After Rebirth, Everyone Thought I Had a Secret Crush on Him - Chapter 16
The next day, Cheng Xi and Xue Chen transferred to the experimental class, which was the same class she had been in before.
The head teacher of Class One was surnamed Yu, called Yu Lan. Although she was approaching forty, she looked very young and beautiful. Normally, she was strict with students, but privately, she was quite easygoing.
Although Cheng Xi had originally been her student, she still followed the procedure for students transferring in each month, having them each give a self-introduction so everyone could get to know them.
Even though the students under the podium were all old classmates, for Cheng Xi, it had been many years since she last saw them. Many had already entered the workforce or gotten married and had children.
Seeing these faces, now much less youthful, gave her a very vivid sense of shock, as if she had travelled through time back to when she was seventeen.
Qin An and Qin Mo were also sitting below, one in the first row, the other in the fifth row.
Cheng Xi had previously sat next to Qin An, and the seat beside her was still kept for her, not taken by any new student.
After Cheng Xi gave a brief self-introduction, thunderous applause erupted from below. Clearly, they were very happy that their classmate had returned.
When it was Xue Chen’s turn, there was a bit of silence. Because of the rumours between him and Cheng Xi, and the fact that he had suddenly jumped from last place in Class 13 to scores high enough to enter the experimental class, everyone looked at him with some surprise and scrutiny.
Facing the scrutiny of over thirty classmates, Xue Chen’s expression remained calm and indifferent. But just as he was about to speak, a clearly astonished voice suddenly came from the door.
“Xue Chen?” The male voice’s breathing was unsteady, as if struggling to control his emotions. “What are you doing here?”
Cheng Xi turned her head and saw a boy standing at the door, with a backpack slung over his shoulder. He stared fixedly at Xue Chen, his eyes filled with intense and complex emotions, and he was clearly not happy.
The director of the teaching department stood next to the boy, not noticing his unusual expression, and smiled at Teacher Yu, “This child just transferred here, previously he studied in the northern area. He might not be adapting well, and he even got lost. Teacher Yu, could you find someone to help him get familiar with the environment?”
Teacher Yu smiled gently, “No problem. Is your name Yuan Chi? Come in first. There’s also a transferring student here. We can arrange seats together.”
But even after the director left, Yuan Chi still stood without moving, staring at Xue Chen.
Xue Chen’s expression was cold as he returned the gaze, creating a tense atmosphere.
“You… know each other?” Teacher Yu said helplessly. “If you want to catch up, don’t just stand here. There will be plenty of time later.”
Yuan Chi showed a smile. His previously somewhat displeased expression instantly brightened. He dragged his backpack and stepped in, “The Teacher is right. Xue Chen and I are old classmates. Two years without seeing each other, I didn’t expect to meet here. Can I sit at the same desk with him?”
Teacher Yu was slightly taken aback, not expecting this connection. Thinking that the other was unfamiliar with the school, it would be good for Xue Chen to show him around. She was about to agree.
Cheng Xi’s voice suddenly sounded, “Teacher Yu, Xue Chen, and I haven’t finished our tutoring yet. So, please let me sit with him.”
Upon hearing this, Teacher Yu paused, and all the classmates went quiet, looking at Cheng Xi.
Xue Chen also looked at her, his gaze somewhat dark. Noticing that Yuan Chi was also looking at her, he shifted slightly to block the other’s view.
Teacher Yu did not participate in student forums and didn’t know about any rumours between Cheng Xi and Xue Chen. She had only heard teachers in the office discuss that Cheng Xi had gone to Class 13 and taught a student capable of entering the experimental class. She has become a promising teacher material.
So, when she heard Cheng Xi’s words, she pondered briefly, “Xue Chen, who would you like to sit with?”
Xue Chen’s black eyes looked at Cheng Xi, then at Teacher Yu. His voice was low and sincere, “Teacher, I want to sit with Cheng Xi.”
A collective gasp came from below, as if they weren’t just choosing seats but publicly declaring being together. Indeed… some of those rumours must be partly true.
Everyone’s gaze quietly shifted to Qin Mo, with some sympathy.
Qin Mo bit his teeth in secret. He hadn’t been dumped, so why do they feel sympathy?
It’s still uncertain who will ultimately end up with Cheng Xi.
*
Cheng Xi sat back in her previous seat, and Xue Chen sat to her right.
Qin An sat to her left. Once she sat down, Qin An excitedly reached out and hugged her, saying happily, “Xi Xi, I missed you to death.”
Cheng Xi glanced at her, “Aren’t we still eating together every day?”
