The next day’s writing class had Ruan Ruan dragging Tang Tianman straight to the last row.
Tang Tianman slumped over her desk, shooting her a sideways glance. “Is this really necessary?”
“Totally,” Ruan Ruan replied, her eyes darting around without pause. “What if she sits right behind us? Then we won’t be able to see her again.”
“See her again? We just met yesterday… well, technically, I just spotted her yesterday.”
“But this isn’t the first writing class,” Ruan Ruan pointed out. “We never noticed her before.”
Tang Tianman propped her head up, fixing Ruan Ruan with a stare. “Don’t go copying me.”
“Copying you how?” Ruan Ruan didn’t even turn around.
Tang Tianman poked Ruan Ruan’s shoulder with one finger, over and over. “Don’t give too much attention to another girl. Things can escalate in ways you never imagined.”
Ruan Ruan burst out laughing. “If your mind’s in the gutter, everything looks dirty. I’m not as filthy-minded as you—I’m just being friendly.”
Tang Tianman pursed her lips and ignored her.
Right before class started, Jiang Xue walked in. True to her name, she was cool and pristine, like solitary fishing in cold river snow.
Unlike most students who bolted for the back rows, she headed straight to the middle of the front row. She wiped down the desk, then neatly arranged her textbook and notebook.
Her posture was impeccably straight, her hair half-tied back today, the loose strands still falling obediently and smoothly.
Ruan Ruan stared, entranced, muttering, “How is she so… umm… perfect…”
Tang Tianman felt a flicker of daze; Jiang Xue’s back view reminded her of Zheng Xiyu.
Ruan Ruan nudged her arm. “Don’t you think our sloppy, carefree types are just drawn to these super disciplined girls? Zheng Xiyu sits like she’s in a textbook too.”
Tang Tianman blinked. “You thought of Zheng Xiyu too?”
Ruan Ruan shot her a glare. “Can you focus on the point?”
Tang Tianman wasn’t in the mood to nitpick. The teacher entered, and the rowdy classroom fell quiet.
It was a big elective class, packed with people, but the last row felt safe for Tang Tianman.
Today’s topic was the same boring official document writing, perfect for letting her mind wander wherever it wanted.
And wander it did—straight to Zheng Xiyu.
Jiang Xue and Ruan Ruan were in the same Literature Academy, so they might cross paths in classes like this. But she and Zheng Xiyu? No chance.
The Literature Academy and Sports College might as well be worlds apart, split across opposite sides of campus. Suddenly, Tang Tianman wondered what Zheng Xiyu was like in class.
What were her grades like across subjects? Any major weak spots? Did she do all her homework on her own?
These were the kinds of details that only came with deeper involvement.
Friendships between girls could spark fast, and girl friendships could grow so intimate it bordered on scandalous.
Tang Tianman even knew Ruan Ruan’s bra size. At the rate things were going with Zheng Xiyu, it wouldn’t be long before she knew hers too.
The thought hit her out of nowhere, feeling off and embarrassingly thrilling.
Tang Tianman ducked her head, smiling to herself as she sneakily pulled out her phone under the desk.
Zheng Xiyu’s message from yesterday still glowed on the WeChat screen. She still hadn’t replied, too baffled by what it meant.
Zheng Xiyu wasn’t pushing her either.
That was Zheng Xiyu—seeming so casual, yet wrapping Tang Tianman up in this big, inescapable bubble.
The choice was Tang Tianman’s, but with her curiosity and possessiveness toward Zheng Xiyu, she had no real options.
Want to see Zheng Xiyu training?
Yes.
Want to attend class with Zheng Xiyu?
Yes.
Want to stick to Zheng Xiyu for every meal, even hitting the bathroom together?
Hey, we’re not high schoolers anymore. Tang Tianman buried her face in her arms on the desk.
These no-pressure elective classes flew by. Near the end, she asked Ruan Ruan, “What’s the plan?”
Ruan Ruan frowned. “Go say hi to her?”
Tang Tianman groaned. “Damn, you forgot about food.”
Ruan Ruan brightened. “Say hi and invite her to eat with us?”
Tang Tianman pouted. “I’m not your favorite anymore.”
Ruan Ruan grinned. “Go find your Zheng Xiyu then.”
“Fine.”
And she did. Who was afraid?
She tapped the Weak Chirpy Little Kitten avatar and messaged:
– Any more classes?
Zheng Xiyu replied: Got one tonight.
Tang Tianman: Wanna eat out?
Zheng Xiyu: Where are you now?
Tang Tianman hugged her phone, giggling to herself.
They agreed to meet at the overpass entrance. Tang Tianman stood under the bridge with her backpack slung over her shoulders, the scene straight out of an idol drama.
