Returning to High School to Save My Wife - Chapter 28

Liang Qi was always highly efficient. Having placed the order that same day, she had the matching Maneki-neko phone charm hanging from her phone within two days, complete with Jiang Yuan’s number written on it.

“There we go,” Liang Qi said, putting down her pen. She flicked the charm, letting it dangle in front of Jiang Yuan. “Now we don’t have to worry about losing our phones anymore.”

 

The two Maneki-neko charms, one blue and one red, were a pair. One looked gentle and quiet while the other was lively and cute, looking very much like a couple’s accessory.

 

Two rows away, Yue Suxin watched the two of them chatting intimately, her heart filled with immense discomfort.

 

The other day, when Cheng Zhuocheng had asked her about Jiang Yuan, she actually believed he had a grudge against her. That was why she had given him Jiang Yuan’s phone, only to have him return it to Jiang Yuan immediately after.

 

She later sent Chen Jiayue to ask around among former Class 5 classmates, only to find out that Jiang Yuan and Liang Qi had gone upstairs to find Liu Jiayao that day. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that Liu Jiayao and Yu Xingran must have badmouthed her to Cheng Zhuocheng.

 

It made her blood boil!

 

If she had known, she should have kept Jiang Yuan’s phone for a few days first to see what secrets she was hiding.

 

Though she couldn’t see them now, she was lucky she had been cautious when Cheng Zhuocheng came for the phone. By saying a friend had found it, she managed to avoid exposing the fact that she had stolen it; it was a small blessing in a series of misfortunes.

 

Ultimately, this was all the fault of that useless Hang Jiao.

 

When Cheng Zhuocheng came looking for her, Hang Jiao was constantly in the way. Later, when Cheng Zhuocheng asked about the phone, it was Hang Jiao who privately suggested giving it to him.

 

What kind of rotten idea was that?

 

If Hang Jiao could help her the way Liang Qi helped Jiang Yuan, would she be in such a passive position? She even had to rely on Chen Jiayue just to get information. What was the point of having Hang Jiao around?

 

Only a week into the semester, she felt more and more that Hang Jiao was a burden dragging her down. She thought she was being kind by keeping Hang Jiao close, expecting some return, but what did she get? Someone who was more of a hindrance than a help. It had been days, and Hang Jiao couldn’t even find out what He Wei said to Liang Qi in the office.

 

The more Yue Suxin thought about it, the more unbalanced she felt. She turned her head and saw Hang Jiao looking down at a book, occasionally laughing while talking to her desk-mate, which only deepened her dissatisfaction.

 

She was about to stand up and call Hang Jiao out when Chen Jiayue, sensing her mood, tapped her desk with a pen.

 

“Sister Xin.”

 

Chen Jiayue was calm and mature, miles ahead of Hang Jiao. Her family background wasn’t as poor, either. She had helped Yue Suxin many times before, so Yue Suxin usually listened when she spoke.

 

Yue Suxin turned around, puzzled. “What is it?”

 

Chen Jiayue glanced toward the back row and quickly looked away, whispering to Yue Suxin, “There are too many students here. If you call her out for a lecture now, people will think you’re bullying her. It’s bad for your reputation.”

 

“Then what should I do?” Yue Suxin was irritable. “I won’t feel better until I let this out.”

 

“I have an idea,” Chen Jiayue beckoned for Yue Suxin to lean in and whispered a few words in her ear. “Don’t we have a pop quiz this afternoon?”

 

Yue Suxin froze for a moment, then a smile spread across her lips. Her tone was full of approval: “You’re the clever one!”

 

Chen Jiayue smiled slightly, glanced at Hang Jiao, and looked away. “I’ll be the one to send the text then.”

 

Break time was only ten minutes long. Most students went directly to each other’s seats for urgent matters rather than using WeChat. Since phones couldn’t be used openly at school, many students kept them on silent in hidden spots.

 

Hang Jiao was no exception.

 

By the time she saw Chen Jiayue’s message saying “Go to the rooftop,” the second class had already ended, fifty minutes later.

 

Hang Jiao knew that if Chen Jiayue messaged her, it usually meant Yue Suxin wanted something. She looked up and saw Yue Suxin leaving the classroom with Chen Jiayue to do morning exercises, with no intention of waiting for her. She immediately realized Yue Suxin was angry.

