Chapter 27: Concealing One's True Self

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  At the end of June, the final exam's last subject ended with a whistle. I handed in my test paper and Teacher Bai said to me while organizing the papers: "Wait for a moment before you leave." I nodded and went back to my seat to wait for her to finish.

  Teacher Bai walked over with a stack of test papers, and I stood up to cooperate. She looked troubled and said: "Mimi, after the sophomore class split, I may not be your teacher anymore. However, the punishment we discussed last time is still necessary. Unless... how about this? Tomorrow is the start of summer break, and the day after tomorrow, you'll be in charge of patrolling the teaching building at night for a week. What do you think?"

  Li Xiaoran is still using various methods to make me uncomfortable, and Teacher Bai must have been forced to punish me again. It seems that this task was also Li Xiaoran's idea. Ever since the gathering at Juyou's house last time, she has had a resentful expression every time she sees me. Unfortunately, we are classmates, and it's hard to avoid her. During the summer night patrol, is she going to take advantage of my being alone to beat me up?

  I smiled and nodded: "Okay, I know."

  Teacher Bai patted my shoulder lightly and, seeing that I wasn't upset, also smiled: "You're really a good kid, the teacher didn't misjudge you! Just take a casual look around during your patrol, and if you're scared at night, you can find Liu Jianwei in the duty room to accompany you. I'll go talk to him later. This week, the teaching building's caretaker just so happens to be on leave too. As for you, mainly just take care of checking the supplementary classroom, locking the door is fine."

  "Ah, okay, thank you teacher!"

  After bidding farewell to Teacher Bai, I walked alone in the empty campus. The sunset was like a fire, and the evening glow filled the sky. The sultry summer breeze blew through my hair. It was the first summer vacation of high school, but while I was looking forward to it, there were still piles and piles of homework that needed to be completed, and seven precious summer nights had to be sacrificed.

  "Hey, hey! Over here!" A familiar female voice echoed from afar. Yu Xi, dressed in a more mature style, stood under the pagoda tree waving at me. Beside her was Ji Dong, with an expressionless face. He had handed in his exam halfway through and left, apparently to find Yu Xi at "Tea Enchantment". I slightly curled up my lips and walked quickly towards them.

  "Ruo Xi! Dong Gua! Is the sun rising from the west today? Are you guys waiting for me after school?"

  "Let's all go celebrate together today, tomorrow we're all free!" The milk tea shop where Ruoxi works seems to be entirely for the school, and she enjoys the relaxing summer vacation just like us students.

  "Where are you going? I think it's better if I don't go, you guys go ahead! Last time we went to Yu's house and came back too late, my parents were suspicious."

  It's been a while since I've seen him, I've been busy preparing for the exam. He seems to know that I'm busy studying and hasn't contacted me again. The change in his attitude that night, the more I think about it, the more it feels like an illusion. Since being "together" with him, there have been too many illusions, it's hard to distinguish reality from fantasy.

  "Let's go to their house, it's very close, just the four of us! We'll go buy some dinner, do you know what they usually eat? Every day is fast food, two big men who can't even cook rice! Tonight let them have a good meal! You'd better not think about escaping, buddy!" Xiqi winked at me, directly grasping my arm and pulling me along, chatting excitedly as we walked, "This was Donggua's idea, isn't it great? Cooking ourselves is much better than eating out, that's not sanitary!"

  I watched Ji Dong walking on the other side of Ruo Xi, he glanced at me and then turned his head away, his expression still indifferent. At this angle, it was as if he was showing off a sullen face to me? I had even helped him set up a wonderful relationship, but he hadn't thanked me yet, what's with the sulking? Ruo Xi held my arm, her face beaming with sweetness, constantly asking Ji Dong what he wanted for dinner. I was infected by her enthusiasm too - girls in love are indeed optimistic and charming.

  In the supermarket, I painstakingly selected a few taros that felt good to me. As I turned around, I saw Ji Dong and Ruo Xi huddled together scooping up carp from the water tank. The hooked fish struggled free and fell back into the water, splashing water onto their faces. "Ah" Ruo Xi exclaimed, stretching out her hand to block the water, laughing like a child. Ji Dong's lips curled up slightly as he wiped away the water droplets on his face, then helped Ruo Xi wipe hers too. Ruo Xi's face turned red and she stood there dazed. I watched all this from ten paces away, genuinely happy for them.

  Qingquan Xiaoqu, Ji Dong and Yu's home downstairs, a place where I once vowed never to return, but it's only been a few days and I've already broken my promise.

  My heart started to tense up again, ever since that night he personally sent me home in an unusual manner, dropping me off at the entrance of the neighborhood and saying I should be safe now before leaving. This time when we meet again, what kind of mood should I face him with? Will he go back to normal and continue using violence to make me submit? I'm a bit expectant yet also a bit afraid, looking up I see it's the sixth floor, a dark patch without any lights on, does that mean nobody is home?