She wore a plaid uniform today: shirt, little blazer, pleated skirt, and long socks hugging her slim, straight calves.
Zheng Xiyu spotted her from the bridge—impossible to miss, both for her striking looks and the heads she turned wherever she went.
She quickened her pace and reached her side.
“Hey!” Tang Tianman greeted.
“Hi,” Zheng Xiyu replied.
“Pizza today!” Tang Tianman declared, tilting her head up.
“Sure.” Zheng Xiyu looked down at her.
They headed toward the school gate together. Tang Tianman was in high spirits, her steps light and bouncy most of the way.
Zheng Xiyu watched her ponytail sway back and forth.
Tang Tianman bounced back to her. “You said you’d be my bodyguard if I went out at night.”
“Yeah.” Zheng Xiyu always kept her word.
“But it’s not nighttime,” Tang Tianman teased. “It’s broad daylight under the clear sky…”
Zheng Xiyu cut her off. “Anyone eyes you wrong, I’ll be your bodyguard.”
Tang Tianman froze, then managed, “Damn, that’s the perfect word for it.”
Zheng Xiyu smiled.
Tang Tianman added, “And I’m the literature major here, feeling inferior.”
Zheng Xiyu’s smile widened.
Tang Tianman glanced around. “You’re doomed then—I’ve got guys eyeing me 24/7, three-sixty degrees…”
“Then 24/7, three-sixty degrees,” Zheng Xiyu interrupted again.
Tang Tianman laughed. “You wanna be tied to me? So clingy.”
Her voice lilted upward, smug and pleased.
Zheng Xiyu’s fingers twitched, then landed on Tang Tianman’s shoulder, brushing off a stray leaf.
Eating with Zheng Xiyu was pure comfort for Tang Tianman.
Need something? No need to ask—Zheng Xiyu just handed it over.
The moves looked effortless, but Tang Tianman knew it meant all of Zheng Xiyu’s attention was on her.
It left her cozy, yet oddly warm and fidgety.
When fidgety, she couldn’t sit still—tons of little movements, like a hyper kid next to the serene Zheng Xiyu.
They’d gotten there early; the pizza place wasn’t crowded, food came quick, and they scarfed it down fast. By the time they stepped out, the afternoon class crowds hadn’t even ended yet.
Tang Tianman took charge. “Let’s walk it off first, then you head back to the dorm for a nap. You said no lunch break today, and you’ve got class tonight—better recharge or you’ll run out of steam.”
“Mm.” Zheng Xiyu was agreeable.
“Our sophomore year has fewer classes, but the homework’s killer—all papers, so annoying.” Tang Tianman furrowed her brow. “I’m gonna hit the library later to snag a spot and grind out some assignments tonight.”
Zheng Xiyu stopped walking.
“The Western Literary Theory reading list from the prof is endless—all these brick-thick tomes. Ugh, no way am I hauling them back to the dorm…” Tang Tianman noticed the empty space beside her and turned. “Why’d you stop?”
Zheng Xiyu said, “My evening class is professional training.”
“Huh? What do you mean?” Tang Tianman backtracked a couple steps, looking at her.
Zheng Xiyu pointed to the flower bed edge nearby.
“Huh?” Tang Tianman was even more puzzled.
“Up.” Zheng Xiyu said.
Still confused, but obedient, Tang Tianman hopped up.
“Better for talking now?” Zheng Xiyu asked with a smile.
“Huh? Hey!” Tang Tianman swatted her shoulder. “No fair bullying the short one.”
“Where’s the bullying? You can reach my shoulder just fine.”
“You’re right.” Tang Tianman swung another playful slap. Lifting her arm at a normal angle to tag Zheng Xiyu felt amazing.
“I’m taller than you now,” she declared.
“Yeah.” Zheng Xiyu met her eyes. “I said last night you could come watch training.”
Tang Tianman’s heart skipped. So Zheng had made it all formal just to get an answer out of her.
Her gaze darted away. It was totally mutual, but saying it eye-to-eye felt sneaky.
“You’ve got class too—I can’t just…”
“It’s fine, won’t bother anyone,” Zheng Xiyu assured her. “It’s at the school Sports Gymnasium.”
“Oh…” Tang Tianman remembered. “Like the PE classes? I saw the badminton specialization team there once.”
“Pretty much.”
“I can really come?” Tang Tianman tilted her head, curious.
“Yeah.” Zheng Xiyu was firm. “Leave anytime if it’s boring. We’re sophomores picking specialization now, so it’s all basic training.”
“Bouncing around?” Tang Tianman gave a little hop.
Zheng Xiyu instinctively steadied her by the waist, afraid she might fall.
Tang Tianman’s face flushed red.
Zheng Xiyu simply kept one arm around her waist and led her down from the ledge. “Then let’s keep strolling.”
