Sometimes, Zhu Yaya would often see the shop owner's wife stuffing a few big white steamed buns or meat buns into Yan Heng's hands. Remembering the scene of Yan Heng gnawing on a steamed bun at noon before, she seemed to understand something.
Since Xu Chun had that argument with Murong Beichen, her days at school hadn't been easy. Many of Murong Beichen's mindless female fans targeted her. Zhu Yaya, often following her, had witnessed quite a few incidents.
She had never had much liking for school bullying. She had stepped in to stop it, she had recorded videos to threaten the bullies, she had reported it to the principal and teachers, but the first one to jump out and criticize her was Xu Chun.
Xu Chun's eyes were filled with disbelief as she pointed at Zhu Yaya, saying with great pain, "How could you be so vicious? We're all classmates! You'll ruin their lives like this."
Zhu Yaya's face was full of question marks. She saw similar confusion on the faces of the bullies.
What the hell!
Zhu Yaya was so angry she almost couldn't stop herself from kicking out right then and there.
In the end, under the earnest guidance of the dean of students, Zhu Yaya gritted her back teeth and, expressionless, wrote one 800-word self-criticism essay after another.
Even Xu Baoying couldn't stand watching anymore: "Why did you have to get involved in this?"
The boys in her class would laugh whenever they saw her: "Minister Zhu, still writing self-criticisms?"
Ever since Zhu Yaya called herself "the Foreign Minister" in Class 17, Grade 11 last time, the nickname had spread.
Zhu Yaya imitated Yan Heng, throwing an icy glare over. It was quite lethal.
After finishing and handing in the self-criticism essays, Zhu Yaya stood in front of the bulletin board on the first floor. With a grand, sweeping gesture of her sleeve, she hugged Xu Baoying and said affectionately, "My beloved concubine, see! This is the kingdom I have personally written for you!"
Xu Baoying laughed, collapsing onto Zhu Yaya's shoulder, answering in a shrill, coquettish voice, "Ah, your humble concubine sees it! Your Majesty is truly amazing! Your humble concubine really admires you so much!"
"Wahahaha!" Zhu Yaya, with one arm around Xu Baoying, pretended to stroke a nonexistent beard on her chin with her other hand, laughing in a rough, masculine voice.
Li Hao, who was passing by, found it hilarious. Back in the classroom, he vividly reenacted the whole scene for Yan Heng.
A hint of a smile surfaced in Yan Heng's eyes. Yet, his face remained cold and icy, making it hard for others to discern his true thoughts.
Li Hao sighed with some emotion, "The junior's heart is in the right place, but... is that transfer student's brain broken?"
"Perhaps she has other motives." Yan Heng rarely uttered a few words, his eyelashes lowered, his eyes shrouded in thick darkness.
Li Hao found this somewhat rare and thought Yan Heng's words made sense.
This afternoon after school, Yan Heng wasn't in a hurry to leave. He first stopped and lingered for a while in front of the bulletin board on the first floor.
After school, everyone was rushing home, so not many people came to the bulletin board area.
He stood there quietly, looking at the several self-criticism essays posted on the board. The handwriting was neat and elegant, very pleasing to the eye at first glance.
Her personality was lively, and her self-criticism essays were lively too, full of cleverness, flowing freely, quoting classics, with vivid language. No wonder the Chinese teacher had praised these essays of hers in class today.
The corner of Yan Heng's mouth lifted slightly. He looked a few more times before leaving.
Zhu Yaya waited and waited at the school gate, wondering why Xu Chun hadn't come out yet today. It felt a bit off. After waiting a while, she finally saw two familiar figures. Just like before, Yan Heng walked ahead casually, and Xu Chun dawdled along behind. Zhu Yaya followed at a leisurely pace.
The three of them boarded Bus 163 one after another. Today, the bus was unusually crowded. Zhu Yaya shrank her body, squeezed in the back, and could barely see Xu Chun and Yan Heng.
This was the bus heading to the West District, known for the worst public security. On the bus were a few middle-aged men with lecherous eyes and young men dressed like hoodlums. Zhu Yaya became alert.
