Chapter 101: I’ve Always Said Tang Yu Is Beautiful

All night long, Tang Yu lay rigidly in his arms, her thoughts drifting in chaotic directions, unable to fall asleep. As the night deepened, Bian Yang’s breathing gradually steadied. Carefully, she lifted his hand from her waist and inched herself toward the edge of the bed. As soon as he lost hold of her, he seemed on the verge of waking. Quick-witted, Tang Yu slipped a pillow into his embrace, and only then did he sink back into deep slumber.

Standing by the bed, she straightened the curled hem of her clothes, covering the exposed waist, and exhaled softly. She pressed her hand to the mattress and brushed the boy’s forehead with the back of her hand—it was still a bit warm.

Unable to sleep, Tang Yu went to the bathroom, washed his discarded clothes, and fetched a few books and papers from the study. She quietly moved the items from his bedside table to the floor, stacked the books on the desk, and leaned over to work on her papers. Throughout the night, she checked his temperature several times—it remained slightly high. She woke Bian Yang once to give him a fever-reducing pill. He didn’t even lift his eyelids, drifting in and out of consciousness, eating whatever she fed him.

Afterwards, Tang Yu tucked him back under the covers. Once the medicine took effect, he slept deeply and didn’t wake again.

It was not until five in the morning that his fever finally subsided. Tang Yu finished a few papers before falling asleep at the desk. When she awoke, her legs were numb from being curled up too long, and she needed some time before she could stand, her waist aching as well.

She rubbed her lower back, brushed his forehead once more—his temperature was normal. Only then did she feel at ease, tiptoeing into the inner room to fetch her school uniform, issued anew by the principal during her hospital stay. Today was Monday, the school’s routine flag-raising day, and uniforms were mandatory.

Tang Yu didn’t wake Bian Yang; she planned to ask for leave on his behalf, left a note, and took her books to school.

In truth, Bian Yang had woken as soon as she touched him, but feeling weak, he lingered in bed. He intended to rest for a while, then join her at school. But in his half-sleep, he only realized she had left when he faintly heard the door close.

Sitting up, Bian Yang’s pale fingers raked through tousled hair as he leaned back against the pillow, picking up her note with slender, well-shaped fingers—

[I’ve asked for leave for you. Rest well today. When you wake up, eat something—there’s food in the kitchen ^-^]

His fingertip touched the cute little emoticon at the end, and his lips curved slightly.

Getting out of bed, he went to the bathroom and discovered all his clothes had been washed. Bian Yang clicked his tongue lightly—fortunately, he knew her well enough. Even with a fever clouding his mind last night, he had instinctively hidden his underwear while changing.

Leisurely, he moved the laundry basket aside, retrieved the box pressed at the bottom, and hand-washed it himself, giving her no opportunity to see or comment.

After washing up, he stepped out and found the entire apartment exceptionally tidy. When he went to the kitchen, his hand casually passed over the table—spotless, not a speck of dust.

What could he do with such a diligent little girl?

As he ate breakfast, Bian Yang glanced around the room. He, who rarely bothered with tidying, ended up arranging his own things meticulously. Books stacked neatly on the shelf, papers folded one by one, shoes lined up in their proper place. Once everything was in order, even the most fastidious girl could find nothing to rearrange.

Tang Yu had cooked sweet potato porridge, the sweet potatoes brought from home, mixed with plump rice, no sugar added yet naturally sweet.

Rarely eating breakfast, Bian Yang unknowingly finished several bowls while tidying up. Slinging a backpack with only a few books, headphones hanging from his neck, hands in pockets, eyelids drooping, he shuffled slowly into the elevator.

After rain, the sky was a crystal blue, barely lit at six in the morning. On the road, he overheard a few fellow students grumbling:

“The college entrance exam is around the corner and we still have to attend the Monday assembly. So annoying! Wearing this ugly uniform, standing for an hour—what’s wrong with the principal?”

“You know the school rules—those in uniform stand in front, those without go to the back. You could skip it.”

“No way, haven’t you heard? Someone’s getting publicly criticized under the flag today. I gotta be in the front row to watch!”

“You mean Meng Shirui…”

“Shh.” The other quickly signaled him to lower his voice. “Don’t let her hear or we’ll be in trouble.”

Bian Yang paused, turned back, and searched for a long time before finding his uniform tossed carelessly in the corner of a cabinet, still unwashed since it was issued.

He put it on and left.

There were two morning self-study periods, but only one due to the flag-raising ceremony.

When Bian Yang arrived, the schoolyard was crowded with students, many girls glancing back to look at him. Class Two of Grade Twelve was an advanced class, easy to locate, and indeed, those without uniforms were sent to the back row, leaving a sea of blue and white in front.

Sun Xue Min’s leave was over, and she resumed her post as Class Two’s homeroom teacher. Seeing Bian Yang stroll in with his usual nonchalance, she remembered her past grievances and felt her temper flare, though she forced a kindly smile.

“Bian Yang, the flag ceremony is about to begin. Hurry and join your team.”

He glanced at her coolly and walked to the front of the line.

He was tall; even in uniform, he could only stand in the middle.

Girls from the neighboring class covered their mouths, blushing and whispering to each other. Bian Yang from Class Two actually wore his uniform!

The loose pants and short sleeves, so typical of blue sky and white clouds, were hard for anyone to carry off without looking dull. Yet on him, they took on a refined elegance.

Just standing there, he drew everyone’s attention unconsciously. His effortless, casual demeanor seemed to spill from the screen, enveloped in a noble aura that made the uniform appear almost luxurious.

Bian Yang raised a hand and tapped the shoulder of the student in front. Ever since he’d thrown Meng Shirui and Liu Yaojie’s desks out of the classroom, his reputation had soared.

Zhang Jingyu, a little intimidated by him, stammered, “Brother Yang, is there something you need?”

Bian Yang nodded forward, “I’ll stand here. You move back.”

Zhang Jingyu hesitated; wasn’t the school bully supposed to hang out in the back playing with his phone? Still, he gave up his spot without a second thought.

Thus, Bian Yang managed to get into the third row. The first two were all girls; any further would be overstepping. But his height already made him conspicuous.

He looked around, not seeing the little girl in the front row, and was about to ask Wang Qing when the principal began to speak.

After some general remarks, the principal invited the top student in Grade Twelve to speak.

Wearing the same uniform, the little girl’s outfit looked especially loose. Her tender legs stepped up the stairs, making a show under her skirt as the morning sun slanted against her, so pale it almost dazzled.

The wind was up today. She had tied all her hair and bangs into a high ponytail at the back of her head, exposing her pretty face. As she moved, the tips of her hair swung to and fro, a few fuzzy strands falling over her forehead. She looked obedient, her eyes clear but emotionless. When she stood at the highest point under the flag, many in her class didn’t recognize her.

“Is that Tang Yu?”

“I think so, but something seems different.”

“She used to hide her face with her hair, but now she’s tied it up. She’s so pretty.”

If the principal hadn’t called Tang Yu’s name, even her classmates would have hesitated to recognize her.

Wang Qing spoke with pride, “I’ve always said Tang Yu is beautiful, but none of you believed me. If she eats a bit more and takes care of herself, no one can compare!”

“Wang Qing, keep your voice down. Aren’t you afraid Meng Shirui will hear you? She hates anyone saying someone’s prettier than her. Be careful, or she’ll target you.”

Wang Qing pursed her lips and snorted, but said no more.