Chapter 910
IF15
"Have you done your math homework? Can I copy it?" Zhang Qixiang coughed lightly.
Without saying a word, Li Zhuangsheng turned around and took out his homework.
He felt guilty because he had just made Zhang Qixiang a scapegoat at noon. He guessed Zhang Qixiang must have become a complete pervert in Hu Mengdie's eyes by now. He felt really bad… But Zhang Qixiang wasn't pursuing Hu Mengdie, so it should be okay, right?
Um, sorry!
"Thank you, thank you!"
While thanking him, Zhang Qixiang was puzzled. In the past, Li Zhuangsheng would always grumble a few words like "You have to write it yourself" or "You should study harder" when giving him homework. Today, however, he was quite agreeable. He had no idea that he had taken the blame for Li Zhuangsheng's mistake.
Although he felt awkward when he encountered Hu Mengdie, Li Zhuangsheng was forgetful and carefree, and quickly forgot about it. However, he became more careful from then on and resolutely stopped watching adult anime outside.
The next day at noon, Li Zhuangsheng was looking at "Young Fashion Pictorial" in a milk tea shop. He really liked this magazine; for a country bumpkin from a small county, many of the articles were novel and broadened his horizons. He had bought almost every issue since the second semester of his first year of high school.
However, Li Zhuangsheng wasn't interested in the fashion columns or the sections on Western celebrities; he only read some casual talk and travelogues. The girls on the covers were very pretty, and sometimes he would stare at the covers in a daze, but other times he would think that Zhu Zhixue would definitely be prettier than them if she dressed up a bit.
Sometimes I look at it with longing, and sometimes I feel a strange sense of resistance.
"Hey, what are you looking at?"
A voice, both unfamiliar and somewhat familiar, rang out from behind him again. Li Zhuangsheng turned around and saw a person with bright, kind eyes.
"Oh... I'm looking at a magazine."
Li Zhuangsheng was a little more confident this time, although he was still a little embarrassed and blushed.
He didn't understand why Hu Mengdie would strike up a conversation with him, since they were complete strangers. Perhaps she, like Zhu Zhixue, was the sunny, outgoing, and sociable type.
“Young?” Hu Mengdie put down the milk tea she had just taken a sip of and sat down opposite Li Zhuangsheng.
"Ah, yes..." Li Zhuangsheng reached out and handed over the magazine. "Do you want to read it?"
"OK, thanks!"
Hu Mengdie unceremoniously reached out and took it, but seemingly unintentionally, her fingers lightly brushed against Li Zhuangsheng's hand, causing Li Zhuangsheng to tremble and his face to turn bright red instantly.
His hand touched hers... Li Zhuangsheng was secretly pleased.
"So you like reading this kind of magazine." Hu Mengdie raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, I prefer reading the travelogues in them."
Do you like to travel?
"I wouldn't say I like it... I really long for that feeling."
"Oh—you love reading so much, have you ever thought about writing a novel?"
"A little bit, haha..."
Li Zhuangsheng chuckled twice, then suddenly his mind went blank. He wondered how Hu Mengdie knew he liked reading. Was it just because of the magazine he was reading?
But he didn't think much of it, since it wasn't anything very important anyway.
"Really? Then keep it up! I believe in you!" Hu Mengdie said with a smile.
"Oh, oh..." Li Zhuangsheng was a little confused.
He sometimes writes random things, but they're completely disorganized. Hu Mengdie's words were rather unfounded. However, being encouraged by the school's most beautiful girl like that still made him feel a little excited.
"Hey, Li Zhuangsheng, do you believe in destiny?"
Hu Mengdie flipped through the magazine, seemingly nonchalant.
Li Zhuangsheng was startled and secretly looked at the mysterious girl who always appeared suddenly, unsure of how to answer.
What does this mean? Is it destiny? Why is she suddenly telling me this? Is she interested in me? Because of our names? Is that why she struck up a conversation with me?
Li Zhuangsheng's heart pounded, his face flushed, and he felt as if a thousand rabbits were jumping around in his heart.
"Well, how should I put it..." Li Zhuangsheng stammered, his face flushed, "I think there are no coincidences in the world, everything is arranged freely in the dark..."
He couldn't help but utter a line he'd seen in "Cardcaptor Sakura," a line so cool it seemed only this line could match Hu Mengdie's question.
"Arranged by fate? So this is destiny?" Hu Mengdie murmured to herself.
"What divine will?" Li Zhuangsheng couldn't help but ask.
"Oh, it's nothing. I was just a little bored, so I was just asking."
Hu Mengdie smiled slightly and returned the magazine to Li Zhuangsheng. This time, not being able to touch it left Li Zhuangsheng somewhat disappointed.
She took a small sip of her milk tea, then stretched leisurely, revealing a glimpse of her fair belly. Li Zhuangsheng blushed and looked away.
So she was just asking out of boredom? Li Zhuangsheng, you're such a fool, so embarrassing! What are you even dreaming about?!
Li Zhuangsheng felt ashamed and indignant for his misunderstanding. Fortunately, he hadn't said anything, otherwise he would be in real trouble now!
Hu Mengdie glanced at Li Zhuangsheng's flushed face, his lips twitching more tightly than an AK could suppress. This reminded her of when they first started dating, her husband was just as innocent... no, he seemed even more adorable now!
It makes you want to kiss it hard and bully it!
Be patient, now is not the time!
"Ah... I won't bother you any longer, I'll be going now." Hu Mengdie stood up.
"Hey, your milk tea!" Li Zhuangsheng quickly reminded him.
"It's a bit sweet, I don't really like drinking it, so I'll give it to you." Hu Mengdie turned around, winked, and smiled gently.
"what?"
Li Zhuangsheng was dumbfounded, but Hu Mengdie had already left. He shifted his gaze to the straw, where it seemed that Hu Mengdie's saliva still lingered.
Hu Mengdie said she gave it to me, so I can drink it, right? It's such a waste to throw away a perfectly good cup of milk tea after just one sip!
Li Zhuangsheng subconsciously swallowed. He wasn't particularly interested in milk tea, but he couldn't stand seeing it wasted. Actually, he could have justifiably picked up the milk tea and drunk it without changing the straw.
But isn't this a bit like an indirect kiss? Me and Hu Mengdie?
No, no, no, this isn't even considered an indirect kiss! I'm just being too sensitive about it!
Li Zhuangsheng recalled how, during his junior high school military training, a boy from the next class picked up a girl's water and drank it without any hesitation. As long as one has no evil intentions, what's wrong with drinking a sip of water?
No, can I really be without any impure thoughts? The moment I had a thought like "indirect kissing," I was already harboring lewd and impure intentions!
Hu Mengdie only said she'd give you milk tea, she didn't ask you to lick her straw! Don't be so lewd, okay?
Looking at the glistening liquid on the straw, Li Zhuangsheng was overwhelmed with emotions; in such a short time, it felt like he had fought a world war!
Finally, morality triumphed over evil.
Li Zhuangsheng reluctantly picked up Hu Mengdie's straw and threw it away. To prevent others from having the same lewd thoughts as him, he deliberately folded the straw several times before throwing it into the trash can.
Having done all this, Li Zhuangsheng breathed a sigh of relief, but was also filled with remorse, silently cursing his own hypocrisy and despicable nature. (End of Chapter)