Returning to High School to Save My Wife - Chapter 9

After parting ways with Qiao Shuxue, Liang Qi returned to the classroom and saw Jiang Yuan talking to an unfamiliar girl near the blackboard.

The girl held a letter in her hand and said with an unnatural tone, “Please take it. I’m just delivering it for someone else. If you don’t accept it, I’ll be in trouble.”

Jiang Yuan glanced indifferently at the letter in her hand, remained silent for a moment, then reached out and took it. “This is an exception. Don’t deliver anything like this again.”

“Ah, I understand.”

“Please tell him my stance remains unchanged. Out of respect for our shared time as classmates, this is the last time. But there must not be a next time, it would trouble me greatly.”

“O-okay, I’ll let him know.”

The girl wasn’t from their class. Once the letter was delivered, she hurried away.

“What’s that?” Liang Qi noticed the letter was exquisitely packaged, even sealed with a heart-shaped sticker, and couldn’t help feeling curious.

“Nothing, just some trivial thing.” Jiang Yuan didn’t open the letter to read it. Instead, she stuffed it into her desk drawer.

Jiang Yuan clearly didn’t want to discuss it, so Liang Qi refrained from pressing further. Given their current relationship, they weren’t close enough to share private matters without reservation.

Still, judging by the letter’s packaging she could roughly guess what it was.

Liang Qi returned to her seat and began organizing her books when she suddenly felt an oppressive chill in the air. Her movements paused as she turned her head slightly and saw Yue Suxin, who had returned after them, deliberately looking away with an expression of disdain.

Ignoring it, Liang Qi shifted her gaze back and saw Jiang Yuan already taking out her notebook to review the key points from the morning’s lessons. Her handwriting was neat, the pages clean and orderly, a sight that was pleasing to the eye.

The epitome of a model student.

“Aren’t you taking a nap?” Liang Qi asked.

Shengjiang High School’s lunch break was only an hour long, with classes resuming in the afternoon. Most students would rest briefly after lunch to avoid dozing off later.

“No need.” Jiang Yuan continued writing quietly, her profile bathed in sunlight, her skin almost translucent, her nose high-bridged, her chin slender, and her lips a deep red. A few strands of black hair fell loosely, lending her a beauty that was elegant yet carried an air of aloofness.

A strange flutter stirred in Liang Qi’s chest she suddenly wanted to kiss her.

The classroom was silent except for the faint sound of a pen gliding across paper, like a feather lightly brushing against her heart.

She reminded herself that since she was back in high school now, she needed to restrain such impulses.

The first week of the semester didn’t include evening self-study sessions. Once classes ended for the day, Liang Qi packed her bag and was about to suggest walking home with Jiang Yuan when the window beside them was suddenly tapped.

Jiang Mu pushed the window open and called out to Jiang Yuan, “Sis, ready to go?”

“Almost, just a second.” Jiang Yuan grabbed her bag and walked past Liang Qi to leave.

Liang Qi instinctively wanted to say, “Wait for me,” but out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Yue Suxin signaling to a few of her friends nearby, mouthing the words: Roof. Now.

The girls responded with an “okay” gesture before silently zipping up their bags, as if acting on some prearranged cue.

A thought struck Liang Qi, and she swallowed her words.

As Jiang Yuan reached the classroom door, she asked Jiang Mu, “School’s out already? How was your first day?”

“Ah, what’s there not to get used to? Oh, right, did that Cheng Zhuocheng send you something today? It wasn’t a love letter, was it? Better not let Mom see it.”

Jiang Mu took her backpack and walked down the steps beside her, their silhouettes bathed in the golden hues of dusk, radiant and striking.

Nearby, Yue Suxin watched Jiang Yuan leave before leisurely picking up her bag and exiting the classroom. At the door, she deliberately glanced at Liang Qi, who was still packing her things, then quickly averted her gaze and left.

Liang Qi pretended not to notice. After a while, she stepped out of the classroom and stared at the two figures disappearing down the stairwell, her expression darkening slightly.

Rooftop.

“Jiang Yuan really doesn’t know what’s good for her. Cheng Zhuocheng sent her a love letter, and she actually rejected it. Does she really think she’s that special?”

