Chapter 2 Substitute Girlfriend

  "In the 'Tea Enthusiast's Voice and Color', the cold air was piercing, and everyone in the house was frozen. Please remember the URL of this station: Guanhua Home Network. Ji Dong suddenly stretched out his hand to break the deadlock, his face filled with heartache, his voice had a kind of awkward gentleness: 'Mimi, does it hurt? I didn't know you...' He unscrupulously touched my slightly red cheek."

  I quickly took a step back and smiled awkwardly: "It's okay, I'm fine." When faced with strength, I become strong too; when met with weakness, I don't yield - that's my principle.

  The milk tea boy walked through the crowd and stood in front of me, his piercing eyes staring at me. I also stared back at him with wide eyes, half frightened and half admiring: how can a boy be so good-looking? If he were in Thailand, he wouldn't need plastic surgery to become a kathoey! I've heard that when facing the opposite sex, it's best not to stare for more than 3 seconds, but it seemed like my body was beyond control. Ruoxi pinched my arm from the side, and I immediately withdrew my gaze to look at my toes.

  "We're leaving." He finally turned around and spoke, his voice low and hoarse, as if he had a slight cold. Then he led the group out of the door, and from start to finish I just kept my head down, soothing my pounding heart.

  Those people look like they're not easy to mess with, if it wasn't for my deep friendship with Ji Dong, how would I have let them off so easily? Hopefully I won't run into them again. I lightly touched the side of my face, thinking anxiously.

  Cleaned up the last remaining mess, closed the shop door. Outside, the sky had already darkened, and the streetlights twinkled like stars, casting a gentle glow on us. I waved goodbye to Ruo Xi and headed towards the dormitory.

  Early summer night, the gentle breeze blows on my face, bringing a slight pain, and even after applying ice, the swelling hasn't gone down. I still enjoy tilting my head back, taking a deep breath, with all the stars in the sky within sight.

  "Wow!" This natural scenery is really breathtaking, and it instantly lifts my mood from cloudy to sunny. Tomorrow will definitely be a great day!

  Under the dim streetlight beside the girls' dormitory building, a figure stood quietly. As I approached, the figure spoke: "Mimi!" He walked up to me with his head hung low, his tall shadow covering me - it was Ji Dong. After taking a shower, his body gave off a subtle and pleasant scent of soap. I smiled at him, but the pain from my torn skin made me gasp for air; apparently this pain would only grow worse over time.

  I didn't dare show any expression again, and spoke cautiously: "What are you doing here? They said I was fine, hurry back."

  "Don't worry, I've brought you medicine. Even if you don't get better, I'll still marry you!" He said firmly, a hint of red rising to his face, his fists clenched in front of his chest, "I've grown up, it's time for me to protect you now!"

  I couldn't help but burst out laughing, and Little Winter Melon still had the shadow of his childhood. Even though he got tattoos on his arms, even though he would fight like a hoodlum, even though in other people's eyes he was someone you didn't want to mess with, in my heart I was more certain that he was still the same little boy from before, very timid, hiding behind me, but when he saw the wound on my face, he gently stroked it and said with sparkling eyes that when he grew up, he would definitely protect me and not let anyone bully me again.

  The little boy who left my side has really grown into a strong young man, and I am no longer the little girl I used to be. We have both changed, becoming completely different versions of ourselves. Meeting again makes me feel like our souls have been swapped. I'm the good girl in people's eyes, while he's a rebellious boy, but deep down, we still live with our former selves.

  "What's so funny, you idiot!"

  "Winter melon, you're really cute!" My face hurts from smiling, but I still can't help covering my mouth and laughing.

  "Are you an idiot? What are you saying, that men are lovely!" He grabbed my arm and pulled me into his embrace, I stumbled and fell into a wide chest, hearing the young heartbeat pounding strongly. My heart was startled, and I struggled in panic, but he was too strong, and I couldn't break free no matter what. In desperation, I bit down hard on his shoulder, and he finally let go of me in pain.

