☆, 08. Please, beggars off.

Perhaps she had never scolded anyone before, because even those four words sounded soft and mushy, sweet and pleasant to the ears.

Chen Yang was momentarily stunned by her scolding.

Le Ya thought she had been a bit harsh and hurt his self-esteem, so she didn’t know what to say. “...You move aside.”

After a long moment, Chen Yang lightly licked the corner of his lips, “No.”

Le Ya didn’t expect this person to be so shameless. Even after being scolded, he showed no reaction at all.

She wanted to throw the water cup at him.

But then again, if the cup broke and this guy got burned, she would have to pay for the medical expenses, and she certainly didn’t want that.

Suddenly, the preparatory bell outside rang.

There is a three-minute gap between the preparatory bell and the class bell, serving as a reminder. For Le Ya, it was very important.

Seizing the opportunity, she tried to slip past under Chen Yang’s arm.

How could Chen Yang let her have her way? He caught her with one arm, pulling her into his embrace, feeling the warmth and softness in his arms. “Are you throwing yourself at me?”

Le Ya was both angry and embarrassed. “Let go of me!”

A faint, delicate fragrance suddenly filled the stagnant air of the small washroom, emanating from within his embrace.

Chen Yang said, “Did you not hear what I just said?”

At these words, Le Ya dragged out the previous conversation from her mind and only then realized he was referring to that sentence – the one about calling him “brother” or begging him.

She could never call him brother.

Le Ya didn’t have any brothers; even if she did, they were distant cousins she rarely interacted with, much less called by name.

Seeing time slipping away and his indifference, she covered her ears and said, “…Please….”

Her voice was low, almost inaudible if not listened to carefully.

Chen Yang didn’t expect her to give in so easily.

Her voice was as soft as cotton, yet it carried hooks that stirred and tantalized the heart.

Le Ya reminded him, “I’ve said it. You should let me go now.”

Chen Yang touched his ear, “I didn’t hear it earlier. Say it again.”

Le Ya wanted to call him a pervert but remembered it wouldn’t affect him. Feeling wronged, she wanted to cry – no one had ever treated her like this.

She was petite, completely blocked by Chen Yang, unable to see anything outside, like a thick wall.

Le Ya’s slender, white hands covered her face.

The change came too fast. Caught off guard, Chen Yang was startled and slightly bent down, frowning. “Are you really crying?”

The little girl covering her face ignored him, sobbing softly.

Chen Yang licked his lips, annoyed, hesitating whether he had gone too far. Just as he was about to step aside, an unexpected event occurred.

The little girl who had been crying suddenly kicked him and, seizing the opportunity, quickly ran out of the washroom.

The kick had no strength, but the sudden change surprised Chen Yang.

He turned around to look, but there was no trace of tears on the little girl’s face – it was obviously fake. Le Ya stuck her tongue out at him.

Standing at the washroom door, Chen Yang was left laughing in frustration.

He had actually been tricked by Le Ya.

However – thinking about that low plea of “please,” a sigh escaped between Chen Yang’s lips.

It was truly maddening.

…

After walking a distance, Le Ya couldn’t help but look back.

The boy was standing on the corridor, his elbows resting on the railing, his long legs making him appear tall and straight, with a slim and elongated figure.

Now, he looked very aloof.

As Le Ya was lost in admiration, he suddenly looked over. She was startled and quickly turned her head, running back to the classroom just as the class bell rang.

She nearly collided with a classmate coming out at the classroom door.

The classmate quickly stepped aside and joked, “Is there a wolf chasing you, Le Ya? It’s the first time I’ve seen you run so fast.”

Le Ya smiled. “Sorry.”

“It’s not like you hit me, why apologize?” The classmate waved it off, about to continue speaking when he saw someone on the corridor. “Wow, the teacher’s here, hurry up and get inside.”

Le Ya’s seat was quite far. As she sat down, the teacher also arrived, and she finally relaxed.

