Chapter 9: Fine Wine

Chen Yiyi watched Gu Linxue push back her bangs and leave the restroom, grab the meal she had ordered, toss her a disdainful glance, and walk away without looking back.

Not seeing Cheng Yuexin come out, Chen Yiyi’s eyes filled with worry. She stood up and left the table.

“Ouch… Yiyi…”

At the restroom entrance, Cheng Yuexin collided with Chen Yiyi, her nose bumping into the soft flesh of Chen Yiyi’s chest.

Looking down at Cheng Yuexin rubbing her nose, Chen Yiyi saw that her red lips were as bright as freshly bloomed roses in the morning, stirring a desire to taste them.

The white hair was a bit messy. Chen Yiyi gently smoothed the stray strands on top of her head, a light smile on her pretty face.

‘I wish I could take this chance to pull her into my arms, but this is a public place.’

“Yiyi, let’s go back.”

“Huh? Are you full?”

Chen Yiyi blinked in confusion, gently holding her hand.

“Yeah, I’m full.”

Cheng Yuexin had lost any appetite.

In fact, during the time they were gone, Chen Yiyi hadn’t felt like eating either.

All she could think about was what the two of them were doing.

What was so important that they had to talk in the restroom?

She had to play dumb and act like she didn’t understand anything.

Even if she already guessed what Cheng Yuexin and Gu Linxue might have been doing.

“What did you two talk about in there? Seemed like quite a while.”

Cheng Yuexin’s gaze froze. She didn’t show too much surprise, only a calm expression.

As if everything that had just happened was as ordinary as a morning greeting.

“Just talked about some stuff with my little sister. Nothing much.”

Staring at the forced curve of Cheng Yuexin’s lips, Chen Yiyi gave a slight nod.

A breeze carried a familiar scent of roses, yet oddly mixed with a hint of lavender from the girl’s clothes and hair.

Hiding the disappointment and doubt deep in her eyes, she showed Cheng Yuexin a faint, composed smile.

“Then let’s go to the infirmary.”

“Okay.”

…

The afternoon sun was exceptionally bright.

Cheng Yuexin stayed under the dappled shade of the trees, her purple eyes flickering on and off, just like Chen Yiyi’s heart at that moment.

Suddenly recalling something, Cheng Yuexin reflexively tightened her grip on Chen Yiyi’s soft fingers, took a deep breath, and looked at Chen Yiyi’s profile.

“What’s wrong?”

Chen Yiyi asked softly, but Cheng Yuexin only shook her head silently.

“Oh, I heard that after military training ends, there will be a new student transferring into our class.”

“A transfer? That sounds a bit off.”

“Yeah… to be precise, a new student from another school is transferring. I heard they paid a lot of sponsorship money, so the school agreed.”

Cheng Yuexin frowned slightly.

“Another rich woman?”

Chen Yiyi nodded.

“Rumor has it the family has money.”

Remembering something, Chen Yiyi looked at Cheng Yuexin and asked, half-jokingly.

“Yuexin isn’t thinking of dating a rich woman, is she?”

Cheng Yuexin froze for a moment, her purple eyes blinking hard, then said with a trace of resignation.

“No. Rich women have nothing good besides money.”

Gu Linxue, that wealthy young lady, had already reshaped Cheng Yuexin’s definition of rich women.

Whether in the past or now, the formula “rich woman equals bad person” had always held true.

What Cheng Yuexin had gained from her was nothing but money.

On the contrary, the things she had lost far exceeded what she had gained.

“Haha, okay. Good thing I’m not a rich woman.”

Chen Yiyi gently squeezed Cheng Yuexin’s little hand, the corner of her mouth lifting in relief.

Cheng Yuexin sighed.

“I hope the new one is a good person.”

“Why would you wish for something like that?”

Cheng Yuexin smiled bitterly.

“Because I don’t like bad people.”

Chen Yiyi laughed and led Cheng Yuexin forward in silence.

