Chapter 20 – Extras 2: High School Parallel Line

20. Extras 2 

Tang Mingling sat in her deskmate’s seat, gave her own chair to Ji Xun, and leaned over to look at the blank problems, writing down the formulas.

“This is how you solve this one.” After explaining the formula, Tang Mingling handed the scratch paper back to Ji Xun.

“So that’s how it is. Your math is really good.” Ji Xun understood after reading her formula, sincerely $\text{admiring}$ her and thanking her.

Tang Mingling’s face inexplicably $\text{flushed}$ under her gaze, and she awkwardly looked away. “You just didn’t think of how to calculate it. These few math problems won’t affect your first-place ranking anyway.”

One of the reasons she disliked Ji Xun was that she had never beaten her in academics. Although she was already very good, she knew there was always someone better than her. However, if it were anyone else, Tang Mingling wouldn’t have felt so strongly. It had to be Ji Xun.

Yet, because of those $\text{unspeakable}$ $\text{factors}$, she couldn’t hate her anymore.

After solving all the math problems, it was already getting late. Read on BaiLianTalesPerhaps because the atmosphere had been peaceful recently, Ji Xun finally dared to ask her if she wanted to walk together.

Tang Mingling said yes.

After walking silently for a short distance, Ji Xun suddenly asked her, “Can I ask… why you $\text{disliked}$ me before?”

Before these few days, Tang Mingling’s dislike for Ji Xun was $\text{well}$–$\text{known}$. It wasn’t that she $\text{advertised}$ it, but her $\text{attitude}$ was too $\text{obvious}$. Moreover, Ji Xun did not interact with her. So, it was rumored in the class that the two were $\text{at}$ $\text{odds}$ and $\text{mutually}$ $\text{disliked}$ each other.

Tang Mingling froze for a moment and turned to look at her. Ji Xun’s $\text{expression}$ was quite $\text{serious}$, seemingly very $\text{bothered}$ and a little $\text{wronged}$ by the question, her eyes filled with a $\text{soft}$ $\text{light}$. Tang Mingling $\text{pursed}$ her lips uncomfortably.

“I was too $\text{immature}$. But I won’t be anymore,” Tang Mingling said softly. After all, she was the object of her dreams for a long time—a $\text{spiritual}$ $\text{partner}$ in $\text{disguise}$? Whenever she thought of Ji Xun in the $\text{office}$, her heart $\text{trembled}$. Every $\text{expression}$ and $\text{smile}$ of the other person was exactly to her $\text{aesthetic}$ $\text{taste}$.

Seeing that she didn’t want to talk, Ji Xun was $\text{smart}$ enough not to insist on an $\text{answer}$. However, when she heard her say that she wouldn’t anymore, she $\text{clenched}$ her $\text{fist}$. Unable to suppress her inner $\text{impulse}$, she raised her hand and $\text{linked}$ $\text{arms}$ with Tang Mingling. “Can we be $\text{friends}$?”

Tang Mingling, feeling $\text{guilty}$, heard “Can we be $\text{friends}$?” but $\text{misheard}$ it as “Can we be $\text{girlfriends}$?” and was $\text{startled}$. “What $\text{girlfriend}$?”

Ji Xun froze, wanting to say $\text{friends}$. But seeing her react so $\text{strongly}$ to the word $\text{girlfriend}$, her heart ​bailiantales.com​class="katex">sank. Then, she $\text{leaned}$ $\text{against}$ her $\text{subtly}$. “I said $\text{friends}$. What are you thinking?”

“$\text{Friends}$, oh. Just $\text{friends}$.” Tang Mingling took a deep $\text{breath}$. Because she usually $\text{linked}$ $\text{arms}$ with her $\text{deskmate}$, she didn’t think much of the gesture and let Ji Xun $\text{hold}$ her $\text{arm}$.

The two $\text{stuck}$ together like $\text{glue}$ all day, in a way that their classmates saw as a “$\text{reconciliation}$.” Mainly because Ji Xun was very $\text{proactive}$, looking for her after every class, and asking her to lunch.

Because of the $\text{wet}$ $\text{dreams}$, Tang Mingling became $\text{gentler}$ and increasingly $\text{guilty}$ towards Ji Xun. Sometimes, her $\text{moral}$ $\text{compass}$ would $\text{tug}$ strongly, making her feel that she should stay $\text{far}$ $\text{away}$ from the other person, or she would $\text{contaminate}$ her eventually.

Yet, Ji Xun was $\text{too}$ $\text{good}$ in front of her, and Tang Mingling found that she couldn’t $\text{bear}$ to $\text{leave}$.

