Chapter 57

Tao Yi Xi rested both her hands on his shoulders, finding solace in the warmth of his embrace. She closed her eyes, feeling the exhaustion from striving for more than a decade washing over her. She was so tired.

Gu Jing Yuan stroked her hair gently, “Everything will be alright.”

His gaze was tender and filled with heartache but resolute.

**

It was late at night and the school premises were already deserted but there were security guards stationed at the entrance. Gu Jing Yuan held her hand and led her to a familiar corner wall.

“Will you be able to climb over?” he asked.

He got his answer from her swift and graceful motion of scaling over the wall.

Gu Jing Yuan chuckled as he watched her agile figure disappear to the other side. No wonder she managed to catch him last time; her skills at climbing walls were no inferior to his.

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His relaxed tone made her breathe a sigh of relief.

“Though I must say, that was the first time I’ve gotten into a fight and not only did I manage to escape punishment but the teacher even thanked me for my help. Tsk, that’s when I realized you were not what I imagined.”

“I’m nothing special, I just happen to be more adept at scheming than others,” Tao Yi Xi replied self-deprecatingly.

“You were only trying to protect yourself,” Gu Jing Yuan told her earnestly. “Your willingness to help other classmates and your biting remarks towards me all had good intentions. You just wanted me to focus more on my studies. Your ‘schemes’ have never harmed those in need of help.”

Tao Yi Xi fell silent, avoiding his gaze. She suddenly felt a wave of sadness surged through her heart.

That’s not true. I did hurt someone, and you’re that very victim…

She wanted to tell him the truth, but she started to fear that he might choose to leave her once he knew.

No one would like someone who played and manipulated them like a puppet.

Gu Jing Yuan, unaware of her thoughts, innocently tightened his grip on her hand.

Upon exiting the alley, they found themselves at the entrance of the night market. A myriad of vendors had carts adorned with various lit signages along that stretch of street. It created a colorful scene as crowds of people moved through the lively and bustling spot.

The two of them strolled leisurely along with the flow of the crowd, their shoulders occasionally rubbing against each other due to their proximity.

As they passed by a cart, Gu Jing Yuan glanced at the establishment’s sign.

“Wait for a moment,” he told her, hooking a plastic stool that was nearby with his long legs, and placing it behind her.

Tao Yi Xi obediently sat down, watching his back as he headed to join the queue. The line moved slowly, but he did not seem impatient.

He caught her gaze resting on him when he turned back to look at her. He gave her a subtle smile. The tenderness in his eyes softened his aloof demeanor. The girl standing behind him in the queue stole glances at him whilst typing on her phone.

He was truly eye-catching.

After a while, he returned with a bag in hand. The girl’s eyes continued to follow behind him. Upon spotting her, the girl’s eyes jumped between excitement and disappointment.

Good-looking guys always seemed to be taken! But his girlfriend was also so pretty! What a perfect couple!

Gu Jing Yuan opened the lid single-handedly, revealing small, round dumplings inside the container. They were half the size of regular dumplings.

Tao Yi Xi scooped up a dumpling and brought it to his lips. Gu Jing Yuan was momentarily stunned, his eyes filled with surprise, feeling both flattered and astonished by the unexpected gesture.

“For me?”

“Do you want to eat?”

This proud and willful youth took care of her sincerely throughout the night without having a sip of water. In addition, despite her cold-hearted treatment, he was still extremely thoughtful. His care accumulated bit by bit, and one day, it would eventually overflow.

She maintained her posture with the spoon outreached, and Gu Jing Yuan hastily bit into it. However, the dumpling was still piping hot inside and the moment he bit into it, the scorching filling burned his mouth, causing him to suck in a cold breath of air.

“Are you okay? You were too fast; I forgot to remind you.”

“You’re not allowed to say that I’m fast!” Gu Jing Yuan retorted between trying to breathe in more cold air through his mouth.

Tao Yi Xi was momentarily stunned, then she noticed his earlobes turning slightly red under the light; she giggled.

Seeing that he was fine, she offered another dumpling, but Gu Jing Yuan shook his head.

“You should eat it. Oh right, wait for a moment.”

