Chapter 17
Lin Xiaoran: “…”
Originally, he didn’t really care about this matter, but Gu Yang’s move was undoubtedly adding fuel to the fire.
Sure enough, someone immediately posted another picture of Lin Xiaoran leaning on his desk reading a book, specifically pointing out the watch on his wrist.
【Couple watch?】
【Damn! Is the school bully openly declaring dominance?】
【I remember Study God started wearing this watch since summer school started. The school bully deliberately wore the exact same one today. Isn’t this an open declaration?】
【I give up! Even though you guys analyzed so much, I still held onto the hope that Study God was single and I had a chance. Now… sigh, are they really together?】
【What’s there to doubt? They both have matching watches. The school bully’s move is clearly a declaration of sovereignty, letting you all give up on Study God. Of course, even I, who lust after the school bully, have no chance.】
…
The forum was buzzing with discussion, and the students of Class 3 were also busy exchanging messages. Their eyes uncontrollably glanced towards the back corner, hoping to glean some clues from Study God’s handsome but expressionless face.
But Study God remained his usual aloof self, showing no reaction.
This left the gossiping crowd disappointed yet somewhat reassured: Study God, their Lin Xiaoran, truly didn’t lose himself over such trivial matters as love and become one of those overly affectionate couples.
Huh? Damn!
Before the gossiping crowd could fully appreciate this, they saw the quiet Study God suddenly stand up, quickly rush to the back door, and without a word, grab the school bully’s wrist as soon as he entered the room, then briskly walk out of the classroom.
Everyone: “…”
What happened to not showing affection?
Study God, you’ve changed!
Class 3 of the senior year was located on the top floor of the teaching building, on the eastern side, right next to the stairs.
Lin Xiaoran dragged Gu Yang all the way to the rooftop. Just as they were about to step outside, a wave of heat from the rooftop forced Lin Xiaoran to retract his foot and stop in the hallway, looking back at Gu Yang with a slightly puzzled look in his peach blossom eyes, pointing to the watch on his wrist. “Why are you wearing this?”
Gu Yang, who had been pulled out by him, was already feeling puzzled, and now he found it even more amusing. He raised his wrist and laughed, asking, “Didn’t you give it to me to wear?”
Clatter!
There was a sound of something falling downstairs, followed by hurried footsteps running away.
But neither of them paid attention to it.
So the classmate who wanted to sneak to the rooftop for a smoke during class immediately ran back to the classroom and shouted angrily, “I heard it! I heard it! Yang-ge’s watch was given by Study God!”
Everyone: I can’t believe it! We thought it was the school bully making a bold declaration, but it turns out it’s Study God!
Lin Xiaoran, who was unaware of all this, only realized after Gu Yang’s words that Gu Yang’s watch was bought by Lin Lan. The intention was probably that since they might become brothers in the future, Lin Lan bought matching watches for them.
There was nothing wrong with classmates having the same watch, but the timing of Gu Yang wearing it was indeed problematic.
Although Lin Xiaoran didn’t care what others thought, he wasn’t willing to do something that felt like walking into a trap.
So after a moment of bewilderment, he said, “Take it off and don’t wear it.”
At this moment, Gu Yang also noticed the identical watch on Lin Xiaoran’s wrist. His mind was quick to connect the dots, and he immediately understood what was going on.
How should I put it? If he had noticed before that Lin Xiaoran also had the same watch, he definitely wouldn’t have worn it, especially with the forum homepage floating the post about them being together.
But now that he had already worn it, taking it off suddenly would only make him seem guilty.
And why didn’t Lin Xiaoran take his off?
The adolescent spirit of competition suddenly surged up within Lin Xiaoran. He pulled his wrist back, slipped his hand into his pocket, and smiled at Gu Yang, saying, “You gave me something and now you won’t let me wear it? What’s the logic in that?”
Lin Xiaoran: “…”
Who gave it?
But he couldn’t say that. If he did, wouldn’t it be like slapping Lin Lan’s face?
Not saying anything, he found himself speechless against Gu Yang’s argument.
Lin Xiaoran felt quite displeased, glaring fiercely at Gu Yang with sharp eyes, exuding a chilly demeanor.
Under this intense gaze, Gu Yang remained calm and shrugged, “I saw the posts on the school forum, but it’s just classmates talking nonsense. I don’t care either way. If you’re worried about their misunderstanding, just take off the watch.”
Lin Xiaoran furrowed his brows momentarily at Gu Yang’s words, his gaze even colder, his thin lips moving slightly, showing a hint of refusal, “Who’s worried? Hmph!”
After saying this, he left Gu Yang behind and walked away.
Watching his slender and straight back, Gu Yang couldn’t help but chuckle softly. He realized that this cold Study God couldn’t resist a challenge. Once provoked, the other party would definitely take the bait.