 

She hurriedly squeezed through the crowded desks to catch up.

 

“Sister Yue, did you look for me last class?”

 

The two ignored her, continuing their conversation.

 

Hang Jiao asked awkwardly again, “Sister Xin, Sister Yue, what did you need me for last class?”

 

Finally, the arrogant Yue Suxin spoke: “What ‘last class’? Can’t you count? Jiayue sent you a message, and you took so long to reply that the matter is already over.”

 

“I’m sorry, Sister Xin, I didn’t see it,” Hang Jiao apologized quickly. “My phone was in my bag on silent. I didn’t mean it.”

 

“What’s the use of apologizing now? We don’t need you anymore.”

 

“Sister Xin, don’t be mad at me. I promise it won’t happen again!”

 

“Promise? How can you promise? You’re always on silent or turning it off.”

 

“Sister Xin, I don’t always do that.”

 

“You dare talk back?”

 

“No, no, Sister Xin. How about this? From now on, I won’t put it on silent or turn it off. Anyway, no one else ever contacts me.”

 

Hearing this, Yue Suxin’s attitude softened. “That’s more like it. You better stick to your word. If we can’t find you next time, don’t say we don’t look out for you.”

 

“I understand. Thank you for giving me the chance, Sister Xin.”

 

“Fine,” Yue Suxin gestured toward the playground. “Go get in line.”

 

After Hang Jiao left, Yue Suxin and Chen Jiayue exchanged triumphant glances. Neither said another word.

 

The last class in the afternoon was He Wei’s math class, which featured a pop quiz to check their progress.

 

While handing out the papers, He Wei emphasized: “No whispering during the test. All phones must be turned off. Cheating will result in a zero.”

 

Once the papers were distributed, the students hurried to solve the problems. The classroom fell silent, save for the sound of pens scratching against paper.

 

The problems weren’t difficult, and math was Liang Qi’s strength. She finished in thirty minutes, even faster than Jiang Yuan.

 

Since turning in the paper early would be too high-profile, Liang Qi boredly twirled her pen. Suddenly, the sound of a phone vibrating came from the back row.

 

Because the room was so quiet, the sound was jarring. After a few seconds, students began turning their heads toward the back.

 

“Turn your heads back, no whispering,” He Wei frowned deeply and looked toward the back. “Whose phone is on?”

 

“I, I’m sorry, Teacher, it’s mine.” Hang Jiao’s face turned red and white. She lacked any confidence as she reached into her drawer for her bag. Just as she was about to turn it off, He Wei walked down from the podium toward her.

 

“Give me the phone,” He Wei held out her hand firmly. “I’ll return it after class.”

 

“Oh, okay,” Hang Jiao answered dejectedly. She hadn’t expected to be so unlucky; the first time she left the sound on, someone actually called during class.

 

She didn’t have many friends; her contacts and WeChat were nearly empty. Who would call her now?

 

As she wondered, the phone vibrated with several text notifications. He Wei saw the lines of text on the notification bar, and her brow suddenly knotted.

 

“Huh? Answers?”

 

“Teacher?” Hang Jiao’s paper wasn’t finished yet, and she was already nervous. Hearing those words from He Wei, she had an ominous premonition.

 

He Wei swiped the screen and opened the text. It contained all the answers to the current quiz!

 

He Wei’s face changed instantly. She looked coldly at Hang Jiao and turned the phone to face her. “Cheating, are we?”

 

“Teacher!” Hang Jiao froze. Seeing the answers in the text, she was terrified. “I didn’t.”

 

“You didn’t?” He Wei retorted. “Then what is this? Who would send you the answers for no reason?”

 

“Teacher, I really didn’t,” Hang Jiao was on the verge of tears. “I don’t know this person. This number isn’t in my phone.”

 

It was clearly a stranger’s number with no chat history. Why would this person suddenly send her the answers during an exam? It was obviously a setup.

 

“Hang Jiao,” He Wei interrupted. “The evidence is conclusive. What else do you have to say?”

 

“Teacher, believe me. If I knew these were the answers, I wouldn’t have given you the phone just now.”

 

“Stop making excuses,” He Wei’s brow was tight as she took the test paper from the desk. “Cheating counts as a zero. If this happens again, the school will discipline you.”

 

“Teacher, please, I really didn’t.”

