Translator: Tuiwen Editor: Tuiwen
The boy running around the field in his underwear was from Class Seven. His name was Wang Xiaoshuai. Though his grades were average, it turned out he was an honest person. He kept to himself and there was very little known about him.
If it wasn’t because he had lost a bet on the school’s forum and had to run on the field in his underwear, people would still not know who he was.
This time, everyone in the school recognized him.
“I never thought it would be Wang Xiaoshuai. His looks are honest, but he appears so arrogant online. His real-life persona and his online persona are so different!”
“Like they say, you can’t judge a book by its cover. If the administrator had not made a fuss over things, he would still be in hiding. Who knew that the boy would turn out to be Wang Xiaoshuai?”
In the afternoon, the sun was shining down high in the sky. The sports field was packed with students who were there for the show. More students continued to come over after learning about the news.
The boy on the sports field was running by himself like a lone wolf. He was very thin, short, and unattractive. He was the kind of boy no one would want. He wore his school uniform on top and Peppa Pig boxers on the bottom. As he ran, a pair of short chopstick legs swished back and forth with difficulty. He looked like an old and grumpy yellow ox, funny and irritating to those watching from across the field.
Cheers, derisive, disdainful, and sympathetic laughter could be heard throughout the field.
The boy didn’t seem that fit. He barely made it to the fifth lap before falling down facefirst. He did not bother to get up again. Someone right away went up to him and had him carried to the bathroom.
Once more, he became the laughingstock of the school’s forum.
Soon the incident became old news as they laughed. Suddenly, Tao Xingxing recalled what Gao Chang had said.
Dirty trick?
Gao Chang was the former president of the student council, and he was not to be underestimated. The school forum administrator was also a part of the student council. So it was obvious that Gao Chang already knew who “Drunken Dream Jinghua” was beforehand.
Could it be that Wang Xiaoshuai was an impersonator and not the real “Drunken Dream Jinghua”?
Tao Xingxing opened and closed her fists and got up at that instant very excitedly. Lunchtime had arrived. All around, the classroom was so still and quiet, it was possible to hear a pin drop. Tao Xingxing’s movements had caused a stir within the classroom, and everyone turned to look at her unhappily.
Tao Xingxing sat back down in her seat and turned to give Ming Jing a look.
Even at this time, she still maintained her composure and was quietly reading her book.
It was as if the goings-on of the school had no effect on her.
Such a goddess should not be bothered to have to deal with the filth of this world. Such lowly things were beneath her.
As soon as class ended, Tao Xingxing heeded over to Class Seven to have a chat with some of her friends. She secretly watched Wang Xiaoshuai to the side and learned a lot of things about him.
Tao Xingxing was able to confirm the most important clue out of it all. Wang Xiaoshuai happened to like Zhang Jingwen from Class Eight.
Everyone found out last Christmas when Wang Xiaoshuai mustered up the courage to bring an apple to Zhang Jingwen and confessed to her. Hearing his words, Zhang Jingwen hated Wang Xiaoshuai even more. Coincidentally, someone from Class Seven passed by right then and came back to stoke the fire. They all made fun of Wang Xiaoshuai for pursuing someone out of his league. From then on, Wang Xiaoshuai became even more sour and grumpy.
Psst. This Wang Xiaoshuai was still in love. He was willing to do anything for his crush. Even take the fall for the real “Drunken Dream Jinghua.”
After school ended, Tao Xingxing said her goodbyes to Ming Jing and left. She carefully followed behind Zhang Jingwen, making sure her cover wasn’t blown. As expected, once they reached a small alleyway, Wang Xiaoshuai stood in front of Zhang Jingwen’s path, blocking her way.
Taking out her phone, Tao Xingxing quickly took some photos. Her eyes were aglow by the possibility of more gossip.
…
It was currently rush hour. The subway station was packed to the brim with people.
The elevator slowly descended underground. A sea of black heads filled the space of the small elevator. Ming Jing stood there quietly. Her calm temperament was very eye-catching. Occasionally, all kinds of people would turn to look at her.
