The Arrival of the School Belle

Do You Like Grapes?

In the large parking lot of Mingde University, a black sports car sat in the corner with an air of tension inside. Yuan Taixian tapped his fingers intermittently on the steering wheel, his brows knitted tightly, and his expression decidedly grim.

Suddenly, the phone tossed on the passenger seat began to vibrate noisily.

Yuan Taixian glanced sideways, stretched out his hand to pick it up, and answered, suppressing his anger, "Hello."

The voice of his errand boy came through in a submissive tone: "Taixian, I didn't stop Jiang Youren. She took off like a rabbit the moment class ended. I didn't even catch a glimpse of her."

Yuan Taixian's expression darkened: "Hmm, I know."

The errand boy expressed his surprise, "You know?"

Yuan Taixian's face grew even darker, and he gritted his teeth: "Quan Jing took her away."

Upon hearing this, the errand boy painfully realized the situation. This month, Quan Jing was Jiang Youren's boyfriend, so it was normal for him to pick her up after school. Given how lovely and charming Jiang Youren was, anyone who became her boyfriend, aside from Yuan Taixian, would surely treat her with utmost care. Despite Quan Jing's proud and indifferent demeanor, this past month had seen a noticeable softening in his interactions with Jiang Youren. Consider how, at the start of their relationship, he could leave her standing alone in the rain in front of the academic building. But now, he had even started picking her up after school, which highlighted a stark contrast.

Yuan Taixian, feeling irritated, had no desire for an extended conversation, hung up the phone directly, his features growing sterner by the second.

Quan Jing was his own cousin, and Yuan Taixian knew him inside out. Quan Jing was a cold character who never cared much for anything, with a deep sense of social hierarchy stemming from his upbringing. Yuan Taixian believed that Quan Jing shouldn't have shown such amiable behavior towards Jiang Youren; he shouldn't be personally picking her up from school.

He was supposed to look down upon her, to scoff at her presence.

Yet Yuan Taixian had witnessed with his own eyes how Quan Jing had personally opened the car door for Jiang Youren.

That wretched Jiang Youren! She was the master at seduction, now Quan Jing too was ensnared by her sweet nothings.

With a fierce slap on the steering wheel, Yuan Taixian's expression was terrifying.

The car was once again enveloped in silence until he suddenly took out his phone and dialed a number. After waiting a moment, a clear voice answered, "Hey, Taixian, what's up?"

Yuan Taixian slightly curled his lips, though his eyes remained gloomy, devoid of any real mirth: "Shiyu, where are you?"

There was a brief pause on the other end, followed by a light chuckle, "At home. Why, you coming over?"

Yuan Taixian grunted, his mood evidently not improving, "I'll be there later."

Li Shiyu responded simply with an "Okay."

Yuan Taixian wasn't truly seeking out Li Shiyu's company, and Li Shiyu knew too well why he would be coming. Their understanding was unspoken but clear.

Jiang Youren was unaware that Yuan Taixian was acting deranged again. At that moment, she sat in the car, glaring at Quan Jing, feeling wronged and petulant as she scolded him, "Quan Jing, you're inhuman!"

He had actually let the driver stop the car.

Quan Jing wanted to teach Jiang Youren a lesson, to at least make her realize he had limits and wouldn't spoil her unconditionally. No matter how much she pouted or sulked, she couldn't always have her way.

He understood Jiang Youren's temperament — she wouldn't get off the car. She was cunning, like a small animal, who, sensing his genuine anger, would immediately admit her fault. She'd then cling to him, cooing adoringly, and that would be the end of it.

Quan Jing coldly stared at the beautiful, expressive eyes of Jiang Youren. Her eyes were captivatingly large and pitch-black, shimmering with innocence, with double eyelids that complemented their fan-like shape.

Despite her anger, she looked immensely alluring as she glared at him.

Quan Jing expected her to coo in the next second, to cling to his arm and nuzzle into his chest, making his heart tickle with affection, and her scent of green grapes to waft into his nostrils. Then, she'd sweetly complain, "There's no need to be so fierce if you don't want a kiss."

He waited.

But unexpectedly, Jiang Youren grabbed her bag, turned her head, and exited the car without another glance his way, much less indulging in any sweet nothings. Her actions were swift, and just as Quan Jing extended his hand to pull her back, the door slammed shut with a force that made Quan Jing's heart skip a beat.

His hand closed on nothing but air, the chill seeping through his fingers as he clenched them slowly, harder.

His expression turned even colder as he quickly wound down the car window, only to see Jiang Youren settling herself on a bench near the bus stop, her delicate face an image of icy coolness.

Quan Jing sat in the car, watching her with a furrowed brow, coldly summoning her, "Stop the nonsense, get back in."

Jiang Youren did not look his way nor did she respond, silently continuing to sit, her beige pleated skirt barely concealing her fair thighs, attracting the attention of those around her.

A sense of impatience began to stir in Quan Jing's chest, leaving him alarmed and powerless. His face grew an icy layer of frost; his hand rested on his knee, the veins bulging as he forcefully held back his temper and softened his voice, "Jiang Youren, get back in the car, let's talk."

Finally, Jiang Youren lifted her eyes to meet his, arms crossed, an air of defiance in her gaze: "Who wants to ride in your car? Go away, you're blocking the road."

Quan Jing held her gaze for an extended moment, his face increasingly icy before he commanded the driver, "Drive."

The window slowly rose, severing the connection between them.

As the window closed, Quan Jing couldn't help but glimpse the fragile beauty outside one final time, thinking if only Jiang Youren looked up at him, he would stay.

