☆, 09. Why are you crying?

It was the first time Le Ya had seen Chen Yang since the incident, and she vividly remembered his mischievous tone.

She quickly climbed a few steps. “I need to study.”

Chen Yang nodded noncommittally. The girl’s attitude clearly showed she wanted to avoid him like the plague. “I need to study too.”

Le Ya thought he was pretty shameless.

Not to mention his previous antics—fighting, smoking, and hanging out with those two troublemakers—he didn’t look like a good student at all.

But then she recalled what Chen Yang had just said. She spoke up, “This path... is built by my family.”

Chen Yang hummed in response, trailing off. “And then?”

Before she could think, Le Ya blurted out, “Your classroom is in another building. You should go from that side.”

Chen Yang furrowed his brow and suddenly ascended a step.

Le Ya was startled as she watched him close the distance in one stride. Fear welled up inside her.

She felt wronged. Why did she keep running into this person?

Le Ya didn’t dare run, fearing that if she did, she’d be caught again. Her eyes began to water.

Chen Yang didn’t expect her to actually cry.

He could still smell the girl’s delicate fragrance, see her dainty nose slightly wrinkling, and watch her blink continuously, tears almost spilling.

For a moment, Chen Yang was lost in thought.

He said, “I didn’t even touch you.”

Le Ya peeked up at him. Seeing his slightly furrowed brows, he didn’t seem too happy.

Chen Yang turned and descended the steps. “I won’t walk this way, alright?”

As soon as he left, the oppressive feeling on Le Ya vanished, though her heart was still racing.

The bell rang just in time.

Xie Qingyu called from above, “Le Ya, why are you lingering down there? Hurry up, class is starting.”

Le Ya snapped back to reality. “Coming.”

She glanced down at Chen Yang, muttered softly, and ran upstairs. Just before reaching the top, she couldn’t help but look down again.

Le Ya hadn’t meant what she said earlier. She just kept bumping into him, and every encounter was unpleasant.

When she couldn’t see where he was, she said, “I didn’t forbid you from walking this way. Why weren’t you so obedient last time?”

He hadn’t budged when she asked him to move, yet this time he stepped aside immediately.

Unexpectedly, no sooner had she spoken than Le Ya saw Chen Yang return.

He moved slowly, deliberately, not in a hurry at all.

He didn’t seem to be in any rush to attend class. Le Ya couldn’t believe such a student would be a good one.

Le Ya didn’t expect her words to be overheard and quickly ran off.

Through the gaps in the stair railing, Chen Yang locked eyes with a face that quickly withdrew, her ponytail swishing beautifully.

Chen Yang smirked.

“I’ve been watching for a while now. Why are you still down there?” Xie Qingyu said, “Deep in thought?”

Le Ya replied, “Just thinking about something.”

Xie Qingyu hooked her arm around Le Ya’s. “What did that boy want with you? Let me guess, was it a confession?”

Hearing this, Le Ya shook her head. “He just talked about not dating. No confession.”

“Really?” Xie Qingyu looked suspicious. “What does your dating have to do with him? Is he some kind of Pacific policeman minding everyone’s business?”

Even students from the same class might say such things, let alone someone from who knows which class. It was presumptuous.

Le Ya said, “No, he was telling the truth.”

Fortunately, the teacher hadn’t arrived yet. The classroom was quiet, though everyone was busy with their own tasks and didn’t look up when they returned.

This was chemistry class, still a review session.

In their final year, besides exams, everything revolved around revision. The monthly exam papers were reviewed last week, and now they were revising new knowledge points.

Exams were frequent at No. 1 High School. Major ones included monthly, mid-term, and final exams, along with entrance exams each semester.

Smaller quizzes were organized by individual teachers, often using test papers from other schools for weekly exams. These were tightly scheduled, and evening self-study sessions were often used to discuss test papers.

The teachers said constant testing would make them accustomed to treating the college entrance exam like any regular test, providing practice.

