Volume Two: Those Years When I Was the School Bully
Together
The sky was just beginning to lighten. The weather recently was still a bit cool.
Song Ci woke up at six every day, washed up simply, took a bag of toast from the refrigerator, and ate one slice.
Yesterday’s clothes had been torn by Huang Weiwei. Song Ci wasn’t a sentimental person; she threw them away after getting home.
Song Ci looked towards the balcony. Wen Nuan’s clothes were hung neatly there by her. Bathed in the sunlight, they looked warm and cozy.
She walked over, buried her face in the clothes, and took a deep breath.
Wen Nuan’s lingering scent remained on the clothes—the cigarettes she often liked to smoke. Unlike the acrid smell from others’ cigarettes, hers had a faint, fresh fragrance, like roses after rain.
Song Ci took the clothes down, preparing to bring them to school to return to Wen Nuan, although she was very reluctant to part with them.
Her gaze swept past the balcony window, paused, and she suddenly rushed forward, opening the window to look down.
The early spring wind felt quite refreshing.
Song Ci rubbed her eyes, looking disbelievingly at Wen Nuan standing downstairs.
She was still wearing yesterday’s clothes, smoking a cigarette, holding something in her hand, standing in the morning sun. It made Song Ci feel dazed, as if she were still dreaming.
Song Ci raised a hand and pinched her cheek. It hurt.
She immediately grabbed her schoolbag and the clothes and rushed downstairs.
Wen Nuan heard the hurried sound of footsteps descending the stairs and looked up, only to see Song Ci running down rapidly.
“Slow down,” Wen Nuan said softly.
Song Ci stopped in front of Wen Nuan, surprised and delighted, “Why are you here?”
“Have you eaten breakfast?”
Song Ci nodded: “Yes.”
“Ate toast?”
“Mhm.”
“How many slices?”
“I’m not usually very hungry in the morning, so….” Song Ci felt a bit ashamed being asked.
Wen Nuan sighed: “Just one slice again? Eaten dry?”
Song Ci pressed her lips together and didn’t speak.
Seeing her like this, Wen Nuan knew the old habit had resurfaced.
Perhaps because she lived alone, Song Ci was very casual about food. Every morning, it was just one slice of toast and a glass of water—a very simple breakfast.
During their first year of high school, Wen Nuan would bring her an extra portion of breakfast, making her eat more. Lunch and dinner were always eaten together. So during that first year, Song Ci had been nourished by her until she was fair and plump1.
Not really fat, just well-proportioned, with a very healthy complexion.
But in the year she had been gone, Song Ci had lost a lot of weight, becoming much thinner and weaker than when Wen Nuan first met her.
Wen Nuan felt very conflicted inside. She had painstakingly nurtured Song Ci to be healthy and plump, yet in just one year, her girl had suffered so much.
The most ridiculous part was that most of her girl’s suffering stemmed from her.
Wen Nuan looked towards the pavilion on the grass to the right. “Come on, let’s go there.”
Song Ci paused, “What for?”
“To eat breakfast,” Wen Nuan walked over, placing the breakfast items from her bag onto the table. “I haven’t eaten yet. Keep me company.”
Song Ci looked at the breakfast on the table. There was a wide variety: sweet soy milk, custard buns, shumai, and even crab roe xiaolongbao from Linglong Ge.
These were all breakfast items Wen Nuan used to buy frequently, all things she loved to eat.
Wen Nuan inserted a straw into the soy milk and handed it to Song Ci. “Drink up, it’s sweet.”
Song Ci saw she had only bought one cup. “Where’s yours?”
Wen Nuan glanced at Song Ci, her expression odd. “Can you finish this all by yourself?”
The shop had run out of small cups of soy milk, so she could only buy a large one, which happened to be enough for two people.
Given Song Ci’s appetite, a small cup of soy milk was usually sufficient.
A glint flashed in Song Ci’s eyes: “Are you going to… drink with me?”
