CS - 7

Lin Zhe Xia suspected there was something wrong with her ears.

Otherwise, how could she have heard such a sentence?

A sentence that didn’t sound human at all.

An allergy to water given by strangers.

The two girls were clearly stunned as well.

They stood rooted in place, no longer moving forward.

At this moment, one of the boys who had been playing basketball with Chi Yao walked over holding a bottle of water and called out: “Brother Yao, want some of mine? I bought too much.”

The boy wore glasses and seemed to be on relatively good terms with Chi Yao.

In a familiar tone, he said: “Drink mine, drink mine!”

Chi Yao didn’t take it: “Get lost. I’m allergic to your water too.”

“…”

Lin Zhe Xia had no doubt that after today, no one would dare offer Chi Yao water ever again.

She also vaguely understood what the forum meant by “getting rejected badly.”

Chi Yao didn’t accept anyone’s water. Instead, he walked straight toward Lin Zhe Xia.

Then he took the water from her hand and twisted open the cap.

________________________________________

On the way home after school.

Lin Zhe Xia emphasized her hard work during gym class: “The sun was scorching, and I sat under it for an entire period just to hold your water.”

Chi Yao: “Couldn’t you find a shady spot?”

Lin Zhe Xia nearly choked: “…If you don’t know how to chat, you can just not talk to me.”

The road to the bus stop was crowded, mostly with students.

Outside Cheng’an Second High, there was a long alleyway lined with shops.

From the moment Lin Zhe Xia stepped out of the school gate, her eyes were fixed on the milk tea shop across the street. As they got closer to the shop, she finally revealed her ultimate goal: “Anyway, if someone could treat me to a milk tea, I wouldn’t hold a grudge about sitting in the sun for an entire period. Make it half sugar…”

As they reached the entrance of the milk tea shop, she hadn’t finished speaking when Chi Yao already completed her sentence for her:

“Half sugar, no ice, extra pearls.”

The cashier took the order and looked up: “Just one cup? To go or drink here?”

Lin Zhe Xia, standing behind Chi Yao, stretched on her tiptoes to peek out from behind him and chirped: “Just one cup. He’s not drinking. To go, thank you, big sis.”

The female cashier wasn’t exactly young.

Surprised by being called “big sis,” she couldn’t help but laugh: “Alright, I’ll throw in extra pearls for free—no need to pay extra.”

Lin Zhe Xia’s temper faded quickly.

With milk tea in hand, she happily chatted with Chi Yao along the way.

Lin Zhe Xia: “By the way, guess how many points I scored on the first-day exam. Guess high, boldly.”

Chi Yao: “Two digits.”

Lin Zhe Xia felt offended: “Who do you think you’re looking down on? You only got two digits.”

Chi Yao: “I got full marks.”

“…”

Lin Zhe Xia thought to herself that this conversation should end here. She didn’t want to exchange another word with Chi Yao.

However, when they reached the bus stop and waited for the bus, she couldn’t resist asking: “I had a question during class earlier—why aren’t you allergic to my water?”

Chi Yao stood by the bus shelter. Hearing this, he turned his head slightly and glanced at her: “Your water?”

“If I remember correctly, I paid for that bottle.”

“…”

This conversation really should end here.

Lin Zhe Xia silently sipped her milk tea. Soon forgetting her grievances, she wanted to ask Chi Yao if he’d finished his homework, but then remembered that starting tomorrow, they wouldn’t have classes—they’d be undergoing military training instead.

“Military training sounds terrible,” Lin Zhe Xia complained. “It’s exhausting, and the drill instructors are all so strict.”

After saying this, she paused.

Then added what she considered most important: “Most importantly, the food at the training base is awful. Can I skip it?”

Chi Yao suddenly said: “There’s a way.”

Lin Zhe Xia looked at him: “?”

“Ask for leave and go to the hospital to donate your eyes.”

Lin Zhe Xia nearly bit through her straw.

All she’d said before was that he looked average.

And he still remembered.

This person… how… petty.

As they spoke, the bus arrived. Before boarding, Lin Zhe Xia gritted her teeth and said: “Let me give you some advice—go buy more sunscreen. You’re not exactly handsome to begin with; if you get tanned, you’ll look even worse.”

________________________________________

The military training base was specifically designed for this purpose, located about twenty kilometers from the school.

Before departure, Lin He prepared some necessities for her. The items filled her entire backpack and an additional tote bag: “Five days, these should be enough. Clothes for changing and small bottles of toiletries are in the tote bag.”

“How about bringing a few more assignments?” Lin He asked.

“No need,” Lin Zhe Xia hurriedly grabbed her things and left. “I’m going to focus entirely on military training. When doing something, I need to concentrate. We’ll talk about studying after I return.”

When they arrived at school, several buses were parked outside.