Then, she saw it: an uncle placed his hand on the thigh of a young woman dressed like an office worker.
Zhu Yaya, her sense of justice exploding, didn't think twice and was about to charge over. But a familiar figure beat her to it.
It was Yan Heng! He locked the groper's arm behind his back, kicked the man's left knee with his left foot, then stepped on the calf of that left leg. The whole sequence was swift and flowed smoothly like clouds and water.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, staring dangerously at the man, and asked in a deep voice, "What do you think you're doing?"
So impressive! This guy really is righteous. Li Hao wasn't lying. Zhu Yaya thought to herself.
The man was trembling all over, his voice shaking: "H-handsome, I, I really wasn't trying to do anything, l-let me go, please!"
Yan Heng remained silent.
Coincidentally, they were near the police station in the East District, so the driver drove the bus there. A few helpful passengers who were about to get off took the groper from Yan Heng's hands to bring him into the station.
The female office worker thanked Yan Heng softly and also got off.
Yan Heng withdrew his hand, took a tissue from his pocket with slight distaste, carefully wiped his hands, and stood back in his original spot with a cold expression.
Seeing the detail of him wiping his hands, Zhu Yaya smiled, her eyes curving into crescents.
After getting off the bus, Zhu Yaya continued tailing them. Seeing Yan Heng and Xu Chun go upstairs one after another in the dilapidated residential building, she stretched her limbs and turned to leave.
"How much longer are you going to keep following like this?"
A clear, cold voice sounded behind Zhu Yaya.
The suddenness of it startled Zhu Yaya, breaking out in a cold sweat.
That voice... it sounded a bit like Yan Heng!
Zhu Yaya turned around hesitantly and, sure enough, it was him. His hands were in his pockets, his gaze fixed on her, heavy and intent.
Caught by Yan Heng! Zhu Yaya stood frozen on the spot. After recovering, she stammered, "I, uh, I wasn't following! That..."
An idea struck Zhu Yaya, and she said resolutely, "I wasn't following! My home is around here. Senior Yan Heng, you should know that, otherwise, I wouldn't go to the Tian Tian Breakfast Shop to buy breakfast every morning!"
"Really?" Yan Heng lowered his eyes to look at Zhu Yaya.
She was wearing a milk-white oversized sweatshirt today, loose and baggy, making her look very petite, a small, well-behaved little thing. Her grape-like eyes darted around. When she spoke, the small dimple by her mouth appeared faintly. In the gloomy West District, she was the brightest, most eye-catching presence.
So well-behaved. The darkness in Yan Heng's eyes deepened, the pads of his left thumb and index finger rubbing together slightly.
"Really!" Zhu Yaya's gaze was firm, but inside she was panicking like crazy.
Why did she always feel Yan Heng's gaze was so sharp, like he could see right through her?
"Alright then, I'll walk you home."
Zhu Yaya: ... Please don't, Boss Yan!
Zhu Yaya felt a bit depressed, a cold sweat silently breaking out down her spine, but she still managed a smile and replied lightly, "Haha, oh, that's really not necessary, Senior Yan Heng. Haha, my home really is nearby, very close! No need to trouble Senior Yan Heng to walk me! Thank you for your kind offer, Senior Yan Heng."
"The West District's public security is very bad."
"Uh, it's... it's fine. Haha, I've never run into this before when heading home! Hhaha..." Zhu Yayaa forced a laugh, scratching her head. "Senior, really, my home is just nearby------"
Suddenly, a deep male voice cut off Zhu Yayaa's words.
"Yabao! What are you doing here! It's so late, why aren't you back in the South District!"
Zhu Yayaa's entire body stiffened. She turned her head mechanically and saw Zhu Jianjun, wearing a police uniform and looking utterly shocked, not far away. "Dad?"
Then, she heard Yan Heng's soft chuckle perfectly clearly.
"South District, huh?" He shot Zhu Yayaa a meaningful glance, leaning his body towards her and lowering his voice until it was husky and deep. "Living nearby?"
Zhu Yayaa: ...
This is a disaster! I'm done for! I'm so done for!
Zhu Yayaa was inwardly weeping rivers of tears.