Although the class groaned about it, exams were inevitable.

Xie Qingyu was very curious about the boy who stopped Le Ya. After finding out he was from Class Four, she went directly to inquire.

Not long after, she returned. “He’s the Chinese class representative. But what does that have to do with you? I think he has a crush on you.”

Le Ya remained silent.

Xie Qingyu warned, “You can’t agree to him.”

Privately, she felt such a person didn’t deserve Le Ya, who should be cherished and adored.

That group of boys often talked about girls’ chests and looks, vulgar and lewd.

Le Ya obediently responded, “I won’t.”

Ever since learning the girl’s name was Le Ya, Liang Qian became obsessed, digging up old information.

For instance, past exam papers from the main campus, whether classmates who had walked with Le Ya were male or female, and even what snacks she often ate—all these he investigated.

The teacher on the podium noticed Chen Yang’s tardiness but didn’t ask anything, instead showing concern before allowing him to return to his seat.

Liang Qian spat, “If it were me, I’d definitely have to stand for a while.”

Clearly, good students got preferential treatment.

With so many books and materials, the piles were high, especially in the back rows, where students’ faces were barely visible.

Chen Yang casually took out his phone to play with.

Liang Qian leaned over, whispering, “Hey, Brother Yang, did you see the little cutie today?”

Chen Yang didn’t look up. “Little cutie?”

Liang Qian held a book in front of his face. “Le Ya, the little cutie. Isn’t she adorable?”

At this, Chen Yang paused his movements.

Her teary-eyed expression was indeed cute.

“However, I heard she’s the teacher’s favorite. Brother Yang probably doesn’t stand a chance,” Liang Qian continued. “They’re probably watched closely and forbidden from dating.”

Such students were treasures to the teachers.

Chen Yang raised an eyebrow, shifting his gaze from the phone screen. “Good students with good students aren’t managed.”

He chuckled softly.

Wasn’t he a good student?

Liang Qian didn’t get it at first but, upon realizing the implication, gave a thumbs-up. “High, Brother, just like that.”

In their class, the English and math representatives were flirting, but the teachers ignored them, fearing provoking rebellion. Only if grades dropped would they give a reminder.

Thus, Brother Yang would never intervene.

Liang Qian sighed wistfully, feeling envious of the privileges good students enjoyed. He decided to study hard but found the questions headache-inducing.

Previously, he copied from classmates because Chen Yang forbade direct copying, though asking was allowed. His foundation was truly weak.

After this, Liang Qian relentlessly teased.

“Brother Yang, doesn’t this homework look like Le Ya?”

“Brother Yang, doesn’t this test paper look like Le Ya?”

“Brother Yang, doesn’t this—”

Day after day, the biology teacher on the podium was diligently writing on the blackboard, oblivious to the commotion.

Chen Yang grew impatient and uttered one word: “Scram.”

Liang Qian chuckled, though he stopped teasing, pleased with the results he achieved.

There was no evening self-study on Friday nights.

By dusk, it wasn’t fully dark yet but already dim. Xie Qingyu parted ways with her at the school gate. “Are you going to draw today?”

Le Ya nodded. “I haven’t gone for two weeks.”

Since signing up for drawing lessons during the summer break, she had only learned a little because this semester was her final year, and the schedule had changed.

Originally, Le Yi Jian wanted to hire a private tutor, but she refused.

Xie Qingyu said, “Be safe then.”

“You too.” Le Ya got into her family car.

The drawing place was about a ten-minute drive away. Her tools were already in the car, ready to be taken out upon arrival.

When Le Ya entered the classroom, a few people were already there. Not coming frequently, she sat in a corner; everyone had their own seats.

Just as she entered, a girl rushed out, bumping her to the side. “Ouch, who’s blind?”

The girl backed off first, recognizing Le Ya and recalling a previous scene, snidely remarked, “Rushing around like you’re being reborn. Running so fast.”

Le Ya stood firm, seriously saying, “I wasn’t running. You were the one running.”

