Addicted to You - Chapter 3

She was still confused, while Song Yuan had already slipped into gossip mode.

“You two knew each other before? What’s going on? This is the first time I’ve seen Zhou Yiheng stand up for someone.”

The string of questions left her flustered. She shook her head—she didn’t really know what was going on either. But somehow, it felt… kind of nice. Still, she didn’t understand why it was said to be the first time he stood up for someone. That confused her a little. Then she realized she might be overthinking.

The two didn’t hang out for long before getting ready to head home. Song Yuan asked if someone was picking her up and if she needed a ride.

She waved her off, saying she would take the bus. Song Yuan didn’t insist.

The sound of pool balls echoed in the hall—crack!—the black eight dropped into the pocket.

“Yiheng, I won again. WeChat or Alipay?” Guan Xiao grinned smugly.

Zhou Yiheng smirked with disdain, pulled out his phone, and transferred the money. By the time he’d put his phone away, Guan Xiao had already claimed the red packet.

Guan Xiao came over. “Since when are you and Xu Xuan from Class 3 a thing?”

The person being questioned casually replied, “Last week, I guess.” His tone made it obvious—he’d forgotten.

“Damn, didn’t you say you didn’t even like her?”

The corners of Zhou Yiheng’s mouth curled slightly. “That day I just figured dating her wouldn’t be a big deal, so I said yes.”

Guan Xiao was baffled by his logic and shot him a middle finger. “Scumbag.”

Zhou Yiheng didn’t argue—he was kind of a jerk. He never really cared about relationships. Every girl he dated gave him the same feeling—being with them didn’t cost him anything, and it fulfilled their wish. Perfect situation. Win-win.

Xu Xuan walked over, and Guan Xiao wisely stepped away.

Clinging to his arm, the girl said sweetly, “I’m heading home. Will you walk me back?”

He wasn’t emotionally invested, but when it came to gestures and charm, he had it down to a science. He gently patted her head and said warmly, “I’ve got stuff this afternoon. Can you head back on your own?”

Which girl could resist that warm voice and good looks? Xu Xuan pouted. “Fine… I’ll message you when I get home.”

“Mm.” He smiled in response. Like a gentleman, he walked her to the door, helped her get a ride, and watched her leave.

But once the car was gone, he didn’t go back in. Instead, he headed toward the bus stop near the school.

Song Yuan and Xu Yu separated at the bus stop near school.

Xu Yu was waiting for Bus 106.

It was just after school for the seniors, and the stop was so crowded it was nearly overflowing. She shrank back and carefully moved with the crowd, like a startled kitten afraid of being noticed. She glanced at her wristwatch, its band yellowed with age—4:50 PM. Not too late yet.

She moved so quietly she was swallowed up by the noise around her.

…

…

Maybe it was the vibe she gave off—different from everyone else—but Zhou Yiheng spotted her right away. He stood behind her for several minutes without her noticing. He suddenly became curious: what was she so focused on? He stepped closer.

Her figure was slim, and her oversized uniform looked like she was playing dress-up in adult clothes. Her pants were too long, covering her ankles, and her white canvas shoes were spotless, laced up neatly—just like her demeanor. Her low ponytail lay quietly against her back, hiding the nape of her neck. She looked thin, but her frame was nicely proportioned. She’d probably look even better if she gained a little weight.

Xu Yu, afraid of missing the bus, focused intently on the front. A tall boy ahead blocked her view, so she tried to squeeze past to see better.

Bus 106 arrived, but the front was already packed. Students began moving back to make space.

As more people crowded forward, Xu Yu lost all sight of the front and was forced to retreat with the crowd.

Behind her, someone didn’t move. Deliberately.

One step, two steps—she bumped right into someone behind and stepped on their shoe.

Without even seeing who it was, she blurted out, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to.”

Then she turned around—him again.

Zhou Yiheng looked at her with an amused expression and pointed at his shoe, faking a grievance. “You got my shoe dirty.”

Xu Yu wanted to keep apologizing, but the crowd behind surged forward, and just as someone was about to crash into her, Zhou Yiheng grabbed her wrist and pulled her aside.

Xu Yu froze. When she came to her senses, she pulled her hand away.

Gradually, the noise of the crowd faded.

When she snapped out of it, the bus was already full. She’d have to wait for the next one.

Zhou Yiheng felt a bit ignored. He cleared his throat. “Weren’t you going to apologize?”

Hearing his voice reminded Xu Yu she had just stepped on someone, but she didn’t realize it was his fault she missed the bus.

“Sorry, I really didn’t mean it.” Her apology was sincere, but she didn’t dare look him in the eye.

Sometimes, Zhou Yiheng wondered why he bothered teasing someone so completely outside his world.

Just as he was about to say forget it, she spoke first.

“Do you want a tissue to wipe it off?”

He nearly broke right then—Zhou Yiheng burst out laughing. She was looking up at him, too.

Her face was small, probably the size of his palm. Round almond-shaped eyes, with a tiny brown mole at the corner. People said Southerners were darker than Northerners, but she was pale and delicate. Her cheeks were tinged pink, growing redder under his gaze.

“Is that okay?” she asked, blinking.

Maybe it was the long time standing in the sun—she felt like she was about to overheat.

“Sure,” Zhou Yiheng replied with a smile.

Xu Yu really did take a tissue out of her pocket, holding it between her thumb and forefinger. “This is all I’ve got left.” The rest she had given him to wipe his girlfriend’s shoes earlier.

Zhou Yiheng took it, still smiling. “It’s enough.”

After handing it over, she stood awkwardly, gripping her backpack straps, unsure what to say.

Zhou Yiheng didn’t even bother wiping his shoe—he just looked at her.

The bus stop gradually emptied, until only two people were left.

