Volume 3 Chapter 30
by Golden DragonVolume 3 + Chapter 30: Duan Haichen’s Determination
“Duan Haichen!”
The teacher’s shout from the podium jolted him awake from his sleep.
“Are you alright? If you’re feeling unwell, go to the infirmary and get checked out.”
Since Duan Haichen was usually very attentive in class, the teacher did not criticize him for dozing off. Instead, the teacher walked over and asked with concern.
“I’m fine, teacher. I just… I stayed up a bit too late reading last night and didn’t rest well.”
Duan Haichen made up an excuse. In truth, he had not slept all night because he had been thinking about Ouyang Qianxue.
“Look! Look at Duan Haichen here. He entered sixth in his grade and still works this hard. The rest of you should learn from him!”
Hearing Duan Haichen’s answer, the teacher was very pleased.
“Of course! He’s working hard for Senior Ouyang!”
A nearby student chimed in, and the whole class burst into laughter.
Under normal circumstances, Duan Haichen might have felt embarrassed or even secretly pleased. But now, whenever Senior Ouyang was mentioned, he thought of the smile she had given Bai Yuxuan. As a result, these words sounded harsh to his ears.
“I’m sorry, teacher. I really am not feeling well. Maybe I caught a cold from sleeping with the window open last night.”
Duan Haichen said to the teacher with a dim expression.
“Alright, understood. Go to the infirmary and rest for a while. Grades are important, but health is the foundation of revolution. Remember to balance work and rest from now on.”
“Thank you for the reminder, teacher.”
With that, Duan Haichen went to the infirmary, found a bed, and lay down.
“Why would Senior Ouyang smile at someone like that?”
He closed his eyes.
When he woke up, he found it was already dusk.
“It’s already this late. I should go get something to eat first.”
He was about to get out of bed and head to the cafeteria, when…
“You’re awake.”
A familiar voice came from behind him. Duan Haichen turned his head and saw a girl sitting by his bed, a book on her lap. She had clearly been here with him for some time. Her radiant blonde hair shone brilliantly under the glow of the setting sun.
“Senior Ouyang! Why are you…”
“Ah, I noticed you didn’t come to the club today. I heard from other students that you were in the infirmary. I was worried, so I came to see you. I also bought you some food.”
Ouyang Qianxue pointed to the lunch box on the low cabinet.
“Senior Ouyang, I couldn’t possibly trouble you…”
“Don’t worry about it. Checking up on a junior is an older brother’s… ah, older sister’s duty.”
With that, he gave Duan Haichen what he thought was a cheerful smile.
But in Duan Haichen’s eyes, the girl’s smile at this moment was so pure and adorable. Just a single smile could lift his spirits.
Yet thinking that Senior Ouyang would also show that kind of smile to Bai Yuxuan made it hard for him to let go. On that matter alone, he had to find out the truth. So…
“Um…”
Duan Haichen mustered his courage and said to Ouyang Qianxue.
“What is it?”
“May I ask, Senior Ouyang, are you dating someone?”
“Ha?”
Just as Qianxue was taken aback, another voice came from outside the door.
“Impressive, Junior Duan. It seems I underestimated you. I never thought you’d be this brave! After she says no, you’re going to ask, ‘Then would you consider me?’ Am I right?”
The vice president of the music club hopped over to Duan Haichen and asked.
“Th-That’s not what I meant.”
His face turned red at her words.
“Huh? What a shame. Or did I just ruin the mood?”
The vice president covered her mouth and snickered.
“Enough! Duan Haichen isn’t feeling well today. Stop teasing him.”
Ouyang Qianxue stepped in and blocked the vice president.
“What? Already taking his side?”
“I’ve told you so many times, I have no such intentions. Alright, I’ll be honest with you both. I have more important goals to accomplish right now. I don’t have time for those boring trivialities.”
Thinking of his mother and sister, Ouyang Qianxue’s expression turned resolute.
“So that’s how it is!”
Seeing his determined expression, Duan Haichen believed his words completely.
(But if they’re not in a relationship, then why did Senior Ouyang get into Bai Yuxuan’s car that day, and why did he smile at him?)
Yet recalling the previous day’s scene, he was still utterly perplexed.
(It seems I’ll have to find out from Bai Yuxuan directly.)
With that, Duan Haichen resolved to confront Bai Yuxuan and get to the bottom of it.
“Alright, that’s it for today. You all go back early.”
After finishing a document, Bai Yuxuan said to the other four.
“Then we’ll be going, Senior Yuxuan. Take care of yourself. Don’t overwork.”
Xia Bingdie said to her before leaving.
After the maid incident, Xia Bingdie had started saying caring and concerned things to Bai Yuxuan, even though her expression remained as cold as ever.
“Knock, knock!”
After the other four had left, someone knocked on the student council office door.
“Come in. I know you’ve been waiting for a long time.”
Bai Yuxuan put down the document and said to the person outside.
“You sensed me?”
Hearing her words, Duan Haichen walked up to her and said.
“Hmph, for the past half hour, I’ve seen a shadow pacing back and forth outside the door through the crack. If I hadn’t told them to leave quickly, they would have found you. Go ahead, why are you here? To get revenge for your senior?”
Bai Yuxuan stood up and smiled slightly.
“I have no such intention. I came today to ask you one thing. What exactly is your relationship with Senior Ouyang?”
“My relationship with her? Who in Sakura Academy doesn’t know we are each other’s greatest rivals?”
Bai Yuxuan laughed at his question.
“But to me, you don’t seem like mere rivals. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have left school together in the same car yesterday.”
“You saw that?”
Bai Yuxuan’s expression immediately turned serious, her gaze growing cold.
“Yes, I saw it. So, what exactly is your relationship?”
“Didn’t I say before? We’re just rivals. As for her getting into my car, it’s because I threatened her.”
“Liar!”
Duan Haichen interrupted before she could finish.
“If it were a threat, Senior Ouyang would never have smiled at you like that. Tell the truth. What is your relationship with Senior Ouyang?”
Hearing his words, Bai Yuxuan knew that the secret between her and Ouyang Qianxue could no longer be hidden.
“Haah.”
She sighed, then looked at Duan Haichen again.
“Before I answer your question, I want to ask you something.”
“Go ahead.”
“If I tell you our secret, will you keep it for Ouyang Qianxue? Because once this secret gets out, it will pose a huge threat to her.”
“If that is the case, I am willing to stake everything I have to protect that secret.”
Duan Haichen looked at Bai Yuxuan with resolute eyes.
0 Comments