I’ll Hold Your Hand And Promise You A Lifetime - Chapter 13

Chapter 13: Thirteen, Photo Incident (1)

Over the weekend, Yue Xi relaxed at home. After lunch, she brewed a small pot of tea, transferred the photos from her camera to her computer, and sat on the balcony, basking in the sun while viewing them. Ningr Ran and Sarah were off who-knows-where having fun, and Yue Xi was happy to have the house to herself in peace and quiet.

Just as the warm spring sun lulled her into a sleepy daze, her phone rang. She took a sip of tea and answered, “Hey, Senior, looking for me?”

“Just wanted to come hang out. It’s the weekend and I’m bored at home,” Zhou Yaxuan’s slightly coquettish tone didn’t sound odd to Yue Xi at all.

“Oh? Wanna come to my place and check out the photos?”

“Sure! I know the way. Just tell me which building and floor.”

“Same as last time, right in front of the main courtyard—Building 6, 11th floor.”

“Got it. See you in a bit,” Zhou Yaxuan chuckled and hung up.

Yue Xi scratched her head, thinking it might be more lively if Yi Luo came too, so she gave her a call.

“Hello…” Yi Luo answered lazily.

“Yo, still sleeping? The sun’s already shining on your butt,” Yue Xi teased. Yi Luo’s kitten-like soft voice was especially pleasant to hear.

“Ugh, stop teasing me…”

“Okay, okay. Senior Zhou’s coming over to look at the photos from yesterday. Wanna come?”

“I don’t…”

“Fine, fine. Sleep tight, Your Ladyship.” Yue Xi ended the call with a sigh and returned to her lounge chair.

Before long, Zhou Yaxuan arrived at Yuexi’s door, wearing a light spring outfit and carrying a small crossbody bag. Yuexi politely welcomed her in.

“You’re home alone?”

“My sisters went out. I was just sunbathing on the balcony.”

“You really know how to enjoy life—tea and all. You’re living the dream,” Zhou Yaxuan said as she changed into slippers and comfortably sat on the couch.

“Do you want tea or something else to drink?”

“Water’s fine. I’m not that thirsty.”

“Well, I’ll brew you a cup anyway.” Yue Xi went to the kitchen to boil water again.

“Sure. Thanks!” Zhou Yaxuan looked around the room curiously.

Yue Xi smiled. “No problem.”

“Can I take a look around?”

“Go ahead. Oh, just so you know—the room at the end is my sister’s. She’s out.”

Zhou Yaxuan picked up on the implied boundary. “Got it. I’ll just take a peek around.” She stepped into the study and covered her mouth in excitement. “Whoa, you have so many books—and all original editions! The complete set of Harry Potter, Twilight, Lord of the Rings, and Dan Brown novels… And so many CDs—I’m gonna faint.”

Yue Xi leaned on the doorframe and smiled. “They’re my sister’s. She loves reading these. I prefer Chinese novels myself.”

“How old’s your sister?”

“A few years older than me.”

“I’ll borrow some from her next time I come over. Now let’s look at those photos,” Zhou Yaxuan said excitedly.

“Sure, I’ll get another chair.”

Yue Xi turned on music on the computer and passed it to Zhou Yaxuan, then lay back down in her chair, occasionally sipping tea and humming—nearly lulling herself back to sleep.

Zhou Yaxuan looked through all the photos in the folder Yue Xi opened. Then, quietly, she closed it and clicked on another folder marked with a smiley face. Inside were all pictures of Yi Luo, including several selfies with Yuexi. Her hands trembled as she clicked through each one. Calming herself, she asked, “Yue Xi, can I copy a few photos? I think some of the scenery ones are really nice.”

“Mm,” Yue Xi nodded casually, thinking scenic shots were no big deal.

Zhou Yaxuan took out her USB drive. Seeing Yuexi resting with her eyes closed, she quickly copied both folders into her own. As she stared at the slow transfer bar, sweat started to bead in her palm, still tightly gripping the mouse.

Yue Xi was startled awake by a soft laugh. She rubbed her eyes and sat up. “This weather is too cozy—it’d be a crime not to nap in this sunshine.”

“Excuses, excuses. Careful you don’t catch a cold. I’ve gotta go—my mom said we have guests coming over.” Zhou Yaxuan waved her USB stick. “Thanks for the photos.”

“No problem. I barely talked to you and even fell asleep—how embarrassing.” Yue Xi scratched her head, looking apologetic.

“Then you owe me a visit next time,” Zhou Yaxuan said, rubbing her reddened cheeks—unclear if it was from nerves or the sun.

“Alright then. Take care, Senior.” Yue Xi walked her to the door, watching her step into the elevator before gently closing it.

After leaving the building, Zhou Yaxuan walked briskly out of the community, patted her chest, and then caught a taxi to an internet café. After chatting briefly with the front desk, they handed her a member card. She found her usual private cubicle and started playing a video.

A few days later, Zhou Yaxuan came to Yue Xi in a fluster, claiming she’d lost the USB stick on the bus ride home. She said she even checked the lost and found at the station, but no luck. Yuexi consoled her, saying, “Out with the old, in with the new. Don’t stress over it.”

These days, after school, Yue Xi often played basketball. Yi Luo usually went home with a few friends, and today was no different. Zhou Yaxuan said she wasn’t feeling well and went home early. Only Yuanzi stayed to train with Yue Xi. Still, Yuanzi kept giving her strange looks. Yue Xi didn’t think much of it and just carried on as usual.

