Chapter 956
IF151
"Oh, you like Lin Yuehua?" Zhu Zhixue pouted, resting her chest on Li Zhuangsheng's table.
"No...really no!" Li Zhuangsheng sighed, looking up at the sky, and quickly denied it. "I told you, I don't like her that way. I just think she's really hardworking. 'Even in poverty, one should remain steadfast and not lose heart in one's lofty aspirations!' I think her spirit is really impressive!"
"Oh—tch, I knew it." Zhu Zhixue's eyebrows furrowed. "You saw she was too embarrassed, so you helped her out, right? You're just too nice!"
"Yeah, that's part of it. I just feel like she didn't do anything wrong..."
Seeing that Zhu Zhixue believed him so easily, Li Zhuangsheng felt reassured and stammered an explanation.
If Zhu Zhixue can believe it, then others will probably believe it too. High school students are the most likely to stir up trouble, but perhaps because Lin Yuehua's charm as a girl is so low, no one would think he really likes Lin Yuehua. Li Zhuangsheng thought rudely to himself.
Actually, Li Zhuangsheng felt that Lin Yuehua's features were alright; if she didn't have acne, she could probably be considered a pretty girl. Li Zhuangsheng then thought to himself, for some inexplicable reason.
"Hmph, of course I know!"
Zhu Zhixue snorted coldly, her expression extremely strange. Her features were slightly distorted, as if she understood, but also as if she was dissatisfied.
She stared at Li Zhuangsheng every day, so of course she knew that Li Zhuangsheng had no romantic feelings for Lin Yuehua. Li Zhuangsheng was only feeling sorry for Lin Yuehua today, just like that year during the weekly practice when she publicly questioned the math teacher about why he had marked her answer sheet.
Over the years, Li Zhuangsheng's personality has changed a lot. He's no longer so flamboyant, lively, or sharp-tongued. But deep down, he's still the kind and brave Li Zhuangsheng.
Zhu Zhixue could understand him, but she couldn't help feeling a pang of jealousy towards Lin Yuehua, even though she knew Lin Yuehua wouldn't become her rival in love.
“Actually, I think Lin Yuehua is quite pitiful… I think she definitely doesn’t want to accept other people’s kindness like this… She actually has a high sense of self-esteem, so this must be very painful for her…” Li Zhuangsheng said carefully.
Zhu Zhixue silently gazed at Li Zhuangsheng, who was always very sensitive to other people's predicaments. Just like back then on a cold day, he casually gave her a pair of gloves that she "didn't need."
"Hmph, what does it matter to you if she's pitiful? Didn't she bring that on herself? She deserved it, didn't she!"
Zhu Zhixue felt a strange anger rising within her, and suddenly gritted her teeth. She didn't actually have any hatred for Lin Yuehua, and she didn't even know if she was cursing her.
"what?"
Li Zhuangsheng was stunned for a moment, thinking that Zhu Zhixue and Lin Yuehua must have a deep grudge. Had the two had conflicts before? But it's normal. There are actually a few girls in the class who haven't argued with Lin Yuehua.
“Well, what you said might make some sense… but, well, I just can’t stand seeing other people in such an awkward situation… Haha, I’m just weird, right!” Li Zhuangsheng scratched his head and chuckled, “I always meddle in other people’s business and do inexplicable things.”
Zhu Zhixue bit her upper lip, her eyes constantly shifting. That's why you helped me prove I didn't steal the pen, that's why you lent a helping hand when I was helpless because of my first period.
I know, I know everything.
Because you want to protect everyone's self-esteem. Even if it's the "class beauty" whom the whole class dislikes, you'll still bend down to pick up her stationery and wipe off the dirt.
This isn't because I'm important, nor because you like me. Zhu Zhixue suddenly reached out and, right in front of Li Zhuangsheng, slapped him hard across the chest.
"Ouch!" Li Zhuangsheng cried out, rubbing his sore chest, looking surprised and confused. "What are you doing?"
"Nothing, hmph!"
Zhu Zhixue turned her face away, got up and went back to her seat. But she came back a little while later, handed him an Alpenliebe lollipop, and walked away arrogantly without saying a word.
Li Zhuangsheng was somewhat puzzled, only guessing that Zhu Zhixue might be angry that he helped his enemy, Lin Yuehua. However, Li Zhuangsheng felt that he hadn't done anything wrong, and even if he had to do it again, knowing that Zhu Zhixue would be angry, he would still help Lin Yuehua.
Besides, Zhu Zhixue wasn't really that angry. Although she slapped him, she also gave him a lollipop!
About ten minutes later, someone finally returned from the cafeteria after finishing dinner, and the first one to walk into the classroom was Lin Yuehua.
Actually, when Li Zhuangsheng saw Lin Yuehua get up and go to the cafeteria for lunch after the class meeting, he was a little surprised because he thought Lin Yuehua was feeling very upset and probably wouldn't be able to eat.
Li Zhuangsheng projected his own experience onto others; he was ashamed of his conspicuous behavior and wanted to stay in the classroom alone to be quiet. Unexpectedly, Lin Yuehua, who should have been the most upset, went to the cafeteria as usual.
This person has a really strong core; no wonder she's number one in her grade. She'll probably amount to something great in the future, either a big boss or a high-ranking leader... I hope that after she becomes successful, she won't forget her old classmate who helped her.
Li Zhuangsheng watched Lin Yuehua enter the classroom and quickly stood up to offer her a seat. The "confession" incident during the class meeting had left him feeling awkward and uncomfortable whenever he saw Lin Yuehua.
Fortunately, Lin Yuehua didn't seem to care about him, or perhaps she simply didn't take him seriously, or maybe she was too preoccupied with her own misfortune to pay attention to anything else.
In short, for Li Zhuangsheng, Lin Yuehua's indifference was the best-case scenario. If she had formally rejected him, he probably would have had to contact her about transferring schools the very next day. Xingpeng really couldn't stand it for another day!
Li Zhuangsheng secretly observed his new deskmate, who immediately began studying after returning to the classroom. This further convinced Li Zhuangsheng that his new classmate would achieve great success. After all, with such perseverance and self-control, what couldn't he do?
Seeing that Lin Yuehua seemed no different from usual, Li Zhuangsheng felt much more at ease. However, Lin Yuehua's expression looked more melancholy than usual, and her "keep away" aura was stronger than before.
Li Zhuangsheng knew in his heart that Lin Yuehua was such a proud person that all her composure was just a cover for self-protection.
Li Zhuangsheng sized up Lin Yuehua, who was silently doing her homework with her head down. She looked so lonely and forlorn, like Lin Daiyu. Although she wasn't that pretty.
Lin Daiyu also lost her parents at a young age and used thorns to conceal her inner fear. A crane's shadow crosses the pond, the cold moon buries the flower's soul.
"Lin Yuehua."
Li Zhuangsheng couldn't help but speak up.
Lin Yuehua snapped out of her daze and slowly looked at Li Zhuangsheng, waiting for him to continue.
Li Zhuangsheng scratched his head awkwardly. His mouth moved faster than his brain; he wanted to say something but hadn't figured out what to say. But he had to say something, even if it was just to interrupt and let Lin Yuehua temporarily forget her sorrow.
"Um... oh, would you like some pork floss bread?" Li Zhuangsheng finally hurriedly took a piece of bread from under the table and handed it to the other person. "This is quite delicious!" (End of this chapter)