Mark Me, Okay? - Chapter 17

“What did you say?” Luan Li tightened her grip on the exam papers in her hand, her eyes wide as she stared fixedly at Qi Xiangxing. Her gaze was filled with confusion and disbelief, as if she hadn’t expected Qi Xiangxing to ask her so directly.

The courage Qi Xiangxing had mustered up instantly dissipated. She lowered her head, quickly gathered the scattered papers from the floor, snatched the remaining ones from Luan Li’s hand, then immediately stood up and returned to her classroom.

Luan Li slowly rose to her feet, suddenly enveloped in overwhelming joy—

Was this a confession? Qi Xiangxing had asked if she liked her… Was this a confession?

It must be! It must be!

“Chairperson…” Yan Jing, clutching a folder, couldn’t take her eyes off Luan Li. The latter turned her head, frowned at her, and said coolly, “Has Zeng Yu not come today?”

Zeng Yu was the other vice-chairperson of the student council, and he was usually the one who came to hand over work to Luan Li. But he had taken leave recently, so Yan Jing had been the one delivering the materials.

Luan Li was aware of Yan Jing’s little schemes but had never called her out on them.

Luan Li’s voice was calm, so devoid of emotion that Yan Jing couldn’t detect anything from it. But when she met Luan Li’s unreadable eyes, her legs instinctively weakened, and she whispered, “He’s here.”

“Since he’s back, you can focus on your own responsibilities.” Luan Li finished indifferently and turned to enter the classroom.

Yan Jing was both humiliated and furious, but there was nothing she could do. She could only glare resentfully at Qi Xiangxing, who was sitting in the classroom, before stomping away.

Du Ziheng, who had witnessed the entire scene, was utterly shocked: “…So? So the class monitor confessed? And then? Why did she leave without hearing the chairperson’s response???”

The equally bewildered P.E. rep chimed in: “After finally confessing, why didn’t she wait for an answer before running back?!”

“Class monitor, go for it!”

“Class monitor, trust me! The chairperson definitely likes you!”

Qi Xiangxing didn’t hear any of their encouragement. Clutching the stack of papers, she returned to her seat in a daze and slumped onto the desk, replaying her earlier actions in her mind.

She hadn’t dared to hear Luan Li’s answer. She was afraid of rejection, afraid that Luan Li would push her away.

—These newfound insecurities, which had never existed before, left Qi Xiangxing flustered and panicked, driving her to flee.

Did Luan Li really like her? Or was she just being considerate because they were childhood friends?

Qi Xiangxing thought of all the times Luan Li had covered for her, the times she’d smoothed things over, and she began to regret it.

At the very least… she should have waited to hear Luan Li’s answer before leaving.

“Class monitor…” Du Ziheng called out cautiously.

Qi Xiangxing kept her head down, silent. Her mind was in turmoil.

Du Ziheng wanted to say more, but the bell for class rang. He opened his mouth but ultimately didn’t ask.

To everyone’s surprise, Qi Xiangxing suddenly sat up straight, her eyes bright and alert—a stark contrast to her listless demeanor over the past few days—startling Qin Qing, who had just entered the room.

Qin Qing: ???

Did she overdose on energy drinks or something?

As soon as class ended, the previously energetic Qi Xiangxing collapsed onto her desk again.

Standing by the back door, Luan Li spotted her despondent figure from afar. Her presence didn’t faze the students from Class 4, who even asked, “Should I call our class monitor for you?”

Luan Li gazed steadily at Qi Xiangxing and said softly, “No need. She hasn’t been sleeping well lately—let her rest.”

When she turned her head, the students from Class Four looked excited, but when they turned back, their expressions became serious again.

“Do you have any message for me to pass along?”

After a moment’s thought, Luan Li shook her head gently. “I’d rather tell her myself.”

After all, accepting a confession should be done face-to-face.

“You’re back so early?” Qi’s mother looked surprised when Qi Xiangxing pushed her electric bike into the yard. She instinctively glanced behind Qi but didn’t see Luan Li.

Her surprise grew. “Didn’t you come back with Lili?”

Qi Xiangxing kept her head down without speaking, her hair falling obediently over her shoulders. After parking her bike, she approached her mother and asked quietly:

“Mom, is that arranged marriage between me and Luan Li for real?”

This was the first time Qi’s mother had seen her daughter so dejected, and her heart ached. “Xingxing, that was just a joke between us adults. This isn’t feudal times—we’re not actually trying to pair you two up.”

Seeing Qi Xiangxing’s spirits sink even lower, she added, “Of course, if you really like someone, your father and I will support you. We adore Lili, but not to the point of insisting she must become our daughter-in-law.”

Qi Xiangxing muttered under her breath, “But I want her to be.”

Her mother didn’t catch it. “What was that?”

Qi Xiangxing looked up with a bright smile. “Nothing, Mom. I’m going to study now.”

“This child!” Qi’s mother chuckled helplessly. Still, if Xingxing had truly found someone she liked, they would absolutely support her as parents.

But…

Remembering how Luan Li looked at Qi Xiangxing, Qi’s mother wondered—had she been mistaken? Didn’t Lili have feelings for their Xingxing?

Qi Xiangxing felt utterly conflicted. Part of her wanted to know Luan Li’s true feelings, yet another part lacked the courage to hear them.

What if the answer was the complete opposite of what she hoped for?

She clenched her fists, biting her lip hard.

Things were starting to go wrong.

First, she couldn’t control her pheromones—the room filled with the rich scent of milk. Then came the mental confusion. She picked up her phone to call Luan Li but forcibly suppressed the impulse.

No. She hasn’t responded to you yet.

But Luan Li… why aren’t you coming to find me?

The moment school ended, Luan Li rushed to Class Four’s door, only to see Qi Xiangxing dart past with her backpack, speeding off on her electric bike from the parking shed. Luan Li chased after her for a while but couldn’t catch up.

“Qi Xiangxing!”

She stopped, hands on her knees as she gasped for breath, finally realizing—Qi Xiangxing was avoiding her.

Straightening up, she stared at Qi Xiangxing’s nearly vanished figure with deep eyes, sighed heavily, and turned back toward the school building.

There was still a student council meeting today. She should probably cancel it.

“Xingxing? Where are you going again?” Qi’s mother was watching TV in the living room when she saw Qi Xiangxing, her face flushed, rush downstairs and head straight for the door.

Qi Xiangxing replied absently, “Just going out to buy a notebook.”

“Alright, hey—why is your face so red—”

Qi Xiangxing said, “It’s too hot!”

She needed to go to the hospital, to get suppressants.

She didn’t want to rely solely on Luan Li.

But she still liked Lili so much.

What should she do?