Tao Yi Xi nodded, using the spoon he had used, she scooped up another dumpling and took a bite. The outer layer was chewy and firm, with a hot and mouth-watering peanut paste filling inside; it was sweet and delicious.

The taste suited her palate; she liked this kind of dumplings.

Gu Jing Yuan watched in shock. Flustered, he uttered, “I meant to get you a new spoon.”

“No need.” She replied calmly and naturally.

Gu Jing Yuan’s ears turned bright red, it almost seemed like they were bleeding.

“It’s dirty.”

“You’re disdaining me?”

“I’m not!” he hastily explained, “I meant myself.”

“It isn’t,” Tao Yi Xi scoped up another, blew on it, and then took another bite.

He did not mind finishing the half a bowl of porridge she left back then, so how could she possibly disdain him? Though, she could not imagine doing the same with someone else. It seemed like he was subtly influencing her, making her accept all of him unconditionally.

Amidst the blush that colored Gu Jing Yuan’s face, they each took turns taking a bite and finishing the container of sweet dumplings.

After eating their fill, they both felt warmer, and the previously heavy mood lightened considerably.

He went to throw away the trash, and while waiting for him, Tao Yi Xi silently observed the street vendors energetically promoting their goods. She noticed a young lady carrying a large box, slowly trudging towards her stall.

Everyone was working hard to make a living.

The young man at the stall, who had just finished serving a customer, noticed the lady and quickly went forward to take the large box from her. He said something that Tao Yi Xi could not hear but from his actions, it was probably a reprimand.

However, the lady responded with a sweet smile as she clung to his arm. The young man’s furrowed brows relaxed, seemingly unable to stay upset with her. Their every movement and gesture conveyed the affection that they had for each other.

“What are you looking at?”

Tao Yi Xi withdrew her gaze and shook her head.

Gu Jing Yuan took her hand again as they continued their stroll. Their path coincidentally led them to a stall manned by the couple.

“Hello little brother and sister, come take a look at our exquisite couple accessories,” the lady enthusiastically called out, promoting her items.

Gu Jing Yuan stopped in his steps and lowered his head to glance at Tao Yi Xi.

“Want to take a look?”

Tao Yi Xi agreed, “Sure.”

The lady eagerly introduced her products; there were bracelets, necklaces, and rings.

“These are all handmade by me so they are all unique accessory designs. There’s no need to worry about encountering others owning the same accessory,” she guaranteed.

Amidst the dazzling array of accessories, a simple pair of key and lock clasps caught Gu Jing Yuan’s eyes.

It was a thin silver chain with a small, delicate key. Apart from its exquisite craftsmanship, there was nothing particularly special about it, yet it possessed a charm in its simplicity.

Tao Yi Xi picked up the corresponding lock and chain. It was made of the same material as the key necklace but with a delicate little lock connecting both ends of the thin chain.

“This bracelet is a bit too long.”

“Little Sister, this isn’t a bracelet; it’s an anklet. I spent a long time making this set of key and lock accessories and there’s only one set of its kind. You see, the lock is functional, and only this key can unlock it,” the lady explained earnestly.

The lady demonstrated by inserting the key into the lock and turning it. Sure enough, it opened as expected.

“One lock, with one key. Legend has it that the wearer of this anklet and the owner of this key will bind the couple together in this life and continue to tie them together in the next.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Jing Yuan’s calm gaze turned fiery. He stared at the anklet in her hand and decisively declared, “I’ll buy it.”

With a bright grin, the lady handed the neatly packaged accessories to Gu Jing Yuan. “I wish you both a long and lasting relationship!”

“Thank you,” Gu Jing Yuan said with a satisfied smile.

Tao Yi Xi remained silent throughout the exchange, avoiding his gaze. 

Gu Jing Yuan, carrying the bag, did not insist that she wear it. He held her hand and continued walking forward. The unexpected incident did not make the atmosphere awkward or heavy. They continued their stroll and stopped by another vendor to buy two planners. It was as if the pair of accessories was just an inconsequential item purchased on a whim.

Suddenly, Gu Jing Yuan stopped and pulled her backwards.

“What’s wrong?”

“Enemy spotted.”

