Returning to High School to Save My Wife - Chapter 30

Liang Qi naturally didn’t dare reveal her true thoughts.

After all, when she and Jiang Yuan first met in their previous life, they were already working adults. Jiang Yuan rarely spoke about her past, leaving Liang Qi almost entirely in the dark about it. She didn’t even know if Jiang Yuan was naturally attracted to women.

 

However, Jiang Yuan’s words gave her a reminder. Even if she didn’t know, she could find ways to find out.

 

“Just good friends?” Liang Qi blinked.

 

“What else?” Jiang Yuan was confused. Hadn’t Liang Qi always called her a friend? If that was the case, what was wrong with her considering Liang Qi a friend?

 

Seeing her expression, Liang Qi knew what she was thinking. She didn’t press further but changed the question: “Then, have you ever thought about being more than classmates with them?”

 

Jiang Yuan’s brows knit slightly, sensing an underlying meaning. “You mean, being friends with them?”

 

She thought for a moment and answered honestly, “I haven’t.”

 

She was friends with Liang Qi because Liang Qi was kind hearted, loyal, and had helped her so much. Others weren’t like that, let alone classmates she had only spoken a few words to.

 

“What about, anything else?”

 

“Anything else what?” Jiang Yuan truly didn’t understand what Liang Qi was getting at.

 

“For example, you know what it means when he sends you a love letter, right?”

 

“I know,” Jiang Yuan wasn’t that naive, “Didn’t I refuse him?”

 

“Then what if someone else sends you a love letter in the future? Would you refuse?”

 

“That won’t happen,” Jiang Yuan felt in her heart that it was impossible, “Everyone is focused on studying. Sending love letters is a rare thing. I don’t think it will happen frequently.”

 

“Even if it’s rare, there’s a possibility. What if it really happens again?”

 

“Then I will definitely refuse.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Because I need to study hard in high school.” Jiang Yuan found it strange that Liang Qi was asking this; she felt it was a very simple concept to grasp.

 

A student’s job is to study. How could they date?

 

Jiang Yuan hesitated, suddenly struck by a thought about why Liang Qi was asking. She asked subtly, “Would, would you not refuse?”

 

Liang Qi’s face stiffened for a second. “Of course I would refuse.”

 

“Then there you go.” Since even Liang Qi would choose to refuse, why did she think Jiang Yuan wouldn’t?

 

“Is the only reason you refuse because you want to study hard?”

 

“Not exactly,” Jiang Yuan said with a small smile, “I don’t like him, so of course there’s no reason to accept.”

 

“But you’ll meet someone you like one day,” Liang Qi paused, “If someone you have a good impression of pursued you, would you refuse?”

 

“A good impression?” Jiang Yuan was stunned. She had never considered such a question, but. “The school doesn’t allow puppy love.”

 

“…”

 

Liang Qi hadn’t expected that trying to gauge Jiang Yuan’s views on love would be this difficult.

 

The school doesn’t allow puppy love.

 

The reason was absolutely bulletproof. Who would dare to date openly in school? She couldn’t very well ask Jiang Yuan to hypothesize about breaking school rules. If she asked that, it wouldn’t be her; if Jiang Yuan agreed, she wouldn’t be Jiang Yuan.

 

The results of her probing were unsatisfactory, so Liang Qi stopped and didn’t ask further. She couldn’t be too impatient or expose her goals too early. Otherwise, it might backfire.

 

So she said, “You’re right.”

 

She paused, then added, “The school doesn’t allow puppy love, and studying is most important. So if someone pursues you, you must refuse. If it’s inconvenient for you to say, just tell me. I promise no one will dare offend you.”

 

Jiang Yuan gave a gentle smile. “Thank you.”

 

She looked at Liang Qi, her smile fading slightly. “To be honest, I was very worried these past few days that you were angry with me.”

 

Her friends were few and far between. She had just established a deep bond with her desk mate and didn’t want any friction between them.

 

“How could I be? You didn’t do anything wrong. I just don’t want others affecting your studies.”

 

As long as there was no one else around Jiang Yuan, her relationship with Jiang Yuan could develop slowly. There was plenty of time; no rush.

 

“Mm, I know studying is important. I won’t do anything reckless.”

 

“Then I’m relieved,” Liang Qi suddenly remembered something, “By the way, Yuan Yuan, why don’t you come over to my house this Sunday to do homework together?”