  "What's wrong?" Ruoxi turned her head to look at me standing still, then turned back to ask.

  I smiled and shook my head: "Hmm, it's okay! Go ahead!"

  Ji Dong's figure had already disappeared at the stairwell, panting as he climbed up to the sixth floor. The door was wide open, welcoming us. I looked at the only pair of men's shoes at the entrance, which were the ones Ji Dong had just been wearing. I let out a sigh of relief, but also felt a slight disappointment. Hmm... what was I disappointed about? It would be awkward if we really met!

  "Winter melon! Isn't Zhang Ze Yu here?" Ruoxi also noticed and shouted towards the house.

  Ji Dong came out of the kitchen with a faint tone: "Brother Yu won't be coming today, he's still at his own home."

  Yu's mother should still be at home, and that filial son must be accompanying her. Although I caused some conflict, it will not shake Auntie's position in his heart.

  "Huh? Didn't you say four people? He's not here, what about Mimi then?" Rufei whispered to Ji Dong in complaint, which I clearly heard. My hearing is really comparable to that of a bat, it seems that in their hearts, I and Yu are a pair.

  "I didn't say that! I just said let's find Mimi and celebrate together." Ji Dong put on a surprised expression, implying that Yifeng had misheard.

  "It's okay! You're not afraid of me being a third wheel, what do I have to be embarrassed about? We're all so familiar with each other, and with Yu in the house, I still feel uncomfortable!" I casually put down the shopping bag in my hand and comfortably sank into the sofa.

  This apartment is a bit different from my home, the dining room and living room are separated by a wall, so you can't watch TV while eating. Ruoxi found an apron somewhere and tied it around her waist, looking like a housewife, holding the plastic bags she just bought back, calling me to go in and help too. I glanced at Ji Dong who was lying on the sofa, staring intently at the TV, forget it, as a big man how can I compare with him, might as well obediently go help.

  "Hey! Your carrot slices are too thick, they should be about half that size!"

  "This lettuce has been washed for too long and has lost its color, sister!"

  While Ruo Xi was busy, she also corrected my mistakes. I secretly sighed in my heart. Last time Ji Dong came to have lunch, she had already tormented me for a whole morning. Now it's déjà vu again, and I'm really speechless with rage.

  "Sister! Do three people need so many dishes? How can they all be washed, it's busy till midnight and still can't finish! I'm really not cut out for this, can I go do something else?"

  "The time you spent complaining could have been used to chop vegetables, and it would have been done a long time ago. Don't you know that with so many dishes, we need to move faster? Do you not want to eat dinner?" Rufei said, waving the spatula, her face flushed with anger, without even turning her head back to me.

  "Rice, chop the vegetables, I'll wash them. With three people, we should be able to finish quickly. My stomach is also hungry, can't wait." Ji Dong's tall figure stood at the kitchen door. I looked at him gratefully, he really appears every time I need him! Immediately stepped aside, handed over the knife, and put the remaining vegetables into the sink, making the task much simpler.

  The chopping board rang out with a rapid and powerful chopping sound, I stopped my hands and watched as Ji Dong easily sliced the carrots into thin slices, three carrots instantly arranged on a plate. Then he started cutting the cabbage, tofu, beef and carp, those things that were more difficult for me than climbing to heaven, he completed them effortlessly. That swift and smooth knife work was truly admirable.

  Ji Dong looked at me and pointed to the mushroom in my hand, saying nonchalantly: "Is that one clean? Bring it over when you're done, how many more are there?"

  I stared at him with wide eyes, handing over the vegetable basket: "Donggua, you're really something! I didn't expect you to be a mastermind! I thought kitchen chores were all handled by girls, but it turns out you've been hiding your skills!"

  There's a saying: A man who can cook won't be bad, it seems that Ji Dong will make a good husband in the future. Whoever marries him will be lucky. I was worried about his quick temper, afraid he would get into trouble and drag Yeo Creek down with him. Now, I can finally rest assured to entrust Yeo Creek to him.

  Ji Dong smiled gently: "Usually I don't think of personally making it for anyone to eat, but... today I do."

  Still waving the spatula, Ruoxi's hand trembled slightly. I looked at Ji Dong's bright eyes and secretly laughed at how straightforward he was, making the girl blush. It seemed that Ji Dong really liked Ruoxi, creating a romantic atmosphere with his passionate confession. I'd better withdraw first; if I still lingered here, it would be inhumane of me.

  Sneaking a smile, I walked out of the kitchen door and glanced back at the entrance. Ji Dong had already taken over the spatula from Ruoxi's hand and was skillfully flipping it. I gave a thumbs up to Ruoxi, who was flushing with embarrassment, and mouthed silently: "Add oil!"