Stop Chasing the School Belle, My Shy Deskmate is Sweet and Soft - Chapter 59

Seeing Xia Tian’s surprised expression, Xu Yuan felt a sense of satisfaction inside.

Hmph! I knew you’d reject me, but since I already said I bought the tickets, you can’t possibly turn me down now, can you?

“Yep, I already bought them, so let’s go together after school tomorrow.”

“Uh, no thanks. I’ve never been heartbroken, so I’m not really interested in a place like that. If you’re really looking for someone to go with, you could give the ticket to Left Protector. He seems pretty eager to go.”

As he spoke, Xia Tian glanced at Ma Dongguai.

That guy had been spamming everyone, asking for likes on QQ so he could collect 99 likes and get a free ticket to the museum.

“I’m not going with him! Besides, how can you say you’ve never been heartbroken? Didn’t I reject you before? Doesn’t that count as heartbreak?”

“That doesn’t count.”

“Xia Tian, you…!!!”

Xu Yuan stomped her foot in frustration. “Xia Tian! For the past month, I’ve been going out of my way to be nice to you, but you reject me every time. Are you really that dense? Can’t you see what I’m trying to do?”

“I know exactly what you’re trying to do, but I’m just not interested.”

Xia Tian folded his arms and leaned back in his chair, smirking playfully.

“You! You used to be so different from this. You’ve changed so much that I barely recognize you!”

“Different? It’s good that I’m different!”

No matter what Xu Yuan said, Xia Tian retorted without hesitation, showing no mercy.

“Fine! Don’t come! You’re going to regret this, you know that?”

With her lips trembling and her eyes growing misty, Xu Yuan fought back her emotions, wearing a proud expression to save face. She flipped her ponytail dramatically and stormed off.

Watching her retreating figure, Xia Tian chuckled softly before returning to his notebook to continue his studies.

Tsk, I originally assumed the main audience for the Heartbreak Museum would be university students. Who would’ve thought that even high schoolers would be so interested?

Looks like I’ll be making money off my own classmates…

Xia Tian smirked to himself. There’s no way I can let it slip that I’m the owner of the Heartbreak Museum. Otherwise, it’ll be a nightmare dealing with my classmates.

Meanwhile, beside him, Ye Ningyu sat quietly, her face tucked into the collar of her uniform as she continued working on her assignments.

Every time Ye Ningyu overheard Xia Tian’s sharp remarks to Xu Yuan, her pen would momentarily halt.

Xia Tian’s cold and indifferent attitude was something she had never experienced before.

Over the past month, all she had felt from Xia Tian was warmth and care.

Thinking about this, Ye Ningyu’s heart felt warm.

Because it seemed that Xia Tian’s gentleness was reserved just for her.

Little Ye lightly tapped Xia Tian’s arm with her pen, a rare move for her in public. She even revealed her face at school, something she seldom did.

“X-Xia Tian, why did you lie to the class monitor just now? Aren’t we going to the Heartbreak Museum tomorrow too?”

“That’s adult business, kid. Focus on your studies.”

“Oh… okay.”

—

After evening self-study, Xia Tian walked Ye Ningyu home, just like he always did.

As he watched her walk slightly ahead of him, Xia Tian couldn’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia wash over him.

It had already been a month since his rebirth, and his relationship with Little Ye had deepened far beyond what it once was.

She wasn’t as introverted anymore. Whenever they were alone in the classroom, she would even initiate conversations.

As they neared the intersection by her apartment complex, Xia Tian stopped, as had become their habit.

“Alright, head home now. If I run into any tough science questions tonight, I’ll shoot you a message on QQ.”

“Okay…”

Ye Ningyu nodded but didn’t leave immediately. She stood there, fidgeting nervously.

Xia Tian raised an eyebrow. “What is it? Do you have something else you want to say?”

“Mm… I-I was wondering, can I take a photo with you?”

Gathering all her courage, Ye Ningyu looked up and met Xia Tian’s eyes.

This sudden request caught Xia Tian off guard.

Little Ye actually asked me to take a picture with her?

“A photo?”

“Mm!”