The $\text{dream}$ continued, and the $\text{scale}$ of the $\text{activities}$ was getting $\text{bigger}$ $\text{and}$ $\text{bigger}$ recently. They had already $\text{progressed}$ to $\text{car}$ $\text{sex}$ and $\text{outdoor}$ $\text{sex}$. Every day she woke up, she had $\text{strong}$ $\text{doubts}$ about her own $\text{personality}$. Could she really be a $\text{pervert}$?

Ji Xun in the $\text{dream}$ was truly $\text{beautiful}$, which gave Tang Mingling a deep $\text{filter}$ for the student Ji Xun. $\text{With}$ her $\text{good}$ $\text{looks}$ $\text{as}$ $\text{a}$ $\text{bonus}$, no matter what she did, Tang Mingling would $\text{agree}$ $\text{unconditionally}$. Even her $\text{deskmate}$ couldn’t $\text{stand}$ it, $\text{teasing}$ her about whether she had $\text{multiple}$ $\text{personalities}$. How could she go from $\text{hating}$ to $\text{liking}$ her in such a short time?

Tang Mingling couldn’t say the reason. It wasn’t appropriate to say it was because she $\text{slept}$ with her every night, $\text{having}$ $\text{sex}$ $\text{first}$ and $\text{love}$ $\text{later}$. She could only put on a $\text{cold}$ $\text{face}$ and $\text{brush}$ it $\text{off}$ by saying her $\text{family}$ $\text{demanded}$ her to $\text{learn}$ from Ji Xun. As for whether her $\text{deskmate}$ believed her, she didn’t know, but Tang Mingling believed it.

Their $\text{interactions}$ became increasingly $\text{ambiguous}$, which led to [bailiantales.com]class="base">rumors starting to circulate in the class. However, Tang Mingling herself was $\text{unaware}$, while the other party who $\text{was}$ $\text{aware}$ kept $\text{silent}$.

Her $\text{deskmate}$ occasionally wanted to ask Tang Mingling, but Ji Xun, who was nearby, would $\text{stop}$ her with a $\text{look}$ as soon as she opened her mouth. After a few times, her $\text{deskmate}$ suddenly $\text{understood}$ something. Looking at Tang Mingling’s $\text{silly}$ $\text{compliance}$ with Ji Xun, she $\text{watched}$ with $\text{annoyance}$.

During $\text{P.E.}$ $\text{class}$, the two automatically $\text{paired}$ $\text{up}$ to play $\text{badminton}$.

Not long after the class started, Tang Mingling told Ji Xun that she needed to $\text{rest}$, asking her to find someone else to play with. She went to sit on the steps nearby.

Because of those $\text{messy}$ $\text{dreams}$, she hadn’t $\text{slept}$ well for a long time. Plus, it was her $\text{period}$ these $\text{days}$, so she looked particularly $\text{listless}$. As soon as she sat down, Ji Xun followed and $\text{leaned}$ $\text{against}$ her.

“You go find someone else to play with. I’ll be fine after a little rest.” Tang Mingling knew Ji Xun was $\text{clingy}$. At first, she was a little $\text{unaccustomed}$ to the person who used to $\text{ignore}$ her being so $\text{clingy}$, but Ji Xun was very $\text{considerate}$. In just a few days, Tang Mingling got used to her presence.

She never thought she would be this $\text{close}$ to her former $\text{arch}$ $\text{rival}$, doing everything together. Moreover, Ji Xun’s formerly $\text{aloof}$ $\text{demeanor}$ was like a $\text{disguise}$. After the $\text{mask}$ was $\text{taken}$ $\text{off}$, nothing was left in front of her.

“I want to $\text{stay}$ $\text{with}$ you.” Ji Xun wasn’t very $\text{interested}$ in others, only $\text{going}$ $\text{through}$ the $\text{motions}$. Only Tang Mingling could make her take things $\text{seriously}$. Before, Tang Mingling $\text{disliked}$ her, so she had to stay $\text{away}$ from her. But after having the $\text{chance}$ to become $\text{friends}$, she $\text{couldn’t}$ $\text{control}$ the $\text{urge}$ to be $\text{close}$ to her.

“$\text{Alright}$… then $\text{let}$ $\text{me}$ $\text{lean}$ $\text{on}$ $\text{you}$.” Tang Mingling was $\text{OK}$ with her wanting to $\text{stay}$ with her. She was indeed a little $\text{tired}$ sitting up, and having a familiar person next to her made her feel much more $\text{comfortable}$. She class="katex">slumped $\text{down}$, lying on Ji Xun’s $\text{lap}$.

She used to do this with her $\text{deskmate}$, so she didn’t have many $\text{reservations}$ and just $\text{lay}$ $\text{down}$.

