Thirteen Wonders (ShíSānYāo) : Chapter 3 - Clauses Seven, Eight, Nine

January 12, 2025 Oyen 0 Comments

Happy Reading~

Chapter 3: Clauses Seven, Eight, Nine

 

Chen Xuze was cornered by Deng Jiayu and her group in a narrow alley. When her confession failed, she tried to kiss him forcefully—whether she succeeded or not was unclear—but within half a day; the story had spread throughout the campus.

 

Normally, Chen Xuze went home with Jiang Jiashu and their group, but last night he happened to be alone, giving Deng Jiayu the perfect opportunity for her ‘bold move.’ According to witnesses, she said a bunch of things to confess her feelings, but Chen Xuze remained completely unresponsive. In desperation, she stood on tiptoe and lunged at him for a kiss.

 

Coincidentally, a patrolling officer passed by and shouted at the scene. The unruly gang scattered like startled birds.

 

Zheng Yinyin eagerly ran to discuss the matter with Zhou Yao. However, Zhou Yao's reserved personality meant she didn’t share Zheng Yinyin’s excitement for gossip. Feeling unsatisfied after some idle chatter, Zheng Yinyin left in mild disappointment.

 

The incident also fascinated a few of the more lively girls in Zhou Yao’s class. They dove into the gossip during the break, echoing Zheng Yinyin's speculative tone. They were particularly interested in whether Deng Jiayu had succeeded.

 

Gathered together, one girl with sharp, cat-like eyes said, “Hey, do you think they really kissed?”

 

The girl next to her said, “Deng Jiayu’s been telling people she did, so she must’ve, right? Oh man, I wonder how Chen Xuze reacted…”

 

“What kind of reaction could he have? He doesn’t even like Deng Jiayu. Being surrounded like that and almost kissed—if he doesn’t feel humiliated, that’s already something. I think there’s no way Chen Xuze will ever like Deng Jiayu now!”

 

“Has Chen Xuze said anything? It’s been three classes already—did he explain himself to anyone?”

 

A girl with bangs clicked her tongue. “With his personality? No way he’d explain anything. Even if Deng Jiayu is bluffing, he wouldn’t say a word about it.”

 

“Yeah, he doesn’t like interacting with people. He’d never bother to clarify something like this. Only the two of them know what really happened.”

 

“So basically, it’s all up to whatever Deng Jiayu says...”

 

Zhou Yao’s pen paused, her gaze fixed on her worksheet. Then, as if nothing had happened, she lowered her head and continued solving problems.

 

……

“I’m so hungry. What about you guys?”

 

“......”

 

“......”

 

“......”

 

Several people gave Jiang Jiashu side-eyes, completely speechless at his terrible attempt to start a conversation.

 

Perhaps because of the incident the previous night, the mood on the bus ride home for lunch was stifling. Normally quiet, Chen Xuze stayed silent, and Zhou Yao showed no interest in chatting, either. The others, upset over their friend’s ‘humiliation,’ couldn’t muster any energy. They remained silent for three whole stops.

 

Jiang Jiashu, tasked with breaking the ice, attempted to liven things up, but it failed miserably.

 

Chen Xuze and Zhou Yao stayed quiet. The others awkwardly tried to respond to Jiang Jiashu, but their strained laughter soon died out, leaving the group back in awkward silence.

 

They exchanged looks but kept their thoughts to themselves. The previous night, by the time they arrived, Chen Xuze had already finished giving his statement. His face was dark as the night sky. Upon hearing what had happened, Jiang Jiashu kicked a stone on the roadside and cursed, nearly storming off to confront the people involved.

 

The bus announcement chimed for their transfer stop. The group exchanged glances before reluctantly getting off.

 

“See you later,” Jiang Jiashu said, patting Chen Xuze on the shoulder.

 

Chen Xuze gave a slight nod without speaking. Zhou Yao, however, managed a smile to bid them goodbye.

 

Four stops later, Chen Xuze and Zhou Yao got off. There was still a short walk to the alley leading to their homes.

 

A group of students on bicycles sped by, ringing their bells. Suddenly, Chen Xuze asked, “What’s your family having for lunch today?”

 

“I don’t know,” Zhou Yao replied. “My mom didn’t say anything yesterday.”

 

“The garland chrysanthemum auntie made last time was pretty good.”

 

“Yeah, it was.”

 

“......”

 

Usually, at this point in the conversation, Zhou Yao would invite him to have lunch at her house. But today, she uncharacteristically stayed silent and didn’t extend the invitation.

 

Chen Xuze tilted his head slightly, glancing at her. Zhou Yao was watching the trees along the road and accidentally tripped. Chen Xuze reacted quickly, grabbing her arm to steady her.

 

“…Thanks,” Zhou Yao said, pressing her lips together.

 

They continued walking. Chen Xuze stuffed his hands into his pockets, his half-lowered eyelids shading his expression, which always seemed indifferent to everything.

 

To those who didn’t know him well, his demeanor was intimidating.

 

“Zhou Yao.”

