During evening self-study, Teacher Zheng supervised the class and asked Sang Ru to go to the office to fetch some workbooks.

Sang Ru found two thick stacks of books on his desk and was wondering if they might fall if she carried them all at once, when suddenly footsteps sounded behind her.

She turned around. It was Zhou Tingzhao.

Instinctively, she asked: “What are you doing here?”

After speaking, she regretted it, feeling she shouldn’t have started a conversation with him, especially since the two seemed to be in some unexplained silent treatment mode.

Zhou Tingzhao walked over: “Teacher Zheng was worried you couldn’t carry them all, so he asked me to help.”

“I don’t need your help.”

Sang Ru stacked the two piles of books together, just about to pick them up, when her wrist was gently held.

Zhou Tingzhao’s hand was large compared to her small wrist. Sang Ru felt him hold her hand gently as he said, “Don’t be upset with me anymore, Sang Ru.”

“Me, upset?” Sang Ru pulled away, turned around, and looked up into his eyes, saying, “What do I have to be upset about?”

Zhou Tingzhao remained silent for a while. He hadn’t figured out why she was unhappy, but he knew she was displeased. He had realized one thing, though—

If she treated him coldly like before, it was really hard to bear.

After thinking about it, he could only trace it back to the library incident. Perhaps it was because he had stopped her from reaching a book, making her unhappy?

So before he could speak, his ears turned pink: “That time… did I grab your arm too hard? I’m sorry.”

Sang Ru didn’t immediately understand: “Huh?”

“If my stopping you from reaching that book made you unhappy, I’m sorry too.” Zhou Tingzhao stepped forward, “In the future, if you want something, I won’t stop you.”

Sang Ru followed his train of thought for quite a while before finally understanding what he meant.

So he thought she was upset because he didn’t let her get a book she wanted?

But actually, she felt uncomfortable seeing him being awkward and not speaking to her, while being so friendly with Xue Lu. That’s why she responded with the same cold treatment.

But Sang Ru didn’t plan to explain. Since Zhou Tingzhao believed this, she might as well go with it. After all, he said he wouldn’t stop her anymore, so wouldn’t it be easier to tease him in the future?

Sang Ru almost laughed out loud. She held back her smile, pretending to be unimpressed, and said: “Oh.”

Her response was too flat, making Zhou Tingzhao unsure what this “oh” really meant.

He frowned, asking softly: “Is that all?”

“What else do you want?”

Zhou Tingzhao couldn’t answer. What response did he want? For her to say it was okay?

But the next moment, Sang Ru stepped closer to him, her eyes playful. “Like this?” she asked with a teasing smile, poking his shoulder.

Zhou Tingzhao hadn’t expected her to get so close. He blinked in surprise, but didn’t step back.

Sang Ru gently tugged at the hem of Zhou Tingzhao’s uniform shirt. “You said you wouldn’t stop me from doing anything. No hiding.”

After a moment, Zhou Tingzhao seemed to consider, and replied softly: “Mm.”

Then he truly stood still.

Sang Ru had only meant to tease him, but she found herself enjoying making him nervous.

Zhou Tingzhao swallowed nervously. She moved closer and whispered: “So good.”

Zhou Tingzhao was trying very hard to stay calm, his hands at his sides. He didn’t want to upset her again.

The office door was wide open, and the windows were open for ventilation. Someone could pass by at any moment, making them both nervous.

Remembering where they were, Zhou Tingzhao spoke quietly: “Someone might see us…”

These words made Sang Ru more aware too. She stepped back, turned around to divide the workbooks into two piles again, and said: “Let’s go back.”

She withdrew so quickly that Zhou Tingzhao was momentarily surprised. Sang Ru had already walked out first.

After a while, Zhou Tingzhao smiled to himself, adjusted his uniform, picked up the workbooks, and strode after her.

They had taken some time with the workbooks, so Teacher Zheng casually asked: “Why so slow?”

Sang Ru: “I accidentally dropped them on the floor. We had to pick them up and reorganize them.”

Zhou Tingzhao glanced at her, seeing not the slightest hint of guilt on her face. He found even her casual little fib to be charming…

Teacher Zheng understood and waved them away to continue their homework.

When evening self-study ended, Sang Ru finished packing up and was about to leave when Zhou Tingzhao suddenly stopped her.

“That afternoon, I browsed around a bit more and picked out a gift for you.”

Sang Ru thought it would just be some hair ties, bracelets, or pretty trinkets that girls liked, but when Zhou Tingzhao brought out the items, she was immediately confused.

Zhou Tingzhao held a thick supplementary math textbook and a comprehensive essay collection, earnestly saying, “This one is great for making breakthroughs. Doing more problems helps with solving the final question. And I looked through this essay collection—besides sample essays, it also includes critiques and some examples that can be used as material…”

“Stop,” Sang Ru took the books and placed them on the desk, “Thank you.”

She was about to leave when Zhou Tingzhao stopped her again.

“Wait,” Zhou Tingzhao held her wrist with one hand and pulled a red woven friendship bracelet from his pocket with the other, “There’s also this.”

That’s more like it!

Sang Ru raised her hand: “Help me tie it on.”

Zhou Tingzhao lowered his head and carefully tied it around her wrist, then examined it for a moment before looking into her eyes and saying: “It suits you well.”

Sang Ru tilted her head slightly, finally showing her first genuine smile of the day: “Thank you.”