Chapter 26: Angel’s Pity – 1

People quickly returned to the dormitory.

The incident with Su Nanfeng and Gu Xizhou had caused a huge commotion, and many students recognized their faces. Seeing them sitting and eating together, students from other classes whispered amongst themselves.

Gu Xizhou was already on edge. When she noticed the previously empty dorm room now had other people in it, she felt like she was sitting on pins and needles.

She wolfed down her meal in three big bites. Once Su Zhiyi had also finished, she snatched the other’s lunch box and said frantically: “I’ll wash these! I’ll bring you the mosquito repellent later. See you!”

Before Su Zhiyi could even respond, Gu Xizhou grabbed both lunch boxes and bolted.

Su Zhiyi stood up to call after her: “Hey…”

But before she finished, Gu Xizhou had vanished.

A dozen or so minutes later, Gu Xizhou appeared at the omega dormitory entrance with the washed lunch boxes and an unopened bottle of mosquito repellent. By now, most of the students were back.

Although classmate attitudes were initially cold towards Su Zhiyi due to Su Nanfeng’s influence, Su Zhiyi’s beauty and kind nature quickly helped her blend in with them.

So as soon as her roommates returned, they gathered around her like flowers, chattering brightly.

Gu Xizhou stood in the doorway, watching the gaggle of girls cluster around Su Zhiyi, seeing her talk and smile like a pampered ruler surrounded by beauties. She didn’t know whether to call out or not.

Just then, Zhang Chuchu, from the same class, arrived at the dormitory door with a couple of companions. Seeing Gu Xizhou lurking at the entrance, she slapped her on the shoulder. “Gu Xizhou!”

Startled, Gu Xizhou turned to meet the young woman’s bright, smiling face. “What are you doing here? Peeping on the Omega dorm?” Zhang Chuchu asked.

Gu Xizhou’s face quickly flushed crimson. Zhang Chuchu narrowed her eyes, enjoying her flustered state. Her sharp eyes spotted the mosquito repellent in Gu Xizhou’s hands. She stroked her chin and grinned: “Ah… mosquito repellent. Delivering it to Su Zhiyi?”

Gu Xizhou nodded and thrust the items toward Zhang Chuchu, looking up at her with an earnest face. “It’s not convenient for me to go in. Zhang Chuchu, could you give this to her for me?”

Zhang Chuchu raised an eyebrow, her smile bold. “Sure, give it here. I’ll take it to her.”

“Thank you!”

Gu Xizhou shoved everything into her arms, turned around, and fled in a fluster.

As she ran down the stairs, she seemed to hear Zhang Chuchu yelling loudly behind her: “Zhiyi~ your little girlfriend brought you mosquito repellent~”

Hearing this while stepping down the stairs, Gu Xizhou nearly tripped and tumbled down.

She grabbed the railing and fled as if a ghost was chasing her, bolting all the way back to the second floor.

This little episode meant Gu Xizhou didn’t sleep well the entire noon break. The spot under the band-aid seemed to be inflaming, both itchy and painful.

Thinking about Su Zhiyi’s various actions, she tossed and turned restlessly.

Su Zhiyi… was just too good to her. Good to the point it felt unusual.

As an experienced veteran, 0820 understood exactly what this young alpha was thinking. Sensing the chaotic brainwave activity, she mercilessly laughed. “You’re overthinking things. She only feels guilt, making amends, and a momentary pity for you. Definitely not that kind of feeling.”

Gu Xizhou pursed her lips, hugged her blanket, and didn’t reply.

As a veteran, 0820 analyzed it for her: “People like Su Zhiyi seem very kind and tolerant to everyone, able to quickly get along with anyone.”

“It’s because she has excellent empathy and rich emotions. She’s forgiving and understanding, so she can connect downwards.”

“As a friend, anyone can be comfortable with her. But pursuing her… that’s hard.”

Very hard, very hard…

The gentler a person is, the firmer their inner core tends to be. They possess an extremely strong sense of control over everything about themselves, body and mind.

Su Zhiyi was exactly this type of person. Gentle, resolute, but with exceptionally strict standards for choosing a partner.

If it wasn’t true love, she’d rather not have anyone.

Gu Xizhou’s chaotic heartbeat slowly steadied along with 0820’s words. She lay on her bed, eyes closed, and retorted: “I never said I wanted to pursue her…”

0820 sneered, turning on full firepower: “As if I don’t understand you adolescent alphas. Your heads are full of romance… and partners… your thoughts are filthy.”

