Chapter 10
Ever the professional, Bai Nianqiu let her gaze fall on Ye Xinyuran’s hand clutching Yu Qi.
As though burned, Yu Qi pulled away from her grip.
“Don’t be afraid, Qi. I’ll protect you!” Ye Xinyuran paid no attention to his withdrawal and clung to him again. Brave as her words sounded, she was quite spinelessly hiding behind him.
Bai Nianqiu couldn’t help giving her a mocking look.
Yu Qi, however, took it as self-mockery, as though she were laughing at herself for imagining her feelings were returned.
A soft ache stirred in his heart. He lowered his head and said to Ye Xinyuran, “Go back to your own classroom.”
She assumed he was afraid she would get hurt and intended to face these threatening bullies alone.
Deeply moved, she nodded, cast a glance at Bai Nianqiu, then quickly turned away, her two braids swinging.
Yu Qi took a black umbrella from his bag and handed it to Bai Nianqiu.
“Thank you for the umbrella.”
It was the one she had given him yesterday.
“No need to thank me. I’m not the one who gave it to you.” She accepted it, her voice forlorn.
Yu Qi: …
He hadn’t expected her to hold a grudge.
“That wasn’t what I meant,” he said very softly.
Bai Nianqiu moved to his side, taking the place Ye Xinyuran had occupied.
“Then you don’t hate me? I might have… done some things wrong before. I’m sorry. Could you stop hating me?” Her eyes were clear and bright, his face reflected in her amber pupils. Her gaze was utterly intent.
Yu Qi considered it. Bai Nianqiu’s previous behavior had been nasty, but she had only acted that way because she liked him. Besides, this proud, haughty young lady had actually apologized to him.
It made him remember the first time they had met as children, when the girl had asked, full of concern, “Does it hurt?”
Compared with what he had endured in the Yu family over the years, her earlier bullying really amounted to petty squabbles.
He nodded, accepting her apology. But given what her personality had been like before, he couldn’t bring himself to say more.
Joy rose in Bai Nianqiu’s heart, and a little of it showed in her smile.
“Then can we be friends from now on?”
“Why do you want to be friends with me? Someone like me…” Yu Qi began.
Before he could finish, she cut him off.
“Someone like you? What kind of person are you? Yu Qi, don’t look down on yourself. If I want to be your friend, that means I think you’re wonderful. That’s what draws me to you.”
He froze. She was drawn to him because he was wonderful in his own right?
Was he wonderful?
More so than Yu Lengye?
“Yes. To me, you’re even better than Yu Lengye. You’re no less than he is!”
Yu Qi had accidentally spoken that last question aloud. He faltered, his expression stiffening a little.
You’re no less than he is.
This was the first time anyone had affirmed his worth so firmly.
All he had ever heard growing up were things like, “You’re just an illegitimate child. How can you compare with his wife’s son?” and “Give up. You’ll never measure up to him, no matter how hard you try.”
You’re no less than he is.
He turned the words over and over in his mind before he managed to contain his emotions. The corners of his lips lifted, and he said softly, “Thank you.”
Bai Nianqiu knew he was probably hurting inside. But when she saw his smile, she couldn’t help being dazzled.
It was the first time she had seen such a vivid expression on his face. Whether it was the Yu Qi she usually saw or the one being bullied when she first arrived, his expression always seemed so faint and distant, no matter what happened. Only his eyes let her sense his changing emotions.
His features were already exceptionally gentle, but his manner kept everyone at a distance. This smile softened that coldness, making even the air around him seem more beautiful.
Bai Nianqiu was left dizzy by the sheer force of his good looks.
Only when A asked whether she wanted to copy her homework did she realize she had somehow returned to her seat.
“No, thanks. I did it.”
A, B, and C: !!!!
A said, “Qiuqiu, tell us. Have you been possessed by some sort of demon?”
How was she supposed to answer that? She really wasn’t the original Bai Nianqiu.
B said, “Qiuqiu, you never used to do your homework.”
C was more direct. “Qiuqiu, have you gone mad?”
“No. From today on, I’m going to study hard. I can’t keep letting myself go like this.” Bai Nianqiu looked solemn.
“Why?” the three asked.
“Because of love,” she replied smoothly.
A, B, and C: Holy shit.
All three turned their eyes to Yu Qi in unison.
A short distance away, Yu Qi: Why does it suddenly feel a little warm?