Returning to High School to Save My Wife - Chapter 7

Outside the teacher’s office.

Jiang Yuan knocked on the door and waited until she heard a voice inside say, “Come in,” before pushing the door open.

Inside the office, only He Wei was present; the other desks were empty.

When He Wei saw it was Jiang Yuan, a faint smile appeared on her face. “Jiang Yuan, is there something you need?”

Teachers always had a soft spot for high-achieving students. Jiang Yuan was the top student in her grade, and with her quiet, refined demeanor, she didn’t seem like the type to cause trouble, so He Wei naturally had a good impression of her.

Jiang Yuan placed a handbag on the desk and spoke politely to He Wei. “Teacher He, Old Xie mentioned that the poverty subsidy for my family last semester was approved thanks to your help. I can’t accept your kindness without giving something in return. This is a small token of appreciation from my mom. I hope you’ll accept it.”

Old Xie, whose full name was Xie Rudong, had been Jiang Yuan’s homeroom teacher in her first year of high school. Though already in his fifties, he was full of energy and, knowing about Jiang Yuan’s family’s financial difficulties, had always looked out for her.

Last semester, Jiang Yuan had applied for the poverty subsidy. The process had initially gone smoothly, but midway through, someone had tried to pull strings to take her spot. In the end, Xie Rudong had sought He Wei’s help, ensuring Jiang Yuan’s subsidy was approved.

“You shouldn’t dwell on such a small matter,” He Wei said gently. “It was just part of my job nothing more than what I should’ve done.”

“It’s nothing expensive,” Jiang Yuan explained. “Just a small gesture. Please accept it, Teacher He.”

She pulled out the item from the bag, a massage cushion. Though not a luxury item, it was well-crafted.

“Before the break, I kept hearing Old Xie mention your back pain. My mom used to work in a hospital and made lumbar support cushions for patients. Many said they helped a lot. Maybe you could give it a try.”

“You really put so much thought into this,” He Wei sighed, unable to refuse, and took the cushion from her hands. “Since it’s a sincere gesture, it wouldn’t be right to turn it down.”

A faint smile appeared on Jiang Yuan’s usually cool face. “I’m just glad if it can help you.”

“Your mom has such skillful hands,” He Wei remarked after examining the cushion for a moment, then placed it on a nearby chair. “This time, since it’s your mom’s kind intention, I’ll accept it. But don’t bring gifts next time, alright?”

“Mm, I understand. Thank you, Teacher He!”

Before Jiang Yuan could finish, loud commotion erupted outside the office.

He Wei frowned slightly and glanced toward the door. “What’s going on? It’s the first day of school, and they’re already causing a ruckus in the hallway. Do they have no discipline?”

“I’ll go take a look, Teacher.”

Jiang Yuan left the office and turned around just in time to see her deskmate, Liang Qi, pinning Yue Suxin against the wall outside the office, one hand braced against the wall. His expression was cold and rebellious, even more arrogant than Yue Suxin, who was usually disdainful of everyone.

He looked every bit the school bully.

“Eavesdropping? Did no one at home teach you manners?” Liang Qi’s tone dripped with mockery.

Yue Suxin pressed her lips together. “Liang Qi, don’t you dare!”

Her words cut off abruptly.

Yue Suxin’s gaze shifted past Liang Qi, landing on Jiang Yuan, who had just stepped out of the office. Her expression darkened slightly, a flash of resentment and unwillingness flickering in her eyes.

“Hmm?” Liang Qi noticed the change in her attitude and felt a hint of suspicion. Turning her head, she saw Jiang Yuan stepping out of the office, standing just a step away, watching her and Yue Suxin play out this farce.

Their gazes collided mid-air, and the atmosphere grew awkward.

“Uh!” Liang Qi’s expression froze on her face, and she inwardly groaned.

Damn, Jiang Yuan saw everything.

Earlier, when she noticed Yue Suxin sneaking around outside the office with her phone, taking pictures, she immediately went to stop her. She hadn’t considered how it might look pinning Yue Suxin against the wall like that, it probably seemed like she was bullying her.

Her tone hadn’t been friendly either. To an outsider, it would definitely look like she was picking on Yue Suxin.

“Liang Qi?” Jiang Yuan sounded slightly surprised. “What are you?”

Thinking fast, Liang Qi let go of the wall and clutched her stomach with difficulty, bending over. “I’m really in pain. Could you help me for a second?”

Yue Suxin: “???”

Yue Suxin stared in disbelief.

What was this?

The same Liang Qi who had just been warning her was now clutching her stomach, leaning weakly against the wall, her face pale and pained, as if she were suffering from some terminal illness.

“Classmate,” Liang Qi stammered, “Help me out!”

Before Yue Suxin could react, Jiang Yuan stepped forward and steadied Liang Qi. “What’s wrong with you?”

“I don’t feel well, my stomach hurts,” Liang Qi clung to Jiang Yuan like a lifeline, practically hanging off her. “Could you help me to the restroom?”

The restroom was right next to the teachers’ office, just a few steps away.

