CH 17

Chapter 17: Actually, I was in the same class as you.

When Zhou Jingze brought up the plate of grapefruit, Da Liu ate a piece and gave a thumbs up: “It’s really sweet. Are all the fruits in the south as sweet as this?”

“It is sweet. That’s why it’s our local specialty,” Xu Sui answered.

After the rehearsal, the group went back to their place. Xu Sui followed Sheng Nanzhou to his house to tutor Sheng Yanjia. Once she arrived, Aunt Sheng held her hand and kept praising her. The reason was that Sheng Yanjia got 81 points in math and 72 in English in the 100-point mock examination.

This was a huge improvement from his previous failing scores in both subjects.

“Thank you for all your hard work.” Aunt Sheng patted her hand.

“You’re welcome,” Xu Sui replied and then entered Sheng Yanjia’s room. As soon as she opened the door, the kid was sitting there; his tail wagging up at the sky.

“Time for class,” Xu Sui took out a book and patted him.

Little Curly smiled: “Hehe. ”

Sheng Yanjia rarely gets good grades; when he does, his mother would satisfy any of his requests, including the tutoring session. Xu Sui saw that the child was so enthusiastic about learning that she handed him another set of paper.

“Teacher Xiao Xu, my liking for you is about to disappear.” Sheng Yanjia laid his head on the table and said with a bitter face.

“But it doesn’t affect how much the teacher likes you,” Xu Sui answered naturally.

The little chubby kid’s face blushed slightly. After the session, Xu Sui glanced at the time, packed her things, and prepared to leave. But, before she left, Sheng Nanzhou knocked on the door and came in along with Zhou Jingze.

He was leaning on the door, with his head lowered, playing his phone.

Sheng Nanzhou said: “Xu Sui, stay here for dinner.”

Xu Sui deliberately didn’t want to let herself see that person, so she declined: “No, it’s still early to eat. I want to go back to take a nap.”

Sheng Nanzhou wanted to say something else, but Little Curly sat there a little impatient: “Brother, don’t you feel like you’re being very annoying? Hurry up and leave. I have something to ask Teacher Xiao Xu.”

“Fine, looking at how much your grades improved, I’ll leave,” Sheng Nanzhou glanced at his brother and closed the door on his way out.

Little Curly was sitting on the carpet, holding the handle of the switch, looking for the remote control. Xu Sui walked over and took out the remote control stuck between the gaps in the sofa. She handed it to him:

“Is it that you want to invite me to play games again? Teacher is a little tired today.” Xu Sui said.

“Of course not. Brother Jingze agreed to play games with me today.” Sheng Yanjia reached out to open a box and took out two tickets. Then, he walked over to Xu Sui and had a slightly unusual expression: “My mother told me that I should thank you, so I want you to invite you to watch a movie.”

“Sure,” Xu Sui didn’t take the tickets but said, “You can keep the tickets. We’ll just meet up at the movie theater.”

“You have to come,” Sheng Yanjia emphasized the sentence.

“Ok, ok,” she waved at him.

After Xu Sui left, Zhou Jingze walked in to play games with Little Curly. Inexplicably, Zhou Jingze was not in a good mood today. He played games with Sheng Yanjia and didn’t go easy. Instead, he killed Sheng Yanjia several times.

Although Sheng Yanjia lost the game, he was humming and seemed to be in a great mood. Zhou Jingze took out a mint and put it into his mouth, raising his eyebrows: “You are so happy after losing?”

Sheng Yanjia blushed when he thought of it.

He replied: “I asked Teacher Xiao Xu out to watch a movie.” Zhou Jingze’s expression remained unchanged, and he began to take apart the broken remote control from his house and repair it. He knew that the little devil couldn’t hold in anything to himself. Sure enough, the next second, Sheng Yanjia’s tone was full of uncontainable excitement:

“She said yes, and on that day, I’m planning to confess to her!”

Zhou Jingze was twisting a screw with a screwdriver and accidentally poke his finger when he heard it. He looked up and flashed a cold smile:

“What do you like about Teacher Xiao Xu?”