 

“Not punishing you would be unfair to the students who are testing honestly. Did I not emphasize turning off phones before the test? Why didn’t you listen?”

 

“I, I.” Hang Jiao’s sobbing gradually quieted down.

 

She couldn’t possibly say she left the sound on because of Yue Suxin. After all, she was the one who suggested it. She had no other friends in class; if she offended Yue Suxin, there would truly be no one to hang out with.

 

Beyond that, with Yue Suxin’s popularity and connections, she would be ostracized. Everyone would dislike her and stay away from her. Just like back in middle school.

 

At that time, she was always criticized for her looks and weight. She wasn’t good with words, so she was excluded everywhere. No one wanted to play with her, and students from other classes looked at her through colored lenses until she reached high school and Yue Suxin and Chen Jiayue were willing to talk to her.

 

Thinking that the same thing might happen again, Hang Jiao was overcome with deep fear. She steeled herself, gritted her teeth, and let her tears fall, her whole body shaking. “I’m sorry, Teacher. I won’t do it again.”

 

“Who did you ask to send the answers?” He Wei pressed. Assisting in cheating was just as shameful as cheating itself.

 

“I don’t know.” Hang Jiao shook her head while sobbing, having no idea what He Wei was asking.

 

“You don’t know who you asked?” He Wei’s patience was limited. In all her years of teaching, she had never seen a student who so desperately protected the other party after being caught. “Who helped you cheat?”

 

“Teacher, I really don’t know.”

 

He Wei assumed Hang Jiao was acting out of student loyalty and refused to name names. Seeing that Hang Jiao wouldn’t budge, she looked at the other students and warned: “I’ll say it again. Anyone who dares to cheat or assist in cheating won’t be allowed to take exams anymore! If you don’t want to learn, go home. Don’t disrupt the order in this class!”

 

After the test ended, everyone turned in their papers. As the school bell rang, the classroom emptied. Liang Qi didn’t go home immediately; she stayed to check answers with Jiang Yuan.

 

“The last question is 72. We only have one answer that’s different.”

 

“Mm, it seems there aren’t any major issues. I didn’t find the test very hard while doing it.”

 

Jiang Yuan put down her pen and packed her scratch paper. Hearing the faint crying from the back row, her movements paused slightly.

 

Chen Jiayue’s voice sounded from behind.

 

“Hang Jiao, stop crying. Not everyone has left yet. It would be embarrassing if this spreads to other classes.”

 

“Exactly, Hang Jiao. It’s just one test. Just do better next time,” Yue Suxin said leisurely while packing her bag.

 

“But I have no score for this test now.”

 

“Oh, just don’t tell your family. Teacher He didn’t say she’d call your parents. What are you afraid of? It’s not a big deal.”

 

Hang Jiao rubbed her eyes, looking utterly wretched. Yue Suxin frowned deeply, a flash of disgust in her eyes.

 

Hang Jiao slowly pulled her phone from the drawer and asked the two tentatively, “Sister Xin, Sister Yue, do you know this number?”

 

Yue Suxin spoke without even looking: “It’s a stranger’s number. How would we know it?”

 

“Then, did you,” Hang Jiao bit her lip and asked subtly, “Did you tell anyone else my phone number?”

 

Yue Suxin froze, immediately realizing what she was implying. Her temper flared up instantly. “Hang Jiao, what do you mean? Are you blaming me? How would I know who sent you the answers?”

 

“Sister Xin, I didn’t mean it that way!” Hang Jiao panicked. “I just wanted to know who it was.”

 

“You should ask yourself that instead of asking us. Don’t act like you’re so popular; think about how many people dislike you. Everyone is busy studying; who has time to care about you?”

 

“Sister Xin, but I really don’t know who it is! I barely have anyone in my contacts.”

 

“Maybe you accidentally clicked on some interface and leaked your number. Or maybe someone you knew before posted it online. Who knows?” Yue Suxin said dismissively.

 

Chen Jiayue spoke indifferently: “Hang Jiao, you were the one who chose to keep your phone on during class. You have to take responsibility. Treat this as a lesson. Be smarter in the future and don’t be so stubborn.”

 

“But it was because.”