The buses carried the freshmen to the military training base. On the bus, the class monitor assigned dorm rooms to everyone. Six people per room, and Lin Zhe Xia, Chen Lin, and four other girls from their group who weren’t yet familiar with each other were placed in the same room.

The first day of military training had a light schedule.

Teacher Xu explained through a megaphone on the bus: “After getting off, we’ll first collect our military uniforms, then head to the dorms to drop off our belongings, change into uniform, and attend the opening ceremony. In the afternoon, follow the drill instructor’s instructions—they might teach you how to fold your blankets.”

The military training base resembled a small school, except that a large field was surrounded by a few buildings.

A banner welcoming new trainees hung at the entrance.

The drill instructors stood in a row, claiming their respective groups.

After collecting her military uniform, Lin Zhe Xia went to the assigned dorm with Chen Lin.

The girls’ dormitory building was next to the boys’.

The six-person rooms didn’t have bathrooms.

When they arrived, the other four girls in the dorm were already changing clothes.

One of the girls, lively by nature, greeted them with a smile: “Did you bring belts? These pants are pretty loose around the waist. If you don’t have one, I can lend you one.”

That girl was Tang Shuxuan, whose bed was opposite hers.

Lin Zhe Xia wasn’t familiar with her and simply said, “No need, thanks.”

Chen Lin, the social butterfly, responded enthusiastically: “We brought belts. Did you bring anything else? I secretly hid some snacks in my bag.”

Tang Shuxuan didn’t continue the conversation with Chen Lin but instead showed particular warmth toward Lin Zhe Xia. Seeing her adjusting her hat after putting on the uniform, Tang Shuxuan offered: “Let me help you.”

This time, Lin Zhe Xia didn’t have time to refuse.

Tang Shuxuan had already walked behind her and adjusted her hat forward by a notch.

The morning activities were dull—standing under the blazing sun while listening to speeches from school leaders and the chief drill instructor.

“…This military training is meant to cultivate students’ spirit of enduring hardship. At Cheng’an Second High, we’ve always valued more than just academic scores. Students must develop morally, intellectually, physically, aesthetically, and labor-wise.”

Lin Zhe Xia stood in the front row.

Bored, she sneakily glanced toward the far end.

But she couldn’t see Class One from where she stood.

Just as she was about to look away, she faintly noticed someone walking out from the other side.

The figure was familiar.

The tall, slender figure abruptly walked out alone from the formation and gradually approached them.

On stage, the principal of Second High finished his concluding remarks and announced: “Next, our freshman representative from Grade Ten will give a speech—”

As soon as the words left his mouth, the distant figure approached and stood on the stage.

The young man wore camouflage, impossibly tall, with his military cap slightly tilted downward, bangs covering his dark, intense brows and eyes.

He took the microphone, his clear voice echoing: “Hello everyone, I’m Chi Yao from Class One, Grade Ten.”

Lin Zhe Xia was a little surprised.

But considering Chi Yao’s entrance exam score, which could have easily gotten him into First High, it wasn’t surprising that he was chosen as the freshman representative.

Now that Chi Yao was on stage, she felt more spirited.

This spirit stemmed from the mindset of having a familiar face on stage while she watched like an audience member.

Chen Lin whispered behind her: “The freshman representative is Chi Yao! He’s amazing.”

Lin Zhe Xia whispered back: “He looks like he’s in a bad mood. Maybe he didn’t want to go on stage and was forced by the teacher.”

Chen Lin could only see the words “handsome” when she looked at Chi Yao’s face: “How can you tell he’s in a bad mood?”

“…” It was hard for Lin Zhe Xia to answer this question. “I just… knew instantly.”

Chen Lin was about to say, “No way,” but soon, she saw the person on stage adjust the microphone slightly and deliver an impatient opening statement: “I’ll say a few words briefly—not wasting everyone’s time. I’ll try to finish within three minutes.”

After hearing so many lengthy speeches, three minutes felt like hope descending upon humanity.

The applause was much more enthusiastic than before.

Of course, the main reason for the enthusiastic applause was…

This person was Chi Yao.

The Chi Yao who had been secretly discussed on forums since the start of the school year.

Lin Zhe Xia originally intended to watch the show, but during these brief three minutes, she faintly heard whispers around her.

“Chi Yao, wow.”

“I’ve only secretly looked at him before.”

“This is the first time I can openly watch him for three whole minutes.”

“Though it’s hot, honestly, I don’t mind standing longer.”

“If the speaker is him, even thirty minutes wouldn’t be a problem.”

“…”

Lin Zhe Xia’s mood for watching the show became somewhat complicated.

________________________________________

The content of the afternoon’s military training was relatively simple. The drill instructors moved between dorm rooms, teaching them how to fold blankets for the entire afternoon.

By evening, after the six of them returned from washing up in the bathhouse, they lay in bed preparing to sleep.

Technically, phones were not allowed during military training, but almost everyone had secretly smuggled theirs in.

