-Next Day-
[Suzhou High School]
Class 3-2
*Slide*
Li Chao and Li Ran strode inside the classroom, looking around excitedly. Only to notice she wasn't there yet.
"Hey, Let's stay here until she shows up." Li Chao suggested, grabbing an empty seat before sitting on it.
"Fine." voiced Li Ran sitting nearby.
The students present there just stayed silent minding their own business. Time ticked by, students kept entering the classroom but there was no sign of her.
"It's understandable that a celebrity takes time to come to school." Even though he was an impatient person, Li Chao was cool while waiting.
*Slide*
Both of them eyed at the door, only to be disappointed, but the cute girl in front of her did catch their eyes.
Niao, who was being stared at by the two strangers as soon as she opened the door, felt awkward.
"Niao!" Just then, she heard someone calling her name. It was her bench mate, Quan Feng. He was waving at her with a wide smile.
"Good morning." Niao greeted him, walking to her seat.
"Good Morning." Quan Feng replied as he stood up to make way for her.
"Who is she? I haven't seen her before. New student?" Li Ran asked a random nearby student.
"Yeah, She enrolled yesterday with Liz. Her name is Niao." the student answered.
"Niao? Bird? What a weird name." Li Ran muttered.
"Don't get distracted. We have a goal we must achieve today. First, See the goddess herself, then compliment her endlessly, ask for an autograph, a handshake if possible, a hug will be a blessing-" Just as Li Chao was starting to fantasize, he heard a soft voice.
"If you both are waiting for Yuxi, then I suggest you don't."
Looking up, they saw Niao who was supposed to be in her seat, standing in front of them staring back at them.
-Earlier-
Niao was about to sit on her seat when she halted. Turning to look at Quan Feng, she asked " Umm, Do you mind if I ask you something?"
"No, Not at all. Go ahead."
"Umm, Who are those two? They don't look like our classmates."
"Oh, Them. They are Li Cousins: Li Ran and Li Chao. They are Ying Shan underlings, so they are quite popular in school. *Sigh* But they aren't someone to mess with. You better avoid them in any way."
"Then, Why are they here?"
"It's obvious. They are here to see Liz."
-Back at Present-
"What do you mean by that?" asked Li Ran.
"She won't be attending morning classes today. She may come for afternoon classes. But, Since she has a busy schedule, there is a possibility she may be absent today." Niao clarified.
Hearing her words, even the other students glanced at her. Noticing everyone's gaze, she clicked her tongue ' Was I being a bit specific?'
"Sh*t! Why is this happening to me? I just wanted to see her, handshake with her, hug- Nevermind that, still, how can I be so unlucky? Be it yesterday or today. Why was I absent yesterday? Why did I make a fake ex-" Li Ran hastily covered Li Chao's blabbering mouth.
Dragging him out, he uttered, " Since she is not coming for morning classes, We will revisit during the break."
After they left, everyone focused back on Niao. They were curious how she knew about Liz's whereabouts.
Flashing an awkward smile, Niao quietly returned to her seat. Obviously, some students approached her and asked her if she was close with Liz. However, since Niao was looking uncomfortable, Quan Feng shooed them away.
He turned to say something only to be cut off by her " I know what you are going to ask. I just heard Liz saying those things yesterday. I thought I would inform those guys so that they won't waste their time."
"Hm? Oh, I see. But, Can you close the window? It is exceedingly sunny today." requested Quan Feng.
"Pardon?" Niao was taken aback.
"The window?" He pointed at the window. Looking at her still dazed, he stood up " Let me."
Reaching out his hands starting from behind her, he tried to close the window. Eventually comprehending his words, Niao realized she was being impulsive.
"I will do it." Standing up, she didn't realize his elbow was above her head.
*Bump*
A soft "ow" escaped her mouth.
"Are you okay? I should've been careful." He asked, unknowingly caressing her head.
"I am fine. It was nothing. A tiny bump." She answered, peering at his hand which was still caressing her head.
"Oh, Sorry. I was being rude." Apologising he retracted his hands and sat down.
*Awkward*
"Niao." Suddenly, he called her out.
"Yeah."
Ruffling his hair, he voiced seriously "My mom says you become a gentleman when you learn to respect a woman. I might act like a jerk who fantasizes over pretty girls. I might..not be a gentleman but I do have decent manners. I mean I respect your space. I won't do anything to make you uncomfortable. If I did, I apologise."
Niao was a little dumbfounded by his confession. Shaking her head, she replied " No, Don't apologise. You don't make me feel uneasy in any way. I should be the one apologising, I thought you were going to ask about Liz. And, Sorry for yesterday."
"Yesterday?"
"I pushed you down and you got punished by the teacher." Niao felt embarrassed recalling that moment.
"Ah..that! I really thought I fell down dozing off."
Hearing that, Niao's face flushed red. Watching her red face, he panicked. 'I just daringly stated I won't make her uncomfortable, what is this Quan Feng?'
" How about ice cream after school? That way I can say I forgave you. And.. (We can be friends) I mean only if you don't mind."
--The bracket statement are thoughts--
Niao pondered ' Master did mention that I shall start working from next week. I was also free yesterday. Maybe a quick one won't affect anything.'
*Ring*
Hearing the bell ring, everyone rushed back to their seats while Quan Feng silently waited for her response.
"Okay. Let's go after school."
Ecstatic, he uttered in excitement "There's this popular shop nearby which sells the best ice creams. Let's go there and.."
His voice faded away as Niao fell into deep concern ' I hope master won't get angry over this.'
-Meanwhile-
*Yawn*
"Sis Xia, It seems like you didn't get a wink of sleep last night," Yuxi exclaimed, seeing Feng Xia repeatedly yawning over and over again.
Feng Xia stayed silent, trying her best not to reminisce about the craziness she went through the day before. Looking at herself in the mirror, she used thick concealers to hide her dark circles.
"We have arrived, Manager Feng." stated a petite looking girl in her early twenties.
Getting out of the car, Yuxi walked alongside Feng Xia while the girl followed them frantically carrying huge baggage and drinks in both hands.
Peeking at the girl, Yuxi asked leisurely, " Since I already have an assistant, why bother assigning another one?"
Feng Xia didn't have any energy to argue with Yuxi so she simply replied " Most celebrities have more than two assistants. Having two will suffice for you. Just let her assist you."
Yuxi stared at the girl once again. Noticing her gaze, the girl got anxious and dropped one of the drinks.
"Oh! I am extremely sorry." exclaimed the girl, as she bent down to pick it up.
"Let it be." Feng Xia instructed without even glancing at her.
'I think I did a bit too much yesterday. She is too weary to even scold.' Yuxi thought.
Just as they were about to head forward, a high pitched shriek could be heard from behind.
Instantly, looking back they saw the girl was lunging towards Yuxi with the drink in her hand as the girl slipped on the previously spilled coffee.
"Watch out."
*Thud*