Chapter 3: Pretend to be Cool? The School Beauty is Stunned
The girl’s name was Chu Yuwei.
She was the school goddess of Chengnan High and also the object of 18-year-old Jiang Zhou’s long-standing secret crush.
The moment Chu Yuwei entered the school building, she spotted Jiang Zhou.
She originally intended to avoid him but unexpectedly heard him say something about how it was “so embarrassing.”
Chu Yuwei found it laughable.
She’d been confessed to countless times, none of them had succeeded.
But only Jiang Zhou had the gall to act disgusted afterward and say it was embarrassing to confess to her.
She was the school beauty of Chengnan High, and also a top student in the entire city.
What was so embarrassing about confessing to her?
She couldn’t hold back and rushed forward, wanting to demand an explanation.
But Jiang Zhou’s reaction just now left her totally at a loss.
“Trying to remember who I am?”
This guy had just been sobbing his heart out to her yesterday, saying he couldn’t live without her.
Now he was pretending not to know her?
What was this, a joke?
Chu Yuwei frowned deeply. “Jiang Zhou, is this really necessary?”
“Oh, you’re Chu Yuwei…?”
Piecing together her words and the reactions of everyone around Jiang Zhou suddenly remembered.
This was the school beauty who had rejected him.
“So you’re the famous Goddess Chu. Sorry, I think I slept too long at lunch. My head’s a bit fuzzy.” Jiang Zhou smiled naturally and even reached out to hold her smooth little hand. “How about we grab a bite later? I’ll apologize properly.”
“You— Let go of me!” Chu Yuwei’s face turned bright red. “Who said you could touch me?!”
“Ah, my bad. I used to work with clients a lot. First thing we’d do is shake hands. Old habit. Don’t take it personally.” Jiang Zhou politely apologized and let go of her hand, without the slightest hesitation or reluctance.
Chu Yuwei’s face flushed. “Clients? Handshakes? What nonsense are you talking about?”
“Nothing. I’m off to get my diploma. Let’s talk later.” With that, Jiang Zhou said goodbye and waved at Guo Wei, heading toward the office.
As someone with the soul of a 35-year-old man, he was already highly adept at handling social situations.
Especially when it came to playing the game, he was a pro.
Say what people want to hear, adapt to the audience.
Talk smooth to beautiful women?
But just as he was walking away, Chu Yuwei rushed after him again.
“Jiang Zhou, love shouldn’t be forced. I just want you to be honest. How can you be ?”
Jiang Zhou’s smile faded slightly.
“What did you expect me to do? Kneel down and beg you to date me?”
“That’s not what I meant…”
“We were just playing a part. No need to take it so seriously.”
Jiang Zhou gave her a gentle pat on the shoulder and said with deep meaning, “You’ve had lots of guys confess to you. I’ve confessed to plenty of girls too. Let’s just end things nicely, alright? Be good.”
Chu Yuwei stood there, totally stunned.
Wasn’t she the one who rejected him?
Why does it now feel like he’s the one who dumped her?
Chu Yuwei wanted to argue back, but a second later, she hesitated.
If she fought back now, wouldn’t she seem like a clingy, bitter ex?
“Jiang Zhou, just wait. I’m never talking to you again!”
Jiang Zhou and Guo Wei walked out of the school building with their diplomas in hand.
Under the dazzling sunlight, both of them were in a great mood.
The college entrance exams were over.
Summer vacation had begun.
With no academic pressure anymore, they could finally let loose.
Guo Wei suddenly leaned in, grinning sneakily.
“Old Jiang, you really don’t like Chu Yuwei anymore?”
Jiang Zhou chuckled. “That girl’s nothing compared to college life.”
“Damn, is it really that good? You’re getting me hyped now.”
Jiang Zhou looked at him, then suddenly shook his head.
Based on what he remembered, Guo Wei never even got a girlfriend in college.
So the guy was probably never gonna experience how good it could be.
“Hey, Jiang. Since we’re graduates now, how about we hit up a bar or something?”
“Nah, I’ve got something to do today.”
“What could be more important than enjoying life? You might even get lucky!”
Jiang Zhou pushed off on his bike. “I need to make a trip to the police station. Let’s hit the bar tomorrow, my treat.”
“The… police station?”
Guo Wei stared after Jiang Zhou’s carefree, showy departure on his bike, full of confusion.
Meanwhile, Jiang Zhou stopped at a corner shop just outside the school.
He used to be a heavy smoker in his past life.
And right now, not having any cigarettes on him just made everything feel off.
He went in and bought a pack of Red General.
Just as he was about to light one, he froze.
Chu Yuwei was right ahead, riding in the same direction.
Behind her was a whole group of boys, jostling each other just to ride alongside her.
Everyone was trying to get close to the school goddess.
“This girl again? She’s like a haunting spirit.
“Forget it. Better not smoke. Otherwise, they’ll think I’m pulling some ‘cool guy’ stunt again.”
Jiang Zhou pocketed the cigarette and followed behind the grand procession escorting the school flower all the way to the police station.
But the moment he caught up, the boys around Chu Yuwei noticed.
“Jiang Zhou again? Doesn’t he live in the other direction? Why’s he following?”
“He just pretended not to know her earlier, but now he’s back to clinging? Shameless.”
“He probably only acted like that ‘cause of the crowd. Now he’s looking for a second chance.”
Hearing the murmurs, Chu Yuwei also spotted Jiang Zhou.
He’s still following me?
Didn’t I make myself clear already?
She wasn’t going to date anyone before college.
Liking someone was fine.
But why did he have to be so persistent?
She was getting annoyed.
She opened her mouth, ready to tell him off again.
Meanwhile, the boys around her closed ranks, forming a protective circle, prepared to block Jiang Zhou out.
They all watched as he got closer and closer, waiting to unleash their sarcasm and drive him away.
But to their surprise, Jiang Zhou didn’t even glance their way.
He released the handlebars and coolly weaved through the crowd.
His expression was as carefree as ever. It was as if Chu Yuwei didn’t even exist.