 

“Hmm?” Zhou Yao turned her head.

 

“She didn’t kiss me.”

 

She was startled. “What?”

 

Chen Xuze looked ahead. His usually calm side profile carried an unusual seriousness. He unzipped his school jacket with one hand, revealing the white shirt underneath. There was a faint lipstick stain on the collar.

 

“My parents only keep my winter sweaters at their place. I didn’t have anything else to change into last night,” he said, frowning as if enduring discomfort.

 

“I wasn’t kissed,” he continued. “When that girl lunged at me, I dodged. Her lips brushed against my collar, but she didn’t kiss me.”

 

……

The alley was filled with the aroma of food. Families were already gathered at the table in some homes, while in others, where meals were prepared later, housewives sat outside picking vegetables.

 

Zhou Yao’s mother was frying the second dish when she sent Zhou Yao out to take out the trash. The green trash bin at the alley’s entrance was still about a third empty. At the same time, Aunt Zhang from the other side of the alley also came to dispose of her trash. Zhou Yao greeted her politely. “Hello, Auntie.”

 

“Oh, it’s you, Yaoyao! Your mom sent you out to take the trash?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“You’re such a good girl, always helping your mom with chores. If only my Qinqin were as obedient as you!”

 

Zhou Yao smiled.

 

Aunt Zhang glanced at her and sniffed the air. “Hey, Yaoyao, did you spray some perfume? You smell so nice! You know, my Qinqin loves your scent. She keeps pestering me to buy her a perfume that smells like you!”

 

“No, I didn’t,” Zhou Yao replied with a smile. “It’s just the scent of my body wash, not perfume.”

 

“Really? It smells so good, like sweet oranges. It’s so fragrant!”

 

Aunt Zhang sniffed but stopped midway, wary of accidentally inhaling the odor of the trash bin.

 

After some small talk, Zhou Yao was about to leave when Aunt Zhang paused while throwing her trash away. “Oh, my! Why is there a shirt in here? It looks brand new! Who would waste something like this?”

 

Zhou Yao followed her gaze and saw a white shirt partially visible in the trash, its other half buried under garbage Aunt Zhang had just dumped.

 

“So wasteful, honestly…”

 

Aunt Zhang tossed in her trash, muttered a few more words, and went back home.

 

“Goodbye, Auntie.” Zhou Yao retracted her gaze and walked home.

 

She recognized that shirt—it was the one Chen Xuze had been wearing under his school jacket yesterday. Other than the prominent lipstick stain on the collar, it was in perfect condition.

 

A brand-new shirt, ruined by a single unwanted mark, had been decisively discarded by Chen Xuze into the trash.

 

……

On the way home, Jiang Jiashu and a group of his usual buddies were still discussing Chen Xuze’s incident, sighing in frustration.

 

“If Xuze doesn’t vent his anger, I feel bad for him,” one of them said.

 

Another boy asked, “Have you talked to him about it? When are we going to deal with those people?”

 

“Not yet.”

 

“Not yet?”

 

“Yeah,” Jiang Jiashu replied. “I wanted to settle it last night, but it was too late. Plus, Xuze told me not to rush.”

 

“Why? Does he have another plan?”

 

“No idea. But this grudge is definitely there now. If we don’t teach them a lesson, what’s stopping any random person from trying this again? Does Xuze have to keep putting up with it?”

 

The others nodded in agreement. “Exactly. Getting surrounded and almost kissed—anyone would lose it.”

 

Despite being on his side, curiosity got the better of them. “By the way, do you think Deng Jiayu actually kissed him? I didn’t think she’d do something like that!”

 

“No clue. I asked him, but he didn’t tell me,” Jiang Jiashu said with a scowl, clearly aimed at Deng Jiayu. “That girl—there’s nothing she wouldn’t do.”

 

“I thought Xuze ignoring her would make her give up ages ago.”

 

“She thinks she’s smart, but she’s just an idiot,” Jiang Jiashu said disdainfully. “Even if Xuze didn’t originally dislike her, pulling a stunt like this guarantees he’ll hate her now.”

 

“Exactly. It’s fine to like someone, but who’d want to be cornered like that? Talk about embarrassing.”

 

“It’s not just that. If you want to win someone over, you have to know what works for them,” Jiang Jiashu added, smirking. “She has no idea what Xuze likes in a girl.”

 

The others were intrigued. “Really? So what kind of girl does he like?”

 

Jiang Jiashu scoffed. “Of course, I know. I’ve asked him about this before. He told me.” He raised his eyebrows. “Bet you didn’t know this—he likes it when girls hug him.”

 

“No way!”

 

“Totally true.” Jiang Jiashu crossed his arms, looking smug. “Think about it—what teenage boy doesn’t dream a little? Even someone like Xuze has his moments of being a normal person.”

 

The group was skeptical. “You seriously asked him that, and he actually answered you?”

 

“Absolutely,” Jiang Jiashu confirmed. “He was very clear—hugs, especially from a girl who smells like oranges. That’s what he likes.”

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