The streetlamp flicked on right on time, casting light over them. Their shadows fell to the ground, one tall, one short. From a distance, it looked like they were embracing.

A breeze passed by. Her low ponytail lifted slightly, the nape of her neck feeling the chill. She pulled her ponytail back down. Loose strands of hair fluttered around her ears.

Zhou Yiheng quietly watched the light spill across her hair, her lashes, her nose, her lips—and finally her shoulder.

He suddenly thought the scene was beautiful. But it also felt off-limits. Dangerous and captivating.

People are always drawn to danger. Even if it’s toxic, they still reach for it—until there’s no turning back.

“Really sorry, but I have to wait for the next bus.” Her voice was earnest, like a child. But behind it was always a curtain. She even bowed politely at the end.

Xu Yu finished her performance and walked straight to the stop without looking back.

Watching her jog over, Zhou Yiheng chuckled again. Then he realized—he’d laughed a lot today. And it seemed to always be because of her.

Xu Yu waited for the bus in a daze. Her hand still felt numb from where he’d touched it. She usually hated physical contact with boys, but this time she hadn’t even reacted.

The next bus came quickly. There weren’t many people onboard.

She took a seat at the back. As the bus started moving, she glanced at the stop. That boy was gone. She turned her gaze back.

The opening ceremony was held during the mid-morning break.

After standing for over an hour, Song Yuan dragged Xu Yu to the restroom.

Suddenly Song Yuan gasped. “Ah! I got my period.”

Xu Yu had just stepped out of a stall. “Did you bring anything?”

“Oh no, I didn’t…” Song Yuan said sheepishly. “Yu Yu, could you go buy me some?”

“Wait here.”

“Thanks!”

…

…

At the campus store, Xu Yu picked up a pack of pads and got in line. Since it was break time, the store was packed. A few girls stood in front of her.

“Did you hear? Last Friday after school I saw Zhou Yiheng from Class 11 with Xu Xuan from Class 3,” one of the girls said.

“No way?” another girl replied.

“To prove it,” the first girl pulled out her phone, “I even took a picture.”

The others leaned in to look, then pulled back a few seconds later.

One girl commented, “Ugh, I don’t get guys like him. Smart, rich, and good-looking—but such a jerk. And girls still fall for him.”

Another chimed in, “Maybe they just want some fun in this hellish high school life.”

Xu Yu remembered that afternoon, the boy and his girlfriend behind her in line, laughing and chatting. The girl gave up on getting ice cream because the line was too long.

There are all kinds of people in the world. The more perfect someone seems, the more others pick them apart. Once a flaw is exposed, the crowd clings to it. But someone will always love what others reject. She would probably be rejected—but no one would love her.

Just before it was her turn to pay, the girls changed topics, and she snapped out of her thoughts.

After checking out, she headed toward the exit—only to be met by a group of people. At the front was the subject of the earlier gossip.

She instinctively stepped aside to avoid them. Her movement just happened to avoid their path, and she walked forward without looking back.

Xu Xuan was saying something to Zhou Yiheng. He smiled faintly, and when he lifted his eyes, he spotted Xu Yu—and her little sidestep.

His gaze was powerful. Xu Yu flicked a glance his way. Their eyes met. She looked away, unbothered, and kept walking. Zhou Yiheng didn’t react either, acting like nothing had happened.

As she passed them, one of the guys in the group ogled her and said something vulgar.

Xu Yu could tell when a guy was making crude jokes—but she didn’t care. There was no way to fight back. No one would have her back.

Just as she was nearly out of their line of sight, she heard a cold, low voice.

Zhou Yiheng: “Apologize.”

The whole group froze. She kept walking.

The guy who made the comment laughed it off. “You serious, Yiheng?”

“I said apologize. Don’t make me repeat it a third time.”

The smile dropped from the guy’s face. The others nudged him to let it go.

He lazily said “Sorry” in the direction of the girl walking away.

“You want me to teach you how to apologize?” Zhou Yiheng’s hands were in his pockets, face cold. “You think she can hear that?”

The road ahead was wide open. Xu Yu kept walking straight.

This time, the guy shouted loudly, “I’m sorry!” and gave a proper bow.

Xu Yu didn’t react.

She had heard the first “sorry” clearly. But the second one… that one hit her straight in the heart.

Her already-straight back straightened even more—and started to burn with heat.

Zhou Yiheng glanced her way. Her low ponytail swayed with her steps. His lips lifted in a smirk.

Xu Xuan asked if he knew her.

He replied while walking back into the store, “New student in our class.”

Guan Xiao caught up. “When did you get so close with the new kid that you’re standing up for her?”

He tugged at the corner of his mouth. “I was just bored. Can’t I be?”

The bell rang. Everyone returned to class. The homeroom teacher stood on the podium, ready to change their seats.

The class groaned at the announcement but ultimately obeyed.

Song Yuan thought she and Xu Yu might be spared, but fate was fair—it struck everyone. They were split up.

Xu Yu stood to the side with her backpack, waiting for her assignment. The teacher glanced at the empty seat next to Zhou Yiheng and called out, “Xu Yu, sit with Zhou Yiheng.”

She froze, staring at the seat but not moving.

The class looked on curiously at the awkward pairing.

“What are you waiting for?” the teacher urged.

She walked over with her books. He showed no emotion, flipping through his textbook.

Once the seating was arranged, class ended, and the room erupted into noise.

Guan Xiao rushed over, jostling the desk. Zhou Yiheng looked up at him.

He laughed and apologized. “I’ll miss you, bro.”

Zhou Yiheng looked annoyed. “I won’t.”

“Damn, you’re that heartless?”

At that moment, the two people sitting side by side stiffened.

Xu Yu’s pen left black loops on her scratch paper. Then she heard the boy beside her say:

“Yeah, I just like new classmates.”