Chapter 12: That Delicate Flower (12)

The homeroom teacher frowned at Song Qi. “You know high school is an important time, don’t you, Xu Yangnuan? I know you’ve always been a good student who takes your studies seriously. I don’t want other things distracting you.”

“Teacher, weren’t you the one who distracted me in the first place?” Song Qi tugged at the corner of her mouth. She looked like she was smiling, but there wasn’t a trace of amusement in her eyes. What was wrong with this teacher? She was contradicting herself.

The homeroom teacher stared at her. She hadn’t expected Song Qi to talk to her like this. The old Xu Yangnuan would only ever say “yes” or “okay.”

“Did I know you’d go play basketball with him?” The teacher’s voice rose sharply. “I trusted you, so I let the two of you sit together. I thought you wouldn’t let him distract you.”

“He didn’t distract me. I was the one who challenged him. We made a bet: if I beat him, he’d study properly.” Song Qi met the teacher’s eyes. “I won. If he has any pride or integrity, he’ll study with me from now on. So, in a way, I have influenced him.”

The other teachers in the office laughed as they watched Song Qi.

“As class monitor, I think it’s my responsibility to correct Qin Xiao’s attitude toward studying,” Song Qi said calmly. “As for anything else, you don’t have to worry. I’m not interested in him.”

Qin Xiao had been about to enter the office. He heard every word and scowled.

The homeroom teacher’s expression stiffened. She rubbed her temples, looking troubled. “But I need you to keep your grades up.”

“Of course. I know what I’m doing with my own life.” Song Qi nodded.

“Go back to class.”

“Okay. Goodbye, Teacher.” Song Qi glanced at the shadow that had just vanished outside the door. She wasn’t surprised.

She left the office and spotted Qin Xiao leaning against the wall around the corner, striking a pose. They looked at each other.

“I expect you to keep your promise.” A hint of challenge glinted in Song Qi’s eyes. “Don’t make me think less of you.”

“Hmph.”

“Go back and finish your National Day homework. If you’re still at the bottom of the whole school after the next monthly exam…” Song Qi narrowed her eyes. “You can admit in front of everyone that you’re a loser.”

She noticed Qin Xiao’s expression change.

“How hard can it be to stop coming in last?”

Song Qi glanced at Qin Xiao and walked away.

Qin Xiao cursed under his breath. A surge of indignation rushed through him, and he shouted after her, “What are you so smug about? I’ll pass you in no time!”

The teachers in the office: …

Song Qi turned her head and gave Qin Xiao a sidelong glance, then scoffed. “Then get to it. I’ll be waiting.”

Qin Xiao ground his teeth.

Kids really are kids, Song Qi thought.

You’re only a few years older than him.

Yeah. Ten years.

As she passed Gu Si’s classroom, Song Qi glanced inside out of habit. Gu Si’s seat was empty.

Her face remained blank as she walked on.

That seat stayed empty through dinner.

After eating, Song Qi bought some food to take away, picked up medicine from the infirmary, and headed for the dormitory.

I wonder how much she dosed that drink with.

Song Qi paused outside Gu Si’s room, then knocked.

“The door’s unlocked,” came the girl’s soft voice from inside.

Song Qi pushed the door open and went in. Gu Si was leaning against the bed, holding a cup of plain water. The room smelled of food.

“Have you eaten?”

Gu Si glanced at the things in Song Qi’s hand. For some reason, she looked a little guilty and turned her eyes away, blinking. “Why are you here?”

Song Qi ignored the question and went to Gu Si’s desk.

“I bought some medicine. Take it if you’re still hurting,” she said evenly.

“Okay.” Gu Si nodded.

Song Qi set the medicine on the desk. “I’m leaving.”

“Okay. Bye.” Gu Si followed her with her eyes.

Song Qi walked out of the dorm with the food. As soon as she reached the entrance, she dropped it into the trash can.

Host, that’s such a waste.

“Nobody else is going to eat it, and I can’t bring it back to class. What do you expect me to do with it?”

After Song Qi left, Gu Si put her cup on the desk and burrowed under the covers, frowning.

By the time Song Qi returned to the classroom, most of the students had arrived. She exchanged a glance with the homeroom teacher at the lectern. The teacher frowned at her, displeased.

Song Qi pretended not to notice.

Qin Xiao was doing his homework. Song Qi took a quick look.

Of the fifteen multiple-choice questions, he’d gotten thirteen wrong.

Qin Xiao must have felt her gaze. He silently covered his worksheet with his hand and looked at her warily.

Song Qi’s mouth twitched.

High school might have seemed peaceful, but the story wasn’t going to let them just study their way through it.

During evening study, a senior student jumped from the dormitory building.

This plot had originally been meant for the female lead. She was alone in the dormitory when it happened, and the male lead comforted her afterward, making her feel safe and bringing the two of them closer.

Now it was Gu Si in the female lead’s place.

And without the heroine halo, Gu Si had it even worse. She saw everything. She’d been on her way to evening study when the student landed right in front of her. She saw the whole thing.

Everything had lined up perfectly.

If it had been the female lead, she would’ve seen no more than a shadow.

This villainess has it so rough.

The next time Song Qi saw Gu Si, the girl was pale and trembling as she leaned against the railing.

Song Qi watched quietly. Gu Si looked up, bit her lip, and burst into tears.

“Yangnuan…”

Song Qi reached out, stroked Gu Si’s hair, and pulled her into her arms. She patted her back.

“It was so scary. There was blood everywhere… She just—she just fell. And some of the blood splashed on my face.” Gu Si’s voice was hoarse.

Song Qi didn’t know what to say. She held Gu Si and gently patted her back as the girl cried.

The teacher came by twice but didn’t say anything. After seeing something like that, it was only natural that Gu Si needed to let it out. The school would arrange counseling later.

As Gu Si’s sobs slowly faded, her breathing evened out against Song Qi.

Song Qi could only stare in disbelief.