Chapter 57: Precocious

“Zhang Ya, it’s so late—did you need something?”
As soon as Zhang Ya saw Jiang Xiwen, her expectant gaze turned instantly to anger. “It’s all your fault! Because of you, I got slapped by Extinction. You’re so terrible—at lunch you just vanished without telling me... Are you alright? The principal didn’t give you trouble, did he? If he dared, I’d get my dad to have him removed.”
She’d meant to start with those last few sentences, but somehow, she couldn’t help but begin by blaming Jiang Xiwen. Only when Jiang Xiwen listened quietly did she finally voice what was truly on her mind.
Jiang Xiwen knew this little girl was worried about him, so he smiled. “It’s nothing. Li Changtian is shrewd; he knows exactly who your father is. Once I explained, he was very polite to me. Extinction’s the one who dug her own grave this time.”
Hearing Jiang Xiwen directly call the principal by name, and with a tone so similar to her father’s, Zhang Ya felt a bit unsettled. She paused, then asked, “Jiang Xiwen, sometimes you seem as mature as an adult.”
“You’re just realizing? Gong Xiang said so ages ago,” Jiang Xiwen replied. “I’ve always been this mature. You kids wouldn’t understand.”
“Hmph! Who are you calling kids?” Zhang Ya pouted. “You should thank me!”
“Thank you? I gave Extinction a good beating, and used your father’s name to avoid punishment. Aren’t we even?” Jiang Xiwen laughed.
“Blockhead! You should thank me for waiting here in the freezing cold. I’m about to catch a cold!” Zhang Ya said, feigning annoyance. “You’re punished to walk me home.”
“Wow!” Jiang Xiwen exclaimed theatrically. “The Party Committee compound? That’s so far.”
“Show some gentlemanly spirit, will you? Use the courage you had slapping Extinction and kicking Black Seven to protect a weak girl like me,” Zhang Ya joked.
Jiang Xiwen didn’t answer, just stared intently at Zhang Ya.
She blushed under his gaze, annoyed. “What are you staring at? Are you coming or not?”
“Changed, changed. From an arrogant lady to a clingy little maid,” Jiang Xiwen said, shaking his head and mimicking Tan Yutou’s manner.

Zhang Ya burst out laughing, then protested, “Nonsense! If I changed, I’d be a charming jade maiden.”
“With such a big build? Jade maiden…” Jiang Xiwen and Zhang Ya bantered their way out of Yangjiang No. 2 Middle School. No one noticed a graceful figure watching them from afar as they left.
Had Jiang Xiwen known, he’d surely have imagined something like: “The moon is cold, the wind is bitter. The solitary swordswoman Ning Yan gazes at her beloved hero and another woman as they walk away, silently offering her blessings.”
Soon, they reached the vicinity of Building Seven in the Party Committee compound. The guard apparently hadn’t noticed them.
“Alright, here we are. I’m scared of the guard, so I’ll be off,” Jiang Xiwen said.
“Jiang Xiwen, you…” Zhang Ya hesitated.
“If you’ve got something to say, just say it.”
“I…” Zhang Ya bit her lower lip, and after a moment, suddenly smiled. “Forget it. We’re good friends, right?”
“If you say so. Look at you—don’t tell me you’ve really fallen for my charms. I’ll warn you, my charisma is unbeatable.”
“Get lost! I’m heading in. You should go home early, too. Stay safe on the way.” With that, Zhang Ya dashed toward the gate of Building Seven.
Only fifteen—why is everyone so mature already? Jiang Xiwen wondered. Who’d have thought I’d be so attractive? Fate… When will Sulai finally come into my life?
On his way home, Jiang Xiwen once again saw Zi Qing, the girl he’d mistaken for a thug the other night. She was standing at the entrance to the alley, seemingly waiting for someone.
“Hey, Zi Qing, waiting for Sunglasses Guy Li Xuan? When are you two getting married…”
Zi Qing, about to thank Jiang Xiwen for helping last time, was caught off guard by his comment and hurried to explain.

Just then, a girl ran up behind Jiang Xiwen. Zi Qing called out, “Yu Ling, over here.”
Jiang Xiwen turned to see the newcomer, a plump young girl with a cute ponytail and chubby cheeks, looking around the same age as Zi Qing.
She immediately opened her mouth and snapped, “What brat are you, spouting nonsense?”
Jiang Xiwen was startled by the girl, apparently named Yu Ling, and replied, “Not at all—I was just flying planes with my words. Zi Qing, who’s this?”
Zi Qing, amused by Jiang Xiwen’s tone, laughed. “You need to mind your manners, kid. She’s Li Xuan’s girlfriend. Her name is Li Yu Ling. I’m Yu Zi Qing—you should call us ‘sister.’”
“Oh, that explains it…” Jiang Xiwen understood why the plump girl was angry and quickly smiled. “Sister Zi Qing, Sister Yu Ling, I meant no harm. Please forgive me. Sister Yu Ling is adorable and generous—a perfect match for Brother Li Xuan.”
Though he said that aloud, he thought to himself, They really are a pair—two treasures.
Fortunately, Yu Zi Qing wasn’t Li Xuan’s girlfriend. Last time, the alley was so dark he hadn’t noticed how pretty Yu Zi Qing was: crescent eyes, willow brows, an oval face, ponytail, a bit shorter than himself by five or six centimeters—a beauty, though still not on par with Sulai.
Whenever Jiang Xiwen saw a beautiful girl, he couldn’t help but compare her to Sulai. Just thinking of Sulai, he felt a strange emotion, as if no other girl in the world could match her.
Yu Zi Qing smiled awkwardly, unconsciously amused by Jiang Xiwen’s bravado, then returned to the subject. “You’re Jiang Xiwen, right? Thanks for your help last time. For someone so young, your Japanese is excellent.”
Li Yu Ling chimed in, opening her mouth wide, “So you’re Jiang Xiwen. Xuan told me about you—he said you’re smart and impressive.” Having just heard Jiang Xiwen’s compliments, she was delighted and her fondness for him grew.
Jiang Xiwen shook his head. “You two sisters misunderstood. I picked up my Japanese from anime, video games, and manga. I only know a few phrases. It was pure luck that I happened to meet Sister Zi Qing that day, and the Japanese guy spoke words I could understand, so I managed to help.”