Keep My First Kiss Safe For Me - Chapter 24

Chapter 24

The shoot that day went very smoothly. As the final shutter clicked, Jiang Heng clapped his hands and announced to everyone on set, “That’s it for today. Great work, everyone.”

After the group dispersed, the models returned to the dressing room to remove their makeup while the staff began striking the background in an orderly fashion. Jiang Heng reviewed the photos on his computer and delegated the post-production tasks to his assistant, with Duan Feiyu standing quietly by his side.

Once Jiang Heng was finished, Xie Yanyan pulled Fan Yue over to say goodbye. “Heng-ge, today was my last shoot. Senior year is starting soon, and I want to focus all my energy on my studies.”

After a moment of surprise, Jiang Heng nodded understandingly. “Alright. If you ever need help with anything, feel free to contact me.”

Xie Yanyan gave an “Mmm” and said solemnly, “Thank you for everything during this time, Heng-ge.”

“No need to be so polite with me.” Jiang Heng smiled at the two of them. “Would you two beautiful ladies do me the honor of grabbing a meal together?”

Fan Yue nodded immediately. “Yes, definitely.”

They went to a trendy new restaurant downstairs and took a booth. Fan Yue and Xie Yanyan sat on one side, while the two handsome men sat side-by-side across from them. Duan Feiyu wiped the utensils for Jiang Heng, and Jiang Heng reminded him that the water was hot; the two of them were intimate and natural together.

Fan Yue used to think Duan Feiyu was quite aloof. Though this underclassman was gentle and polite, he wasn’t close to anyone. Only now did she realize that he smiled brightly in front of Jiang Heng; it turned out people only show their truest selves in front of the person they love.

Remembering they went to the same school, Fan Yue couldn’t help but ask, “Did you and Yanyan know each other back in middle school?” She was curious about their history.

Duan Feiyu nodded. “Yes.”

Fan Yue pressed further, “How did you guys meet?”

He glanced at Xie Yanyan, his expression becoming a bit strained. “We just… met.”

Fan Yue had always suspected something had happened to Xie Yanyan in middle school. Seeing this reaction, it was clear Duan Feiyu knew, but like Xie Yanyan, he wasn’t willing to talk. She stopped asking; there would be chances to find out later.

After dinner, Jiang Heng insisted on driving them home. That night, Fan Yue knocked on Xie Yanyan’s door again with her workbook. As she sat at the desk, Xie Yanyan asked which problem she was stuck on, but Fan Yue asked thoughtfully instead, “Are Duan Feiyu and Jiang Heng together?”

Thinking she was just gossiping again, Xie Yanyan prepared to tap her on the head with the back of her pen. But seeing Fan Yue’s serious expression, she lowered her hand and answered, “No.”

Fan Yue’s mouth dropped open. “They aren’t together? Jiang Heng doesn’t like him?”

Xie Yanyan put down her pen and told her, “Duan Feiyu likes Jiang Heng. Heng-ge pretends not to know, and I can’t quite read his attitude. They are neighbors; Feiyu has been following Heng-ge around since they were kids. He suffered for a long time after realizing his feelings, but he’s made peace with it now. He just wants to be by his side, regardless of whether Heng-ge reciprocates.”

“Will there be a result if it stays like this?”

Xie Yanyan scribbled a few messy lines on the paper. Her next words seemed directed at Fan Yue, but she was really telling herself: “Liking someone—especially someone of the same sex—is a road with no end. Once you step onto it, don’t expect a destination.”

Fan Yue understood but was still confused. “I’ve read so many novels about this, but seeing a real person like this makes me realize how hard it must be in real life.”

“It is hard. If he chooses to persist, all we can do is offer our blessings.”

Fan Yue rested her face in her hands. Xie Yanyan tapped her forehead with the pen cap. “Your brain is already at full capacity. Read fewer gossip books and worry less. Put that effort into your studies, okay? Do you not want that thousand-yuan reward anymore?”

“Of course I do!” Fan Yue slapped the table. “That thousand yuan must be mine. You have to help me. I said I’d buy you a gift with the prize money.”

Xie Yanyan tilted her head at her. “Then why aren’t you working harder?”

“Oh, right. Fine.”

…

In the library study hall, Xiao Qian stared at the two people sitting tightly together. She and Fan Yue had planned to study here over the weekend, but she hadn’t expected Xie Yanyan to tag along. She hadn’t realized before just how omnipresent this girl was!

She had saved a seat for Fan Yue next to her, but before Fan Yue could sit, Xie Yanyan pulled her to the opposite side. Xiao Qian looked at the empty seat beside her, feeling a sour lump in her chest.

Immersed in a sea of knowledge, Fan Yue didn’t notice the resentful gaze. She bit the end of her pen with intense focus, asking Xie Yanyan whenever she hit a difficult problem.

Unable to stand the sight of them whispering and leaning in toward each other, Xiao Qian suddenly stood up and cleared her throat. “I’m going to go find a book.”

“Okay.” Fan Yue responded without even looking up.

After finishing a set of problems, Fan Yue’s throat felt a bit dry. She nudged Xie Yanyan with her elbow. “Want something to drink?”

Xie Yanyan, head down over her book, replied, “Anything is fine.”

Fan Yue instinctively asked Xiao Qian, “What do you want to—” She realized the seat across from her was still empty. Hadn’t Xiao Qian been looking for that book for a long time?

