Chapter 34: Crossing the Line
Chen Peng was nearly moved to tears. “Heavens, I never imagined Xu would treat me so kindly.”
Xie Xu was silent for a moment. You’re overthinking it.
After Lu Yiqi sat down, Xie Xu pointed at the seam in the middle of their desk and spoke in a melodramatic tone, “You’re not allowed to cross this line, do you understand?”
...
What a weirdo.
“Did you hear me?”
“…Oh.”
Lu Yiqi placed her pencil case in the upper left corner of the desk. During afternoon class, she unzipped the case to get a pen, but her elbow accidentally crossed the line.
Xie Xu’s voice rang out immediately, “You crossed the line!”
Lu Yiqi turned her head. “It was an accident.”
“That’s not allowed.”
...
This man really is weird. Before, he spent every class either sleeping or daydreaming at his desk. But ever since she moved to sit next to him, he hadn’t slept through a single lesson. He did nothing but stare at her intently, watching to see if she crossed the line!
Lu Yiqi was nearly driven to fury.
...
Today, Lu Yiqi left school with Chen Ziyi. As they passed the basketball court, the two stopped.
Chen Ziyi pointed at a boy who had just made a basket. “I think that guy looks pretty good.”
Lu Yiqi glanced in the direction she indicated. It happened to be their halftime break; the boy was surrounded by girls, many of whom wanted to give him water. Yet, he seemed to refuse them all. He called out to a teammate, who responded by tossing him a bottle of water.
Lu Yiqi nodded. “He is handsome and seems cheerful. Ziyi, do you like sunny, outgoing boys?”
Chen Ziyi nodded. “Mm-hmm. What about you? What kind of boys do you like?”
...
After class, Lu Yiqi packed her bag and waited for Chen Ziyi. They walked out together, and Xie Xu picked up his bag and followed slowly behind.
Seeing the two pause at the basketball court, Xie Xu deliberately slowed his pace, clearly intent on overhearing their conversation.
When Lu Yiqi praised the boy, Xie Xu glanced at him.
Tch, handsome? He’s nowhere near as good-looking as me. This woman has terrible taste.
“What about you? What kind of boys do you like?”
Xie Xu paused, waiting for Lu Yiqi’s answer.
Lu Yiqi thought for a moment and began, “Me…well…”
She glanced back casually and spotted a familiar figure standing behind her.
“Xie Xu?”
Xie Xu, caught in the act, swallowed nervously. He suddenly felt uncertain, and his voice lacked confidence. “Wh…what are you doing?”
Lu Yiqi narrowed her eyes. “Are you following us?”
Xie Xu bristled like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. “I am not!”
“Then how do you explain appearing behind us?”
“I was just passing by!”
Lu Yiqi laughed coldly. “What a coincidence.”
“Yes!” Xie Xu lifted his chin, as if to bolster his courage. “I said I was just passing by. Believe it or not, it’s up to you!”
“Fine. If you’re just passing by, you can go ahead. Ziyi and I are staying at school for a while longer.”
Xie Xu retorted instinctively, “What are you doing staying at school so late?”
Lu Yiqi glanced at him. Was he concerned about her?
She recalled his message from the previous night: “Are you there? Shall we make up?” Her mood brightened considerably.
Was this man trying to make up with her?