After Jilianbing left, I sat on the toilet for a while, slowly gathering my strength before forcing myself to snap out of it. If I’d had a cigarette handy right then—even though I don’t smoke—I’d have lit one just to calm down.
She said she’d wait for my reply… but didn’t set a deadline. Normally, people give three days or a week. Yet Jilianbing gave me no time limit at all.
Wasn’t she afraid I’d just keep dragging my feet? Or did she think I’d definitely answer her?
Would she even grab me by the throat and force me to say I like her? Ugh… that’s terrifying.
Putting aside whether that title was real or not, Jilianbing was undeniably dangerous. The chilling aura she gave off before touching my cheek wasn’t something a normal pretty girl should have. It was wild, cold, cruel—a reptilian stare that froze me in place just by locking eyes.
The scariest part? She could perfectly hide that aura every day. Around others, Jilianbing was just a flawless, perfect beauty in every way.
So why show her true self to me?
She’d hidden it this long, then suddenly revealed it… wasn’t she worried I’d tell someone?
Wait, no—I couldn’t tell anyone anyway. I barely had friends to confide in. Would I run to a teacher? Even if I did, no one would believe me. They’d just think I’d gone crazy.
Was that why Jilianbing felt safe showing her real face to me?
Hmm… still feels off.
But with the info I have now, I can’t guess her real goal.
Another thing: Jilianbing’s title turned green too… If that color really means affection, why did hers change? I was pretty cold to her. Did I accidentally hit some weird spot? Or is she just a total masochist?
This is so confusing…
I stayed in the bathroom until the bell rang, then headed back to class.
Everyone stared at me—even the teacher. Word must’ve spread about Jilianbing barging into the boys’ restroom to find me.
At school, even small things blow up like dropping sodium into water.
I walked back to my seat with a blank face. Jilianbing didn’t look at me, acting like we were strangers again. Was this her way of saying she’d leave me alone until I gave my answer? Thank goodness for that.
I thought she’d stay away for now… I really did…
"Juncheng, let’s have lunch together, okay?"
The moment lunch break started, Jilianbing showed up with her bento box, inviting me.
"Uh, I usually eat at the cafeteria…"
"No problem! I’ll come with you."
"Er…"
What is this girl even trying to do? Give it a rest already! Seriously!
"The cafeteria’s packed. You… shouldn’t go there."
Few students brought bento; most ate at the cafeteria or bought bread from the store. As a die-hard rice lover, I always braved the crowded cafeteria—even if it was chaos, I’d never settle for bread.
Going alone was fine, but dragging a gorgeous girl like Jilianbing into that human tide?
No way! The guys would swarm her like madmen. Who knows what crazy stuff might happen?
I hinted as gently as possible that the cafeteria was a bad idea. But Jilianbing just smiled carefree. "It’s fine! I’ve never been there before. Sounds like fun."
Ugh, whatever! Why should I worry about you? If some creep gropes you, it’s your own fault for insisting on coming!
Grumbling inwardly, I marched straight to the cafeteria. Jilianbing followed about two meters behind—a weird distance. Close enough to seem acquainted, far enough to look like strangers. Our steps were too perfectly synced for that.
That gap probably matched how well we knew each other now…
I’d sat in front of her all semester, but truly "knowing" Jilianbing only started today. My view of her had flipped 180 degrees, all because of that weird title… It left me conflicted.
We crossed the first-floor hallway to the main building’s left wing—the cafeteria filled the first two floors of that annex. (The library I often visited was on the third floor, by the way.)
Cafeteria tables seated four, so sharing with random classmates was normal when it got busy.
But today felt eerie.
No, it wasn’t emptier—the place was as packed as usual.
Yet everyone avoided me… or rather, avoided Jilianbing?
People scrambling for seats froze, staring at us like we were rare zoo exhibits.
Was seeing a pretty girl really that shocking? Seriously?
And why were the girls stunned too? I thought Jilianbing had bad rep with them. Was it not jealousy, but some kind of unattainable "older sister" complex?
Under all those eyes, my nerves frayed and my thoughts spiraled again.
I forced myself calm, then headed to my usual food stall. I ordered mapo tofu, stir-fried green peppers with dried tofu, yuxiang shredded pork, and liangpi noodles.
I loved trying new dishes or weird drinks. I’d sampled almost everything here, so I knew which meals were good—and which were total landmines that tasted awful.
Even the grumpy lunch lady, who usually skimped on rice and snapped at me, today piled my bowl high with a stiff, unnatural smile.
Damn… even she’s caught in the "Jilianbing effect"?
Her influence was terrifying.
I’d never paid much attention to Jilianbing before. I thought she was just a popular school idol. But now… was there more to her?
Who exactly is she?
