There was no conversation along the way as Zhan Jingrui rode his bicycle, taking He Yao to school.
The scene of a boy giving a girl a ride on campus was already uncommon, and with Zhan Jingrui doing the riding, the two instantly became the focus of attention.
From the school gate to the bike shed, people they knew and didn't know looked at them, making He Yao feel pressured.
However, Zhan Jingrui seemed unfazed.
He didn't slow down until they reached the bike shed.
He Yao got off the bike and, under everyone's gaze, thanked him. Zhan Jingrui didn't reply and turned to park the bike.
He Yao, carrying her schoolbag, strolled towards the classroom. Zhan Jingrui, being tall with long strides, passed her again midway, even overtaking her, but still without a word.
As He Yao watched his receding back, her schoolbag was suddenly snatched away.
Turning, she saw the class monitor and her two followers, who had appeared beside her at some point.
"He Yao, let me help you with your bag."
Her bag had already been taken, so He Yao had no choice but to accept and say thank you.
The class monitor handed the bag to a follower, "You're welcome, it's natural for classmates to help each other. Didn't your mom come to see you off today?"
He Yao wasn't foolish. She had already figured it out in the hospital room.
Whether it was admiration for Zhan Jingrui's studies, his looks, or his family background, the class monitor was clearly very interested in him.
Seeing him tutor He Yao and then give her a ride, she was bound to have some thoughts about He Yao.
"My mom had something to do today. I happened to meet Zhan Jingrui, and he gave me a ride."
"Is that so? I saw you two at the school gate just now and was thinking, he doesn't usually interact much with others. I didn't expect you to become friends with him as soon as you arrived. Did you know each other before?"
"No."
"Then why did he tutor you?"
He Yao said calmly, "That was about his issue with Xu Zheng. I don't know."
Everyone knew that He Yao's shoulder was injured by Xu Zheng, so this explanation made sense.
The class monitor seemed relieved, her expression softening.
"I see. So, how was Zhan Jingrui's private tutoring? Are you keeping up with your studies lately? Do you still need his help?"
He Yao replied truthfully, "He's too good at studying, and the gap between us is too large. I couldn't understand most of what he explained. Besides, I'm back in school now, so I don't need tutoring anymore."
The class monitor and her two followers exchanged glances, looking pleased.
"Oh. Well, if you have any questions you don't understand in the future, you can come to me. After all, we're both girls, and it's easier to communicate."
He Yao thanked her again.
They went to the classroom, and the day passed peacefully.
Xu Zheng still didn't come to class in the afternoon. As school was about to end and classmates were leaving one by one, He Yao glanced at Zhan Jingrui, who sat unmoving like a steadfast mountain, wondering if she should proactively greet him.
She had no pocket money on her, otherwise, she could take the bus herself.
Zhan Jingrui was too aloof, and she was also socially anxious. To be honest, it was quite difficult to initiate a conversation with him.
As she was thinking, the class monitor, carrying her schoolbag, walked towards her enthusiastically.
Her voice was loud, and her smile was sweet.
"He Yao, is your mom picking you up after school? If not, why don't you come with me? My family's driver is picking me up, and he can give you a ride."
Zhan Jingrui's hand, which was organizing his schoolbag, paused at this remark.
He Yao looked at the class monitor with surprise.
She hadn't expected the class monitor to become so friendly with her because of Zhan Jingrui.
When a woman has feelings for a man, her convoluted attempts to connect with him or attract his attention are truly amusing and subtle.
He Yao didn't want to be friends with someone like that. "Won't that be too much trouble for you?"
The class monitor, afraid Zhan Jingrui wouldn't hear, spoke in a sweet voice.
"No, it won't. Like I said, it's normal for classmates to help each other. Where do you live?"
He Yao wanted to say Seven Villas, but then she thought that the house was borrowed. If the class monitor found out the address, she might imagine them as wealthy people, which would be embarrassing later.
She gave her aunt's address.
"It's not on the way, but it doesn't matter. It's not a big deal to go a little out of the way. Let's go."
He Yao couldn't refuse the offer, so she picked up her schoolbag and left with her.
Zhan Jingrui only got up with his schoolbag after everyone else had left the classroom.
He put on his headphones and started playing music.
As he was quickly heading downstairs, his phone vibrated.
He took it out and saw it was his father, Tang.
His mother, Tang, was still weak after being discharged from the hospital and would occasionally feel dizzy. His father, Tang, dared not leave her. Today, they were short of some supplies at home, so he asked Zhan Jingrui to detour and buy them.
"Go to the farmers' market on Binjiang Road and buy some fresh goat milk. Your grandmother really likes it."
Zhan Jingrui agreed and sped off. After buying the goat milk, on his way home, he predictably encountered He Yao again.
The class monitor's driver had dropped He Yao off by the roadside at the fake address she had given, and she was now walking home.
The distance from her aunt's house to Seven Villas was about six to seven kilometers. At her pace, she wouldn't get home until dark.
Zhan Jingrui had intended to pretend he hadn't seen her, but for some reason, as he passed by her, he stopped.
Feeling a shadow fall beside her, a bicycle stopping with the wind, He Yao turned her head and saw Zhan Jingrui, his hair blown high by the wind.
From any angle, at any time, his features were striking and superior.
He Yao looked surprised, "What are you doing here?"
Zhan Jingrui didn't explain and gestured with his chin.
"Get on."
He Yao obediently got on, but this time she didn't remain silent.
At this hour, the farmers' market was crowded with people, mostly elderly, causing a traffic jam. Zhan Jingrui rode slowly.
As they stopped and started, He Yao saw two glass bottles in the side pocket of his schoolbag.
"Did you come to buy something?"
Zhan Jingrui nodded.
"Are you drinking it yourself or buying it for someone else?"
"Someone else."
"Is it milk? Is it hot? If you leave it like this, it might get cold by the time you get back. Do you want me to hold it for you?"
Zhan Jingrui knew it would get cold, of course, but they had a microwave and various heating appliances at home, so he didn't need someone to keep it warm.
As if sensing what he was going to say, He Yao spoke first.
"Milk changes flavor when it's heated, and it doesn't taste as good. I'm free anyway."
Zhan Jingrui truly didn't know much about food. Since she said it would change the taste, he stopped the bike, put his feet on the ground, took off his schoolbag, carefully took out the glass bottles, and turned back.
He Yao took off her school uniform jacket and put it in her schoolbag. He placed the bottles inside, watching as she used her slender, fair fingers to adjust the bottles, wrap them in her clothes, and hugged the schoolbag to her chest.
"Okay, let's go."