After I Cheated on the Heiress of a Powerful Family - Chapter 12

Chapter 12

“Come on, who says it’s unnecessary? It’s absolutely essential! How can a prepared gift just be taken back?”

Xie Buyi lowered her eyelids and replied, “Isn’t that because you said there’s no need to be so formal with me? You said it’s unnecessary.”

“It’s definitely necessary, really necessary!” Wen Yan finally realized that Xie Buyi wasn’t just politely refusing the gift — she was insisting it wasn’t unnecessary at all!

Some people really are tricky! If you don’t explain clearly, they’ll make you jump through hoops to get them to understand!

Clearing her throat, Wen Yan said, “Well… thank you for your help, Miss Xie. I’m sincerely inviting you now: after the next monthly exam, let’s sit together! Same table, alright?”

Xie Buyi flipped the pen gift box and said, “I’ll think about it.”

Wen Yan pointed hopefully at the gift box in her hand, “What about this?”

Xie Buyi’s fingers spun the gift box and then tucked it deeply into her desk pocket.

“For future deskmates.”

Xie Buyi’s driver was no longer around, so she had been taking taxis to and from school lately — maybe to save time or avoid trouble. She also stopped going home for lunch, choosing instead to eat in the school cafeteria.

Wen Yan was pleased to see this. Good friends do everything together: eat together, go to and from school together, even sleep in the same place!

After going through all these steps, Xie Buyi should officially be her good friend, right?

Wen Yan wanted to join her in the cafeteria, but since Xie Buyi disliked crowded places, they stayed in the classroom and waited until the meal rush had died down before heading out.

Fortunately, Wen Yan’s tasks were mostly finished by then, so she could eat with Xie Buyi and walk back to class together.

Sometimes, students who knew Xie Buyi would see Wen Yan eating alongside her and think that Xie Buyi was finally ready to connect with people and get closer.

But as soon as food was placed in front of Xie Buyi, she would get up and carry it away.

After many such encounters, everyone understood: although Xie Buyi was starting to interact with people, there was only one person she connected with — Wen Yan.

“She was the one who first became Xie Buyi’s deskmate, later remained her deskmate, and stayed diligent every day.”

“Persistence pays off. Look, after only two months of ‘dog-licking,’ she’s officially succeeded. Now she can sit next to her ‘owner’ and eat. Maybe soon, she’ll even get the scraps and broth.”

“This is what you earn by daily effort. If I had a chance to eat together every day, I wouldn’t waste it.”

Wen Yan didn’t care about the gossip.

Isn’t it just sour grapes to criticize others who are diligent? She was clearly persistent and sincere! Others couldn’t or wouldn’t do the same, so they resorted to jealousy and slander. The more they talked badly, the clearer it was that they envied her.

Days flew by in the blink of an eye, and the Games were approaching, stirring quiet excitement among the students.

The sports day was set for Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. After that, there would be a break. Students would return Sunday afternoon, pack their things, and prepare for the midterm exams starting Monday.

After morning self-study on Thursday, the homeroom teacher gathered the students to bring stools downstairs, form up, and sit on the playground.

In Shiyi, middle and high schools share the campus but are separated into east and west teaching buildings. The school has two playgrounds — old and new — both enclosed by green barbed wire.

The junior high students use the old playground, and the high schoolers use the new one. From the upper floors, the schoolyard was filled with students, their shadows mingling inside and outside the playgrounds.

Seating for the sports meet was arranged not by classroom seats but by their formation during flag-raising. Wen Yan and Xie Buqi both ended up at the back of the girls’ line, destined to share a table again.

The ceremony included speeches, marching in formation, and ended around ten in the morning when the sun came out, warming the air.

To stay comfortable during the event, Wen Yan didn’t dress too heavily — just a thin layer under her uniform. The day was calm with no wind, and basking in the sun felt pleasant.

The sports day lifted the pressure of the upcoming exams. Many students brought paper and pens, but only a few still focused on study during the event.

Xie Buyi sat next to Wen Yan, headphones resting on her neck, head bowed as she fiddled with her phone.

“In such a lively atmosphere, why don’t you even look up?”

“Boring,” came the reply.

“If you’re bored, why not chat with me? Am I not more interesting than your phone?”

Wen Yan playfully grabbed Xie Buyi’s phone screen and leaned partly over her lap. Xie Buyi tried to push her away, but Wen Yan held onto her wrist.

“Boo,” Wen Yan teased, “The student union is coming to check, and if they catch you using your phone, they’ll write down your name and deduct class points. Then you’ll have to meet with the teacher. Tea time.”

Xie Buyi frowned but didn’t pull away.

Wen Yan rested her head on Xie Buyi’s lap, smiling, “Hey, where did you go to junior high? What was your sports day like? The same as this?”

“Pretty much,” Xie paused, then added, “We had tennis, volleyball, equestrian, figure skating, and swimming — all equally pointless.”

Wen Yan was stunned.

How can that be ‘pretty much the same’? Tennis, volleyball, equestrian, and figure skating — that’s definitely a fancy school! More like a mini Olympics.

“So your school must be big, huh?” Wen Yan asked sourly. “It must be hard to get to the cafeteria from the classroom every day, right?”

Xie looked confused. “Not hard at all. We have a shuttle bus on campus, and you can order food to the dorm. Someone delivers it to your door.”

Wen Yan: . . . . .

No wonder her fitness was poor and she walked so little. She really had it easy!

Not jealous, really! Not at all!

Wen Yan asked, “Has the student union left yet?”

Hiding her jealousy, she lied with a straight face, “No, don’t look back — someone’s watching you.”

Xie Buyi ignored her and looked back anyway. Not far behind were only shadows cast by the building — no one from the student union.

Cheated again.

“Wen Yan!”

“Hey, I’m here,” Wen Yan said. Before Xie Buyi could push her away, Wen Yan got up from her lap, sat up straight, and pinched Xie Buyi’s leg.

“Pretty soft,” she teased.

“That means there’s not much meat,” Xie said.

For the first time, Xie Buyi lost her cool and smacked Wen Yan’s hand.

Wen Yan smiled mischievously, touching her slightly reddened hand. “Why so gentle? No strength in your hits?”

Xie Buyi said coldly, “Want to try a harder one?”

Wen Yan shook her head vigorously. “I’m considerate — can’t force you to do what you don’t want.”

The radio announced the next event was about to start. Wen Yan stood, took off her outer uniform, and put on a bib while chatting with Xie Buqi.

“Hey, Xie Buyi, that little first-place medal looks nice. I’ll win two and bring them back for you.”

Good friends give each other gifts!

She would give Xie Buyi a medal; Xie Buyi would give her the sum; and later, when they became deskmates, they’d prepare another gift.

How perfect!