 

“To your house?” Jiang Yuan was startled.

 

Though she wanted to be friends with Liang Qi, she had never thought about going to her home. In her mind, visiting a friend’s house was a very intimate act, something only very close friends did. She had known Liu Jiayao and Mu Zhizhi for over a year and had never been to their homes. She had known Liang Qi for a much shorter time; a sudden visit felt a bit intrusive.

 

“Would that, be appropriate?”

 

“There’s nothing inappropriate about it. My parents are going out this Sunday, so you can come over and study.” Liang Qi had already learned from Tao Huijuan that she and Liang Jingsong were attending a social gathering and wouldn’t be back until late.

 

Worried Jiang Yuan wouldn’t agree, she added, “We can exchange our learning insights.”

 

With that, Jiang Yuan finally agreed. “Then, alright. I have my part time job at the convenience store on Saturday, so I’ll come to your house on Sunday.”

 

“Give me a call when you’re ready.”

 

“Mm, okay.”

 

Knowing Liang Qi wasn’t angry and had even enthusiastically invited her over, the stone in Jiang Yuan’s heart finally fell. But since she lacked experience in making friends and had never visited one’s home, she asked Lin Ruoyan for some advice near the end of her shift on Saturday.

 

“How? Xiao Yuan, have you never been to a friend’s house before?” Lin Ruoyan looked surprised.

 

“No, it’s the first time.” In her first year, Liu Jiayao and Mu Zhizhi had been to her house, but only to grab a bottle of water; they didn’t stay long.

 

Lin Ruoyan glanced outside the shop. Seeing no one, her tone became serious. “Xiao Yuan, there were things I couldn’t say in front of others last time, but since you’re going over there, I’ll be honest with you.”

 

Jiang Yuan was surprised. This was the first time she had seen Lin Ruoyan so solemn. “Sister Yan, what is it?”

 

Lin Ruoyan advised earnestly, “I suggest you bring a gift. Those two friends of yours, the clothes they wear and the bags they carry are all expensive brands. If you’re going over, bringing a gift will save you some face.”

 

“A gift?” Jiang Yuan hesitated, “But Liang Qi said only she would be at home.”

 

“Oh, Xiao Yuan, you don’t understand,” Lin Ruoyan sighed, “Even so, can she hide the fact that you visited from her parents? When they ask later and find out you went empty handed, they’ll have a bad impression of you. Didn’t you say she’s helped you a lot? This is a good chance to pay her back. Friendship can’t always be a one way street.”

 

“Then what should I send?” A seventeen year old girl is inevitably insensitive to social nuances; this was Jiang Yuan’s first lesson in the “social debt” of friendship.

 

“Let me think, I’ve got it!”

 

Lin Ruoyan turned toward a row of gift boxes near the warehouse. “These are new gift boxes the store just got. Why don’t you buy one from us? I can even get you a discount.”

 

“What are they?” Jiang Yuan walked over and crouched down, opening a box to find it labeled as imported fruit.

 

“Fresh stock, very high quality fruit.”

 

The box was sealed and couldn’t be opened, but it felt heavy.

 

“Is it registered in the warehouse?” Jiang Yuan asked.

 

“No need,” Lin Ruoyan said, “The boss said as long as we sell them, it’s fine. Xiao Yuan, you’re still a student, so it’s not good to give something too extravagant. Imported fruit is just right.”

 

“How much is it?”

 

“Three hundred a box. I’ll give you the employee price, ten percent off, so exactly two hundred and seventy.”

 

Jiang Yuan hesitated at the price. “But, that seems too expensive.”

 

She was only working at the convenience store to pay off Xu Chengyu’s hospital bills. She saved wherever she could; spending that much on a gift box was a hard decision.

 

Knowing her family situation, Lin Ruoyan persuaded her, “It is a bit much. But think about it, she’s helped you so much. If you can’t help her back yet, the only way to maintain the relationship is with gifts. It’s not easy to find friends you click with. Believe me, you can’t go wrong with this.”

 

“Two hundred and seventy. Sister Yan, that’s a lot of money for me right now. Maybe I should look at something else, like buying some loose fruit.”

 

“Xiao Yuan, don’t buy loose fruit. Let me call the boss and see if I can get it even cheaper for you. You’re our own staff; the boss won’t say no. If you’re short on cash, I’ll lend it to you. Think about it, if you bring loose fruit and her parents find out, what if they have a problem with you? It’s the first time you’re meeting; a nice gift is worth it, and it’s only this once.”

