The Arrival of the School Belle

iang You's mood could shift within a mere second—she was cursing

Quan Jing one moment and calling out Gao Chenghao's name with a beaming smile the next: "Chenghao."

"So your name is Chenghao."

Her voice was soft and coquettish, sweetly elongating the end of his name.

"What's your surname?"

"Gao, Gao Chenghao."

He was so quiet, almost lacking presence, that before today, Jiang You had scarcely paid him any attention.

Quan Jing was naturally haughty, seldom losing his temper. He believed frequent outbursts signified weakness—an inability to control even one's own emotions, let alone anything else.

But ever since Jiang You came into the picture, his temper has flared up more frequently, rendering him helplessly vexed. His original intention that day had been to discipline her, to let her know that charm and petulance don't always ensure a happy ending, and that he really wasn't one to be trifled with.

According to the rules of Mingde University, he and Jiang You were indeed in a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship. However, it was merely nominal; they hadn't fully acknowledged each other's feelings yet.

Yes, Jiang You had confessed her affection for him, but with her naturally sweet talk, Quan Jing, while pleased in the moment, would wonder upon reflection which of her words were genuine.

In such a situation, how could Quan Jing possibly accept her kiss? She could be capricious and coquettish all she wanted, but he couldn't afford to be lacking in propriety.

Quan Jing's scruples about physical contact were also influenced by the relationship between his parents, who, despite their deep affection, always demonstrated restraint, never indulging in excessive public displays of affection, not even in front of their son.

His concept of love stemmed from this—true love, in his eyes, didn't require constant adoration but rather restraint and caution, keeping one’s beloved in the heart.

Contrary to him, Jiang You was clingy; she relished burrowing into his embrace, always yearning to hold his hand, to hug him, to kiss him.

This wasn't the first time she had sought a kiss from him, nor was it the first time he had refused her. However, this time she seemed genuinely upset.

At that moment, when Quan Jing ordered the driver to drive off, it was a spur-of-the-moment decision made in exasperation. He regretted it not long after leaving.

Despite his throbbing temples from anger, thoughts of Jiang You sitting alone on the bus stop bench, sulking and hugging her arms crossed in a huff against him, softened his heart with a hint of acidity. Frustration soon gave way to worry and a wisp of guilt. A calm conversation with her would have sufficed; why had he felt the need to flare up and leave her behind?

He wondered if she had any money with her. She must have been furious, considering she didn't even glance his way when he had the driver move the car. Surely she cried—a little inconvenience was enough to make her tear up pitifully, let alone having been left aloof by him today.

Realizing this, Quan Jing couldn't sit still any longer. His expression cold and tense, he instructed the driver, "Turn back."

The driver, surprised, quickly complied, "Yes."

Anxious, Quan Jing felt an increasingly urgent bitterness, his expression growing even colder despite his impotence against the one-way road ahead. To make a U-turn, they had to drive further ahead before circling back.

And luck wasn't on his side—invariably meeting red lights all along the way.

His face grew ever chillier.

Finally, after going around, they arrived back at where Jiang You had alighted, only to find the bus stop bench vacant.

Quan Jing scanned the area with a frosty countenance, but couldn't find her. He reluctantly called her; she ignored the first call, then the second...

He knew she was still upset, likely hanging up on purpose. Insistent, he kept dialing until she answered— greeted by her sweet, reproachful voice: "Are you annoying or what, Quan Jing!"

Sometimes Quan Jing found Jiang You's chattering bothersome, wishing she'd be quieter. Yet, when scolded by her, he couldn't muster frustration, and instead, a slight smile crept onto his lips. He coolly inquired, "Where are you now?"

He wanted to pick her up—without her having to ask for once.

The next instant, her petulant voice seized his barely-formed smile and chilled his expression. She claimed she didn't want to talk to him and that her "new boyfriend" would speak for her instead.

Quan Jing snorted in disbelief. New boyfriend? Where did she suddenly find a new boyfriend less than ten minutes after their separation? Who had nestled so coquettishly against him at noon, whispering adoring words for him alone, expressing her wish for a relationship only with him? And who was it that sought intimacy behind raised car dividers on the drive?

She had a new boyfriend in such a short span, relegating him to the past?

Though convinced she was merely bluffing out of spite, his equanimity faltered when indeed a calm male voice came through the line. Coldness edged his eyes and tightened his grip on the phone.

The calm voice introduced himself, "Quan Jing, it's me, Chenghao."

Quan Jing's surprise was momentary; he didn't know when Jiang You and Gao Chenghao had become acquainted, enough for him to attend to her whims.

Though her words dripped with honey, convincing others was likely not a challenge for her.

Anger, tinged with bitterness, surged within him. His fingers numbed with restraint, Quan Jing frostily greeted, "Hello, Chenghao."