She had walked normally, but the girl had rushed towards her, causing the collision—it wasn’t her fault at all.

“Not running and I still bumped into you?” The girl rolled her eyes, trying to pass by. “I hate people like you the most.”

Her words grew increasingly nasty. Le Ya frowned, “You bumped into me. You should apologize.”

The girl didn’t expect her to be so assertive, feeling guilty as others in the classroom looked over. She turned and left, muttering, “Taking yourself too seriously, honestly...”

Le Ya was angry but had no acquaintances in this class. If conflict arose, she would surely be at a disadvantage.

She pursed her lips and went to her seat.

Le Ya didn’t expect to see a familiar face as soon as she reached her seat.

It was the girl with wavy curls she saw in the stairwell that night, who had cried and run off after a failed confession.

Only now did Le Ya see her face. Despite makeup, she looked quite pretty.

“Hello, I’m Lin Xin Qiao.” Lin Xin Qiao greeted her, hands busy drawing something.

Le Ya snapped out of her daze. “Hello, I’m Le Ya.”

“What a cute name.” Lin Xin Qiao was surprised and smiled. “I’m a newly added art student, also from No. 1 High School. We’re alumni. What class are you in?”

Art students from No. 1 High School were in a separate building, rarely interacting with regular students. Their curriculum differed too.

Le Ya said, “Your name sounds nice too. I’m in Class One.”

The image from that night was deeply etched in her mind. Even though Lin Xin Qiao now looked different, she couldn’t shake it off.

Hearing Class One, Lin Xin Qiao’s interest waned. Class One was far from Class Seventeen and recently relocated from the main campus to the new one—useless.

Seeing her indifferent attitude, Le Ya didn’t harbor other thoughts. Fortunately, the teacher arrived, easing her awkwardness.

This small class only had ten students, all from well-off families. Lin Xin Qiao could join abruptly because her family was wealthy.

Le Ya was studying sketching, having just started.

Initially, she planned to learn an instrument but ended up choosing drawing. After some time, she genuinely enjoyed it.

Lin Xin Qiao didn’t talk to Le Ya throughout the lesson. Le Ya focused on drawing, managing only half by the end.

An hour later, the teacher announced the end of the class.

As Le Ya gathered her drawing board, Lin Xin Qiao stopped her, asking, “Le Ya, what do you think of my drawing?”

Unable to ignore her, Le Ya looked at Lin Xin Qiao’s drawing board. Suddenly, she recognized the face—it was Chen Yang.

Confused, she wondered how this girl, who had cried and run off after his rejection, was drawing him. Nevertheless, the portrait was excellent.

Le Ya praised, “It’s very well done.”

Lin Xin Qiao smiled dreamily. “It’s a birthday gift for someone. I hope he likes it.”

Le Ya slowly responded with an “Oh,” not continuing the inquiry, but her impression of that boy worsened further.

Such a flirt.

Both were delayed by their conversation and were the last to leave the classroom. It was already past eight o’clock, but the streets were still brightly lit, with colorful lights strung on trees lining the road.

After descending the stairs, Lin Xin Qiao and Le Ya went in opposite directions.

The street was bustling with traffic. Le Ya stood by the roadside for a while before remembering she forgot to inform her driver of the pickup time.

Might as well go home herself; the bus hadn’t stopped yet.

...

Chen Yang and Liang Qian exited a shop.

“Eight o’clock. Alright, let’s head home.” Liang Qian patted his clothes and spotted someone across the street, his eyes twinkling.

He stepped back, glancing at Chen Yang, who was engrossed with his phone, and reminded, “Brother Yang, look across the street.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Yang lifted his eyelids slightly.

Across the green belt, Le Ya was alone, carrying a bunch of items, looking like a small potted plant under the thin light.

Who knew what she was holding—it was quite a lot.

As they watched, she tripped, dropping everything, and squatted down.

“They fell...” Before Liang Qian finished, he saw Chen Yang cross the street without a word.