“No more strolling!” Tang Tianman declared suddenly. “I’m sleepy. I’m going back to nap for a bit.”
“Alright, see you tonight,” Zheng Xiyu said.
“See you tonight.” Tang Tianman turned and ran off.
Truth be told, she wasn’t sleepy at all. But the thought of meeting Zheng Xiyu’s classmates in just a few hours filled her with an indescribable tension.
She had to get back to her dorm, slap on a face mask, and maybe apply some light makeup if needed. As for her clothes—if she changed, it would seem too deliberate, but if she didn’t, it hardly felt right for the Sports Gymnasium.
What a headache.
In her fretting, by the time Li Tong returned to the dorm, the entire room was buried under Tang Tianman’s scattered outfits.
“Sis, you showing off your wardrobe or what?” Li Tong stared, wide-eyed.
“Aiya! Whatever!” Tang Tianman stomped her foot, threw on the same clothes she’d worn that day, grabbed her bag, and dashed out the door.
“You’re not even cleaning up!” Li Tong yelled after her.
“I’ll definitely bring you some Happy Water tonight!” Tang Tianman shouted back.
Li Tong rolled her eyes dramatically.
Time was short. By the time Tang Tianman hurried into the Sports Gymnasium, nearly all of Zheng Xiyu’s classmates had already arrived.
Xi Chun spotted her immediately, her eyes lighting up as she hobbled over at top speed despite her limp. “Senior Sister, are you waiting for Little Yu?”
Tang Tianman suddenly felt the situation growing complicated. She mumbled a vague reply and steered the conversation elsewhere with Xi Chun.
Zheng Xiyu had been watching the two of them from nearby. Once the teacher entered, she pulled Xi Chun aside. “Time for class.”
Tang Tianman glanced at the bench beside her. “Then I’ll sit here?”
“Mm.” Zheng Xiyu nodded.
The evening gymnasium buzzed with activity—some classes in session, others practicing basketball.
With so many people around, Tang Tianman didn’t stand out. She tried to make herself as small as possible, minimizing her presence, her eyes glued intently to Zheng Xiyu.
The class—boys and girls of all heights—lined up and jogged laps around a small section of the court to warm up.
Zheng Xiyu was the tallest, bringing up the rear, with all the boys ahead of her.
Xi Chun couldn’t run, so she sat on the other side, watching from afar. She and Tang Tianman exchanged distant glances now and then, and whenever their eyes met, Xi Chun would pull a silly face at her.
It was pretty cute.
After the slow jog came sprints, shuttle runs, and all sorts of other drills.
Then jumping jacks, frog jumps—every kind of leap imaginable.
Tang Tianman was exhausted just watching.
Next came the real spectacle. The group lined up against the wall for deep squats. At first, it was standard form, but suddenly they paired off for weighted squats, one riding on another’s shoulders to add resistance. The poses looked just like a parent carrying a child, and everyone burst into laughter, unable to hold it in.
Tang Tianman’s gaze fixed on Zheng Xiyu.
The pairs formed, but Zheng Xiyu was left without one.
Their class had originally been even-numbered.
Xi Chun stood up, looking ready to head over.
She couldn’t carry Zheng Xiyu on her back, but that didn’t stop Zheng Xiyu from carrying her.
Unable to stop herself, Tang Tianman shot to her feet.
The movement wasn’t conspicuous—just someone who’d been sitting too long, stretching her legs.
But Zheng Xiyu’s eyes snapped right to her, locking on with pinpoint accuracy.
A strange heat rippled across Tang Tianman’s cheeks. She opened her mouth, but no words came.
If she got bored, she could leave anytime—that’s what Zheng Xiyu had told her.
Tang Tianman shifted her feet slightly. Zheng Xiyu tilted her head and murmured something to the teacher, then beckoned her over.
Tang Tianman’s heart pounded wildly. In a panic, she pointed toward the door.
Zheng Xiyu didn’t oblige. Instead, she pointed at herself.
Tang Tianman froze in place.
Zheng Xiyu jogged over, drawing every eye in the class.
She stopped right in front of Tang Tianman, blocking her view entirely.
Looking down at her, the bright overhead lights blazed like the midday sun.
Tang Tianman swallowed, her throat suddenly dry.
“Help me out,” Zheng Xiyu said.
Tang Tianman’s voice came out tight. “With what?”
Zheng Xiyu’s gaze never wavered, staring straight at her. “That.”
Tang Tianman knew exactly what “that” meant.
But what’s normal for you gym rats looks totally different to us bookworms, okay?
She was wearing a skirt, and you wanted her to climb on your shoulders?
Damn, Tang Tianman cursed inwardly, feeling her legs already starting to burn.
