Hedgehog's Belly - Chapter 14

Chapter 14

By the start of the second period, Luo Daier assumed that Yan Qingzhu would have run off to Chongming Building as usual. Seeing her return empty-handed, she couldn’t help but ask, “Why didn’t you go get water this time? Don’t tell me you forgot?”

The other remained silent. Daier saw her eyes carve out a fierce, suddenly freezing glare—it was as if a blast of cold air had hit her. Sensing something was wrong, Luo Daier stopped prying.

After a long silence, Yan Qingzhu finally spoke: “I got called to the office by the homeroom teacher again after the first period to talk about some tiny piece of nonsense. I really didn’t have time.” Yan Qingzhu looked terrible; ever since returning from the office, her gloomy face was a mask of cold indifference.

Luo Daier joked with a smile, “What kind of ‘major nonsense’ requires our Great Miss Yan to step in personally?”

Yan Qingzhu didn’t pay attention to what she said. She just narrowed her eyes and slumped against the back of her chair. Her fingertips tapped slowly on the desk, her voice carrying a hint of raspiness.

“After the second period, I’ll just follow the principle of proximity and get water for you nearby. Didn’t you say the water in Chongming Building tastes bad anyway?”

“That works.”

Luo Daier nodded slightly, glancing at the fuming Yan Qingzhu who was sulking for reasons unknown. Seeing her like this was a rare sight indeed. Daier initially thought she had quarreled with someone, but the more she looked, the more it seemed otherwise, so she let it slide with a laugh.

During the class on “Appreciation of Early Human Presentation Slides,” Qin Jiahui was dozing off, her head nodding every few minutes. She was on the verge of falling into a deep sleep when she was startled awake by the sound of the person next to her flipping through books.

Dazed and barely able to open her eyes, Qin Jiahui asked, “What are you doing?”

Luo Mu: “Is Biology next?”

Qin Jiahui nodded slowly.

“I’m screwed.” Luo Mu gritted her teeth, whispering in a panic: “I wanted to read it for a bit before bed last night. I left it on my nightstand and forgot to put it back in my bag.”

“Are you trying to let knowledge enter your brain via active transport?” Qin Jiahui instinctively suppressed a laugh, suddenly wide awake: “How can a high schooler be this forgetful? Watch out, the teacher might buy you some brain supplements.”

Luo Mu habitually nudged her friend: “That joke is really lame.”

“Alright, look and see which class has a free period and borrow a book,” Qin Jiahui whispered. “I remember Class 3 has the same biology teacher as us. You can ask someone in Class 3.”

Luo Mu looked at her in shock, “Are you sure?”

“Isn’t your brother in Class 3? Go ask him after class.” Qin Jiahui looked at her watch, counting on her fingers: “Four minutes until the bell.”

Luo Mu let out a “Wow”: “So you’ve been sleeping that long.”

Qin Jiahui realized the subtext, mimicked Luo Mu’s tone, and cursed with a pout: “Seriously, I’m screwed.”

Luo Mu, meanwhile, was thinking about how to bring it up. Ji Rongshu would probably mock her relentlessly. Whatever, let him mock.

The bell rang, but the “Nanyang Navy” teacher had no intention of letting them go, frantically switching slides: “Students, let’s look at these few slides. These are key points! Worth their weight in gold!”

Luo Mu glanced at the screen, sighed, and shook her head, joking to Qin Jiahui: “I should have just slept like a log with you.”

Qin Jiahui squinted at her, thinking she was being insulted again: “Why?”

Luo Mu said flatly: “We covered this material the week before last.”

Looking toward Class 3 to the right, Luo Mu felt her heart waver.

People were coming and going at the door—this was right on the deadline of Luo Mu’s despair. A surge of uneasy anxiety rushed to her heart. It weighed on her, making it hard to breathe.

Luo Mu took a deep breath, repeatedly confirmed the Class 3 sign, and cautiously peered through the window.

She looked left and right, but she couldn’t see that guy anywhere. Where the hell did Ji Rongshu go?

She only hoped she wouldn’t suddenly call over some acquain—

“Luo Mu?” Suddenly, a slightly raspy voice appeared.

The person—

Luo Mu broke into a cold sweat. It felt as if invisible chains had sprouted out of nowhere, binding her ankles. She slowly turned around. Yan Qingzhu was standing behind her, holding two thermos cups, looking at her with a calm, steady gaze.

Luo Mu couldn’t help but wonder who the other exquisite thermos with the plush sleeve belonged to.

Stunned for a moment, Luo Mu truly couldn’t think of anything to say, so she asked: “You… are you in Class 3 too?”

The moment it left her mouth, Luo Mu regretted it. Standing outside someone’s classroom and asking if they belonged there was practically moronic.

Luo Mu was ready to be scolded, but the person in front of her just looked away and gave a flat, emotionless “Mm.” “Do you need something?”

The tone was calm, without a ripple. It was like the polite inquiry one gives a stranger they’ve never met. It wasn’t just “like” that; it was that.

Luo Mu suddenly felt this person was different from before. Her voice wavered: “Help me call Ji Rongshu. I need to find him for something.”

