"... Annoying."
Cheng Yu muttered under his breath. He couldn’t figure out why Jiangyx Jiang had that expression. Nor did he know where his own restlessness came from.
He absentmindedly slipped his hand into his pocket. Felt his phone. Pulled it out habitually to check.
Huh. Dead battery?
Cheng Yu pressed the power button. The iconic Apple logo flickered on screen. After a pause, the interface finally loaded.
"Weird..."
He frowned at the 80% battery icon in the top corner.
If it didn’t shut down from low power, then...
Cheng Yu suddenly recalled the afternoon on the playground. Linsw Lin had stared at his phone awhile. Then silently handed it back.
He hadn’t checked his screen since.
"... That woman. No wonder she kept offering to treat me to dinner. Probably didn’t want me noticing she’d powered off my phone..."
Cheng Yu scowled. He couldn’t grasp why Linsw Lin did it. But honestly, her actions were always a mystery. Not worth overthinking.
Wait—did he miss any important messages?
His phone vibrated. Cheng Yu’s eyes locked on the WeChat notification: 99+. His heart lurched. He tapped open the app. The familiar moon wallpaper vanished. Revealing...
233 unread group messages.
Ugh. Trash. Got my hopes up for nothing.
Cheng Yu rolled his eyes, scrolling down. He froze at a familiar avatar.
Jiangyx Jiang: 83 unread messages.
The class rep...? Why so many?
He couldn’t recall his last text. Scrolled straight to his latest message in their chat:
Cheng Yu: [If the teacher asks, tell them I’m defending Rhodes Island. Love you, babe. Smooch~]
Jiangyx Jiang: [... Huh? Σ( ° △ °|||)︴]
Jiangyx Jiang: [What weird nonsense is this?! Where’s Rhodes Island?! I can’t find it on any map!! Cheng Yu, explain NOW!!! Pervert!!! Scumbag!!! Creep!!! Trash!!!!]
Cheng Yu remembered.
He’d been annoyed about Shenyufu that afternoon. Replied to Jiangyx Jiang half-heartedly.
Seeing her reaction—could she have taken it seriously?
... No way?
He felt a mix of amusement and frustration. But Jiangyx Jiang was always earnest. His casual jokes often made her panic.
Honestly, his message deserved her rage.
Maybe apologize tomorrow. Explain it was a joke... Cheng Yu sighed, scrolling further.
Jiangyx Jiang: [... Hey, Cheng Yu]
Jiangyx Jiang: [Do you... really love me?]
Cheng Yu’s hand froze.
The messages weren’t what he expected. No scolding. No angry rants. Just her usual kaomoji and words he never imagined:
Jiangyx Jiang: [No no no... love feels too distant and complicated (´•ω•̥`)]
Jiangyx Jiang: [Actually... I want to know if you truly have feelings for me (◦`~´◦)]
Jiangyx Jiang: [I mean—you know what you said earlier. But I... want to hear it differently]
Jiangyx Jiang: [I only realized recently... I’ve cared about you for ages]
Jiangyx Jiang: [Surprised? Haha. I knew you long before you knew me. I’ve watched you since forever]
Jiangyx Jiang: [Maybe that’s why I’ve always been a bit dissatisfied with you (｡･ˇ_ˇ･｡:)]
Jiangyx Jiang: [I thought Cheng Yu should be lively, passionate, free—not lazing in dorms without spirit. So I pushed you into groups, hoping to see you shine]
Jiangyx Jiang: [Now it seems... kinda funny, right? ε(*´･ω･)з]
Jiangyx Jiang: [Even if you hate me for this, it’s fair]
Jiangyx Jiang: [Sorry. I’m just... a bit dumb. Always have been]
Jiangyx Jiang: [I know my flaws. I want to change... but it’s hard. I misread emotions. Can’t express myself. Care too much what others think]
Jiangyx Jiang: [So Cheng Yu—what you said at the bar was right]
Jiangyx Jiang: [Back then, I feared you truly hated me]
Jiangyx Jiang: [But now... it’s not like that ⁄(⁄⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄⁄)⁄]
Jiangyx Jiang: [It’s not one-sided. I care about you]
Jiangyx Jiang: [That’s nice]
Jiangyx Jiang rambled on. The more Cheng Yu scrolled, the more his mind tangled.
Only one thought remained.
Class rep... Jiangyx Jiang...
... Does she really like me?
He scrolled endlessly. Until her latest message appeared:
Jiangyx Jiang: [Wow—I just realized I spilled all these embarrassing, un-deletable words... All your fault, Cheng Yu!! You didn’t reply for hours!!! Made me blabber alone!! (｀Д´*)]
Jiangyx Jiang: [Are you... busy right now?]
Jiangyx Jiang: [Fine. I’ll "mercifully" approve your leave request. But! After you’re free, find me!]
Jiangyx Jiang: [Tonight, I’ll wait under the girls’ dorm. I’ll say everything. And I want your answer]
Jiangyx Jiang: [You must come]
Jiangyx Jiang: [(´๑•ω•๑`)]
Cheng Yu’s arm suddenly felt leaden. All today’s exhaustion and ache crashed over him. His hand throbbed, heavy as stone.
He stared at the screen. Wanted to reply. But no words came.
His phone vibrated again. Dazed, he looked back. Saw Jiangyx Jiang’s newest message:
Jiangyx Jiang:
[You’re the worst.]
... Yeah.
What he did was truly awful.
Cheng Yu’s hand dropped limply. He couldn’t lift the phone to look again.
............
Suzhan Yue was a light sleeper, unused to strange beds.
The dorm door creaked open. Her eyes snapped wide. She peered curiously at the entrance.
Seeing Jiangyx Jiang, Suzhan Yue froze.
Jiangyx Jiang looked more broken than ever. Blank face. Numb eyes. She shuffled in, closed the door, sealing out the hallway light.
In the dark, Suzhan Yue watched a figure slide down the wall. Crouching in the shadows.
"A-Xue."
Suzhan Yue called softly, puzzled. A faint "Mm" echoed back.
She hesitated. Then asked gently:
"... What’s wrong? You seem... unhappy."
"Not unhappy..."
Jiangyx Jiang paused. Then whispered:
"Just... sad. And pained."
"Pained?"
"Mm. Yeah."
Jiangyx Jiang pressed a hand to her left chest. Voice barely audible:
"Here... it hurts so much."
