Chapter 381: Stealily Stunning Everyone
Half an hour later, Principal He Gongxing arrived and the forms were collected, handed over to the homeroom teacher to check if there was anything in need of adjustment.
Seeing Xia Yu living with these girls in the same dorm, He Gongxing didn’t say much. It had become commonplace for him. Besides, these girls seemed to know Xia Yu, so writing together like this must mean they had no objections toward her.
Since that was the case, he wouldn’t stir up trouble: “Have everything been packed? Our class has many people, so we’ll divide into two buses shortly. Boys will be led by Zhou Duoming, who will take Bus No. *8734, while the girls will be guided by Huang Qiao to take another bus. When you get there, don’t run around. Follow Zhou Duoming and Huang Qiao then wait for me. Got it?”
“Got it!”
“Good, now you can go find the buses. The departure’s in half an hour, so no need to rush.”
At last, the chance to go on the bus came, which the classmates had long awaited. Once the teacher gave the order, the classroom was once again in turmoil.
Xia Yu also put on her backpack, intending to follow Gao Xiaotian to the bus. She was still listed as male in her records after all, right? But just a few steps into setting off, she was pulled back. She looked back only to see this meddlesome brat, Jiang Hanhang…
Noticing Xia Yu wasn’t amused, Jiang Hanhang took offense, snootily saying, “What’s the matter? Thinking about men again? You upset because I stopped you?” Xia Yu: “…”
Was this how girl-talk went? Xia Yu found it quite irksome. However, she swallowed her frustration and asked Jiang Hanhang, “I’m a guy, shouldn’t I join them? Is there a problem with this?”
“Oh, you’re a boy~”
Surprisingly blunt, Jiang Hanhang hadn’t expected Xia Yu to say it so plainly. Isn’t this fun?
Before Jiang Hanhang could react further, Xia Ling couldn’t stand by any longer, slapping the top of Jiang Hanhang’s head, “Alright you two, hurry up and find the buses! Otherwise, you’ll be left behind.”
With that, Xia Ling grabbed Xia Yu’s wrist with her left hand and Huang Qiao’s with her right, pulling both along.
As for Huang Qiao, Gao Yao, and Li Jia, who planned to move together, they exchanged glances then followed suit.
The Elementary School Department seemed all out looking for buses, making the crowd outside rather large. Thankfully, the group could spot their cohorts, ensuring they stuck together.
Sure enough, before long, they found the right bus and claimed seats.
Jiang Hanhang, being skilled in such matters, was the first to break free from Xia Ling’s hold. She secured two empty seats.
She plopped down in one seat and secured the other with her backpack, smiling invitingly at Xia Ling, “Xia Ling, this one’s for you.”
Seeing Jiang Hanhang’s enthusiasm, Xia Ling couldn’t reject and after helping Xia Yu find a seat, rushed to sit beside Jiang Hanhang.
Watching the dynamic between the two, Xia Yu couldn’t help but reminisce about her own Sister Xiao Ning, who was not there to accompany her. Alas, without Xiao Ning, what was the point?
Xia Yu propped her head against the window, sighing. “Of course, having Xiao Ning here would make this trip perfect.”
A girl sat down next to her, and it was Huang Qiao, the class monitor—although Huang Qiao had apologized and tried to befriend her, Xia Yu’s walls remained somewhat intact.
Huang Qiao had noticed this and sought to mend their relationship during this journey.
Sitting down, Huang Qiao rummaged through her bag and pulled out a box of sour plum candy, offering one to Xia Yu. “Xia Ling said you get car sick easily; this helps. Want some?”
Tentatively, Xia Yu accepted one. “Thanks~” “No problem!”
Next, Huang Qiao started handing out candies around her, showing off her good charm skills. After all, she was the class president. It was easy for her to control people’s affections.
At that moment, Xia Yu glanced up and recognized Li Jia and Gao Yao, two childhood friends, who were also Xia Yu’s roommates for this outing.
Li Jia and Gao Yao, after distributing the candies, leaned against the bus backrests chatting with Xia Yu. “Xia Yu, you’ve been back at school ages ago and haven’t visited us. Did you forget about us sisters?”
“Yeah, true. We’re supposed to be besties, but you just hang out with Gao Xiaotian and never bother talking to us.”
Rolling her eyes at the two dramatics, Xia Yu remarked, “You girls chat in clusters when classes end; I’d feel too intrusive joining in. If you miss me, come find me instead.”
“Don’t be silly. Xia Yu, if we didn’t know your gender, your school life might make sense to us. Why not clarify it now?”
Upon hearing Gao Yao’s words, curiosity among the girls rose.
Rumors last term suggested Xia Yu was actually a cute girl, but unverified rumors couldn’t stand alone. They genuinely wanted answers from Xia Yu.
Suddenly, Xia Yu became the focal point again.
Being part of the few who knew Xia Yu’s secret felt great for Huang Qiao. Their ignorance made her wise.
However, she didn’t want Xia Yu to spill, losing her superior advantage. She hoped Xia Yu wouldn’t share this secret.
Thankfully, Xia Yu wasn’t ready to reveal, invoking Sister Xiao Ning to shield herself: “You might know who my girlfriend is. She prefers me keeping distant from other things.”
“Is she worried you’ll cheat? Wouldn’t that limit you to male students then? Why would it keep you on our side?” Gao Yao pondered aloud.
As Xia Yu mulled over an explanation, Jiang Hanhang defended Xia Yu, “This is simple. My sister conveniently allows Xia Ling and me to supervise her safety. Plus, this cute little thing wouldn’t fit in with the boys, right?”
Hearing her defense, everyone took another look at Xia Yu, noticing her cuteness, and realized she clearly wasn’t masculine. Putting her in a boys’ restroom could indeed be risky.
Understanding Jiang Kun’s concern, they yet felt awkward accepting the explanation.
Before questions intensified, the bus driver entered and reminded them, “Buckle up!”
The girls obliged, securing their belts.
Finally starting their spring outing, the girls soon focused on the scenery outside. Xia Yu’s gender, they decided, was inconsequential. Regardless, Xia Yu’s presence baffled them, making it hard to see her as a guy.
Their curiosity diminished, Xia Yu relished the silence, hoping the bus would venture further, making their outing truly engaging.
Glancing over at the adorable Xia Yu, Huang Qiao reflected on past events: “Can I ask a question?”
“Hmm?”
Xia Yu met Huang Qiao’s gaze, ready to answer unless too personal.
“Did you use a male identity to attend school?”
“Hmm?”
Startled, she hadn’t anticipated that query. “Sorry, this is private.”
“Oh, sorry. Initially, I was surprised thinking you were some sort of undercover agent from a movie. It was all… unbelievable.”
Xia Yu nodded, taking out Bluetooth earphones to escape the awkwardness. Seeing that, Huang Qiao also retrieved her phone.
“Wait, we never added each other as friends. Add me, easy contact later,” Huang Qiao offered.
Unsure, knowing they’d eventually separate, Xia Yu agreed reluctantly. “Sure, but I don’t usually use my phone.”
“Then, what do you do in your free time?”
“Read.”
True, Xia Yu immersed herself in reading books from Jiang Hanhang, aiming to help Xiao Ning and learn enough to astound everyone.
