She didn't dislike him, she just didn't like him. He kept appearing in front her, pretending to be helpful, yet still causing her trouble.
"What's so great about Su Qing!"
"Did I hear correctly? Did you hear what Su Qing said?"
Those pointed fingers were still directed at Su Qing.
For the first time, Zhang Yihan was actually rejected by Su Qing in front of the entire class.
Her eyes were cold, as she looked at him as if he was a stranger.
"Su Qing, have you misunderstood something? I just wanted to help you..."
Zhang Yihan's expression was a bit awkward. He looked up at Su Qing, his eyes beneath his glasses tinged with irritation, but he never let it show.
Zhang Yihan's heart was opening up to Su Qing, perhaps because those words had upset her.
"Su Qing, there's no need to listen to that nonsense. I know there's nothing between you and Jiang Sui. It's just him who's been sticking to you."
?!
What a bombshell revelation!
It was Jiang Sui who was sticking Su Qing, and this coming from an honest man.
"And you don't need to listen to all that other nonsense. Just do your best in the exam. You finally got first place. Don't..."
Zhang Yihan instructed respectfully, his face serene, his glasses tilted upwards, as if he was doing it for Su Qing's own good.
Amidst the uproar in the classroom, Zhang Yihan turned and faced everyone.
"The exam is almost here. Everyone, focus on studying. Don't let trivial matters let you fall behind."
He stood at a commanding height, observing everything around him. His rash words seemed to be all for everyone's good.
Zhang Yihan has always held considerable prestige within the class, enjoying the support of many classmates. The whispers have quieted down somewhat.
Exams are indeed a significant matter, but there are still some who are not afraid or who are looking to stir up trouble.
"Zhang Yihan, don't be tempted to help Su Qing just because you like her."
"Su Qing doesn't like you. She likes Jiang Sui. Jiang Sui is the eldest son of the Jiang family in Jiangcheng."
As everyone's eyes flicked towards Su Qing, she pursed her lips and looked at Zhang Yihan.
He seemed to be doing this for her own good. Anything she said would seem like repaying kindness with ingratitude.
"Jiang Sui and I are our own business. You don't need to interfere. My studies are my own business, and I don't care what others say."
She watched as Zhang Yihan's expression changed, but Su Qing didn't pause.
"You don't have to pretend you're doing this for my own good. I don't need it. You can give your pity and sympathy to others, but I don't need it. I won't thank you for it, nor will I like you for it."
Her voice was clear, and she looked at Zhang Yihan so calmly, without a trace of emotion, as if she could see through his every thought.
She felt ruthless, even cold-blooded.
Zhang Yihan suddenly felt that he hadn't understood this girl from the beginning. Her pure white eyes gleamed with a dazzling light.
"Your affection has repeatedly troubled me."
"I won't like you."
Such a clear rejection made Zhang Yihan's expression unbearable.
"Su Qing!"
His voice suddenly rose, and Su Qing looked at him coldly.
That look of humiliation and anger.
"You'll regret this!"
--
The situation escalated, becoming so serious that Zhang Yihan even skipped class that afternoon, despite not needing to attend.
Hu Yifan, perhaps having heard rumors, spent the entire afternoon in the classroom, which prevented anyone else from saying anything outrageous.
"Brother wife-in-law, don't be afraid. I'll protect you."
After school, Hu Yifan insisted on taking Su Qing home.
Jiang Sui, on the other end of the phone, seemed to tacitly agree with everything. The jealous teenager remained silent, letting Hu Yifan chatter on and on.
"Brother wife-in-law, I heard that Zhang Yihan went to pick a fight with you again today. Are you okay?"
Hu Yifan looked at Su Qing innocently and spoke loudly.
After walking Su Qing to her doorstep, he waved and slipped away.
Hu Yifan knew Su Qing was on the phone with Jiang Sui...
"Qing Qing."
Su Qing answered the phone with headphones on.
"That person likes you."
That person was referring to Zhang Yihan. The young man's voice was thick with displeasure.
"I don't like him."
Su Qing pinched her fingers together. She didn't go in, but sat down on the stone steps nearby. The breeze from Yuan River was refreshing, bringing a slight chill that seemed to dispel all the worries in Su Qing's heart.
"Xu Miaoran likes you, too."
Jiang Sui's breath caught, and he immediately retorted.
"Qing Qing, you know it's you who I like!"
He couldn't wait to say these words, "I've never had any contact with her. Those illusions were just to piss you off. I still remember when we were eating in the cafeteria, you were chatting with Liu Ranran and saying it had nothing to do with me."
At that moment, Jiang Sui was almost infuriated by her words.
She said it so calmly, saying it had nothing to do with him.
Su Qing pursed her lips. She didn't expect Jiang Sui to remember these things. How could she not remember? Eating in the cafeteria with Ranran must have been a long time ago.
"It happened so long ago, how could anyone know? I don't remember. You and Xu Miaoran were just having some unclear things at the time."
She suddenly started to make a point.
"Qing Qing, stop talking nonsense."
The boy's voice was serious.
He still remembered Su Qing giving Zhang Yihan a book. If he hadn't paid for it, then it must have been her gift.
Just hearing the girl's silence, the boy's temper seemed to disappear.
"Qing Qing, it's my fault."
After all, she was the one he loved, and he didn't want Su Qing to be unhappy, so he admitted his mistake immediately.
"I didn't do well enough."
If he was good enough, he should be by her side right now, walking with her until home, instead of having someone else do it for her.
Jiang Sui's voice was low and slightly dejected.
"I know everything about the unpleasantness at school today."
The boy's voice brought Su Qing into a further silence.
She should have expected he knew, as the school basketball team's afternoon practice was more important, but Hu Yifan hadn't gone all afternoon, having been in class.
And he had insisted on walking with her until home that evening.
The boy, who should have been jealous, felt deeply depressed.