“?”

A confused Tao Yi Xi was swiftly dragged out of the night market. When they stopped, she took deep breaths, surprised at how fast he ran, considering that this guy was not one to run from a fight. 

“Who was it?”

“Chen Ze.”

“Why did you feel the need to run away when you bumped into him?”

Gu Jing Yuan pursed his lips. He still clearly remembered the last time they parted unhappily after encountering Chen Ze at the night market.

“Just don’t like to see him.”

“…”

Exiting the bustling night market, a buzzing sound emitted from his backpack.

“Your phone is vibrating,” Tao Yi Xi pointed out to him.

Gu Jing Yuan glanced at the displayed incoming call. With great impatience, he picked up the call, “Hi… Outside… I know, none of your business.”

The conversation lasted less than half a minute.

Tao Yi Xi asked, “Uncle Gu?”

“Yeah.”

Tao Yi Xi unlocked her phone, and on her display screen, there were only irrelevant app notifications and nothing else. 

Glancing at the time, it was almost 11 p.m.

“Let’s go back. We still have classes tomorrow.”

“Fine.” He grumbled softly, “Whenever we encounter Chen Ze, nothing good ever comes out of it.”

Upon returning home, Nanny Yang was the first to greet them. She showered Gu Jing Yuan with questions and concern while casting a sidelong glance at Tao Yi Xi.

Tao Yi Xi politely greeted her and then bypassed him on the way to her room. Gu Jing Yuan’s gaze trailed after her.

“Nanny Yang, I’m not hungry, there’s no need to prepare supper. I’m going to bed now,” Gu Jing Yuan told her distractedly.

He then hurried up the stairs, as Nanny Yang frowned, watching him leave in a hurry.

‘Knock, knock, knock—’

Tao Yi Xi opened the door, “What is it?”

He handed her the bag with the anklet he just bought, “This is for you.”

“…”

“You don’t need to wear it. I just want you to keep it.” His Adam’s apple bobbed as he asked tentatively, “Is that okay?”

Gu Jing Yuan waited silently, his hand gripped tightly on the bag.

Tao Yi Xi pursed her lips, contemplated for a moment, but eventually accepted it. The rope of the bag carried a hint of dampness left behind from his anxiety.

Gu Jing Yuan smiled, “Get some rest. Good night.”

**

After bidding goodnight to Tao Yi Xi, he returned to his room and took out a bottle of iced coffee from the small fridge. Without a hint of disdain on his face, he took a sip before turning on his computer.

The next day, Gu Jing Yuan leaned lazily against the table, sipping his bottled coffee. He turned when he heard a shuffle and their eyes met. 

One had eyes reddened from the previous day’s crying and there was a slight trace of puffiness. The other had heavy dark circles coloring the under of his eyes from having a sleepless night.

“Good morning.”

“Morning. You didn’t sleep last night?”

“Burning the midnight oil is harmful to one’s health, so I pulled an all-nighter instead,” he joked.

“…”

Gu Jing Yuan accurately threw the empty bottle in his hand into the trash can and said, “Just kidding, I managed to catch some shut-eye.”

Tao Yi Xi told him, “You shouldn’t push yourself too much.”

“En, okay.” He looked at her dressed neatly in her school uniform. “Are you going to school today?”

“Of course,” Tao Yi Xi replied calmly. She had already rationalized her emotions.

The news from yesterday was just the last straw that broke the camel’s back and it acted as the catalyst that boiled over the negative emotions she had accumulated over the years. Once she calmed down and regained her composure, she quickly found a more rational perspective and became more accepting of her situation.

She realized that there were alternative paths other than the early admissions program route. She believed that her capabilities would eventually prove everything.

**

When they arrived at school, Tao Yi Xi calmly faced the curious looks coming from all directions.

The situation was still brewing. A group of students deliberately walked past their classroom door, blatantly staring at Tao Yi Xi through the window. She, however, continued with her tasks, unperturbed by their presence.

Gu Jing Yuan’s face turned frosty. Just as he was about to stand up, she grabbed his arm.

“Don’t mind them.”

His identity was ambiguous, and confronting others directly would not yield positive results.