Chương 20: Chapter 20: "He's Acting Strange"
Jian: Do you want the pictures?
Jian: I'll send them to you!
I sent him the pictures I took of us in the arcade.
Jian: Haha! You look like a strict dumpling here!
I teased him and sent a laughing cat sticker.
Zen: Look who's talking.
He then sent a picture of me with my mouth full of food and mess all over.
Zen: You look like a hungry piranha.
"Damn you! I don't look like a piranha at all!" I exclaimed while typing on my phone.
I forgot I'm in the living room with my family. They just looked at me, eavesdropping on our conversation.
"Uh... I'll get some water..." I scratched the back of my neck awkwardly and turned my back to leave the room.
"Who was that?" Mom whispered.
"I have no idea." Jia answered.
"That's none of our business... But maybe he's seeing someone." My dad added. "My son had grown up."
I can clearly hear their murmurings from the living room.
Jian: Jerk!
Jian: Just you wait! I'll beat you at everything you're good at someday!
Zen: Then you won't receive a candy from me.
Jian: I'm not a kid!
"Tch, does he think I'm interested in his lollipop?" I mumbled, and paused for a moment before typing back.
Jian: Give me all the flavors next time.
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I eventually spent the whole night talking and playing mobile games with Zen Liang.
"Ugh... I'm so tired." I whined while as I slam my head on the cafeteria table.
"What's wrong with you?" Riri sat down with me while she was sipping her cartoon juice.
"I'm sleepy... That jerk, Zen Liang..." I mumbled, my head still on the table.
"Wow, you're really hanging out with him more often now." She stated.
Am I?
"I guess so..."
"Where's Luke and Chet by the way?" Riri asked as she look around.
"Getting some food."
"So, how was your plan going?" Riri suddenly asked.
"Plan?" I replied absentmindedly as I yawn.
"Seriously... What have you been up to?" Riri raised her eyebrows on me.
As I was about to talk, I suddenly felt a cold object being gently pressed on my cheek.
Riri and I turned out gaze to the person behind it.
And you could guess who it is. It was Zen Liang. He's standing there with an iced coffee on his hand that is pressing to my cheek.
"What's this for?" I took the drink and sat straight.
"Caffeine will keep you awake in class." He shortly answered.
I drank the iced coffee he gave me.
I put down the iced coffee on the table and glared at him after.
"It's your fault! You keep me up last night!" I squinted my eyes and complained.
"Pfft..!" Riri almost spilled her drink, hearing what I said.
"How is it my fault? You asked for it."
"I did not. I just want to take you down for once, but you always get it your way."
"That's because you're a stupid redhead."
"Jerk!" I hissed at him.
"Alright, stay out of trouble." He messed up my hair before leaving.
"Leave my hair alone!"
When it was just me and Riri again, I looked at her direction again. She looked utterly shocked and dumbfounded.
"What?" I asked her before sipping on my iced coffee.
"D-did y-you and the p-president..?" She was shivering while pointing on me.
"Huh?" I'm truly confused of what she meant.
"Oh my gosh! Did you sell your body to him?!!" She suddenly shouted in surprise.
"What the hell?!" I quickly covered her mouth, as quick as my face turning red.
The other students were looking at us weirdly.
"What the hell are you talking about?" I whispered to her as I widen my eyes.
She removed my hands from her mouth and answered, "I didn't know you'll step this low!" She squinted her eyes on me.
"The hell?! We're just hanging out!"
What the hell was she thinking?!
"Yeah, right." She sarcastically replied.
"T-this is all part of my plan!"
"Hmm... Right..."
"I'm telling you! If I can get him to be comfortable with me, he'll definitely won't hit on Miya. T-then, I'll have a greater chance on her." I stated.
Riri just looked at me doubtfully.
"Just be careful though, you might get in to your own trap." She snickered and continued to drink her juice.
"Hell no!"
Am I getting too involve with him?
----------------
Ever since then, I think my relationship with Zen Liang had grown closer. He doesn't mind me annoying him at all.
"Psst!" I called him out as we walk pass their room. I waved at him and signal him to come out.
There was no teacher at the time, so he went out for a second.
"What?" He asked.
"Nothing. Haha! Just want to say that I'm the coolest!" I stuck my tongue out and ran away.
I was surprised he didn't hit me that time. If I were him, I'd hit myself.
