36 A Hug

Hearing these words from him, Jiang Ci’s face flushed an even deeper shade of red. Facing Zhang Heyu like this, she felt somewhat unable to keep her composure.

Despite the biting wind outside, she felt not a hint of cold while tucked within Zhang Heyu’s embrace. The scent of tea emanating from him seeped into her heart, and for the first time, Jiang Ci found herself craving his presence with such intensity.

After a long while, Zhang Heyu reluctantly released her. He reached up to stroke the top of her head, his voice slightly raspy as he murmured, “Time to go back, baby.” He seemed to have grown addicted to this new pet name.

Not wanting to keep him standing in the wind any longer, Jiang Ci nodded, her voice remaining soft and obedient. “See you tomorrow, A-Yu!” With that, she quickly slipped out of his arms and hurried away.

Monday morning.

When Jiang Ci returned to the classroom, she found someone already sitting in the seat beside hers. The boy was slumped over the desk, catching up on sleep, with two breakfast packages in thermal bags resting on the table. She knew Zhang Heyu had woken up early again to buy her breakfast.

The moment she sat down, it was as if Zhang Heyu had a tracker on her; he woke up instantly.

“Morning, baby,” Zhang Heyu said, his voice lazy and sticky with sleep as he narrowed his eyes at the girl beside him.

His voice wasn’t loud, yet it made Jiang Ci’s ears burn. Checking her surroundings, she hurriedly reached out a small hand to cover his mouth. She whispered, “Don’t call me that at school...”

With his mouth covered by her small hand, Zhang Heyu’s thin lips curled into a teasing smile. He took her hand away and asked knowingly, “Shy? Your skin is really thin.”

Jiang Ci pursed her lips and ignored him. This Zhang Heyu was too wicked!

Zhang Heyu took the breakfast out of the thermal bag and carefully unwrapped it for her. “A-Ci, eat.”

Jiang Ci took it, glanced down, and said softly, “Zhang Heyu, don’t buy me breakfast anymore.”

“Hmm?” Zhang Heyu tilted his head toward her and raised his chin. “Give me a reason?”

“Because I’m worried you aren’t sleeping well,” Jiang Ci said.

Zhang Heyu suddenly chuckled. “In three years of high school, when has anyone ever slept well?”

That sounded a bit too brutally honest.

“Besides, I want to have breakfast with you every day.” Zhang Heyu paused, then corrected himself, “No, that’s not right. Three meals and four seasons—I only want it to be with you.”

Jiang Ci’s cheeks couldn’t help but heat up. “...Okay.” Feeling an inexplicable sweetness in her heart, she couldn’t help but curl her lips into a smile.

After the third period, during the long break, Yu Xijin came to their class to find Jiang Ci. Seeing Jiang Ci walk out, Yu Xijin was brimming with excitement. “Ahhh! Tell me, what does it feel like to date the top student in the grade?!”

Jiang Ci had long been used to Yu Xijin’s antics, but just the thought of Zhang Heyu made her heart race. “It’s fine,” she said.

Yu Xijin smiled, looking as if she saw right through everything. “I just want our Ci-Ci to be happy. If Zhang Heyu makes you unhappy, I will never forgive him.”

Hearing this, Jiang Ci’s nose suddenly felt sore. “Jin-Jin, you’re so good to me. Thank you.”

“Can’t help it! Who else but me is your number one fan?” Yu Xijin said, proudly patting her chest. Suddenly remembering something, she added, “Next Friday is New Year’s Day, right? Should we go celebrate the countdown together?”

As soon as she finished speaking, Huo Chensi, who had just returned from the convenience store, chimed in, “Where are you going for the countdown? Let’s go together!”

Yu Xijin thought it would be fun with a larger group. “I heard there’s a countdown at the Nanjiang Bridge. Should we go?”

“Sounds good. I’ll get Hu-zi and the others to join; the more the merrier,” said Huo Chensi.

Yu Xijin looked at Jiang Ci. “Ci-Ci, what about you?”

New Year’s Eve had always been spent with her grandmother. Jiang Ci thought for a moment and said, “I probably can’t go. I wouldn’t feel right leaving my grandmother home alone.”

“Oh, I see...” Yu Xijin looked a bit disappointed. “That’s okay, we can just celebrate online together.”

Jiang Ci smiled. “That works.”

Huo Chensi and Jiang Ci entered the classroom together, only to find a certain someone’s seat empty. Huo Chensi glanced at Fan Mian, who was still playing games on the side. “Where’s Yu-ge?”

