Chapter 88.1 – Extra: Sweet Youth (Part 5)

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　　Zhao Chuyi’s heart stirred with a delightful yearning at the mere mention of teaching Jiang Dai a lesson……

　　Just these five words ignited a thrilling satisfaction within her.

　　She and Jiang Dai had known each other since their middle school days. Their bond deepened when they found themselves attending the same high school and serendipitously placed in the same class during their first year, fostering a close-knit relationship.

　　Initially, she was genuinely fond of Jiang Dai. Her charismatic personality effortlessly transcended conventional gender norms, allowing her to foster great relationships with nearly all classmates of both genders during their initial year.

　　As time passed, a subtle transformation occurred. Jiang Dai gradually transformed into a Sea Empress¹ 海王: It’s a Chinese internet slang that often refers to a cute male who often picks up/chases numerous girls simultaneously (mostly without the girls knowing). The number of girls he is building a relationship with is unaccountable, just like fish in the sea. As such, some people believe that this term originates from the DC film, Aquaman since he is able to communicate with marine life. , consistently surrounded by a rotating cast of handsome boys. Her effortless shifts between partners whenever boredom struck led to a change in how the female students viewed Jiang Dai.

　　Even if Jiang Dai had never made a move on any girl’s boyfriend, an unspoken competition among the girls began to manifest. This subtle rivalry even found a place within the realm of their own daydreams and fantasies.

　　Jiang Dai’s striking beauty turned heads effortlessly, leaving ordinary boys marveling at her looks. With her nouveau riche father’s connections, she effortlessly entered the science stream, triggering a wave of resentment among her peers, especially the girls.

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　　Yet, she maintained her composure, taking a moment to think things through before dismissing the idea with a casual wave. “Hmm…… No, that won’t do. I’m friends with Jiang Dai. Although I may question some of her choices, it’s not really any of my business. You guys…… should steer clear as well since Jiang Dai has so many friends, especially Qiao Jinye. Trust me, you don’t want to mess with his buddies — they’re a force to be reckoned with.”

　　Lu Xin scoffed, “What’s so great about that? It’s not like we’re those troublemakers picking fights left and right. That’s something only the foolish would do. We’ll be playing by the rules, so what’s there to be afraid of?”

　　As for Zhang Jiaman, she held a massive grudge against Jiang Dai, fueled even more by her crush on Liang Jingche. To top it off, she held the prestigious position of a league secretary, adored by teachers and school leaders alike. With all that backing, fear was not even in her vocabulary.

　　“Forget it. There’s no point in discussing further if you’re not interested in joining in.”

　　Zhang Jiaman briskly tugged Lu Xin away, leaving Zhao Chuyi behind. It was crystal clear that they would no longer be joining her in her study sessions.

　　Caught in a momentary internal struggle, Zhao Chuyi mustered the courage to catch up. Nervously, she blurted out, “Whatever you’re up to, I still consider both of you my friends, so I strongly advise against it. Jiang Dai is really not someone you want to mess with.”

　　Unfazed, Zhang Jiaman shoved her aside and retorted, “Move! I can’t be bothered to waste my breath on a coward like you.”

　　Meanwhile, Lu Xin’s face twisted into a disapproving scowl.

　　Zhao Chuyi savored the moment, observing with glee as they hastened away. A wicked sense of satisfaction bubbled up within her.

　　Both Zhang Jiaman and Lu Xin were affluent, self-assured girls with a strong sense of superiority.

　　As Zhao Chuyi continued her sharp remarks, it only fueled the simmering frustration in Zhang Jiaman and Lu Xin. Their desire to prove themselves equal to Jiang Dai burned hotter with every syllable. 

　　 Yet, they were not just about to stoop to simple crude tactics. They were about to unleash a level of cunning malice that would redefine the meaning of female rivalry. After all, the cruelty in girls was, more often than not, true malice.

*****

　　After waiting for two days, Jiang Dai’s once brimming confidence started to wane…… 

　　To her surprise, the seemingly unperturbed transfer student carried on as if her confession at the basketball court that had sent shockwaves through the entire school had not fazed him at all.

　　After class one day, Jiang Dai spotted Huo Rongshen getting ready to leave for the restroom. Ever since she made her move, he deliberately tweaked his routine, making it a challenge for her to predict his every move. 