Yan Qingzhu’s brows furrowed slightly, a look of difficulty on her face. A chill rose from her bones, but she quickly calmed down. She peeked at the figures inside the classroom and said nonchalantly: “He’s not there.”

Damn it, he’s never there when he should be, Luo Mu cursed a thousand times in her head.

The person in front of her saw through Luo Mu’s predicament, leaned down slightly, and asked carefully: “What’s wrong?”

Thinking that failing to borrow the book would mean being embarrassed for an entire period, Luo Mu spoke directly.

“Are you using your biology book? Borrow it to me for a period.”

This tone wasn’t a request at all; it was a notification, a command.

Luo Mu immediately regretted her words again. She really wanted to dig a hole and crawl into the sewer. Who asks for a favor like that?

“Which volume?”

“Volume 3.”

“I see,” Yan Qingzhu straightened up, her expression softening a bit. She murmured leisurely: “Wait a moment.”

Luo Mu watched her walk into the classroom, hand the exquisite plush-sleeved thermos to the person beside her, and quickly pull a book from the shelf on her desk. Out of the corner of her eye, Luo Mu saw several people standing near her with their gazes fixed on her. An indescribable sense of threat instantly flooded her mind. The gathered stares were like blades coated in accusation, piercing her heart and feeding on her dignity, making Luo Mu tremble involuntarily.

Yet she had once sworn never to be swayed by such gazes again.

Seeing the person walk back out with the book, Luo Mu snapped back to her senses.

“In the future, for things like this, I can be the first person you think of.” Handing her the book, Yan Qingzhu rubbed Luo Mu’s head. The corners of her mouth lifted slightly: “Is that okay?”

Luo Mu instinctively took a step back, her gaze darting elsewhere. Only after reacting did she manage a: “Okay.”

The subconscious movement was too deliberate. All the dodging and avoiding signaled an unnamable anxiety. Voices from the depths of her inner sea kept telling her that perhaps she and the person in front of her didn’t belong on the same path.

Luo Mu looked up at her, but Yan Qingzhu’s brows were like hidden blades beneath her bangs. Her misty eyes lacked even a spark of light; it was a sense of unspeakable bitterness.

Luo Mu sensed something was wrong.

Yan Qingzhu, why are even your pupils trembling?

Yan Qingzhu, is there something you’re trying to say to me?

Luo Mu kept her head down, not daring to look into the other’s eyes. She asked cautiously: “Are you okay?”

“Not really.” The answer was clean, direct, and didn’t beat around the bush.

Luo Mu feared it was her fault and felt deeply guilty.

“Then you…”

“Luo Mu,” before she could finish, Yan Qingzhu withdrew the sharpness from her eyes and said softly: “Class is about to start.”

“Thank you.” Luo Mu realized she couldn’t say more. She just gave her thanks and turned to head back.

Yan Qingzhu watched the girl walk away with a calm gaze. She admitted that this time, emotion had stripped her of her reason and the ability to organize her speech. It was an inexplicable, lingering feeling—much like witnessing the escape of that clear, blue-eyed grey cat long ago.

It was as if a part of her life had been forcefully torn away.

“You got it?” Qin Jiahui saw Luo Mu return with the book. “From Ji Rongshu?”

Luo Mu could finally sigh: “From Yan Qingzhu.”

“Holy crap, you’re good, getting it from her. Tell me, how did you borrow it?”

“Are you okay?” Luo Mu looked at her like she was an idiot. “I just told her, ‘borrow me the biology book,’ and she did.”

Qin Jiahui was stunned: “That simple?”

Luo Mu naturally didn’t want to deal with her. She just flipped the book to the corresponding chapter. She was suddenly surprised; the pages were clean, and the small regular script of the handwritten notes was neither thin nor superficial. The way the brush turned and the structure of the characters were all integrated into the text.

Aside from the three colors—red, blue, and black—there were no other flashy color schemes. The key points were well-marked. The book had no creases. Luo Mu marveled; what a great habit. Looking at the neat and powerful handwriting, it was clear she had put effort into practicing.

There was so much more about her that Luo Mu didn’t know.

— “Not really.”

This phrase tumbled through her mind like a giant wave, bringing a sense of pressure and fear from the deep sea. At the time, Luo Mu thought she was just saying it to get comfort. But that clear and pure gaze spoke of self-pity—something she never imagined would emanate from someone with such a cold aura.

Whatever.

“I’m screwed,” Luo Mu sighed.

Qin Jiahui looked confused, then happily mimicked Luo Mu’s tone, repeating with a silly smile: “Screwed.”

Fortunately, the biology class covered basic points. Luo Mu didn’t dare take notes directly in the book; she only wrote them in her notebook.

She didn’t know when she would ever get over her habit of internal mental exhaustion.

After class, Luo Mu held the book, wanting to say something comforting when she returned it, but she found herself unable to speak. However, it wasn’t Yan Qingzhu waiting for her at the door, but one of those many pairs of eyes from before.

Her body couldn’t help but tremble.

