"Do you think I didn't see? I know Jiang Yuan was actively involved in organizing this Hundred-Club Battle. I also know she's not very strong and might not be able to carry the易拉宝 (roll-up banner)."
"I'd just left the playground when I saw you and Jiang Yuan. Zhou Xiangmeng, you saw me first, didn't you? Do you think I can't see through your little tricks?"
Chi Xu let out a cold laugh, his eyes full of mockery.
"I'm not one of those self - centered guys who like to watch girls fight over me. You've misjudged me. Jiang Yuan is extremely important to me. I don't want anyone to scheme against her."
An extremely important person?
Jiang Yuan was hiding around the corner of the back gate of the playground. Hearing his words, her heart skipped a beat. She never expected Chi Xu to describe her in such a way.
No longer hatred, but cherishment.
Her throat felt blocked. A sour and warm emotion welled up in her chest.
Over there, Chi Xu continued, "So don't think I didn't notice. You walked a bit faster after you saw me. Jiang Yuan is not strong. She couldn't bear your tricks. It was inevitable that the KT board in her hand would fall."
"No, no, I didn't..." Zhou Xiangmeng's lips quivered. Her face was pale, and her voice was as light as a sick person's.
Chi Xu looked at her without a trace of sympathy. His eyes were deep. "Zhou Xiangmeng, third time's the charm. There won't be a next time."
Like a drowning person suddenly grabbing a life - saving straw, Zhou Xiangmeng held on tightly.
She eagerly looked up, her eyes panicked and pleading. Her voice trembled violently. "I didn't. I didn't do it on purpose. I was just momentarily confused. I had no ill intentions."
Even now, Zhou Xiangmeng still didn't want to admit her mistake.
"Do you think I'll believe you? You've targeted Jiang Yuan again and again. Do you think I can't see your motives? If there's a next time, don't blame me for being不客气 (ruthless)."
Zhou Xiangmeng staggered. Her eyes were full of despair. Her lips trembled, but she couldn't say a word. It seemed all her strength had been drained.
After a while, Zhou Xiangmeng took a deep look at Chi Xu, only to be met with his icy gaze.
She didn't say anything else and left with slumped shoulders.
After Zhou Xiangmeng was out of sight, Chi Xu looked at the corner of the back gate of the playground and walked over.
"She's gone. Why is it so quiet? They should all be gone," Jiang Yuan murmured softly, hesitating whether to come out from this corner.
"Surely they've all left. Since Zhou Xiangmeng has gone, there's no reason for Chi Xu to stand there like a fool," Jiang Yuan squinted and poked her head out slightly.
The place was empty.
Jiang Yuan was overjoyed. Just as she was happy that she could leave, a soft voice came from behind.
"Yuanyuan, you've been watching for a long time, haven't you?"
Jiang Yuan was startled. She quickly turned around and, sure enough, saw Chi Xu. "You, how did you get here?"
No, Jiang Yuan's mind suddenly clicked. "No, you've always known I was eavesdropping, right?!"
Chi Xu ruffled her hair in annoyance. "I was standing right across from you. A corner of your skirt was showing. I'm not blind."
So, the words "an extremely important person" were deliberately said to her.
The smile that had just appeared on Jiang Yuan's face froze, just like a lake covered by ice and snow in winter, no longer able to ripple.
All her joy burst like a bubble. Sourness and grievance welled up in her heart.
The heart that had been leaping with joy because of Chi Xu's words now seemed to have fallen into an ice cellar. The cold slowly spread throughout her body.
Jiang Yuan's eyes dimmed. Her lips trembled slightly. She wanted to say something, but her throat felt blocked, and she couldn't make a sound.
"Yuanyuan, what's wrong with you?" Chi Xu keenly noticed the sudden change in Jiang Yuan's mood. He lowered his eyes and carefully supported her trembling shoulders, his voice gentle.
At this moment, Jiang Yuan felt like a ridiculous clown. She was so engrossed in her performance on the stage while the other person was playing with her heart below.
"I'm fine," Jiang Yuan took a deep breath, trying to calm her emotions. She looked at him calmly and continued, "Chi Xu, am I important to you?"
Chi Xu frowned, seemingly unable to understand why Jiang Yuan would ask such a question. After a few seconds of hesitation, he replied affirmatively, "Yes. We've known each other since childhood. You've always been important to me."
During those few seconds of hesitation, Chi Xu was wondering whether to tell Jiang Yuan his true feelings. But thinking of... he fell silent and changed his words euphemistically.
But in Jiang Yuan's eyes, it was different.
During the summer vacation after the high - school entrance exam, Chi Xu left without saying goodbye. He must have guessed her feelings and wanted to avoid her.
Chi Xu's hesitation before answering made Jiang Yuan smile bitterly in her heart. She could hear her chaotic heartbeat, pounding on her nerves one after another.
She seemed to understand something, but also seemed to understand nothing.
"I suddenly feel a bit unwell. My stomach hurts. I'm going back to the dormitory," Jiang Yuan brushed away Chi Xu's hand and forced herself to walk back alone.
Chi Xu was worried about Jiang Yuan like this and insisted on sending her back to the dormitory.
Jiang Yuan was now in a complex state of mind and too exhausted to refuse. The two walked silently to the girls' dormitory building.
"Yuanyuan, go back and rest more," Chi Xu carefully instructed. Seeing her pale face, his eyes were full of worry, and his voice softened unconsciously.
Jiang Yuan didn't say a word. She nodded silently, turned around, and got on the elevator.
Chi Xu watched her leave.
There was only Lin Suye in the dormitory. She saw Jiang Yuan sitting silently at her seat and poked her head out from the bed.
"What's wrong, Yuanyuan? Are you not feeling well?"
"No, Yezi. Just now I eavesdropped on Chi Xu and Zhou Xiangmeng talking. He told Zhou Xiangmeng that I'm an important person."
"That's a good thing, isn't it? It means your pursuit is working."
Jiang Yuan frowned and shook her head. "No. Actually, Chi Xu always knew I was eavesdropping. I suspect he said that on purpose for me to hear."
"Why would he do that on purpose? What's in it for you? What's in it for him?" Lin Suye hit the nail on the head, pointing out the contradiction.
This... Jiang Yuan was stumped. After thinking carefully about the three questions, she said doubtfully, "Maybe he wants to tease me again?"
"Is it possible that he wants to show his feelings and indirectly tell you that he has a crush on you?" Lin Suye thought from another angle. "You're just stuck in a dead - end. You've been brooding over what happened that year, so you're being stubborn."
It can't be, right?
Jiang Yuan didn't say a word, thinking about the possibility of Lin Suye's words.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the dormitory door. Jiang Yuan got up to open it. A strange girl was standing at the door, holding a bag of things.
"Are you Jiang Yuan? There's a guy downstairs who bought something and asked me to give it to you."