Chapter 33: No Words for Me Either?

Qiao Xi wanted to say there was no need, but before she could, he added, “You didn’t have lunch.”

It was true—she hadn’t eaten at noon. As soon as school was over, she’d been taken to meet the president.

“I didn’t eat either,” Oya supplemented.

Hearing this, Qiao Xi turned to look at him. He was watching her too, waiting for her reply.

“All right,” she finally agreed.

So the two of them went to a restaurant.

At this hour, the place was empty. They chose a window seat and each ordered a simple bowl of noodles. Then, they waited.

Qiao Xi gazed out the window, though it wasn’t clear what she was looking at.

“Why did you transfer schools?” Oya asked.

She heard his question and after a moment, turned her eyes toward him. “I suppose I wanted to study seriously for once.”

“Is that so?” Oya smiled at her.

His smile was faint, yet graceful and captivating.

Qiao Xi looked at him, unsure what he meant by his “Is that so?” Was he questioning her answer, or simply responding?

At that moment, the server brought over two steaming bowls of noodles, and she let the thought go.

After that, they didn’t speak again, each quietly eating their meal.

When they finished, Oya paid the bill.

As they left the restaurant, Oya asked, “Which way are you heading?”

“I can go back by myself,” she replied.

“I told you, it’s no trouble. I’ve taken the afternoon off as well.”

“Don’t you think you’re going a bit beyond what a vice president should do?” Qiao Xi looked at him.

Oya smiled, “Is that so?” Then he asked again, “Which way?”

Qiao Xi regarded him in silence for a few seconds, but eventually answered, “To the right.”

“Then let’s go,” Oya said.

They walked side by side, neither speaking for a while.

At a crossroads, Oya stopped, turned to her, and asked, “And now?”

“To the left,” Qiao Xi replied.

So they continued on.

“You don’t talk much,” Oya said suddenly.

“I speak when I have something to say. If not, I don’t,” Qiao Xi answered.

“You have nothing to say to me?” Oya turned his head to look at her.

Without meeting his gaze, Qiao Xi paused before replying, “I don’t know what to say.”

“Then tell me about your grades,” Oya suggested.

“They’re fine,” she said.

“Which subject are you best at?”

“Math.”

“And which do you dislike the most?”

“Geometry.”

Hearing her answer, Oya suddenly recalled Ji Niansheng’s muttered words that day…

… Favorite color: red. Least favorite color: red.

Thinking of this, he smiled faintly, but didn’t pursue the topic.

Qiao Xi’s grandmother’s house wasn’t far from the school. Walking slowly, they arrived in about twenty minutes.

Stopping at the door, Qiao Xi knew she should invite him in out of courtesy. Her grandmother was likely home; though there was nothing wrong with bringing a male classmate over.

So she simply said, “Thank you for walking me home.”

“See you next week,” Oya replied, unconcerned that she hadn’t invited him in.

“Goodbye, Vice President,” Qiao Xi said.

Oya remained standing, watching her.

“Is there something else?” Qiao Xi asked.

“You don’t seem to like calling me by my name.”

“…”

“Go on inside, I’ll be off now,” Oya said, turning to leave.

Qiao Xi watched him walk away before entering the house.

Her grandmother wasn’t home—she must have gone grocery shopping or was visiting a neighbor.

Her phone rang. It was Qiu Qiu calling.

As soon as she answered, Qiu Qiu’s voice burst out, “Qiao Xi, where did you go? I couldn’t find you at school. Were you with the vice president?”

“I’m at my grandmother’s house,” she replied.

“I’ll come by after school then.”

“All right.”