As both Yi Ming and Senior Zhang Jun left the classroom, the atmosphere shifted back to its usual, vibrant buzz. Students resumed their chatter, pencils resumed their sketches, and the smell of paint filled the air. Yet, the presence of a lingering tension was still felt, especially by Ji Yang, who remained seated at her desk, her mind replaying the earlier exchange.
Zhou Linlin, her hands covered in vibrant hues of paint from her latest art project, approached Ji Yang with a mischievous grin. The paint stains were a testament to her dedication—or perhaps her playful nature—as she stood by Ji Yang's side.
"Hey, did you see that?" Zhou Linlin asked, her voice teasing.
Ji Yang looked up from her sketch, confused. "See what?"
Linlin leaned closer, as if sharing a secret, her eyes dancing with amusement. "Aya, Yi Ming! He was totally jealous. When you were talking to Senior Zhang, he was glaring at him like a cat ready to pounce."
Ji Yang blinked, surprised by the suggestion. "Jealous? What are you talking about? Why would Yi Ming be jealous? We don't have that kind of relationship. You! Don't overthink things."
But Zhou Linlin was undeterred, her grin widening as she sensed an opportunity for mischief. "Oh, come on! It's so obvious. He was giving your senior the evil eye."
Ji Yang shook her head, dismissing the idea. "You're imagining things, Linlin. Besides, aren't you supposed to be busy with your painting?"
With a playful glint in her eyes, Zhou Linlin decided to take the teasing up a notch. Without warning, she dipped her fingers in the leftover paint on her palette and quickly swiped them across Ji Yang's cheek, leaving a streak of bright blue behind.
Ji Yang gasped, touching her cheek where the paint now marked her skin. "Hey, Linlin! How dare you?" she exclaimed, half-laughing, half-indignant.
Zhou Linlin burst into laughter, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she backed away, ready to dodge any retaliation. "Just trying to add a little color to your day, Ji Yang!"
Wiping her cheek with a tissue, Ji Yang got up, a determined look in her eyes. "Oh, you're in for it now! Come here!"
The classroom erupted into laughter as Ji Yang chased Zhou Linlin around the desks, their laughter echoing off the walls. It was a scene of youthful exuberance, a moment of lightheartedness that contrasted sharply with the more serious undertones of earlier conversations.
Their classmates watched with amused expressions, some of them egging on the playful chase, others simply enjoying the brief respite from their studies. It was moments like these that highlighted the camaraderie and friendship shared within the group.
After a few playful laps around the classroom, Ji Yang finally cornered Zhou Linlin, who held her hands up in mock surrender. "Okay, okay, I give up! No more paint, I promise!"
Ji Yang chuckled, lowering her guard. "You'd better keep that promise, Linlin, or next time I won't be so forgiving."
Zhou Linlin grinned, wiping her own paint-covered hands on a rag. "Deal. But you have to admit, it was funny seeing your reaction."
Ji Yang shook her head, unable to suppress a smile. "You're impossible. But I guess that's why we get along."
A Pause for Reflection
As the classroom gradually returned to its usual rhythm, Ji Yang sat back down, her thoughts momentarily distracted from the earlier encounter with Yi Ming and Zhang Jun. Yet, Zhou Linlin's words lingered in her mind, echoing softly like a distant melody.
Jealous? Could he really be? Ji Yang pondered, her eyes drifting to the spot where Yi Ming had sat before leaving in a huff. Though she had dismissed Zhou Linlin's teasing, a part of her couldn't help but wonder if there was a grain of truth to her friend's playful accusations.
Shaking off the thought, Ji Yang refocused on her sketch, determined to lose herself once more in the world of lines and colors, where everything made sense, and emotions were captured with precision and beauty.
The sun had barely risen when the students of Class 2 gathered on the athletic field, their breath visible in the crisp morning air. The murmurs of conversation and the shuffling of feet filled the air as they awaited the start of their P.E. class.
Yi Ming stood near the front of the group, his eyes scanning the field for Ji Yang. He had a nagging feeling of concern, wondering why she wasn't there yet. His thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Mr. Cheng, the P.E. teacher, who strode in with a file in hand.
"Alright, everyone, quiet down," Mr. Cheng called out, his authoritative voice cutting through the chatter. "I'm going to take attendance now."
As Mr. Cheng went through the names, Yi Ming continued to glance around, hoping to see Ji Yang and Zhou Linlin. Just then, Xu Ming, who was standing nearby, leaned over and whispered to Liang Wei.
"Hey, Weiwei, where are Ji Yang and Linlin?" Xu Ming asked.
Liang Wei, always in the know, replied, "They woke up late and went to take a bath. They should be on their way."
Xu Ming shook her head, a hint of worry in her voice. "No, they're doomed today."