He hadn’t realized Study God was so straightforward.
But…
He rubbed his nose, feeling a bit strange. There was really no need to compete with Lin Xiaoran. If he took off the watch, then so be it.
But now that he had said it, taking it off would be like slapping himself in the face.
He found himself acting strangely lately, often speaking to Lin Xiaoran without thinking, only realizing what he had said afterward. It was the same last night and now.
Could it be that the aftermath of the temporary tagging hadn’t completely disappeared yet?
Meanwhile, the gossiping crowd at Seven Middle School was deeply engrossed in speculation all day long. They were all immersed in observing how Study God and the school bully were handling their relationship. Even students from other classes on different floors found excuses to visit just to catch a glimpse of the two interacting.
But the way these two behaved together wasn’t much different from before. Most of the time, they still seemed to live in their own world, with no interaction at all.
However, this didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the gossiping crowd. Posts about the two being in a relationship kept popping up on the school forum, each one generating high levels of engagement.
Unable to ask the parties involved, the gossiping crowd could only chat on the forum.
So this matter didn’t really affect the two involved.
The key was that both of them had big hearts. Lin Xiaoran was a little concerned about Gu Yang wearing the watch on his wrist in the morning, but after a day of classes, he had completely forgotten about it. After the afternoon classes ended, he felt hungry, but just as he was about to go to the cafeteria to grab something, Zhao Tianhua called him to the office to discuss his speech at the opening ceremony in a few days. This delay meant that by the time he came out of the office, the whole school was quiet.
He tidied up his classroom a bit and went out to the food street with his phone.
Perhaps the timing wasn’t great, as every shop was packed with people.
Standing at the intersection and looking around, he furrowed his brows slightly, preparing to return to school and grab something from the cafeteria. Suddenly, Gu Yang’s voice came from behind him, “Lin Xiaoran.”
Turning around, he saw Gu Yang standing at the entrance of a Hu Chuan restaurant, calling out to him.
Meeting his gaze, Gu Yang smiled, his eyes curved, “It’s crowded at this time. Join us for a meal.”
Lin Xiaoran glanced at the menu at the entrance and thought it looked fine. He nodded and walked in.
Chen Hongqiang, sitting at the same table, quickly stood up to help him move a chair and went to the fridge to get him a bottle of Coke, which he opened and handed to him.
The respectful attitude left Lin Xiaoran puzzled. He was about to thank him when Chen Hongqiang suddenly spoke up, “Hello, sister-in-law. If there’s anything you need from your brother in the future, just let me know. I’ll go through fire and water for you.”
Pfft~
Gu Yang couldn’t hold back the Coke in his mouth and sprayed it out. Luckily, he reacted quickly; otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to eat any of the food on the table.
But now, it seemed like they wouldn’t be able to eat anyway.
After a moment of silence, Lin Xiaoran’s cold gaze landed squarely on Gu Yang’s face.
“Uh…” It wasn’t me who called him sister-in-law!
Gu Yang wanted to explain, but Lin Xiaoran didn’t listen at all. With a cold and stern expression, he said, “Let’s settle this outside, one-on-one!”
With that, he got up and walked out.
Gu Yang was at a loss for words. Why did he suddenly feel that it was the right thing to do to call him inside when he saw Lin Xiaoran standing alone at the intersection? Shouldn’t they help each other out at this time?
He didn’t expect Chen Hongqiang to say that.
Staring at Chen Hongqiang, Gu Yang couldn’t help but feel amused and exasperated. “Hongqiang, to be honest, did I do something to offend you? Why are you making things difficult for me?”
Chen Hongqiang was also confused. Since last night until now, Gu Yang hadn’t denied that he and Lin Xiaoran were in a relationship. Today, they even wore matching watches, and just now, Gu Yang took the initiative to call Lin Xiaoran in. So he thought they were really together.
Why did it seem like Lin Xiaoran didn’t like being called sister-in-law?
“Yang-ge, I didn’t mean to harm you. Didn’t you tell me last night that I could try calling him sister-in-law? Did I do something wrong?” Chen Hongqiang asked, his face turning red.
Gu Yang was speechless. He patted Chen Hongqiang’s shoulder, “You’re not wrong, I am.”
I shouldn’t have overestimated your intelligence. You couldn’t even tell when I was being sarcastic.
Then he turned and left the restaurant, catching up to Lin Xiaoran.
The food street was bustling with people, so Lin Xiaoran just walked quickly forward, leading Gu Yang all the way to the empty alley on the east side before stopping and turning around, staring at Gu Yang coldly as he said, “The aftermath of the tagging has passed. Let’s settle this once and for all.”
With that, he lowered his head and calmly took off his glasses.