“Luo Mu, right?” Ye Nanqiao was leaning against the corridor railing, the sunlight hitting her so that even the tips of her hair seemed to glow. Her smile was beaming: “Qingzhu had something to do and asked for leave. She asked me to come get the book.”

“Yan Qingzhu… went back?” Luo Mu frowned as she handed the book to Ye Nanqiao.

There were four morning classes. To ask for leave and go home by the third period usually meant something urgent.

“She said she was afraid you wouldn’t be able to find anyone, so she specifically told me to wait at the door, Hahaha.” Ye Nanqiao explained with a laugh.

Luo Mu’s gaze fell on Ye Nanqiao. The girl’s eyes were full of gentleness. Although she was tall, the feeling was definitely different from Yan Qingzhu. Ye Nanqiao always met people with a smile; her features were soft and very comfortable to look at.

“I was afraid I wouldn’t recognize you.”

“Thank you,” Luo Mu thanked her softly.

“If you need help with anything in the future, you can come find us,” Ye Nanqiao answered leisurely. “There aren’t many girls in Class 3, so it’s easy to find us.” Ye Nanqiao pointed to the back door: “Looking through the back door, you can see us very quickly.”

Luo Mu nodded: “Okay.”

Ye Nanqiao was pleasantly surprised by the girl’s honesty; she almost wanted to pull her into a hug. Internally, she grumbled about what kind of “patent” that idiot Yan Qingzhu had to be able to rub this girl’s head. Although the girl in front of her looked delicate and demure, Ye Nanqiao found it hard to imagine what Yan Qingzhu meant by—

“Oh, right,” Ye Nanqiao leaned into Luo Mu’s ear, “Yan Qingzhu’s temper has been a bit unstable these past few days. Please bear with her.”

“What’s her situation… can you tell me?” Luo Mu paused, but still asked the question.

Ye Nanqiao naturally didn’t have the heart to be blunt—the person in front of her was so sincere—but indeed, some things were not as “proper” as one might wish. Ye Nanqiao knew Yan Qingzhu’s personality; if there was something she wanted to handle herself, she should be left to do it without others interfering.

In the end, Ye Nanqiao just put her hands in her pockets and gave a shallow smile.

No comment.

Luo Mu had been waiting to hear some news, but seeing the person remain silent, she understood that she had indeed overstepped. She gave a simple thanks and turned to leave.

Ye Nanqiao’s mind replayed the bet Yan Qingzhu had made with her. She truly couldn’t understand what kind of mental state Yan Qingzhu was in to say such words. Facing this innocent child, she couldn’t imagine what kind of courage that person was carrying. She recalled how Yan Qingzhu’s face had softened slightly after getting water. When she handed the thermos to Sister Luo, she had conveniently looked for a book on the shelf.

Ye Nanqiao had turned to lean on Yan Qingzhu’s desk, seeing the slight lift of her mouth. “Yo, what’s going on?”

Yan Qingzhu didn’t respond, but Luo Daier gave her a look, pointing toward the window.

A very familiar face, but Ye Nanqiao couldn’t place it. The “half-awake” feeling was like soft mist, easily triggering a protective instinct.

Wow, so Yan Qingzhu likes this type?

Ye Nanqiao and Luo Daier watched as Yan Qingzhu went out and came back.

“Sister Luo! Head rub! Head rub!” Ye Nanqiao nudged Luo Daier, shouting excitedly, “Look, look!”

Luo Daier just smiled and gave a slow clap, saying with relief: “She’s finally making progress.”

But when Yan Qingzhu returned, both of them simultaneously pretended to be composed. Ye Nanqiao acted casual; seeing Yan Qingzhu’s mood had softened, she deliberately avoided talking about the scene just now.

“I saw a dessert shop, but the price is a bit high. Can Sister Yan satisfy my wish?”

Yan Qingzhu: “You go beat the price down.”

Ye Nanqiao: “You help me beat it down.”

Yan Qingzhu, expressionless: “I’ll beat your head in.”

It seemed her bad mood hadn’t softened all that much, so Ye Nanqiao could only stay quiet.

“President Ye, I have something to do and I’m going back. I gave the leave slip to the old teacher.” After a long while, Yan Qingzhu stood up to pack her things and murmured: “When that girl comes to return the book, you wait at the door.”

Ye Nanqiao wanted to say something, but the person wasn’t finished.

“Luo Mu, that’s the girl’s name.” Yan Qingzhu put the last book in her bag. “When the time comes, just put the book on my desk.”

She picked up her bag and walked a few steps before suddenly turning back to Ye Nanqiao: “Let’s make a bet. The stakes are that dessert shop you mentioned.”

Ye Nanqiao didn’t know which donkey had kicked this idiot in the head.

Since they met, whenever Yan Qingzhu bet against Ye Nanqiao, she always lost. Even at Rock-Paper-Scissors, this dummy had won against her fewer than five times. It always made Yan Qingzhu scream in frustration: “No, Ye Nanqiao, are you freaking cursed for me or what?”

“What’s the bet?” Ye Nanqiao asked, puzzled.

Yan Qingzhu continued: “I bet that in the future, Luo Mu will definitely be a shrewd and deeply calculating opportunist.”