Ji Xun couldn’t $\text{stop}$ her in time and her body $\text{stiffened}$. When Tang Mingling’s face $\text{pressed}$ against her $\text{thigh}$, she felt a $\text{physiological}$ $\text{change}$, and her $\text{face}$ suddenly $\text{turned}$ $\text{pale}$.

“Ji Xun, why is this $\text{hard}$…” After lying down for a while, she felt something $\text{poking}$ her $\text{face}$. She $\text{stopped}$ $\text{complaining}$ halfway. Tang Mingling was $\text{silent}$ for a moment, then quietly $\text{sat}$ up. “It’s not very $\text{comfortable}$ lying down. I’ll just $\text{sit}$.” She still $\text{leaned}$ against Ji Xun, not $\text{moving}$ $\text{away}$, and said, $\text{looking}$ $\text{down}$.

“Maybe it’s something I have in my $\text{pocket}$ $\text{poking}$ you,” Ji Xun $\text{explained}$ with a $\text{pale}$ $\text{face}$. “How about $\text{leaning}$ on my $\text{shoulder}$ instead?”

Tang Mingling took the opportunity to $\text{link}$ $\text{arms}$ with her and $\text{rested}$ her head on her $\text{shoulder}$, closing her eyes to $\text{rest}$.

Seeing that she had no other $\text{reaction}$, Ji Xun breathed a $\text{sigh}$ $\text{of}$ $\text{relief}$. To make her more $\text{comfortable}$ leaning on her, she $\text{straightened}$ her $\text{back}$, and her right hand $\text{loosely}$ $\text{held}$ Tang Mingling.

The $\text{noise}$ on the $\text{sports}$ $\text{field}$ seemed $\text{irrelevant}$ to them. It was as if there were only the two of them in the world, $\text{snuggling}$ and $\text{hugging}$ together.

Ji Xun turned her face and looked at the top of Tang Mingling’s head, her $\text{expression}$ gradually [stolen content]aria-hidden="true">sinking. This was probably as close as they could get recently. She should be $\text{happy}$. Compared to being $\text{strangers}$ before, this was already very $\text{good}$. It’s just… she was very $\text{unwilling}$.

“Ji Xun.” Tang Mingling’s $\text{call}$ interrupted Ji Xun’s $\text{thoughts}$.

“What is it? Are you not $\text{sleeping}$?” Ji Xun asked her softly.

“I don’t feel $\text{well}$…” Tang Mingling $\text{curled}$ up slightly against her. Actually, the dream wasn’t entirely about $\text{explicit}$ $\text{scenes}$. Occasionally, there were times when Ji Xun just $\text{held}$ her and $\text{coaxed}$ her.

Just like now, the other person was $\text{focusing}$ on her $\text{wholeheartedly}$. Always $\text{looking}$ only at $\text{her}$…

Tang Mingling felt her $\text{heartbeat}$ suddenly $\text{speed}$ $\text{up}$, and even her $\text{breathing}$ became $\text{rapid}$. But when Ji Xun $\text{cared}$ for her, she $\text{hid}$ this $\text{secret}$ $\text{feeling}$ deep in her $\text{heart}$.

After the $\text{midterm}$ $\text{exams}$, seats were arranged according to $\text{grades}$. Her $\text{deskmate}$ $\text{implicitly}$ accepted that she was about to be $\text{abandoned}$. She $\text{said}$ $\text{goodbye}$ to Tang Mingling very $\text{generously}$, which made her feel very $\text{awkward}$, and she brought a lot of $\text{snacks}$ from home for her.

“It’s okay. No matter how $\text{sweet}$ the $\text{snacks}$ are, they’re not $\text{sweeter}$ than the $\text{CP}$ I’m $\text{shipping}$ $\text{giving}$ $\text{me}$ $\text{fandom}$ $\text{food}$.” Her $\text{deskmate}$ smiled $\text{happily}$ and accepted the $\text{snacks}$, which included some brought by Ji Xun. Then, she moved her $\text{desk}$ to the back row. She named it the $\text{live}$ $\text{broadcast}$ $\text{seat}$.

Tang Mingling was full of $\text{questions}$, but this $\text{friend}$ [stolen content]of hers sometimes $\text{went}$ $\text{crazy}$, and she seemed very $\text{normal}$ now.

After Ji Xun moved her $\text{desk}$ next to hers, her $\text{expression}$ was $\text{calm}$. She turned around and $\text{handed}$ another $\text{bag}$ of $\text{snacks}$ to Tan Yue.

