9 Don’t Take It Personally

“Ah, you’re so careless, child!” Grandmother slapped her thigh anxiously. “Does it hurt? Don’t let the wound get wet when you bathe tonight.”

Jiang Ci nodded. “I know, Grandma.”

Not wanting to worry her, Jiang Ci quickly changed the subject. “I’m hungry, Grandma.”

“You child!” Grandmother said as she bent over and headed toward the kitchen. “Go wash your hands. Grandma’s made your favorite.”

After dinner, seeing how serious Jiang Ci’s injury was, Grandma felt sorry for her and didn’t make her do any chores—she simply sent her back to the room to study.

Unable to argue, Jiang Ci returned to her room.

She hobbled to the bathroom and took a quick shower, carefully avoiding getting the wound wet. Then she went to the living room to get the first aid kit and rewrapped the injury.

Having taken care of everything, Jiang Ci sat at her desk in the bedroom, resting her head on the table as she gazed out at the night view.

From where she sat by the window, her eyes caught a particularly bright star—a dazzling one.

Jiang Ci thought it resembled Zhang Heyu.

After staring for a while, she took out the unfinished exercises and assignments from school.

As she searched through her bag, she found a manuscript tucked among the books.

Suddenly remembering, it was Zhang Heyu’s manuscript that he had left in her bag.

She glanced at it; the date on the paper was for tomorrow, meaning it was the script Zhang Heyu was to read the next day.

After some thought, Jiang Ci picked up her phone, took a photo of the manuscript, and sent it to Zhang Heyu.

[From Jiang Ci: Your manuscript is with me.]

After sending the message, Jiang Ci wasn’t sure if Zhang Heyu would reply.

If not, she could give it to him again tomorrow.

Though she thought this, she still wanted some contact with him.

Staring at the phone screen, she silently counted: one second... two seconds... three seconds...

Suddenly, the phone vibrated softly, startling her back to attention.

She saw Zhang Heyu’s name and avatar flashing on the screen; she was momentarily stunned.

He was calling.

Jiang Ci blinked; her throat suddenly felt dry, words stuck on her lips.

The vibration went on for over ten seconds before she, still dazed, answered.

“Zhang Heyu.”

Her voice was soft and clear, like the gentle, lingering breeze from the southern rivers, sweet and refreshing.

Zhang Heyu hesitated, his lazy voice carrying a sense of lucid decay. “What time do you go to school tomorrow?”

Jiang Ci replied with a puzzled “Hmm,” dragging the tone, “Does your manuscript have anything to do with my school time?”

After a moment, she heard Zhang Heyu laugh.

“What do you think?”

Jiang Ci didn’t understand but didn’t dare upset him, so she answered, “I leave at six.”

“Okay.”

Zhang Heyu lit a cigarette on the balcony, the red ember flickering at his fingertips. He didn’t smoke it, just let it burn.

The steady sound of her breathing came through the phone; knowing she hadn’t hung up, when the call reached two minutes and forty seconds, he spoke again.

“Don’t let the wound get wet, idiot.”

The call ended at two minutes and fifty seconds.

The next morning.

Jiang Ci dragged her tired body out of bed. That call from Zhang Heyu last night had kept her tossing and turning all night.

So she had proudly stayed up late.

Grandmother hadn’t woken yet, so Jiang Ci placed the breakfast she made just for her in a thermos bowl.

She slung on her backpack, unlocked the door, stepped out, and closed it behind her.

Her gaze shifted and caught sight of someone standing at the corner of the stairs.

The stairwell wasn’t bright; only the wall with a window let in some light.

The boy’s eyes were closed, fringe casting a shadow over his forehead as he leaned against the wall, his blue-and-white school uniform wrinkled from his posture.

Jiang Ci paused; her drowsiness instantly vanished, and she quietly closed the door.

His sudden appearance surprised her.

“Zhang Heyu.”

Jiang Ci pursed her lips and stepped closer, patting him twice before calling his name again.

Hearing it, Zhang Heyu stirred, opened his eyes sleepily, and fixed his dark gaze on her.

Focusing, he saw her pale face and swallowed before averting his eyes. “Ready to go?”

“You asked what time I go to school just to...” Jiang Ci hesitated, unable to say the last two words aloud.

Picking up on this, Zhang Heyu didn’t seem to mind and grunted, “Yeah.”

His casual tone stirred ripples in Jiang Ci’s heart.

So this was what a secret crush felt like.

“Help me walk,” Jiang Ci reached out, cheeks burning. “Thank you.”

Zhang Heyu said nothing and supported her down the stairs.

Perhaps more awake now, after they stepped out, Zhang Heyu pulled out his phone and fiddled with it, not looking up.

Jiang Ci glanced sideways at him.

He suddenly spoke in a low voice, pulling her attention back. “Wait here.”

“Huh?” Jiang Ci tilted her head, watching him head to a nearby bakery and swiftly buy two bottles of milk and some bread.

Within minutes, Zhang Heyu returned carrying two plastic bags.

He raised his eyelid, glanced at her, and handed over the breakfast.

Jiang Ci looked down at the food in his hands, feeling a sweet warmth. “...Thank you.”

She had thought they would walk to school, but suddenly a black SUV appeared before her.

The vehicle was obviously expensive, utterly out of place in their surroundings.

“Let’s go.”

Jiang Ci stared at Zhang Heyu in surprise, her mind buzzing as she was ushered into the car.

At the school gate, Jiang Ci got out, purposely keeping some distance from Zhang Heyu as they entered.

After all, she remembered how the fangirls who liked Zhang Heyu could be thoughtless.

