Chapter 10: When Dealing with Her, You Must Be Firm!

Bai Qingxia pursed her lips, turning her gaze back to the hairclip. It truly was lovely, adorned with a pink Hello Kitty design. Bai Qingxia had never owned such a beautiful clip before—in fact, she’d never had a hairclip at all.

After a moment’s inner struggle, she reached out, picked up the clip, lifted the troublesome strand of hair, and fastened it in place. Since she couldn’t see herself, she turned to study her reflection in the window. With her hair pulled back, her delicate features were revealed more clearly, the refined lines of her oval face standing out.

Yet there was little joy on Bai Qingxia’s face. She took the clip off, wrapped it gently in a piece of paper, and tucked it into the small pocket of her backpack. The long strand of hair fell back down, and she swept it behind her ear once more.

Time slipped by until the bell finally rang for the end of class. Instantly, a wave of exhaustion swept over the students, many slumping onto their desks. It was the first day of school after the break, and for most, the first early morning in a while—not to mention that many had stayed up late the previous night.

Lu Yuanqiu stretched, marveling at how restful the nap had been. It was strange—somehow, the classroom desks were even more sleep-inducing than his bed at home. In his previous life’s senior year, he’d napped between every class, not so much out of fatigue but because he simply didn’t know what else to do.

He glanced over at Bai Qingxia. The clip wasn’t in her hair, nor was it on the desk; she must have put it away. If she didn’t want to wear it, Lu Yuanqiu wouldn’t insist. Just as her cool demeanor was her shield, perhaps the loose strand of hair and the strictly buttoned uniform were part of her armor as well. Forcing a girl to shed her defenses was sheer folly.

He rapped gently on her desk, reminding her, “Time for lunch.”

Bai Qingxia produced some still-warm buns, held them out with both hands, and shook her head. “I’m not hungry.”

She always liked to hand things over with both hands, and Lu Yuanqiu found the gesture endearing in its contrast to her usual reserve.

“Did you eat this morning?” he asked.

She didn’t reply. Then, in her usual cool tone, she explained, “I don’t eat breakfast.”

Lu Yuanqiu’s patience wore thin. “I told you—eat, or you’ll make me angry.”

She glanced at him, then lowered her head, undid the plastic bag, and, through the wrap, brought a bun to her lips, taking small, tentative bites. When she tasted the savory filling, her eyes brightened, and her next bite was much larger. In no time, she finished one bun. Perhaps worried she looked unseemly, she glanced up at Lu Yuanqiu, a faint blush coloring her earlobes, then turned away, facing forward.

Lu Yuanqiu looked on, deeply satisfied. Wasn’t this what it felt like to be raising a daughter?

After finishing the second bun, Bai Qingxia noticed two buns remained in the bag. She hesitated for a moment, then carefully tied the bag up and explained softly, “I’m full… I’ll save the rest for lunch.”

With a sharp slap of his hand on the desk, Lu Yuanqiu startled her, making her arms tremble. The students in front turned around.

“This doesn’t concern you,” Lu Yuanqiu said with a frown, and the two students quickly looked away.

He spoke with authority, “I told you to eat. No excuses.”

Bai Qingxia glared at him, her eyes cold and resentful, as if she were about to rebel against his domineering attitude.

He leaned in, pointing at her. “Still daring to glare at me? One more look and—”

Her lashes quivered, her neck shrinking back, her eyes retreating, and her expression turning pitiful. She quickly untied the bag and obediently ate a third bun, though this time she ate much more slowly, as if she couldn’t bear to finish it.

With her, firmness was necessary—Lu Yuanqiu knew that well. Bai Qingxia was clearly strong-willed; her repeated glares were proof enough. Persuasion wouldn’t work—only a contest of wills would. And Lu Yuanqiu would always win.

Ah, the secret of her stealing—he could live off that forever. What a sweet secret it was.

At the front of the classroom, the class monitor, Wang Haoran, was animatedly recounting his exploits on the basketball court. “That day, I dodged past five players, spun around and sent the big guy from the next class tumbling, and then leapt up for a slam dunk.”

As he raised his right hand—supposedly to show a shooting motion, though in truth to flex his biceps—he noticed Hu Caiwei’s attention was elsewhere. Following her gaze, Wang Haoran looked outside towards Lu Yuanqiu’s window.

He smiled and said, “The weather’s nice today—perfect for a walk on the track, don’t you think, Caiwei? Hey? Caiwei?”

Hu Caiwei hadn’t heard a word. She rose from her seat and headed to the corner of the classroom. As she approached, she couldn’t help but cover her nose—the Liu twins’ feet were a biochemical hazard.

“Lu Yuanqiu!” she called, stamping her foot.

Bai Qingxia, face composed, turned away and focused on her bun, though she listened intently.

Lu Yuanqiu turned around. Seeing it was Hu Caiwei, he asked, “What is it?”

“Come out here. I have something to say to you.”

Hu Caiwei headed to the door, expecting Lu Yuanqiu to follow, but he remained seated. “Lu Yuanqiu! You’re getting worse and worse!” she shouted from the back door, her outburst drawing the attention of many, including Wang Haoran. What had Lu Yuanqiu done to her?

Eager ears pricked up all over the classroom.

Lu Yuanqiu looked at her with annoyance. “What’s the matter? Say it here if you have something to say—I’m not moving.”

Hu Caiwei returned to his desk. With so many people around, she didn’t dare speak loudly and gritted out, “You need to stop this. I only said I’d accept Wang Haoran’s confession to scare you—it was a joke, that’s all. I…”

She glanced nervously towards Wang Haoran and lowered her voice. “I don’t like him.”

Lu Yuanqiu grinned. “So, you like me?”

Hu Caiwei’s cheeks flushed. “I told you, we’re still young. We can’t date yet. After graduation…”

Suddenly, Bai Qingxia interrupted coldly, “The teacher’s coming.”

Hu Caiwei turned and indeed saw the homeroom teacher, Liu Wei, entering with her textbook. Liu Wei was notorious for her ruthlessness—always starting class early and dragging it out after the bell.

With a huff, Hu Caiwei stomped back to her seat. Lu Yuanqiu, however, glanced at Bai Qingxia, surprised to hear her speak up on her own. She simply pulled out her Chinese textbook, acting as though nothing had happened.

Noon approached. Some students went home, others to the cafeteria. Hu Caiwei, who hadn’t found a chance to speak with Lu Yuanqiu all morning, seized the opportunity.

“Lu Yuanqiu, come eat with me in the cafeteria!”

“Sorry, I have to study.”

He stayed put, unmoved. Hu Caiwei could do nothing but let herself be dragged away by her lunch companion.

Soon, only Bai Qingxia and Lu Yuanqiu remained in the classroom. Lu Yuanqiu was curious—every time Bai Qingxia waited this late to go to the cafeteria, did she actually eat, or did she skip meals altogether?

Author’s note: Please bookmark and keep reading—this book depends on all you loyal readers!