Just as Mr. Cheng called out for Ji Yang and Zhou Linlin, the two girls entered the field, trying to slip into the back of the group unnoticed. Their hair was still damp, and their hurried expressions gave away their lateness.
Mr. Cheng's sharp eyes caught them immediately. "The two students who just came in—what are your names?"
Ji Yang and Zhou Linlin exchanged nervous glances before stepping forward. "I'm Chen Ji Yang," Ji Yang said.
"And I'm Zhou Linlin," Linlin added.
Mr. Cheng frowned, clearly unimpressed. "Chen Ji Yang and Zhou Linlin, you're late. As your punishment, you'll take ten laps around the playground. Now."
The two girls nodded, resigned to their fate, and started jogging around the field. As they passed by their classmates, a mixture of sympathy and amusement was evident in their friends' faces.
Xu Ming shook her head, whispering to Liang Wei, "I told you they were doomed."
Liang Wei chuckled softly. "At least it's just laps. Could be worse."
A Punishing Run
As Ji Yang and Zhou Linlin jogged around the field, the morning air slowly warmed up. The first few laps were relatively easy, but by the fifth lap, both girls were starting to feel the burn in their legs.
"Linlin," Ji Yang panted, "I told you we should've skipped the bath."
Zhou Linlin, equally out of breath, shot her a sideways glance. "Yeah, yeah. Next time, I'll just drag you out of bed."
Despite the physical exertion, Ji Yang couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie with her friend. The shared punishment somehow made the ordeal more bearable.
As they rounded the last corner of their tenth lap, they could see their classmates starting their warm-up exercises under Mr. Cheng's supervision. Yi Ming, who had been watching them with a mix of concern and amusement, jogged over to meet them as they finished.
"Hey, you two," he called out. "How are you holding up?"
Ji Yang wiped the sweat from her forehead, smiling despite her exhaustion. "We survived. Barely."
Yi Ming handed them both water bottles. "Here, drink this. You'll feel better."
Zhou Linlin took a long gulp of water, then looked at Yi Ming with a playful grin. "Were you worried about us?"
Yi Ming shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Just making sure you don't pass out or something."
Ji Yang laughed, the sound light and relieving after the strenuous run. "Thanks, Yi Ming. We appreciate it."
With their punishment completed, Ji Yang and Zhou Linlin rejoined their classmates for the rest of the P.E. class. Mr. Cheng put them through a series of exercises, and despite their tiredness, the two girls pushed through, determined not to draw any more attention to themselves.
By the time the class ended, everyone headed back to the dorms for a quick shower. Since there were no formal classes for the art department, many students were in the classroom practicing on their own, surrounded by canvases and the rich aroma of paint.
Li Yi Ming was deeply engrossed in his painting, his brush moving fluidly across the canvas, when Jiaxin approached him, a mischievous grin on his face.
"Hey, mister, where is your girl?" Jiaxin teased, leaning over to get a look at Yi Ming's work.
Yi Ming paused, looking up with a slight glare. "What are you talking about?" he replied curtly, trying to focus back on his painting.
Gu Ran soon joined them, sensing an opportunity to poke some fun. "That's right. Her roommates are here, but she isn't. What's up with that?"
Yi Ming sighed, feeling the irritation rising. He stood up and gently pushed both of them aside. "Move. You're blocking my light."
Gu Ran and Jiaxin exchanged a knowing glance before they walked over to Xu Ming, who was seated nearby, diligently sketching a landscape.
"Hey, Xu Ming," Gu Ran called out, leaning against the desk. "You're all here, but where is Ji Yang?"
Xu Ming looked up from her sketchpad, raising an eyebrow. "Why are you asking about her?" she asked, a hint of curiosity in her tone.
Gu Ran hesitated for a moment, then said, "I... I'm the class monitor. I should know where our classmates are, right?"
Xu Ming rolled her eyes, clearly seeing through his flimsy excuse. "Alright, stop with the act. She went to the hospital."
Jiaxin and Gu Ran exchanged surprised glances. "Hospital? Why? Is she alright?" Jiaxin asked, his tone shifting from playful to genuine concern.
Xu Ming waved her hand dismissively, trying to end the interrogation. "Aya, why are you being so noisy? Go away."
Lai Jiaxin persisted. "Come on, tell us. What's going on?"
With a sigh of exasperation, Xu Ming relented. "She went to see Senior Zhang's sister. The girl is sick."
Both Jiaxin and Gu Ran exclaimed simultaneously, "Senior Zhang?"
Xu Ming nodded, returning to her sketch. "Yes. She's sick, and Ji Yang wanted to visit her."
The two boys, now armed with this new piece of information, turned back to Yi Ming, who had been quietly listening to the entire exchange from his easel.
Gu Ran placed a hand on Yi Ming's shoulder, his voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "Brother, you've got to be more active. Don't let opportunities slip away."