 

“But what? Can you stop acting so pathetic? It’s annoying,” Yue Suxin interrupted impatiently, grabbing Chen Jiayue’s arm. “Jiayue, let’s go. My dad is taking me to a party today, and I don’t want to waste time here.”

 

“Alright, Hang Jiao,” Chen Jiayue gave Hang Jiao a look, signaling her to shut up, then said to Yue Suxin, “Sister Xin, I’ll walk you to the school gate.”

 

Yue Suxin grabbed her backpack straps. “Fine, hurry and pack. I’ll wait for you.”

 

Chen Jiayue returned to her seat, zipped up her bag, and slung it over her shoulder. “Let’s go.”

 

Before leaving, Chen Jiayue made a point of looking at Hang Jiao. Seeing that Hang Jiao was still watching her, she shook her head. Hang Jiao bit her lip and said nothing, watching the two walk out together.

 

The classroom, now missing two more people, became even quieter. Only the sound of Hang Jiao wiping her nose could be heard.

 

Liang Qi整理好书包，一拍姜媛桌子: “Let’s go back.”

 

“Mm.” Jiang Yuan didn’t say much, but as she rose, she glanced toward Hang Jiao’s seat.

 

Liang Qi followed her gaze, then quickly looked away and gave her a look, signaling her not to get involved. Jiang Yuan met her eyes and ultimately said nothing, leaving the classroom with Liang Qi.

 

Once they were outside the school gates, Liang Qi spoke: “It’s better not to meddle in things that don’t concern us. You know what kind of people they are. Even if you help her, she might not be grateful.”

 

“I understand,” Jiang Yuan’s tone was calm. “Everyone’s choices forge their own destiny. It’s just karma.”

 

“Yuan Yuan, do you believe in Buddhism?” Liang Qi finally had the chance to ask this question.

 

When Liang Qi visited Jiang Yuan’s house, she had seen Buddhist statues on the altar, and Jiang Mu always wore a string of Buddhist beads on his wrist. Given that karma is a Buddhist concept, Liang Qi had her suspicions. However, in the two years they spent together in their previous life, Liang Qi had never noticed Jiang Yuan being religious.

 

Jiang Yuan shook her head. “I don’t.”

 

She lowered her eyes slightly, looking at the shadows lengthened by the setting sun on the ground. “That’s just something my mother likes to say.”

 

“Oh? Your aunt believes in Buddhism?”

 

“Not exactly believes. It’s just that my brother was born with some bone-related issues. Later, my mother went to a temple to have his fortune read and now burns incense every day to pray for his safety. Mu Mu’s health has improved a lot in the last few years, so she often goes back to fulfill her vows. But the doctor said Mu Mu’s condition is unstable and he must be careful with exercise; he shouldn’t do anything too strenuous.”

 

Hearing Jiang Yuan’s description of Jiang Mu’s condition, Liang Qi couldn’t help but recall his early death in her past life. Could it be that Jiang Mu died of bone cancer later on?

 

“Mu Mu used to love sports,” Jiang Yuan sighed softly, a hint of regret in her voice. “He originally wanted to join the sports class, but he was afraid strenuous exercise would affect his health, so he switched to art.”

 

“No wonder he’s always holding a basketball.”

 

“I know very well that burning incense and praying are useless. But since it makes my mother a bit happier, whether it’s useful or not doesn’t really matter.”

 

“Yeah, your aunt’s happiness is what’s most important.”

 

“Actually, I don’t really believe in karma,” Jiang Yuan’s eyes darkened, remembering something at that moment. “Sometimes admitting to karma is just a fleeting thought, depending on whether it happens to you or not.”

 

“Yuan Yuan, you’re right. Not every bad outcome in this world has a prior cause. Tragic things don’t just happen to people who do evil.”

 

Liang Qi unconsciously stopped walking.

 

Jiang Yuan stopped as well, turning around to see Liang Qi’s charming face looking like a priceless painting in the glow of the sunset. In that moment, Jiang Yuan felt the silhouette was somewhat unreal, as if this girl was just a beautiful dream in this world, like the rising and setting sun.

 

“However, I also believe that fate exists in this world,” Liang Qi said seriously.

 

For example, our reunion.

 

I believe destiny is in our own hands. But for you, I am willing to believe there is a guidance of fate in the darkness.

 

Whether I believe it or not, it’s all for you.

 

In loving you, I have the courage to keep going until I hit a wall.