Chapter 19: The Beginning

At noon, when Jiang Ci and Yu Xijin were looking for seats in the cafeteria, they happened to run into Zhang Heyu and Huo Chensi.

Huo Chensi brought up the plan they had discussed that morning, and Yu Xijin was pleasantly surprised, nodding in agreement.

"It’s settled then!" Huo Chensi clapped his hands. "We’ll set up a group chat later."

"Sounds good!"

Realizing that Yu Xijin didn't have a phone at school, they decided they would have to wait until the school issued phones on the day of the holiday break to create the group.

Jiang Ci listened quietly to their discussion, especially to Yu Xijin and Huo Chensi, who were both chatterboxes and kept chirping away as soon as they were together.

Jiang Ci ate slowly while listening, unaware that the person sitting opposite her was staring at her without reservation. Watching her chew her food was adorable; she looked like a little hamster, her cheeks puffed out.

Suddenly, Jiang Ci lowered her head to find a chicken drumstick had appeared on her tray.

She looked up, blinking in confusion at someone, her expression asking, "Why did you put this in my tray?"

Perhaps sensing her confusion, Zhang Heyu explained, "I bought too many. They're for you."

Huo Chensi, catching the vibe, couldn't help but tease, "Oh, Brother Yu is so good to Sister Ci. I’m so jealous; I want a chicken drumstick too~"

Seeing Huo Chensi’s childish side, Yu Xijin laughed. "You're being so dramatic, Huo Chensi. Who could even tell if you're being serious or just acting?"

Hearing their banter, Jiang Ci’s ears grew hot, and she didn't dare to look at Zhang Heyu. "...Thank you."

Zhang Heyu wasn't annoyed; he just jokingly scolded Huo Chensi to stop acting crazy.

Over the past few days, Yu Xijin had been visiting their classroom more often, and she had grown quite familiar with Huo Chensi.

On the day the exams ended, the final school bell rang, signaling the start of the National Day holiday.

As soon as Yu Xijin got her phone, she hurried over to Jiang Ci’s classroom.

"I’ll arrange the itinerary tonight and post it in the group for you both to confirm."

Jiang Ci nodded in agreement.

"What are you thinking about?" Zhang Heyu noticed the girl beside him looking a bit down. "Not happy even though the exams are over, Teacher Jiang?"

Jiang Ci shook her head. "No, I’m just too happy."

"You look miserable for someone who’s happy. Is your emotional state reversed?" Zhang Heyu leaned back in his chair, tilting his head toward her, his bangs casting a shadow over his face.

He tilted his chin up. "Smile for me."

Jiang Ci looked at him, and her heart skipped a beat. Flustered, a flush of warmth climbed up her face.

After a moment of hesitation, she curved her lips. The soft flesh of her cheeks sank into dimples, her eyes crinkling into crescents—a sweetness that made one’s heart flutter.

Zhang Heyu was clearly stunned.

He shouldn't have teased the girl. Now, he was the one suffering.

Jiang Ci said with a smile, "I really am very happy, Zhang Heyu."

Zhang Heyu averted his gaze, his Adam’s apple bobbing involuntarily. He felt strangely hot around his ears.

What the hell.

He had never experienced this before.

Afraid she might notice his agitation, he said in a husky voice, "Very pretty. The sky clears up the moment you smile."

His compliment was sincere, and Jiang Ci was taken aback for a moment.

This was a scenario she had never imagined—actually hearing Zhang Heyu compliment her.

The four of them had planned their outing for the fourth day of the break.

On the morning of the first day, Jiang Ci took her grandmother to the hospital for a routine check-up.

After the results came out, Dr. Shi reviewed them and explained to Jiang Ci that her grandmother was in good health and there was nothing to worry about.

Jiang Ci went to pick up the medicine and found her grandmother sitting on a bench outside the office. She walked over. "Grandma, let's go home."

Her grandmother heard her voice, saw Jiang Ci, and beamed. "Alright, let's go home."

On the way, Jiang Ci walked with her grandmother. They passed a jewelry store, and her grandmother asked her to go inside and buy some red string.

Jiang Ci didn't know why her grandmother wanted it, but she followed her wishes and bought some.

Back home, Jiang Ci made a simple lunch. After eating with her grandmother, she packed her things to head to Zhang Heyu’s house to tutor Cheng Yaoyao.

Thinking of the strawberry bear Cheng Yaoyao had given her last time, Jiang Ci brought a small gift for her as well.

"Grandma, I'm going to tutor someone now. If you feel unwell, please call me," Jiang Ci said, worrying as she packed.

Her grandmother laughed. "You’re more long-winded than me. Go on, don't worry. I’ll call you if I need anything."

"Don't mind my nagging; your health is the most important thing."

Her grandmother suddenly remembered something. "That young man, Xiao Zhang, didn't he help you out a lot? Remember to invite him over for a meal."

At the mention of this, Jiang Ci remembered she still owed Zhang Heyu a meal, plus an unknown favor.

"I know, Grandma." Jiang Ci checked the time and left the house just in time.

She boarded the bus. It wasn't crowded, so she found a seat and sat down.

Just as she opened her phone to listen to some English exercises, a message popped up on the screen.

[Zhang Heyu: Are you on your way?]

[Jiang Ci: Just got on the bus.]

[Zhang Heyu: Alright. Be safe. I’ll come to pick you up when you arrive.]

Jiang Ci was about to say it wasn't necessary for him to come out, but his next message arrived immediately.

[Zhang Heyu: The apartment’s security system was upgraded; the owner has to come out and pick up visitors personally.]

Seeing the word "personally," Jiang Ci couldn't help but smile.

[Jiang Ci: Okay, I understand!]

