31. As long as it belongs to you

Back in the classroom, Zhang Heyu had already returned. He glanced at Jiang Ci, who was panting slightly, and curled his lips. “Why is the class president late today?”

“I went out with Jinjin for a while,” Jiang Ci replied, sitting down and taking out her workbook to start doing exercises.

Thinking about what Yu Xijin had just told her about the forum, she flipped open a page and stole a glance at the person beside her.

Zhang Heyu sat back in his chair leisurely, holding a book with his eyes lowered in serious focus.

He was so engrossed that Jiang Ci didn’t dare to disturb him.

The first period of evening self-study ended.

Zhang Heyu closed his book, a faint, almost teasing smile playing on his lips as he stared at Jiang Ci’s profile. “Jiang Ci, you looked at me exactly ten times this period, no more, no less.”

“Ah?” Jiang Ci paused mid-writing, her cheeks flushing red. She hadn’t expected Zhang Heyu to notice.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, the next moment she heard him ask, “Jiang Ci, do you have something to say?”

His eyes narrowed slightly, his voice rising at the end in an oddly intimate way.

Jiang Ci felt her thoughts almost being pulled away by him.

Clearing her throat, she said, “Do you know about the things on the forum?”

“I don’t read that stuff.”

Zhang Heyu picked up a pen, twirling it between his long, knobby fingers, the pen spinning round and round. “What did they say?”

Jiang Ci wanted to tell the truth but couldn’t bring herself to say, “They said I’m your next girlfriend.”

She turned her head slightly, her voice soft. “They’re discussing who your next girlfriend will be.”

Looking at the girl’s profile, her ponytail hanging down, revealing a patch of pale neck, Zhang Heyu couldn’t see her expression clearly.

He smiled. “Did they come to any conclusions?”

“No idea.”

“Dummy, don’t believe everything online,” Zhang Heyu said with a smile. He reached out and pinched her cheek gently, his gaze sincere. “Better to believe me.”

Caught off guard by the contact, Jiang Ci froze for a moment, her heart pounding hard. She whispered, “Mm, I believe you.”

***

After the monthly exams, the school arranged more and more tests, and the constant tension made many students feel suffocated.

On top of that, winter had come to Nancheng, and everyone felt a bit lazy.

Winter PE classes were mostly held indoors.

As soon as Yu Xijin’s class was dismissed, she would go find Jiang Ci in the science experimental class to hang out.

The two sat in the stands of the indoor basketball court, watching people shoot hoops, dribble, and dunk from time to time.

“It’s so cold today! The weather forecast even says we’re having a cold winter this year,” Yu Xijin complained, rubbing her hands to keep warm. “Ci Ci, are you cold?”

In recent days, temperatures in Nancheng had dropped below freezing, and stepping outside was enough to make anyone curl up from the chill.

“Cold,” Jiang Ci replied, her body naturally prone to cold. Every winter, she wished she could wrap herself up like a dumpling.

Yu Xijin said, “I wonder when it will snow in Lincheng. It’d be great if it snowed on Christmas Eve.”

Yes, another winter had come.

Jiang Ci exhaled, the white mist fogging up the air as if blurring her vision.

“By the way, this weekend is Christmas Eve, right? What are you planning to do, Ci Ci?” Yu Xijin asked.

Jiang Ci remembered she had promised Cheng Yaoyao to go to the amusement park together. She answered softly, “I’m going to accompany a little friend to the amusement park.”

“Alright then, Huo Chensi also asked if we wanted to go together,” Yu Xijin said. “Since you’re busy, never mind!”

“Mm, maybe next time.”

Just before PE class ended, Jiang Ci took advantage of the last few minutes of free time to visit the restroom.

“Jiang Ci, I need to talk to you,” Wan Hanqiu said, standing beside her.

The two came out of the restroom facing the indoor court.

Huo Chensi, who was on the court, happened to see the scene and was stunned for a moment. He glanced at Zhang Heyu, who was shooting hoops.

Huo Chensi ran over to Zhang Heyu. “Is that Wan Hanqiu? Why is she with Jiang Ci?”