Sheng Yanjia replied in a louder voice. Children are like this. They’re straightforward: “Teacher Xiao Xu is pretty and gentle. She has big and beautiful eyes, white skin, and two dimples when she smiles. She’s also really nice to me and helps tutor me… In short, she looks a lot like my future girlfriend.”

The mint rattled Zhou Jingze’s mouth, and the sugar was on the tip of his tongue. He mercilessly struck his words:

“Little devil, your hair hasn’t even thickened yet, and you don’t even know how to write a confession. In addition, to tell you the truth, Teacher Xiao Xu is kind to you and helps tutor you because your mother paid her. She probably doesn’t even like the type like you who plays games and has bad grades.”

Sheng Yanjia was only in sixth grade and felt his world collapse. Little Curly pushed Zhou Jingze out. His big eyes were a little red: “Brother, you’re so annoying that I don’t want you to repair the remote control anymore. You leave; people like you don’t know what it means to like someone.”

Zhou Jingze was pushed out of the door by Sheng Yanjia. He was not angry but smiled instead.” A person like you doesn’t know what it means to like someone.” He heard this sentence countless times; all the past girlfriends he had would tell him that at the end.

He was a carefree and unrestrained person that it seems it doesn’t matter whatever he does. The last time Bai Yuyue got angry and asked to break up, Zhou Jingze agreed without even thinking about it.

On the contrary, Bai Yuyue cried after hearing it, accusing him of not knowing what it means to like someone and never considering their future.

Funny, he never even thought about his future yet.

——

The weather forecast says it will be colder than before on Wednesday and that it will rain.

Xu Sui got up from the bed in the morning, and the cold air penetrated her skin. The weather became cold as expected. She was always afraid of the cold, so she wore a white puffer jacket and went to class. However, when she went out with a book in her arms, she found that a layer of frost had formed on the corridor railings.

There happened to be no class in the afternoon, so she didn’t bother fixing up herself and headed straight to the cinema after class. After she arrived and saw who Sheng Yanjia was with, she regretted that she didn’t. She casually wore a white puffer jacket out, and it made her look a bit bloated.

Sheng Yanjia was still angry with Zhou Jingze, but his mother was worried about him going out alone and told him that he had to find someone to accompany him. Since his brother went to the Internet cafe to play games, only Jingze, who was sleeping next door, was left.

Little Curly had to put down his pride and ask Zhou Jingze.

“Teacher Xiao Xu, what do you want to drink? I’ll treat you.” Sheng Yanjia’s eyes lit up the moment he saw Xu Sui.

Zhou Jingze snorted, carrying an unknown meaning. He walked to the front reception and took Sheng Yanjia’s movie ticket to choose a movie. He turned his head and asked,

“What kind of movies do you like?”

“Horror movies.” Xu Sui replied.

To cater to his favorite Teacher Xiao Xu’s likings, Sheng Yanjia forgot about his timidity and said, “Me too!”

Zhou Jingze paused for a second, holding the tickets in the air. Then, he gently rubbed the tickets and smiled lightly: “Xu Sui, how many surprises do you still have?”

Zhou Jingze chose three seats in the horror movie and stood there. He wore an overcoat and combat boots today, looking strong and vigorous.

The front desk clerk peeked at him several times when she gave the ticket to him and asked with a big smile, “Here are your tickets. Is there anything else you need?”

Zhou Jingze asked for a bottle of ice water with an expression on his face. Sheng Yanjia grabbed Xu Sui’s sleeves and nudged her, offering courtesy:

“Teacher Xiao Xu, what do you like to eat? I’ll treat you!” Xu Sui didn’t like snacks very much, her eyes hesitated, and she was about to refuse when Zhou Jingze looked at her and then glanced at the kid: “Choose something, or else this kid will cry.”

Finally, Xu Sui walked in with a bag of popcorn.

The movie starts in three minutes. Sheng Yanjia was sitting in the middle between them. Xu Sui sat beside him inside while Zhou Jingze sat in the outer aisle.

