I Redeemed Him, But Who Will Redeem Me? - Chapter 17
Lin Xicai weaved through the crowd in her uniform, like a drop of moving ink on white rice paper—strikingly conspicuous and out of place. Wherever she went, all eyes turned toward her.
At this point, it was too late to go back and change, so Lin Xicai braced herself and walked to the playground assembly point. As expected, everyone surrounded her with questions.
“Why are you dressed like that?”
“Why are you in uniform? Don’t you have an event later? Are you supposed to run in uniform?”
“How can you run in uniform?”
Meeting all those gazes, Lin Xicai gave up struggling and apologized, “I remembered the date wrong.”
The crowd was taken aback, exchanging glances—how could someone forget something like that?
The male sports committee member also looked surprised, murmuring, “Didn’t we just confirm this yesterday after school? I even posted in the group…”
Before he could finish, someone in class—sensing the awkwardness—gestured subtly to him, signaling that she was a bit ‘off her rocker’ and not to take it seriously.
As someone who could, overnight, have all knowledge evaporate from her brain and drop from first to last place, forgetting the date suddenly seemed completely understandable.
Because of this, everyone’s tolerance toward her skyrocketed. No one questioned her anymore; instead, pity and sympathy filled their faces. A kind-hearted girl even began to comfort her.
“It’s okay, I have a bad memory too, I forget things all the time.”
“Exactly! Me too. It’s normal.”
Lin Xicai: “……”
Okay, stop. Save this ‘everyone’s duty to care for the intellectually challenged’ act.
Right now, it wasn’t the time to debate whether her brain actually had a problem. What mattered most was fixing the uniform and shoes. The female sports committee member called out to Class Z, “Does anyone have an extra set of sportswear and shoes to lend to Zhong Fei?”
After saying it, she realized it might be pointless—who would bring an extra set?
Seeing no one responding, she scratched her head, planning to coordinate with students who had finished their events. At that moment, an unexpected visitor arrived, also not in sportswear, but in the same light gray uniform as Lin Xicai. Among the sea of white, they were the only two outliers.
Even more shocking, he carried two bags in his hands.
In full view of everyone, the quiet, reclusive oddball walked straight up to Zhong Fei and handed her the bags.
Everyone’s eyes widened in shock and gossip buzzed in the air. Not only were they surprised he had suddenly become helpful, but also why he had female clothes ready in advance.
Lin Xicai, equally stunned, was even more puzzled—why was he also in uniform? Last time he had dressed correctly…
The heavy bags landed in her arms, and she stared at him, her thoughts tangled: “What’s this?”
Xie Shi frowned slightly. “Isn’t this for borrowing clothes? I have them.”
“Uh… yes, yes, borrowing clothes,” the female sports committee member stammered, trying to speak with him. “But your sizes might… perhaps…”
While she spoke, Lin Xicai opened the bags. One contained sportswear, the other sports shoes.
The crucial point: they were all female-sized.
The female sports committee member’s voice stuck in her throat, mouth wide open.
Everyone else’s expressions were equally complex—firstly, how did he suddenly turn into a helpful person? Secondly, why did he prepare girls’ clothes in advance?
Surprised as she was, it wasn’t the time to debate whether Xie Shi was a weirdo. Lin Xicai thanked him and hurried to the restroom to change.
In the restroom, she changed into the almost perfectly fitting clothes and comfortable shoes, staring at her reflection with a strange expression. She shook her head, trying not to analyze her eccentric deskmate’s bizarre motives.
It didn’t matter—what mattered now was the upcoming race. This time, she had to reclaim the first place that belonged to her.
Stepping out, Xie Shi was already sitting alone in the resting area, his gaze briefly falling on her before looking away. Others clustered together, deliberately keeping their distance from him, creating a clear divide.
While Lin Xicai warmed up, the male sports committee member came over to console her again. “Don’t worry. Not ending up last is already great…”
Lin Xicai rolled her eyes internally and interrupted him before his next clumsy words of encouragement arrived. “Lane 7, about 7–8 meters from the finish line, there’s a small stone. Go kick it away for me.”
“Ah?” he stood on tiptoe, looking doubtful. “Really?”
“You’ll see when you go there,” she said.
