A Cold and Aloof Top Student Is Relied Upon - Chapter 29

Chapter 29: Dizzy

◎Ambiguity◎

After she made five shots in a row, Lin Ye watched Gu Zhu in a daze. The girl standing on the basketball court, with her slender frame, seemed to possess a calm yet powerful strength. Her gaze was determined, her expression focused; there was nothing in her eyes but the basketball hoop.

Lin Ye’s heart felt as if it had been conquered by those five shots. The thrill of being subdued seemed to burst across her spine again.

When had she become so drawn to this girl? Was it at the start of her first year of high school, when the new student representative stood on the podium, her posture straight, her voice clear and crisp, speaking unhurriedly, sentence after sentence? Or was it when she was always alone, never seeking a crowd, like a bamboo hidden in the mountains, steadily climbing up one section at a time, countless times dominating the honor roll? Or was it when she ran into the daughter of the newly hired nanny at her home, and the other girl was calm and graceful, with a touch of gentle elegance in her smile?

Lin Ye unconsciously took a step forward, only to find that as she got closer, someone was faster and had already embraced her. After that, more and more people surrounded them. The once-empty basketball court was quickly filled, and that dazzling person was enveloped by the crowd.

She slowly clenched her fists, her eyes unblinking, wanting to know if that person would spare a glance for her in the midst of the chaos.

One second, two seconds… The bell for class to end suddenly rang. It was the last class of the morning. A group of students slowly began to pour out of the teaching building in the distance, and the crowd on the court suddenly came to their senses. The young PE teacher had handed off the responsibility of dismissal to the sports committee leader and bolted.

“We’re doomed! There won’t be any food left! Run!!”

Someone shouted, and the people, realizing that the lunch-grabbing army was about to besiege the canteen, scattered and rushed to the battlefield, ready to defend their food.

“We’ll go get your food for you! Hurry up and come!” Yu Lili pulled a few of her dormmates away, leaving a word behind, and joined the lunch-grabbing army. It was Thursday, and the canteen had their favorite sweet and sour pork ribs and roasted chicken cutlets. The supply was limited; if they didn’t make it, they were out of luck. There was no way they weren’t going to sprint.

And just like that, the field became deserted. After calming down in Bai Tan’s arms, there was no longer any emotional fluctuation on Gu Zhu’s face. Only a very faint flush at the corners of her eyes remained as a trace of what had just happened.

She stood in the middle of the court and looked at Lin Ye, who was still standing there. Gu Zhu walked forward. “Even though it was a tie, you know this competition wasn’t fair. So, can you not bother me next time?”

Her voice was actually very gentle, without much change in tone. She was just stating her request, but this very peaceful tone was like a basin of ice water, pouring mercilessly over Lin Ye’s heart.

It felt like she would never be able to capture Gu Zhu’s gaze, that she could only stir her emotions with despicable methods.

Lin Ye had originally thought this was nothing, because it was just part of Gu Zhu’s nature. She was just like that, keeping people at a distance, calm and self-possessed, like a landscape painting of a lone ship on a distant mountain lake. That was why she was so attractive. But then one day, she discovered that there was someone who could get so close to her, who could go to and from class with her, who could laugh with her and embrace her intimately.

Jealousy was like an undercurrent, beginning to swirl beneath the calm surface, constantly gathering, constantly expanding, finally forming a vortex that consumed her.

She looked at Bai Tan, who was standing behind Gu Zhu, and then looked at the person who refused to get too close to her. She let out a scoff. “If the bet is a tie, shouldn’t the stakes remain the same? Shhh!” She held up a finger, stopping them from speaking first. “I’ll look forward to the next show.” After saying that, she left with her two teammates without waiting for their reaction.

Gu Zhu watched her arrogant and brazen figure from behind, her mouth in a tight line. No matter how smart her brain was, she couldn’t guess Lin Ye’s thoughts. She felt that this person wouldn’t listen to reason, as if there was a wall that led her logic down a dead end.

Compared to her confusion, Bai Tan understood perfectly. This cousin, who she didn’t know how many generations removed she was, had the same thoughts as her. But Bai Tan was luckier. Even though she had met Gu Zhu much later, she had seized her opportunity.

She was grateful for herself, for not hesitating to cling to Gu Zhu the first time they met. She was grateful for herself for always taking the right step in every opportunity to get closer to her afterward.

Bai Tan walked over and squatted in front of Gu Zhu. “Hop on. I’ll give you a ride.”

Startled by the person who had suddenly squatted down, Gu Zhu wanted to take her hand and help her up, but her hand was held and placed on her shoulder instead. She stumbled a little. “No, you don’t have to. I can totally walk myself.”

“But I want to carry you.” Bai Tan suddenly wrapped her arm around Gu Zhu’s waist. She knew that the relaxation that came after a period of high concentration could be very tiring. Even though Gu Zhu didn’t look any different, she still unconsciously wanted to do something for her. “Trust me, I won’t drop you.”

She was so serious, her eyes sincere and tender as she looked at her. Gu Zhu was held by her, and her breathing almost became unsteady. She gently pushed her away, lowering her eyelids so she wouldn’t look at her. “Okay, fine.”