Jiang Yuan: “…”

Yue Suxin: “…”

Liang Qi looked at Jiang Yuan pleadingly. “Deskmate, please!”

Jiang Yuan sighed and reluctantly supported her arm. “Your constitution is terrible. How do you keep feeling unwell every other day?”

“Maybe, I was too spoiled before. Sorry for the trouble.” Liang Qi made up excuses as she leaned on Jiang Yuan, leaving Yue Suxin staring after them in shock.

“Fine,” Jiang Yuan didn’t want to argue, guiding her to the stall door. “Go in.”

“Do you have any tissues?” Liang Qi asked sheepishly.

“I’ll go get some from the classroom.” Jiang Yuan thought she saw a faint blush on Liang Qi’s face was she imagining it?

Jiang Yuan frowned. Was she always this shy?

“Then, thank you so much!” Liang Qi said, both embarrassed and grateful.

Once inside the stall, Liang Qi let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Thank goodness she’d reacted quickly. If Jiang Yuan had gotten the impression she was bullying a classmate, it would’ve been hard to win her favor later.

Two minutes later, Jiang Yuan returned with tissues.

“Are you, okay?” Jiang Yuan asked hesitantly through the door. Liang Qi had looked genuinely unwell earlier pale, lips trembling, barely able to walk without leaning on her.

She had no doubt that if she left Liang Qi now, she’d collapse right into the toilet.

“Y-Yeah, I’m okay,” Liang Qi said in a soft voice, pinching her nose. “I’m feeling much better now.”

Jiang Yuan could hear the discomfort in Liang Qi’s tone and worried she might just be pushing herself. To prevent Liang Qi from collapsing unnoticed in the restroom, she said, “I’ll wait for you outside.”

“That’s really kind of you.”

As the sound of footsteps faded outside, Liang Qi picked up the tissues Jiang Yuan had given her and noticed they were printed with little bear patterns and carried a faint floral scent.

She tucked the tissues into her school uniform pocket, then deliberately mussed her hair a bit before pushing open the stall door and stepping out.

Jiang Yuan, standing at the restroom entrance, frowned even deeper when she saw Liang Qi emerge looking disheveled.

“How did you end up like this?”

Unable to bear the sight, she reached out to smooth Liang Qi’s hair. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Liang Qi’s uniform was also askew and adjusted it slightly. The distance between them closed imperceptibly, their breaths mingling in the narrow space, warm and oddly intimate.

Liang Qi lowered her lashes, docile as Jiang Yuan fixed her hair, resembling a ruffled quail, pitifully endearing.

Jiang Yuan not only tidied her hair but also straightened her uniform.

They were now even closer.

Jiang Yuan carried a faint, pleasant scent of gardenia, subtle and soothing.

“What’s wrong?” Jiang Yuan’s voice abruptly cut through her thoughts.

“Ah!” Liang Qi snapped back to reality, her gaze colliding with Jiang Yuan’s striking almond-shaped eyes, so close that her throat suddenly felt dry and her body temperature spiked.

Jiang Yuan studied her curiously. “Your face is really red. Are you feeling unwell?”

Liang Qi pressed her lips together lightly. “I keep going from hot to cold.”

Jiang Yuan took a step forward and pressed a hand to Liang Qi’s forehead, her expression shifting slightly. “You might have a fever.”

She withdrew her hand and looked at Liang Qi. “How about this, I’ll take you to the school clinic.”

“No need!” At the mention of the clinic, Liang Qi quickly refused, glancing at her watch. “Class is about to start. We shouldn’t be late.”

Jiang Yuan: “…?”

The previously listless girl now seemed suddenly energized, her voice even louder than usual.

Liang Qi seemed to realize her reaction was odd and immediately coughed softly, slumping weakly again. “You know my grades aren’t great. I don’t want to miss class.”

Jiang Yuan hesitated. “But your condition.”

Liang Qi replied gently, “I’m feeling better now. I just need to rest a bit. Don’t worry about me.”

Jiang Yuan: I’m not worried. I just don’t want you blaming me if something happens.

Liang Qi urged, “Class is starting soon. Let’s hurry back.”

As if on cue, the bell rang through the hallway. Reluctantly, Jiang Yuan nodded. “Fine.”

Throughout the morning classes, Liang Qi remained slumped over her desk, clearly less attentive than usual likely still unwell.

Jiang Yuan had never met someone as prone to illness as Liang Qi. Despite appearing physically capable even bold enough to confront Yue Suxin alone her constitution was surprisingly fragile. First heatstroke, now a fever she was practically a walking infirmary.

When the last class ended, Jiang Yuan grabbed her meal card and stood up, ready to head to the cafeteria.

Beside her, Liang Qi lay motionless on the desk, showing no intention of going to eat.

Jiang Yuan instinctively wanted to ask about her condition but felt a gentle tug on the hem of her school uniform.

Liang Qi lifted her head, blinking at her, and asked in a soft voice, “Are you going to eat?”

Meeting her gaze, Jiang Yuan couldn’t shake a vague sense of foreboding for some reason.

“Yeah.”

“Can you take me with you? I’m afraid I might faint.”

“…” Is she acting?

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