:20.”
”So early? I didn’t know. Can Gege apologize to you?” Duan Jiaxu’s tone was not serious, as if teasing a little pet. “Gege apologizes to you.”
With his arrival, Sang Zhi’s mood improved a little, and she managed to say, “No need.”
It had been some time since school ended. Worried that the teachers might have waited for long, Sang Zhi didn’t throw a tantrum again and said, “Let’s go.”
”Where to?”
”To the office.”
They walked to the first floor, and after turning left, they could see the teachers’ office.
They stopped about five meters away from the entrance.
Sang Zhi thought for a moment and gave some advice, “I have some experience with this. The teacher will keep complaining, and you just need to agree with them.”
Duan Jiaxu nonchalantly nodded.
The next thing to do was the most audacious and serious thing Sang Zhi had ever done: colluding with others to deceive the teacher.
Her expression became solemn as she said to Duan Jiaxu, “And, Gege, try to speak as little as possible. If we get caught and exposed, we’re both in big trouble.”
Duan Jiaxu licked his lips and grinned. “Why does it sound so scary?”
Sang Zhi was nervous and looked at him with bravado. “Be a bit bolder.”
”Alright,” Duan Jiaxu laughed. “I’ll be brave.”
At that moment, there were only two teachers in the office. One was Chen Mingxu, and the other was the homeroom teacher of Class Six and also an English teacher for Class 1, surnamed Zhang. Their desks were placed side by side, and Chen Mingxu was busy grading papers while casually chatting with Zhang.
Sang Zhi walked over and said, “Teacher.”
Chen Mingxu looked up, “You’re here.”
Sang Zhi lowered her head and said, “Yes, my elder brother is here.”
Duan Jiaxu stood by her side. Unlike her anxiousness, he spoke calmly and composedly, “Hello, teacher. My name is Sang Yan, and I am Sang Zhi’s elder brother.”
Sang Zhi had expected him to be too scared to speak, but she was surprised to hear him confidently introduce himself as “Sang Yan.” His lie sounded steady and assured, without a hint of wavering, displaying full confidence.
She couldn’t help but glance at him.
Teacher Chen Mingxu stood up and said, “I am Sang Zhi’s homeroom teacher, surname Chen. Thank you for coming; please have a seat.”
Teacher Zhang joked from the side, “It’s happened several times already.”
Chen Mingxu lowered his voice and retorted, “You’re not any different.”
Hearing this, Sang Zhi finally noticed that there was a fifth person in the office. Fu Zhengchu stood quietly in the corner behind the two teachers, seemingly like a transparent person.
Their eyes met.
Fu Zhengchu’s footsteps twitched, as if struggling internally. Soon, he walked over and stood about two meters away from Sang Zhi, right in front of Teacher Zhang
Their distance was close.
They were of similar age, and both of them were good-looking.
It easily evoked a certain thought.
Duan Jiaxu sat in the chair next to Chen Mingxu. His gaze scanned between the two of them, his eyes holding a hint of deeper meaning. Then, he beckoned to her, “Come here.”
Sang Zhi obediently went over. “What’s the matter?”
Chen Mingxu was busy looking for some documents and didn’t pay attention to their side.
Duan Jiaxu cupped his chin with one hand and motioned for Sang Zhi to come closer with his index finger.
Sang Zhi hesitated for a few seconds and reluctantly moved closer.
”Kiddo,” he lowered his voice and whispered to her, “Are you in love?”
At first, she was a little displeased with his choice of words, but the following sentence left her momentarily speechless, “What?” After realizing what he said, Sang Zhi’s face instantly turned as red as a small tomato, unsure if it was from anger or embarrassment.
Afraid of the teacher hearing it, she suppressed her voice and retorted, “You’re the one in love!”
”Hmm? I wouldn’t mind that,” he replied lazily.
”…”
Duan Jiaxu leaned back in his chair again, nonchalantly saying, “Well, it’s not allowed at your age, is it?”
Peek-Aboo 
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