Chapter 62: You Noticed, Didn’t You?
Ai Xinglan’s Embarrassment
“Argh, what was I thinking?!”
Ai Xinglan’s face flushed uncontrollably, shame washing over her. She raised her hands and slapped her cheeks with a loud smack.
“Hiss… really now…”
Forcing herself to calm down, she instinctively looked around, relaxing only when she didn’t see Yu Li.
“Good thing that idiot didn’t see…”
Knowing Yu Li well, Ai Xinglan was certain that if her behavior had been spotted, she’d be in for relentless teasing.
“Eek!”
Just as she relaxed, Ai Xinglan felt a tap on her shoulder from behind. Startled, she turned to find Yu Li standing there, looking at her with a puzzled expression.
“Idiot, how do you walk so quietly?!”
“Did I scare Little Ai? Sorry, sorry…” Yu Li apologized softly, but her eyes stayed fixed on Ai Xinglan’s face, as if pondering something.
“W-what’s wrong?”
“Mm… nothing, just… why’s your face so red, Little Ai?” Yu Li asked, tilting her head curiously.
A Flustered Denial
Faced with Yu Li’s suspicious look, Ai Xinglan instinctively denied it. “Ahem, it’s not! You’re seeing things!”
“Hm~ Is that so? But your reaction’s pretty suspicious, Little Ai~”
Yu Li’s initial curiosity turned into a mischievous grin as Ai Xinglan’s response practically admitted guilt.
“Little Ai… could it be…”
Before Yu Li could finish, Ai Xinglan hurriedly cut her off. “I said it’s nothing! Instead of this, let’s go—don’t hold up the next class coming for their checkups!”
She pointed ahead, where students from the next class were arriving for their examinations.
“Oh… okay… but I was just going to say maybe you’re feeling hot, Little Ai.”
Yu Li didn’t argue, instead putting on an innocent expression as she explained softly, her tone tinged with confusion.
“…” Ai Xinglan fell silent. If Yu Li really just thought that, what did her own panic mean?
“But…”
Yu Li leaned close to Ai Xinglan’s ear, whispering with a chuckle, “Judging by your reaction, it doesn’t seem like that’s all, Little Ai… What were you thinking about?”
“N-nothing! Don’t make stuff up…” Feeling the warm breath by her ear, Ai Xinglan’s ears turned red, her face betraying her flustered state.
“Is that so?”
“It is!” Ai Xinglan’s tone was firm, but the flush on her face gave her away, as if one more push would make her explode.
A Gentle Retreat
Seeing her stubbornness, Yu Li didn’t press further, smoothly shifting her demeanor with a light laugh. “Got it, Little Ai. Let’s go then—the next class is here.”
With that, Yu Li extended her hand toward Ai Xinglan.
“…Hmph!” Relieved that Yu Li wasn’t pushing, Ai Xinglan let out a soft huff and took her hand.
At some point, Ai Xinglan’s threshold for embarrassment had grown higher. Though Yu Li could still easily break through her defenses, holding hands in public no longer made her feel shy.
A Surprise Encounter
“Oh? It’s Class B…” Yu Li murmured, noticing the class arriving for their checkups.
“Little Ai, I’m going to say hi to someone I know.”
Smiling brightly, Yu Li spoke to Ai Xinglan before letting go of her hand and heading toward Class B’s line without waiting for her response.
Ai Xinglan watched her back in surprise, unaware that Yu Li knew anyone from the neighboring class.
“Could it be that person from last time…” The only person Ai Xinglan could think of was the “date” Yu Li had mentioned over the weekend.
“Hmph…” She pursed her lips and turned away, refusing to look at Yu Li’s retreating figure.
A Sneaky Approach
Yu Li, meanwhile, successfully spotted that silver-haired figure in Class B’s line. Fu Qingyue seemed lost in thought, head lowered, unaware of Yu Li’s presence. Seeing her like this, Yu Li’s lips curved into a mischievous smile as she tiptoed closer. When she was near enough, she spoke suddenly by Fu Qingyue’s ear.
“Hey, Little Qingyue, did you miss me?”
“Eek!”
Startled by the familiar voice, Fu Qingyue jumped, turning to see the smiling black-haired girl.
“Hehe, got you!”
“Phew… Li Bao?” Fu Qingyue exhaled, her eyes lighting up with surprise.
The school had announced that classes would undergo full checkups and rest afterward, so Fu Qingyue thought she wouldn’t see Yu Li today.
“Mm, I saw your class coming for checkups, so I came to say hi.”
Yu Li explained softly.
“Little Qingyue seems in a good mood?”
A faint warmth surrounded Fu Qingyue, suggesting she was indeed quite happy.
“Mm, because I saw Li Bao. Very happy.” As always, her words were direct.
“Is that so…”
“Mm.” Fu Qingyue nodded lightly.
A Fleeting Farewell
Seeing her nod, Yu Li’s lips curved slightly. “I’m happy to see Little Qingyue too~”
Glancing at the checkup line, she noticed Class B’s examinations had begun.
“The checkups have started, so I won’t keep you, Little Qingyue. See you… next time.”
Yu Li waved with a smile and dashed off before Fu Qingyue could say goodbye.
Fu Qingyue watched Yu Li’s retreating figure, a warmth blooming in her heart. Having such a near-perfect friend still felt unreal to her.
Yu Li, as if sensing her thoughts, always appeared to remind her that she was real—her friend.
A Painful Realization
“Next, come in!”
Hearing the nurse’s call, Fu Qingyue realized it was her turn for the checkup. She instinctively moved to step forward, but her body froze, her purple pupils trembling slightly.
She saw that lively black-haired girl stop beside a proud blonde girl, speaking to her in a placating tone before extending her hand.
The blonde, though turning her head away, didn’t refuse, taking Yu Li’s hand, their fingers interlocking.
“Next, you really can come in now!”
The nurse’s urging voice sounded again, but Fu Qingyue remained motionless, despite knowing she should move.
As if sensing something, Yu Li glanced back, her eyes meeting Fu Qingyue’s stunned gaze.
Looking at the frozen Fu Qingyue, Yu Li offered no explanation, only a cryptic smile.
Realize it… realize that I’m a liar…
No longer looking at Fu Qingyue’s trembling purple eyes, Yu Li turned back, gripping Ai Xinglan’s hand tighter.
This way… it won’t hurt as much.