SW - 10

In Class 14, the math teacher had taken over the evening self-study period to explain problems.

Tang Yin sneezed.

Without looking up, Su Kexi teased, “Someone must be thinking of you.”

“Probably Lu Chi.”

“...Your face is really thick.”

Tang Yin rubbed her nose, musing that it was probably Lu Chi from the neighboring class—otherwise, who would still be thinking about her in the dark?

Outside, the sky was pitch black, and the rain continued, occasionally accompanied by thunder and lightning.

Each rumble weighed heavily on people’s hearts.

The rain persisted, and the uniform hung on the balcony for five days until the sun finally came out—not too harsh, but warm and soothing.

In just one day, the uniform dried, carrying a faint scent of lavender. Tang Yin was quite satisfied with the detergent someone had stuffed into her cabinet.

Before the afternoon class, she carefully folded the uniform and placed it into a bag.

“What’s gotten into you today? You’re in such a good mood,” Su Kexi asked. “You’re radiating the vibe of spring arriving. It’s still autumn, okay? Show some restraint.”

She couldn’t understand how Tang Yin could fall for someone after just two or three days. Was this the legendary love at first sight? Or love at second glance?

Tang Yin ignored her and pulled out the pentagram she had folded a few days ago from her pencil case. After examining it in her palm for a while, she slipped it into the pocket of Lu Chi’s uniform.

She had heard that Zhang Mei had already folded over three hundred stars—it was impressive.

After class, the two of them went to the restroom together.

Passing by the office, they overheard the biology teacher from the experimental class shouting loudly:

“A few days ago, I wanted to borrow Lu Chi’s test paper, but he said it had been borrowed. Days have passed, and when I asked again, it still hadn’t been returned. I don’t even know who borrowed it!”

“Why don’t you just ask him?”

“I did! Do you know what he said? He said he didn’t remember. Don’t you think he’s... Forget it, it’s so frustrating to talk about.”

Hearing this, Tang Yin’s lips curled slightly, as if she had just eaten a piece of candy.

Su Kexi laughed until her stomach hurt. “He’s even covering for you. Shouldn’t you return the test paper already?”

“I’ll return it today.” Along with the uniform.

“If you don’t return it soon, the biology teacher will probably start interrogating who the shameless person who took the test paper is, and then you’ll become famous.”

“I’m already famous enough.”

“...Tang Yin, you’re shameless.”

The next class was Chinese, and the teacher was explaining classical Chinese texts.

Su Kexi nudged Tang Yin with her elbow. “Look, there’s a three-line love poem in this novel. Let me read it to you with deep emotion!”

“Su Kexi! What are you doing?” The sharp-eyed Chinese teacher interrupted her immediately.

Reluctantly, Su Kexi stood up.

Tang Yin clicked her tongue.

The Chinese teacher had long noticed her. Walking over, he opened the romance novel hidden under her study materials. The colorful cover made his expression darken. “What time is it, and you’re still reading frivolous books? Do you even want to go to college?”

Su Kexi muttered quietly, “Yes.”

The teacher sighed in frustration. “Then study properly and stop pursuing nonsense. You can take the book back after the college entrance exam. Sit down and listen carefully.”

Watching her beloved novel fly away, Su Kexi covered her mouth and let out a silent wail. Today was truly unlucky. After years of reading novels secretly, she had been caught today of all days.

Tang Yin mouthed silently: What love poem?

At the mention of this, Su Kexi perked up again, quickly scribbling on a draft paper and passing it to her. “If people could grow tails, wouldn’t it feel a bit embarrassing? Because whenever I’m with you, I can’t help but wag my tail. Isn’t this an accurate depiction of you?”

There were only two short lines on the paper.

Tang Yin stared at it for a long time before calmly responding, “No.”

She wouldn’t wag her tail for anyone. Dislike was dislike, and like was like—she wouldn’t abandon certain basic principles.

Su Kexi pouted, retrieved the draft paper, and obediently listened to the lesson under the teacher’s watchful gaze.

Tang Yin unfolded Lu Chi’s test paper, her eyes fixed on the last physics question.

She still remembered the image of his slightly cold fingers pointing at it, stuttering pitifully—it felt as though he were poking directly at her heart.

Her breath caught, and she covered her face as warmth rushed up.

No one around noticed. Pretending to be calm, Tang Yin unscrewed her water bottle and took a large gulp.

As soon as the bell rang, Tang Yin headed to the neighboring class.

“Ah, with such heavy rain tonight, I bet we’ll get soaked on the way back,” Lu Ye joked. Seeing her, he asked, “Looking for Lu Chi again?”

“Mm-hmm.”

Tang Ming happened to walk by and gawked as Tang Yin approached Lu Chi. If not for his bursting bladder, he would have definitely stayed to spy.

Inside, Lu Chi remained motionless, head bowed as he diligently wrote something.

Tang Yin stood nearby, admiring him for a moment, smacking her lips. Such a feast for the eyes—no need for a late-night snack tonight.

She walked over, standing behind him, and lightly poked his shoulder with her finger. Leaning close, she whispered softly, “Bookworm. Your uniform—it’s already washed.”

Being so close, the overhead fluorescent light cast stark contrasts of light and shadow.

Tang Yin’s gaze lingered on his profile. Even through his glasses, she could see his ears twitch distinctly when she spoke.

