Chapter 20: Meeting My Wife: Day 20 Part 2

This was supposed to be the outcome she wanted, yet she couldn’t bear the girl’s cold stare, her distant demeanor—or worst of all, being addressed so politely as “Classmate Bei Huai.”

She admitted it: she regretted it.

She admitted it: she was selfish.

She truly couldn’t bear to push Jiang Wan away.

After that day, their relationship thawed considerably, though it didn’t return to its former warmth.

Jiang Wan never said whether she forgave her, keeping her attitude cool and detached. But at least she no longer rejected Bei Huai’s presence or ignored her outright.

That alone was enough to let Bei Huai breathe a sigh of relief.

“You reap what you sow—that’s the price of messing around,” Senior Cen Jin teased without mercy.

Bei Huai shot her a glare. “Are you that bored? Go keep your girlfriend company. No room for you here.”

“What girlfriend? I’m flying solo.”

“Huh, turned over a new leaf? That’s not like you.” Bei Huai gave her a surprised second glance.

“Tch. I’ve made up my mind—no more chasing after those junior schoolgirls. Time to focus on my studies.” Senior Cen Jin declared it with righteous fervor, but the unnatural flicker in her expression gave her away.

Bei Huai let out a couple of skeptical snorts, making it clear she wasn’t buying it.

