Mo Xiangwen held Bai Shishi’s hand, helping her steady her body as he looked at her with some concern.
Although Bai Shishi had mentioned before coming to school that her health wasn’t great, he hadn’t expected her to run into problems after walking just a few hundred meters.
He carefully examined her complexion and asked, “Are you okay? Why don’t you rest for a bit nearby first?”
Bai Shishi nodded dazedly, too woozy to speak.
Seeing that her condition wasn’t good, Yan Nuoya reached out to take her other hand and make it easier to guide her along, but Bai Shishi dodged with a quick step back.
Girl, was that half-step retreat for real? Yan Nuoya was suddenly at a loss for words.
“Sorry, I just…” Ashamed of her instinctive rudeness, Bai Shishi blushed and said apologetically, “I’m not used to physical contact with strangers.”
Fortunately, her face was already flushed, so neither of them noticed the added color.
Mo Xiangwen shot Yan Nuoya a subtle glance. The perceptive Yan Nuoya caught his look, thought for a moment, and understood what he meant.
【Hiding your identity, is it fun?】
“It’s fine.” Yan Nuoya pursed her lips, ignoring him as she turned back to Bai Shishi. “Are you alright?”
“Mm, no problem.” Bai Shishi shook her head and managed a smile.
After a brief hesitation, she continued, “Just now, I just… um, wasn’t paying attention.”
“You should still rest for a bit first. If you don’t feel right, we can head to the school infirmary.”
Mo Xiangwen looked down at Bai Shishi’s hand in his, hesitated for a moment, but decided to lead her to a resting spot first.
Bai Shishi glanced at him and fell silent, but she didn’t pull away or struggle.
Taking that as tacit approval, Mo Xiangwen led her over to a stone bench under the shade of a nearby tree.
The bench was only big enough for two people, but neither he nor Yan Nuoya had any intention of sitting. Instead, they stood nearby, watching over Bai Shishi.
After sitting and resting for a while, Bai Shishi’s ragged breathing gradually evened out, and she began to look more energetic.
Mo Xiangwen asked with concern, “You sure you’re okay? If you’re really not feeling well, we can go rest at the school infirmary.”
He had no experience dealing with frail girls like this and wasn’t sure about the specifics of Bai Shishi’s condition.
She seemed to be out of immediate danger, but to be safe, he wanted to check with her directly.
“Mm, sorry, Xiao Yi.” Bai Shishi nodded vigorously, her small face full of earnestness. “But really, it’s fine. I’m keeping tabs on my own health.”
“This time, it was just because I don’t have experience going out in weather like this. I’ll be more careful next time.”
“Sister Nuoya, sorry for worrying you too.”
Yan Nuoya shook her head gently to show it was no big deal.
“Good, then rest a little longer. I’ll message the president and the others to find out where they are.”
Mo Xiangwen didn’t bother correcting how she addressed him. It was normal for it to take time to adjust.
Just as he reached for his phone, Bai Shishi patted the spot beside her on the bench, looking up at him with full expectation.
He shook his head, declining the invitation from Bai Shishi, and opened the group chat for a look. There were no new messages today.
That made sense. With Bai Shishi and Yan Nuoya right there beside him, none of them had time to hang out in the group chat.
As for Su Mengyao and Su Mengli, the two were practically inseparable. Anything they had to say, they could just discuss in person.
A few messages in the group with no replies, and naturally, they wouldn’t keep going.
It was a shame, though. He’d been looking forward to seeing their reactions to his sudden arrival.
Then, once they relaxed, he could bring out Bai Shishi and reveal that she was Bai Bai.
That ought to be pretty entertaining, and it wasn’t like it was a malicious prank or anything.
Human-Dragon Unity: @Don’t Play Holy Slash @Pass One Charm Where are you guys? Can’t find you.
He waited a good while before seeing any replies.
Don’t Play Holy Slash: Tutoring Xiao Huo at the library. What’s up?
Human-Dragon Unity: Didn’t Xiao Huo say she was going to help out at the Anime Club? How’d she end up at the library?
Inside the library, Su Mengli patted her silly little sister, who was sprawled on the desk pretending to sleep.
Once the girl shot her a glare full of indignation, Su Mengli showed her the phone screen.
Su Mengyao’s eyes immediately lit up as she pulled out her own phone.
Pass One Charm: Because I thought you had a point, so I submitted my club resignation yesterday.
Pass One Charm: In this heat, I’d rather study with the president at the library—at least there’s AC.
The library? It was a good spot—plenty of space and air conditioning.
But libraries required quiet, and taking Bai Shishi there right now meant they couldn’t really chat freely.
Plus, it was a bit of a walk, and he was still worried about her health.
The commercial street, on the other hand, was much closer, and there were plenty of shops with AC.
The problem was, other than Yipin Tea, he didn’t know any other places suitable for the group to hang out.
Human-Dragon Unity: @Don’t Play Holy Slash You free? Mind giving Xiao Huo a break?
Su Mengyao glanced at the message and immediately put on a pitiful expression as she looked toward Su Mengli.
Su Mengli eyed her pathetic, silly little sister and could only nod.
Don’t Play Holy Slash: Mm.
With approval secured, Su Mengyao hurriedly typed a message in the group.
Pass One Charm: Yay! Where to?
Human-Dragon Unity: That’s what I was about to ask you.
Human-Dragon Unity: Any good spots for sitting down and chatting?
Pass One Charm: Mm… plenty of options.
Pass One Charm: But just chatting? Want to play some board games or something?
Mo Xiangwen asked, “Bai Shishi, do you want to play board games?”
“Didn’t we agree you’d call me Shishi?” Bai Shishi sidestepped his question and asked back, “How come Xiao Yi’s still calling me Bai Shishi after all this time?”
“Is there a difference between Bai Shishi and Shishi?” he asked, puzzled. “It’s not like some anime scenario. They’re the same to us, right?”
“There is. Calling just the two characters makes it sound like we’re closer.”
Bai Shishi stood up from the stone bench and came to stand beside him. “If you don’t want to, you can keep calling me Bai Bai.”
“It’s just that I’m not used to it yet. Calling online handles now that we’re meeting in person would be too weird.”
“So it’s settled—you’ll call me Shishi, or Bai Bai.”
Mo Xiangwen nodded. “Alright, I’ll try to call you Shishi.”
Bai Shishi pouted in dissatisfaction. She still preferred being called Bai Bai.
“Do you want to play board games with the president and the others, then? Or just meet up and chat for a bit?”
“I want to play board games.” Bai Shishi nodded firmly. “I want to play board games with Xiao Yi and everyone.”
“So no more online names.” Mo Xiangwen sighed helplessly.