Seeing his strong reaction, Tang Yin smiled, her eyebrows carrying an enchanting charm. She placed the test paper on the desk. “And here’s your test paper. Thank you.”

Perhaps hearing those last two words was rare, as Lu Chi seemed momentarily stunned.

Thinking back to the events of a few days ago, a hint of embarrassment flashed in his eyes as he distanced himself from her. Softly, he murmured, “I-It’s fine.”

Tang Yin stared at him.

This adorable side of him was truly captivating.

“Oh, right.”

Tang Yin paused for a moment, her bold gaze sweeping over him from head to toe. Before leaving, she dropped a line: “Don’t lend the test paper to anyone else.”

Not long after, Tang Ming and Lu Ye returned, arms slung over each other’s shoulders. Seeing the test paper on their deskmate’s desk, Tang Ming exclaimed in surprise, “Oh! The unknown person finally returned the test paper?”

He still remembered the biology teacher’s resentful glare.

“Let me admire the perfect-score test paper!” He reached out to grab it.

But before his hand could touch the paper, Lu Chi swiftly covered it with a book and glanced at him. “W-wait.”

The speed of his action made Tang Ming feel a bit awkward.

Seeing his uneasy expression, Lu Chi added, “I h-haven’t corrected it yet.”

“Oh, oh, oh.”

Tang Ming understood immediately. So it wasn’t intentional—Lu Chi must have such low emotional intelligence because he’d spent so much time buried in his studies.

A few minutes later, the bell rang to signal the end of class. As soon as Lu Chi left the classroom, Lu Ye sidled over and plopped into his seat, grinning. “What’s it like sitting next to the top student?”

“Intense! When I saw his English test paper, I couldn’t help but think of my own dragging scores. Damn, how can someone excel in every subject? Look at him acting all anguished just because he got one math question wrong.”

“There’ll be plenty more to come. Why didn’t they assign him to me? The homeroom teacher must have something against me—it’s frustrating.”

Lu Ye complained, but then his sharp eyes caught sight of the edge of a test paper peeking out. He reached for it.

Tang Ming tapped his hand harshly with a pen. “Don’t touch it.”

“What’s the big deal? It’s just a test paper.”

“I tried to grab it earlier, but he said he hadn’t corrected it yet. I guess he doesn’t like others touching his stuff.”

Lu Ye wasn’t convinced. “That’s all just an excuse. You don’t understand. Do you know whose hands that test paper was in a couple of days ago?”

Tang Ming looked baffled. “Who?”

“Tang Yin!”

“...You’re joking with me.”

“Why would I joke? Tang Yin sat right here and flirted with him for an entire physics class.”

Tang Ming knew about what had happened a few days ago, but hearing it framed this way made him feel there might actually be something to it.

He leaned in and whispered mischievously, “The other day, I accidentally found his name written on my math book. He erased it so cleanly that not a single trace was left. And the handwriting looked like it was done by a girl.”

Lu Ye shrugged. “Maybe Tang Yin wrote it.”

“But Lu Chi said he accidentally wrote it—I thought he was practicing calligraphy or something.”

“You don’t get it. That’s their way of being romantic.”

“...”

The two exchanged glances for a while, realizing this matter wasn’t as simple as it seemed. Their curiosity about the test paper grew even stronger, but neither dared to take it.

Lu Ye had already observed Lu Chi for some time. Though introverted, if he were truly provoked, he probably wouldn’t let things slide easily.

Besides, curiosity killed the cat. Better to suppress it.

Just as Lu Ye was about to say something more, he spotted the person they were discussing walking back into the classroom.

He coughed lightly and signaled to Tang Ming with his eyes. “Ahem, Tang Ming, what are we eating tomorrow?”

Tang Ming immediately caught on. “Tomorrow? That depends on what’s available in the cafeteria. There’s always braised pork before holidays—I’ve already planned to treat myself to a good meal. I’ve only been here a few days, and I already miss my mom’s cooking. Minced meat with eggplant, sour cabbage fish, couple’s lung slices, spicy chicken—”

Lu Ye kicked him, red-eyed. “Can you stop tempting me!”

Tang Ming looked aggrieved. “What’s wrong with you, Lu Ye? You brought it up first!”

“Then why did you list so many dishes?”

“It just came out naturally—it’s not my fault. Screw you, Lu Ye. Try kicking me again!”

With that, the two launched into a heated debate about who was at fault.

After arguing for a while, Lu Ye finally realized they were supposed to be pretending nothing was amiss. Why were they getting so worked up?

The two split ways.

Just before the bell rang, Tang Ming couldn’t resist asking again.

But as the words reached his lips, he paused upon seeing Lu Chi diligently working on his test paper.

He forced himself to change the topic. “Even though there haven’t been any inspections these past couple of days, I heard the student council is checking uniforms before tomorrow’s holiday. You’d better wear yours, or they’ll definitely deduct points.”

At this, Lu Chi nodded slightly, his voice low. “I... I know.”

Mentioning this, he pulled out his neatly folded uniform from his desk, unfolded it, and put it on.

Out of habit, his left hand slipped into the pocket—and almost immediately, he felt something different.

There was a small, angular object inside.

It was tiny, able to fit snugly between two fingers.

Lu Chi’s brow twitched. He pulled it out and placed it in his palm.

A light green pentagram.