Chapter 23: Double Standards

Class One of Grade Twelve. A few boys beat their chests and stamped their feet in frustration.

“Damn! Who deleted the transfer student’s post?”

“All the photos in the forum are gone!”

“I didn’t even get to save them, and now they’re gone.”

“I can’t even post anything now…”

“You mean that transfer student? You guys actually like someone like her?”

“What’s wrong with her?”

“I’m telling you, she’s a delinquent. Fights, drinks, smokes—she does it all. Zeroes on every exam, I mean every single subject!”

“What? That’s not just bad grades, that’s just stupid! Hahaha.”

“Isn’t she dragging us down? How did our school even accept someone like that?”

“Her family’s rich, of course!”

“Min’er is still the best, truly worthy of the title ‘school beauty!’” said the girl sitting next to Min’er.

“Yeah, when is Min’er coming back? Ruan Yingying, do you know?”

Ruan Yingying was the closest to Min’er in class.

“Min’er? She’ll be back for classes in a couple of days. Right now, she’s out of town for art lessons.”

“Yingying, do you know when Min’er will release a new song?”

“I wish I knew.”

“I heard she was filming a movie over summer break. Is that true, Yingying? Is the male lead handsome?”

“Ah? I don’t know about any of that, but I’ll ask her for you guys.” Ruan Yingying smiled, then lowered her head and returned to her own work.

***

Shen Qing and Nie Huan entered the classroom hand in hand, utterly shocking the eyes of Class Three!

Chu Yu stared intensely at their joined hands.

“Chu Yu, look at Huan and Shen Qing—aren’t they sweet? I never thought Huan would go for this…” The chubby boy sidled over and tried to take Chu Yu’s hand.

“Get lost!” Chu Yu shoved the chubby boy away, his face full of displeasure.

Caught off balance, the chubby boy bumped into Yao Panpan.

“Damn you, fatso!” Yao Panpan smacked him hard on the arm.

“Ouch!”

“Your class is pretty lively,” Shen Qing said, pulling out a chair and crossing her legs.

The chubby boy blinked. Oh wow!

That’s a boss’s pose!

“It’s just those few making a fuss,” Nie Huan said, chewing on a lollipop with a loud bang-bang.

Chu Yu glanced over. He’d never seen Nie Huan eat snacks before.

Monday afternoon was the weekly Chinese practice. Once the papers were done, it’d be time for dinner.

Before she started, Nie Huan glanced at Shen Qing, who was still sprawled on the desk, asleep.

“What’s wrong?” Shen Qing suddenly looked up at the hand Nie Huan was reaching out.

“Keep sleeping. I’ll fill out your paper for you.”

Chu Yu was startled. Huan was going to do Shen Qing’s practice—he always did them for Huan!

Shen Qing didn’t hesitate. “Alright.”

“Huan,” Chu Yu suddenly turned.

“What is it?” Nie Huan’s tone was cool, missing the gentleness she used with Shen Qing.

Chu Yu felt a pang in his chest!

“I’ll do your paper for you.”

Nie Huan handed him her Chinese paper. “Okay.”

Chu Yu took the paper and glanced at Shen Qing as he turned back, his gaze filled with resentment.

How could Huan be treated like this?

“Your desk mate—does he like you?” Shen Qing’s voice was loud enough for Chu Yu to hear.

Like? Did he like Huan?

Chu Yu’s heart suddenly raced, faster and faster.

“No,” Nie Huan remained indifferent.

Chu Yu’s heart skipped, the wild beating slowly calming.

Alright.

To Nie Huan, he was always just an ordinary classmate.

*

Evening self-study for seniors lasted until nine-thirty. Boarding students had to stay in the classroom until ten before heading back.

As soon as the bell rang, the chubby boy grabbed his backpack and was the first to dash out of the classroom, now waiting in the hallway for Chu Yu.

“Chubby! Tomorrow I want fried noodles with an egg soup!” Yao Panpan shouted from the window.

“Got it!”

“Longhua’s nickname is ‘Chubby?’” Shen Qing was just leaving the classroom and overheard, so she asked.

The chubby boy chuckled, “Shen Qing, don’t use my real name. Call me Chubby or Chubby Boy, that’s what Chu Yu and Yao Panpan call me. Gotta add ‘Chubby’ to sound cuter—and I’m not that fat!”

“Oh,” Shen Qing replied coolly.

Chu Yu placed a handful of lollipops on Nie Huan’s desk. “See you tomorrow, Huan.”

Nie Huan froze, just about to refuse.

“Chu Yu! Hurry up!” Chubby called from the door.

“Coming!” Chu Yu quickly left the classroom.

Yao Panpan came over. “Huan, Chu Yu’s really good to you!”

“If you want some, take it yourself.”

Yao Panpan: …