"What does Cheng Xing mean by this?"
The question hung in the air, echoing through the minds of those gathered at the snack street. Cheng Xing's sudden attention toward Jiang Luxi had stirred a mix of curiosity and confusion.
Many students, still digesting the scene they had just witnessed, couldn't make sense of Cheng Xing's behavior. Only two days ago, he had reconciled with Chen Qing, yet now, here he was, stepping up for Jiang Luxi.
A week earlier, Cheng Xing had been at odds with Chen Qing and her friends over something as trivial as cutting in line. That day, things escalated when Zhang Qi got involved at the school gates. Yet now, the same Cheng Xing who had refused to let Chen Qing cut in line was helping Jiang Luxi skip ahead without hesitation.
Had Cheng Xing given up on Chen Qing after realizing he had no chance with her? Was this sudden shift his way of moving on, with Jiang Luxi now in his sights?
Memories of that early-term confession resurfaced. Cheng Xing had declared his feelings for Chen Qing in front of everyone on the basketball court. When she rejected him publicly and demanded an explanation, he had handed his love letter to Jiang Luxi instead, claiming it was meant for her all along. Back then, most thought Cheng Xing was just trying to save face, deflecting the sting of rejection onto Jiang Luxi. But now, things seemed more complicated than they had first appeared.
Still, many doubted Cheng Xing's ability to pursue Jiang Luxi. If he couldn't win over Chen Qing, how could he hope to capture the attention of someone as radiant and distant as Jiang Luxi? She was a light too dazzling to approach.
To most, Jiang Luxi was a vision of brilliance, an ideal rather than a reality. She stood like the sun in the high sky: visible with a glance, but impossibly far, separated by galaxies of untouchable distance. Anyone who tried to reach her risked burning out in the intense glare of their own inadequacies.
In their youthful dreams, everyone longed for confidence, for a youth without the shadow of inferiority. If there were no insecurities, no one would hesitate to chase after the person they admired. Even if they didn't succeed, they wouldn't live with the regret of never trying.
Cheng Xing's bold confession on the basketball court hadn't drawn ridicule. On the contrary, many admired him. After all, who hadn't harbored a secret crush during their school years? Especially in high school, where feelings blossomed amidst the whirlwind of exams and friendships. Yet for most students—especially those from modest, rural backgrounds—these fleeting crushes became quiet sighs, lost to time and buried in the recesses of future memories.
But not for Sun Ying. She was angry.
Fuming silently as she stood in line, Sun Ying muttered to herself, "Really? We're all classmates, and you only help Jiang Luxi cut in line? Couldn't you have grabbed one for me too? I'd have paid you back!"
With her indignation growing, she stomped off, abandoning her place in line.
"So annoying!" she snapped. "Forget it! I'm not eating anymore!" She headed for another stall.
Back in the classroom, Cheng Xing handed a bag of fried buns to Zhou Yuan.
"Thanks, Cheng!" Zhou Yuan grinned as he caught it.
Cheng Xing pulled one out for himself, biting into the familiar, savory flavor. But he regretted not adding chili. Everything dough-based—whether it be noodles, dumplings, or buns—tasted better with a bit of heat. He liked his food fiery, with each bite giving a satisfying kick.
He glanced ahead and noticed Jiang Luxi resting her head on her desk, fast asleep after finishing her fried buns.
At the same time, Sun Ying, now seated with her newly bought vegetable buns, was still fuming.
"I'm so angry! Really, so angry!" she muttered as she sat down.
Zhou Li, the girl next to her, noticed. "What's wrong, Sun Ying? Who upset you? Why are you so mad?"
"Yeah, who dared to anger our happy-go-lucky Sun Ying? Just say the word, and I'll deal with them. If I can't handle it, we'll get Miss Chen to take care of it," Wang Yan added from nearby, laughing.
Chen Qing, focused on her writing, looked up and smiled calmly. "It's none of my business, but if you need someone to beat up, don't involve me."
"It's Cheng Xing!" Sun Ying exclaimed.
"What? Cheng Xing?" Everyone was taken aback.
"Yes! He's infuriating! We're all classmates, right? Luxi and I were in line together. I even said hi to him. Jiang Luxi didn't sleep well last night, so Cheng Xing helped her cut in line to buy fried buns. Fine, I get it—he was being helpful. But why didn't he get one for me too? Aren't I a classmate as well?"
Sun Ying, only fifteen and already a senior due to her exceptional grades, still carried an air of innocence. Her complaint wasn't just about fairness—it was about being overlooked.
"The Luxi you're talking about… is Jiang Luxi?" Wang Yan asked, puzzled.
"Of course! Who else?" Sun Ying replied, as if it were obvious.
"Oh, you're calling her so affectionately. When did you two become friends?" Zhou Li teased, amused by the idea of Sun Ying bonding with someone as distant as Jiang Luxi.
"We're classmates. Why wouldn't we be friends?" Sun Ying answered matter-of-factly.
Her response silenced Wang Yan and Zhou Li. Even Chen Qing paused her pen mid-sentence, momentarily distracted by the conversation.
Chen Qing recalled her father's words from last Friday's dinner: "Why hasn't Cheng Xing been visiting lately?"
The question lingered in her mind. That following Saturday morning, she had asked Cheng Xing directly, "Are we still friends?"
Meanwhile, Jiang Luxi, having overheard the entire exchange, lay motionless at her desk. She pursed her lips. Maybe accepting those fried buns had been a mistake.
She'd been starving, exhausted, and desperate not to fall asleep in class. Cheng Xing's intense expression when he caught her had left little room for argument. Besides, she paid for those buns with her own money. Yet now, with Sun Ying's remarks echoing in her ears, she realized she might have unwittingly opened a door for Cheng Xing.
But she wouldn't let this opportunity be more than a misunderstanding. She had already decided—no relationships until after university. Her sole focus was on securing a future for her grandmother.
With these thoughts swirling in her mind, Jiang Luxi finally surrendered to sleep. She was utterly drained after spending half the night preparing Cheng Xing's review materials and the other half mourning.
And now, as she drifted off, the world around her blurred into silence.