“During your school years, you’d better focus on your studies. Don’t think about all this messy stuff. You’ve got a long future ahead of you.”

Gu Xizhou sighed and mumbled: “I know… I know…”

0820 hadn’t finished lecturing yet: “You and Su Zhiyi are not on equal footing, in many ways. To be with her, you have a lot of work to do.”

“If you truly like Su Zhiyi, you’d better improve yourself to be worthy of her.”

“Don’t assume she might become your future wife; if you’re not outstanding enough, she won’t want you.”

Gu Xizhou was momentarily speechless. 0820, are you here to help me or to tear me down?

0820 chuckled lightly and said flatly: “Of course, I’m here to help you.”

“If you don’t improve yourself, what’s the use even if you end up with good parents, a good family, a good wife?”

“Gu Xizhou, your life is just… your life. Focus on living it well first, then worry about the rest.”

Even if her Zhiyi truly awakened and still loved her deeply, she wouldn’t choose to date at such an immature stage.

They’d wait until they each climbed to their respective peaks, until they were outstanding enough, then they would decide.

—

After 0820’s consolation, Gu Xizhou’s turbulent little emotions gradually subsided.

But teenagers love gossip. Finding a break during afternoon training, Gu Xizhou still got teased.

Under the blazing autumn sun, students in their thin camouflage uniforms sat scattered on the green lawn, taking off their caps to fan themselves.

Gu Xizhou took a handkerchief from her pocket and wiped the stinging sweat from her face, her eyes half-closed.

Wang Mao, sitting next to her, looked at the band-aid on her face with curiosity. “Gu Xizhou, did you put that band-aid on at noon? Did you bring it, or did the infirmary give it to you? It’s so cute.”

Gu Xizhou’s hand wiping her face paused. A classmate behind her let out a bright laugh: “Zhiyi put it on her, right?”

Wang Mao let out an “Oh~” and looked at Gu Xizhou meaningfully. “Zhiyi gave it to you~”

All the surrounding classmates adopted subtle “I know, I get it” expressions as they sized up Gu Xizhou. She felt a mix of embarrassment and irritation at their stares.

Wang Mao, loving the drama, turned her head towards the back row where Su Zhiyi was and shouted: “Su Zhiyi…”

Su Zhiyi looked up, squinting at her. “Mm?”

Wang Mao’s round, red-apple face broke into a wide grin, showing a row of white teeth. “Did you put that band-aid on Gu Xizhou’s face?”

Students from nearby classes instantly focused on Su Zhiyi, their eyes sparkling with gossip.

Gu Xizhou, back still to Su Zhiyi, didn’t turn around. Her ears were so red they looked ready to bleed.

Under everyone’s gaze, Su Zhiyi smiled, her eyes curving like crescent moons as she answered candidly: “Yes, I put it on.”

Before the students could start their “Wooow~” teasing, she added seriously: “I have cold medicine, pharyngitis pills, fever reducers… also medicated oil, alcohol…”

“Classmates, if any of you get hurt like Gu Xizhou, you can all come to me.”

A female beta classmate boldly called out: “Do you also apply the band-aid for us?”

Su Zhiyi curved her eyes gently and said softly: “I do.”

“I’ve studied first aid, so I can handle sprains and bruises.”

She was so completely nonchalant, showing none of the shyness or awkwardness a girl her age might typically have. This actually embarrassed the students who were hoping to watch some “fun.” They giggled and let the matter drop, the air filled with happy laughter.

Gu Xizhou used her handkerchief to wipe her burning cheeks. It took a while before she let out a long sigh of relief, suppressing her thunderous heartbeat.

Luckily… luckily Su Zhiyi wasn’t angry.

Enduring the heat on her face, Gu Xizhou turned her head and secretly glanced at Su Zhiyi. Seeing her talking gently with classmates in the front row, a hint of bitterness crept into her heart.

0820 was right. Su Zhiyi was really a very mature person.

Mature enough that no harmless joke could sway her emotions.

At dusk, the instructor briefly dismissed the platoon.

Gu Xizhou followed the crowd to the cafeteria. She dejectedly took her meal and found a spot in the corner.

Dinnertime, the cafeteria was bustling with the clatter of utensils. Gu Xizhou put a piece of spare rib into her mouth, but for some reason, it tasted bland.

