Chapter Eighty-Nine

Xiao Jian saw that Wang Tianqi truly believed he intended to assault her, and immediately burst out laughing, startling Wang Tianqi so much that she fell to the ground. His laughter was so abrupt and unexpected that she was knocked off balance. Xiao Jian made no move to help her up, but instead mocked her, saying, "Well, well, I never thought Miss Wang would be just like us messy folks and enjoy sitting on the ground. Truly an eye-opener!"

Though his words seemed harmless, they struck Wang Tianqi deeply. Xiao Jian’s ridicule stung, but she recalled how Huang Feifan had accused her of being violent and claimed the three of them bullied him; perhaps this was a form of punishment. Yet, the most devastating wounds are always those that come without warning.

Wang Tianqi stood up, dusted off her soiled clothes, and said, "If the circumstances were different, would I be so lenient with you? Remember this, Xiao Jian: I won’t hold today's incident against you, but in the days to come, I’ll repay every humiliation I've suffered, one by one. Just you wait!" With her threat delivered, she left.

Xiao Jian understood why Wang Tianqi was so agitated—being rejected by Huang Feifan, then ridiculed, would be hard for anyone to bear. But her sulking seemed childish; he wondered if all rich kids nowadays were so delicate, unable to take a joke—if so, wouldn’t they end up as useless layabouts, living off their parents?

Contrary to his earlier assumptions, Wang Tianqi possessed some self-awareness; she was willing to admit her faults and change, though it would take time and courage. Usually, reconciliation depended on her parents negotiating, but this time she faced the matter herself. She had tried to use cunning, but Huang Feifan saw through it. Still, he spoke a few words to her, which was already progress.

Watching Wang Tianqi disappear into the distance, Xiao Jian turned to the person hiding in the shrubbery and said, "She's gone now, you don’t need to hide anymore. Tell me, did you really forgive Wang Tianqi?" Huang Feifan emerged from the bushes—he had overheard Xiao Jian and Wang Tianqi’s conversation out of curiosity, hiding just nearby.

Until Wang Tianqi left, she had no idea she’d been discovered. The reason was simple: Xiao Jian had caught sight of a piece of white cloth—a shirt snagged in the bushes—and easily deduced Huang Feifan’s presence, prompting him to explain.

Huang Feifan replied, "Forgiveness depends on her sincerity, on whether she stops deceiving me. If she doesn’t change, I’d rather leave the Tianyuan team than spend another second with her. Every moment she’s around is a nightmare to me. What I wish to see is her shedding that spoiled demeanor—that’s what I truly want."

Xiao Jian shook his head, saying, "I think that’s impossible. For someone like Tianqi, change is exceedingly difficult. But if, at a crucial moment, you abandon what you said to her, then all your words will have been in vain. Aren’t you afraid she’ll hurt you again?" Clearly, Xiao Jian was telling Huang Feifan not to forgive Wang Tianqi, suspecting her apology was an act.

Huang Feifan said, "How will I know unless I try? Don’t jump to conclusions so soon. If things turn out as you say, then I’ll count myself unlucky for having such a teammate. My price will be leaving Tianyuan, never wanting to see her again!" As he spoke, tears glistened at the corners of his eyes, tugging at Xiao Jian's heartstrings. The sight of him nearly crying resembled a girl feeling wronged.

"Say, Huang Feifan, after that extraordinary period, I feel you’ve changed a lot—especially your chest, which has grown noticeably larger. Did you use some special method to build up your pectorals?" Xiao Jian glanced at Huang Feifan’s chest, nearly nosebleed-stricken. He forced himself to stay calm—after all, Huang Feifan was a boy, but those muscles had an almost irresistible allure, making Xiao Jian want to grab them.

Upon hearing Xiao Jian mention his chest, Huang Feifan tensed up again and replied, "You mean this? I suppose I've been eating a lot lately, so my chest grew bigger. Honestly, I didn’t expect it myself."

"You’re saying your body fat just migrated here from eating?" Xiao Jian asked.

Though it sounded absurd, Huang Feifan nodded, not wanting Xiao Jian to catch on. "Exactly. If you’re interested, try eating more yourself—within a few months, you’ll be as big as me. By then..." Xiao Jian raised a hand to stop him, already picturing the consequences of having a chest like Huang Feifan’s.

He would be molested by classmates—something middle schoolers often did, either in a frenzy or just standing there obediently. Most philosophical moments happened in middle school, that carefree time before the high school entrance exams, when everyone knew the joy.

Xiao Jian glanced at the time—it was late. He told Huang Feifan, "No more idle chat. If my mom finds me coming home this late, she'll scold me to death. We’ll talk again sometime." With that, Xiao Jian hefted a bag of toilet paper and headed home. Though it was light and easy to carry, shouldering it felt more comfortable than holding it by hand.

After seeing Xiao Jian off, Huang Feifan stared at the stormy sky. The weather was ominous for him—his gender had almost been exposed to Xiao Jian, but thankfully, his explanation had gotten him out of trouble. The future could wait. As rain began to fall, soaking everyone outdoors, Huang Feifan’s clothes clung to her body, revealing her graceful curves—the downpour exposed her as a woman, but fortunately, no one familiar was present.

…

The urgent knocking at the door irritated Yu Xingyue. With unfinished business still on her desk, the incessant pounding felt like a headless fly, making her mood sour as she went to open the door. No sooner had she cracked it than the visitor blurted, "Xingyue, you must help me this time. Whether you agree or not, I’m taking it as a yes."

Seeing Wang Tianqi’s anxious face, Yu Xingyue wiped her own cheek with her left hand—Wang Tianqi had just sprayed her with saliva while speaking. Annoyed, she said, "I already know what happened. Didn’t you offend Huang Feifan and now you’re too scared to apologize alone? Why not go with Lin Zimo and Chen Siyu? Why drag me into this?"

"You know already?" Wang Tianqi asked.

"Of course. This is big news, and Zhang Yi would never keep it to himself. He’s already told Xiao Jian and me. You three need to solve it yourselves—this has nothing to do with us boys." With that, she slammed the door shut. Wang Tianqi tried to grab Yu Xingyue’s arm, but her arm got caught in the door and hurt.

Yu Xingyue opened the door again, rubbing her temples. "You’re being unreasonable. What if you hurt your hand? I won’t be responsible if you get injured." Her concern gave Wang Tianqi an opportunity.

"So, are you willing to help me?" Wang Tianqi asked.

Yu Xingyue shook her head helplessly. "If my help turns out to be a big deal, that’d be best. And after it succeeds, can we just forget what happened with your arm?" She was still worried about Wang Tianqi’s injury.

Wang Tianqi laughed, "No way. Listen, since childhood, no one but my family and I have touched my arm. You have to take responsibility for it."

"I have to take responsibility?" Yu Xingyue felt the situation was getting strange. Wang Tianqi continued, "Since you touched my body, you’re mine now. You’d better treat me well—if you’re too rough, I won’t be able to endure it."

Yu Xingyue tapped Wang Tianqi’s head, scolding with a laugh, "What nonsense is in your head? I already agreed to help, and now you want me to take responsibility? You’re such a troublemaker."

Wang Tianqi stuck out her tongue, "Hmph! As if I’d really let you take responsibility. Besides, you actually believed it—you’re not the brightest, are you?"

"Really? So was that coquettish voice I just heard yours? It sounded like you genuinely wanted me to take responsibility," Yu Xingyue said, catching Wang Tianqi off guard. The tone had given her goosebumps—it was the first time she’d heard the heiress act so coy. If Xiao Jian were here, Wang Tianqi would have been roasted several times over and never dared say such things to Yu Xingyue now.