The Gaze of the Radio Girl (GL) - Chapter 16

Xue Ran’s throat tightened, clearly feeling her own tension and anticipation.

Wu Lele praised me.

Does this mean…

A “clank” sounded as Wu Lele’s radio slipped from her knee, bouncing a few centimeters on the ground, stopping by a flower bed.

Xue Ran turned to see Wu Lele’s lashes lowered, breathing steady, mouth slightly open, clearly asleep.

“…”

“…Wu Lele!!!!”

“Get up!!!!”

Good grief, what was she expecting?

Xue Ran covered her face, branding herself “beast” again.

But could she be blamed?

Obviously not—it was Wu Lele’s fault for being so maddening.

“Oops, fell asleep…”

Seeing the radio, Wu Lele bent to grab it.

Still groggy, she misjudged the distance in the dark, stumbling forward.

Xue Ran quickly grabbed her waist, pulling her close.

Unclear if awake, Wu Lele turned the tables, clinging to Xue Ran.

“Hehehe.”

“…”

Xue Ran was annoyed, but what could she do? She hauled both girl and radio back to the room.

From the next day, the maddening Wu Lele fixated on Tao Tao.

She didn’t hide it—whenever Tao Tao appeared, her eyes practically glued to her.

It was obvious. Wu Lele used to be lazily indifferent in class, but now, for Tao Tao’s lessons, she listened intently.

“Getting Lele to this point is no small feat. You’ve done great.”

Old Tao, thinking Wu Lele had reformed, tearfully gripped Xue Ran’s hand, handing her *Dog-Head Detective Chronicles*: “After the exams, relax a bit.”

Leaving the teacher’s office, Xue Ran’s eyebrows twitched, unsure what went wrong.

Was her lie yesterday not convincing enough?

Mulling over her words, she saw Wu Lele on the opposite rooftop corridor.

Holding her radio, Wu Lele turned as someone called her. Hu Lei appeared.

Xue Ran recalled the boy who sent love letters.

The two talked. Too far to hear, Xue Ran saw Hu Lei lean closer, scratching his head shyly, handing Wu Lele a box.

Wu Lele shrank back, not taking it. But he was pushy, shoving it into her hands before running off.

Hu Lei’s attitude made Xue Ran grip her game cartridge tightly.

She’d meant to return to class but stopped short, redirecting to Wu Lele’s rooftop.

Rushing up the stairs, she was breathless. On the rooftop, Wu Lele had set Hu Lei’s box by her feet, still sending radio signals skyward.

Wu Lele had a habit—when transmitting, she always looked up, pure and focused, like daydreaming or gazing at a distant place.

Xue Ran’s agitation calmed. She felt she’d been too hasty, worrying she might become another Wu Haosen.

But she had some confidence. Wu Lele relied on her, trusted her, liked her. Maybe it was just sisterly closeness, not admiration or longing, but who’s to say it wouldn’t change someday?

Thinking this, Xue Ran stepped back from the doorway.

“Ran?”

Xue Ran turned. Wu Lele was looking at her: “Why’re you here?”

“…Class is starting. What are you doing?”

“Daily radio transmission. I’m coming down.”

Wu Lele grabbed the box, running toward Xue Ran, bringing a breeze and the familiar scent of body wash.

“What’s that?”

Descending the stairs, Xue Ran couldn’t help eyeing the box.

“No idea, Chocolate gave it.”

Chocolate?

Great, Hu Lei still had no name.

She won.

“Why’d he give you something?”

“No clue.”

“Didn’t he say anything?”

“He did, but also kinda didn’t.”

“…Not gonna open it?”

“I think I should return it. We’re not close—it’s weird.”

“You’re returning it without looking? That’s weirder. Chocolate might get hurt.”

“Oh…”

“Open it.”

Wu Lele sat on the steps, carefully peeling the gift wrap to preserve it, revealing a transparent box—a pricey new headset.

Underneath, a letter’s corner peeked out.

Wu Lele stared at the pale purple envelope, not daring to touch it.

Xue Ran: “What’s wrong?”

Wu Lele’s fingers trembled, asking: “Am I getting expelled again?”

In her past, receiving a boy’s letter equaled expulsion in her subconscious. Her fear made Xue Ran ache.

An innocent person punished for a treasure—Wu Lele did nothing wrong.

Thankfully, she met Tao Tao.

Xue Ran couldn’t imagine if Tao Tao hadn’t shown up, if Wu Lele had nowhere to study—what would her life be like?

Maybe she’d never leave home, caged by Wu Haosen like a pet, enduring endless abuse and manipulation.

Suddenly, Xue Ran could tolerate Wu Lele’s gazes at Tao Tao.

Tao Tao was a life-changer for Wu Lele.

She gave a wry smile, then took the letter for Wu Lele.

“Not gonna look?”

Wu Lele stayed silent, then said: “Ran, can you look for me?”

“It’s for you… Don’t worry, you won’t be expelled. Even without me or Tao Tao, the sports captain wouldn’t let that happen—she’d only torment Chocolate.”

Wu Lele’s eyes held worry, but she nodded: “Okay.”

Reluctant, but Xue Ran was satisfied.