A few more days passed. Yue Xi began to feel uneasy at school—as if eyes were always on her. Yi Luo didn’t seem to care and still held her hand to and from school. Yue Xi, being sensitive, noticed a few times that people were sneakily following her. Her unease grew. She couldn’t concentrate during basketball practice and kept wondering what had gone wrong.

Yuanzi noticed everything. She’d been trying to find the right moment to tell Yuexi about an anonymous post that had popped up on the school forum days ago. It had attracted a lot of attention, full of photos of Yuexi and Yiluo—many of them close-ups. Some people, eager for drama, had downloaded the images and spread them around with exaggerated commentary. Rumors about the nature of Yue Xi and Yi Luo’s relationship had caused a storm online. Some supported them, others hurled insults. Some even called Yue Xi a “stalker,” and a few self-righteous seniors vowed to “clean up the school atmosphere” and openly threatened to confront her.

Fortunately, Yue Xi and Yi Luo were often out walking around after class, so they hadn’t run into trouble yet. And since their classmates weren’t the meddling type, neither girl realized they were now at the center of a controversy. Yuanzi felt conflicted—she wasn’t that close to Yue Xi, and something like this was hard to bring up. But she thought Yue Xi was a decent, loyal person and didn’t deserve to be misunderstood like this. So, she sent a message to Zhou Yaxuan asking her to tell Yuexi.

Zhou Yaxuan saw the message and sneered. Yuanzi really thinks Yuexi’s her friend, huh? She hid her scorn behind a smile, quickly sent a few texts, then called Yuexi.

“Yue Xi, are you busy?” Her voice held a strange tone.

“Not really. I’m just practicing.”

“Oh, well… I wasn’t feeling well after school the other day and left in a rush. I forgot a workbook in class. Could you grab it for me? I’ll pick it up from you later.”

“Yuanzi’s here too. Want me to go with her?”

“Sure. She knows where I sit. Thanks a lot!”

“No problem.”

Still feeling uneasy, Yue Xi asked Yuanzi where Zhou Yaxuan lived. Hearing it was far from school but near her own place, she relaxed. It made sense to grab the book for her. So she slung on her backpack, grabbed her ball, and went with Yuanzi to the second-year classrooms. Most people had already left. The hallway was quiet.

Just then, Yuanzi’s phone buzzed. After reading a message, she led Yuexi into the classroom, pointed to Zhou Yaxuan’s seat, and told her to wait a moment—someone from the next class needed her for something. As she left, she gently shut the door behind her.

Yue Xi sat quietly, pulled out her phone, and started playing a game.

BANG! The classroom door suddenly slammed against the wall.

Yue Xi glanced up but didn’t care. She kept playing.

“Well, well, who’s this sitting in our classroom?” A tall, skinny boy in a dark blue tracksuit and a shaved head swaggered in.

“I’m waiting for someone,” Yue Xi replied coolly without looking up.

“Waiting? Looks more like you’re here to steal something.” He spat on the floor and stood in front of her.

“Have you seen a quiet thief before?” she replied calmly.

“I don’t care. I caught you red-handed. Hand over what’s in your bag.”

“Hah.” Yue Xi chuckled.

“What’re you laughing at? I’ve dealt with your type before.”

“Where? In jail?” she quipped, brushing her hair back.

“You—! Cut the crap. If you don’t hand over the goods, you’re not leaving this room.”

“Trying to play rough?” Yue Xi tucked away her phone and stood, stretching lazily.

“Big mouth, huh? Yo, Number Two, Number Three—show time.” The buzzcut guy had backup.

Two more boys appeared at the door—one chubby, one short.

Yue Xi let out a light laugh. “I was hoping to head home early. Let’s move—this room’s too small.”

“Trying to run?” The buzzcut boy blocked her path.

“Not at all.” Yue Xi slung on her backpack. “I’m just worried there won’t be room for all of you to lie down later.”

“Fine! Let’s settle this in the parking garage.”

“Lead the way.”

Just then, Yuanzi and another girl appeared at the doorway mid-conversation. Sensing the tension, Yuanzi yelled, “What the hell are you doing, Baldy?!”

Don’t let her round, adorable appearance fool you—Yuanzi was scary when she exploded.

“None of your business. This punk came to our class to steal something. I caught them red-handed.”

“Bullshit! I brought her here. She didn’t steal anything, you jerk!”

“Yuanzi, normally I’d show you some respect, but this brat’s asking for it. I need to teach ‘em a lesson.”

“You nutjob! She’s a girl!”

“…Huh?” Buzzcut froze. No one had told him this “thief” was female.

“You punks have a code, right? Even I know this—you don’t hit girls.” Yuanzi glared, panicking over how Yuexi got caught up with this unreasonable thug. Maybe she’d avoid trouble today, but who knew about tomorrow?

“Yeah, we don’t hit girls. But this one’s too cocky. If I don’t shut her up, I’ll lose my rep.” Buzzcut clenched his jaw.

“Yuanzi, it’s fine. Let’s go together. You can be the judge—make sure they don’t cheat.” Yue Xi was now curious—how did this guy show up at the classroom at just the right time? Accusing her of theft, demanding a beating… Well then, let’s see who gets taught a lesson.