Zhou Jingze leaned on his seat and played on his phone from the moment he sat down. He never raised his eyes. Xu Sui lowered her eyes, regained her energy, and focused on the screen.

The movie quickly began, and Xu Sui was quickly attracted by the plot and watched intently without being distracted at all. This was hard for the brave Sheng Yanjia next to her.

From the beginning, Sheng Yanjia was a bit scared, but he forced himself to look like a man and stared at the screen with his eyes wide open. But all the scenes he was afraid of appeared.

The female ghost on the big screen had a bloody face and suddenly crawled out of the desk with a shadowy and grim look. This part scared the audience in the theater auditorium, and several girls screamed.

“Ah—”

The graphics were vivid and scary. The cries of horror from the cinema came and spread one after another. Sheng Yanjia screamed fiercely. He covered his eyes and couldn’t dare to look at it.

He wanted to seek comfort at the moment that his head inadvertently fell on Zhou Jingze’s shoulder. However, he suddenly realized this was a golden opportunity with Teacher Xiao Xu, so he shifted his head to the other direction, slowly falling on Xu Sui’s side.

Just when his head was two centimeters away from Teacher Xiao Xu, a pair of cold hands caught his head and future fate. Zhou Jingze was staring directly at the screen, but his hands were not idle and made Sheng Yanjia stay back in his seat.

Zhou Jingze glanced at him, carrying a sense of warning, but in a lazy voice: “Be good.”

Sheng Yanjia felt very aggrieved. Throughout the rest of the horror movie, he covered his eyes with his hands, breaking out in a cold sweat near the end.

Xu Sui likes to watch horror movies and doesn’t notice their movements. At the end of the movie, she reluctantly took a picture to remember this memory.

She posted a picture in her Friends Circle, only visible to herself, with the text: Like a dream.

Zhou Jingze’s hands were in his pockets, and he looked at her eyes: “You like horror movies that much?”

Xu Sui closed her phone and looked at the person standing on her left. Then, she softly replied: “En.”

Liked it a lot.

The three of them walked out of the theater together. Sheng Yanjia saw a Spider-Man plushie in the claw machine up the front of them and walked towards it. He looked at it and said in excitement, “Brother, go put in some coins. I want to play.”

Zhou Jingze had to redeem a small basket of game coins from a staff member. Little Curly put the basket aside and had a great time playing with the claw machine.

Xu Sui stood on one side and her gaze shifted at the claw machine on the other side. She unconsciously walked over and stood in front of it in a daze. Then, suddenly, a black shadow was cast beside her, and a cold voice sounded: “You want one?”

Xu Sui nodded and said lightly, “A little bit. When I was a kid, my father often went out early and returned late. He then bought me a Cabbage Patch doll to accompany me. Later, he passed away, and when I had to move, the doll was lost.”

“But I’m older now, so I don’t need it anymore.” Xu Sui smiled and pointed to the doll in the glass window.

Zhou Jingze did not answer. Instead, he took the cigarette out from his mouth. His tone was frivolous and firm: “Master Zhou will get it for you.”

Five minutes later, Zhou Jingze paid for his arrogance. He spent more than a dozen coins but hasn’t caught it yet. Finally, the coin in Zhou Jingze’s palm slid into the coin slot, and he cleared his throat: “This time, it’ll work.”

The hook of the claw machine caught the doll’s belly, and it slowly made its way towards the slot. The two of them stared at it with anticipation. Xu Sui was excited: “It seems to be coming out.”

However, with a “shoo,” the doll dropped.

There was a moment of silence in the air, and Zhou Jingze said in embarrassment, “I’m going to exchange for more coins.”

Two minutes later, Zhou Jingze carried a basket of coins and returned. He stood in front of the claw machine and inserted the coins calmly, repeatedly trying but also repeatedly failing.

At this time, a couple walked over next to them. The boy easily spent two coins and got a doll. The girl jumped up and held his neck with excitement: “Darling, you’re so awesome!”

“Do you still want to play?”

“Yes.”

Xu Sui was standing on Zhou Jingze’s left side. The couple’s intimacy and affection made her feel a little uncomfortable. Her neck was itchy and slightly red.