Suspicious but obedient, he went and after a while ran back excitedly, holding a small stone in his hand. “Really! Zhong Fei, your eyes are amazing!”
Lin Xicai stared straight at the distant finish line, her beautiful eyes ablaze with a passionate and resolute fire, a gamble she was determined to win.
The starting gun fired. Lin Xicai surged forward, facing the wind and the cheers, and crossed the finish line smoothly, claiming the first place so meaningful to her.
The whole class rushed over, laughing and celebrating. Outside the crowd, Lin Xicai noticed Xie Shi standing alone under a tree.
Wearing the clothes he had brought, she met his quiet gaze from across the noisy crowd.
When events repeated for the first time, she had suspected his involvement. This incident only strengthened her suspicion.
But she couldn’t understand his motivation. Yesterday, he had also been at the race—was it dissatisfaction with the result that made him orchestrate this race?
That thought made Lin Xicai twitch her lips—he could have such a sense of collective honor?
“Zhong Fei! I want a photo with you!”
“I also want a photo with the champion.”
“Let’s record a video.”
As the only person to win first place for Class Z, Lin Xicai became a walking photo-op.
She wasn’t shy and accepted everyone. After losing last time and being in a bad mood, this time she made up for it, mingling, watching the race, taking photos and videos, having a great time.
When she looked up, the cold, distant figure under the tree had disappeared. Xie Shi had left without her noticing.
After playing and exhausting herself, Lin Xicai washed her face and intended to rest in the classroom. Passing by a supermarket, she slowed her steps and bought a bottle of water.
When she returned to the classroom, Xie Shi was already at his seat.
The large classroom was empty, only the two of them present.
Lin Xicai approached, didn’t sit immediately, and handed him the water.
Xie Shi raised his eyes, briefly meeting her gaze, then looked at the water without taking it.
Lin Xicai looked at him, her expression unreadable. “Thank you.”
Xie Shi didn’t take it. “For what?”
“I won first place,” Lin Xicai said.
He pursed his lips. “So?”
She stared at his indifferent face, realizing she couldn’t gauge him that quickly, and smiled. “Thanks for cheering me on.”
She moved the water an inch closer. “Standing under that tree for so long, weren’t you thirsty? I brought this especially for you.”
Lin Xicai remained standing, holding the water, with a kind of petty but harmless stubbornness.
Xie Shi frowned, hesitated for a moment, then finally took the bottle.
His movements were stiff, awkward, as if a child doing something for the first time.
Lin Xicai pursed her lips and smiled. “I’ll return your clothes later. I’ll wash them and bring them back.”
Xie Shi’s expression remained neutral, giving a faint acknowledgment.
“But why did you prepare these?”
Lin Xicai sat down at her desk, paused, and said cryptically, “It’s like you knew someone would forget to bring them.”
Xie Shi looked at her, tone flat. “What do you mean?”
“Nothing,” she smiled. “Just thought I’d appreciate the help.”
Acting.
Truly acting.
Lin Xicai was almost certain these strange repetitions were connected to him.
But why? Was it sheer competitiveness? Or a sudden surge of collective honor?
Very curious.
After school, Lin Xicai walked with a friendly, outgoing female classmate to the bus stop, chatting along the way. Passing the playground, the girl mysteriously pulled out a pack of sausages from her backpack and asked her to wait.
Lin Xicai raised an eyebrow. “Feeding a cat?”
The girl smiled warmly, calling a small animal over. A thin, scrappy puppy came running, not a cat.
The girl squatted to feed it, and Lin Xicai also crouched, her gaze fixed on the dog, unreadable.
“Give me one too,” Lin Xicai said.
The girl happily handed her two sausages.
Lin Xicai took them but didn’t intend to feed the dog, just playing with them absentmindedly.
Seeing her distracted, the girl asked curiously, “What’s on your mind?”
Lin Xicai shook her head and smiled. “Nothing. You just reminded me—I have a dog at home I should feed too.”
The girl’s eyes widened excitedly. “You have a dog? Then I can visit someday!”
“Better not,” Lin Xicai said with a helpless smile. “It bites.”
“Ah?” The girl looked shocked and disappointed.
Lin Xicai nodded. “Yes, I’ll be careful.”