Chapter Fifteen: Meeting Chu Qitong Again (Part Two)

The lesson ended quickly, and with the ringing of the bell, lunchtime had arrived once more. I stretched comfortably, feeling relaxed, and tossed what I thought was a suave glance at Su Xin, who was tidying up her books beside me. With a faint smile, I said, “Miss Su, shall we have lunch together?”

Su Xin shot me a sideways look and shook her head. “No, you and Zhang Li can go ahead. I have a good friend coming to join me for lunch today.”

“A good friend? Male or female?” Hearing the mention of a good friend, I couldn’t help but become alert.

“Why are you asking?” Su Xin glanced at me curiously, and seeing the vigilance on my face, she couldn’t help but laugh, “Xiao Qiang, you don’t have to be so tense. All right, all right, it’s a girl. Are you satisfied now?”

I nodded vigorously, putting on a serious face. “Yes, I’m very satisfied. I feel great about it. Please rest assured, fellow citizens!”

Su Xin laughed even harder at my words, sometimes feeling both love and hate for the boy before her. She had always been the quiet, obedient type, hardly stepping out of the house; her beauty only made her circle of friends even smaller. Xiao Qiang was truly the first good friend in her life. Though he seemed lazy and unmotivated, for reasons she couldn’t explain, she often found herself thinking of him at night. Perhaps he was simply a wonderful source of happiness. She hadn’t realized that, without knowing it, the figure of her deskmate had quietly found its way into her heart…

Of course, I had no idea what Su Xin was thinking. I was simply captivated by her radiant smile, utterly charmed. This was the goddess in my heart, and I was determined to cherish her for a lifetime!

“Su Xin, someone’s looking for you outside.” Just as we were each lost in our own thoughts, a female classmate called out from the doorway. Su Xin snapped out of her reverie, blushing slightly as she glanced at me before leaving the classroom. I sighed and patted Zhang Li, who was still copying notes in front of me, grumbling, “Come on, Zhang, man cannot live by notes alone—are you going to write all through lunch? Let’s go eat!”

Only then did Zhang Li notice me behind him and gave a wry smile. “You always sleep through class, but I still have to put in the effort. This is an elite high school—everyone’s a good student. If I don’t do well in the midterm, my dad will kill me.”

“Hard work isn’t just about study; eating is part of it, too. Let’s go.” I retorted and, turning to Wang Lili beside Zhang Li, teased, “Lili, your brother is such a bookworm—if he won’t eat, let’s go ourselves.”

Wang Lili glanced at Zhang Li, concern in her eyes. “Zhang Li, let’s finish lunch first and copy notes later. I’ve already finished mine—I can lend you my notes when we get back.”

Seeing that Wang Lili was also urging him, Zhang Li reluctantly closed his notebook and nodded, “All right, let’s go.”

Smiling, I walked out the classroom with Zhang Li and Wang Lili. By now, most people had already left. As I stepped out into the hallway, I heard a peal of laughter, light and crystalline, from ahead. Instinctively, I turned to look.

What I saw nearly startled me out of my wits.

About ten meters ahead, Su Xin was standing there in a pink dress, her figure graceful as ever. But it wasn’t her beauty that shocked me—it was the girl next to her, dressed in white casual clothes and smiling gently: Chu Qitong.

“What is she doing here?” I muttered in confusion. Apparently, Su Xin’s good friend was none other than the spoiled heiress herself. I shook my head in despair; of all the people Su Xin could have befriended, why did she choose this troublemaker?

“Xiao Qiang? Why are you stopping?” Just as I was wondering how to avoid being spotted by the two girls, Zhang Li’s voice suddenly sounded at my ear, startling me yet again. Worse, his question drew the attention of the two beauties ahead.

When Chu Qitong’s bright eyes locked onto me, I felt utterly uneasy. I’d thought that after scolding her on behalf of my older sister, I’d never have to face this temperamental beauty again, but fate clearly had other plans…

“Hehe, Xiao Qiang, are you all headed to lunch?” Su Xin looked only at me, not noticing the murderous glare Chu Qitong was giving me. To make things worse, Su Xin smiled sweetly and said, “Perfect timing—we don’t know where to eat. Why don’t we all go together?”

“I—I…” I was at a loss for words. Having to eat with my nemesis? I’d be the meal, not the diner! But for Su Xin’s sake, I could only join Zhang Li and Wang Lili, walk up to them, and force a silly smile. “Hahaha, eat together? No, no, you two should catch up—we outsiders would just be intruding.” Lunch with that volatile beauty? Not unless I had a screw loose!

“Xin Xin, you know this guy?” The silent Chu Qitong finally spoke up. There’s a saying: either you go mad in silence or become twisted. Clearly, Chu Qitong wanted neither madness nor perversion…

“Hm?” Su Xin sensed something in her friend’s tone and asked curiously, “Of course, I know him. Why, Tong Tong, do you know Xiao Qiang too?”

Chu Qitong’s expression darkened for a moment, but she quickly recovered and laughed loudly, “Of course I know him! The famous Xiao Qiang—how could I not?”

Cold sweat broke out on my forehead. Chu Qitong was Su Xin’s close friend, and she must hate me to death. This is going to be a headache! But then it occurred to me that it wasn’t such a big deal. After all, it was Chu Qitong’s own fault. Why should I be afraid of her? With that thought, I awkwardly cleared my throat. “Well… Long time no see, Miss Chu.”