Back to Auntie’s School Days - Chapter 15

At this moment, however, Tan Yanqing’s expression remained unchanged, as if she were listening to Jian Hao say that one plus one equals three.

Seeing that she was unmoved, Jian Hao lost her urge to tease. She took a step back, creating some distance.

“Besides, do you think I’m that stupid? If the teacher asks for it, I just give it over?” Jian Hao’s eyes darted around with the agility of a fawn. “The one I gave the teacher was a note I wrote intending to give to you, but never did.”

She had originally planned to act piteous on that note to evoke Tan Yanqing’s sympathy, hoping she’d agree to let her come over for homework. But after writing it, she realized that even if she gave it to Tan Yanqing, the girl might not reply. It was better to just charge over to her house with a jar of chili sauce and act piteous in person.

Tan Yanqing was momentarily stunned. She naturally hadn’t expected Jian Hao to have a backup plan for something like this.

But the one Jian Hao wasn’t going to give her was a question about studies, while the one she did give her was asking… about dating?

At that moment, Jian Hao hooked her arm around Tan Yanqing’s, hugging it to her chest and swaying. “I totally misunderstood you~”

Tan Yanqing’s arm was pressed against Jian Hao’s soft chest, rolling back and forth as if sinking into a cloud.

“What are you two doing? Planning a three-legged race?” Jian You remarked as she ran past them.

Tan Yanqing finally realized there was no distance between her and Jian Lai. She quickly pulled her arm away, feigning composure. “It’s nothing.”

She spoke with her usual coldness, but as the words came out, there was a warmth in her tone that she hadn’t noticed herself. She exhaled softly, thinking she shouldn’t let Jian Lai get this close anymore.

She leaned forward and started running again.

Jian Hao jogged alongside her. “I really thought you were angry. I was afraid to talk to you for the last two days, worried you’d catch me in some rule violation and give me a lecture.”

“I’m not that bored.” She was just a class monitor; it wasn’t her place to act like a tyrant over every little thing.

“Mhm, not bored,” Jian Hao said. “You’re cute.”

She had realized that the current Tan Yanqing was less stern and controlling than the future “Auntie Tan.” Even though her personality was still icy, it was more “cute” than anything.

She looked at Tan Yanqing, seeing her cheeks flushed slightly from the run and her awkward expression—looking like she wanted to look at Jian Hao but didn’t dare. Jian Hao let out a giggle. “Really, why are you so cute?”

“So cute,” she whispered.

Tan Yanqing stared straight ahead, saying nothing. But the tips of her ears turned scalding hot.

Jian Hao stayed by Tan Yanqing’s side as they completed five laps around the playground. Finally, her strength failed her, and she collapsed onto the grass.

Tan Yanqing followed her over, but she didn’t collapse. Instead, she stood straight beside Jian Hao, her breathing only slightly heavy. She looked down. “Get up and walk. You can’t lie down right after running.”

Jian Hao looked up, her watery eyes fixed on her. “This humble servant simply cannot do it~”

Not only did she refuse to get up, she sprawled out like a starfish. Her voice was weak. “I can finish the five kilometers, but I definitely won’t get first place.”

Then, she looked back at Tan Yanqing, her eyes curving into a smile. “Tan Yanqing, you will definitely take first.”

She spoke with absolute certainty. After all, she had read the “script.”

But Jian Hao was curious: if she participated in the sports meet and had a recorded result, would there be a trace of “Jian Lai” in the school archives? Would there be proof she ever existed?

Jian You walked over with three bottles of water, handing one to Tan Yanqing first, then one to Jian Hao.

Jian Hao sat up to take the water. She heard Jian You scoff. “And you’re supposed to run a 5,000-meter?”

“I’m a minor character, I don’t matter.” Jian Hao grumbled as she took the bottle. She tried to twist the cap, but her whole body felt weak from the run. Her hands lacked strength, and she couldn’t get it open.

When in trouble, call for Mom! Jian Hao was about to look toward Jian You when the water was suddenly taken from her hand. She followed the disappearing bottle with her eyes and watched in surprise as Tan Yanqing leaned down and tucked an already-opened bottle into her hand.

Jian Hao stared at the water, stunned. This was the bottle Jian You had given to Tan Yanqing.

Meanwhile, Tan Yanqing opened the bottle that had been intended for Jian Hao and tilted her head back to take a drink.

Jian Hao’s eyes blinked mechanically as if her brain had glitched.

Aaaaaah! The bottle cap twisted by my crush! Jian Hao’s heart felt like a deer was rampaging inside it! She only regretted that her best friend hadn’t traveled back with her; she had no one to share this with!!!

Although she had never told her best friend that her crush was Tan Yanqing, she had told her she was in love with someone. Sharing “crush updates” was a daily ritual for them. Now, she had to manage the excitement on her own.

Jian Hao suppressed a grin that refused to stay down. She lowered her eyes and took a tiny sip… then another… and another…

Oh! My God! The water tastes sweet!

“Does her brain seem broken again? Why is she sitting there grinning like a fool?” Jian You stared at Jian Hao for a moment, then turned to Tan Yanqing.

Tan Yanqing twisted the cap back onto her bottle and looked at Jian Hao. The corner of her mouth quirked up ever so slightly.

After being called out, Jian Hao snapped back to reality. As she tightened the cap on her bottle, she said, “I was just thinking that if I don’t go when you treat everyone to burgers later, it might be a bit antisocial.”