I kept on getting on his nerves on purpose. But strangely enough, he wouldn't bulge in.
"I want to eat eggs."
"Stop thinking about food and read your notes." This guy is a real kill joy.
"I can't focus."
"Then, stop talking."
"Hey, what do you think comes first? The chicken or the egg?" I pestered him as he's reading a book while walking with me.
"What a stupid question." He shortly replied.
"Just answer it!"
"The egg. Chickens are birds and it evolved from reptiles. Therefore, the first bird had hatched from its reptile ancestor." He explained without breaking a sweat.
I glared at him, "You know too much..."
"To be honest, it's my first time knowing that."
Back then, he would just give me the shortest answer he could find and sho me away. But now, he's actually trying to contribute to the conversation. It's an improvement.
Even during lunch, he acted strangely.
"No more curry." The cafeteria lady stated.
"What?! Why?" I whined. "I lined up this long to eat your curry, auntie!"
"I have nothing to give you anymore. Just choose another meal."
I sighed and was about to leave. Suddenly, Zen Liang came up to me and handed me his food tray.
"What now?" I sneered at him.
"Just take it." He shove it to my hand and left.
"The hell is his problem?" When I open the cover, I found an uneaten curry.
"I thought there's no curry left. How come you have one?" Chet asked as he and Luke came to me after buying their food.
"H-huh?" I was dumbfounded.
"Why did he gave it to me?" I thought to myself as I looked at him from a distance, surround by many people.
"Oh well, let's go find a table." Chet said, and went to find an empty seat.
I guess my plan is finally working! I got him on my side!
----------------
"Ugh... Why am I being called again?" I mumbled as I went in the teacher's faculty office.
"Mr. Tan!" The teacher greeted me with a furious slam on the table with the papers.
"Yes, sir?" I went closer to his table.
"What were you thinking? Why did you cheat on the exam?!" He accused me.
"What?! I did not!" I defended myself.
"Then, how come you got higher scores than most of the outstanding students in your class huh?! How would you explain that!" He refused to believe me.
"This is not right! I studied hard for that score!"
"Save it. Your teachers had also complained about this matter." He sat down and sighed.
"Sir, believe me. I really did work hard to pass the exam." I pleaded him.
"Mr. Tan, it's your words against them. You know how the system works here." He lowered his voice and looked at me worriedly.
He's the only sane teacher around. And he doesn't want to get on their side because he needed this job.
"This is so unfair!" I complained and slam my fist in his table.
I didn't noticed the dean come closer to us.
"Life is unfair, son." He whispered to my ears and smirked.
"You—" I grabbed his collar.
"Mr. Tan! Stop that!" Our teacher stopped me.
"Go stand on the field for the rest of the period." The dean said and left.
"B-but, sir! It's too hot outside." My teacher tried to talk him out.
"That brat needs to know his place." The dean added and finally left.
"Tsk..!" I burst out and went directly to the field.
----------------
I'm now standing on the middle of the field for almost an hour. The heat burns through my skin, yet I couldn't care less.
"Why is he standing there?"
"I heard he cheated on the exam."
"As expected."
I can hear the murmurings of the students passing by.
"Can I really change my future?" I thought to myself as I was standing there like a dead root.
I felt the crumpled papers being thrown at me. I didn't bother fought back and just stood there still.
"They are right, it looks impossible for an idiot like me to do great at anything..."
"Even I couldn't believe I can do it... Haah..."
"Are you an idiot?" A firm and gentle voice had reached my ears. I also felt the shade from an umbrella reach my body.
As I turn to my side, I saw him. Zen Liang. The man I wanted to beat. The man I'm in rivalry with. The person who have everything. The person who has all the privilege in this life.
"I hate you..." I weakly slapped his chest, I have no energy left due to the heat. I slowly fell on his embrace as my vision starts to fade.
----------------
As I slowly open my eyes, I found myself on laying on the infirmary's bed.
"Rest first and drink some water. You passed out from the heat." The school doctor instructed.
It seems like I passed out awhile ago and Zen Liang brought me to the clinic. Although, I can't see him anywhere as I look around.
"Your friend went out." She told me as she noticed I was looking for him.
"O-oh... Thank you, doc." I replied and sat straight.
After a few minutes, I manage to leave the infirmary. I walk through the hallway and everyone were staring at me like I'm sort of endangered species.
