Chapter 17
This meal ended in discord, and Cui Yeyi was so angry that in the end, Fan Hongyi and Shen Bei accompanied him back to the dorm.
After leaving the cafeteria, Bai Sinian followed Bian Rui and walked aimlessly towards the sports field, the two of them wandering without a destination, not immediately returning to the dorm.
"Aren't you angry that he said that to you?" Bian Rui asked.
Bai Sinian thought for a moment: "I'm just a bit sad, but it's fine."
How could he be angry with his idol? Even if he was angry, Cui Yeyi would calm down soon enough.
At this time, groups of students were running towards the bulletin board, and Bai Sinian noticed that a notice had been posted, so he quickened his pace: "Come, let's go take a look."
Bian Rui had no choice but to stop the conversation and follow Bai Sinian to the bulletin board.
The notice posted was about the disciplinary actions taken against the few students who had bullied Lin Yuting - five girls in total, with varying degrees of punishment, from expulsion to probation.
This notice was indeed heartening!
Perhaps it didn't achieve the intended purpose, but at least it could have a deterrent effect on other small groups.
Sure enough, Bai Sinian received a WeChat message from the girl who had previously sought his help, telling him that the teachers of the anti-campus bullying committee had found the students who had bullied her and were dealing with her case.
Bai Sinian was happy for her and replied with some encouraging words.
"What's wrong? You look so happy?" Bian Rui noticed the upturned corners of his mouth as he sent the message.
After sending the message, Bai Sinian put away his phone and told Bian Rui about the incident, and the two of them strolled around the sports field.
A full moon hung high in the sky, casting soft silver light. A gentle breeze blew, carrying a faint fragrance of flowers and plants.
On the running track, some students who loved sports were either running alone or playing football in teams, their figures appearing especially agile at night.
Bian Rui couldn't help but glance sideways at Bai Sinian. He knew that Bai Sinian had a kind heart and was truly concerned for them, and he was also talented, but he didn't understand Bai Sinian's feelings towards Cui Yeyi.
He always felt that Bai Sinian's gaze was a bit strange.
If Bai Sinian knew Bian Rui's current thoughts, he would probably discover that his own gaze towards Bian Rui was even stranger, with admiration mixed with a touch of idol worship, as if he could become the Virgin Mary to protect his idol.
"Do you really not care if Cui Yeyi quits?" Bai Sinian was a bit worried.
Bian Rui shrugged: "Let him quit if he wants to. I formed the band out of pure love for music, and he's just here for fame and fortune, we're not on the same path."
"No!" Bai Sinian exclaimed without thinking.
Bian Rui: "Why?"
Bai Sinian paused for a few seconds, finding an excuse: "Cui Yeyi just hasn't thought it through for the moment. I'll persuade him again. If we lose one person, the band can't be formed."
Bian Rui frowned: "Are you doing this for me, or for him? Why are you so desperate to keep the band together?"
Bai Sinian: "Ah? I'm doing it for you all..."
Bian Rui: "Why? Do you like someone in our band? Or...?"
Bai Sinian: "I like you all!"
Bian Rui gave a disbelieving look: "We've only just formed the band, how could someone like us that much?"
Even being scolded by Cui Yeyi, he still insisted on keeping everyone united.
Bai Sinian had no words to defend himself: "It's true."
"Let's go back. Everyone should take this time to calm down and focus on preparing for the mid-term exams."
"Oh right, the exams are coming up."
With less than two weeks until the mid-term exams, the workload for the second-year high school students was still heavy, even if not as intense as the third-year students. Bai Sinian had been immersed in the band's affairs lately, neglecting his studies a bit.
Thinking about his parents' expectations, he had to ensure there was no setback in his academic performance.
Back in the dorm, Bai Sinian took out some snacks from his suitcase to share with his roommates, then took a shower and did laundry. By the time he lay down on the bed, it was already 10 o'clock.
He opened his phone and found that Cui Yeyi had sent him a message. He widened his eyes, staring at the message, reading it word by word: "I'm sorry, I didn't think before I spoke today, I didn't mean it."
It was unbelievable to get his apology!
Bai Sinian's mouth was nearly touching the sky, he had already forgotten the specific words Cui Yeyi said, and he wanted to immediately reply "It's fine," but he had to maintain a certain composure.
"I didn't take it to heart. What are your plans now?"
Cui Yeyi sent an audio message: "Actually, an entertainment company's talent scout approached me, hoping to sign us, but I've already turned him down. I'll still continue to practice the drums, I won't let Bian Rui look down on me."
Bai Sinian held the phone, like a lovesick girl, almost wanting to scream in delight.
His idol was indeed more aware than others! In just one night, he was able to realize his mistakes. Bai Sinian instantly forgot Cui Yeyi's improper behavior and forgave him wholeheartedly!
Bai Sinian was afraid of disturbing his roommates' rest, so he typed a message: "Okay, we'll go to the music practice room together next weekend."
