Chapter 22: Does Sister Huan Like Lilies?

"Where's your desk? I'll help you move it." The girl's voice was soft, still a little hoarse.

But it didn't stop the whole class from hearing her!

What did Sister Huan just say?

I'll help you move your desk!

Is this the hero falling for a beauty?

"Ah? The desk is outside, um... one of the boys, please go move it."

This time, Xie Mingming was finally on point—how could they let a girl from their class move a desk herself!

Chu Yu immediately stood up, and the chubby boy hurried out as well—one to move the desk, the other to get the chair.

"Thank you." Shen Qing didn't show much emotion, her tone stiff.

"So, even a delinquent girl knows how to say thanks—uh, I mean, hehe, you're welcome." The chubby boy grinned at Shen Qing, his smile utterly sycophantic.

The rest of the class couldn't bear to look.

"Alright, let's start the lesson," Xie Mingming said as she walked to the podium.

"Take out your test papers. We'll go over the two questions we didn't finish yesterday..."

Shen Qing organized her books, and Nie Huan slid the exam paper toward her.

"Want to go through it together?" Nie Huan asked softly.

Chu Yu nearly fell off his chair. Why did his Sister Huan's voice sound gentle all of a sudden?

"Mm." Shen Qing's response was rather indifferent.

It seemed Chu Yu understood something.

Could it be... Sister Huan has taken a liking to the new student?

***

Liu Yichen heard the news early and rushed over to Class Three as soon as the break started, only to see a crowd of boys gathered in the hallway from afar.

"Excuse me... let me through..."

Liu Yichen had a strong background—nobody in school dared cross him. He quickly made his way in through the back door.

Shen Qing was sitting in the last row, surrounded in a circle by Nie Huan, Yao Panpan, Chu Yu, and the chubby boy.

Liu Yichen caught a glimpse of her profile—her skin was pale, the bridge of her nose just the right height, her jawline clean and striking.

Yao Panpan was the first to notice Liu Yichen. "Master Liu is here!"

The group all turned to look, Shen Qing included, meeting Liu Yichen's eyes.

For a moment, Liu Yichen actually felt nervous.

"Hello, I... I'm Liu Yichen."

Yao Panpan chuckled instantly—Liu Yichen was the top student in Chinese, after all.

Yet now his face was as red as a monkey's behind.

Shen Qing stood up. She wasn't short; she was taller than Yao Panpan, who was 165 centimeters, so she must be at least 170.

"Mm, Shen Qing."

Her voice was clear and melodious, and Liu Yichen felt as if he might float away.

"You're better looking than in the photos."

Shen Qing lowered her gaze. Photos?

"What photos?" Nie Huan kicked the desk, glaring at Liu Yichen impatiently.

Liu Yichen was startled—when had he gotten on her bad side?

"They're on the school forum, don't you know?"

Yao Panpan pulled out her phone. "It's true, look—so many people have posted about it. Shen Qing, lots of people are voting for you as the school beauty."

After spending some time with Shen Qing, Yao Panpan found her quite nice—polite, if a little cold.

"Oh," Shen Qing responded quietly.

Looking at the crowd of onlookers outside the window, she curled her lips slightly. She'd almost forgotten about the forum.

"Shen Qing, where are you going?" Yao Panpan asked as she saw Shen Qing heading out.

"Bathroom."

"Do you know the way? I can show you—" Liu Yichen started, but everyone turned to look at him.

Just listen to what he said!

Liu Yichen's ears had barely cooled down before they heated up again.

Nie Huan shot Liu Yichen a glance and stood up, her voice uncharacteristically gentle. "I'll take you."

"Okay," Shen Qing replied.

The two girls left one after the other. The crowd in the hallway immediately parted, with many people pulling out their phones to take pictures.

Shen Qing stopped, swept a cold gaze over them, and said expressionlessly, "If you don't value your life, keep taking pictures."

Everyone froze, hurriedly putting away their phones.

"Get lost." Nie Huan glared at the boys nearby, and soon the crowd scattered.

Liu Yichen stared in a daze. Had Nie Huan's cold persona just collapsed? Or had it only collapsed in front of Shen Qing?

"What’s going on with those two? Does your Sister Huan like lilies?"

"Shut up and get back to Class Eight," Chu Yu kicked Liu Yichen, his face dark.

Sister Huan was treating Shen Qing... very differently.

***

Shen Qing entered the bathroom; it was empty.

She pulled out her phone, switched the screen to another mode, and quickly entered a string of code.

When she came out, she saw Nie Huan leaning against the wall, a cigarette pinched between her right fingers.

The girl exhaled a perfect, curling smoke ring—cool and defiant.

Her brows furrowed slightly as she strode over and plucked the cigarette from Nie Huan's fingers.

Nie Huan felt the sudden emptiness, and Shen Qing snuffed out the cigarette and tossed it into the trash.

"Smoking is bad for you. Have this instead." Shen Qing pulled a lollipop from her jacket pocket.

She’d bought it at lunch—apple flavor.

Nie Huan paused, then took the candy from Shen Qing’s palm, silent for a long moment.