When she didn't know who Wei Yun was, it was as if he didn't exist in her life at all. After learning what Wei Yun looked like, Su Cui realized that all the way home, from the LED screens in shopping malls, printed ads on buses, event flags hanging from streetlights, to the streets and alleys, and among pedestrians, she could always hear people talking about him. Even the songs playing in stores seemed to be his. He was incredibly popular. She really had to look him up online.
Su Cui wasn't really interested in celebrity chasing. In her original real world, before junior high, she had been somewhat enthusiastic about following entertainment news, checking out celebrity scandals to chat about with her girlfriends, and together they'd drool over photos of handsome men and beautiful women. As she got older, she mostly paid attention to current events and news related to politics, technology, and economics. Over time, the number of celebrities she remembered didn't exceed ten, and most of those were because she followed their dramas. She was a laid-back drama enthusiast. If a drama was good, she watched it; if it wasn't, no matter how beautiful the actors were, she couldn't get through it. After finishing a drama, she never had any interest in getting to know the actors. At most, if the acting was particularly good—especially if the crying scenes were excellent and made her both cry and laugh—she would have a faint impression. Next time she saw a new drama with them, she might follow it, or if she passed a cinema and saw a familiar face, she might occasionally buy a ticket to see it based on that positive impression. She was a typical passerby.
In the book world, she had even less inclination to find out who the handsome men and beautiful women on billboards at shopping malls and bus stops were. The memories left by the original Su Cuihua were mostly about being bedridden for ten years and trivial daily life from ten years ago. Ten years—the outside world had already undergone 'earth-shattering changes.' Asking an old lady like her who the popular celebrities were was really putting her on the spot. She just hadn't expected that Su Baixue also had no interest in celebrity chasing. When Su Cui was Su Baixue's age, she could still name several popular celebrities. Wei Yun's appearance was otherworldly. If Su Cui hadn't read the original 'Yangchun Baixue' novel, she would never have been able to tell that Wei Yun wasn't a good person. So after returning home, Su Cui couldn't help asking Su Baixue, 'How can you tell he's not a good person?' Given Su Baixue's usual personality, she rarely said things like that.
Su Baixue was rinsing rice and responded, 'What?' After finishing and putting the rice in the rice cooker, she guessed who Su Cui was asking about. 'Grandma is talking about that Wei something?' Su Cui: '...Wei Yun.' In just a moment, she had already forgotten his name!? Su Cui was amused and exasperated.
'Actually, I don't really understand either...' Su Baixue showed a hint of confusion. She pulled out a small stool and sat next to Su Cui, then took out vegetables to pick. 'Many female classmates are talking about Wei—uh, Wei Yun. Actually, I think he's very handsome too, but I just can't have a good impression of him.' The kettle on the cabinet beside them was about to boil, the steam gurgling. Su Baixue had classic almond-shaped eyes, clear and sparkling, always looking moist. But for the first time, Su Cui saw a faint coldness in those watery eyes. The girl's voice was soft, but when she mentioned 'Wei Yun,' she didn't seem to be talking about a handsome guy as she claimed; it was more like she was coldly observing someone she considered not worth mentioning.
'Grandma, I know it's too one-sided to say someone doesn't look like a good person. I'm only telling you this—I really think that person...' Su Baixue hesitated for a while. She finished picking the vegetables, placed them on the chopping board, and picked up the knife. 'He doesn't seem like a good person. Even though I haven't heard of him doing anything bad, it's probably just that he's not my type.' After saying this, she couldn't help lightly scratching her cheek and glancing timidly at Su Cui. 'Grandma, do you like him?' Su Cui shook a finger. 'No, no. It's good that he's not your type. Baixue, you're right. Trust your judgment!' 'If someday you suddenly find him to be your type, remember to remind yourself: it's all an illusion!'