"That's right," Jiaxin chimed in, placing his hand on Yi Ming's other shoulder. "Or your girl will be taken away."
Yi Ming shook off their hands, trying to maintain his focus. "Noisy," he muttered under his breath, though the hint of annoyance was unmistakable.
Gu Ran and Jiaxin exchanged a knowing look, a silent agreement to drop the subject for now, but they couldn't help but smile at their friend's reaction. They could tell that something was stirring in Yi Ming, even if he was too proud to admit it.
In the evening, the dorm room was filled with the low hum of computers and the occasional rustle of papers as the roommates settled in for a typical night of study and relaxation. Li Yi Ming sat on his bed, phone in hand, his thumb hovering over the keyboard, contemplating whether to send a message to Ji Yang. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was something he needed to say, something that would make the awkwardness between them dissipate.
Across the room, Jiaxin was engrossed in his favorite video game, the rapid clicks of his mouse echoing against the walls. His eyes were glued to the screen, fingers dancing across the keyboard as he shouted commands to his virtual team.
Just then, Gu Ran entered the room with a gust of evening air, a mischievous grin on his face. He tossed his backpack onto his bed and surveyed the scene.
"Ay, Gu Ran," Jiaxin called out, glancing over his shoulder. "Come on, let's have a game. I need a partner."
Gu Ran shook his head, chuckling. "No thanks. It's time for dinner. Let's go."
The room fell silent. Neither Jiaxin nor Yi Ming made a move, each absorbed in their own world. Jiaxin continued his game, while Yi Ming remained focused on his phone, lost in thought.
Gu Ran rolled his eyes, adopting a tone of playful impatience. "I met Ji Yang and her friends on my way here. They were heading to dinner. If you guys aren't interested, then I'm going by myself."
The mention of Ji Yang seemed to flick a switch in Yi Ming. He suddenly stood up, clearing his throat in a somewhat awkward fashion. "Let's go. I'm hungry."
Jiaxin, who had paused his game mid-round, turned to Yi Ming with a teasing smile. "Really?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "You seemed pretty comfortable just a second ago."
Both Gu Ran and Jiaxin exchanged a knowing look, their expressions a mix of amusement and surprise at Yi Ming's sudden change of heart.
Gu Ran continued to press him, unable to resist the opportunity for some friendly teasing. "What's this? Our Mr. Poker Face actually wants to join us?"
Yi Ming ignored their jibes, determined not to give them the satisfaction of seeing him flustered. He grabbed his jacket and headed for the door. "Are you coming or not?" he called back, trying to sound nonchalant.
Jiaxin and Gu Ran quickly followed, their curiosity piqued by Yi Ming's uncharacteristic eagerness.
In the Canteen
The canteen was bustling with students, the sound of clattering trays and lively chatter filling the air. The aroma of various dishes wafted through the room, mingling with the soft hum of conversation.
Yi Ming grabbed a plate and scanned the sea of faces, his eyes instinctively searching for Ji Yang. It didn't take long for him to spot her, her unmistakable presence drawing his attention like a magnet. She was moving through the crowd, her tray balanced expertly in one hand as she headed towards an empty table near the window.
With a determined stride, Yi Ming followed her, weaving through the throng of students until he reached her side. As she settled into her seat, he nonchalantly placed his tray down and sat beside her.
Ji Yang glanced at him, a bemused expression on her face. She couldn't help but wonder what had gotten into him today. It was unusual for Yi Ming to seek out company so overtly, especially hers.
In her thoughts, she mused, What's wrong with this poker face today?
She decided to address the elephant in the room, her curiosity getting the better of her. Turning to him with a playful smile, she asked, "What do you want?"
Yi Ming looked at her, feigning innocence. "What do you mean?"
Ji Yang leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms as she continued to tease him. "Mister Li Yi Ming, you're acting weird lately."
He maintained his calm demeanor, though the corner of his lips twitched slightly. "You're thinking too much."
She raised an eyebrow, not entirely convinced by his nonchalant response. "Then why did you follow me here?"
Yi Ming shrugged, attempting to play it cool. "I didn't follow you."
She glanced around the room, gesturing to the multitude of empty seats available. "Look, there are so many seats here. Why did you sit beside me?"
There was a moment of silence as Yi Ming considered her question. Then, meeting her gaze with a level stare, he replied, "Can't I?"
His response caught her off guard, leaving her momentarily speechless. She hadn't expected such a straightforward answer, and it took her a second to process it.
Before she could come up with a retort, Yi Ming leaned slightly closer, a teasing glint in his eyes as he turned her attention back to her food. "Focus on your food."
Ji Yang blinked, surprised by his unexpected boldness. She realized then that beneath his typically stoic exterior, Yi Ming possessed a certain charm that was easy to overlook.