 

“But.”

 

“No buts, I’ll speak for you.”

 

Lin Ruoyan was already dialing the boss. “Hello, Boss? Yes, it’s Ruoyan. About those fruit boxes you left at the shop last night, one of our staff wants a box. Can we give her a better price? She really needs it for something urgent and she’s a hard worker. Please give her another discount.”

 

“Okay, okay, I understand. The lowest price.”

 

“I’ll pick the heaviest one for her. Thanks, Boss.”

 

Lin Ruoyan hung up quickly. She walked over to the gift boxes, picked one up, and weighed it on the electronic scale, then swapped it for another. After weighing several, she chose the heaviest one for Jiang Yuan.

 

“This one. Actually, they’re all about the same weight. If anyone else came to buy, we wouldn’t weigh them. The boss agreed to the lowest price, two hundred and thirty. That’s better than twenty percent off.”

 

Jiang Yuan hadn’t wanted the box, but Lin Ruoyan had already settled it with the boss. She owed her job to Lin Ruoyan and had to keep working there. If she didn’t buy it, she would offend both the boss and Lin Ruoyan.

 

Social debt is always the most expensive thing in the world to pay back. Forced into a corner with no choice, she could only agree.

 

“Then, Sister Yan, thank you.”

 

“Why so polite? I’ll pay for it first; you can pay me back when you have the money,” Lin Ruoyan checked her out quickly, “Xiao Yuan, even though it’s a bit pricey, you want to be good friends with her, right?”

 

“I, yes.”

 

“True friendship is priceless. You have to cherish your friendships during your student years. Close friends can stay together for many years. After you graduate and start working, you’ll still be friends. You might even be each other’s bridesmaids one day.”

 

“I understand, Sister Yan. Thanks for the advice.”

 

“Alright, Xiao Yuan, it’s late. Go home. I’ll watch the shop.”

 

“Okay, then Sister Yan, I’ll head out.”

 

Shortly after Jiang Yuan left, Lin Ruoyan’s phone rang.

 

“Hello, Boss?”

 

“Ruoyan, did you sell that fruit?”

 

“I’ve already sold one box. Don’t worry, I’ll sell the rest as soon as possible.”

 

“Good, that’s a relief. My husband’s boss knew I ran this store and insisted I help him sell these at a high price. Once this is settled, I’ll give you a raise.”

 

“Don’t worry, Ma’am, I’ll get it done for you.”

 

Sunday morning, Jiang Yuan headed to Liang Qi’s house carrying the gift box. This was the first time she had entered a high end complex like Fenghuali.

 

Liang Qi had wanted to pick her up, but Jiang Yuan didn’t want to trouble her and asked for the address instead. Reaching the area, she found the complex much grander than she had imagined. The space between the buildings was vast, and the landscaping was meticulous.

 

Jiang Yuan took the elevator to Liang Qi’s door and rang the bell. Liang Qi quickly ran to open it.

 

“Yuan Yuan, you’re here. Hey, why are you carrying something?” Liang Qi noticed the gift box immediately.

 

“This is for you. A small token; please don’t be polite.” Jiang Yuan set the box down, noticing the luxurious decoration of Liang Qi’s home, so different from her own. Every item was arranged with care; it was so beautiful she couldn’t look away.

 

Detailed observation would be impolite, so Jiang Yuan quickly looked back.

 

Liang Qi frowned slightly. “Yuan Yuan, you didn’t have to bring this. We’re desk mates; you don’t have to be so formal when coming over to my house.”

 

“Because, you said we are friends,” Jiang Yuan watched her, her almond shaped eyes shimmering. “I want our friendship to be equal, so I don’t want to take advantage of you. You’ve helped me so much; I thought I should at least give you something.”

 

Liang Qi froze. “Yuan Yuan, why would you think that? We are good friends. I never felt that you.”

 

“Liang Qi,” Jiang Yuan recalled Lin Ruoyan’s words from yesterday, “I don’t want our relationship to spoil because it’s unequal. I want to be friends for a long time, the kind that are bridesmaids at each other’s weddings many years from now.”

 

“?”

 

Friends.

 

Liang Qi repeated the word in her head. Jiang Yuan wanting to be good friends was fine. But Jiang Yuan thinking they were immovable, unchangeable friends who would attend each other’s weddings? That wouldn’t do.