Bai Sinian added another message: "Let's have dinner together tomorrow night after evening self-study, and do some supplementary lessons."
Cui Yeyi sent a "collapse" emoji.
That's great, they weren't the type to hold grudges, and conflicts could be quickly resolved. This was probably one of the reasons why this band could last so long.
The next day, Monday, Bai Sinian put his phone in the locker and began a day of focused study.
One class after another, sometimes the teachers even extended the class time, leaving no time to go to the bathroom. Near noon, Bai Sinian was hungry and tired, and as soon as the last bell rang, he dragged his weary body to the cafeteria.
Bian Rui's voice suddenly came from behind: "Just got out of class?"
The dispirited Bai Sinian instantly perked up, turning back with a smile: "Yeah, Bian Rui, are you going to eat too? Let's go together?"
"Mm-hmm."
There were students frantically sprinting to the cafeteria, but the two of them walked steadily like old dogs, strolling slowly under the scorching sun.
"How far have you guys gotten in math?" Bian Rui asked.
Bai Sinian: "We'll start learning the high school third-year content next month. The teacher said we need to finish it all before the third year, then start reviewing with practice questions in the third year."
Bian Rui: "We're about the same. Do you have confidence in ranking first in the grade on this midterm exam?"
Bai Sinian: "Hehe, no, just do our best. By the way, shall we continue to tutor them after evening self-study tonight?"
Bian Rui glanced at him: "You've told them about the tutoring again?"
Bai Sinian: "Ah... Last night, Cui Yeyi apologized to me, and we agreed to study together tonight."
Bian Rui clicked his tongue and shook his head: "Didn't expect him to humble himself one day." Then he gave Bai Sinian a look as if he didn't know him at all, wondering what method Bai Sinian had used to make Cui Yeyi apologize.
Bian Rui: "Let's switch. I'll tutor Shen Bei."
Bai Sinian looked at Bian Rui in horror. Shen Bei was the one with the least academic talent, was Bian Rui sure he wouldn't raise his blood pressure?
"Okay, okay."
After all, yesterday, Fan Hongyi and Cui Yeyi shared the same idea, so Bian Rui didn't want to talk to those two again, and could only choose the more obedient one to tutor.
Bai Sinian grabbed his phone, then had lunch with Bian Rui.
It was rare to be alone with Bian Rui, and Bai Sinian kept snapping photos, first of their two lunch trays, then turning around to take a casual selfie, managing to capture Bian Rui in the background.
Various angles, endless photos.
Bian Rui: "......"
Bian Rui: "Didn't expect you to be... so fond of recording life."
The sentence "like a girl" was swallowed back.
On the way back to the dorm, Bai Sinian was still taking selfies: "Hehe, yeah, I hope you can get used to it." After all, there will be more such occasions in the future!
Evidently, Bian Rui had already gotten used to it and no longer bothered.
Many classmates recognized Bian Rui along the way, they had recognized him from the previous video, but not many knew Bai Sinian. Seeing Bian Rui walking with another handsome guy, they couldn't help but steal glances.
This made Bai Sinian a little embarrassed, as he had never been the center of attention like this before.
Bian Rui, whether out of habit or his usual indifference, seemed to pay no attention to the people around him.
At this moment, a few girls finally mustered the courage to approach them: "Excuse me, may I take a photo with you?"
Bai Sinian looked at Bian Rui, waiting for his response. Bian Rui had initially wanted to shoo them away, but when he met Bai Sinian's expectant gaze, he swallowed the words and just gave a muffled "hmm."
Then several girls swarmed over, crowding around Bai Sinian and Bian Rui, their arms touching.
Bai Sinian was a bit taller than Bian Rui, but the two of them stood together in a surprisingly harmonious way, surrounded by several very pretty girls in school uniforms, making the whole scene very beautiful.
Bai Sinian felt his arms burning, this was the first time he had been this close to Bian Rui. He couldn't quite describe the feeling.
His face flushed to the tips of his ears, as if he could hardly breathe.
The girls who had taken the photos came back, taking turns to take more shots.
In the end, Bai Sinian timidly asked them if they could send the photos to him, and the excited girls added Bai Sinian on WeChat and sent him the group photos.
Wonderful! Bai Sinian's heart was elated, he finally had solo photos with Bian Rui!
Looking at the precious photos on his phone, Bai Sinian zoomed in and out, zooming in again.
Walking beside him, Bian Rui witnessed the whole scene, and teased: "You really want to take photos with me?"
"Of course!" Bai Sinian was still immersed in the joy of looking at the photos, answering without thinking.
After a long silence, Bai Sinian suddenly snapped out of it! Wait, what did I just say!
He abruptly looked up, meeting Bian Rui's ambiguous gaze.
Ah, how do I express that I only see you as an idol!
Bian Rui was not a narrow-minded person. In the next second, he hooked his arm around Bai Sinian's shoulder, pulling him close, their chests almost touching!
"Take a photo then."
Bai Sinian's heartbeat suddenly accelerated.
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