Sweet Kiss - Chapter 11

Two years ago.

“Are you stupid?” Bai Tingzhou lightly tapped Li Yansui’s head with his pen. Although he was scolding her, he was smiling brightly.
“Do you think this data is real?”

He pointed at a column on the lab report on the desk, looking at her in disbelief. This was the first time he had seen such numbers.

Their chemistry teacher was a white-bearded foreigner who had been teaching at Shengzhe for almost twenty years. If he saw this report, he might faint on the spot.

Li Yansui glanced at the numbers and suddenly felt guilty. She touched her nose and peeked at Bai Tingzhou.
“Maybe it’s real…?”

Seeing her reaction, Bai Tingzhou didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Every piece of data is important in an experiment. If something is calculated wrong or filled in randomly, it could ruin all the work they had done before. It could even stop the experiment from moving forward.

He scratched his head and said helplessly, “From now on, just do what I say.”

Li Yansui nodded obediently. She didn’t deny it—she really didn’t know how to do this experiment.

Since she was little, her dream was to be a model. Her aunt had always supported her, spending lots of money and effort on her. Starting as a child model, Li Yansui had already appeared in countless famous magazines from middle school to high school.

Every time after a photo shoot, photographers would praise her. She looked good, posed well, and had her own style. Photographers from both China and abroad liked her a lot.

Her photos went viral online, and she became a fashion icon for many girls.

So, even though she had just entered Shengzhe International School, her name was already well-known.

Even though she was busy with modeling, her studies didn’t fall behind—except for hands-on experiments.

But unfortunately, Shengzhe really focused on practical skills. Their chemistry teacher was strict with lab reports. Even the smallest mistake was not allowed.

Also, the school had a rule: everyone had to finish their own lab report to pass the final exam.

To stop students from copying or faking data, each group had a different experiment topic.

This protected every student’s work and effort.

The two of them stayed in the lab all night. They worked hard and finally finished the report right before the deadline. Luckily, tomorrow was Saturday, so they could sleep all day. Li Yansui stretched and thought about that happily.

During the experiment, most of the work was done by Li Yansui herself, but Bai Tingzhou stayed by her side, patiently guiding her and explaining the theories.

As she wiped the lab table, she asked, “Don’t you find this annoying?”

Bai Tingzhou, organizing the papers nearby, glanced at her and asked, “Why would I?”

Li Yansui shrugged. “I just think you don’t have to teach me all this. I’m not a science person. I could just help you from the side.” She didn’t sound too happy today—her voice was a bit cold.

Bai Tingzhou paused, looked at her, then continued his work. “Are you angry about something again?”

Li Yansui stayed silent, frowning.

When Bai Tingzhou looked up and saw her expression, he knew she was upset again.
“Is it about what happened two days ago?”

He knew something was bothering her, but she wouldn’t tell him, so he had been trying to figure it out on his own.

Li Yansui didn’t answer. She lowered her head and picked up a report to keep reading.

They were both lost in their own thoughts.

After a while, Bai Tingzhou asked, “Want to go home with me today?”

Recently, because of her growing modeling work, Li Yansui didn’t always go home with him.

She nodded.

Bai Tingzhou put down the report, opened a bottle of water, and handed it to her.
“Take a break. We’ve done most of it.”

She took a few sips. “Then let’s go.”

“Mm.”

They took off their lab coats, changed their shoes, grabbed their things, and left the lab together.

The morning air was fresh and the breeze felt good. Both of them felt more relaxed.

“What’s wrong with you lately? Did something happen?” Bai Tingzhou asked, looking at her.

“I’m fine. Just tired. Been busy.” She tried to sound tough.

He didn’t say anything more.

Li Yansui slowed her steps, walking behind him. Looking at his tall figure, she bit her lip slightly.

She had been holding in her feelings these days, but she didn’t know how to talk to him about them.

So even when he walked her home, she said nothing.

Both of them returned to their homes with thoughts in their hearts.

Bai Tingzhou watched her go inside before walking away.

At home, his mother greeted him for breakfast. He barely ate and went upstairs to sleep.

His parents looked at each other and sighed. They knew their son had things on his mind but didn’t want to talk. He had grown up.

