Zhuang Zi'ang rushed to the corridor outside the in a few long strides. "What brings you here?"

  Su Yudiel produced a tube of medie from behind her back. "This is for you. The doctor said it stop nosebleeds."

  Zhuang Zi'ang reached out and took it. It was an ordinary tube of styptient. He knew, of course, that this medie wouldn't cure his illness. But he still smiled wanly. "Thank you."

  "It's still early for css to resume. Do you want to have a seat over there with me?" Su Yudiel poio a flower bed nearby.

  "Of course." Zhuang Zi'ang nodded immediately.

  The flower bed was a vibrant tapestry of colors, filled with cal lilies, hyaths, wisteria, and other flowers in full bloom. Several butterflies flitted and lingered among the blossoms.

  Su Yudiel delicately smoothed her skirt and sat down on the edge of the flower bed.

  "Did your family like the strawberry cake from yesterday?"

  At her question, Zhuang Zi'ang's heart tightened. He couldn't bring himself to say that the delicate strawberry cake had been pletely outshone by Zhuang Yuhang's huge birthday cake. Nor could he admit that his homeing had been anything but pleasant.

  This i and naive girl surely believed that the world was a beautiful pce. So, he decided to fabricate a story.

  "Thank you for the idea. My little brother loved the cake. He ate it with his face smeared with cream."

  "My dad was very happy too. He asked about my studies, and when he found out I got first pce again, he gave me a bear hug."

  "My stepmom made a big table full of delicious food a heaping food onto my pte, praising me for being smart and sensible."

  ...

  A gentle breeze wafted by, carrying the faint fragrance of flowers. Su Yudiel sat hugging her knees, her head slightly tilted, her bright eyes blinking as she listened quietly to Zhuang Zi'ang's story.

  The sounds of boung basketballs on the court, the chatter from the teag building, and the chirping of birds irees seemed to fade into the background. The whole world seemed to sist only of the two of them and the vibrant blooms behind them.

  Zhuang Zi'ang had dreamed of such a moment tless times. He thought he could tell the lie vingly, but his heart felt like it was being gripped by an invisible hand. The smile he forced onto his lips was forced and strained.

  He had always been a good kid and was, of course, unskilled i of deception.

  "Zhuang Zi'ang, you're a silly goose," Su Yudiel suddenly said.

  "What makes you say that?" Zhuang Zi'ang was taken aback.

  "You're lying to me. Friends should be ho with each other," Su Yudiel said, gently biting her lower lip.

  "I'm sorry..." Zhuang Zi'ang apologized in a low, husky voice. The truth was often a bitter pill to swallow. He didn't want to sully her bright spirit with his sorrow.

  "Zhuang Zi'ang, are you still hurting?" Su Yudiel asked softly.

  Zhuang Zi'ang hen shook his head.

  "Then after school at noon, I'll take you to eat something delicious. Meet me here."

  "Really? Okay!"

  The bell was about t. Su Yudiel stood up, waved goodbye to Zhuang Zi'ang, and then skipped off. The bright peach blossom danced in his vision. In a fsh, her figure melted into the throng of students.

  Zhuang Zi'ahe tube of medie in his hand, still warm to the touch.

  Ba the , Li Huangxuan immediately sauntered over to him. "Dude, spill the beans, who was that girl?"

  Zhuang Zi'ang replied, "I told you st night. She's the girl I met beh the ginkgo tree. You scoffed at me then."

  "I believe you now. No wonder you ditched css for her." Li Huangxuan raised his voice pointedly. "pared to that girl, Lin Mushi is really just pin."

  Lin Mushi had been covertly listening in on their versation. She turned around and gave Li Huangxuan a withering gre. Then she looked ily at Zhuang Zi'ang, a whirlwind of emotions in her eyes. It seemed she was actually feeling a twinge of jealousy.

  Zhuang Zi'ang was handsome, had good grades, and was kied. Such a good boy was a rare find.

  The bell chimed, signaling the start of css. Their css was ese Literature, taught by their homeroom teacher, Zhang Zhiyuan.

  After the ary standing bow and greeting, he gestured for them to sit down.

  "Before we begin, I have an annou," he said. "Zhuang Zi'ang tendered his resignation as css president this m, which I have accepted."

  A murmur rippled through the .

  "He actually quit? No one else is as qualified to be css president."

  "Yeah, he's done so much for the css over the past two years."

  "Holy, he's always been a credit to our css."

  ...

  Xie Wenyong was utterly stunned. He had dismissed Zhuang Zi'ang's earlier talk ning as mere banter. He never expected it to be true.

  Did he really sider the much-sought-after position of css president to be nothing more than a rotten mouse?

  Zhang Zhiyuan said with feeling, "Let us all give Zhuang Zi'ang a round of appuse for his service to the css."

  He led the css in a round of thunderous appuse.

  Zhuang Zi'ang looked around at the familiar faces, a feeling of profouance welling up in his heart. In three short months, he would be separated from them forever.

  His cssmates were all so wonderful. He was grateful for their panionship throughout his high school years.

  Following protocol, the vice president would naturally assume the role. Xie Wenyong finally achieved his ambition and became the css president, but he didn't feel happy at all. He was only iing what Zhuang Zi'ang had ???????discarded.

  His jealousy made him feel a bit ed.

  Zhuang Zi'ang was oblivious to the reas of others. He began to pte seriously about what to eat for lunch. Csses dismissed at twelve and resumed at two-thirty, leaving a window for lund a midday rest.

  During this break, students were free to e and go as they pleased.

  Finally, the bell rang at twelve o'clock, releasing them for the muticipated lunch break.

  Li Huangxuan spped Zhuang Zi'ang's shoulder. "Bro, are we hitting the cafeteria today as usual?"

  "I have something to do. You're on your own!" Zhuang Zi'ang's gaze drifted towards the flower bed outside.

  "What do you have to do? We always eat lunch together, what gives?" Li Huangxuan uzzled.

  "I'll fill you in ter. Gotta run." Zhuang Zi'ang hastily stuffed his books into his bag and dashed out of the .

  Li Huangxuan stared with wide eyes, feelirayed. It wasn't until he saw Zhuang Zi'ang waiting by the flower bed for the girl with the peach blossom in her hair that he saw red.

  "Unbelievable! Ditg me firl! That's just cold, man!"

  When Zhuang Zi'ang saw Su Yudiel, his smile bloomed. He asked hesitantly, "Which floor is your on? You came dowy quickly."

  "The fifth floor. I ran down because I wao see you," Su Yudiel said, slightly out of breath.

  A spark flickered in Zhuang Zi'ang's eyes.

  Am I worthy of someone running to meet me?

  "What do you want to eat? I treat you to anything," Zhuang Zi'ang offered.

  "Let's have mini hot pot. It has so many different dishes."

  When it came to food, Su Yudiel looked like she was about to drool.

  "Won't you smell like hot pot if you eat it at noon?"

  "Why worry so much? Just eat what you want!"

  This girl was really carefree. Being with her made him feel much more cheerful. She was so beautiful, yet she didn't act like a quiet, elegant dy at all. She skipped when she walked and chattered non-stop, like a happy little butterfly.