The soft tone was like a coquettish plea.
However, Jiang Wei wasn't angry. Instead, he felt his heart flutter as if bewitched by this pouting tone.
Jiang Wei's heart tightened, a fine sheen of sweat on his forehead. Holding his breath, his voice carried a hint of calm, "You're truly so delicate."
Seeing how pitiful he looked, he decided to be gentler next time.
—
Shen Yue returned to the dormitory, her lips swollen and red, clearly from passionate kissing.
As she ascended the stairs, the girls she passed would instinctively shy away, their gazes towards Shen Yue filled with malice.
Having grown accustomed to such treatment, Shen Yue felt little.
The dormitory was shared only by Shen Yue and Bai Qingzhen. Initially, Bai Qingzhen had lived there alone; Shen Yue moved in later.
Bai Qingzhen was lying on her bed, engrossed in a game, her demeanor boisterous as she swore liberally.
She was so absorbed that she didn't even notice Shen Yue's return.
Shen Yue took out her assignments one by one and began to work.
Now in her final year of high school, it was a crucial turning point in her life, the only path she had to change her destiny.
She had always prioritized her studies, never letting them slip, no matter what. This was because she understood better than anyone that only through this path could she escape the darkness.
After finishing several rounds of gaming and satisfying her craving, Bai Qingzhen felt hungry. She climbed out of bed, finally noticing Shen Yue, who was diligently working on her assignments.
She yawned lazily and asked Shen Yue, "Have you eaten?"
Shen Yue turned her head, "Yes."
Bai Qingzhen took out a packet of instant noodles, "Do you want some?"
Shen Yue understood what she meant. She put down her pen, walked over, and picked up the kettle. "Thank you, but I'm not eating."
"Alright."
There was a bit of a queue for the hot water dispenser. Shen Yue used this time to silently practice her vocabulary in her mind.
After getting the hot water, Shen Yue prepared the instant noodles. Bai Qingzhen was sitting at her desk, casually flipping through Shen Yue's assignments. When she saw Shen Yue approaching, she asked, "Do I need to write this too?"
Shen Yue glanced at it, "No, I'm just reviewing."
Bai Qingzhen looked at the review materials covered in dense notes and sighed, "So diligent."
She stood up, giving her seat to Shen Yue, and walked over to her own desk. She rummaged through her backpack, pulling out a few assignments and placing them on Shen Yue's desk.
"Then I'll trouble you today."
Shen Yue replied, "It's no trouble."
Bai Qingzhen patted her shoulder intimately, "I'll treat you to a meal another day."
Shen Yue looked up and smiled at her, a dimple appearing in her cheek, "Thank you."
Shen Yue's overly bright red lips caught Bai Qingzhen's attention. She found it a bit strange, "Why are your lips swollen? Did you eat something heating?"
Bai Qingzhen had very little knowledge in this area.
Shen Yue's smile faded slightly, "Yes, I ate something heating."
—
Jiang Wei started visiting Shen Yue for longer periods, no longer just an hour or two.
This bothered Shen Yue, as it left her with less time to dedicate to her studies.
Shen Yue was different from these wealthy children. University might be an easy feat for them, but for Shen Yue, it was a crucial opportunity that could change her entire life.
The dismissal bell rang. He Ji was always kept behind by teachers after school to organize materials or correct test papers.
With the college entrance examinations approaching, the frequency of exams increased, with tests almost daily.
He Ji was a prodigy; his grades were almost perfect, with no weak subjects. He even had the chance for early admission.
He was the renowned "academic god" of the school, universally favored by teachers.
The cafeteria was bustling and noisy. He Ji sat quietly in a corner, finishing his meal, and then prepared to head to the library.
As he passed a pavilion, He Ji spotted a familiar figure.
She was sitting on a stone bench within the pavilion, with few people nearby. It was a tense time for the third-year students, who were racing against time, dedicating every moment to their studies, perhaps to memorize a single word or a classical poem.
Her slender, fair fingers, as delicate as works of art, held a cigarette, the faint glow of the ember and wisps of smoke swirling around.
Smoking was forbidden in school.
He Ji recalled the scene on the rooftop that day, where she and Jiang Wei were passionately kissing. Shen Yue hadn't resisted or struggled; she had been willing.
He Ji frowned. He didn't want to meddle.
Despite making up his mind, his steps unconsciously veered towards the pavilion.
Shen Yue might have been lost in thought; she didn't notice someone approaching from behind. So when her cigarette was taken from her fingers, she was still slow to react, looking up at He Ji blankly.
Upon realizing what had happened, Shen Yue showed no significant reaction, her fingers idly toying with a lighter.
He Ji recognized the lighter; it belonged to Jiang Wei.
He Ji's gaze fixed intently on Shen Yue, a fire of anger igniting his usually calm and placid eyes.
"Don't you know smoking is forbidden in school?"
The July weather was always sultry. She wore the blue and white school uniform, her jacket seemingly discarded somewhere, revealing slender, fair arms.
Her dark eyes were veiled with a thin mist. The closer he got, the clearer and cleaner they appeared.
She looked so well-behaved, not at all like someone frivolous.
Although she looked at him, her pupils were so dark and pure that they seemed unfocused.
Like a beautiful, soulless rag doll.
The pavilion blocked half the sunlight, but a few rays still filtered through. Shen Yue sat with her back to the light, her hair appearing golden.
It was then that He Ji noticed the marks on Shen Yue's neck.
Reddish-purple marks layered one over another, looking somewhat alarming.
An inexplicable surge of temper filled his chest.
He truly couldn't understand why Shen Yue was ruining herself like this, why she had become such a sullied person!
He Ji suppressed his anger, his thin lips drawn into a tight line, "Can't you have some self-respect and cherish yourself?"
Shen Yue remained silent, like a scolded child, her head bowed, her fair fingers twisting the hem of her clothes.
Faint sounds of laughter could be heard from the path. He Ji frowned, grabbing Shen Yue's hand forcefully and pulling her into the blind spot of a large tree.
He Ji's gaze fell coldly upon Shen Yue. She lowered her head, her long, dark eyelashes trembling slightly. Her lips were bright red, her face fair, and her lips were as red as if painted with rouge.
He Ji averted his gaze, took off his school uniform jacket, and threw it over Shen Yue's head.
Shen Yue, a beat behind, caught the faint, cool scent of the boy's jacket, like mint.
Shen Yue was stunned, slow to react.
"Put it on properly," He Ji said, his expression stern.
Shen Yue obediently put it on. The jacket was too large for her, the sleeves extending far past her hands.