Vol 2 Chapter 21: You Spoke First

Li Wanran's seat was directly behind Liu Changqing's.

Originally, this position was occupied by an ordinary male student, but under the teacher's arrangement, both desk and chair had been moved to the back of the classroom.

This was all prearranged.

After returning home yesterday, Li Wanran had discussed with her father and pulled some strings to transfer classes, moving from her original class to Liu Changqing's current one.

In reality, Li Wanran's original class had better overall academic performance. Initially, Li Zhengmao couldn't understand his daughter's decision and tried questioning her, but at that time Li Wanran didn't give a clear answer, only insisting on transferring classes.

Though puzzled by his daughter's intentions, Li Zhengmao still respected her wishes and didn't press further, making arrangements early in the morning.

Coming down from the podium, Li Wanran walked to her seat and sat down.

Then the teacher began the lesson.

Compared to the somewhat restrained Liu Changqing in front of her, Li Wanran appeared much more natural. During class she displayed no bad habits, listening attentively like a model student.

The lesson passed quickly.

As the teacher left, the classroom grew noisy.

Closing her textbook, Li Wanran reached out and touched Liu Changqing sitting directly in front of her.

She greeted him.

"Hello, Liu Changqing."

"......"

"Aren't you happy to see me?"

"......"

"Can't you hear me? Should I come closer?"

With that, Li Wanran leaned toward Liu Changqing's ear.

Actually, Liu Changqing had noticed Li Wanran the moment she entered the classroom and was well aware she sat right behind him.

Since escorting her home last night, Liu Changqing had secretly resolved in his heart:

He must keep his distance from her.

In fact, not seeing Li Wanran during morning classes had given Liu Changqing some relief.

What he never expected was her transferring classes.

Noticing Li Wanran leaning in, Liu Changqing quickly turned around, causing her to sit back in her seat upon seeing his movement.

They stared at each other.

If it were Qin Ruoliu, she'd probably be blushing by now, but Li Wanran was clearly no shy little girl - she met Liu Changqing's gaze without the slightest hint of embarrassment.

Staring at him unflinchingly.

"......"

After a moment's silence, Liu Changqing exhaled deeply.

"I don't know what's going through your mind, but... starting today, I hope you'll stop initiating conversations with me..."

"Okay, no problem."

"If you don't agree I'll... huh?"

His tone shifting, Liu Changqing had been preparing to reason with her when unexpectedly, Li Wanran agreed.

His face filled with confusion - Liu Changqing briefly wondered if he'd misheard.

Seeing his expression, Li Wanran seemed to guess his thoughts.

She responded again.

"I said... okay, no problem."

"You agree?"

"Mhm."

After answering, Li Wanran averted her gaze from Liu Changqing's face to her desk, fingers flipping through her textbook to preview lessons.

Liu Changqing stared dumbfounded at her, clearly not anticipating this outcome.

——————————————

Lunchtime.

Sun Fan found Liu Changqing and they went to the cafeteria together. After getting their trays and food, they sat at an empty table facing each other.

Unlike the steadily eating Liu Changqing, Sun Fan was different.

Chopsticks in hand, he stared fixedly at Liu Changqing without touching his food.

Chewing, Liu Changqing eventually noticed.

First glancing at him, then focusing on his untouched tray.

Extending his chopsticks.

"Not hungry? Give me your meat if you don't want it."

"Get lost."

Blocking Liu Changqing's attempt, Sun Fan looked perplexed.

Tilting his head.

There was something he couldn't figure out.

"I saw everything today. Something definitely happened between you and Li Wanran - why else would she transfer to our class?"

"Don't overthink it."

"Tell me what happened after you walked her home yesterday!"

"Just normally escorted her home."

"I don't believe you."

Sun Fan's eyes burned with intense curiosity - he craved the truth.

Seeing this, Liu Changqing hesitated.

Then decided to confess.

"She kissed me. I rejected her."

"......"

Sun Fan gaped at Liu Changqing. After several seconds.

He reached out, pressing a hand to Liu Changqing's forehead.

Still disbelieving.

"No fever. Why are you talking nonsense? Daydreaming in broad daylight."

"......"

"Even if you won't tell me, I can guess. Did you threaten her or something?"

"No."

As Sun Fan spoke, Li Wanran's voice came from beside them.

The next moment, she appeared next to Liu Changqing with her tray, sitting down beside him and gently placing it on the table.

Looking seriously at Sun Fan across the table, she said:

"Everything he said is true."

Having spoken, Li Wanran turned to the astonished Liu Changqing beside her.

And smiled.

After brief surprise, Liu Changqing quickly composed himself and mechanically shoveled rice into his mouth.

He couldn't be bothered explaining anymore.

Li Wanran watched Liu Changqing.

Liu Changqing ate.

This scene delivered a massive visual impact to 16-year-old Sun Fan.

Looking at the pair across from him.

Fair-skinned Li Wanran and that tanned bald egg...

His jaw dropped lower and lower.

Sun Fan suddenly felt his good friend had become strangely unfamiliar.

He wasn't like this just three days ago.

Why... why had things turned out this way? How could girls like him before me?

Completely indifferent to Sun Fan's thoughts, Li Wanran picked up her chopsticks, transferring a chicken drumstick from her tray to Liu Changqing's.

Noticing this, Liu Changqing stopped eating.

Turning to Li Wanran, he asked:

"What are you doing?"

Facing his question, Li Wanran replied:

"I don't like drumsticks."

Hearing this, Liu Changqing looked exasperated.

Glancing between the drumstick and Li Wanran.

"Then why'd you get one? Also... didn't you agree not to talk to me?"

"But... you spoke first just now."

Pausing, Li Wanran blinked.

Smiling at Liu Changqing.

"So you broke the agreement first."