"What the hell is going on..? Haha... Passing out is actually embarrassing."
"Bro, are you okay?" Chet ran after me along with Luke.
"We were about to go the infirmary. Are you feeling well?" Luke added.
I nodded my head to assure them, "I'm fine. It's nothing."
"Geez, luckily the president was there to help you out." Chet sighed in relief.
"Where is he now?"
"I saw him on the faculty office." Luke replied.
"What is he doing there?" I hurriedly ran to the office.
"Hey, Jian! Don't ran around! You just passed out!" Chet worriedly screamed as I ran.
"I'm fine!"
I need to see him.
When I arrived at the faculty office's door, I quickly grabbed the door knob and as just as I was about to open it, the door opened by itself, revealing Zen Liang who's now standing in front of me.
"A-ah... Why are you... Here?" I hesitantly asked.
He looked pretty annoyed.
"How are you feeling?" He ignored my question and checked on me instead.
"I-I'm fine... Nothing serious, haha..." I awkwardly laugh it off.
His expression looked more annoyed right now.
"Go back to the clinic if you're feeling unwell." He uttered and walk out.
"H-huh? W-wait!" I chased after him.
"I'm really okay! Look, stronger than ever!" I fastened my pace in order to block his way, causing him to stop from walking. "It's not a big deal."
He paused for a moment, without changing his expression.
What did I do to him this time?
"Did you cheat?" He suddenly asked.
I didn't see it coming. Not from him, at least.
"What?" My enthusiasm turned into a cold breeze.
"Do... you really see me like that?" I can feel my voice shivering as I look down while my fist clenched on its own.
"I asked you first." He replied coldly. "Haven't you learned anything from what I thought you?" He continued.
I gritted my teeth and clenched my fist even harder. "Haah... Are you freaking serious..."
"Answer my question. Did you cheat or not?"
"Son of a—" I couldn't control myself and grabbed his shirt's collar. "I worked hard for that!" I screamed at him.
I felt bad hearing those words from him.
"Then, why couldn't you stand your ground?" He asked with a stable expression on his face.
"Why did you let them punish you when you know you're innocent." His words hit me like a dagger.
I slowly let go of his shirt. I looked down and bit my lower lips.
He put his hand in my head and leaned closer to me, "Be that stupid redhead who never backs down, alright?"
I can feel my eyes tearing.
I felt like I was losing myself, and there he goes. He put me back in pieces.
"I really hate you..." I whispered to the air.
----------------
The cheating issue was resolved, Zen Liang told the teachers that he tutored me. And as you would have expected it, they immediately let it go.
"I have a lot of debt from him now... Ugh... How can I repay him?" I thought to myself while walking.
"Arf!" A cute bark greeted me.
It's Zenzen, he looked happy as he wag his tail when he saw me. I approached him and bend to pat his head. He then licked my cheeks.
"Miss me much?" I giggled as he continuously lick my face.
"Are you hungry? I have some treats here." As I was about to give him some food. I saw a few bowls on the side.
It looks like someone had been feeding him.
As I was petting him, I heard footsteps coming our way.
"Jian?" It was Miya.
"O-oh? Miya?"
"Hi!" She smiled at me and bent down to pet Zenzen.
"It looks like she's the one feeding him."
"How are you, Jian? I heard you passed out yesterday." She looked at me worriedly.
"Ah... I-I'm good. It's really nothing." I assured her.
"That's good. Please, be careful next time." She added.
I smiled at her nod my head.
That's right. She's the girl I've fallen for ever since. I'm doing these things for her. For us...
"I just noticed it. But, red hair really suits you." She complimented me with a sweet smile.
"You think so? Haha... Thank you."
It was the first time. She's finally starting to notice me.
"Mhm! It looks natural on you." She added.
We talked for a bit.
Suddenly, we both went silent. Zen Liang arrived, he looked at us and stopped.
Miya's attention then shifted on him.
"Z-Zen? What are you doing here?" She asked him.
I couldn't take my eyes of her staring at him with those eyes. The reality slap me hard.
"I'll never be the guy she'd fall for..."
"You forgot your notebook." Zen Liang completely ignored Miya and went straight to me as he hand me my notebook.
"Ah, right.Thanks..."
I glanced at Zen Liang. He is looking at me... No, he is only looking at me.
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