Chapter 19: Evening Self-Study
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Eating the apple that Bei Queting had peeled for her, He Jingsu’s dangling legs swung back and forth, giving off a sense of contentment.
Watching her, Bei Queting’s heart softened. She gently poked her cheek with her index finger and was met with a slightly bewildered look.
Dazed and well-behaved, Bei Queting chuckled softly. He Jingsu laughed along with her, not minding at all why she had suddenly poked her cheek.
Just as He Jingsu was about to finish her apple, Xia Mu came in. She looked at He Jingsu sitting obediently next to Bei Queting, eating her apple, and a complex expression flashed across her face.
Why did she feel like Bei Queting was spoiling He Jingsu like a little cub? She would make her a cup of milk every morning and evening, and there were all sorts of snacks in between. She was taking care of her in every possible way.
“Hello!” He Jingsu gave Xia Mu a bright smile and greeted her proactively.
“Hello, Junior He.” Xia Mu gave her a shy smile and then returned to her seat to start working on her practice problems.
Seeing that she was about to start on her problems, He Jingsu made her movements even quieter. After all, she wasn’t in her own dorm.
Bei Queting let out a low laugh and asked softly, “Want to go to the library?”
After finishing her apple and throwing it in the trash, He Jingsu quickly nodded. “Yes!”
The two of them tidied up a bit and left with the trash. When they arrived at the school library, it was quiet, with not many people inside, as most students were busy. He Jingsu’s voice became even quieter.
Xingzhi’s library was large, with a rich variety of books. In the end, they each picked a book they were interested in and found a place to sit. He Jingsu, as if boneless, leaned against Bei Queting, casually flipping through a book on art appreciation.
Bei Queting, being leaned on, didn’t mind at all. She even adjusted her posture to make her more comfortable.
This natural behavior was like an unconscious habit developed over many years.
The two of them quietly read their books. Others noticed them, and some even secretly took out their phones to take a picture of them, then excitedly uploaded it to the school forum.
—Wow, they’re really close!
—Amazing, these two together, how can they be so harmonious! Ooh, they’re so good-looking!
—By the way, is there really nothing going on between them? They’re too clingy (rubs chin thoughtfully).
—Upstairs, now that you mention it, I’m getting excited! If there really is something going on between them… (excitedly throws confetti!)
—No! Leave a way out for us guys!
—Upstairs, get lost. What way out? Even if they’re not a couple, they might not even like guys!
Next, a heated debate erupted over their sexual orientation.
The two people involved were completely unaware. When it was about time, they got up, put their books back, and then headed toward the academic building. This time, Bei Queting didn’t part ways with He Jingsu. Instead, she followed her to class 16.
When she entered, she found that almost all the students in class 16 were already there. And next to He Jingsu’s desk, there was another chair with a piece of paper taped to it. On the paper was written: Bei Queting’s exclusive seat. No one but He Jingsu may sit here. Violators will be… (a sticker of a panda holding a knife). The threat was palpable.
Bei Queting was speechless. For a moment, she wanted to turn around and leave.
Qiu Si saw them come in and gave them a soft smile, her gaze falling on the cute panda on the paper, a smile spreading across her face.
He Jingsu looked at the sticker, a thoughtful expression in her eyes.
Bei Queting came in, amused by their enthusiasm. She sighed helplessly. “What class do you want to have tonight?”
“Math!” the students said in unison.
What other classes had, they had to have too!
Bei Queting nodded. Since she didn’t have the liberal arts math textbook, she was about to ask He Jingsu for hers when she saw Zhou Li eagerly hand one over. It was brand new, clearly one she had specifically gotten.
Bei Queting was silent for a moment, then took it.
Bei Queting quickly flipped through it. She had a firm grasp of the science stream’s math, so the liberal arts stream’s was even easier for her. She quickly had an idea.
“You should go back to your seat first,” Bei Queting said softly to He Jingsu.
“Okay!” He Jingsu’s eyes sparkled. She returned to her seat and looked up at the podium with a burning gaze. This was probably the most eager to learn He Jingsu had ever been.
“I won’t disrupt your teacher’s teaching schedule, so I’ll just go over some of the common mistakes and some of the ways the questions are structured,” Bei Queting said.
“No problem!” they said in unison again.
Bei Queting was a little helpless with them, but the atmosphere was good. While she was explaining, there was very little fidgeting below. Everyone actively asked and answered questions, and Bei Queting answered them with ease. In this harmonious atmosphere, one period of evening self-study passed quickly.
“Let’s take a break. Next period, you can ask any questions you have, and we can discuss them together.” With that, she walked over to He Jingsu’s side and sat down. Meeting her sparkling gaze, she couldn’t help but smile. “What is it?”
“Beibei, you’re amazing!” He Jingsu praised without hesitation. Qiu Si, beside her, also nodded in agreement.
Bei Queting reached out and covered He Jingsu’s eyes. Her gaze was so bright that it always made her feel a strange sensation in her heart.
He Jingsu blinked, her long lashes gently brushing against Bei Queting’s palm, a light, ticklish sensation.
“Beibei, what are you doing?” He Jingsu asked softly.
Bei Queting was startled by the tickling and quickly withdrew her hand. Seeing He Jingsu’s questioning gaze, she said in a small voice, “I just wanted to cover your eyes.”
The reason was completely unconvincing, but He Jingsu believed it and even said, “You can cover them whenever you want!”
Qiu Si, watching the two of them, rubbed her chin, a thoughtful look in her eyes. Once again, she remembered what her mom had said. Daidai really did look like she had a wife!
If so, hmm… a child bride.
Qiu Si was amused by her own imagination and let out a low laugh, attracting the attention of the other two.
“Si Si, what are you laughing at?” He Jingsu asked, puzzled. “Is something funny?”
“Ahem.” Qiu Si cleared her throat, her cheeks slightly red, feeling a little guilty for her imagination. She was He Jingsu’s little aunt; how could she imagine her niece like that!
Although, it did seem to be the case.
“I was just wondering what a child bride is like,” Qiu Si said with a serious expression.
He Jingsu was confused. “???”
Bei Queting was speechless.
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Author’s Note:
Si Si! Is your guilt just because you shouldn’t have imagined it in your head, but should have said it out loud!