Zhang Heyu instinctively glanced in their direction, frowned slightly, his face stiffening a little. He picked up the ball at his feet and tossed it to Huo Chensi.

“Where are you going?” Huo Chensi asked, watching him walk away.

“You guys go ahead,” Zhang Heyu said, jogging off.

***

Jiang Ci felt there was nothing much to talk about with Wan Hanqiu. “What do you want to say?”

Wan Hanqiu took a deep breath and apologized. “I’m sorry.”

Jiang Ci was taken aback. She responded calmly, “You have nothing to apologize for.”

“You have such a good-natured face, so how did Zhang Heyu end up liking you?” Wan Hanqiu laughed self-deprecatingly. “At first, I wasn’t willing to lose to you.”

Jiang Ci pursed her lips, saying nothing.

“But later I realized you have many qualities I don’t: good grades, a gentle nature. By contrast, I’m inferior in every way. I naively thought he liked me—he was just a bit cold.”

“But seeing the warmth in him through you, I realized he never liked me at all. It was all one-sided from the start.”

Jiang Ci paused. “Liking someone isn’t wrong. You’re very brave.”

Just admitting to Zhang Heyu that you liked him takes courage.

Jiang Ci, after all, was timid, conflicted, and insecure.

Speaking openly brought Wan Hanqiu some relief. “Thank you, Jiang Ci. It was you who made me see clearly.”

Jiang Ci said gently, “It’s okay. Things will get better.”

“Yeah, same to you.” Wan Hanqiu smiled. “I can see he treats you differently. I hope you and Zhang Heyu can be together.”

Jiang Ci was momentarily stunned. She wanted to deny any relationship with Zhang Heyu, but Wan Hanqiu waved her off and left.

Seeing this, Jiang Ci sighed and turned back to the classroom to wait for the group to assemble, only to see Zhang Heyu running toward her.

“What are you doing here...” Jiang Ci was a little stunned when she saw him.

The young man’s hair was tousled from exercise, his brow tightly furrowed and eyes lowered, his expression worried.

“She didn’t do anything to you, did she?”

Jiang Ci shook her head, looking up with almond-shaped eyes fixed on him. “Are you worried about me?”

Zhang Heyu couldn’t help but smile. “Isn’t it obvious?”

His words were casual yet intimate, making Jiang Ci’s face flush.

She tucked a few stray hairs behind her ear and forced herself to remain calm. “I was just talking to her for a bit. I’m fine.”

“Really?” Zhang Heyu was half-doubtful, studying her expression carefully.

Jiang Ci nodded firmly. “Really.”

Seeing her serious face, he smiled faintly, reaching up to gently pat her head. “Then let’s go back; it’s time to assemble.”

Side by side, they returned to the classroom just as the bell rang for class dismissal.

***

The day ended. When Jiang Ci got home, her grandmother was already asleep.

Jiang Ci peeked into her grandmother’s room, carefully covered her with the quilt, closed the window, then left.

Back in her room, while filling a hot water bag, she checked the recent weather forecast on her phone.

To avoid getting sick, Jiang Ci planned to dress warmly.

Suddenly, her scrolling finger paused.

December 24th—Christmas Eve.

Under the date, the forecast read: “Possible snowfall.”

Though Jiang Ci didn’t like the cold of winter, she loved the snow.

After a hot shower, she hugged the warm water bag and went to bed.

***

The next day.

After three classes, it was finally a big break. Yu Xijin grabbed Jiang Ci’s arm and dragged her to the school store.

“Ahhh, we’re late!!” Yu Xijin fretted. “I don’t even know if there are any nice cards left.”

Christmas Eve was approaching, and many students were buying greeting cards at the school store. To create a festive atmosphere, the store had placed a nearly three-meter-tall Christmas tree at the entrance.

Jiang Ci let Yu Xijin pull her inside. After squeezing through the crowd, they stood by the shelves picking cards.

“Ci Ci, how many are you going to pick?” Yu Xijin counted, planning to choose more than ten.

Jiang Ci casually picked up a card and looked at it. “Two should be enough.”