“Yeah. You can’t finish this cup. If I don’t drink it, won’t it be wasted?”
“There’s only one straw?” Song Ci didn’t see any extra straws in the other bags.
Wen Nuan lifted her eyelids. “You mind?”
“No, I don’t mind,” Song Ci smiled, quickly adding, “I couldn’t be happier.”
Wen Nuan paused. “Eat first, then we’ll go to school.”
Song Ci sat down beside her. “Okay.”
The System’s voice popped up: 【Ahem, the blackening value has decreased, just letting you know. The female lead’s blackening value is now 8!】
Wen Nuan didn’t have much of an appetite. She ate a few xiaolongbao and put down her chopsticks, looking at the soy milk being offered to her.
She glanced at Song Ci, then lowered her head and took a sip through the straw.
Seeing Wen Nuan actually drink it, Song Ci’s lips curved up slightly. She took the soy milk back and gently sipped from it.
Until the end of the meal, neither of them said much.
Wen Nuan stopped eating, and everything else ended up in Song Ci’s stomach.
The large cup of soy milk—Song Ci would take a sip, then pass it to her for a sip.
Wen Nuan gathered the trash and threw it into the bin outside the pavilion.
“Let’s go.” Wen Nuan took Song Ci’s schoolbag, feeling it was a bit heavy. “What did you put inside?”
Song Ci: “Books.”
Judging by the weight, Wen Nuan thought Song Ci had packed bricks.
“What books are so heavy?” Wen Nuan opened the bag and took one out to look.
Several particularly thick textbooks like 《Cambridge IELTS Practice Tests》, 《IELTS Writing》, 《Speaking Materials》.
Seeing these book titles, an indescribable light flashed in Wen Nuan’s eyes.
Song Ci thought Wen Nuan would ask her about them, but she said nothing, just put the books back, shouldered her bag, and walked ahead.
“Wen Nuan, why were you downstairs at my place this morning?” Song Ci asked tentatively.
Could it be that she was waiting for her?!
Or just passing by?
But Wen Nuan’s residential complex and Taizhou Fu were two streets apart; it was impossible she was just passing by.
Wen Nuan stuffed her hands in her pockets, fiddling with her cigarette holder. “Waiting for you.”
Song Ci looked up: “Waiting for me? Waiting for me… for what? Is something wrong?”
“Do I need a reason to wait for you?”
Wen Nuan turned to look at Song Ci, who appeared cautious and timid. Her tone seemed a bit harsh just now; did she scare her?
She sighed, her voice softening. “It’s nothing. I just wanted to go to school with you.”
“You wanted to… go to school with me?” Song Ci repeated in disbelief.
Wen Nuan nodded. “I want to go to school with you, just like before. We eat breakfast together, go to school together, okay?”
Song Ci’s lips trembled. She choked up for a moment before slowly saying in a hoarse voice, “….Okay.”
Was she dreaming?
If this was a dream, could she please beg never to wake up?!
Wen Nuan looked at her glistening eyes, brimming with tears.
She raised her hand, wiping away the teardrops at the corner of her eye, seemingly giving in, saying tenderly, “…You little crybaby.”
“Let’s go, time for school.” Wen Nuan took her hand.
The two of them walking to school hand-in-hand caused quite a stir at Third High.
Everyone was now very confused about Zhao Wen Nuan and Song Ci’s relationship.
In their understanding, Zhao Wen Nuan liked Lu Yi, Lu Yi liked Song Ci, so Song Ci and Zhao Wen Nuan should be love rivals!
The two should either be avoiding each other like the plague2 or Zhao Wen Nuan should be unilaterally sanctioning Song Ci, right?
They had imagined many outcomes for their relationship, but absolutely none involved Zhao Wen Nuan and Song Ci walking into the school gates hand-in-hand, looking affectionate, appearing damn harmonious, and even… quite compatible?!
