The journey to school was quiet. Zhan Jingrui cycled with He Yao, instantly drawing attention as a rare sight of a boy giving a girl a ride on campus, especially one as prominent as Zhan Jingrui.
From the school gate to the bike shed, He Yao felt the pressure of myriad eyes, both familiar and unfamiliar. Zhan Jingrui, however, seemed indifferent. He continued at his pace, only stopping in front of the bike shed.
As He Yao dismounted, she thanked him amidst the stares. Zhan Jingrui didn't reply, turning to park his bike. He Yao, carrying her backpack, walked towards the classroom. Zhan Jingrui, with his long strides, passed her mid-way, even overtaking her, yet he remained silent.
As He Yao watched his receding figure, her backpack was suddenly snatched away. She turned to see the class monitor and her two followers, who had appeared beside her at some point.
"He Yao, let me help you with your bag."
Her backpack already gone, He Yao had no choice but to accept and offer a thank you. The class monitor handed the bag to a follower, "You're welcome. It's only right for classmates to help each other. Didn't your mom come to see you off today?"
He Yao wasn't foolish; she had already noticed things back in the hospital room. Whether it was admiration for Zhan Jingrui's academics, his looks, or his family background, the class monitor was clearly very interested in him. Seeing him tutor her and then give her a ride, she must have formed certain opinions about He Yao.
"My mom had something to do today. I happened to meet Zhan Jingrui, and he gave me a ride."
"Is that so? I saw you two at the school gate just now and thought to myself, he usually keeps to himself. I didn't expect you to become friends with him as soon as you arrived. Did you know each other before?"
"No."
"Then why did he tutor you?"
He Yao said indifferently, "That was between him and Xu Zheng. I don't know."
Everyone knew Xu Zheng had injured He Yao's shoulder, so this explanation made sense. The class monitor seemed relieved, her expression softening.
"I see. How were Zhan Jingrui's private lessons? Are you keeping up with your studies? Do you still need his help?"
He Yao answered truthfully, "He's too good at studying. The gap between us is too big, and I mostly don't understand what he explains. Besides, I'm back in school now, so I don't need tutoring anymore."
The class monitor exchanged glances with her two followers, looking pleased.
"Oh. If you have any questions in the future, you can come to me. After all, we're both girls, and it's easier to communicate."
He Yao thanked her again.
They went to the classroom, and the rest of the day passed peacefully. In the afternoon, Xu Zheng still hadn't come to class. As school was about to end and students began to leave, He Yao glanced at Zhan Jingrui, who sat as steady as a mountain, debating whether to greet him. She had no pocket money and could have taken the bus herself. Zhan Jingrui was too aloof, and she herself was socially awkward. Honestly, approaching him felt quite difficult.
As she was contemplating, the class monitor, carrying her backpack, approached her enthusiastically. Her voice was loud and her smile sweet.
"He Yao, is your mom picking you up after school? If not, why don't you come with me? My family driver is picking me up, and he can give you a ride."
Zhan Jingrui, who was organizing his backpack, paused at her words. He Yao looked at the class monitor in surprise. She hadn't expected the class monitor to become so friendly with her because of Zhan Jingrui. When a woman has her sights set on a man, her intricate attempts to connect with him or attract his attention are quite amusing and subtle. He Yao didn't want to be friends with someone like that. "Won't that be too much trouble for you?"
Fearing Zhan Jingrui might not hear, the class monitor replied sweetly, "No, it's not. Like I said, it's normal for classmates to help each other. Where do you live?"
He Yao considered saying Gongguan No. 7, but then thought that the house was borrowed. If the class monitor knew the address and imagined them to be wealthy, she would be greatly embarrassed later. So, she gave her aunt's address.
"It's not on the way, but it doesn't matter. It won't take much longer. Let's go."
He Yao couldn't refuse the kind offer. She picked up her backpack and left with her.
Zhan Jingrui only got up with his backpack after everyone else had left the classroom. He put on his headphones, playing music. As he was hurrying down the stairs, his phone vibrated. He looked and saw it was his father, Tang. Tang's mother was still weak after being discharged from the hospital and occasionally felt dizzy. Tang's father didn't dare to leave her. As they were short of some items that day, he asked Zhan Jingrui to detour and buy them.
"Go to the farmers' market on Binjiang Road and buy some fresh goat milk. Your grandmother really likes it."
Zhan Jingrui agreed and drove there quickly. On his way home after buying the milk, he predictably ran into He Yao again. The class monitor's driver had dropped He Yao off on the side of the road near the false address she had given and then walked home. The distance from her aunt's house to Gongguan No. 7 was about six or seven kilometers. At her pace, she wouldn't get home until dark.
Zhan Jingrui initially intended to pretend he didn't see her, but for some reason, when he passed her, he stopped. Feeling a shadow fall over her, a bicycle stopping with the wind, He Yao turned to see Zhan Jingrui, his hair blown high by the wind. No matter the angle or time, his features were striking and superior.
He Yao looked surprised. "What are you doing here?"
Zhan Jingrui offered no explanation and gestured for her to get on. "Get on."
He Yao obediently sat on the back. This time, however, she wasn't silent. The farmers' market was bustling with people at that hour, mostly elderly, causing a traffic jam. Zhan Jingrui rode slowly. While moving and stopping, He Yao noticed two glass bottles in the side pocket of his backpack.
"Are you here to buy something?"
Zhan Jingrui nodded.
"Are you drinking it yourself or buying it for someone else?"
"Someone else."
"Is it milk? Is it warm? If you carry it like this, it will get cold by the time you get home. Do you want me to hold it for you?"
Zhan Jingrui knew it would get cold, but they had a microwave and various heating appliances at home; there was no need for someone to keep it warm. As if sensing what he was about to say, He Yao spoke first.
"When milk is reheated, its taste changes and it's not as good. I'm free anyway."
Zhan Jingrui truly knew little about food. Hearing her say it would alter the taste, he stopped the bike, planted his feet, took off his backpack, carefully took out the glass bottles, turned back, and handed them to her. He Yao took off her school uniform jacket and put it in her backpack. He placed the bottles inside, and watched as she used her slender, fair fingers to adjust them, wrap them in the jacket, and hug the backpack to her chest.
"Alright, let's go."