Zhang Heyu was no fool; noticing her reaction, he snorted quietly, displeased.

Truly ungrateful little white wolves.

Jiang Ci had no idea what Zhang Heyu was thinking, but she just wanted to get back to class quickly. Standing next to him would only draw attention.

They entered the classroom, one ahead of the other.

Huo Chen Si, who had been dozing, was startled awake when he saw Zhang Heyu carrying a black backpack.

He yawned and teased, “Wow, you’re really early today, Heyu.”

Just then, he noticed Jiang Ci following and joked again, “Hey, you two coming together?”

Jiang Ci waved her hand, denying it. “No, just a coincidence.”

Hearing this, Zhang Heyu chuckled mysteriously. “Did a good deed this morning, but got stabbed in the heart by some ungrateful people.”

Jiang Ci: “...”

“Who?” Fan Mian had just entered through the back door and overheard Zhang Heyu. “Heyu, you’re implying something.”

“Must be some pretty girl from another class,” Huo Chen Si said confidently. “Couldn’t be our Ci, right?”

Zhang Heyu pulled a slight smile but remained indifferent.

Jiang Ci, caught off guard, froze and didn’t dare meet his eyes. “...No.”

“Hey, Ci, have you eaten breakfast?” Huo Chen Si grinned. “Fan Mian and I are going to get some; want me to bring you some too?”

Jiang Ci was about to refuse when someone nearby sneered, “If your eyes are bad, go get them checked. Didn’t you see there’s breakfast on the table?”

A scornful and clearly displeased tone.

Huo Chen Si was used to this big brother’s sharp tongue and, almost pleading, grabbed Zhang Heyu’s hand, shaking it. “Waaah, Heyu, I’m blind; don’t be mad at me~”

Uh…

The scene was too much for Jiang Ci to watch.

Turning to sit back down, she still caught Zhang Heyu and Huo Chen Si’s banter.

She smiled softly and slowly ate the breakfast on the table.

Zhang Heyu leaned on one hand, chin propped, and faintly curved his lips.

Morning classes dragged on as usual, dull and tiresome. At last, lunch break arrived.

Whether it was because Zhang Heyu purposely came to fetch her or because he had gotten up too early, Jiang Ci noticed he spent the whole morning dozing on the desk.

She sighed silently and stood to find someone from the next class to eat with.

Injured, her knee couldn’t bend, so she had to keep it straight and shuffle slowly.

Few students remained in the classroom; wanting not to disturb Zhang Heyu’s sleep, she moved as quietly as she could.

From Huo Chen Si and Fan Mian’s conversation, it seemed Zhang Heyu had asked them to buy lunch for him because he wanted to catch up on sleep.

As Jiang Ci reached the classroom door, Yu Xijin came to meet her.

“Ci Ci, let’s go eat,” Yu Xijin linked her arm and helped her walk to the cafeteria.

“Okay.”

When they arrived, the crowd had thinned.

“Ci Ci, what do you want to eat?” Yu Xijin asked. “You just sit here; I’ll get your food.”

Jiang Ci smiled. “Garlic pulled chicken, please, Jinjin.”

Yu Xijin gave an OK sign and headed to the line.

While eating, Yu Xijin casually asked, “I heard Zhang Heyu carried you home after school yesterday?”

“Huh?” Jiang Ci blinked, mouth half full, and winked.

Yu Xijin smirked. “Don’t play dumb. Tell me, what’s going on between you two? He actually took you home?”

“Nothing much,” Jiang Ci explained. “I was about to go home when he just happened to come out of the broadcasting room. Maybe he couldn’t bear to see me alone, so he gave me a ride.”

Yu Xijin sighed. “You don’t know—when I got back to the dorm yesterday, Wan Hanqiu from the next room heard about Zhang Heyu carrying you and was making a fuss!”

Jiang Ci listened, her mind drifting.

She hadn’t expected Zhang Heyu to help her.

After finishing, they left the cafeteria and bumped into Wan Hanqiu.

Wan Hanqiu seemed to have noticed them and sneered as she passed by, “Injured and still pretending to be delicate, you fake green tea.”

Jiang Ci and Yu Xijin’s playful smiles froze.

Yu Xijin, known for her fiery temper, snapped, “Wan Hanqiu, who are you talking about?”

“I’m not talking about you, so don’t take it personally,” Wan Hanqiu shot a disdainful glance at Jiang Ci, then turned to Yu Xijin. “Stop flattering yourself.”

Seeing this, Jiang Ci refused to back down and fired back, “You’re the one running around with your villain badge on. If I don’t fight back, how can I live up to you jumping in and out of the toilet bowl?”

Wan Hanqiu thought Jiang Ci wouldn’t dare reply, but hearing this, she exploded.

“Who do you think you are? We’re all girls here; anyone can see your little tricks.”

“Did you eat crap today? Why do you always spew nonsense when you open your mouth?” Yu Xijin was furious too, wanting to tear Wan Hanqiu apart.

Wan Hanqiu glared at her. “What, your friend dares but won’t admit it?”

Jiang Ci stepped between them, blocking Yu Xijin. “If you’re jealous, I can make you fall once. Then you can see if I’m a real or fake green tea.”

“You dare?”

“Try me. Let’s see if I’m brave enough.”

Wan Hanqiu clenched her clothes, suddenly realizing something. She sneered again, “You like Zhang Heyu, don’t you? Or have you been the third wheel all along while I was with him?”

Like Zhang Heyu.

Jiang Ci’s body stiffened.

“What nonsense are you spouting?” Yu Xijin returned to Jiang Ci’s side. “How can you slander others like that? What kind of upbringing do you have?”