Old Wounds, New Growth - Chapter 12. 2

Translator: Deyonna

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Li Chishu is a heartless little brat.

Difficult to tame.

On the evening of the day we returned to school, Jiang Chi and I realized that time was already tight so we decided to ask for leave from our homeroom teacher. After putting our things back at home, we go to the veterinary clinic to have Potato get checked and vaccinated. It also turned out that there was a flower shop right next to the veterinary clinic.

It is currently October, and I figured that there wouldn't be any gardenias in bloom at this time. So I didn't pay much attention to the shop and just glanced at it briefly. Unexpectedly, when I glanced over, I saw the shop owner standing outside, attentively tending to a pot of white flowers.

I took another closer look, and it indeed looked like gardenias.

With the thought that I would rather kill by mistake than let any suspicious target slip, I ran up to ask the shop owner. They confirmed that it was indeed gardenias and explained that they had read some online tips about adding a few drops of oil and crushed eggshells to the soil, which allowed the gardenias to bloom even in autumn. They had been nurturing this pot for two months before it grew into what it is now.

I persuaded the owner for a long time, even to the point where Jiang Chi already carried the bathed Potato out of the clinic. Only then did the shop owner reluctantly agree to cut the flowers and sell them to me at a high price.

Early the next morning, I made an effort to wrap the flowers carefully—after diligently soaking them in water overnight. I woke up before dawn, afraid that these few blossoms would wither before Li Chishu could see them. The morning traffic was congested again, so I waited until the housekeeper packed two breakfasts for me. I put them in a shoulder bag and specifically changed into lightweight canvas shoes. I grabbed the bicycle that hadn't been used in hundreds of years in the garden and hurried towards the school.

To bring the bicycle into the school, I had to cross a big road. Around 7 o'clock in the morning, the traffic was heavy. I felt anxious. I thought that every minute I could make Li Chishu happy was precious, so I decided to park the bicycle by the roadside. With the flowers in my hand, I took advantage of the traffic jam to run through the traffic towards the school gate.

I squeezed through the gaps. The honking of car horns echoed around me, but all these disturbances were nothing compared to Li Chishu.

After climbing up the school building’s stairs two steps at a time, I walked through the corridor without stopping and met Li Chishu going up the corridor from the other side.

I stopped in my tracks and hid the flowers behind me. I tidied up my hair and checked my school badge and shirt again, also checking to see if my shoes were dirty. Once everything was in order, I walked into Li Chishu's line of sight, preparing to present the flowers to him when we were just a step apart.

Li Chishu obviously noticed me at first glance.

Just as I was waiting for him to call out to me so I could present the flowers, Li Chishu lowered his gaze and brushed past me.

Brush. Past. Me.

The smile rising on my face almost froze.

"Li—Chi—shu." I turned sideways and reached out as he walked a meter away from me, my fingertips just catching the collar of his school uniform.

Still wanted to run.

Li Chishu first froze in place, then slowly turned around, hugging his books. He didn't even dare to look up and meet my gaze. "...what the matter?”

I suppressed my temper. I took a step towards him, bringing us face to face, with only a breath of distance between us.

"You didn't even greet me when you saw me.” I didn't forget to hide the flowers behind me. I also placed my other hand on his shoulder, leaned down, and stared straight into his eyes. "Isn't that a bit rude?”

Li Chishu's shoulder moved unnaturally under my hand. He still avoided making eye contact. "I thought you didn't want me to.”

"What do you mean by I didn't want you to?"

"You didn't want..." He secretly glanced at me. "Didn't want me to talk to you.”

"I didn't want to?" My eyebrow jumped, and I smiled angrily. "Yes, you're right. I didn't want to talk to you.”

I lowered my hand and stuffed it back into my pocket. My expression turned cold as I looked at him. "I want to kiss you.”

This time, I spoke each word clearly, and Li Chishu finally looked up. "You—"

I didn't answer and took out the flowers from behind and put them into his hands. "Take them.”

After saying that, I turned around and walked away.

After walking a few steps, I turned back and placed the lunchbox from my shoulder bag onto the books he was holding. Without saying a word, I left Li Chishu blankly staring at me.

I’m angry.

I decided to be angry for at least three class periods before I go and look for him.

I want to make Li Chishu aware that I’m angry, but not in a way that cannot be coaxed back.

This method had an immediate effect. During the long break after the third class period, Jiang Chi walked beside me and discreetly nudged me with his elbow. "Your wife is behind.”

I pretended to be casual, but actually turned my head and glanced very deliberately. I saw Li Chishu alone, trailing not far behind the back of our class, always maintaining a distance from me that was neither too close nor too far.

As soon as he saw me turn around, he nervously opened his eyes wide, as if he had something to say.

Jiang Chi, always eager for excitement, didn't mind getting involved in other people's business. “Quarrel?”

I pushed him forward with one hand. "It's none of your business. You go ahead.”

Reaching the main entrance of the school building, the most crowded place, I retreated to a deserted corner. Li Chishu only then strode in, still craning his neck looking for someone. Then I pulled him into my arms. The people behind surged in wave after wave, pressing against him so he could only stick into me.

I asked him over the noise, "Why?”

While he was trying to avoid people stepping on his heels behind him, he asked, "What, why?”

I held him in my arms and changed our position, shrouding him in the corner. I extended my arms to shield him from the crowded people on both sides. "Why do you think I don't want to talk to you?”

He remained silent for a moment in the dark shadows and then said, "You said yesterday we'll meet in the evening.”

I suddenly understood.

"I didn't come in the evening. I was too busy.”

I was busy taking care of Potato for him, buying flowers for him, and by the time I got home, it was already half-past twelve. At that time, technically speaking, the lights in the dormitory should have been turned off by then, and someone was doing bed checks. I didn't want to disturb him, so I didn't call unless it was absolutely necessary.

"You went to my class to look for me?" I asked.

He lowered his eyelashes and remained silent for a long time before nodding.

"Li Chishu," I called out to him, "look at me.”

He slowly looked up at me.

"A person's mouth, besides eating and drinking. What else can it be used for?"

He remained silent.

I said, "It can also be used to make a phone call and ask Shen Baoshan, 'Where are you? Why didn't you come?'”

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October 7th, Cloudy

Shen Baoshan was wearing a black windbreaker tonight, which made him look very tall and thin. During the class break, he stood on the balcony. Many people were looking at him.

I also looked at him for a while.

October 7th, Cloudy

Shen Baoshan said we would meet tonight, but he didn't come. I went to his class to look for him, but his classmates also said he didn't come.

He probably doesn't want to see me.

I wonder how Potato is doing at his house.

I think Shen Baoshan doesn't have that kind of feeling for me. Maybe I was just overthinking things in the past few days.

First of all, it's impossible for Shen Baoshan to like guys.

Secondly,

It seems like there's no second point.

But his reaction to my wound last night was a bit unusual.

Could it be that I'm the one who's not normal, so I see him as not normal?

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