Seeing Xia Tian’s bewildered expression, Ye Ningyu’s face flushed red.

Her ears turned crimson as she quickly tried to explain in a flustered voice.

“D-don’t misunderstand! I’ve already taken pictures with some of our other classmates, just to have as memories… And I thought we’re good deskmates, so we should have one too, right?”

“Oh, I see. Sure, that’s fine,” Xia Tian said, pretending to have an “aha” moment, though he wasn’t fooled by her excuse.

She’s really bad at lying.

The way she stammered through her sentence made it obvious, and her dodging gaze practically screamed, “I’m lying.”

Without another word, Ye Ningyu clumsily pulled out Xia Tian’s phone—the one he had “lent” her—from her backpack.

Xia Tian took the phone and moved closer to her.

But as he did so, Ye Ningyu instinctively took two steps back, embarrassed.

“Don’t back away—how are we supposed to take a picture if you stand so far away?”

“Oh, right… sorry.”

Pouting, Ye Ningyu mustered up her courage and stepped back toward Xia Tian.

Satisfied, Xia Tian held up the phone and snapped a selfie.

The quality of phone cameras in 2013 wasn’t great, but under the soft moonlight, the boy and girl in the photo still looked strikingly beautiful.

—

“Lan, Ningyu’s high school entrance exams are less than two months away. With her grades, she’s bound to win the scholarship from the school and the government.”

“And once that happens, you’ll finally have enough hope to treat this illness of yours!”

Wang Meiru was a neighbor of Ye Ningyu’s family, living in the same old apartment complex.

Among the residents, she was the closest to Chen Lan, often bringing over food for Chen Lan and Ningyu out of sympathy for their situation.

Whenever she had free time, she would also keep Chen Lan company, chatting to help her pass the time and cheer her up.

“Meiru, thank you for keeping me company again tonight.”

“Come on, Lan, what’s with the thanks? We’re like sisters! As the young folks say nowadays, we’re besties!”

“Yes, haha.”

Chen Lan smiled warmly.

She glanced at the clock on the wall. “Little Yu should be home soon.”

“Mm-hmm. I should head back too. I’ll stop by again another time.”

Wang Meiru stood up to leave.

Just as she took a step, Chen Lan called her back.

“Meiru, wait a moment…”

“What is it, Lan?”

Chen Lan hesitated for a moment, then reached under her pillow and pulled out some money, holding it out to Wang Meiru.

“Um, Little Yu’s birthday is at the end of the month, and I’m not well enough to go out. I was hoping you could help me buy her a birthday present. She’ll be turning 18 this year, so I can’t just let her birthday pass without giving her something special.

To be honest, I feel like a terrible mother. I can’t even cook a meal for my daughter on her 18th birthday.”

“Oh? Ningyu’s birthday is coming up? I didn’t even realize! I’m such a scatterbrain…”

Wang Meiru tapped her head in frustration, looking regretful.

“Don’t worry about it, Lan. I’ll take care of everything. Ningyu’s turning 18, and as her aunt, I can’t be stingy! You keep the money—I’ll buy her the gift myself this time.”

“No, that won’t do. You’ve already helped Little Yu and me so much. You really should take this money.”

“Lan, listen to me. After Ningyu’s exams, when your health improves, I’m expecting you and Ningyu to treat me to a big, fancy dinner—five-star restaurant, no less! Keep the money. I’ll handle the birthday gift.”

Wang Meiru took a few steps back, refusing to accept the money, fearing that Chen Lan might try to force it on her.

“So, what do you want me to buy Ningyu for her birthday?”

“Well… maybe a dress. Little Yu used to love dresses when she was little, but I haven’t bought her a new one in years.”

“Got it. You give her the dress, and I’ll find something else for her birthday. Alright, I’m off. Make sure to rest up, okay? Don’t overexert yourself.”

After Wang Meiru left, Chen Lan sighed, feeling a little lost in her thoughts.

Soon, the sound of the front door opening snapped her back to reality.

Chen Lan quickly hid her sadness and put on a smile.

“Little Yu, you’re home. Was studying at school tiring today?”