“?!”

Jian You gave Jian Hao’s leg a mock-annoyed kick. “If you say that again, don’t stay at my house. Go live with your ‘First Place’.”

As if she didn’t want to go!

Jian Hao smiled and lay back down. She cast a seemingly casual glance toward Tan Yanqing, only to find Tan Yanqing looking back at her. When their eyes met, Tan Yanqing calmly looked away.

This discovery made Jian Hao freeze again. Tan Yanqing was looking at her? Huh? Why?

Actually, why ask why? Maybe Tan Yanqing just gave her a random glance. …But even that was enough to satisfy her!

Jian Hao smiled and tucked the water bottle into her pocket. Even after the water was gone, she wouldn’t be able to bring herself to throw the bottle away. She’d save it; maybe it could become an exhibit in her “Crush Museum.”

With the competition imminent, Jian You stayed to train even after school let out. Jian Hao naturally stayed with her, and Tan Yanqing didn’t leave either. By the time they finished, it was well past school hours. Zhu Xinsui waited for them by the playground, holding their backpacks.

When they finished running, Zhu Xinsui gave each of them a tissue to wipe their sweat. When she gave one to Jian Hao, she asked, “Lailai, do you still want to ride my bike?”

Her eyes were bright, but Jian Hao pretended not to notice. “No, my legs are dead.”

Jian You chimed in from the side: “Same here. We’ll take turns riding the back rack.”

Jian Hao nodded.

Zhu Xinsui’s eyes lowered in disappointment, but she quickly turned to Tan Yanqing. “Then Yanyan, you must be tired. I’ll take you home.”

“It’s late already. Go home early so your mom won’t worry,” Tan Yanqing said. “I’ll just take the bus.”

Jian You interjected snarkily, “Oh, I thought you were going to run back.”

Tan Yanqing glanced at her. She never usually responded to such comments, but seeing Jian Hao laughing beside them, her mouth spoke before her brain could catch up: “I’ll consider it after you manage to outrun me.”

In the final training session, Jian You had challenged Tan Yanqing to a race. The result was predictable.

“You!” Jian You stomped her foot, threw her bag over her shoulder, and headed for the bike shed.

Jian Hao said goodbye to the other two and followed Jian You. Looking back, she caught the look of loss in Zhu Xinsui’s eyes. She knew exactly what Zhu Xinsui’s question had meant, but from her own selfish perspective, she didn’t want Jian You to have too much contact with her.

She had said “just this once” regarding the bike swap; she had only wanted to clear up Jian You’s misunderstanding of Tan Yanqing and give Jian You a bit of comfort for her crush. But she didn’t dare create more opportunities for them. She thought that if Jian You’s feelings weren’t so deep, she might not be so heartbroken when Zhu Xinsui eventually left. So heartbroken that she’d rebound and end up having her.

She didn’t want Jian You to give birth to her so early, because it was Jian You who suffered.

But things wouldn’t change just because of what she thought. If she truly could prevent it, then “she” wouldn’t exist, and this time-travel wouldn’t have happened. Her travel didn’t seem to follow common novel tropes—there were no “butterfly effects.” Whatever she did wouldn’t change the future, because her traveling back was already a part of that future.

She realized this after the sports meet started.

Having run with “Auntie Tan” for two years, Jian Hao was quite athletic. Her training results for the long run and long jump were excellent. If she competed, she could certainly get a good result for the class.

But just as the meet was about to begin, on the day she received her competitor number, Jian Hao’s period arrived.

She usually had a healthy, regular cycle and never suffered from cramps. But this time, it was unprecedented. The pain was so intense she was sprawled on the sofa at Grandma’s house, unable to even sit up.

Jian You woke up and saw Jian Hao on the sofa. Thinking she was still asleep, she was about to tickle her feet as Jian Hao had done to her. But as she walked over, she saw Jian Hao covered in cold sweat, her face pale.

Jian You’s expression darkened instantly. She bent over with concern. “Are you dying?”

Hearing her, Jian Hao let out a groan. “Can you say something nice when you’re being concerned?”

Seeing her state, Jian You knew she wasn’t faking. She felt Jian Hao’s forehead; no fever, but she was clammy. “Where does it hurt? Should I carry you to the hospital?”

“It’s my period,” Jian Hao said weakly. “Just get me some hot water.”

“Where’s my mom?”

“She went to buy medicine for me.”

Just as she finished, Jian Sihong pushed open the door and rushed in. She handed Jian Hao a painkiller. “Try taking one of these first.”

“Thanks, Auntie.”

Jian Hao took the medicine but didn’t lie back down. Instead, she used her toes to hook her slippers.

Jian You: “What are you doing?”

“Going to school. There are competitions today.”

“What are you going for in that state? To cheer for the athletes, or to have ‘Keep going!’ screamed in your ear?” Jian You’s tongue was sharp, but her heart was soft. She pushed Jian Hao back down. “Don’t go. I’ll tell Old Gao you need a leave of absence.”

Jian Hao didn’t insist; even speaking felt like a chore. She took a breath and said feebly, “Then good luck in your race.”

Jian You: “I know.”

A second later, Jian Hao added: “Tell Tan Yanqing good luck for me, too.”

Jian You rolled her eyes. “Don’t even think about it.”