Cheng Yaoyao had been thinking of going downstairs to get some snacks to entertain Sister Jiang Ci, when she saw Zhang Heyu sitting on the sofa, clutching his phone with a smile on his face.

Zhang Heyu was... smiling?!

She shuffled over in her pink bunny slippers, frowning in disbelief, and reached out to touch his forehead.

"Brother, are you having a heatstroke?"

Zhang Heyu: "..."

Seeing he didn't answer, Cheng Yaoyao continued, "Stay away from me! Don't go spreading your heatstroke to Sister Jiang Ci!"

Zhang Heyu brushed her hand away, frowning with a cold expression. "Cheng Yaoyao, who told you I have a heatstroke? And heatstroke isn't contagious."

"Then why are you giggling like an idiot!"

"Mind your own business." Zhang Heyu glanced at her. "What are you doing down here?"

Cheng Yaoyao pouted, mimicking his tone. "None of your business!"

Zhang Heyu couldn't be bothered to argue. He reminded her to study hard and then walked to the entryway.

Watching him bend down to change his shoes, Cheng Yaoyao asked, "Where are you going?"

"To pick someone up."

"To pick up Sister Jiang Ci?" Cheng Yaoyao smirked. "The revolution hasn't succeeded yet, Comrade Zhang—you still need to work hard!"

Zhang Heyu: "..."

Sometimes he really wanted to open up Cheng Yaoyao's neurotic brain to see how it was wired.

Ignoring her, he grabbed an umbrella from the stand and walked out.

Jiang Ci got off the bus and stood in the shade at the stop, taking out her phone to message Zhang Heyu.

Suddenly, her cheek felt cold. She looked up sharply and crashed into the boy's dark, deep eyes.

"It's hot out. Just bought this." Zhang Heyu twisted the cap off the bottle and handed it to her.

Jiang Ci paused, took it, and drank a sip. "Thank you."

They walked forward. Zhang Heyu, worried about the sun, tilted the umbrella toward her without realizing it.

"Zhang Heyu, how do you think you did on this month's exam?" Jiang Ci asked suddenly.

"Not bad. More than enough to take first place," Zhang Heyu said, raising an eyebrow nonchalantly.

Jiang Ci suddenly felt like a fool for asking.

Zhang Heyu had always been the top student in the grade; what was she expecting, that he would settle for second?

"Is the scenery beautiful from the top of the mountain?" Jiang Ci tilted her head and looked up at him, her eyes clear.

Zhang Heyu looked at her fair, slightly flushed face and smiled. "If you want it to be, it is."

She was about to say something when she heard him add, "Do you want to know what it feels like to stand at the peak?"

"Hmm?" Jiang Ci asked, puzzled.

"I’ll go easy on the next exam and let you take first place." Zhang Heyu patted her head. "This is a one-time offer."

Jiang Ci knew he was joking and smiled. "I don't want that!"

What she wanted was to stand at the peak side-by-side with Zhang Heyu.

They entered the apartment complex, and after Zhang Heyu helped Jiang Ci fill out the visitor registration, they headed toward his home.

"Now that you've registered, you can just give your name next time," Zhang Heyu paused, his voice low. "If you want me to pick you up, that's fine, too."

Jiang Ci licked her lips. "Okay."

Zhang Heyu’s home was always kept cool by the air conditioning, and as soon as she entered, she felt a wave of relief.

"Cheng Yaoyao is upstairs. You can just head up." Zhang Heyu took out a new pair of slippers from the cabinet. They were the same style as the ones he was wearing, but a different color.

His were blue, hers were pink.

Like a couple's set.

At this thought, Jiang Ci’s face turned bright red. She looked down at her feet, her small feet wrapped in pure white socks. She wiggled her toes and muttered, "...I’ll go upstairs to find Yaoyao."

Zhang Heyu caught the girl’s small movements and his lips curled upward. "Alright. If you need anything, call me. I’ll be downstairs."

Jiang Ci practically scrambled up the stairs.

Cheng Yaoyao was waiting for her in her room. Hearing the footsteps, she opened the door.

Seeing Jiang Ci’s shy, rosy face, Cheng Yaoyao smiled mischievously. "Sister Jiang Ci, why is your face so red?"

"Huh?" Jiang Ci instinctively touched her cheek and blinked. "Is it?"

Afraid of being caught, she made a weak excuse. "It might just be too hot outside."

Cheng Yaoyao nodded, a knowing smile on her face.

The lesson began. Cheng Yaoyao was obedient, and Jiang Ci worked hard to help her fill the gaps in her foundation.

"Yaoyao, you're doing great!" Jiang Ci checked her paper; the number of errors had decreased significantly.

Cheng Yaoyao patted her chest. "Of course! Look who I am!"

Jiang Ci smiled. Suddenly remembering, she took a small box out of her bag. Inside was a necklace. "Yaoyao, this is a gift for you."

"Wow!" Cheng Yaoyao’s eyes lit up. She picked up the necklace and held it against her neck. "So beautiful! Thank you, Sister Jiang Ci! I love you!"

"And thank you for the charm you gave me. I really like it."

Cheng Yaoyao smiled. "You have such good taste, Sister Jiang Ci. I love it so much!"

Cheng Yaoyao’s fondness for Jiang Ci increased significantly.

The tutoring lasted for three hours. In the middle, Zhang Heyu had come up to check on Cheng Yaoyao’s progress and had even brought snacks and drinks for them.

As the session neared its end, Cheng Yaoyao suddenly asked, "Sister Jiang Ci, what kind of person do you think my brother is?"

Jiang Ci paused. Zhang Heyu seemed perfect in her heart.

But wasn't Zhang Heyu perfect?

At least in Jiang Ci’s heart, he was a perfect ten out of ten.

But right now, she couldn't let anyone know the secret that she liked Zhang Heyu.