Volume Two: Those Years When I Was the School Bully
One Point Short
The two sat in the taxi, one on each side, unable to find words for each other.
This was the first time since that day that the two of them had sat together so peacefully.
Wen Nuan actually felt a bit dazed, feeling like they hadn’t changed, yet also feeling like they had changed too much.
The driver glanced at the two through the rearview mirror. It was too quiet in the car, creating a suffocating feeling.
He rolled the window down a bit, took a few breaths to ease the heavy atmosphere. “Are you two students?”
After a moment of silence, Song Ci replied faintly, “Yeah.”
“Which high school?” the driver asked curiously.
Song Ci: “Third High’s.”
“Third High?” The driver was surprised. “Is that the Third Experimental High School?”
“Mhm, yes.”
“Oh, that’s a good high school. My kid is planning to apply for Third High after the high school entrance exams this year, but the cutoff score is so high, it’s hard to get in.” The driver looked at Song Ci. “Little miss, help this uncle1 estimate, my kid scored over 560 on this month’s practice test. Can he get into Third High?”
Song Ci nodded. “Yes, he can.”
A score of 560 was already above the Third High cutoff; it could be said to be very safe.
The driver immediately beamed with joy. “Really? That score can get him into Third High?”
“It’s already very high, yes, he can get into Third High.”
“That’s great then. Looks like I need to make sure my kid keeps it up, don’t want him to mess up2 when the time comes.” The driver sighed in relief. “Little miss, what score did you get to enter Third High back then?”
Song Ci stated flatly, “741 points.”
“….” The driver was astonished. “That high?”
“It’s alright,” Song Ci said modestly.
Wen Nuan pursed her lips, thinking inwardly: Yeah, alright, just the top scorer of the high school entrance exam, that’s all.
The driver looked at Wen Nuan through the rearview mirror and smiled. “What about this little miss? Was it over 700 points too?”
Wen Nuan forced a smile. “Yeah, one point short.”
The driver was surprised. “One point short? She got 741, so you got 740?”
Wen Nuan gave a dry laugh. “She got 741 points, I got 74 points.”
One point short is one point short.
Driver: “…..”
Song Ci pressed her lips together: “…..”
The atmosphere in the car became even stiffer than before.
The three arrived at Wutong Yayuan3, where Wen Nuan lived, looking at each other speechlessly.
Just as Wen Nuan was about to scan the code to pay, the driver had already received the fare.
She glanced at Song Ci, who had already gotten out of the car, pushed the door open, got out, and said to the driver, “Please wait a moment.”
The driver paused. “What’s wrong?”
“Could you please take her home too?” Wen Nuan pointed at Song Ci.
She looked at Song Ci. “I’ll get off here. You should head back early.”
Song Ci took the medicine bag out of her schoolbag, handed it to Wen Nuan, and sat back in the car.
Wen Nuan looked at Song Ci, then said to the driver, “Her neighborhood is Taizhou Fu4, thank you.”
The driver started the car. “Alrighty, off we go.”
“Okay, drive slowly, be safe.”
Wen Nuan watched the taxi drive away and disappear at the intersection.
As soon as she got into the elevator, the System announced the Blackening Value.
【Female Lead’s Blackening Value has decreased. Current Blackening Value is 6.8!】the System said.
Wen Nuan paused. “Why did it suddenly decrease?”
The System deduced: 【I think it’s because the Female Lead escorted you home.】
“Bullsh%t?” Wen Nuan was speechless. “Just taking me home once can lower the Blackening Value? Then why don’t I just have the Female Lead take me home a few more times, wouldn’t the Blackening Value drop straight to zero?”
The System nodded: 【You could try.】
Wen Nuan: “….Nutcase!”5
Although Yu Zitong had been transferred, and the school announcement stated she was expelled for bullying a classmate, the school protected Song Ci by not publicly revealing that the student Yu Zitong had bullied was Song Ci.
However, some people knew clearly that Yu Zitong was expelled from Third High for bullying Song Ci.
Some stopped bullying Song Ci because of the school’s punishment, but others weren’t afraid and bullied Song Ci even more severely.
Song Ci looked at her school uniform, splattered with paint and covered in glue. The pants were also cut and completely unwearable.
And for this PE class, the teacher had specifically required the entire class to wear their school uniforms in preparation for the city-wide sports meet’s formation drill for May Day6.
Normally, third-year high school students barely had PE classes anymore; even if they did, they would usually be taken over by teachers of other subjects.
But this year’s May Day city-wide sports meet was quite important, requiring participation from students of every school. Even third-year students had to have the opportunity to participate, to learn to balance work and rest, exercise actively, improve physical fitness, and ensure every third-year student could maintain the best possible condition to face the Gaokao.
