Chapter 3 — Sunlight on the School Desk

5 The shop owner was stunned. She wiped her hands on the towel and looked at me with a confused expression: "What?" I finally couldn't help it, I laughed so much I couldn't stand up straight. I already made WeChat friends with the owner, and every time I finish eating, I transfer the money directly. Even with the homeroom teacher, I asked Tan Du for permission to take a leave. But he's stupid, whatever I say is a lie. Tan Du was a bit unhappy, his lips pursed, he turned around and left without saying a word. I quickly chased after, babbling non-stop: "Hey, I was wrong, I just want you to say a few more words!" "Tan Du, your voice is very good. Let's talk more later." "Come on, read after me: 'Chu Nhuoc is so beautiful, I like Chu Nhuoc.'" Tan Du's ears turned even redder, he suddenly stopped. I didn't have time to react and crashed into his back. He turned his head, looked at me for two seconds, then coldly said three words: "Shameless." I burst out laughing: "Tan Du, you talk really well." Obviously he wanted to scold me like Duong Tham often did, but he said it in a funny elegant way. You said that, but I still smiled happily - I'm sure Tan Du has never met a girl as thick-skinned as me in his life. Tan Du definitely didn't pay attention to me anymore, snorted and continued to walk. That evening, the beauty queen transferred me 10,000 yuan. "A Du was willing to talk at home today! He asked me: 'Why are your shoes so stinky?' Master, you are truly the blessing of my whole family!" I lay down on the bed, laughing so hard I couldn't close my mouth, imagining Tan Du frowning - too cute to bear. I took out my phone to text Tan Du. But at that moment, the phone rang. I lost patience and hung up immediately — it was Duong Tham again. I immediately blocked his number and WeChat, then he started using his mother's phone to call me. My house and Duong Tham's house live opposite each other, his mother treats me well, and she is also close to my mother. No matter how naughty and stubborn I am, I cannot block an adult's number. I angrily ruffled my hair and threw the phone aside. What's wrong with this guy Duong Tham? From childhood to adulthood, I always ran after him, but not once did Duong Tham proactively call me - it was always me who bothered him. I scrolled through the messages between me and Duong Tham: almost all of them were one-sided monologues, but he had to go through hundreds of messages before saying "Yes" or "Yeah" again. As soon as I returned to the main screen, I saw Tan Du's message. I originally thought he would be as cold as when we met, but since we became friends on WeChat, he always replied to every message I sent. Even though it's just a simple word or two, I feel an unprecedented spiritual value. Tan Du even secretly used my sticker to reply. It's just... later when I sent him some messy stickers like "goat cat" and "exciting bear" he didn't take them anymore. Perhaps an autistic teenager like Tan Du just doesn't like to talk, but online... he's quite enthusiastic. “Good morning, Tan Du!” I smiled and greeted him. The guy coldly didn't answer, just slightly raised his eyes and looked at me. I'm a bit strange — why is he quieter than usual today? Seconds later, I saw a portion of breakfast on my table: "Did you buy it for me?" – I exclaimed in surprise. Tan Du nodded... then shook his head again: "My sister." He still didn't say much, but I immediately understood what he meant. "Then thank your sister for me! This place sells soup dumplings that are very difficult to buy." I ate so much that fat flowed all over my mouth, Tan Du sitting next to me even gave me a tissue. At this time, Duong Tham stepped forward and glared at me uncomfortably: "How long are you going to make trouble? The phone is not answered, the text messages are not answered. It's clear that the house is so close, yet you hide like a rabbit, unable to meet each other." I collected the dumplings from the table: "Since you know I'm avoiding you, don't appear in front of me again." Duong Tham's chest heaved with anger: "Don't think that a rich guy like him would really pay attention to you." My chewing movements stopped, even Tan Du stopped pulling out the tissue. He raised his eyes and looked coldly at Duong Tham. As for me, I slammed my hand on the table and jumped up: "Duong Tham! We are still students, how can you have such dirty thoughts?!" “My mind is full of thoughts about love, is this what a student