Forced to Love (GL) - Chapter 8

Lingxi couldn’t focus on what the math teacher was saying anymore. Her sharp ears had already caught something more important.

“One is Shen Sui from Class Three, and the other is Yao Jingzhu from our class.”

It seemed like a normal piece of information. But when Lingxi heard someone else mention it—especially when both Shen Sui’s name and hers were spoken together—she felt an indescribable sensation.

“…Yao Jingzhu?”

Hearing her name, Lingxi looked up. The math teacher on the podium smiled slightly, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes lifting.

“Come up and share your solution with the class.”

“Alright.”

Holding the test paper, Lingxi stepped onto the podium. With a piece of chalk in hand, she imitated the way Shen Sui had taught her during their tutoring sessions, methodically writing out the solution on the blackboard.

The classroom was silent, with only the occasional sound of chalk scraping against the board. Dozens of eyes were focused on her.

Within just a few minutes, the empty space in the middle of the blackboard was filled with step-by-step calculations.

Lingxi’s process was smooth and practiced, without a single pause. As she finished, she quickly dotted the last step, placed the chalk back, and returned to her seat without another glance.

At first, the classroom remained quiet. Then, about half a minute later, murmurs of discussion broke out.

“This method is actually simpler than the usual one…”

“Yeah, totally.”

“I can’t believe I didn’t think of that.”

The soft voices around her blended with the dazzling sunlight streaming through the windows. Lingxi squinted slightly, lost in thought.

Had she completed the task Shen Sui had given her?

That night, after the monthly exams, students were allowed to skip evening self-study. Lingxi quickly gathered her belongings and headed toward Shen Sui’s classroom.

They hadn’t scheduled a tutoring session tonight—Shen Sui hadn’t mentioned it, and their sessions were usually set for the weekends.

With no evening study, most students eagerly left the school in groups of three or five.

Lingxi slung her bag over one shoulder and walked against the flow of students, making her way upstairs. Occasionally, someone bumped into her shoulder, but her steps never slowed.

Weaving through the crowd, she finally arrived at the entrance of Class Three.

She avoided the students coming out of the classroom and stood by the window, peering inside.

Half the class was still there—some were buried in their homework, occasionally chatting with their neighbors; others gathered in groups, intensely discussing problems.

But Lingxi’s attention was drawn to the person sitting in the middle of the room.

Shen Sui sat there, holding a book, slowly flipping through its pages.

The overhead fluorescent light cast a soft glow over her, creating a thin veil that seemed to separate her from the outside noise. Her lips were slightly pursed as her eyes scanned the words. Sometimes, she slowed down, her fingers lightly brushing the paper, her brows subtly shifting.

From this distance, Lingxi couldn’t make out what she was reading.

She hesitated for a moment, then stepped back, leaning against the railing three steps away from the classroom door.

In the distance, the sun dipped toward the horizon, painting the sky in hues of crimson.

Lingxi was reminded of the first time she woke up in the chaotic darkness.

Back then, the world before her was hazy, bathed in the same warm glow.

But unlike now, she had been surrounded by countless floating clouds, drifting gently around her.

That was her first moment of awareness. Through the blinding light, she saw a tall, slender figure standing among the clouds.

Soft lips, slightly parted, blew into a flute, sending a melody floating far and wide.

The tune wrapped around Lingxi, pulling her in, harmonizing with her.

The melody echoed in her mind, as her fingertips subconsciously clenched against the cool surface of the railing.

She wasn’t sure how much time had passed when the lights of the school gradually flickered on.

“What are you doing here?”

A soft voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts.

Almost by instinct, Lingxi straightened up, pulling her elbow away from the railing and curling her fingers slightly.

“I’m waiting for you.”

“If you were here, why didn’t you call me?”

Shen Sui stood in the dim light behind Lingxi, a small shadow cast over her face.

“I saw you reading, so I didn’t want to disturb you.”

Shen Sui didn’t respond. Instead, she tilted her head slightly, glancing toward the hallway.

“What’s so interesting out there?”

Lingxi followed her gaze. The scattered light shimmered in her eyes.

“Nothing.”

“Then you could have just called me.” Shen Sui turned toward the classroom. “That way, we could have reviewed the exam papers tonight.”

Lingxi glanced at her watch, then quickly followed.

“Shen, didn’t we say there would be a reward for reaching the goal?”

Her sudden question made Shen Sui pause mid-step. She turned slightly to look at Lingxi.

“Did we?”

“We did.”

Lingxi pulled out her test paper from her bag and handed it over with both hands.

Shen Sui’s gaze swept over the bright red score on the paper. She took it, carefully reviewing the answers before looking back up at Lingxi.

“What reward do you want?”

Lingxi hesitated for a moment, gripping the strap of her bag.

“I want to treat you to a meal.”

Shen Sui looked at her.

In her deep black pupils, Lingxi saw her own determined face reflected.

“That’s it?”

“Yes.”

The two stood at the classroom door.

One half of Shen Sui’s face was illuminated by the bright white light from inside the room, making her skin look porcelain-like.

The other half was bathed in the warm yellow glow of the corridor, softly outlining Lingxi’s features.

After a moment of silence, Shen Sui said nothing and simply turned to retrieve her belongings.

Lingxi followed, setting her bag down. Lowering her head, she frowned slightly.

She should’ve bought food beforehand and brought it with her.

“Aren’t we going to eat? Why are you putting your bag down?”

Shen Sui’s voice suddenly cut through her thoughts.

Lingxi paused for a second, then looked up at her with confusion.

“Let’s go eat.” Shen Sui picked up her bag and walked past her.

Her shadow stretched long under the light.

Lingxi turned to watch her, capturing every detail in her eyes.

“Okay.”

She whispered in reply, taking a big step forward to catch up.

The road to the cafeteria sloped gently upward. Streetlights were spaced apart, casting flickering pools of light and shadow.

A cool summer breeze rustled their hair, carrying Shen Sui’s voice toward Lingxi.

“You did well on the exam.”

Lingxi lowered her gaze to the path ahead and turned slightly to look at her.

“But it’s not enough. You need to keep working hard.”

Shen Sui’s hair was tousled by the wind, strands dancing by her ear.

“Alright. But it’s because you taught me well.”

Lingxi looked away, just missing the moment Shen Sui glanced at her.

“The most important thing is your effort. Hard work brings results.”

“I understand.”

Lingxi’s expression grew serious. Her dark pupils reflected the dim streetlights as she nodded thoughtfully.

Suddenly, a strong gust of wind blew through, rustling dry leaves and making Shen Sui squint.

She instinctively raised her hand to shield her eyes.

“What’s wrong?”

Lingxi noticed and moved closer.

“It’s just the wind,” Shen Sui said, waving it off, about to rub her eyes with the back of her hand.

Without thinking, Lingxi reached out to stop her.

Her palm brushed against the cool skin of Shen Sui’s hand.

For a moment, Lingxi froze, then quickly pulled back, her fingers curling slightly.

“You shouldn’t rub your eyes with your hand.”

Shen Sui didn’t reply but slowly lowered her hand.

Lingxi turned to find a wind-sheltered corner.

“Let’s go over there.”

“Alright.”