WIFTY - 7

No matter the time or place, regardless of her mood,
She always thought he was breathtakingly handsome.
——From Su Zaizai’s Little Fairy Diary

The next day was Friday.

After school, Su Zaizai dawdled as she packed up her things and walked out of the school gate with Jiang Jia.

Though Z High School was the best in Z City, its location was quite remote. Nestled amidst lush greenery, the air was fresh, the scenery picturesque, serene and comfortable.

The downside? It took a full half-hour to walk from the school gate to the bus stop.

As a result, many parents came to pick up their children after school on Fridays.

As Su Zaizai descended the steps in front of the school gate, she happened to look up just in time to see Zhang Lurang getting into a black private car, accompanied by the dull thud of the door closing.

The car didn’t start moving immediately.

From her angle, she could see him shrugging off his backpack and tossing it aside.

He sank into the seat, leaning back, and closed his eyes.

Su Zaizai stood still for a moment.

Jiang Jia had already walked a few steps ahead when she suddenly sensed something was off. Turning around, she spotted Su Zaizai standing in the middle of the crowd, staring fixedly in one direction.

Curious, she called out: “Zaizai!”

At that exact moment, the car began to move forward.

As it drove away, light and shadow flickered across his face, alternating between brightness and shadow.

Finally, it disappeared from view.

Su Zaizai froze for a second, then quickly snapped out of it. She ran up to Jiang Jia, giving her a big hug, her expression beaming like an idiot.

Jiang Jia was at a loss: “What’s gotten into you?”

Su Zaizai laughed freely, unashamed of her joy, but simply shook her head without saying anything.

Her behavior only made Jiang Jia more curious: “What exactly did you do? Your sudden, random laughter is creeping me out, Miss Fairy!”

“Let me through,” Su Zaizai suddenly said.

“…The road’s only so wide—where do you want me to let you through to?”

“Let me through.”

“Go away.”

The sun blazed mercilessly, its heat penetrating even through the black-coated umbrella. Around them, people came and went, their shadows weaving across the ground.

In that moment—

Su Zaizai saw it. His eyelashes fluttered slightly, and then he opened his eyes.

Right as the car started moving.

Right as Jiang Jia called out “Zaizai.”

When you’re secretly in love, even coincidences can bring immense joy. That sense of fulfillment rises instantly, filling your entire heart in a heartbeat.

Sweet as honey, it seeps into your soul.

Saturday afternoon.

Su Zaizai was home alone, a bag of milk dangling from her mouth as she sipped it slowly. In her hand, she held the TV remote, flipping through channels absentmindedly.

Her phone buzzed on the couch.

Glancing at it briefly, she picked it up.

Jiang Jia had sent two messages:

——I asked my classmate for Zhang Lurang’s WeChat.

——134****4329

The bag of milk slipped from her mouth and spilled all over her. Letting out a wail, she hastily grabbed some tissues to clean herself up and rushed to her room to change clothes.

A few minutes later, she returned to the living room, picked up her phone, and sat cross-legged on the couch.

After some hesitation, her fingers began typing rapidly on the screen.

Su Zaizai: Do you think I should add him?

Jiang Jia: Of course, why not?

Su Zaizai: I feel like he won’t accept…

Su Zaizai: Plus, I kind of wanted to ask him for it myself.

Jiang Jia: Just try! What if he agrees? Then you’ll have a chance to chat and build some rapport! Otherwise, at the rate you’re going, when will you ever get anywhere with him?

She had a point…

After some more hesitation, Su Zaizai anxiously chewed on her knuckle.

Finally making up her mind, she copied the number, clicked “Add Friend,” pasted it in, and his detailed information popped up on the screen.

His profile picture was of a Samoyed dog, tongue out, happily grinning at the camera.

The style didn’t seem quite right…

Su Zaizai’s nervousness instantly eased by half. Curious, she tapped to enlarge the image and suddenly noticed two fingers in the bottom-right corner of the photo—precisely, the Samoyed’s neck.

To be exact, it was the tip of an index finger and middle finger.

Su Zaizai blinked, immediately suppressing her suspicions.

