SSB – Chapter 23.1

Chapter 23

　　Shortly after five o’clock in the afternoon, while the sun wasn’t as intense as at noon, it still appeared dazzling.

　　The smell outside the alley wasn’t pleasant either. Chen Junwen didn’t leave Sang Zhi standing there like a fool. He glanced around and decided to take her to a nearby small vendor, where they bought two skewers of candied strawberries.

　　Finding a shady spot, they each held a skewer and took a bite.

　　Afraid that Sang Zhi might feel awkward, Chen Junwen took the initiative to strike up a conversation with her, “This area is a bit chaotic. In the future, try not to come over here unless necessary.”

　　Sang Zhi obediently replied, “I got it.”

　　”Qian Fei was supposed to come over too,” Chen Junwen said, “Remember, the chubby guy.  But he’s busy today, so he didn’t accompany us.”

　　Sang Zhi didn’t like eating the paper on top, so she carefully peeled it off little by little, “I remember. During summer vacation, my brother brought me and we had dinner with him.” 

　　Chen Junwen remarked, “Ah? I might have already gone home by that time, so I didn’t go.”

　　Sang Zhi nodded, “Brother Jiaxu came too.”

　　”Huh? Why?” Lao Xu?” Chen Junwen suddenly remembered something, “Ah, right. He doesn’t go home during the holidays?”

　　Sang Zhi hesitated for a moment and then asked, “Why?”

　　Chen Junwen wasn’t entirely sure either and scratched his head. “Maybe he just didn’t feel like going back. Plus, there’s the short semester and all that, so there’s not much time left for the break.”

　　”I see.”

　　”But he still goes back occasionally.” Chen Junwen thought for a moment. “Usually during short breaks. For example, last semester, I think he went back around the Qingming Festival? He didn’t go back during the long break, though.”

　　Sang Zhi asked in a hushed voice, “Does he not go back for the New Year either?”

　　”Yeah,” Chen Junwen said, “But this is quite normal. Many students at our school don’t go home for the New Year. The school also arranges a New Year’s Eve dinner. Those who stay at the school also receive red envelopes.” 

　　Sang Zhi bit through the outer layer of candied strawberry, lost in thought. After a while, she didn’t continue asking and changed the topic, “Brother, what will he and my brother do in there?” 

　　”Sorry?”

　　”Will they fight?”

　　”If they were guys, they might.” Chen Junwen rubbed his chin. “But you just said those people were girls, so… maybe they’ll just talk things out?”

　　Meanwhile, in the alley.

　　Because of the narrow road, the floors of the buildings jutted out, blocking most of the sunlight. The light was noticeably darker than outside, as if entering another world. Hearing Duan Jiaxu’s words, Sang Yan’s eyelids twitched, and he looked over.

　　The red-haired girl immediately realized something was amiss. She cautiously took two steps back and pretended to be ignorant, “What’s going on here? I don’t know you.”

　　After saying that, she signaled to the two girls next to her. 

　　”No worries, as long as I recognize you,” Sang Yan raised an eyebrow and sneered, “You’re the one who took twenty yuan from my little sister yesterday and burnt her with a cigarette butt, right?”

　　”What burnt her?” The volume of the red-haired girl’s voice increased, “I only took twenty yuan from her. Nothing else, alright? Don’t accuse me wrongly! “Just twenty yuan, if you want it, I’ll give it back to you.”

　　”Just twenty yuan?” There was no trace of amusement on Sang Yan’s face. “Classmate, don’t talk about just twenty yuan, even if you had taken two yuan from my sister, I’d still settle this score with you.”

　　The red-haired girl’s anger was clearly rising, but she didn’t dare to be confrontational. She tightly pursed her lips and took out the money from her pocket, silently handing it over to Sang Yan.

　　Sang Yan didn’t move.

　　Duan Jiaxu glanced at the emblems on their uniforms and asked with a taunting tone”Vocational school? Minor?”

　　 “Instead of studying properly at your age, what are you doing here?” Sang Yan sneered lightly, “Are you planning to do this for the rest of your life?”

　　”Take the money and get lost.” The red-haired girl’s expression changed, “How I will be in the future does not concern you.”

　　With his eyes lowered, Duan Jiaxu took another drag of his cigarette and exhaled the smoke slowly, lost in thought. Soon, he stepped forward in front of the girl, lifted his long lashes, and fixed his gaze on her with a thoughtful expression.

　　Silent scrutinizing her.

　　His eyes, with their upturned corners and a natural air of charm, seemed to emit sparks when he stared at someone, like he was electrifying them. At this moment, they carried no warmth, appearing strangely chilling.

　　The red-haired girl’s heart raced, and her fear finally gave way to anger. “What are you doing?!” Are you trying to bother us?! I already said I’ll give the money back to you!”

　　Another girl by her side tried to pull her away and said, “Let’s go…”

　　In the next moment, Duan Jiaxu suddenly raised the hand holding the cigarette. Remembering Sang Zhi’s words, “They patted my face,” he raised an eyebrow slightly, and his slender fingers slowly approached the red-haired girl’s face, murmuring as if guessing, “Did you do this yesterday?”

　　”…”

　　An overwhelming sense of pressure bore down on her.

　　Staring at the cigarette still emitting a reddish glow in his hand, the red-haired girl clenched her fists and didn’t dare to move. Her eyes began to redden.

　　In her eyes, the incredibly handsome man before her was essentially a demon. Even though he was smiling, he seemed scarier than the malicious and venomous man next to him.

　　The cigarette stopped just two centimeters away from her.

　　Duan Jiaxu’s hand didn’t touch her face; he flicked the cigarette twice, and some ash fell onto her clothes, leaving a shallow mark. He leisurely straightened up, his tone polite and gentle, “Did I startle you?”

　　”…”