　　Jiang Dai’s irritation bubbled up, and she could not resist muttering, “Seriously, is stubbornness a national trait in Country M? I just suggested changing seats, and you act like I proposed world domination…… Are you allergic to communication or just not into me?”

　　As soon as the young man had just stood up, her words seemed to have halted him in his steps. But he still showed no interest in acknowledging her.

　　Well, it was not like Jiang Dai held high expectations anyway. Sharing a desk for almost half a month had taught her that talking to him was like talking to a wall. Unless she physically poked him, then he would have shot her a quick side-eye.

　　This time, she did not have any expectations either. Yet, to her astonishment, Huo Rongshen actually turned around. Both his demeanor and tone remained calm. “Firstly, I’m Chinese and not from Country M. Secondly, a student’s duty is to study diligently. I suggest you not waste time on such trivial matters.”

　　With that, the proud young man strode away.

　　At that juncture, Jiang Dai could not shake off the sting of disappointment. She found herself inwardly pondering, ‘Am I truly that dull? Do I come off that childish when compared to Huo Rongshen???’

　　From the moment Huo Rongshen uttered those words, her determination not to have a deskmate had somehow dwindled like a flickering flame.

　　Perhaps, there really was no magic fix since she had already played her trump card.

　　‘This guy still seemed unfazed…… Darn it! Could Bai Zhi actually guess it right? Was she really not a match for that pretentious jerk?’

……

　　Amid the fiery clash between Jiang Dai and the transfer student, a truce seemed to have been struck — much to Liang Jingche’s delight.

　　 With a spark of encouragement, he urged her to take the upcoming monthly exams as her chance to shine. Her progress would mean she no longer had to sit in the back row.

　　However, Jiang Dai felt relatively empty and was no longer in the mood for games. Surprisingly, she had scheduled a study session with Top Student Liang Jingche in the library this week during lunchtime. 

　　After two days, Liang Jingche had to attend a one-hour student union meeting on the third day at noon. Hence, Jiang Dai was left to her own devices in the library.

　　Flipping through Liang Jingche’s meticulously organized notes, a wave of afternoon lethargy washed over her.

　　Determined to shake off the tempting pull of drowsiness, she rose from her seat to purchase a freshly brewed cup of coffee.

　　By the time she settled into her seat with her coffee, a sudden realization hit Jiang Dai — the meticulously crafted notes by Liang Jingche had mysteriously vanished from the table! 

　　Amidst the haphazardly strewn textbooks and exercises, only Liang Jingche’s handwritten notes were missing. 

Perplexed, Jiang Dai dove into a frantic search through the books, eyes darting from the floor to the surroundings.

　　Jiang Dai sat with Liang Jingche at a cozy four-person table. Right now, she found herself alone, surrounded by a tranquil ambiance. Glancing around, the students seated at neighboring tables were engrossed in various activities— some immersed in their studies, others entranced by their phones, and a few were taking a midday nap.

　　Hence, none seemed to be the likely candidates to touch others’ belongings.

　　At this very moment, Jiang Dai found herself caught between tranquility and exasperation. A wave of calm washed over her as it seemed as though it was a sign for her to surrender to the whims of procrastination once more, but frustration lingered as she discovered her notes had mysteriously vanished.

　　As Liang Jingche returned from the meeting, he caught Jiang Dai immersed in a ranked game, rocking a pair of headphones. 

　　A mischievous grin crept across his face as he playfully tapped her forehead.

　　“What’s this? Are you giving up after just two days of learning?”

　　Coincidentally, Jiang Dai wrapped up her game and nonchalantly tossed her phone aside. She innocently pouted, “I got sleepy, so I went to grab some coffee. Then your notes disappeared, and I can’t be bothered to flip through the book. Let’s just call it a day, shall we?”

　　Upon hearing this, Liang Jingche laughed and started rummaging through the messy stack of books on the desk. His eyebrows knitted as he sifted through the mess. “It’s really gone? Did you accidentally chuck it in the restroom to escape studying?” 

　　Jiang Dai shot him a defiant glare. “I didn’t!”

　　Observing her anxious demeanor, Liang Jingche could not help but find her utterly adorable. Playfully, he gently pinched her cheek and jokingly suggested, “How about I check the surveillance footage? How should we settle the score if I find that you actually threw it away?”

　　Jiang Dai pouted, “Go ahead! If it was me, I’ll eat my hat!”