A Cold and Aloof Top Student Is Relied Upon - Chapter 58

Chapter 58: The Holiday

◎The Accident◎

Because this year’s Spring Festival was early, the winter holiday was also fast approaching. Just one week after New Year’s Day, it would begin.

The imminent holiday made people restless. Even in the freezing winter, it couldn’t dampen the cheerfulness on students’ faces—except for the seniors, of course.

They wouldn’t get their holiday until two or three days before the Spring Festival and would have to return to class just a week after it ended. Their schedule was tighter than that of a beast of burden in a demanding job.

Looking out the window of the senior building, you could see the school’s track and field. Students who had finished classes were there, running or playing basketball. The winter sun set early, and the leaves of the cottonwood trees had all fallen, leaving only the bare branches crisscrossing the gray sky, which was about to turn black. All around, the school’s lights suddenly flickered on.

The liveliness of the school seemed to have nothing to do with the senior building. It was gloomily separated by the old garden wall. The freshmen and sophomores would automatically fall silent and quicken their pace when they passed by the corner of the wall.

Just as they once did.

Nearing eighteen, some already adults, most seniors were only one or two years older than the underclassmen, but mentally, they seemed much more mature. This year, they were growing up rapidly under the pressure of their ideals.

After New Year’s Day, the school became even quieter as the freshmen and sophomores, who had finished their final exams, left. The cold air dropped, and sometimes the nighttime temperature was only two or three degrees Celsius. What was truly freezing was the high concentration of humidity, a penetrating cold that seeped into their bodies, making their very bones protest.

“Whew! Finally finished. My hand is so frozen I can’t hold my pen steady, I almost forgot how to write!” In the dorm room, Bai Tan threw down her pen, shook her hands, and stretched. After a moment, her eyes fell on Gu Zhu, who was still reading. It wasn’t time for lights out yet. The fluorescent light from the ceiling cast a bright glow, outlining her features. Her long eyelashes cast a small shadow.

So beautiful.

She praised Gu Zhu in her heart. Every feature was perfectly placed. Her naturally pursed lips, made even softer by a moisturizing lip balm, always made her want to kiss and taste them.

Unfortunately, this was school, a dorm. Her rebellious heart was firmly suppressed by Gu Zhu. All the rules that couldn’t be crossed still bound her. The prey was right in front of her, but she could only “look at plums to quench her thirst.” Bai Tan smacked her lips and let out a soft sigh.

Is it possible that I’m actually a rebellious troublemaker? Unfortunately, she only had a restless heart but didn’t dare to act on it. After all, it was obvious who held the power in this “home.”

Sensing her continuous gaze, Gu Zhu finally pulled her eyes away from her book and turned to her. “If you’re done, get ready for bed.”

Winter was always better for sleeping. It was hard to get out of bed once you were under the covers. To be well-rested for tomorrow, they hadn’t secretly stayed up late these past few days. Besides, the second mock exam was coming. A little relaxation could make their thoughts clearer. So once their work was done, they could get ready for bed.

“You pack up first, I’m going to get some hot water for a foot soak before bed.”

A couple of days ago, Ms. Chen Xuelian, who had returned from who knows where, had sent her some foot soak sachets. They were said to be an old Chinese doctor’s remedy for removing dampness and improving circulation, and that soaking your feet every so often was good for a girl’s health.

Gu Zhu’s body always felt icy cold in the winter. At night, she would often have trouble falling asleep because her hands and feet were cold. Once, Bai Tan thought she was having a bad dream again and couldn’t sleep, so she had gotten out of bed in the dark. It was only after asking that she found out it was because of the cold.

They often took turns sleeping on each other’s beds. The top student had strictly forbidden sharing the bed, only occasionally giving in when Bai Tan acted spoiled, and only to motivate her to study harder.

But ever since Bai Tan discovered that she couldn’t sleep because her feet were cold, that specific rule was temporarily abolished for the person it was meant for.

While Bai Tan went to get hot water, Gu Zhu tidied up the desk, prepared the things she would need for tomorrow, and then went to the washroom to get two buckets, placing one for each of them by the desk.

They couldn’t use hot water bottles since the school dorms didn’t have outlets for charging. The most useful thing this winter was stick-on hand warmers. Gu Zhu tore one off her stomach and put on a fresh one. Soon, heat spread through her thermal shirt.

She went out to help the person getting hot water, carrying one bucket back. At the hot water station, there were a few students waiting. On winter nights, the solar-powered hot water was only enough for showering. After nine o’clock, there would be no hot water, so everyone had to come out to get some.

Fortunately, the school wasn’t stingy in this regard. The hot water stations installed last year had a large capacity and many spouts, with one on each staircase landing, or else there would have been complaints.

Back in the dorm, Gu Zhu also replaced Bai Tan’s hand warmer. After soaking their feet, their whole bodies felt alive with circulation. They quickly dumped the water, dried the floor, and, while still warm, both hurried to bed.

In the dark, they were enveloped by the soft, fluffy comforter. A little while later, someone moved closer, reached out their arms, and pulled her into an embrace. Following the motion, Gu Zhu turned and buried herself in Bai Tan’s arms. Her feet were held between Bai Tan’s, and the other’s warmth continuously flowed into her throughout the winter.

The rule had been abolished, partly due to one person’s boldness, but also due to her own indulgence. Gu Zhu admitted that she liked being in Bai Tan’s arms. That familiar, sweet scent always brought her warmth and satisfaction.

A few days later, the weather warmed up. Outside, it was finally no longer gray, cold, and bleak. The sunlight broke through the thin clouds. The warm glow attracted many students who came out to sunbathe.

