Her suspended heart suddenly dropped into her stomach.
It had been a while since Shanfu's midterms ended. Ding Yuan had been entrusted by the subject teacher to contact the new student. The math teacher had requested that Yun Mi finish the midterm exam paper tonight to assess her level, and then they would tutor her accordingly.
Yun Mi's mind was too chaotic. Whatever Ding Yuan sent, she just replied "Okay."
Probably because Yun Mi seemed too compliant, the other side paused for a few seconds before sending a puzzled remark.
Ding Yuan: Classmate, why are you acting like a bot?
Yun Mi's typing slowed down.
Ding Yuan: Whatever. Come to the 7-Eleven near school later to pick up the test paper. If you have any other questions, ask me or other classmates. Everyone in the class is friendly.
Ding Yuan: Except
The last two words "Except" were quite conspicuous. After sending them, she retracted them as if trying to hide something.
Yun Mi's heart skipped a beat.
That face surfaced in her mind again.
Could it be that coincidental?
Ding Yuan didn't say much more, just simply and bluntly said: Ah, forget it. You'll know when the time comes. Anyway, ask me if anything comes up. Come over first.
-
The 7-Eleven near the school was just across the road from the outdoor basketball court. Yun Mi got the test paper and heard laughter not far away.
"Holy crap, a three-pointer."
The court instantly erupted into cheers, with several boys applauding enthusiastically.
"A Yang, do it again!"
On the half-slope, partially shaded by banyan trees on both sides, a few boys in school uniforms ran across the court passing the ball. The screech of sneakers on concrete mixed with the thud of the ball hitting the ground.
Yun Mi looked over and spotted the boy who made the shot at once.
His figure was half-hidden in the darkness, the hem of his cargo pants neatly gathered at his ankles. His sleek, powerful forearm showed strength. He was tall, with a lean waist turning slightly, wrist pushing gently—the motion was clean and beautiful.
The night wind howled. The ball circled the rim and fell with a clang, bouncing in a clear trajectory.
Someone beside him burst out with praise: "Damn, that was sick! Right on cue!"
A bit cocky.
Damn handsome.
Full of spirit.
Yun Mi's mood inexplicably lifted. She closed one eye, squinted at a nearby trash can, and unconsciously mimicked his motion—raising her hand and pressing her wrist down.
Smash!
Suddenly, a sharp, piercing pain shot from the inside of her arm, numbing it and making her unable to lift it. Yun Mi winced and pressed down on her arm.
Her gaze shifted and coincidentally met the eyes of the shooter, who casually looked around.
The instant their eyes met, the memory of dodging on the windowsill that afternoon came rushing back.
Yun Mi instinctively looked away, but then suddenly stopped.
Chen Yiyang?
"A Yang, what are you looking at?" Someone draped an arm over Chen Yiyang's shoulder and followed his gaze to the girl with the ponytail holding a canvas bag. The person asked, "You know her? Want to go say hi?"
The wind carried the distant reply from the boy opposite. It was a nice youthful voice with a careless, playful tone.
Chen Yiyang squinted and said, "Nope."
...
"Damn, Brother Yang, that shot was sick—"
"Did you see Qiu Lie's face? Haha, he didn't expect the ball to go in. His face went green!"
Xie Yue had no qualms about talking behind someone's back. Just now, he had dragged the others back to the Chen residence, running too hard, and now he was panting like crazy.
They planned to go back and grab their luggage and bikes.
Zhou Shihui, thinking ahead, said, "That was satisfying, but Xie Yue, watch out—that kid might report you for skipping class."
"No way? That perverted?" Xie Yue grumbled. "If Du Yun, that witch, finds out we skipped class, we're done for, okay?"
Chen Yiyang, hands in his pockets, suddenly cut in, "Not 'we.' You."
Xie Yue: "Huh?"
Chen Yiyang took out his keys to open the door, giving a nonchalant glance, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly. In a calm tone, he said, "Zhou Shihui and I are on competition break. Only you skipped class."
"..."
Xie Yue, like a furious cat, moved to kick him but didn't dare.
Usually, Chen Yiyang lived alone in this big house. Out of habit, he didn't turn on the lights. Hearing the shuffle of cotton slippers on the parquet floor, he looked toward the sound.
Xie Yue was still cursing, "What kind of person is that? Can't take a loss?" when his voice suddenly dropped. He muttered a "Crap," seeming to lose his soul. "Brother Yang, am I seeing things? Is there a Sadako in your house?"