Even just those two fingers looked so good, exuding an irresistible allure that made her want to lick the screen. If this wasn’t Zhang Lurang, then who could it be?!

She glanced at the username: zlr .

Bracing herself, she closed her eyes, gritted her teeth, and pressed “Add to Contacts.” Without writing a verification message, she hit “Send” directly.

After pressing it, she felt as though she’d touched scalding water and quickly tossed her phone aside. Grabbing a cushion, she buried her face in it and let out a few muffled cries of “Ow, ow!”

A long while later, Su Zaizai finally lowered the cushion from her face.

Her eyes were brimming with excitement, glistening with moisture, her entire face flushed, and a few beads of sweat dotted her forehead.

Her expression was a mix of nervousness and exhilaration as she stared at the phone lying abandoned in the corner of the couch, wanting to pick it up but too afraid to do so.

Giving up, Su Zaizai walked back to her room to do homework.

But after writing only a few characters, she grew restless. Frustrated, she stood up, returned to the living room, and, throwing caution to the wind, picked up her phone and checked—

As expected.

No new messages.

Though she had anticipated this, she still felt a tinge of disappointment.

But she quickly recovered her spirits.

If the beautiful man easily accepted friend requests, he probably would’ve been swept off his feet long ago.

Staring at his profile picture, Su Zaizai stuck her tongue out and muttered: “One day, I’ll make you beg to add me.”

Sunday afternoon.

After packing her things, Su Zaizai looked outside at the blazing sun and felt like she was about to break into a sweat just from standing there. She grabbed a plain black hair tie and casually tied her hair up.

Then she slung her bag over her shoulder and headed out.

Her mother was watching TV in the living room. Seeing her emerge, she lazily raised her eyes and asked: “Are your things packed? Did you get your allowance from your dad?”

Su Zaizai, who had just gotten 200 yuan from her father, replied decisively: “Packed. Didn’t take any allowance.”

“I know you took it,” her mother said, sipping her water.

“…”

“If you agree to let us get a dog, I’ll give you 200 yuan.”

At the mention of dogs, Su Zaizai suddenly thought of Zhang Lurang’s profile picture but quickly snapped back to reality and refused outright: “Forget it, it’s just 200 yuan.”

“Good job, you’ve got principles.”

Su Zaizai went to the entryway to put on her shoes: “This is between you two—it has nothing to do with me.”

“What do you mean ‘between us’? Your dad already said we’ll decide by vote, and there are only three people in this house!” Her mother glared at her. “Do you want me to drive you?”

“No need.” Su Zaizai adjusted her hair in the mirror by the entrance and smiled: “It’s the only day off I get in a week. Rest well.”

Her mother didn’t push further: “Alright, be careful on your way. Call me when you get to school.”

“Got it.”

In late October, the sun was still as fierce as early summer. The asphalt road seemed almost scorched, and the grass along the roadside emitted a strong, earthy scent.

Su Zaizai hated the heat the most. Hurrying to a nearby convenience store, she bought a chilled bottle of mineral water and pressed it against her face to cool down.

When she reached the bus stop, she folded her umbrella and stowed it in her bag. Then she sat on the bench, took out her phone, and opened the public transportation app to check the real-time location of Bus 71.

Still over ten stops away…

Su Zaizai immediately began to regret her decision. She was such an idiot!

She should’ve come down when it was only five stops away. Ugh, she was so annoyed!

After sitting for a bit, Su Zaizai abruptly stood up and walked toward the bus stop sign.

No, she couldn’t wait anymore.

Maybe she could catch another bus and transfer later…

Taking a few steps, she stopped, her expression frozen.

Standing next to the bus stop sign was a boy.

He stood in the shade, wearing a pair of sleek black earphones and carrying a backpack in a neat, unassuming manner. His expression was calm as he gazed steadily at the passing cars.

A few seconds later, seemingly feeling the heat, he lifted his bottle of mineral water, took a couple of sips, and his Adam’s apple bobbed twice.

Then he wiped his lips with the back of the hand holding the bottle cap.

Su Zaizai’s gaze followed his movements, finally resting on his lips.

She couldn’t help but swallow.

The sound of her gulp echoed loudly.