“Only two people to send cards to?” Yu Xijin smiled mischievously. “Let me guess who they are!”

Jiang Ci listened while looking down to choose.

“Is it me and Zhang the top student?”

Jiang Ci smiled but didn’t confirm or deny.

Yu Xijin also smiled and picked up a few more cards. “Ci Ci, I’m just saying, you really are easy to read.”

Actually, Jiang Ci had bought greeting cards more than once but was too shy to ever give one to Zhang Heyu.

After paying, Yu Xijin carried a bag of cards and said, “Ci Ci, I’ll write yours for you later!”

“Okay,” Jiang Ci replied and headed back to the classroom.

She took out the card she had just bought—a finely crafted one—and carefully wrote on it, stroke by stroke:

“May you always be safe and well.”

No signature.

Zhang Heyu seemed to be out and hadn’t returned yet. She quietly glanced at his desk drawer, noticing that many cards had been stuffed in there over the past few days.

But it seemed he rarely looked at them.

Jiang Ci wondered if she slipped her card into his drawer now, would it be thrown away tonight?

Worried he might see it and also afraid he might not, she hesitated and decided to give it to him later.

After school in the evening, Jiang Ci and Yu Xijin ate dinner in the cafeteria. When they returned to the classroom hallway, they saw Zhi Jiangwen standing there.

“Zhi Jiangwen?” Yu Xijin hooked her arm through Jiang Ci’s and walked over to him, eyeing the card in his hand. “Here to deliver cards?”

Zhi Jiangwen didn’t deny it. When he saw Jiang Ci, his ears flushed with embarrassment. “These are for both of you.”

“What about mine?” Yu Xijin took the card he handed her, teasing. “I thought you only came for Ci Ci’s.”

At that, Jiang Ci’s hand froze mid-air after receiving her card. She nudged Yu Xijin’s arm. “Don’t say that.”

Yu Xijin realized and smiled. “Don’t mind me, class president, I’m just joking.”

Zhi Jiangwen swallowed nervously. “It’s nothing. We’re all friends. It’s just a greeting.”

“Thanks, class president,” Jiang Ci smiled in thanks.

As soon as she spoke, out of the corner of her eye, she saw a familiar figure appear.

It was Zhang Heyu.

Their eyes met briefly. Jiang Ci blinked and quickly looked away, but the next moment she heard a soft laugh.

“Giving out cards?”

Zhang Heyu wasn’t wearing his uniform today. He had on a black down jacket and loose jeans, hands in his pockets, exuding a devil-may-care aura.

Zhi Jiangwen’s expression stiffened upon seeing Zhang Heyu.

“Why didn’t you give me one?” Zhang Heyu drawled, his face expressionless but intimidating. “Everyone gets one who’s here.”

Zhi Jiangwen forced a smile, voice turning sharp. “I’m sure you’re not short of people giving you cards. Why beg me for one?”

Zhang Heyu’s lazy voice responded, half teasing, half mischievous. “Who said I begged you? You’re so precious?”

Yu Xijin finally caught on.

Rivals meeting, jealousy flaring.

Zhi Jiangwen’s expression darkened as he glared at Zhang Heyu, about to speak when Zhang Heyu cut in.

“Jiang Ci.”

Hearing her name, Jiang Ci was startled. “What is it?”

Zhang Heyu smiled faintly, his tone casual. “Can I have the card you wrote?”

At his words, Yu Xijin and Zhi Jiangwen stared in surprise.

Jiang Ci’s face immediately flushed with irritation. She hurriedly looked away, trying to hide her inner flutter.

She didn’t dare look at the others’ faces, muttering, “I’m going back to the classroom first,” and fled.

Zhang Heyu knew Jiang Ci was easily embarrassed, but seeing her accept Zhi Jiangwen’s card earlier had made him particularly displeased.

Back in the classroom, Jiang Ci had only sat down a short while when Zhang Heyu followed.

Jiang Ci pinched her fingertips and took a deep breath. “Zhang Heyu, do you really want the card I wrote?”

Seeing her ears redden, he smiled lazily, his voice drowsy. “I only want yours.”