The PE teacher spotted Song Ci’s different attire immediately. After asking for the reason, he was told her uniform had been splattered with paint and cut, making it impossible to wear.
The PE teacher held up the uniform, looked at the others, and roared, “Who did this?”
No one answered.
“Fine, you won’t talk, right? Then Class 5, listen up! Everyone except Song Ci, run ten laps around the track! The running stops when the culprit confesses.” The PE teacher blew his whistle. “Run!”
The students of Class 5 immediately started grumbling, looking around at each other.
“Who was it? Hurry up and admit it!”
“Dare to do it but not admit it? What a coward!”
“Song Ci is such a troublemaker too. If she didn’t wear it, she didn’t wear it. Maybe she ruined the uniform herself, deliberately framing someone else so the teacher would side with her and she wouldn’t have to run.”
“Yeah, Teacher, maybe Song Ci ruined it herself. It wasn’t necessarily someone deliberately damaging it.”
“Everyone else’s uniform is fine, only Song Ci’s is ruined. There must be something fishy7 about this, you can’t blame all of us!”
“Right, Teacher, we object! Forcing us to confess by making us run, we object! Maybe Song Ci ruined her own uniform to deliberately throw dirt on us!”
“Yeah, we object—”
The students of Class 5 all clamored in dissatisfaction.
The PE teacher’s brow furrowed tightly.
Song Ci stepped forward and said to the PE teacher, “Teacher, I can run the ten laps with my classmates to prove my innocence.”
The PE teacher disagreed. “Song Ci, this matter…”
“Teacher, since my classmates don’t believe me, I’ll prove it myself,” Song Ci looked at the entire class, her voice cold. “I’m not bored enough to play childish games like framing others.”8
Everyone averted their eyes, not meeting Song Ci’s gaze.
This caused Wen Nuan’s and Song Ci’s gazes to collide.
Wen Nuan shifted her gaze away, avoiding eye contact.
Seeing Song Ci’s insistence, the PE teacher could only let her run with the rest of Class 5.
It was nearing early summer, and the midday temperature had already climbed to over 20 degrees Celsius (approx. 68°F).
The students ran lap after lap, drenched in sweat, their faces flushed.
Only one person consistently lagged behind, brow furrowed, face pale, occasionally rubbing her lower abdomen.
Wen Nuan slowed down, falling to the back, observing Song Ci’s condition.
They had already run five laps. Others were already wailing9 and cursing10 whoever ruined Song Ci’s uniform.
By the seventh lap, everyone was almost unable to continue running.
They hadn’t had PE class in a long time and usually had no time to run; their physical fitness couldn’t keep up with such intense training.
Wen Nuan watched Song Ci, who was getting slower and slower, looking like she had just been fished out of water, in very poor condition.
Zhao Wennuan glanced at the neighboring class, Class 7 of the third year. Song Ci’s uniform was ruined by Le Jia11 from Class 7.
As for why Le Jia ruined Song Ci’s uniform?
Because in the monthly exam results announced a couple of days ago, Song Ci ranked first in the entire grade, while Le Jia ranked second. They were only one point apart, causing Le Jia to miss the chance for guaranteed admission12.
Le Jia was instantly filled with resentment. Being easily influenced, she couldn’t stand hearing others praise Song Ci’s abilities, so she deliberately ruined Song Ci’s uniform to embarrass her in front of the entire school.
After all, all third-year classes had PE together. At that time, Song Ci alone would be scolded and punished by the PE teacher, surely causing her immense humiliation.
Zhao Wennuan looked towards Le Jia, and their eyes met.
Le Jia read Zhao Wennuan’s lips mouthing, “Just wait.”
Her heart trembled, and she avoided Zhao Wennuan’s piercing gaze.
Zhao Wennuan rolled her eyes at her, then raised her hand and shouted, “Teacher, I was wrong! I was the one who cut classmate Song Ci’s uniform!”
All the students in Class 5 stopped, looking at Zhao Wennuan in disbelief.
Students from other classes were also stunned. Le Jia stared at Zhao Wennuan, equally incredulous.
When the PE teacher saw it was Wen Nuan, his expression twisted. He snapped, “Why did you cut classmate Song Ci’s uniform?”
Wen Nuan casually made up an excuse: “I didn’t like the look of her uniform.”
The PE teacher was puzzled. “What about her uniform didn’t you like?”
“…..”
Why does this PE teacher love to probe so relentlessly?!13
Wen Nuan was speechless. “I couldn’t stand seeing Song Ci’s uniform being too clean, so I ruined it.”
PE Teacher: “…..”
Everyone: “…..”
What kind of bizarre14 reason was that!?
They looked at the uniform Wen Nuan was wearing – gaudy15, covered in all sorts of strange patterns, looking messy.
Suddenly, the reason seemed somewhat believable.