"Are you with Jiang You?"

Gao Chenghao confirmed, "Yes, she's in my car."

"I'm taking her home."

Deep inhale. Quan Jing's usually calm voice betrayed a hint of frost, "Did Jiang You ask you to take her?"

"Correct," Gao Chenghao responded with steady composure.

Quan Jing's vexation grew, but he managed a calm laugh, "She's probably still fuming from our quarrel. I appreciate you taking her home for me."

Gao Chenghao internally refuted the implication of doing a favor. Escorting Jiang You was his choice, independent of Quan Jing. Jiang You was a mystery to him, and he wished to observe her.

He replied, polite yet distant, "No problem, don't worry."

Quan Jing, icily detached, hung up and flung his phone aside.

While he seethed inwardly, his thoughts absurdly drifted to Gao Chenghao's probable choice of an extravagant, lavish car—one that Jiang You would agree to ride. Was it a sports car? One driven by Gao Chenghao himself?

Or was it like the one he was in now, chauffeur-driven? Was there a privacy divider in the car? If so, what if Jiang You sneakily raised it, isolating them in the back to kiss?

The more Quan Jing pondered, the colder his expression became. His thoughts ran wild, and he felt overwhelmed with frustration. Bowing his head, he pinched his brow to compose himself before picking up the phone again, his demeanor calm and voice commanding, "It's fine. Drive on, let's go home."

While the driver glanced at Quan Jing through the rearview mirror, cautiously nodding, "Understood, Young Master."

However, what Quan Jing imagined was far from the reality in the other car.

Jiang You was engrossed with her mirror, enjoying her beauty in the sealed space while her scent of green grapes wafted into Gao Chenghao's nose. He had been watching her—the closest he'd ever been—but his attention derailed into reverie.

Growing grapes required effort: building supports, trimming vines, thinning leaves, and removing buds. He preferred purple grapes—the sweet, round clusters that were easy to peel and beautiful to behold.

Tasting his own cultivation took a year of efforts.

The impulse for grapes emerged unexpectedly.

Jiang You closed her compact mirror and noticed Gao Chenghao's daydreaming. He had clear, handsome features and long lashes; in his quiet musings, he seemed so akin to a gentle rabbit. Snapping her fingers to catch his attention, she leaned in, her voice laden with delighted mischief, "What are you thinking about? Are you nervous being alone with me?"

Gao Chenghao's gaze met her watery eyes—the most beautiful feature on her otherwise plain face.

With tempting stillness, he invited her again, his voice unhurried, "The vineyard is close by. Would you like to visit?"

Jiang You pouted petulantly, "I already said no."

After a pause, Gao Chenghao examined his phone before saying, "The day after tomorrow will be partly cloudy, cooler, not too hot."

Handing her his phone, he pointed out, "This is the vineyard's schematic. The highlighted zones are regularly treated—no insects."

"There are seedless grapes that you can eat without peeling. If you dislike peeling, I can do it for you."

Displeased, Jiang You's voice mimicked her earlier words to Quan Jing, coquettishly muttering, "Aren't you tiresome? I've told you I don't want to go."

Perplexed by her refusal despite resolving all concerns, Gao Chenghao inquired earnestly, "Why not?"

Jiang You found him exasperatingly stubborn, "I just don't want to go. Does there need to be a reason?"

Gao Chenghao nodded, understanding. He quietly labeled Jiang You not merely delicate but willful too.

Dismissing the topic, Jiang You queried in a low voice, "Does this car have a privacy divider?"

Gao Chenghao nodded, an affirming hum.

"And where's the control?"

"In front, with the driver."

Her eyes twitched, "Have him raise it."

Obediently, Gao Chenghao relayed to the driver, "Raise the divider."

Astonished for a moment, the driver still complied, "Yes, Young Master."

As the barrier ascended, two distinct areas within the car were established.

Flipping her luxurious hair aside to bare her slender neck, Jiang You teasingly inquired, "Now that we’re separated, do you want to kiss me?"

Surprised, Gao Chenghao faltered in silence.

Jiang You huffed, straightening up, "Never mind, your ears are as red as beetroots—you're definitely dying to."

Registering her words, Gao Chenghao touched his earlobe—really, red? Maybe the heat was indeed higher than usual, or his hands were too cold.

Jiang You mused about dumping Quan Jing swiftly—clearly, he had issues.

Turning to Gao Chenghao, she studied him; he had the look of a gentle white rabbit and a handsome composure, yet none of these appealed to her, nor his quiet, stubborn nature. She wasn't entirely satisfied with him, pondering her options—if nothing better came along, she might just settle for him.

After all, dissatisfaction allowed for easy changes come a month’s time.