It was just absurd!
Song Ci didn’t care about others’ stares, still holding tightly onto Zhao Wen Nuan’s hand. Even though their palms were getting sweaty, as long as Wen Nuan didn’t let go first, she wouldn’t let go even if she died.
Wen Nuan was even less bothered by the gossipy looks. She shot a glare over, and instantly, there was dead silence3, everyone scattering like birds and beasts.
Arriving at the classroom, Wen Nuan released their hands, placed the schoolbag on Song Ci’s desk, and turned to walk towards her own seat.
Song Ci watched her leave, about to open her mouth, when she saw Wen Nuan moving all the things from her own desk over.
“This… What is this?” Song Ci stared at Wen Nuan in surprise.
Wen Nuan placed her things on the desk next to Song Ci’s. “I’m not used to it.”
Song Ci asked, puzzled, “Not used to what?”
“Not used to you not being beside me.” Wen Nuan sat down next to her, bumping the chair of the student in front. “Move forward a bit. You raising pigs with all that space?!”
The person in front jumped, quickly pulling their stool forward.
Wen Nuan pushed her desk forward, pushing Song Ci’s forward as well, aligning their desks.
“Why are you always staring at me?” Wen Nuan pulled Song Ci down. “Sit. Class is about to start.”
Song Ci blinked, uncertain. “I just… just find it a little hard to believe?”
Wen Nuan looked slightly uncomfortable. “Hard to believe what?”
“Hard to believe we can be this close,” Song Ci looked at their hands, still clasped together. She asked with difficulty, “Wen Nuan, can I assume… that these actions you’re taking… represent….”
“Hey? Zhao-jie, how come you moved to the back?” Zhang Wei walked into the classroom, saw Zhao Wen Nuan had moved to the back, and yelled out with a loud holler.
Song Ci was interrupted by Zhang Wei’s shout just as she was about to speak.
“What? Do I need your permission to go wherever I want?” Wen Nuan looked at Song Ci. “What were you about to say?”
Just as Song Ci was about to speak, Zhang Wei sidled over, grinning cheekily4. “Zhao-jie, can I move over too? I’ll keep being your front deskmate, block the teacher’s view for you, how about it?”
Zhang Wei now dared to exchange a few words with Wen Nuan. Besides, he felt Zhao Wen Nuan was actually quite nice; as long as you didn’t provoke her, she was reasonably friendly.
Yan Ni suddenly raised her hand. “I want to move over too.”
Wen Nuan looked at the two students currently sitting in front of them and pursed her lips. “I don’t care. Depends if they’re willing?”
Before Zhang Wei could even start persuading them, the two students in front immediately stood up and started packing their things, moving with a speed as if a dangerous beast was behind them.
Wen Nuan: “……”
There’s really no need to be that obvious!
Zhang Wei and Yan Ni got their wish and became Wen Nuan and Song Ci’s front deskmates.
Yan Ni distributed a cup of milk tea to everyone. “This is a new flavor, Sea Salt Cheese. It’s really good. Try it.”
Zhang Wei took four cups, looked around, his gaze landing on Yan Ni. “Come on, let’s go make5 them.”
Yan Ni nodded: “Okay.”
Wen Nuan turned her head to look at Song Ci, continuing her question, “What were you trying to say just now?”
Song Ci looked at their still-clasped hands and asked softly, “Are… we… considered together now?”
Her heart pounded like thunder as she spoke the words, terrified6.
Wen Nuan’s actions this morning had left her confused. Her proactive approach made her think Wen Nuan had accepted her, but she was also afraid it was just her own wishful thinking.
Song Ci didn’t want to continue feeling anxious and uneasy7. She didn’t care about her own status; as long as she could be by Wen Nuan’s side and receive a word of affirmation from her, that would be enough.
Wen Nuan hadn’t expected that everything she had done still wasn’t enough for Song Ci to be sure. Just as she was about to respond, Zhang Wei and Yan Ni walked over carrying four cups of milk tea.