She put her hands on the person’s shoulders below, leaned in, and put her whole body on her back. Then, with a slight tilt forward, she was lifted steadily. Just as Bai Tan had promised, she was well-protected. Gu Zhu slowly relaxed, resting one side of her face on Bai Tan’s neck, and it felt like she could even feel the rhythm of the other person’s heartbeat.

The leaves swayed. The fruits of the large yellow fig trees were scattered all over the ground. These tropical trees that shed their leaves in the spring and summer were still lush and green. The sound of cicadas had filled the air on some night, and so during the day, as the wind rustled the treetops and the summer birds cried, there was now also the accompaniment of cicadas.

This summer had truly arrived.

A gentle breeze brushed her cheek. She straightened her bangs and reached out to also help the girl carrying her to tidy her loose, long hair.

The skin her fingertips touched was delicate and soft. When it was held by a warm touch, she instinctively pulled her hand back.

As they passed the student affairs office, someone suddenly called out to them. “Hey! Students, wait, wait, are you two okay?”

The voice was not unfamiliar; in fact, they often heard it in the announcements on the school broadcast. Their bodies stiffened slightly, and they turned around to see the short, slightly chubby dean. The dense wig on his head was damp with sweat at the hairline. He was holding a freshly packed lunch box, and his face was full of concern. “What’s going on? Are you feeling unwell? Do you need to go to the nurse’s office?”

It was the first time she had been caught and questioned about something like this, and Gu Zhu’s face suddenly turned red. She buried her face against Bai Tan’s back, not wanting to say a word. Her hands gripped Bai Tan’s school uniform tightly, afraid that she would actually take her to the nurse’s office.

If she had to go to the nurse’s office just for shooting a few basketball shots, she would probably never want to see the dean again or pass by the nurse’s office.

Bai Tan noticed her nervousness. The way the person on her back pressed tightly against her made her feel a sense of satisfaction. A flicker of a smile appeared in Bai Tan’s eyes. She greeted the dean with a gentle smile and then deliberately jiggled the person on her back. Gu Zhu’s fingers suddenly scratched her, a light tickle that went straight to her heart.

Bai Tan’s heart softened, and she stopped teasing her. With the dean’s worried eyes on her, she explained, “Dean, we’re fine. We just had a bet, and whoever lost had to carry the other back to the dorm. Sorry to have worried you.”

Hearing her explanation, Gu Zhu let out a sigh of relief. Anything was better than going to the nurse’s office. She covered half of her face and clenched her other hand into a fist, afraid that the two tiny teeth marks on it would be seen. She looked up, feeling quite embarrassed. “Sorry to have worried you, Dean.”

Recognizing Gu Zhu, the dean rarely saw her with such a childlike, embarrassed expression. He smiled and waved his hand. “It’s fine, it’s fine, as long as you’re okay. But when you play and joke around, be careful not to actually get hurt.”

It was only then that Gu Zhu, in hindsight, wanted to get off her back. But Bai Tan held her legs in a firm grip and wouldn’t let go. Just as she was about to ask her to put her down, she heard the person below her say, “Don’t worry, Dean. I’m very strong. A promise is a promise, and I have to keep my word!”

“Alright, alright. Then you two hurry back and rest. Remember to be careful and don’t try to be a show-off.” High school life could be stifling, and studying was boring. As long as they didn’t violate the school rules, he usually didn’t restrict them. In fact, he found it more reassuring when they were a little playful and mischievous.

After they said goodbye to the dean, they rounded the corner and once he was out of sight, Gu Zhu finally let out a sigh of relief. In that moment, she unexpectedly experienced what people online called “social death.”

Feeling a little indignant, she pursed her lips, quietly leaned in, and lightly bit Bai Tan’s earlobe.

She let go and, in the instant the person below her came to a sudden halt, she jumped down and walked away quickly, as if she were fleeing.

Bai Tan froze in place, her heart skipping a beat from the sudden action. When the person on her back left, the sudden emptiness felt uncomfortable for a moment. She slowly raised her hand and touched the tip of her ear that had been nibbled by the small, pointed teeth. It began to turn red, spreading across her entire ear, the color so deep it looked like it was about to bleed.

A tingling tremor. She covered her ear and her mouth, still in disbelief that a reserved and gentle girl like her could have the courage to do such a thing.

How many days were left? Had she torn off the calendar page today? Her mind was a complete blur and she couldn’t think straight. Only the smile on her face continued to grow.

Bai Tan covered her ear and her mouth, afraid that if she didn’t control it, her smile would look crooked.

Her face did have a certain advantage. For a girl who was pretty, had a good personality, and was multi-talented like her, it was only natural for her to be liked.

Gu Zhu didn’t know what kind of thoughts the rich girl behind her was having. The smugness of a girl like that was always so self-satisfied.

She listened carefully, and no footsteps came from behind her, which made her involuntarily turn her head. When she saw the rich girl with her ears and cheeks red, she immediately turned back and continued walking with her head down.

The teeth marks on her fingertips were not deep and had already slowly faded, but the spot on her bone still held the sensation of being nibbled on. It was hot and numb, making her unconsciously rub it.

It was so out of line. Whether it was her being bitten or her biting back, it was completely outside the normal boundaries.

Gu Zhu walked faster and faster, heading directly for the dorm. She thought she must have lost her mind to have done such an outrageous thing.

She must have really gone dizzy.

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