Chapter 26: School-Wide Excitement and a Jealous Heart
After that inexplicable fit of anger, Fu Guanxian didn't see her for two weeks.
When Xiang Yi and Jiang Manxin came to the Fu house, Kong Yi Yue asked, “Where is Xiaoyang? Why didn't she come?”
Fu Guanxian remembered that Aunt Jiang said: “Xiaoyang said she's falling behind in her studies and needs to spend more time reviewing. We'll come together next time.”
Fu Guanxian muttered to himself, “Falling behind in her studies? She's the top student, who is she falling behind?
Last week's school-wide exam, her score was actually one point higher than that Xing Zhaoyan. Although Fu Guanxian thought it was a little pathetic to be chased so closely, her ability to climb from second place to first place was still a big improvement.
But then, thinking about her and Xing Zhaoyan, Fu Guanxian felt angry. He wasn't going to let her off that easily!
On Monday, during breaktime for exercises, when the familiar music played over the loudspeaker, most of the students at Qinglin High School were especially excited. This was the first time the freshmen had done exercises together since the new semester began.
As they lined up to gather on the field, Xiang Yang also felt this kind of excitement. She quickly understood that this inexplicable commotion was mostly because of Fu Guanxian, the heartthrob of the second year, Class 1.
The crowd was noisy. Even though the principal announced “All quiet!” in a loud voice, Xiang Yang could still clearly hear most of the girls whispering among themselves.
“He actually showed up today!”
“It's so far, can you see him?”
“I can see! I can see! He's over there, so handsome!”
“Wow! He seems to be looking this way! Looking this way!”
“...”
Xiang Yang was confused, then she heard some girls in her class had the same question: “Who are the senior girls talking about?”
A classmate who knew informed them, “Fu Guanxian! The male god of the second year! I saw him up close once, handsome!”
“Fu? Fu, the heartthrob?”
“Yes, yes!”
As Xiang Yang listened, she couldn't help but raise her eyebrows.
Her class and Fu Guanxian's class were separated by over twenty other classes, so there were a lot of people. Xiang Yang looked in his direction, and besides a sea of heads, she couldn't really see anything.
She was a little late to realize, it was a miracle that he had been able to keep a low profile since the start of school, considering his influence.
It was true that Fu Guanxian had kept a low profile for half a semester of his freshman year. For example, during exercises like this, the homeroom teacher, in order to maintain order, had specially requested the principal to give him an exemption from exercising.
But Fu Guanxian hadn't attended exercises from the start of school until now. What was going on?
So, after the broadcast gymnastics ended, Fu Guanxian was called to the teacher's office for a chat. The content of the conversation was simple - to ask him not to participate in exercises anymore. Fu Guanxian cooperated and agreed.
Coming out of the office, Zheng Jie, who was waiting at the door, asked him, “The homeroom teacher gave you a talking to?”
“Nothing much.”
Zheng Jie guessed, “The homeroom teacher probably told you not to exercise, right?”
“Yeah.” Fu Guanxian lazily replied.
Zheng Jie laughed mischievously, “I discovered today that even if you stay low-key and don't show up for a while, your presence is still so strong!”
Fu Guanxian glanced at him, didn't say anything, and thought to himself, “How come the distance between our classes is so far? Bad review!”
Starting the next day, Fu Guanxian really stopped going to exercises.
A week later, he was surprised to find that Zheng Jie was talking about Xiang Yang again.
“I deliberately got separated from the group when I came back, and I saw the school flower from the first year unintentionally. I realized she's becoming more and more beautiful. But a lot of people were looking at her, and she didn't even look back. It's a pity!” Just as he finished speaking, he was kicked in the calf. Zheng Jie wailed, “Fu Guanxian, what are you doing!”
“Oh, sorry, accidentally.” Saying this, Fu Guanxian pretended to be concerned, “The test paper from yesterday, your paper wasn't handed back.”
“Oh no!” Zheng Jie was stunned. Not being handed back meant he did poorly and his paper was confiscated by the teacher. In this situation, it usually meant being called to the office for brainwashing or being singled out for criticism in front of the whole class.
Zheng Jie suddenly felt like he was in a hopeless situation.
Fu Guanxian casually reminded him, “Pay less attention to gossip and focus more on studying. What are you talking about all day long?”
Zheng Jie looked at him resentfully, thinking to himself: “Did he also do poorly? Otherwise, where is this vague anger coming from!”
After the tense midterms, Xiang Yang was walking on the school path after school. Xing Zhaoyan suddenly caught up with her, “Xiang Yang!”
Xiang Yang stopped and turned around to face him.
Xing Zhaoyan smiled and asked, “It's rare for school to end so early today. Come on, I'll treat you to milk tea!”
“Ah?” Xiang Yang was stunned for a moment, then refused, “Thank you, I have something to do, I need to go home.”
“In such a hurry?”