Su Cui opened her phone and searched for news about Wei Yun. According to the original story, Wei Yun was supposed to make his first appearance in Su Baixue's sophomore year of high school and wouldn't start his major role until after she entered college. So Su Cui hadn't been paying much attention to celebrities recently. But now that she suddenly had this information, Su Cui pondered: without Zhao Pengfei's influence, the high school Su Baixue was attending was no longer the one from the original novel. He Li had appeared early, and it was hard to guarantee that other characters wouldn't change.
Su Cui thought for a moment and said, 'Baixue, you must remember: don't pick up people near trash cans. Recently, Grandma saw a news report about a group of criminals who often lie by trash cans with knives and self-prepared blood packs to lure people close and then rob them. For safety, don't go alone to throw out trash recently!' Why did she suddenly bring this up? Su Baixue was stunned. '...Grandma, I haven't heard of this news.' 'You're always thinking about studying; you're turning into a bookworm. Of course you haven't heard of it. Just remember it.' Although Su Baixue wasn't entirely convinced, she felt warm inside knowing her grandma was worried about her. She smiled mischievously. 'Mm-hmm, got it.' Saying that, she pressed the knife blade down and cut hard. She finished chopping the vegetables, stir-fried them, added salt, and plated them.
Su Cui wanted to say more, but just then someone knocked on the door, calling out 'Cuihua.' She dropped the thought and hurried to open the door. Su Baixue heard the voices outside and came out of the kitchen. 'Grandma, who is it?' Su Cui closed the door, beaming. 'It's Grandma Li. She brought a pot of pork rib soup and asked me to go square dancing with her after dinner.' Su Baixue took the soup and placed it on the dining table. 'Are you going today? Grandma Li has invited you many times. You should go at least once. Dancing is good for your health.' Su Cui called her over to eat. 'I'll go in a few days. Come eat now.' The warm yellow light and the aroma of food drifting from every household—Su Baixue loved this time, reuniting with family for a peaceful dinner after a day of running around.
On the day military training began, each class distributed training uniforms. For the girls in Class 1, Grade 10, several sizes were missing. The homeroom teacher randomly pointed two girls to go to the logistics office to pick them up. The chosen ones were Su Baixue and Tian Ling. Su Baixue borrowed a plastic bag, folded it, and put it in her pocket. The two walked toward the adjacent teaching building. Along the way, Tian Ling chattered endlessly about Wei Yun and showed Su Baixue the photos she had saved of him. The specific conversation went like this: Tian Ling: 'Look at this one! Brother is so handsome! A god! Help! I'm dying!' Su Baixue: 'Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.' Tian Ling: 'And this magazine picture! Let me breathe it in!' Su Baixue obediently agreed, 'Mm-hmm, mm-hmm, amazing.' 'Yesterday he attended an event, blah blah blah...' 'Yeah.' 'His new song is blah blah blah...!' 'Amazing.' 'Haha, right, right?' 'Mm, handsome. So amazing.' Although Su Baixue wasn't really listening and had no interest, seeing Tian Ling's enthusiasm, she felt it was awkward to stay silent like before. So she just nodded along and praised her. Tian Ling didn't really care whether Su Baixue wanted to listen; what mattered most was satisfying her own need to talk. The two walked harmoniously all the way to the logistics office.
Following the staff's directions, they went to the big table in the training uniform warehouse. Several students from other classes were also there to exchange or pick up uniforms. It was a bit chaotic, but the clothes were arranged by size. A logistics student brought a pile and told them to find the missing sizes themselves. Su Baixue bent over and searched through the pile. Tian Ling followed and looked through a few, then got bored and glanced around. Suddenly her eyes lit up, and she nudged Su Baixue with her elbow, whispering, 'Su Baixue, look at that guy. He's so handsome.' Su Baixue followed her gaze but didn't say anything. Tian Ling asked, 'Right?' Su Baixue: '...Right.' There were too many people, and she had no idea who Tian Ling was referring to. Until the guy, noticing Tian Ling's constant glances, looked over at them. His gaze shifted from Tian Ling's face to Su Baixue's fair complexion and stopped.