“Hey, this is such a coincidence.” A familiar voice sounded from behind Ming Jing.
Gao Chang had grown used to Ming Jing’s cold demeanor. He patted the shoulder of the boy standing in front of him. “Brother, can you move out of the way?”
The boy turned to look at Ming Jing with his face glowing red. He did not move an inch.
‘Why should I move when you ask me to?’ The boy was pretending to not have heard him and stood very still in his position.
Gao Chang placed his hands on his hips and just dealt with it.
After getting out of the elevator, Gao Chang was heading to wait in line for the security checkup point. Gao Chang was one step behind, and the boy was already there, standing in line behind Ming Jing.
Gao Chang gripped the boy’s collar tightly. “Are you looking for trouble?”
The boy pointed at a spot on his face. “Go ahead and hit me if you dare.”
Being a nuisance on the subway was no joking matter. With the advent of technology and the Internet, if someone were to film a video and post it online, he would definitely be fined. He wasn’t that afraid for his own well-being. What he was, in fact, afraid of was that Ming Jing would be implicated in the process.
As the top student of the class, such filth would taint her reputation.
Gao Chang’s turned his eyes to the boy’s nameplate on his school uniform. All of a sudden, there was a sinister smile on his face. “Mingde High School, Zhao Heng, all right. I’ll remember this.”
Zhao Heng pushed him away and straightened his clothes. He turned around and stood obediently behind Ming Jing in line.
A lot of people were boarding the subway today. Gao Chang did all he could to protect Ming Jing, afraid she would get squashed by the sea of bodies. After some trouble, he finally managed to enter the carriage himself. Seeing that Zhao Heng had yet to get in the car, Gao Chang deliberately blocked his access, shouting, “There’s no more room. Wait for the next train.”
The train door closed on him right then. Gao Chang leaned his body against the door while laughing at Zhao Heng at the same time. He gave Zhao Heng the middle finger to send him off in a belligerent way.
Zhao Heng stomped his feet, clearly exasperated.
The space within the subway was very cramped. People were milling everywhere. Gao Chang used his arms and body to build a preventative wall to keep strangers from bumping into Ming Jing.
“Tell me why you didn’t take the special train but came here instead to squeeze into the subway? You’re about to be flattened into a meat patty.”
At this time, screams could be heard from the carriage in front of them. The crowd was in turmoil. Someone shouted, “An old man fainted just now and he’s bleeding a lot…”
“Where in the world is the conductor? Is there a doctor around? Call 120…”
There was a frown on Ming Jing’s face. “Get out of my way.”
Gao Chang involuntarily moved to the side so that Ming Jing could slip through. Even though her frame was tall and thin, she had no trouble moving through the mass of people. Her movements were agile. Pretty soon, her skinny figure disappeared out of sight just like that.
“Hey, wait up for me.” Gao Chang struggled to make his way through the crowd.
An old man was lying on his back on the ground. His head was covered every inch in blood. The crowd was shocked by this scene. The old man’s body would twitch every so often and there was still vomit on the edges of his mouth. The crowd formed a half-meter circle around the old man. No one dared step over this circle for fear they might initiate another attack.
Nowadays, a lot of people were cold-hearted and there were even cases of people getting blackmailed for their goodwill. Few strangers were brave enough to lend a helping hand for the good of others. Not only that, but they would be very embarrassed by the act. To help someone by calling 120 was already a great act of kindness. And few people would even go out of their way to do that.
While everyone else was hesitating and watching from the side, a young girl stepped out of the circle and squatted in front of the man to quickly check his vital signs.
Everyone looked at the young girl who had appeared by the old man’s side with shock in their eyes. A kind-hearted man advised, “Young lady, it’s not good to help others these days. You’ll be extorted until you have no more money in your bank account. You’re still young. It’s better if you don’t interfere.”
“Yes, let’s all wait for the doctor. You’re not a doctor, right? What can you do to help?”
The young girl checked his pulse and quickly moved the old man’s body to the side. One of her hands was placed on his back where she gently rubbed it.
She made a series of movements like this in a smooth and fluid motion..