Xie Qingyu poked her back. “Why are you so nervous?”

Le Ya patted her face. “I ran too fast just now.”

She didn’t mention what had happened earlier. It was too embarrassing to talk about, best if no one else knew.

Fortunately, Xie Qingyu didn’t suspect anything.

Throughout the afternoon and evening study session, Le Ya didn’t go out to fetch water again, even when thirsty, letting Xie Qingyu bring it for her.

Xie Qingyu thought she was just busy and had no idea of the real reason.

After the last evening study session ended, Le Ya walked out with other classmates. The school lights were bright as day.

The family driver was waiting outside, and Xie Qingyu bid her farewell.

Not far away, Liang Qian and Zhao Mingri happened to see the car leave and sighed, “Truly wealthy, a perfect ‘white, rich, beautiful’ girl.”

Zhao Mingri said, “Looks like many people don’t stand a chance.”

“I heard her classmates call her earlier. It seems she’s the Le Ya that guy mentioned today.” Liang Qian turned his head. “Yang Ge.”

Chen Yang’s expression didn’t change. “Let’s go home.”

Liang Qian: “???”

What did he hear? Going home already? That’s not like Yang Ge’s usual style.

Chen Yang ignored them and stepped out of the campus.

“Go home, everyone goes home.” Liang Qian and Zhao Mingri hurriedly followed, unsure of his thoughts.

...

Le Ya had a dream that night.

She dreamed again of being cornered in the washroom during the day. The other person kept asking her to speak, otherwise, he wouldn’t let her go.

Le Ya cried and shouted, then cursed inwardly.

Upon waking up, Le Ya was dazed. She drank a large glass of water to calm herself down and then mentally cursed Chen Yang from start to finish, albeit using the same few words repeatedly.

Meanwhile, Chen Yang hadn’t slept all night.

The rain continued throughout the weekend, and Monday dawned clear.

Today was the flag-raising ceremony day. After morning self-study, the whole class was ushered to the playground, which was packed with students.

The new campus’s playground was much larger than the main campus’s, and the tallest building visible from the playground was donated by Le Yi Jian.

Others might think differently, but Le Ya felt proud.

This time, more than thirty classes participated in the flag-raising ceremony, unlike the previous dozen or so, and the positions had changed significantly.

Le Ya was relieved to be in Class One and didn’t have to stand near Class Seventeen.

It was already seven o’clock, and the comfortable sunlight wasn’t hot at all, instead making everything brighter.

Up ahead, the red national flag fluttered.

The principal in charge was from the main campus but now managed both campuses, making the speech more complex.

Xie Qingyu listened and grumbled, “Only sixteen more classes were added, yet it feels like the speech has grown sixteen pages longer.”

Le Ya laughed. “It’s not that much.”

“Just exaggerating a bit.” Xie Qingyu kicked the grass. “Sigh, after listening to him, it feels like we won’t get into college at all.”

After the principal finished speaking, a teacher handed over a list. Familiar faces knew it was the list of students disciplined or warned last week.

“Yu Jiu and Su Song from Class Two, Grade Three violated school rules in the classroom. They will be criticized publicly. Considering their good repentance, only a warning will be issued without punishment…”

The crowd below began buzzing with discussion.

Students from the main campus knew Su Song was an excellent student, usually encouraging others to study and never breaking school rules. Now, it seemed he had changed.

What happened?

“In the past, public criticism always specified the violations. Why isn’t anything mentioned this time? What exactly did they do?”

“I think it’s something unspeakable.”

“Oh my, who is this Yu Jiu? How did she make Su Song break his principles? I really want to know what they did.”

“Are they dating?”

Class One was next to Class Two, so they were well aware of the situation.

Their homeroom teacher, Ms. Jiang, moved from the back to the front. “Quiet down, or points will be deducted. Stand properly.”