Holding a cigarette in his mouth, Zhou Jingze became determined like it was a League of Legends match. Suddenly, someone pulled the corner of his clothes. He lowered his head and came into contact with a pair of clear eyes.

“Let’s just forget about it.” Xu Sui said in a suggestive tone.

Zhou Jingze stared at the claw machine in front of him and sneered: “I still don’t believe I can’t get it.”

In the end, Zhou Jingze spent more than a hundred game coins but didn’t catch anything. Even though Xu Sui persuaded him many times like, “The money is enough to buy a few dolls online,” or,” I really don’t want it, let’s forget about it,” but he was still unmoved.

This desire to win.

Soon, a staff member dragged over a bag of dolls and put them into the machine. Zhou Jingze didn’t want to admit defeat, but when he saw the staff, he unwillingly asked: “How much is one doll? Can I buy it?”

The staff smiled: “I’m sorry, sir, this is not for sale.”

Xu Sui couldn’t help but facepalm. It was a little funny. At this moment, she forgave Zhou Jingze in her heart. But, regardless of it, he was indeed a worthy person for her to like, and she couldn’t control herself.

Love defeated her self-esteem.

Seeing Zhou Jingze’s unyielding posture, Xu Sui hurriedly dragged his arm and bowed at the staff: “I’m so sorry.”

Zhou Jingze, who was dragged away by Xu Sui, turned his head around at the staff and persisted: “Name a price.”

When Sheng Yanjia, who was playing other games, saw Zhou Jingze and Xu Sui walking out, he hurriedly followed. The group walked out of the cinema.

As soon as the cold wind blew, Xu Sui regained her senses. She was surprised at how courageous she was that she was still dragging Zhou Jingze’s arm. Finally, she hurriedly let go: “I’m sorry.”

Sheng Yanjia’s shriek interrupted their thoughts: “Wow, it’s snowing.”

Hearing this, Xu Sui turned her head and looked straight ahead. There was little snow falling everywhere, like dandelions blown in the air by the wind. She stretched out her hand, and tiny snowflakes melted in her palm.

It was snowing.

To children, playing was always the most important thing that he forgot about his confession. Sheng Yanjia cried out and begged: “Brother!”

Sheng Yanjia didn’t say the second half, but Zhou Jingze knew what he wanted to do. A short sentence flew out of his thin lips: “Twenty minutes.”

After receiving the permission, he shouted like a cheerful bird rushing into the courtyard next to the cinema. Zhou Jingze and Xu Sui sat on a bench around the corner and waited for Sheng Yanjia.

The cold wind flew into her collar, and she shrank unconsciously. Zhou Jingze sat aside with his elbows on his thighs and raised his eyebrows: “Cold?”

“A little bit, I’m a southerner.” Xu Sui wrinkled her nose embarrassedly.

Xu Sui’s body was originally a bit cold, but her hands and feet get colder in the winter. In addition, even though she’s been in the northern city of Beijing for a few years, she’s still a little unaccustomed to it.

“Wait here.” Zhou Jingze dropped a sentence.

Five minutes later, Zhou Jingze returned. He handed her a cup of hot cocoa. Xu Sui felt touched and softly spoke: “Thank you.”

Zhou Jingze twitched his lips: “No problem.”

He also bought a can of carbonated soda. He pulled off the tab and took a sip. Xu Sui looked at the cold drink covered in frost and asked, “Isn’t it cold?”

“Feels nice.” Zhou Jingze replied.

The two sat in silence for a while. Xu Sui took a sip of the hot cocoa, and her body temperature slowly rose. Then, when she was trying to find a topic, Zhou Jingze turned his head sideways and looked at her. He caught a glimpse at the lips that were slowly recovering its rosy color and asked:

“Xu Sui is it Sheng Nanzhou’s joke last time, or did I do anything wrong—”

Xu Sui shook her head and let out a sigh of relief. Even though her fingertips were trembling a bit while holding the cup of hot cocoa, she raised her head and mustered the courage to look directly at him:

“Actually, I was in the same class as you in high school.”