“Her rejection is a good thing at least it gives you a chance, Xin-jie,” Hang Jiao consoled.

“Who wants that kind of chance?” Yue Suxin shot her a glare. “You make it sound like I’m picking up her scraps.”

“Xin-jie, Hang Jiao didn’t mean it that way.”

Yue Suxin was surrounded by a few girls. Besides Hang Jiao, there was another girl with a thin frame and sharp, shrewd features named Chen Jiayue.

“Xin-jie, don’t take it too seriously. Cheng Zhuocheng has such a proud personality, I bet he’ll get fed up with Jiang Yuan soon enough,” Chen Jiayue said.

“That’s true,” Yue Suxin scoffed. “I refuse to believe Cheng Zhuocheng would keep humiliating himself like this.”

“Xin-jie, why don’t we find a way to embarrass Jiang Yuan? That’ll definitely make Cheng Zhuocheng give up on her,” Hang Jiao suggested.

“Oh? Any ideas?”

“I watched Jiang Yuan all day today. She didn’t take that love letter with her when she left probably afraid her family would find out. Why don’t we find a way to expose it? Once the teachers find out about Jiang Yuan and Cheng Zhuocheng, who’d even want to get close to her?” Hang Jiao looked quite pleased with her plan.

“That’s a great idea,” Chen Jiayue said with a smile. “Once the rumors spread like wildfire, we can add fuel to the fire. Public opinion will be in our hands, at the very least, we can ruin her reputation.”

“But how do we expose it?”

“Of course, we start with the love letter itself. Once the class empties out, we’ll go back and take it. As for making sure the teachers see it well, there are plenty of ways,” Chen Jiayue winked at Hang Jiao. “Right, Jiaojiao?”

“Xin-jie, leave it to us!”

At the rooftop entrance, Liang Qi overheard everything.

Trying to ruin Jiang Yuan’s reputation? The plan might work but they were dreaming too big.

She didn’t make a sound, slipping away before anyone noticed her.

When Jiang Yuan and Jiang Mu got home, Xu Chengyu had already prepared a table full of food.

Jiang Yuan closed the door behind her and called out, “Mom, we’re back.”

Xu Chengyu smiled warmly. “I’ve been counting the minutes waiting for you. The food’s still hot come sit and eat.”

“Let me see, let me see,” Jiang Mu leaned over the table and raised an eyebrow. “All of Jiang Yuan’s favorite dishes, huh…”

“Your sister studies hard and still takes care of you in her spare time. She’s working so hard unlike you,” Xu Chengyu shot him a glance. Though her words were critical, she still served Jiang Mu a bowl of rice herself. “You, try not to cause your sister any trouble.”

“Mom, when have I ever caused her trouble?” Jiang Mu reluctantly sat down. “Ask her if you don’t believe me.”

“Mom, Mumu really is quite well-behaved,” Jiang Yuan said with a gentle smile.

“See? Even Sister says.”

“Aside from not liking to study, always wanting to go out and play basketball, and being picky about food, Mumu is indeed quite well-behaved.”

“Hey, hey, hey! Sis, how could you say that?”

“What? You disagree?”

“I do,” Jiang Mu drawled lazily, “but who told me it’s my sister saying it?”

Xu Chengyu smiled and asked, “How was the first day of school today? Everything go smoothly?”

“Smooth as ever,” Jiang Mu picked up his chopsticks. “Sister’s pretty popular.”

Jiang Yuan’s expression shifted slightly. “Mumu!”

Realizing his slip, Jiang Mu coughed awkwardly. “Let’s eat.”

Xu Chengyu glanced between them hesitantly. “Yuanyuan?”

“Mom, don’t overthink it,” Jiang Yuan reassured her softly. “It’s natural to meet new classmates when joining a new class.”

She knew Xu Chengyu was worried about Cheng Zhuocheng bothering her something that had weighed on her mother’s mind all last semester. Jiang Yuan never wanted her mother to fret over her, which was why she never brought up such matters.

Jiang Mu was quicker to pivot. “That classmate who came over last time ended up sitting next to Sis.”