Fan Yue stood up immediately. “I’m going to find Xiao Qian.”

Xie Yanyan grabbed her hand. “I’ll go with you.”

They searched the entire building but found no sign of her. Fan Yue began to panic. Xie Yanyan squeezed her palm and comforted her, “Don’t worry, she’ll be fine. Let’s look outside.”

Feeling the warmth of Xie Yanyan’s palm, Fan Yue calmed down slightly.

After searching a large area, they spotted Xiao Qian sitting alone on a park bench outside the library, sipping a drink. Fan Yue’s temper flared instantly. She ran over and roared, “What are you doing out here in this heat! I’ve been looking everywhere for you! Do you have any idea how worried I was!”

Xiao Qian was stunned by the sudden outburst. Seeing Fan Yue’s red face and the genuine anxiety in her eyes, tears began to well up. “Do you even care about me? Are we still best friends? You don’t care about me at all anymore.”

Girls’ hearts are delicate; they can get jealous when a “third party” enters a friendship. Xiao Qian came from a wealthy family but had been timid and weak since childhood. Although she was in the same class as Fan Yue in middle school, Fan Yue was popular and outgoing while she was introverted and invisible. Their relationship was strictly acquaintances.

Middle school workloads weren’t as heavy as high school, and adolescent girls liked to play at being adults. There were a few “mean girls” in class who liked to pick on the ones who looked easy to bully.

Xiao Qian was one of them. Her desk mate was a heavy-set girl who loved bossing her around—making her do her homework, fetch her water, and throwing the broom at her when it was her turn to clean.

Once, during a school-wide cleanup, the girl was assigned to clean the bathrooms. She ordered Xiao Qian, “Go sweep it for me.”

Xiao Qian had reached her limit. She dropped a “I won’t” and turned to run.

Finally saying no made Xiao Qian want to applaud her own courage, but before she reached the school gate, the girl and two others blocked her path.

“Trying to hide?” The girl slammed a backpack against her. Xiao Qian stumbled and fell. As she struggled to get up, the girl’s foot stepped on her.

Xiao Qian glared at her.

“What, you got a problem with me?” The girl raised her leg again.

“Move your elephant leg!”

Fan Yue appeared out of nowhere, running over to shove the girl away. She pulled Xiao Qian up and shielded her.

The girl pointed at Fan Yue menacingly. “None of your business! Don’t get involved!”

Fan Yue smiled. “I’m in a good mood today, so I’m making it my business.”

The other girl snorted. “Are you even friends with her?”

“From this moment on, she’s my friend. Her business is my business.” Fan Yue didn’t know how much those words shook Xiao Qian’s world. It was like a hand reaching out when you’re drowning in a swamp. Xiao Qian hadn’t cried while being bullied, but those words made her eyes sting.

Since Fan Yue insisted on interfering, the bullies weren’t going to let it go easily. The girl stepped forward to shove Fan Yue, Fan Yue kicked out at her, and the other two girls lunged in.

Seeing Fan Yue being attacked, Xiao Qian—who had never fought or even raised her voice—fought for the first time. She rushed to Fan Yue’s side to fight with her. It was a chaotic, uncoordinated scuffle between girls.

By the time a teacher came to stop them, all five were a mess. Xiao Qian’s braids were crooked and her lip was cut, but her heart felt a thrill she’d never known. She and Fan Yue shared a smile, but then Xiao Qian screamed in panic.

Fan Yue had a nosebleed!

Xiao Qian panicked, but Fan Yue just wiped it away and said nonchalantly, “It’s fine. As long as I’m here, I’ll never let anyone bully you again.”

They had been best friends ever since. Xiao Qian saw Fan Yue as a gift from heaven, another version of herself. Sharing the same birthday was proof of their destiny.

They had been inseparable for years, but the thawing of the relationship between Xie Yanyan and Fan Yue made her feel like her best friend was drifting away—that she was no longer important in Fan Yue’s heart.

Thinking of this, Xiao Qian’s tears fell uncontrollably. Seeing her cry made Fan Yue panic. “Okay, okay, I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have yelled. I was just so worried. How could I not care about you!”

Xiao Qian continued to sob, her small shoulders shaking. Fan Yue hugged her tightly. “You will always be my beloved ‘First Wife’.”

Xiao Qian looked at Xie Yanyan standing nearby and asked Fan Yue, “Then what is she?”

Fan Yue began talking nonsense: “She’s your sister-in-law.”

Xie Yanyan: “???”

The combined emotional age of these two was definitely under six years old.

Fan Yue cupped Xiao Qian’s tear-stained face. “I was wrong. I promise I won’t ignore you anymore.”

Xie Yanyan wasn’t happy seeing them so “lovey-dovey.” she stepped over, grabbed Fan Yue, and pulled the two of them apart, saying coldly, “That’s enough out of you two.”

Xiao Qian wiped her eyes and handed a drink to Fan Yue. “I brought you your favorite mango juice.”

Fan Yue was moved. “Only my Xiao Qian is the best to me.”

Xiao Qian handed another cup of lemonade to Xie Yanyan. Xie Yanyan took a sip and her face instantly crumpled. “Why is this so sour?” It was so tart her teeth felt numb.

Xiao Qian blinked, looking perfectly innocent. “Is it sour? I don’t think so.”

She did it on purpose.

Xie Yanyan realized right then: this red-eyed girl was no innocent little lamb!