  "From now on, you're not allowed to do this again. Otherwise, I'll never speak to you again!" I glared at him fiercely, and he stood there stupidly, neither shaking nor nodding his head.

  "It's okay, let's go back." The dormitory manager was about to check the room, I lifted my foot to leave, but he blocked me like a wall, his low voice trembling, "Mimi, don't you like me?"

  "I like... the kind of liking between good friends!" To be honest, it might hurt him, but I knew this had to be made clear. After all, Ji Dong was no longer the little boy he used to be. His strength was astonishing, and my arm was still slightly red from where he had grabbed me. I looked at his eyes with some reluctance, which were turbulent inside. "Thanks for the medicine!" I said, then walked past him.

  Winter melon, I'm sorry. I silently said in my heart.

  ??***

  The sun sets in the west, and I see Xiaoran and a tall boy standing together talking in the corridor of the classroom. It's been several days since I've stayed behind to keep an eye on things, so I've been squatting here all along. Just as I was considering whether or not to interrupt, taking advantage of the silent gap, I finally walked up and softly called out to Xiaoran.

  She didn't make sense to me, but suddenly she started yelling at the top of her lungs: "Explain yourself, why did you suddenly say you want to break up? Weren't things fine just yesterday? I even went to that milk tea shop for you..."

  The sound suddenly stopped, her beautiful face was covered with tears, both hands grasped the boy's hand, desperately trying to hold on, "I don't understand... I don't understand... why? Don't... I don't want to break up!"

  "Whatever." The boy's voice was cold and emotionless as he turned his back on me, like a bystander.

  "I don't believe it, there must be another reason, is it... you have someone else?"

  "Hmph, you can understand it that way if you want." He let out a cold laugh.

  "Who is that person...?" Xiaoran's voice was still trembling, but suddenly her eyes gleamed with a fierce light.

  I can feel it, Xiao Ruan really likes that boy. The first time I saw Xiao Ruan's beautiful face cry, as a girl, my heart couldn't bear it. Is there something wrong with that boy's eyes? He doesn't want such a beautiful girl and instead finds someone else?!

  After school, in the dimly lit corridor of the classroom, there were only three of us. The boy suddenly turned his head and saw me standing there, stunned. I was thinking of explaining that it wasn't intentional eavesdropping, but when he turned around with a sly smile on his handsome face, I couldn't say anything. This guy is actually the milk tea boy from yesterday!!!!!

  The milk tea guy turned around, gently pulled me who was standing behind him, and naturally put his other hand on my shoulder. With a slight force, he wrapped me in his arms. I felt a blank mind, is my peach blossom luck too strong recently?! Just as I wanted to struggle, the gentle breath on my face stopped my movement. He lowered his voice and said: "If you don't want your friend to be in danger, it's best to listen obediently."

  What a demon! I secretly took a deep breath, knowing that this matter wouldn't end so simply. I was thinking about how to deal with Ruoxi? Frowning tightly, Ruoxi's radiant smile flashed in my mind, even though our family is struggling, she remains optimistic, my only good friend for the past seven years, I must protect her well! But deceiving Xiao Ran isn't good either... Can only explain to her afterwards, let's hold back for now.

  Ideas struggled for half a day, biting tightly on the lips, head lowered to find a hole to drill into. Didn't dare look at Xiaoran's eyes, but could feel lightning-like gaze that seemed to pierce through me.

  "Class... president? Haha! I don't believe it, you'd abandon me and find someone like this?" Xiaoran's eyes were filled with sparkling tears, her mouth curled into a scornful cold smile. It was understandable that Xiaoran felt this way at the moment, these words made my heart feel extremely uncomfortable, but I could only endure it, for Rouxi... Still lowering my head, not making a sound, silently apologizing ten million times in my heart.

  "Hmm." The milk tea guy suddenly tightened his grip on my arm, turning me to face him. His eyes sparkled with a sly smile, and I lost myself again, staring blankly at his face as it grew larger before my eyes...

  Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of Xiao Ran's heartbreaking gaze, and my eyebrows furrowed. With a "slap", I pulled back my hand and slapped my own swollen cheek, snapping myself out of it, and also startling the two slightly surprised faces. I gritted my teeth in pain, no longer caring about anything else, and squatted down to cover my face, gasping for air.

  "You really love to abuse yourself." The milk tea guy pulled me up from the ground and said to Xiao Ran, "Li Xiaoran, you understand, it's like this." Then he dragged and pulled me away, unaware that I had a million unwilling thoughts in my heart.

  He dragged her onto the main road, she struggled free from his hand, rubbed her wrist and glared at that icy face.

  "Hey, milk tea guy! I don't owe you anything now, so stop bothering Ruo Xi!"

  "Zhang Jiu Yu, that's my name." He looked at me with a smile, his tone light, "Unless you pretend to be my girlfriend for a week, I can consider letting her off."

  Under the sunset, his brown hair shone with a golden glow, his face hidden in the dark behind the sunlight, looked incredibly mysterious, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, but his eyes were icy and colorless, his hands inserted into the pockets of his pure black jeans. As if suddenly inspired, he had an air of nonchalance all over his face, looking at me with a playful smile.

  "Can't stand those girls, even the school belle is the same, so boring." A cold voice, "You're still somewhat to my taste, just right for passing the time."

  Devil! He's purely a big devil! What a pity, with such a good-looking face, he has an extremely bad temper, cold-blooded and ruthless to the end. His thick skin is unmatched. I've finally seen the U-ge (brother) who is always obedient to Ji Dong.

  "What if I say no!" She raised her head stubbornly, meeting his piercing gaze.

  "What's the consequence of offending me, do you want to experience it personally?" A lazy voice, with a slanted glance at me, "Is that milk tea shop not afraid I'll find someone to tear it down?"

  I don't doubt the truth of his words. On the day of the accident, there was a large group of vicious thugs standing behind him. If he had given an order at that time, I'm afraid the milk tea house would have been demolished and I wouldn't be standing here safely now. Since we can't afford to offend him, let's compromise for now. In short, don't make any more explicit moves in the future or you'll be targeted by him.

  "Are you guaranteeing that you won't cause any more trouble for Ruoxi and the Milk Tea House?" For the first time, being threatened didn't feel very good. He clenched his fists tightly and looked straight into his eyes, nodding with a smile that was actually icy cold.

  "Alright, I agree. In just one week, we'll be completely done with each other!"

  The milk tea boy furrowed his brow and sank into thought for a moment, then said fiercely: "Alright, but... if I ever hear the name 'milk tea boy' again, you're dead!" As he spoke, he clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking loudly. His eyes were sharp and piercing, and I didn't dare relax, nodding slowly in response.

  "Go." He no longer held my hand, giving a faint command.

  Reluctantly following him, the air was filled with silent factors. The sharp and spirited me from before was gone, troubled by the compromising voice in my heart, and I had to face the fact that I no longer had the courage of my youth.

  I've been a good student, a well-behaved girl for three years. My life was as calm as the surface of the sea, but from this moment on, a typhoon swept in, stirring up layer upon layer of turbulent waves. I'm like a lonely boat tossing about on the crest of the waves. In my heart, there's a faint voice saying: "I've been hidden for long enough, let me out now..."

  Since the first year of junior high school, a gentle and beautiful language teacher appeared in my life, I thoroughly experienced the transformation from a girl who didn't take her studies seriously to a clever good student. She was the only one at that time who did not abandon me, such a hopeless case. That was also the first time I remembered a teacher's surname - Yang. She was tenacious and unshakeable, with a strong heart, just like a small white poplar in the desert, deeply rooted in my heart.

  You demon! As long as you don't harm the people I love, no matter what you want to do with me, I'll accept it!