Now Cheng Yuexin had time to think.

If her guess was right, the transfer student was likely that person.

In her previous life, she hadn’t had much contact with her.

The memories of that person in this life seemed sealed away—if she didn’t turn to that page, she wouldn’t know what happened.

Except for remembering her face.

‘Oh well. The cart will find its way when it reaches the mountain.’

‘No matter how bad it gets, can it be worse than Gu Linxue, who already stripped me clean?’

‘If she still wants to eat, there’s nothing left but leftovers.’

‘She won’t even have time to drink the soup.’

At lunch break, a teacher was still on duty in the infirmary.

“Student, your hand is healing quite quickly. Be careful not to injure it again in the next few days. Also, apply iodine once a day for three days straight.”

The black-haired teacher in the infirmary carefully explained the points to Cheng Yuexin, handing her a small bottle of iodine spray.

‘This body—though weak in some ways—is surprisingly fast at wound healing.’

‘It seems like all the talent points went into physical recovery, and it only works for injuries.’

Cheng Yuexin nodded repeatedly. Beside her, Chen Yiyi nodded along.

Chen Yiyi’s dark eyes focused on the wound on Cheng Yuexin’s hand with a bit more ease.

Whether Cheng Yuexin remembered it or not, Chen Yiyi remembered it clearly.

“Thank you, Teacher.”

The two said in unison.

The infirmary teacher nodded calmly, used to it, and yawned.

“You’re welcome. Go take your lunch break.”

Seeing the slight fatigue in the teacher’s eyes, the two understood and left.

“Yuexin, want something to drink?”

Looking at the fine sweat on Cheng Yuexin’s forehead, Chen Yiyi asked.

“No, I’ll just drink water when we get back.”

After all, a two-yuan bottle of water was still an expense.

Chen Yiyi still stopped at the small shop by the dormitory gate. Soon, she came out with a bottle of chilled water.

“Drink a couple of sips. Quench your thirst.”

Cheng Yuexin stared at the bottle Chen Yiyi had already opened, the desire plain in her eyes.

She couldn’t help it. In her previous life, Cheng Yuexin had always loved that icy feeling.

“Then… then I’ll drink.”

Chen Yiyi nodded happily, satisfied.

“Go ahead.”

Stopping in the shade of the trees, Chen Yiyi quietly watched Cheng Yuexin’s lips touch the bottle opening and greedily swallow the cold liquid inside.

Her throat moved.

‘If only I could kiss her…’

‘No, no, Chen Yiyi, what are you thinking?’

‘That’s a very dangerous thought.’

“Ahh… that hits the spot!”

Cheng Yuexin let out a satisfied sigh and handed the remaining half bottle back to Chen Yiyi.

Chen Yiyi quickly took it, gripping the bottle as if it were a treasure. Deep in her eyes was an unusual joy and longing.

Suppressing the impulse for a moment, she just brought it to her lips and took a quick sip.

Containing the most intense taste of her, it was incomparably sweet.

It made her happier than eating glucose.

Cheng Yuexin watched the scene without finding it strange.

It wasn’t the first time.

Besides, they were close girlfriends; indirect kisses were recorded in romantic anime—perfectly normal and reasonable.

Twisting the cap tight, Chen Yiyi gently shook it to make sure this rare fine wine wouldn’t leak.

Looking up at Cheng Yuexin’s calm expression, Chen Yiyi said regretfully.

“If I had known, I would have bought two bottles.”

Cheng Yuexin rubbed her head awkwardly, a little embarrassed.

“Sorry, I couldn’t help drinking too much.”

“Haha, it’s fine. If you finish it, I’ll just buy more.”

Under the shade, seeing Chen Yiyi’s bright smile, Cheng Yuexin relaxed.

“Alright, let’s head back.”

Cheng Yuexin nodded and walked side by side with Chen Yiyi toward their shared dormitory for two.