Just as all living things need sunlight, so do people.

With the arrival of the second mock exam, this semester was also coming to an end. Half of senior year was over, and after the new year, it would be an even more intense review period.

Before the exam, Gu Zhu once again became a mascot, a “hug bucket.” Every time, Bai Tan could only stand to the side, feeling jealous. Since they had gotten intimate, her possessiveness had grown stronger, but this wasn’t a reason to stop Gu Zhu from doing anything she wanted.

Bai Tan could only comfort herself that at least those people only got limited hugs, while she got unlimited, exclusive hugs. And it wasn’t just hugs. The person they admired was her girlfriend, a fact that had been definitively settled by the person herself.

So, let them hug. There were fewer than five major exams left. She would consider it contributing to a good cause.

My heart is big enough.

The three-day exam passed neither too quickly nor too slowly. When it was over, it felt like it had ended in a blink of an eye. The final exam was also the second mock exam. This test would determine their study plan for the next semester, but the results wouldn’t be out for a few days, by which time they would already be on holiday.

At least let our brains relax for a few days.

The students who were running back to their dorms to pack their things thought this.

Gu Zhu slowly walked back to her dorm. In mid-December, she had participated in the finals of the National Chemistry Competition. It was a little disappointing that she didn’t win, only taking second prize. Even so, a school had already extended an olive branch, offering her a chance for early admission.

Gu Zhu refused. Her target university hadn’t changed, and she believed that with her own ability, she could get in through the college entrance exam. There was only one semester left, and she and Bai Tan had to continue to stay on track.

As she passed the freshman building, someone suddenly jumped onto her back from behind. Gu Zhu looked up and saw the young mistress, who had appeared from who knows where, smiling so widely you could see her teeth. She rubbed her forehead against Gu Zhu’s neck, her loose hair tickling her and making her involuntarily tilt her head.

Looks like she did well on her exam to be so happy.

Just as she was thinking this, something soft touched her neck, and Gu Zhu abruptly stopped. A current seemed to shoot down her spine, and her face almost turned red.

In broad daylight, how could she…

She covered her neck and pursed her lips, unable to resist glaring at the culprit.

The perpetrator, however, showed no shame. She even pouted her lips and pretended to blow a kiss to her. What made Bai Tan happy, of course, was not just the end of the exam, but more importantly, the upcoming holiday!

What was the holiday? It was a wonderful time to “have to” be away from the sacred, inviolable school. It meant she would have more time and opportunities to do whatever she wanted.

Because she had a small taste of intimacy, she couldn’t help but crave more.

At school, she was Gu Zhu’s student.

Outside of school, she would be Gu Zhu’s teacher.

Gu Zhu, who had no idea what sort of inappropriate thoughts she was having, was speechless. Compared to the young mistress’s openness and audacity, she admitted she was always timid and cautious.

Having a secret relationship was the most rebellious thing she had done in her eighteen years.

She walked forward and gently kicked the tip of Bai Tan’s shoe. Having vented her frustration, Gu Zhu continued to walk.

Finding her behavior adorable, Bai Tan rubbed the tip of her nose. She forgave her. She was just a pitiful person who wanted to be close to her girlfriend.

After repenting for less than a second in her heart, she forgave herself and walked forward, hooking her arm around the other person’s arm, and they walked happily and intimately together again.

She knew Gu Zhu would go easy on her. She was just a person who took an inch and asked for a mile, never satisfied.

She was taking advantage of the top student’s special affection for her because her own heart was also filled with love for the top student. One day, their love would not need to be announced to the world to be out in the open.

People were already pulling their suitcases down the stairs. The holiday was a joyful time for everyone. They got to the fifth floor just as Luo Minmin came to say goodbye. Even though they lived on the same floor, they saw each other much less because they were in different classes.

Luo Minmin, who had been studying hard for the past six months, had lost some weight, but she was in good spirits and had a good mindset. Gu Zhu knew her grades were slowly catching up.

That’s good. She was always happy for her.

The door to 512 was also open. Some people had already left, and a few others were waiting for tomorrow’s bus. When they heard the sound, they all came out to greet them and teased Luo Minmin, whom they hadn’t properly talked to in a while.

They said she had been so busy studying that her gossip ears weren’t working, and that the previous rumor about the transfer student was fake. But they congratulated her on her new academic progress.

Luo Minmin let out a sigh. “Who said they weren’t working? My reputation is ruined. I heard the transfer student’s file was supposed to be sent over, but during the review, for some unknown reason, it was sent back, which is why the transfer didn’t happen.”

Sometimes they were curious about where Luo Minmin got all her information, but the “Gossip Girl” herself just shushed them and dismissed them with the word “secret.”

Perhaps all know-it-alls are just impossible to figure out.

Suddenly, a chaotic noise came from down the hall. A sharp sound pierced the harmonious atmosphere in the dorm. A few people froze and then ran in the direction of the sound.

From a distance, they heard crying. The sobbing voice seemed to be shouting, “Help.”

“Help her! Someone, please help her!”

Many people were drawn by the cry for help. A flurry of footsteps ran down the hallway.

Soon, the entrance of dorm 507 was crowded with people.

Gu Zhu’s mind was a mess. She seemed to hear a familiar name and mechanically pushed through the crowd.

In a lower bunk, a hand hung limply.

Gu Zhu involuntarily moved forward, and a pale face appeared before her.

Su Li’s eyes were closed. She couldn’t hear anyone’s calls.

Clank—

A glass bottle accidentally bumped into her shoe.

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