SSB – Chapter 51.2

There were also people who believed that he should repay the debts his father had incurred.

　　Whether it was a major or a minor matter…

　　That statement did indeed have a significant impact on Duan Jiaxu. It made him, in the time that followed, endure all sorts of troubles from Jiang Ying without resistance.

　　He wanted to numb himself to it.

　　He didn’t want others to influence his life.

　　Duan Jiaxu had to forcibly convince himself that seeing him was like reopening a scar for Jiang Ying. Hence, he did his best to stay away from her.

　　However, Jiang Ying’s perspective was completely different from his.

　　She thought that if she was suffering, she had to make sure he suffered too.

　　After being transferred to another class, Duan Jiaxu’s new class was on the fifth floor. His old class was on the third floor, a considerable distance apart, yet Jiang Ying still occasionally came over to confront him.

　　This was already close to the time of the high school entrance exam. After hearing about this, Xu Ruoshu asked for his opinion, and then she applied to the school for him to return home for self-study.

　　Later on, Duan Jiaxu was accepted to Yihe First High School.

　　Jiang Ying’s grades weren’t good enough, so she couldn’t get into the same school as him. His life gradually began to find some breathing room.

　　Unconsciously, Duan Jiaxu drove back into the residential community.

　　Duan Jiaxu turned off the engine, picked up his phone, and saw that just two minutes ago, Sang Zhi had replied: [I’m going to sleep, good night.]

　　He replied: [I’ve arrived home.]

　　A quick response followed: [Oh.]

　　Duan Jiaxu chuckled inexplicably. Then, he took out the candy she had given him from his pocket and popped one into his mouth.

　　Sang Zhi felt that the words she had indirectly conveyed to Duan Jiaxu were like dropping a pebble into the ocean, with no response at all. For the next few days, there was no difference between him and how he used to be.

　　Only on weekends, the two of them would go out for a meal and watch a movie together. And then things would return to their usual state.

　　She felt that if they were in a relationship, it would probably feel like a long-distance relationship.

　　Technically speaking, Sang Zhi said she was busy, but she couldn’t possibly skip meals. Couldn’t he take the opportunity of a mealtime to invite her out for dinner?

　　Others who are pursuing someone intentionally create opportunities for chance encounters. He, on the other hand, wooes with an air of aloofness and distance.

　　Perhaps what she said the last time, 

　　”Anyway, let’s leave it at that. It’s up to you whether you believe it or not.” He responded deep inside, “I don’t want to hear it.”

　　The more Sang Zhi thought about it, the angrier she became.

　　She spat out the foam in her mouth, washed her face clean with facial cleanser. When she exited the restroom, she saw that Yu Xin hadn’t gotten up yet. She knocked on her bed and asked, “Aren’t you going to class?”

　　After a few seconds, Yu Xin mumbled, “I stayed up late reading a novel last night, I’m so sleepy now. Can you help me with my attendance? I won’t go.” 

　　Sang Zhi nodded. In truth, she was also tired and felt a bit lazy to put on makeup, but in the end, she mustered the effort to do her eyebrows and apply a layer of lipstick. She tidied up quickly and soon left her room.

　　This class was a large lecture, and the classroom was quite spacious.

　　Sang Zhi arrived early, and most of the seats were still vacant. She obediently took a seat in a row near the window, selecting a spot about four rows back.

　　Glancing at her phone, Sang Zhi yawned. Just as she was about to lean down to refresh herself, she suddenly noticed someone sitting down beside her from the corner of her eye. She subconsciously lifted her gaze, her eyes freezing in place, a dazed and silly expression on her face.

　　The person in front of her was dressed in a simple white shirt and black pants, with a clean and refined demeanor. He tilted his head to look at her, lifting his eyelids. His lips curved as usual and said, “What a coincidence.”

　　”You’re also in this class?”

　　”…” Sang Zhi still hadn’t fully processed it, and her breathing evened out a bit. “Aren’t you supposed to be at work?”

　　”I’m off today.”

　　Sang Zhi scratched her head: “Then how did you know I’m in this class?”

　　Duan Jiaxu replied: “Didn’t I ask for your class schedule?”

　　”Oh.” Sang Zhi shifted her gaze away, murmuring softly, “Do you want to attend class with me?” Duan Jiaxu succinctly replied, “A chance encounter.”

　　Not to mention that you’re not even a student at Yihe University, and you, who graduated nearly four years ago, dare to say those two words.

　　There were still ten minutes left before class. Sang Zhi muttered, “You’re dressed like a college student.” Duan Jiaxu raised an eyebrow, “Do I look young?”

　　Sang Zhi: “Not bad.”

　　Duan Jiaxu: “Alright, then I’ll dress like this from now on.”

　　Sang Zhi was finding it a bit difficult to stay composed due to his sudden appearance.

　　She took out her book, leaned on the desk, and decided to follow her plan from before he arrived, trying to calm herself: “I’m so sleepy, I want to nap for ten minutes. Otherwise, I might fall asleep during class, and the teacher will call on me to answer a question.”

　　Duan Jiaxu stared at her for a couple of seconds and chuckled. “You’re already sleepy as soon as I arrive?”

　　Sang Zhi defended herself, “I was already sleepy.”

　　Duan Jiaxu: “Alright, go ahead and sleep.”

　　Sang Zhi closed her eyes, but the strong sense of his presence had caused her sleepiness to vanish into thin air. Perhaps it was her imagination, but she felt like Duan Jiaxu was still watching her.

　　After a while, she hesitated on whether to change her direction of leaning.

　　Yet, she was worried it might seem deliberate.

　　Suddenly, Sang Zhi remembered that she hadn’t put on much makeup today.

　　Ugh, why didn’t he give her a heads-up so she wouldn’t have been so lazy about it?

　　Duan Jiaxu supported his cheek and stared fixedly at her exposed profile. Her facial features were delicate, her skin smooth and refined, with her lips tucked into the curve of her arm.

　　After a few seconds, her eyelashes trembled lightly.

　　Duan Jiaxu hesitated for a moment, then a mischievous glint appeared in his eyes.

　　A pretending-to-sleep little child.

　　His eyes held a touch of playfulness. Suddenly, he straightened up and slowly moved closer to her. Then, using the pad of his finger, he touched her cheek, his lips also drawing near, and he gently kissed his own hand.

　　A shallow breath escaped.

　　In the next moment, he saw Sang Zhi open her eyes, raising her head.

　　Staring at his face that hadn’t moved far from hers, her lips twitched, disbelief filling her gaze. Sang Zhi remained in a daze for a few seconds, seemingly recalling what had just happened.

　　Duan Jiaxu teased, “Why are you awake?”

　　Sang Zhi snapped back to her senses, her cheeks, including her ears, burning. The words “stolen kiss” occupied her mind. Angrily, she exclaimed, “Duan Jiaxu!”

　　Hearing her call his name like that for the first time, Duan Jiaxu momentarily froze, then burst into laughter. He asked incredulously, “What did you call me?”

　　Duan Jiaxu gave her a serious reminder, “Sang Zhi, mind your manners.”

　　”In our current relationship, you’re already calling me like this,” Duan Jiaxu calmly stated, ” Isn’t it a bit inappropriate?”

　　The author has something to say:

　　Duan Jiaxu: Let me offer a preface, I’ll kneel down later (?)