- September, high school started. Dong Qin didn’t know what strings Lu Jinghao had pulled, but Lu Tuo, who should have been starting high school, had skipped a grade and was now in the same grade as her, a sophomore, and placed in her class. “This is Tuo’s first time studying in China, Dong Qin, please take good care of him. I’m counting on you.” Lu Jinghao said this while looking into her eyes, his expression serious and solemn, like a caring, benevolent father. “If he does anything wrong, don’t be lenient, discipline him directly. You’re the older sister, you have the right to discipline him.” Dong Qin guessed there was a hidden meaning in his words. Specifically arranging for Lu Tuo to be close to her, was it to monitor her? Because she had seen Lu Tuo’s secret when she sent the fax, or was Lu Jinghao afraid she would spread rumors? The underlying message was probably: Be careful! If you make a mistake or talk out of turn, we won’t be lenient! Of course, she felt there was zero chance she was being paranoid.
Lu Tuo’s arrival caused quite a stir in school, like the beginning of countless cliché schoolgirl manga. The handsome transfer student, wealthy, refined, and noble in his manner, was like a ready-made prince in the eyes of the female students. Countless people, silent or noisy, revolved around him daily. Bored, Dong Qin started tallying up the classic plot points from novels:
- Cafeteria Encounters: Accidental collisions, about 50% of the time. Later, she started eating lunch separately from Lu Tuo to prevent her meals from being “accidentally” knocked over by those girls.
- Oppositional Behavior: Picking fights or opposing him to get his attention, about 20%. After all, not every girl could face Lu Tuo without blushing.
- Direct Expressions of Affection: Confessing feelings, slipping love letters into his desk, or using craft class as an excuse to give him scarves, about 30%.
Dong Qin thought Lu Tuo must be enjoying these childish games of puppy love, as he hadn’t come looking for trouble or even glanced at her recently.
