The Brooding Guy's Wife Is Everyone's Crush - Chapter 3

The results of our first joint exam came out, and sure enough, I was at the bottom of the rankings.

I put away my test paper and buried my face in my arms. I had studied until two in the morning every day. Of course it hurt to do this badly.

Ever since I had given Chi Jin that bar of soap, the atmosphere between us had eased. He no longer bristled every time he saw me. Sometimes he even spoke to me.

He tapped my desk. “Were you crying?”

Embarrassed that he had seen through me, I lifted my head. “No.”

Evening study was lively on the night scores were released. Class One had a good learning environment; everyone was asking each other for help with difficult problems.

Everyone except Chi Jin. He ranked first in the entire grade.

I stared miserably at the last two major questions, my gaze drifting toward him. He seemed to be in a good mood and, for once, was willing to explain problems to other people. The line beside him was long.

I hesitated, then lost my nerve. After crumpling up another sheet of failed calculations, I carefully asked Jiang Ran, the physics representative in front of me, for help.

She had a gentle temper and didn’t mind the interruption. Lowering her voice, she walked me through the problem in detail. Soon I was completely absorbed, oblivious to the oppressive air rolling off Chi Jin.

By the time I looked up, evening study had ended.

“Thank you,” I told Jiang Ran with a grateful smile.

She waved it off. “No big deal.”

Chi Jin abruptly surged to his feet. His chair scraped harshly across the floor.

I stared up at him.

He looked down at me. “So studious. Planning to take first place next time?”

Anyone could hear the sarcasm in his voice. Jiang Ran looked as confused as I felt.

I had no idea why he was angry, but I denied it quietly. “No. I couldn’t beat you.”

Chi Jin squeezed his eyes shut. With a soft scoff, he grabbed his bag and left.

I turned to the bewildered Jiang Ran, embarrassed. “Don’t mind him. Maybe he’s reached his rebellious phase.”

Rebellious-phase Chi Jin seemed displeased with everyone.

The next day, He Nanxing called me out to a secluded corner of the corridor. He propped one hand against the wall behind me, all careless swagger.

“My birthday’s Saturday. You coming?”

I was about to refuse when I noticed the stud in his eyebrow. It looked new; the skin around it was still red and swollen.

The excuse died in my throat. Even the teachers couldn’t control him. I wouldn’t dare say no if someone lent me a hundred times my usual courage.

After a moment of silence, He Nanxing assumed I had agreed.

“You’re pretty obedient.”

I held my breath. “What if I refuse?”

He raised a brow and answered without hesitation. “Then I’ll beat you up.”

At that moment, I was deeply grateful I had made the right choice. His expression said he wasn’t joking.

While my thoughts ran wild, a large hand suddenly swept the hair off my forehead. Cold air struck my skin.

“Don’t move,” He Nanxing said, holding me still.

I frowned and looked away. He played basketball, and his callused fingers pressed against my brow as he muttered, “How do you look this innocent?”

Then he leaned closer, his gaze settling on the lower half of my face.

“You smell sweet too. Are you wearing perfume?”

A gust of wind raised goose bumps along my skin. I dodged his hand.

“I-I’ll go,” I stammered. “I have to get back to my homework.”

Without waiting for his response, I fled to the classroom.

Chi Jin lifted his thin eyelids and gave me a glacial look. I sat down on tenterhooks, wondering how I had offended him this time.

The social circles of these young masters overlapped, so I asked hopefully, “Um, are you going to He Nanxing’s birthday?”

Chi Jin tossed down his pen with studied carelessness.

His smile wasn’t quite a smile. “Why wouldn’t I?”