“Alright then, since someone has confessed, the rest of you go rest on the side. Zhao Wennuan, finish the ten laps, then run ten more as punishment!” the PE teacher ordered angrily.
Wen Nuan replied lazily, “Oh.”
Song Ci frowned, saying, “It wasn’t…”
Wen Nuan cut her off, her tone annoyed, “It was me. What can you do about it?”
Just shut up and go rest already.
Her attitude was extremely defiant. The PE teacher was furious, roaring, “Zhao Wennuan, add another five laps!”
Wen Nuan: “…..”
Just as Song Ci was about to speak, Wen Nuan shot her a glare.
Song Ci: “…..”
In the end, a miserable Wen Nuan ran lap after lap alone on the track.
Everyone watched her finish the ten laps originally assigned by the PE teacher, then continue running without showing any sign of fatigue. Her running posture was relaxed, almost like she was strolling.
The PE teacher’s expression shifted from initial anger to astonishment, and finally to surprise.
One lap around the track was about 400 meters. Zhao Wennuan had already finished 10 laps, which was 4000 meters.
Adding the extra 15 laps he demanded, the total was ten thousand meters.
This girl hadn’t even stopped to rest, her pace and breathing rhythm hadn’t faltered, and there was only a thin layer of sweat on her forehead. It looked effortless.
Could Zhao Wennuan actually be a promising long-distance runner?!
The PE teacher took out his stopwatch, looked at Zhao Wennuan approaching, and shouted, “Last two laps, run them at your fastest speed! Let me see how fast you can be!”
Students from other classes had already gathered around to watch the spectacle when Zhao Wennuan was being punished. Seeing her effortlessly complete over 20 laps and now being asked by the PE teacher to sprint the last two, they all thought the teacher had gone mad. Was he trying to punish Zhao Wennuan to death?!
Wen Nuan asked puzzledly, “Why?”
The PE teacher waved his hand. “Just run when I tell you to! Hurry up, I’m starting the timer!”
“Oh.” Wen Nuan also wanted to finish running sooner.
“One, two, three, go!” The PE teacher pressed the stopwatch, giving the command.
Wen Nuan immediately picked up speed and started sprinting.
The crowd watched as Zhao Wennuan, who had been running leisurely, suddenly accelerated, running like the wind.
The PE teacher observed Wen Nuan’s steps – fast and powerful, her stride agile. Her running form was the most standard and also the most energy-efficient.
For the entire two laps, Wen Nuan’s speed didn’t decrease due to the previous 20+ laps; instead, it got faster and faster.
The PE teacher watched Wen Nuan get closer and closer, stopping the timer the instant her foot crossed the white line.
The stopwatch showed: 2 minutes 0 seconds.
800 meters, Wen Nuan had sprinted in 2 minutes.
If she hadn’t run over 20 laps beforehand, she might have been even faster!?
Wen Nuan gradually slowed down, eventually running another hundred meters or so before stopping, panting heavily a few times.
The PE teacher walked over, smiling with pleasant surprise. “Do you know how long you took?”
The System chimed in enthusiastically: 【2 minutes 0 seconds 04!】
Wen Nuan said nonchalantly, “2 minutes?”
The PE teacher was astonished. “How did you know?”
Hearing that Zhao Wennuan ran 800 meters in two minutes, the crowd buzzed with surprise.
Wen Nuan wanted to wipe the sweat from her forehead but hadn’t brought tissues. Just as she was about to ask someone nearby for one, she saw Song Ci holding out a pack of tissues to her.
Her fingertips paused. Pretending not to see it, she looked at Yan Ni16. “Give me a tissue.”
Yan Ni glanced at the tissues in Song Ci’s hand, embarrassed. “I didn’t bring any tissues.”
She was telling the truth; she really hadn’t brought any.
Wen Nuan paused, looked at Zhang Wei17, and before she could speak, Zhang Wei pulled out his pockets to show her.
Empty, nothing inside.
Wen Nuan: “…..”
A bunch of useless people, can’t even bring tissues.
The System helpfully reminded: 【You didn’t bring tissues either, Host.】
“…..” Wen Nuan retorted, “Tongzi, do you have tissues?”
【Of course, I do. One pack of tissues costs 10 Points. Does the Host wish to purchase?】the System countered, laughing.
Wen Nuan: “…..”
Buy my ass! My points are frozen, where would I get ten points to buy tissues!?
Wen Nuan looked at the tissues Song Ci was still holding out, finally taking them resignedly. “Thanks.”
She wiped the sweat from her forehead and looked at the PE teacher. “I timed myself while running.”
The PE teacher was shocked. “You timed yourself while running?”
And timed it so accurately.
A corner of Wen Nuan’s mouth lifted. “Is that hard?”
Subtle flexing hits hardest.18
PE Teacher: “….”