“Called to the office by the head teacher,” Fan Mian said without looking up, his fingers flying across the screen. “Probably about the monthly exam results.”

***

As the class was about to start, Zhang Heyu returned. Jiang Ci was still pondering a problem when she felt a shadow loom over her side. Her pen paused.

“You’re back?”

Seeing Jiang Ci, Zhang Heyu couldn’t suppress the arc of his smile. He grunted an acknowledgment and sat down. Suddenly, Jiang Ci felt a weight on her shoulder—a fuzzy head rested against her small frame, and the scent of fresh tea filled the air.

Jiang Ci was stunned. It wasn’t until Zhang Heyu’s hair brushed against her neck, sending a tingling sensation through her, that she snapped back to reality.

“A-Ci, I’m tired.”

The familiar low voice drifted into her ears. Jiang Ci’s cheeks flushed pink, and she stiffened in her seat like a little penguin, not daring to move.

Huo Chensi and Fan Mian, sitting behind them, were seeing Zhang Heyu like this for the first time.

“Holy crap, Yu-ge, you’ve really shattered our perception of you!” Fan Mian’s eyes widened in shock; he stopped playing his game, having been forced to swallow a mouthful of public affection.

Huo Chensi also teased, “Look at Ci-mei, you’ve teased her until her face is all red.”

Zhang Heyu sat up straight and smirked. “You guys can be jealous all you want, but I just like sticking to my girlfriend.”

“Damn!” Huo Chensi and Fan Mian laughed and cursed. “We’ve truly seen it all now!”

Jiang Ci hadn’t expected Zhang Heyu to be so bold with his words, his hidden mischievous side gradually revealing itself. She pursed her lips tightly, feeling her whole body burning up.

Zhang Heyu knew the girl was shy. Seeing her earlobes red enough to bleed, he curled his lips, reached out, and ruffled her hair. “Silly.”

After school in the afternoon, Jiang Ci and Yu Xijin went to the cafeteria for dinner.

“Ahhh, my idol is dating!”

“It’s Zhang Heyu. Isn’t it normal for him to date? They’ll break up sooner or later.”

“You think it’s easy for a playboy to settle down? I thought Wan Hanqiu would be able to handle him, but they broke up in the end.”

“If someone like Wan Hanqiu couldn’t pin down Zhang Heyu, let alone someone as soft as Jiang Ci—it’s just for fun.”

These words reached Jiang Ci’s ears, every single one of them. Yu Xijin, holding Jiang Ci’s arm, stiffened and glanced at her face. “Ci-Ci, they’re just gossiping. Don’t take it to heart.”

Jiang Ci had long expected people to say such things behind her back. She shook her head and whispered, “It’s okay.”

After dinner, Yu Xijin returned to the dormitory, and Jiang Ci went back to the classroom by herself.

Only Zhang Heyu was in the classroom. With the heat on, he wore only a thin, grey hooded sweatshirt. He sat at his desk, twirling a pen with his fingertips, his head lowered in deep thought. The stray hair over his forehead cast a shadow, and his expression was serious.

When Jiang Ci walked closer, she realized he was working on physics problems.

“Come sit.” Zhang Heyu had noticed her return long ago. He patted her chair, signaling her to sit.

Jiang Ci sat down, but before she could ask if he’d had dinner, Zhang Heyu turned slightly and reached out with a bit of force, pulling her into his arms.

Jiang Ci was startled. She pressed her hands against his chest, her heart pounding as she was enveloped by his scent.

“Zhang Heyu!” Jiang Ci stammered. “Don’t...”

He paid no heed, burying his head in the crook of her neck and nuzzling her shoulder. “Just wanted a hug.”

Jiang Ci’s face grew even redder. She gripped his hem, straightening her back to let him hold her, looking incredibly obedient.

“Baby, I’ve wanted to hug you since this morning.”

Zhang Heyu inhaled her scent obsessively, his breath brushing against her neck and making her feel ticklish. Unable to bear it, Jiang Ci’s voice turned ethereal. She reminded him, “Zhang Heyu, this is the classroom...”

“No one is here. What are you afraid of?” Zhang Heyu’s voice was raspy. He felt as if he were under a spell, addicted to Jiang Ci. He just wanted to hold her hand, hug her, and kiss her.

Jiang Ci, unaware of the chaos in Zhang Heyu’s mind, could only endure his sudden displays of intimacy.

“How... how long are you going to hold me?”