“Believe it or not,” Senior Cen Jin muttered under her breath.

~~~

“Didn’t sleep well last night? You’ve been yawning the whole way,” Jiang Wan said, eyeing Guanguan curiously.

“Hehe, I didn’t hit the hay until one in the morning,” Guanguan replied with a beaming smile, wearing her exhaustion like a badge of honor.

Jiang Wan frowned in confusion. “What were you up to so late?”

“Chatting with Senior Cen Jin. We just lost track of time.” Guanguan scratched her head sheepishly, her smile so sweet that Jiang Wan couldn’t bring herself to tease her.

Guanguan had always made a point of not bothering Senior Cen Jin—keeping things strictly to the point and never interrupting her studies.

But yesterday, their conversation hit some unexpected spark. The usually aloof senior suddenly opened up, turning chatty and engaged.

They talked about everything: family, school, hobbies, dreams for the future.

To Guanguan’s delight, she discovered they shared so many ideas. The deeper they dove, the more natural and enjoyable it felt.

She liked Senior Cen Jin even more today!

“Hey, Wanwan, isn’t that Bei Huai over there?” Guanguan, lost in her thoughts, caught a familiar figure out of the corner of her eye and snapped to attention.

Jiang Wan instinctively looked over.

Beneath the dappled shade of the trees, Bei Huai stood tall and striking, her red hair a vivid splash amid the crowd.

A girl stood beside her—tall, with long legs and a graceful figure. Even from the back, her beauty was unmistakable.

The two of them together looked surprisingly well-matched.

The girl appeared to be saying something to Bei Huai, who—for once—didn’t show any impatience. Instead, she listened attentively.

“That girl next to Bei Huai looks familiar,” Guanguan said, squinting as she racked her brain.

“Oh, right! It’s Qin Luoyao from Class 5, Senior Year 3. Back before Bei Huai had to repeat a year, they were in the same class.”

“Are they close?” Jiang Wan asked abruptly.

“Huh? I’m not sure, but a while back, when someone on the forum was spreading dirt about Qin Luoyao, Bei Huai stepped in and shut it down. That’s actually how I first learned about her.”

“Speaking of which, that girl’s impressive. Top grades, and she’s a star runner—won the women’s 1500-meter twice at the Sports Meet. Me? I can barely handle 800 meters.”

As Jiang Wan listened to Guanguan and watched the pair chatting away as if no one else existed, her good mood evaporated.

A heavy, stifled frustration settled in her chest.

“I’ve got something to take care of. I’m heading out,” Jiang Wan said abruptly, turning toward the classroom.

“Bei Huai, I really can’t thank you enough. I know this money is pocket change to you, but it was a lifeline for me.” Qin Luoyao’s voice grew emotional, and she wiped away a tear in embarrassment.

“Just pay it back when you can,” Bei Huai replied, her tone comparatively cool.

“I came specifically to thank you in person.”

Back in their freshman year, Qin Luoyao had been hit with vicious rumors. In desperation, she’d turned to Bei Huai with no real expectations. But Bei Huai hadn’t asked questions—she’d simply handled it.

That encounter had given Bei Huai her first glimpse into Qin Luoyao’s story.

Coming from an impoverished family with her mother tormented by illness, the young girl could only bury herself in her studies, fighting desperately for a way out. Getting into No. 13 Middle School was something Qin Luoyao hadn’t anticipated, but it also meant she could absorb more knowledge and glimpse a wider world.

Yet her father’s sudden collapse plunged Qin Luoyao’s world into darkness.

The surgery cost 100,000 yuan—even after the hospital slashed it repeatedly.

But even 50,000 was beyond her reach.

In that moment of utter despair, Bei Huai stepped in and lent her 100,000.

Saving her father’s life.

Fortunately, the surgery succeeded, her part-time jobs went smoothly, and she managed to pull herself back together.

Now, she had finally scraped together the full 100,000 and could pay Bei Huai back.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll head out.” The usually aloof Bei Huai’s expression suddenly lit up with that single glance.

Qin Luoyao followed her gaze and caught sight of a girl’s figure receding into the distance.

“Is that the one you like?” she asked with a smile.

She knew the school’s impression of Bei Huai was skewed, but this was the first time she’d seen her so rattled.

“Nonsense,” Bei Huai snapped under her breath, then promptly chased after the figure.

“Looks like she hasn’t realized it herself yet,” Qin Luoyao murmured, watching the girl vanish from sight.

Bei Huai probably didn’t even know her own eyes had been sparkling as she gazed at her.

The moment she stepped into the classroom, Jiang Wan approached the Sports Committee Member. “Can I change my event?”

The Sports Committee Member blinked in surprise but replied readily, “Sure thing. I’ll grab the registration form for you.”

“Thanks.”

This year’s Autumn Sports Meet was scheduled for November 10.

Less than ten days away.

Jiang Wan had gotten her cast off just two days earlier, but after a little adjustment, she was fine. She’d planned to just go through the motions and signed up for long jump.

But now she’d changed her mind.

“1500 meters? You sure you can handle that?” The Sports Committee Member stared at the revised event in astonishment.

“Yeah.” Jiang Wan made the change and returned to her seat.

No sooner had the Sports Committee Member tucked the form away than someone else sidled up.

“Show me the registration sheet.” Bei Huai rapped on the desk.

“Oh, right.” The Sports Committee Member shuddered slightly but handed it over with practiced speed.

Bei Huai leafed through it purposefully. When she reached Jiang Wan’s name and saw the event beside it, a flicker of puzzlement crossed her eyes.

She paused for a few seconds, then scrawled her own name in the women’s 1500-meter slot.

After grinding through two tough math problems, Jiang Wan’s head finally cleared. Reflecting on her idiotic impulse, she wanted nothing more than to smack herself.

It had been a spur-of-the-moment thing—her hand had moved all on its own.

1500 meters! Not 800, not even 1000. The thought alone was soul-crushing.

She regretted it deeply.

But she’d just changed it—backing out now would look ridiculous. Worse, she refused to admit that… she’d let inexplicable feelings for Bei Huai goad her into something so brainless.

After wrestling with it endlessly, she screwed up her courage to request another change, only for the Sports Committee Member to inform her the form had already been turned in.

Jiang Wan: Regret. Pure, unadulterated regret.

When Guanguan heard, she let out a low whistle. “Well, damn.”

“Don’t worry—I’ll be in the stands cheering you on,” she said solemnly, clapping Jiang Wan on the shoulder.

“You… take care of yourself.”

“I appreciate that,” Jiang Wan shot back, rolling her eyes.

“Hahaha, so what got into you? What kind of death wish is this?”

Jiang Wan had no comeback.

What got into her? Heh, as if she’d ever admit it. Not in a million years.

She’d never give Guan Shaorong the satisfaction of laughing at her.

To avoid total humiliation on event day, and with a few days still left, Jiang Wan resolved to train—run more, build her stamina.

After afternoon classes ended, she hit the track.

Sportswear, running shoes—all set.

But she flagged before even hitting 800 meters.

Panting hard as she jogged along, a voice suddenly piped up from behind.

“Control your breathing. Every four steps is best.”

Jiang Wan stumbled to a halt and glanced back.

“What are you doing here?”

Bei Huai had been jogging at an easy pace but stopped when Jiang Wan did.

“Training. I signed up for 1500 too,” she said offhandedly.

Once she’d caught her breath, Jiang Wan asked dubiously, “Why’d you sign up for it?”

Bei Huai had never joined a sports meet before.

“Why’d you?” Bei Huai shot back.

Jiang Wan: “…”

“You’re panting like that after just 800 meters, and you signed up for 1500? You’ve sure got some courage,” Bei Huai said, one hand tucked in her pocket as she gazed at the girl’s flushed little face. She lowered her head and let out a soft chuckle.

“Mind your own business,” Jiang Wan replied, wrinkling her nose. She knew Bei Huai’s words sounded harsh, but they rang true.

Though she had practiced dance since childhood and possessed decent stamina and endurance, she lacked the proper techniques and pacing for long-distance running.

Of course, she could finish the 1500 meters. It would just leave her utterly drained.

“Alright, let’s keep going. I’ll run with you. Focus on your form, control your breathing and stride frequency. No matter what happens, don’t let anything throw off your rhythm.”

Bei Huai clearly knew her stuff when it came to running, laying out the advice with crisp authority.

The glow of the setting sun bathed the girl’s profile, softening the indifferent set of her brows and eyes.

Jiang Wan fixed her gaze on the silver stud piercing Bei Huai’s left ear. After a moment’s pause, she blurted out on impulse, “Be honest—did you sign up for the 1500 because of me?”

Bei Huai arched an eyebrow and tugged her lips into a smirk.

Her poise was utterly captivating.

Just like the day they first met, that smile carried a rakish edge.

She said,

“Guess.”