After turning on her phone, Lin Zhe Xia first messaged Lin He to let her know she was safe, then opened the chat window with Chi Yao.

-Are you asleep yet?

-[Peeking]

The other side replied quickly.

-No.

Huddled under her blanket, Lin Zhe Xia typed: What are you doing?

-Chatting with a certain shorty standing in the front row.

-You, say, who, shorty.

-Should I report your ID number?

Without hesitation, Lin Zhe Xia sent over a newly collected set of “beat-up kids” emojis.

While she was chatting with Chi Yao, Chen Lin and the others were also chatting.

Most of the six dorm mates were day students, so they found sharing a dorm novel.

After lights out, Tang Shuxuan started the conversation: “Let’s chat a bit.”

The initial topics revolved around the day’s military training, then Tang Shuxuan mentioned the speech and segued into the topic of the freshman representative.

“Lin Zhe Xia,” Tang Shuxuan called her name, “I heard you know Chi Yao.”

For some reason, Lin Zhe Xia felt that Tang Shuxuan had been deliberately trying to get close to her since the morning.

Perhaps because several times, even when Chen Lin was talking to her, Tang Shuxuan kept shifting the topic away from Chen Lin and onto her, someone she barely knew.

Lin Zhe Xia didn’t plan to elaborate and only hummed in response.

Tang Shuxuan: “How long have you known each other?”

Lin Zhe Xia thought for a moment: “About… nine years.”

Tang Shuxuan: “That long? So you’ve known each other since you were little.”

The dorm was pitch black after lights out, amplifying their voices.

Lin Zhe Xia didn’t continue the topic.

Tang Shuxuan, however, opened her mouth again: “Um…”

“It might be a bit presumptuous, but could you give me his contact information? I couldn’t find it on the forum, and people from Class One said he doesn’t add friends.”

Tang Shuxuan sounded a bit embarrassed.

Lin Zhe Xia realized why Tang Shuxuan had been deliberately friendly toward her.

But she couldn’t just give out Chi Yao’s contact information without permission.

So she said: “Let me ask him first.”

Since asking for contact information was already awkward, seeking his consent made Tang Shuxuan instinctively intervene: “Could you not ask him? Let’s add each other as friends, and you can just push his WeChat profile to me.”

After Tang Shuxuan spoke, the others chimed in teasingly.

Unable to refuse, Lin Zhe Xia reluctantly pushed Chi Yao’s profile to her.

Tang Shuxuan thanked her repeatedly. A moment later, after finding his contact, she couldn’t help but say: “His profile picture is so cute.”

Chen Lin grew curious: “What profile picture?”

Tang Shuxuan: “A cat.”

Chen Lin couldn’t help but think of Chi Yao’s face: “Is this what they call contrast…?”

While chatting with Chi Yao, Lin Zhe Xia also glanced at his profile picture.

Chi Yao’s profile picture was a cat hiding in a cardboard box.

She was the one who changed his profile picture.

It had happened two or three years ago, and the reason was quite childish—she thought Chi Yao’s original profile picture wasn’t cute enough.

Since she often chatted with Chi Yao, she hoped he’d change to a cuter one and carefully curated a collection of cute profile pictures online for him to choose from.

She still remembered Chi Yao disdainfully asking: “Why should I change it?”

Her reply: “It’s beneficial for my mental and physical development.”

…

Thinking about this, Lin Zhe Xia realized she felt a bit unhappy after pushing Chi Yao’s contact information.

She couldn’t describe this feeling because she had no reason to be unhappy.

Lying in bed, she thought for a long time.

Finally, she likened this feeling to the idea that someone who had always been by her side, her good friend, might now also be known by others.

It was a strange sense of private territory being invaded.

…

In the end, she tapped the phone screen and silently told herself not to be so petty.

After mentally preparing herself, she awkwardly initiated conversation in the chat window with Chi Yao:

-Chi Yao.

-Did you buy sunscreen?

-Don’t get tanned. As your friend, I sincerely hope you maintain your average level of looks.

Chi Dog: I also hope you regain your sight soon.

Meanwhile, Tang Shuxuan also messaged her.

Tang Shuxuan: I should’ve listened to those people on the forum.

Tang Shuxuan: I shouldn’t have asked for his contact information.

Tang Shuxuan: You should’ve stopped me [Go to pieces].

Lin Zhe Xia: ?

The others in the dorm had quieted down, likely falling asleep.

She and Tang Shuxuan could only chat through their phones.

Tang Shuxuan didn’t elaborate further but sent her a screenshot of their chat.

In the screenshot, after passing the friend request, Tang Shuxuan had sent a friendly “Hi.”

Chi Yao replied: Who are you.

Tang Shuxuan: Hello, Student Chi. I’m Tang Shuxuan from Class Seven, Grade Ten. Can we get to know each other?

The “adorable” cat profile replied with four words: Don’t want to know.