“One last minute.”

“But someone might...” Jiang Ci said softly, her face blushing.

“Tsk.”

***

Zhang Heyu had no choice. The girl was timid and easily embarrassed, and since someone was indeed coming back to the classroom, he reluctantly let her go.

Jiang Ci glanced at him; he seemed unhappy.

As classmates began to trickle back into the room, Jiang Ci was about to say something to cheer him up when he said, “I’ll walk you home after school.”

Jiang Ci wanted to refuse, but he added, “You’re not allowed to refuse your boyfriend.”

Jiang Ci: “...”

After the first evening study session, several students from other classes came to find Zhang Heyu and Huo Chensi. Jiang Ci sat quietly, writing out vocabulary words.

Huo Chensi said, “The New Year’s countdown is in a few days. I heard there’s an event at Nanjiang Bridge. Should we go join the fun?”

“No problem, the more the merrier.”

“Yu-ge, how about it? Want to go together?” the boy asked with a smile. “Bring your little girlfriend along too.”

Hearing this, Jiang Ci paused.

Zhang Heyu turned to Jiang Ci and asked calmly, “Girlfriend, they’re asking if you want to go?”

Jiang Ci was stunned. Her clear eyes met his dark pupils, and her heart skipped a beat. “I probably can’t go. You guys should go ahead.”

“Alright then.” The boy smiled. “Yu-ge’s girlfriend is quite shy.”

Huo Chensi interjected, “What ‘Yu-ge’s girlfriend’? It’s sister-in-law, and you guys should talk a little less.”

“Yes, yes, yes, Brother Huo is right.”

As the evening study session neared its end, the students began packing up, waiting for the bell so they could bolt.

Jiang Ci had finally calculated the result of a difficult math problem. Before she could breathe a sigh of relief, the bell rang. Remembering Zhang Heyu said he would walk her home, she set her pen down.

Zhang Heyu naturally noticed the neatly written calculations in her notebook. “Why stop calculating?”

“But school’s over, and I’m afraid I’ll keep you waiting...”

Zhang Heyu smiled and pinched her cheek. “Your boyfriend is very patient. There’s no rush.”

Hearing this, Jiang Ci nodded. “Then wait for me a little longer.”

With that, she picked up her pen and continued writing and drawing in her notebook. Zhang Heyu watched the girl, who was focused on her work. After she took off her scarf, a long stretch of fair skin on her neck was exposed, and her ponytail hung down, looking impossibly well-behaved.

Ten minutes passed, and Jiang Ci wrote down the final answer on her paper. She turned her head and saw Zhang Heyu reading a book.

Jiang Ci quickly packed her things. “Let’s go.”

Just as she zipped up her bag, *click*—the classroom lights went out, leaving them in darkness.

Jiang Ci was momentarily bewildered, remembering what Mo Bingyou had said in the class meeting a few days ago—that the school was participating in an energy-saving project and the lights would turn off at a certain time.

She paused. “Zhang Heyu?”

“Baby, I’m here.” Zhang Heyu chuckled, pulled his phone from his drawer, and turned on the flashlight, casting a beam of light into the darkness.

With the light, Jiang Ci reached for her bag, but Zhang Heyu snatched it up first. “Let’s go.”

Jiang Ci stood up and followed Zhang Heyu toward the back door. As he reached the exit, he suddenly stopped. Jiang Ci almost bumped into him and asked, confused, “What...”

Before she could finish, her wrist was pulled by a force. With a spin, Jiang Ci was caught off guard and pressed into the corner behind the classroom door.

Zhang Heyu tossed her bag onto Huo Chensi’s desk and used his free hand to grab Jiang Ci’s small hand, his warm palm enveloping hers, fingers interlaced.

Jiang Ci’s heart jumped. The aggressive scent unique to the boy washed over her. In the darkness, her wrist was held fast, and Jiang Ci knew she couldn’t escape; she could only let the person before her have his way.

Slowly, his sticky breath sprayed against her cheek. As the distance closed, Jiang Ci could clearly see the dark, unfathomable look in the boy’s eyes.

Her chin was forced upward, and Jiang Ci had no choice but to lift her head. A warm sensation pressed against her crimson lips.

At the mere touch, Zhang Heyu felt the blood in his body rushing backward, his breathing becoming shallow and rapid. Borrowing the faint light from the window, he looked at the girl’s flushed face, curled his lips, and smiled, looking both lazy and seductive.

“Baby, you need to open your mouth to kiss.”