“That’s different. I just want to sit with you. But…” Qin An glanced quietly at the boy on the other side and lowered her voice, “You’re progressing so fast. You even brought him into the experimental class.”
Her words made it sound as if she couldn’t live without Xue Chen, and even brought him to class.
Cheng Xi couldn’t help but correct her, “I didn’t bring him. He got in on his own.”
“Anyway, it’s the same meaning,” Qin An said, clicking her tongue in amazement. “I never thought that while other people’s grades would drop when they are dating, but with you, it’s reversed. I used to have some prejudice against him, but now he’s actually a potential stock.”
Cheng Xi: “…Don’t talk nonsense.”
Seeing that Cheng Xi was still not admitting it, Qin An changed the topic and sipped her juice, “By the way, why haven’t you and my brother been talking recently? The atmosphere is weird.”
Cheng Xi had nothing to hide and said directly, “That night at your house, your brother confessed to me.”
Qin An choked, “What?”
Her voice was loud enough that even Xue Chen, tidying his desk, glanced over.
Qin An coughed several times, wanting to ask more, but was worried that Xue Chen might hear and it might affect their relationship. Even if Cheng Xi didn’t admit it, their relationship was clearly complicated.
Xue Chen likely noticed he was in the way and got up, seemingly going to the restroom.
Cheng Xi looked that way and paused, because after Xue Chen left, the transferring student who had been sitting properly also suddenly stood and walked toward the door.
Is there some conflict between Xue Chen and this Yuan Chi?
He just seemed hostile.
*
In the boys’ restroom, it was almost time for class. There were few students in the experimental class anyway, so besides Xue Chen, no one else was there.
He turned on the faucet and washed his hands.
In his mind, Cheng Xi’s words just now kept appearing.
Qin Mo… has already confessed to Cheng Xi?
Although he thought it was unlikely that she would accept, since they were childhood friends, they wouldn’t have waited this long to be together, but even the slightest possibility made him restless.
Xue Chen took a slow, deep breath, trying to suppress the turmoil in his mind.
Just as he turned off the faucet, a mocking voice suddenly came from behind, “Two years without seeing each other. Looks like you’re living well at this school. As expected, good looks are an advantage, just like your mom, who only knows how to seduce everyone!”
Xue Chen raised his eyes, coldly meeting Yuan Chi’s gaze in the mirror, ignored him, and grabbed a paper towel to dry his hands.
Yuan Chi was angered by his indifference. With a smile full of malice, he said, “We’re old classmates. Don’t you have anything to say? Looks like you won’t talk to me, but I have a lot to say.”
Xue Chen threw the paper towel into the trash and turned to leave.
Yuan Chi didn’t stop him but stepped aside at the doorway. Just as Xue Chen was about to leave, he looked into his eyes and smiled, “Tell me, if I expose what happened in middle school, will you still have the face to stay at this school?”
Xue Chen stopped, his gaze cold, dark and sharp.
Yuan Chi’s smile deepened, “Scared? But those are facts. Hiding them from everyone isn’t right. If they know what kind of whore your mom is, then how disgusting would it be for them to be around you?” His eyes revealed a cold sneer as he said softly, “So dirty. You should quit school on your own.”
Xue Chen’s jaw was tensed. He stepped closer, his taller figure exuding suffocating pressure. He grabbed Yuan Chi by the collar, pressed him against the wall, and his voice was low and cold, “If your mind is foggy, I don’t mind helping you clear it up.”
Yuan Chi showed no fear, and his laugh was provocative and malicious. He even laughed aloud, “You’re actually afraid of people knowing? What, is there someone here you care about? It can’t be that girl on the podium, right?”
As he spoke, Xue Chen’s hand suddenly applied more force. Yuan Chi’s throat tightened, causing him discomfort. He coughed painfully, and his face turned red.
“Did I hit the mark?” Yuan Chi sneered, fearless, “If she finds out your mom is a whore for everyone, and that you might be a bastard, what would she think of you?”
Xue Chen’s fists were clenched, and his breathing turned heavy. His gaze was somewhat cold and dark, “Enough. Don’t think I’m afraid to hit you.”
“Then hit me! Come at my face!” Yuan Chi laughed, his tone fierce. “Then everyone will think you’re a violent maniac, just like those people in middle school, both afraid of you and disgusted by you.”
Xue Chen stared at him coldly for a few seconds, then suddenly let go. “It’s best if you behave. If not…” He glanced at him. “I don’t care either way.”
Having said that, he walked outside, just as the class bell rang.
Yuan Chi was stunned, then fixedly stared at his back, his voice hoarse, “Why aren’t you dead? How can you still live so well? I will never let you go!”