Chapter Five: I Was Used as a Gambling Stake

So I really did spend two evenings poring over several domestic and foreign academic books on physics and chemistry, and wrote a few explanatory articles in simple terms, drawing from my own understanding.

When Saturday came, I got up early, had breakfast, and after explaining the reason to my parents, I went to school by myself. I’m a stickler for punctuality, so just before nine o’clock, I arrived right on time in front of the blackboard.

Qiu Jieqin wasn’t there yet!

That was the first time I truly experienced a girl’s talent for being late. I waited, growing increasingly impatient, for over half an hour. More than once, I nearly stormed off in frustration, but then I thought about how publishing a physics and chemistry special edition was a good thing, and I’d already spent two nights preparing for it—it would be a shame to just let it go. So I forced myself to wait.

Of course, I had no idea that Qiu Jieqin had actually arrived early. She was hiding in the building across the courtyard with two other girls, secretly watching me wait like a fool.

When they thought the timing was just right, Qiu Jieqin finally showed up. She came over to me, arms full of notebooks, rulers, chalk, and other supplies.

“Sorry I’m late. Did you wait long, Tang Qian?” she said in a sweet, coy voice.

All I wanted was to get the job done and go home; I had no patience to dwell on her tardiness. I replied coolly, “Now that you’re here, let’s get started. How do you want to design the layout?”

In her imagination, because she’d kept me waiting, I’d either complain angrily or, as a gentleman, say it was no problem and that I was happy to wait for her. She never expected my reaction to be no reaction at all—it completely threw her off. For a moment, she seemed at a loss, unable to use any of the lines she’d prepared.

Seeing her standing there with a strange expression, I repeated, “How do you want to design the layout? Are you ready?”

She finally snapped out of it and stammered, “No, no, I haven’t thought about it. I was hoping you’d take care of it all. I told you I’d just be your assistant.”

Without a word, I reached for the supplies in her hands and started drawing on the blackboard.

Qiu Jieqin really was only good for assistant work—handing me the board eraser, looking for chalk, things like that. I took care of everything else. I gave it my all, showcasing my skills. This edition of the blackboard bulletin was elegantly laid out, packed with content, and full of unique insights. The lettering was beautiful as well.

Standing behind me, Qiu Jieqin watched as I brought to life a bulletin more perfect than she’d ever dreamed—she was deeply moved. “Tang Qian, you’re really talented. I never imagined a blackboard bulletin could look so stunning. I... I’m really touched. You’re amazing!”

I just smiled and said nothing.

After my final adjustments, stopping only when I was truly satisfied, lunchtime had already passed. I turned to Qiu Jieqin and said, “It’s done. My task is finished, and I’m really hungry. So, I’ll head home now.”

“What? You... you...” Qiu Jieqin was astonished. She’d wanted to ask if I’d invite her to lunch, since she was used to boys always making such offers at this point. Thankfully, she wasn’t completely clueless and managed to bite back the words.

But she was still baffled. It was all so contrary to common sense!

“Goodbye!” I handed her the supplies and left.

Just as I was about to disappear from view, Qiu Jieqin, unwilling to give up, called out, “Wait, Tang Qian! Thank you for helping me with the bulletin. To show my gratitude, let me treat you to lunch.”

I turned and smiled, replying, “No need. It’s something I should do anyway. Besides, I didn’t tell my family I’d be eating out—they’re probably waiting for me. I have to go.”

She hurriedly added, “Then... at least let me thank you properly. When you have time—” But before she could finish, I waved and walked away.

Qiu Jieqin stood there, flustered, embarrassed, anxious, and angry, but completely helpless.

The bulletin I created was indeed met with universal praise. Even the teachers were effusive in their compliments, saying it was rich in content, beautifully composed, and uniquely insightful—a rare classic. Everyone wanted to know who was behind it.

Qiu Jieqin was in her element, telling everyone it was a collaboration between herself and me. Naturally, people praised her as well, and she was over the moon. As for me, I remained unfazed by the attention, responding to compliments with only a smile and never showing any pride.