The envelope and paper were carefully chosen, soft-colored with lively patterns.

Hard to believe Hu Lei picked it, harder to believe in this internet age, he chose the clumsiest method.

As expected, a love letter. Hu Lei’s writing was neat, saying after the exams, when they’re adults, she could decide then.

“Pretty mature…” Xue Ran propped her chin, eyeing Wu Lele’s profile.

Wu Lele’s face scrunched, like an old man on the subway squinting at his phone.

She said: “I’ll return it.”

“You don’t like it?”

“I… what’s liking, Ran?”

Xue Ran meant to probe, but the question caught her off guard.

What’s liking?

“Depends… on what kind.”

“There’s different kinds?”

“Yeah, like reliance on family, respect for teachers, trust and closeness with friends, and…”

“And?”

Xue Ran lowered her lashes, leaning closer to Wu Lele.

She thought of that almost-kiss, stopping three centimeters away.

Softly, she said: “And possession and desire for a lover.”

Through her lowered gaze, she saw Wu Lele’s hands clutching her pants.

She was clearly nervous.

Xue Ran stopped there, smiling as she pulled back.

Wu Lele’s scrunched face flushed, eyes watery, looking at her.

Xue Ran’s smile deepened.

“Grow up quick, Wu Lele.”

She pinched her cheeks hard, stood, and walked off.

She walked slowly. Before the bell, Wu Lele snapped out of it: “Ran, wait for me!”

Back in class, Wu Lele pulled an A5 sheet from her drawer, scribbled a few words, tucked it into the wrapping, and sealed it.

During dismissal, while the school team trained, she slipped it into Hu Lei’s drawer.

Xue Ran waited patiently by the door.

When Wu Lele, sneaking, finished and grabbed her hand, Xue Ran asked: “What’d you write?”

“Well…” Wu Lele paused, “I said I like someone.”

“Huh?”

Xue Ran froze—she’d never heard this.

“Who?”

The Deep Space Witch? Tao Tao? Or some unknown boy she’d never met?

Wu Lele glanced slyly: “Hehe, not telling.”

Wu Lele’s fears didn’t happen. Not only did Hu Lei not bother her, Hu Xin’s attitude warmed noticeably.

During break, with Wu Lele gone, Hu Xin asked Xue Ran: “Who does Deep Space Witch like? You’re close, you’d know, right?”

Xue Ran, helpless, shrugged: “No idea, she didn’t tell me.”

“Tch, so secretive.”

“You’re so curious, why not ask her?”

Truthfully, Xue Ran was curious too.

“No way… Hey, you trying to trick me into getting intel for you?”

Xue Ran stuck out her tongue, turned expressionlessly, and kept working.

Days flew by. By semester’s end, Wu Lele’s grades hit the year’s top ten.

Though her language was barely passing, Teacher Yao was moved to tears.

Before leaving school, Tao Tao called Wu Lele to the office.

Xue Ran didn’t know what they discussed—likely grades or Wu Haosen.

She worked on papers in class, waiting until dusk. Wu Lele returned with a stack of documents, looking like she was sleepwalking.

Was she scolded? But Tao Tao wouldn’t bear to scold her.

If not for living in the teacher’s dorm, Tao Tao would’ve taken her home.

Xue Ran approached: “What’s wrong?”

Wu Lele stared, her watery eyes ready to cry. She hugged Xue Ran.

“Tao Tao said I don’t need to take the college entrance exam.”

“…Why? Was it Hu Lei…”

“Nothing to do with him.”

“Then…”

“Tao Tao said my recommendation application passed.”

“Recommen…dation?”

Xue Ran’s ears buzzed.

She asked: “Why didn’t you mention this before?”

“It was last summer. Tao Tao had me fill out forms, do an interview. I thought my weak subjects meant no chance, but today she said I passed…”

Recalling Tao Tao asking her to watch Wu Lele, the returned Switch, and the early *Dog-Head Detective Chronicles*, Xue Ran understood.

Tao Tao had gone all out for Wu Lele.

Xue Ran couldn’t name her feelings.

She should be happy for Wu Lele, but seeing her own grades, feeling kept in the dark, she felt betrayed.

She gently pushed Wu Lele away: “Congrats. What’s next?”

“Peking University said I can audit next semester, then choose a major based on my interests.”

“Really? What’ll you pick?”

Xue Ran barely heard her own voice, asking mechanically.

“I want astronomy, but Tao Tao said to audit first, then decide, and look into dual degrees.”

“Yeah, that’s great…”

“Wanna come with me?”

“I…”

“Tao Tao said we can take leave.”

“I can too?”

“Of course! You’re the one going with me!”

Her distant voice returned, Wu Lele smiling sweetly, like she’d unearthed a golden treasure.

Xue Ran looked down: “Lele, know how many from our school get into Peking University yearly?”

Wu Lele shook her head.

“Less than twenty… I bombed this final, I…”

“Well, that’s my fault.”

“…Huh?”

“If you hadn’t spent time on me, how could you bomb? Don’t worry, I’ll take responsibility.”

“…”

“If you want, this time I’ll teach you.”

The last sunset glow faded, corridor lights spilling onto Wu Lele’s face, mingling with her breath’s mist, bright as day.