The remark successfully redirected Xu Chengyu’s attention. “Xiao Liang? You two are in the same class?”

“Just a coincidence,” Jiang Yuan replied, though she wasn’t sure why she felt the need to clarify. No one would think otherwise.

“Xiao Liang has a good personality. I’m relieved you’re sitting with her.”

“Mom.” Jiang Yuan set down her chopsticks, inexplicably irritated at the mention of Liang Qi.

“Alright, let’s not talk about it,” Xu Chengyu said, serving Jiang Yuan a bowl of eel soup. “Here, try this.”

Jiang Yuan looked surprised. “Mom, why did you buy something so expensive today?”

Xu Chengyu hesitated. “It was your dad!”

The moment the words left her mouth, the atmosphere in the room tensed.

Jiang Yuan paused with the bowl halfway to her lips, then slowly set it down.

Xu Chengyu spoke awkwardly. “Yuanyuan.”

Jiang Mu’s tone turned sharp. “Mom, why are you still in contact with that man? Don’t take anything from him next time. I’ll return the money to him later.”

Xu Chengyu sighed. “He is still your father.”

Jiang Yuan cut in firmly. “No, he’s not.”

Jiang Mu urged, “Mom, just drop it.”

Xu Chengyu quickly relented. “Alright, alright, let’s not talk about it. Let’s eat.”

She sighed again. “I just worry about who’ll take care of you both in the future.”

Jiang Mu’s expression darkened. “Mom, what are you talking about?”

Jiang Yuan paused mid-bite and looked up. “Mom, have you been feeling unwell lately?”

Xu Chengyu forced a weak smile. “Just old problems acting up. The pain’s been worse recently.”

Jiang Yuan’s expression softened. “If you’re tired, rest more. Don’t push yourself. If something feels off, go see a doctor. Spending a little money for peace of mind is worth it.”

“I know,” Xu Chengyu nodded repeatedly. “I know.”

Jiang Yuan slowly finished her meal. “Mom, I’ll do the dishes from now on.”

Jiang Mu pouted. “No way! Sis, let’s take turns. Otherwise, I’ll look totally useless.”

Xu Chengyu looked at the two of them and couldn’t help but smile. “Alright, alright!”

The next morning, as soon as Jiang Yuan entered the classroom, she heard the students buzzing with gossip.

“What’s that on Teacher He’s desk?”

“Looks like a love letter or something.”

“Wow, who’s it for?”

“Jiang Yuan. The name was on the envelope, I saw it just now.”

“Who wrote it?”

“No idea.”

Jiang Yuan’s expression shifted slightly.

She hurried to her seat, set down her backpack, and rummaged through the books in her desk drawer.

The love letter from yesterday was gone.

Her heart sank instantly.

This was bad.

How could this happen.

She glanced toward the lectern, where He Wei had already opened the letter and was reading it. Below the lectern, Yue Suxin wore a smug, triumphant expression.

Instinctively, Jiang Yuan wanted to rush over and explain to He Wei, but a sudden chill brushed the back of her hand.

Liang Qi held her wrist, shook her head, and silently mouthed: Don’t go.

“But,”

Before Jiang Yuan could finish, Yue Suxin’s teasing voice rang out. “Teacher, why don’t you read it out loud for us?”

Jiang Yuan’s face paled, her lips pressing into a tight line.

If this got out, and He Wei went to Xu Chengyu.

He Wei frowned slightly and glanced up at Yue Suxin. “Why are you so eager?”

Yue Suxin blinked. “Everyone’s curious! It’s not like it’s anything shameful, what’s the harm in reading it?”

He Wei looked mildly surprised. “You really want me to read it?”

Yue Suxin cooed, “If you’re too shy, Teacher, I can read it for you.”

“Then you should do it yourself,” He Wei said with a light chuckle, setting the letter down. “Something like this is more fitting for you to handle personally.”

“Fine!”

Yue Suxin stood up, walked to the lectern, and took the letter. Clearing her throat, she prepared to read but the moment her eyes landed on the words, her expression abruptly changed.

Written on the page was:

[I, Yue Suxin, solemnly apologize to classmate Jiang Yuan!]

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