'He Li, what are you still missing? I'll help you find it!' The friend behind him, holding the exchanged clothes, asked He Li, 'Hey, where are you going?' He Li's steps toward Su Baixue suddenly stopped. He turned back and smiled politely. 'Found everything.' 'Then let's go back.' 'You go ahead, I'll come in a bit.' 'What's up?' He Li quickly walked up to Su Baixue. He was a bit agitated, his heart beating fast, and his voice was a little nervous. He called out, 'Classmate, can I add you on WeChat?' Tian Ling's eyes widened. The tall, sunny, handsome guy in front of her was the one she had pointed out to Su Baixue. He was the famous handsome senior in Grade 11, He Li, ranked first in his year. Tian Ling looked at the two in front of her, displeased, and frowned at Su Baixue.
Su Baixue glanced at He Li. 'Sorry, I don't use WeChat.' Tian Ling: ??? Is there still someone who doesn't use WeChat? That excuse was too perfunctory! He Li also thought she was just rejecting him. His original nervousness turned into irritation, but he was unwilling to leave just like that. He Li noticed that Tian Ling had been sneaking glances at him, and earlier it was her who kept looking. So he smiled at Tian Ling and asked, 'It's okay. I rarely see you guys here. Which class are you from?' Tian Ling's cheeks flushed from his smile. She quickly answered, 'Senior He Li, we're freshmen from Class 1, Grade 10.' 'Oh, you know He Li? What are your names, junior girls?' His friend came over cheerfully, with a knowing smile at He Li, helping him ask for names. 'I'm Tian Ling, and this is my friend Su Baixue,' Tian Ling replied.
'Do you have a lot of stuff? Can you carry it? He Li, why don't you give me the clothes you're holding, and I'll take them to our class. You help these two junior girls...' The friend tried to push things along. Su Baixue suddenly spoke softly, 'Tian Ling, I've found everything. Let's go back.' She packed the four sets of clothes she had exchanged into the plastic bag she had prepared, held it with one hand, and looked relaxed. Tian Ling: 'Ah, you already found them?' 'Yeah.' Everyone looked at the plastic bag in Su Baixue's hand and couldn't really ask if it was heavy. Sensing the awkwardness, Tian Ling smiled and explained, 'Thank you, seniors. We don't have much stuff. No need for help.' Su Baixue also added, 'Thank you.' Such a cold girl, He Li's friend thought. He looked at Su Baixue. Even though she had fair skin, she wasn't a great beauty; she was far from the girls who had confessed to He Li before. He really couldn't understand why He Li would proactively ask for her WeChat. He Li looked at Su Baixue and opened his mouth. But before he could speak, Su Baixue had already walked away quickly without looking back. As they brushed past each other, the profile of her face was absolutely beautiful. He Li's hand by his side clenched. Tian Ling said to them, 'Seniors, bye~' and then caught up with Su Baixue.
'Why are you walking so fast?' Tian Ling grumbled unhappily. '?' Su Baixue was taken aback. She was walking at a normal speed. Tian Ling said sourly, 'You're pretty proud, aren't you...' Su Baixue: '???' The two gradually walked away. He Li kept watching the direction Su Baixue had gone. On the other side of the warehouse, an old woman dressed in a cleaner's uniform with a blue mask was also watching He Li's direction. Although the weather was stuffy and hot, a large mass of dark clouds had gathered in the sky, heavy as iron.
'He Li, let's go back too.' His friend urged him. Then, as He Li turned to look at him, his friend couldn't help shivering and lowered his voice. Ever since He Li had inexplicably fought with Qian Baoyuan last time, he had been acting a bit strange. 'If we don't go back soon, the teacher will come looking...' He Li: 'Okay.' That afternoon, it poured rain. After this rain, the prolonged hot weather in City A finally began to cool down.
[Author's Note]
Yesterday I had a cold, my head was dizzy, so I didn't finish writing. Although I can't see comments recently, the collection count has been rising (~o￣3￣) Thank you, everyone!