Xiang Yang nodded.
Xing Zhaoyan sighed, “Then there's no way.”
Xiang Yang smiled faintly and said, “Sorry.”
But Xing Zhaoyan walked beside her, “Are you riding your bike or taking the bus?”
Xiang Yang thought for a moment and replied, “My family will pick me up.”
“Really? At the school gate?”
“No, in front.”
“Then why don't you wait for me, I'll get my bike and then take you there?”
Xiang Yang quickly waved her hands, “No need, thank you.”
“Xiang Yang, we've known each other for so long, you don't have to be so polite!”
In response, Xiang Yang smiled faintly.
Xing Zhaoyan continued to insist, “Then I'll walk with you?”
“Uh...” Xiang Yang felt a little awkward.
Seeing that, Xing Zhaoyan backed down, “Then you be careful, I'll go to the parking lot.”
“Okay. See you.” Xiang Yang said goodbye to him and watched him leave. She couldn't help but feel relieved.
After seeing Xing Zhaoyan walk away, Xiang Yang retracted her gaze. But then she caught a familiar face out of the corner of her eye, looking intently at her.
Long hair, bangs covering her eyebrows, her eyes narrowed slightly, and a faint smile played on her lips.
Xiang Yang also stared at her, and then realized that it was Ding Wanjun. Compared to junior high school, her hair seemed to be longer and her skin was a bit whiter.
Xiang Yang almost forgot that she was also in this school.
Ding Wanjun exchanged a few words with the girls next to her and then walked towards her with a smile, greeting her, “Xiang Yang, long time no see!”
“Long time no see.” Xiang Yang replied.
“I've been wondering why I haven't run into you in the same school. I didn't expect to see you today. I guess it's because the midterms just ended, so we have a chance to see each other.”
Xiang Yang just smiled and didn't want to talk.
Ding Wanjun didn't mind, she just continued following her own thoughts, “The boy who was with you just now, is he your class monitor?”
“Yes.” Xiang Yang replied, then asked, “You know him?”
“No, I've seen him a few times, heard people talk about him. By the way, Xiang Yang, do you want to get together with classmates sometime?”
“Okay!”
Ding Wanjun smiled at her, “Well, we can chat later if you have time. My classmates are waiting for me, I'm going back now.”
“Okay.” Xiang Yang watched her walk back and then continued walking on her own. She heard Ding Wanjun's classmates ask her, “Wasn't that girl from Class (1)? Wanjun, how do you know her?”
“Oh, a junior high school classmate, but we don't really keep in touch.”
“She doesn't seem very easy to get along with.”
She heard Ding Wanjun reply, “She's alright! A top student, always a little different.”
Xiang Yang walked further and further away, and the rest of their conversation was inaudible.
Actually, she couldn't understand why she couldn't get along with all her classmates in a friendly and close way, even though she was constantly trying to be a good person. Was it because of her grades? Or because she wasn't good at expressing herself? She thought, maybe she still needs to work on her social skills.
The midterms results came out, and Xiang Yang and Xing Zhaoyan were tied for first place in the year. Xiang Yang was very happy about this. Xiang Yang had the advantage in the arts subjects, while Xing Zhaoyan was clearly better at science. All the teachers were very satisfied. When the test papers were handed out, looking at the red checks all over, Xiang Yang's mood improved a lot.
After achieving excellent results in the midterms, Xiang Yang still didn't dare to let up, she still diligently listened to lectures every day, and diligently completed practice problems after class. She even bought a lot of practice books and mock exams. So, after school every day, except for duty days, she basically went straight home to study.
One day, she had to help with the blackboard newspaper with the other class officers, so when the finishing work was done, Xiang Yang locked the door and window and was the last one to leave the classroom. Xiang Yang rarely stayed at school so late.
The sun had already fallen into the western mountains, leaving only half a face showing.
As she walked out of the school gate, she was about to continue walking towards the intersection on the right, but after thinking about it, she changed direction, deciding to buy a bottle of mineral water to quench her thirst.
However, after taking a few steps, she stopped.
Leaning against the wall on the other side of the school, Xiang Yang clearly saw that the boy holding a cigarette in his hand...was Fu Guanxian. With him were two other boys, all smiling and staring at him.
Fu Guanxian had long fingers, the cigarette between his index and middle finger flickered slightly red as a gust of wind blew by.
Xiang Yang stopped and stared at him intently for a long time. Although she didn't see him put it in his mouth, seeing the two boys in the same school uniform talking enthusiastically with him and skillfully smoking, Xiang Yang's expression became increasingly serious.
Fu Guanxian actually smokes?
Xiang Yang stared at him for a long time, still not believing it.
This thought circled in her mind for a long time, and Xiang Yang still didn't make a move. Until the taller of the two boys noticed her and said to Fu Guanxian with a laugh, “Fu Guanxian, there's a beautiful girl looking at you!”
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