The principal concluded with some encouraging words and then announced the end. Each class left the playground in order.

Class One was the first to leave, having to cross from the innermost corner to the other side’s gate, meaning they had to pass by Class Seventeen.

Xie Qingyu stood behind Le Ya and asked, “Did you send out that snack yet? It’s been days.”

Le Ya replied, “I bought it, but it hasn’t shipped yet.”

“It should arrive in a couple of days.” Xie Qingyu stroked her chin. “Did you add any note?”

Le Ya shook her head. “No.”

Xie Qingyu clapped her hands. “Why didn’t you write anything? That’s not okay. What if they think it’s a scam and throw it away? Nowadays, there are scams where people send things you didn’t buy.”

She had read about it online.

Le Ya softly exclaimed, “But I don’t know what to fill in, and I can’t let him know it’s from me.”

“That’s easy. When we get back, I’ll help you think of something.” Xie Qingyu draped her arm around her shoulder. “They definitely won’t think it’s you.”

Even if they guessed, they’d only assume it was from someone secretly admiring them.

After Class One passed, Liang Qian spotted them.

Although Le Ya wasn’t tall, wearing the same uniform as everyone else and sporting a ponytail, she still stood out vividly.

Liang Qian nudged Zhao Mingri. “Isn’t that the girl from the convenience store?”

Zhao Mingri quickly craned his neck to look. “Yes, what about it? So she’s in Class One. I never noticed before.”

Liang Qian recalled the two rabbit ears he poked that day.

Yang Ge hadn’t said anything at the time. That umbrella was so girlish, it must have been hers. Zhao Mingri even took a picture to keep for future use.

Liang Qian glanced at Chen Yang again, realizing he was looking ahead. He couldn’t tell what Chen Yang was focusing on.

There was still some time before class after the flag-raising ceremony.

Le Ya and Xie Qingyu went to the convenience store first before returning to the classroom. There weren’t many people on the road.

Then, the two were stopped by a boy at the staircase landing.

The boy said, “I have something to discuss with Le Ya.”

Xie Qingyu eyed him suspiciously. “Then I’ll wait upstairs. Let me know when you’re done talking, Le Ya.”

Le Ya recognized this boy. She had graded test papers with him in the office before; he was from Class Four. “What is it?”

Honestly, she didn’t remember his name.

The boy was a bit awkward but thought of what he saw a few days ago and decided to take the plunge. “There’s something… the school doesn’t allow dating.”

Le Ya was confused. “You’re telling me this?”

The boy said, “I... I saw it last time, in the washroom.”

Le Ya instantly recalled the incident she had deliberately forgotten. Her fair cheeks reddened slightly as she defended herself, “I’m not.”

She hadn’t expected anyone to see it.

The boy stared at her dewy eyes and gritted his teeth, “If… if you’re going to date, choose someone with good grades. Teachers won’t care.”

The school always turned a blind eye to top students dating each other but strictly monitored relationships between high-performing and low-performing students.

Le Ya still didn’t understand his implication. She wasn’t dating anyone, so what did good or bad grades have to do with it?

Just then, the sound of someone tapping the railing echoed behind them.

Facing each other, the boy could see who was downstairs – the same person who had been with Le Ya in the washroom. “It’s you!”

Chen Yang calmly said, “You’re blocking the way.”

Only they were in the stairwell. The boy looked and retorted, “You don’t belong to this classroom. Can’t you walk through the other teaching building?”

Chen Yang sneered, “I’ll walk wherever I please. Did your family build this path?”

The boy was infuriated. He glanced at Le Ya, “Le Ya, stay away from him.”

Then he left the stairwell.

From the moment she heard that deep voice, Le Ya recognized it.

Taking a deep breath, she turned around to see Chen Yang standing at the foot of the stairs, tall and lean, very conspicuous.

There were two or three steps between them, yet their eyes met perfectly.

Chen Yang teased, “Look, he ran.”