“They’re ready.” Zhang Wei placed the milk tea in front of Wen Nuan and Song Ci. “The milk tea Ni-zi8 bought this time smells so good. My mouth was watering while making them.”
“Mhm, it’s a new flavor, of course it’s delicious.” Yan Ni lifted her chin slightly. “Quick, Song Ci, Wen Nuan, try it?”
Song Ci took a sip and nodded. “It’s very good, very sweet.”
The faint savory taste of sea salt was perfectly complemented by the sweet fragrance of the cheese, incredibly aromatic.
Wen Nuan pushed her own milk tea towards Song Ci. “For you.”
Yan Ni paused. “Wen Nuan, you don’t like this flavor? I have other flavors here, do you want one?”
“No need, I don’t drink milk tea,” Wen Nuan looked at Song Ci. “You drink it.”
Wen Nuan didn’t dislike any food; she actually liked milk tea too.
Therefore, she was giving it to her intentionally.
A tiny smile touched Song Ci’s lips as she took Wen Nuan’s cup.
Yan Ni naturally knew that Wen Nuan and Song Ci were close. Figuring Wen Nuan genuinely didn’t like milk tea, she didn’t insist. Just then, the teacher arrived and started going over the papers from yesterday’s quiz.
Wen Nuan, with nothing better to do, took out a manga from her bag and started reading.
Where did she leave off last time?
The System prompted: 【Before we left, we read up to Chapter 520, the one titled 《The Great War Begins》.】
“…..” Wen Nuan raised an eyebrow. “How do you know?”
【When you were reading manga in class, I was bored too, so I read along with you.】
Wen Nuan flipped to Chapter 520 and started reading with relish9.
The teacher lectured passionately10 at the podium. Below, those listening attentively were very serious, those playing games played games, those eating ate, those catching up on sleep slept. The entire class was exceptionally harmonious.
Song Ci rubbed her stomach. She had eaten a bit too much this morning, and adding two cups of milk tea made her stomach feel uncomfortably bloated.
It felt a little bad.
Suddenly, a warm hand rested on her stomach, slowly rubbing clockwise.
Song Ci looked at Wen Nuan in surprise. Wen Nuan put down her manga and sighed softly, “If you can’t eat it, don’t eat it. If you can’t drink it, don’t drink it. Now you feel uncomfortable, right?”
Song Ci pouted, showing a wronged expression.
That little expression was exactly the same as You Jiayi’s11.
‘They’ really were the same person.
“Keep listening to the lecture. I’ll rub it for you.”
Song Ci had no mind for the lecture now. She got full marks on this paper; listening to the teacher explain the problems wasn’t very meaningful. At this moment, the only things attracting her attention were Wen Nuan and the warm palm on her stomach.
She took a deep breath and continued the question that hadn’t received an answer earlier, “Are we, like this, considered together?”
The movement on her stomach stopped. Wen Nuan sighed, glanced at the time, and put away her manga.
Seeing her do this, Song Ci’s heart tightened. She quickly said, “I… I won’t ask anymore.”
“No,” Wen Nuan lifted her chin slightly. “Pass me that math book of yours.”
Song Ci paused for a moment, then handed the book over. “What’s wrong?”
Wen Nuan opened the math book and stood it up between them. Many students in front deliberately propped up books, pretending to read while secretly doing other things underneath.
Song Ci didn’t understand why, only feeling an arm tighten around her waist. She watched as Wen Nuan leaned down, the sweet fragrance from her mouth becoming more lingering.
Wen Nuan gently held her lower lip between her own and responded in a low voice, “Yeah, we’re together now.”
The author has something to say:
Wen Nuan: Stamping it, we’re together now.
(Put down Pinru’s wardrobe12, we’re still good friends.)
Author Jun: I’m not being lewd/suggestive.
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