Everyone: “…..”
They had just been subtly shown up.
“Teacher, is there anything else? If not, I’m leaving.” Wen Nuan wanted to go buy a bottle of water.
The PE teacher grabbed Zhao Wennuan, his eyes gleaming. “Zhao Wennuan, want to train in long-distance running in the future?”
Wen Nuan said coldly, “No.”
“Why?” The PE teacher was heartbroken. “You have great talent. With training, you could even participate in the Olympics.”
Wen Nuan shook her head. “No way, I don’t have time for the Olympics. I still have to take the Gaokao and get into university.”
“….”
Even the PE teacher knew about Zhao Wennuan’s atrocious grades.
He said tactfully, “Maybe the Gaokao isn’t quite suitable for you. Listen to Teacher’s advice, try long-distance running. You’ll definitely have a bright future.”
“No.” Wen Nuan was extremely thirsty. She waved dismissively at the PE teacher. “Leaving.”
PE class had ended long ago; the other students had only stayed to watch the excitement. Seeing Zhao Wennuan leave, the crowd gradually dispersed.
When Wen Nuan returned to the classroom after buying water, she saw Song Ci slumped over her desk.
Judging by her state today, she probably had menstrual cramps19.
Wen Nuan walked over and pretended to casually bump the water cup on her desk. It was cool, not hot water.
She glanced at the classroom water dispenser – it wasn’t plugged in.
The weather had been gradually warming up recently, so they rarely plugged it in to boil hot water.
Zhang Wei passed by and saw Wen Nuan plugging in the dispenser. “Zhao-jie20, want some hot water?”
Wen Nuan glanced at Song Ci and said casually, “Want to make a cup of milk tea.”
“Milk tea?” Zhang Wei looked at Wen Nuan’s desk, which was empty. “Where’s the milk tea? I’ll make it for you.”
Wen Nuan tilted her chin towards Yan Ni. “Go get a cup from her.”
Yan Ni: “…..”
Zhang Wei held out his hand. “Get two cups.”
Yan Ni winced, heartbroken. “Why two cups? Zhao-jie only needs one?”
“I’ll drink one too.” Zhang Wei took the milk tea. “I’ll drink the extra one for you, so you’ll gain one less pound. Look how much weight you’ve gained since school started, your pretty little face is all chubby, I can barely see…”
Zhang Wei clutched his head, turning back to look at Wen Nuan. “Zhao-jie, what’s wrong?”
Wen Nuan pointed at Yan Ni, her voice cold. “Apologize.”
Zhang Wei was puzzled. “….Why?”
“What business is it of yours if she’s gained weight? What right do you have to comment?” Wen Nuan kicked him again. “I think Yan Ni looks cute like this. Who told you to call her fat?”
“If I hear you call her fat again, see if I don’t beat you up.” She took the other cup of milk tea from Zhang Wei’s hand and gave it back to Yan Ni. “Go, make the milk tea.”
Zhang Wei apologized to Yan Ni, then turned to make milk tea for Wen Nuan.
Yan Ni clutched the milk tea in her hand, looking at Wen Nuan, moved. “Thank you.”
No one had ever stood up for her before. She had baby fat as a child, and grew up chubby, like a little snowball.
And she particularly loved sweets. Especially with the stress of the third year of high school, she couldn’t control her sweet intake even more, causing her to gain more weight.
“It’s nothing. I actually think you look quite cute like this,” Wen Nuan smiled. “Like a little snowman.”
Yan Ni rubbed her cheeks. “I have a constitution prone to weight gain, and I really love sweets, so I gain weight easily.”
“Love sweets?” Wen Nuan thought of You Jiayi, that girl loved sweets too. “I know a girl who also loves sweets.”
Yan Ni understood. “I know, Song Ci, right? She loves sweets.”
Wen Nuan froze.
Right, Song Ci loves sweets too. I used to often buy her this brand of milk tea that Yan Ni likes.
This brand of milk tea had an extra portion of sugar compared to regular instant milk tea, so it tasted particularly sweet.
Thinking about it, Song Ci and You Jiayi actually had many similarities.
“Song Ci? Song Ci? What’s wrong with you?” someone from the back row shouted in panic. “Song Ci seems to have passed out?!”
“Move aside!” Wen Nuan pushed through the crowd, scooped Song Ci up in her arms, and rushed towards the school infirmary.
Zhang Wei held up the prepared milk tea and shouted, “Zhao-jie, your milk tea is ready!”
Wen Nuan roared, “Get lost—”21
Zhang Wei: “…..”
The author has something to say:
Zhang Wei (obsequiously): Zhao-jie, the milk tea is ready, just the right temperature to drink.
Wen Nuan (roaring): Get lost!
Shu Changning: Tool person, anyone?
Lu Yi: Tool person, anyone?
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