0820 saw through her thoughts: “Ah~ food doesn’t taste good without someone accompanying you!”

Gu Xizhou, stubborn, muttered: “That’s not it!”

A soft voice cut in: “What’s not?”

Gu Xizhou abruptly looked up to see Su Zhiyi in front of her. Su Zhiyi had appeared from nowhere, put down her tray, and sat naturally opposite her.

Gu Xizhou’s eyes widened. “How did you…”

Why are you here with me?

Su Zhiyi picked up her chopsticks and began moving some of the extra food she’d taken onto Gu Xizhou’s tray. As she did so, she said: “What about me? I called out to you from behind earlier, why didn’t you answer?”

“What were you daydreaming about?”

Staring at the extra food appearing in her tray, Gu Xizhou found it a bit unbelievable. “No… I…”

“You…”

Why are you sharing your food with me again?!

Su Zhiyi carefully pressed down the food she’d transferred to Gu Xizhou’s tray with her spoon, then looked up at her, a smile in her eyes. “I took too much. It’s bad to waste it. You can finish it, right?”

“Ah… uh…” Gu Xizhou’s brain was mush. She replied vaguely, “I can.”

You can feed a half-grown kid a ton; a growing alpha could finish any amount of food given.

Su Zhiyi sighed in relief, her eyes smiling warmly. “That’s good. Not wasting food is good.”

“Hurry up and eat then.”

Gu Xizhou nodded and buried her head to continue eating.

After a couple of mouthfuls, she mustered the courage to look at Su Zhiyi opposite her. “Why aren’t you eating with the other classmates from our class?”

Why come find me?

The girl, whose face was flushed a healthy pink from the day’s exercise, looked translucent and fair.

She held a spare rib between her teeth, her eyes curved like crescent moons, a smile in them: “Aren’t I eating with a classmate from our class right now?”

Gu Xizhou was speechless for a moment. After thinking, she muttered: “You know that’s not what I meant.”

Su Zhiyi chewed her rib unhurriedly, then asked casually: “Then what do you mean?”

Gu Xizhou was conflicted. She bit her lip and considered before saying: “I just feel… this isn’t quite appropriate.”

Su Zhiyi feigned confusion: “Why not?”

She had very beautiful eyes, pure like a fawn in the woods, innocent and mesmerizing.

Gu Xizhou looked at the young woman’s clear face, frowning hesitantly. “If we’re always together like this… people will talk.”

Su Zhiyi let out an “Ah,” put down her chopsticks, and leaned slightly closer, lowering her voice: “Do you mind?”

In the cafeteria, full of a thousand different smells, the fresh cherry scent from her cut through the aroma of food and various sweat odors, hitting Gu Xizhou’s nose with startling clarity.

The fragrance went straight to her head. Gu Xizhou was completely flustered.

Her mouth opened and closed. After a long pause, she finally stammered: “I… I don’t mind… I’m worried about you…”

Su Zhiyi was curious: “Worried about me, why?”

Gu Xizhou stared at the magnified beauty before her, her heart almost stopping.

She dropped her gaze, poked the rice in her tray, and mumbled quietly: “Afraid people will misunderstand… think we’re together or something…”

Su Zhiyi burst out laughing, a soft puff of air. “What, that’s what you were thinking?”

She leaned back slightly and looked at Gu Xizhou with a grin: “That kind of thing… whatever people say doesn’t matter, right? It’s not true anyway.”

“We know it’s not like that, so it’s fine.”

Su Zhiyi spoke with such composure. Gu Xizhou calmed down a little, looked up at her, and said earnestly: “It’s precisely because it’s not true that people shouldn’t be allowed to gossip.”

She’d already suffered enough from rumors; she wasn’t going through that again.

Su Zhiyi lowered her head and looked into the earnest, dark eyes of the frail girl before her, oddly understanding her thoughts completely.

They looked at each other in silence.

A subtle atmosphere spread between them. All the surrounding noise seemed to fade into the distance. Only one pair of eyes, far away, landed on them at that moment.

A dozen steps away, Su Nanfeng gripped her food tray with one hand, glaring across the rows of people at the pair, who seemed lost in their own world in the corner. She was so angry she nearly snapped the chopsticks she was holding.

Gu Xizhou—

You damn midget! Get away from my sister!

Furious, furious! She should never have come to this school! If she’d known that Gu Xizhou would end up catching her sister’s attention this way, she would never have put herself through this aggravation!