But this brought a new annoyance: Qiu Jieqin, for reasons unknown, began appearing everywhere in my life. She constantly found excuses and reasons to approach me, making me uncomfortable, since I’d always been on my own before.

As a result, I’d run into her on the way to school each morning; during class breaks, she’d always have academic questions for me; at lunch, she’d sit by my side in the cafeteria; after school, no matter how long I dawdled, she’d be waiting at the school gate.

It wasn’t just me who noticed—every student in the class began to suspect something was going on between us.

Of course, they didn’t know I was innocent, so rumors began to fly about what was happening between Qiu Jieqin and me…

I had to have a serious talk with her, explaining that the school was rife with gossip and urging her to be more careful about how she acted.

But she stuck out her chin and said, “I don’t care. Let them talk. I like being with you.” I nearly choked with exasperation; there was nothing I could do.

At the time, I naïvely thought Qiu Jieqin genuinely liked me. Even though I didn’t love her, I wasn’t bothered by her attention. After all, she was the school beauty, and having such a pretty girl interested in me did flatter my male vanity.

But one day, I discovered the truth.

That day at noon, in order to avoid Qiu Jieqin and read in peace, I slipped off alone to a secluded spot near the back gate, where concrete pipes were piled up. I sat inside, reading.

I hadn’t been there long when I heard some girls chatting as they approached. I recognized one of the voices as Qiu Jieqin’s and thought she’d somehow tracked me down.

Not wanting to be found, I decided to play hide-and-seek, ducking into a pipe where I wouldn’t be noticed.

Sure enough, Qiu Jieqin and her friends wandered into the area, but it soon became clear they weren’t looking for me. I overheard one of the girls say, “Jieqin, what’s going on? Has your talented gentleman fallen for you yet?”

Another girl giggled, “Looks like the gentleman isn’t the one who’s fallen—our fair lady seems smitten instead! Haven’t you noticed how she’s glued to him these days? She’d follow him to the bathroom if she could!”

The three of them burst out laughing, and Qiu Jieqin, embarrassed and annoyed, cried, “Qian Xiaolei, you’re asking for it!” Then came more playful teasing.

From what they were saying, I realized they were talking about me. I held my breath, not daring to move or make a sound for fear of being discovered.

Soon, I heard Qiu Jieqin declare, “You two get ready to pay up! I think that nerd is starting to fall for me. In a few days, I’ll have him confess his feelings to me. Hmph! There isn’t a man on earth I can’t conquer, let alone a clueless bookworm like him!”

I huddled in the pipe, stunned. Were they talking about me? Was I really just a clueless bookworm?

Then Qian Xiaolei asked, “Jieqin, do you really have feelings for Tang Qian? You’ve never been this serious before. It’s just a bet—don’t get in too deep.”

Qiu Jieqin replied, “Who, me? Please! Don’t forget who I am. How could I fall for a nerd like him? I just want to prove that my title as a heartbreaker isn’t for nothing. You all say Tang Qian is the most aloof, emotionless guy in school, right? If I can win him over, you’ll have to admit it. Don’t try to back out now that I’m close to succeeding.”

Another girl said, “We won’t. If Tang Qian actually confesses to you, you win. We’ll pay up—a whole set of designer outfits for you. But I don’t think you’ll manage. Remember, you’ve got half a month. After that, it’s our turn to collect.”

Qiu Jieqin sneered, “We’ll see who wins! Get your money for that imported CD player ready, and don’t complain when you lose!”

Qian Xiaolei quickly replied, “Alright, alright, it’s just a joke. Let’s go—we’ll be late for class.”

As they walked away, they kept bantering, “It’s not a joke—if you lose, you really have to buy it for me!”

“Ha! Don’t end up losing both the bet and your pride. You’ll be crying then!”

“Sun Li, can’t you stop for once?”

…

I remained crouched inside the concrete pipe, numb with shock.

After a long while, I laughed bitterly to myself. “Tang Qian, you fool. You’ve been played. You were nothing more than a pawn in their bet, and you thought you’d struck gold. How ridiculous!”