should look like? As a classmate, you don't think about helping your friends, and you're still here causing division!" Duong Tham opened his mouth to speak, but I immediately stopped him: "Or... you're also in love, so that's why you're always thinking about these things?" Duong Tham was so angry that his face turned red: “Chu Nhuoc! I consider you a good friend to say that! What kind of girl does a rich man like Tan Du want without having-" Before he could finish his sentence, the cold voice of the homeroom teacher could be heard behind him: "Duong Tham, follow me to the office!" I almost fainted laughing. But as soon as I turned my head, I saw Tan Du staring at me, his eyes deep and dark. Before I could open my mouth, he pursed his lips and turned his head away. I rubbed my forehead. Okay, the little princess is angry again. “You're right, you don't need anyone's help, I was wrong… it's me — I need your help!” Can I copy your homework?" Tan Du didn't pay any attention. I immediately pulled his sleeve and shook it back and forth: "That strange video you shared with me yesterday, I can't find it, can you send it back to me?" He still ignored it. I sighed and obediently collapsed onto the table. Less than two minutes later, my phone vibrated. I pulled it out from the desk drawer, on the screen was Tan Du's transfer message: 【Continue to help me, I have money. Don't talk to him, I hate him.】 A straightforward "puppy" who knows how to use the power of money like this... who wouldn't be excited? I held my heart, without saying a word, I immediately received the money. The beauty queen invited me out to eat, saying that her parents wanted to meet to thank me. Recently, Tan Du talked more at home than before. Although it was still only a few short sentences, it was enough to make them see hope. I waved my hand: "It's just a small matter." 6 Actually, Tan Du and ordinary people still have a huge gap. On average, I say 100 questions, and he can answer 2–3 which is already good. Summer vacation is coming up, and my best friend from the next class is sharing a tourist destination. Recently, I earned some money and planned to take advantage of my birthday and this vacation to go abroad with my friends. A hot look came from next to me. I turned to see Tan Du staring at my phone screen. Seeing that he seemed interested, I conveniently opened a page: "Tan Du, where do you like to go?" He didn't say anything, just blandly closed his eyes. I also don't expect you to answer. But right after that, Tan Du's cold voice rang above my head: "Are you planning to go out on summer vacation?" “Yes, I want to go to country M.” I casually asked: "Do you want to go together?" Tan Du was silent again. I swing my legs, scrolling to the next video. The guy at the table in front turned down and happily told me about the tourist attractions in country M that he went to last year. It seemed like Tan Du also said something next to him, but it was so fast that I couldn't hear it clearly. Turning around, I saw him slumped down on the table, not saying anything. You're angry again. Lately, Tan Du is often angry for no reason. I don't understand why, I teased him twice and didn't get any reaction, so I just let it go and mind my own business. Soon it was time to end school. When I finished packing my books and looked up, Tan Du had put on his backpack and was standing at the classroom door. He stood outside the door, the sunset falling on his profiled face. I knew he was waiting for me, so I quickly packed up faster, intending to leave later and ask why he was angry today. But the next second, Duong Tham's face suddenly appeared in front of me, making me jump. “What else?” – I frowned at him. Duong Tham conveniently threw me a bunch of keys: "Your mother called but you didn't answer. Tell me to tell you that you're coming to stay at my house this week, your parents are busy." I took a deep breath: "Can't I order food from home at home?" Looking up again, Tan Du had disappeared. I angrily scratched my head and ran out, but only saw his back completely gone. I roughly understand why Tan Du is angry. You kind of… have a special kind of possessiveness over me. This feeling is not really love, but like a favorite toy that no one is allowed to touch. I talked to my friend at the table and he was angry. I talked to Duong Tham and he was twice as angry. But I don't find him unreasonable at all — I just find him extremely adorable. Possession... isn't the beginning of liking?