He could let things slide, could coddle her, or even... allow a kiss.

But Jiang Youren did not. She didn't look up or give him another glance. She just sat with her arms folded, head bowed. Her soft, dark curls draped one shoulder, this little woman who was usually so shameless, adept at playing coy – able to utter the most bashful words came off as stubborn just then.

The driver started the car, the scenery outside racing past, leaving behind the delicate beauty. Quan Jing rubbed his temples, plagued by a headache. Whenever he faced Jiang Youren, he was restless and frequently left with a headache.

His face was ice-cold, the air inside the car contained, heavy with the scent of green grapes from Jiang Youren, fueling his irritation. His brows soon furrowed deeply, his thoughts unclear.

As the car drove away, Jiang Youren watched with eyes wide and burning with fury.

But she did not cry; every tear she shed had its worth.

It wasn't long before Jiang Youren settled down, bought an ice cream, and sat back down on the bench. She ate her ice cream while contemplating whether to take a taxi home or use public transportation.

She currently lived in a wealthy neighborhood unreachable by taxi, and the bus only stopped at a distant station. The thought of walking the long route home made Jiang Youren even more angry, wishing she could call Quan Jing again just to scold him.

While simmering with anger, a car slowly stopped in front of her.

Curious, Jiang Youren peered over, expecting Quan Jing but instead found a stranger's vehicle.

As the window rolled down, a calm and handsome face came into view.

Jiang Youren was surprised: "It's you!"

The guy who peeked at her in class and even secretly sketched her, Gao Chenghao, asked her softly: "Do you need help?"

Jiang Youren eyed the car he was driving – it passed muster! When an admirer voluntarily showed goodwill towards her, why not accept it? Smiling sweetly, she cooed, "I do need help. Could you drive me home?"

Gao Chenghao nodded, "I can."

Jiang Youren grinned and got into the car.

After Jiang Youren got in, Gao Chenghao observed her silently. Although a stranger to her, she showed no discomfort and began cheerfully: "24 Jiangbeidong, thank you."

The driver responded with a mild smile: "Certainly, miss. I've got it."

Jiang Youren turned to Gao Chenghao and asked sweetly, "May I take a picture?"

Gao Chenghao looked at her calmly: "You're free to do so."

Jiang Youren pulled out her phone and started taking selfies. This car was not a step down from Quan Jing's.

Quiet and unassuming, Gao Chenghao lacked any real presence while he silently watched Jiang Youren pose and preen.

Indeed, this was how he viewed it.

After taking a few shots, Jiang Youren asked with a smile, "Want to take one together?"

He turned his head slightly towards her and looked into her phone's lens, seeing an ordinary Jiang Youren inside – but her smile seemed a tad brighter.

Jiang Youren, pleased with her screen image, murmured: "You look like a little white rabbit."

He was serene, with fair skin, graceful features, slow speech, and a good temper.

Gao Chenghao was momentarily stunned. A little white rabbit? What an odd remark!

Unconsciously, he looked at her, and Jiang Youren captured the photo.

Her eyes curved charmingly: "Hand me your phone, I'll send it to you. Make sure you save it carefully."

After receiving his phone, Gao Chenghao stared at the selfie with Jiang Youren, contemplating the lack of fading beauty.

Jiang Youren put away her phone and, resting her chin in her hand, she inquired with raised eyebrows and moved closer out of curiosity, "Were you secretly watching me during class today?"

Close proximity emphasized her scent of green grapes—Gao Chenghao had cultivated grapes before. In the summertime, the vines would cover the arbors, dangling in full bunches that smelled just like her. This familiar sensation made Gao Chenghao slightly dazed.

In a gentle voice, he asked Jiang Youren, "Do you like grapes?"

Jiang Youren nodded: "I do, but I'm not fond of peeling them."

Gao Chenghao, having observed her for over a month, knew of her delicate habits, feeling the reality of them for the first time.

He inquired, "I own a vineyard, would you like to visit?"

Jiang Youren frowned and shook her head: "No desire. It's so hot lately, and vineyards have bugs, right? I'm scared of bugs."

Gao Chenghao took mental note—she really was delicate.

Jiang Youren pressed on: "You still haven't answered my question?"

Gao Chenghao paused briefly before honestly replying, "Yes, I was watching you."

Her lips curled into a pleased smile as she leaned in closer coquettishly: "And you've been secretly sketching me too, haven't you?"

Gao Chenghao nodded and hummed in agreement.

Jiang Youren, brimming with pride, drew even nearer, coyly asking, "Do you like me?"

Gao Chenghao was about to deny it when Jiang Youren's phone abruptly rang.

Irritated, she glanced at the screen and answered in an annoyed tone: "Quan Jing, you are so bothersome!"

"Why are you calling me if you left?"

Sitting quietly beside her, Gao Chenghao listened as the other end seemed to say something coldly. Jiang Youren huffed: "I don't want to talk to you. Let my new boyfriend speak instead."

She passed the phone to Gao Chenghao, raising her chin haughtily, "You talk to him."

Somewhat taken aback, Gao Chenghao nevertheless took the phone, addressing the mess Jiang Youren had tossed at him with composure: "Quan Jing, it's me, Chenghao."

"Yes, Jiang Youren is in my car."

"I'm taking her home."

"Alright, don't worry."

After hanging up and returning the phone to Jiang Youren, he softly assured her, "Quan Jing went back looking for you and couldn't find you."

Jiang Youren scoffed: "Who cares?"

In another place, Quan Jing fiercely threw his phone aside after hanging up, his face frigidly grim. He took a deep breath, lowered his head, and massaged his temples, startling the driver into a nervous edge