Bai Tingzhou fell asleep quickly and didn’t wake up until evening.

By the time he got up, it was past 7 o’clock and his stomach was growling.

He washed up and went downstairs.

His mom was in the kitchen cooking. She wanted to make something nice for her son since he had been so tired lately.

She turned and saw him.

“You’re awake? Go call your dad for dinner,” she said.

“Got it, Mom,” he replied with a smile.

Soon, father and son came down together.

“Thanks to you, I can finally eat your mom’s cooking again,” his dad joked.

“I haven’t had Mom’s cooking in a long time either. I’m really lucky tonight,” Bai Tingzhou grinned.

His mom gave him a look. “When did I ever say no if you wanted to eat?”

They all laughed and ate happily. The mood at dinner was warm and light.

Afterward, Bai Tingzhou helped his dad with the dishes.

His dad suddenly asked, “Have you thought about what you want to do in the future?”

Unlike other fathers, he didn’t force his son to take over the family business, though deep down, he hoped he would.

Bai Tingzhou paused, then replied, “I want to study finance and design.”

He understood what his father meant.

Even if his parents said they wouldn’t pressure him, he knew they hoped he’d take responsibility. And he didn’t want to let others take over what his parents had built either. Plus, he did have some interest in business.

His father nodded. “Good. Whatever you choose, I’ll support you.”

Bai Tingzhou smiled. “You better think about how to explain to Mom that you—”

Before he could finish, his dad coughed and signaled for him to stop. “Shh! That’s a secret between men. Don’t let your mom find out!”

They laughed quietly.

Just then, his mom walked over, suspicious. “What are you two whispering about?”

Bai Tingzhou quickly escaped to his room, giving his dad a “good luck” look.

Back in his room, he saw a new email. His expression changed as he read it.

After reading, he grabbed his keys and headed out.

“Zhouzhou, where are you going this late? ”His mom called from the stairs.

“Just going for a walk. I’ve been sleeping too long,” he said. “Good night, Mom.”

Then he left.

…

The quiet villa neighborhood was peaceful at night.

Walking alone, Bai Tingzhou thought about the email.

It explained why Li Yansui had been so down.

People say a gun can kill a person, but what really kills someone inside is public opinion.

Cruel rumors can destroy someone’s heart.

The email said that because of her modeling, many people at school noticed her. But they weren’t interested in her as a person—they just wanted some fun in their boring lives.

Some rich kids even looked into her background. It wasn’t hard for them.

Soon, both boys and girls were gossiping about her.

Li Yansui never explained or defended herself.

She once said, “No one will believe me anyway.” But one phrase from the school forum stuck with her:

“She’s cursed. Anyone close to her will have bad luck.”

It sounded stupid and superstitious. But for someone who grew up without parents, it hurt deeply.

Bai Tingzhou buried his face in his coat and walked to her house. He called her once he found a quiet spot nearby. The phone rang a long time before she picked up.

“What is it? ” she asked.

“Suisui,” he softly called her nickname. The quiet night made his voice sound especially clear.

Her heart skipped a beat.

“What do you want?” she asked.

He paused. Then he gently said, “I’m downstairs at your house.”

She froze. “You’re where? ”

“Outside your door,” he repeated.

She rushed to the window, pulled open the curtains, and saw him standing there. Her heart beat wildly. She quickly ran downstairs, opened the door, and ran to him.

“It’s cold out here. You better have something important to say! ” she warned, hugging her arms in her thin sleepwear. Even though it was summer, her heart was pounding fast. She still spoke sharply.

“Suisui,” Bai Tingzhou looked at her with a sour feeling in his chest. He reached out and gently touched her head.

She was freezing and had no more patience. “If you don’t speak now, I’m going to—”

Before she could finish, he wrapped her in his coat and pulled the hood over her head.

Her muffled voice came from under the coat, “What are you doing?”

Though she said she was going back in, she stayed right there, curled up in the warmth.

Bai Tingzhou smiled, wrapping her tightly in the coat. A strong wind messed up his hair.

He looked down at her, smiling even more. A shooting star suddenly crossed the sky.

As she looked up, he raised his head too. And in that shining moment, Bai Tingzhou softly said:

“Suisui, I like you.”