Tan Yue $\text{chuckled}$. “Do I look that $\text{much}$ like I $\text{love}$ $\text{to}$ $\text{eat}$ in your eyes?” Despite saying that, she $\text{reached}$ out her $\text{hand}$ very $\text{quickly}$. The $\text{snacks}$ Ji Xun gave were $\text{imported}$, not $\text{difficult}$ to $\text{buy}$, but $\text{expensive}$! Her parents $\text{strictly}$ $\text{controlled}$ her $\text{allowance}$, so Tan Yue couldn’t $\text{bear}$ to $\text{buy}$ these things.

“Thank you,” Ji Xun $\text{thanked}$ her for $\text{voluntarily}$ $\text{giving}$ up her $\text{seat}$, not wanting to $\text{make}$ things $\text{difficult}$ for Tang Mingling. If Tan Yue hadn’t wanted to $\text{move}$, Tang Mingling wouldn’t have $\text{changed}$ $\text{deskmates}$.

Tan Yue $\text{accepted}$ her $\text{thanks}$ $\text{generously}$. With food to $\text{eat}$ and a $\text{show}$ to $\text{watch}$, she felt like she was the $\text{winner}$ $\text{in}$ $\text{life}$.

As she got $\text{closer}$ to Tang Mingling, Ji Xun found that her $\text{possessiveness}$ $\text{grew}$ $\text{stronger}$. When they had no $\text{interaction}$ before, she couldn’t $\text{do}$ anything. But after becoming $\text{friends}$, she was $\text{dissatisfied}$ with the $\text{current}$ $\text{situation}$ and wanted to $\text{monopolize}$ Tang Mingling.

She knew she had a $\text{problem}$. Stemming from the $\text{difference}$ she was $\text{born}$ with, she learned to $\text{suppress}$ and $\text{disguise}$ her $\text{desire}$.

But she was also $\text{afraid}$ of Tang Mingling $\text{discovering}$ her $\text{difference}$. Ji Xun was $\text{afraid}$ of seeing $\text{disgust}$ in her eyes. She could $\text{tolerate}$ being $\text{disliked}$ before, but now she really couldn’t $\text{stand}$ it at all.

She $\text{didn’t}$ $\text{want}$ to be $\text{disliked}$.

“We have $\text{swimming}$ $\text{class}$ later. I wonder if the water will be $\text{cold}$,” Tang Mingling said to Ji Xun, holding her $\text{P.E.}$ $\text{bag}$. “Should we $\text{change}$ $\text{clothes}$ together later?”

Because the $\text{locker}$ $\text{rooms}$ were often $\text{not}$ $\text{enough}$, people who didn’t want to $\text{wait}$ would occasionally $\text{share}$ a $\text{changing}$ $\text{cubicle}$. However, Tang Mingling had always $\text{preferred}$ to $\text{wait}$ rather than $\text{squeeze}$ in with someone, but today she suddenly $\text{suggested}$ $\text{changing}$ with Ji Xun.

Ji Xun suddenly $\text{squeezed}$ her $\text{fingers}$ nervously. Without any $\text{abnormal}$ $\text{expression}$ on her face, she $\text{smiled}$ and said, “Let’s see if there $\text{aren’t}$ $\text{enough}$ $\text{locker}$ $\text{rooms}$ later.”

When they got to the $\text{locker}$ $\text{room}$, there was $\text{unluckily}$ only $\text{one}$ $\text{empty}$ $\text{cubicle}$ left. On the way from the $\text{classroom}$ to the $\text{pool}$, Ji Xun was very $\text{anxious}$, deeply $\text{afraid}$ of being $\text{late}$. Halfway there, Tang Mingling suddenly said she had $\text{forgotten}$ something and told Ji Xun to $\text{wait}$. When they finally $\text{arrived}$, they were already $\text{late}$.

Now that there was only $\text{one}$ $\text{locker}$ $\text{room}$ left, Tang Mingling, as she had said, $\text{generously}$ $\text{pulled}$ Ji Xun in.

“We can just $\text{change}$ $\text{back}$ $\text{to}$ $\text{back}$. Don’t worry, I won’t $\text{peep}$.” Tang Mingling turned her back to the door panel as she said and started $\text{undressing}$.

Ji Xun looked at her $\text{undressing}$ $\text{motion}$. Her gaze seemed $\text{scorched}$, and she immediately $\text{turned}$ her $\text{back}$, $\text{grabbing}$ the $\text{hem}$ of her $\text{clothes}$ and $\text{hesitating}$. The $\text{rustling}$ $\text{sound}$ of clothes changing behind her made it impossible for Ji Xun to $\text{prolong}$ it any $\text{further}$. She $\text{gritted}$ her $\text{teeth}$ and $\text{started}$ $\text{undressing}$ as well.

When she $\text{took}$ $\text{off}$ her $\text{bra}$ and $\text{panties}$, the $\text{ugly}$ $\text{thing}$ between her $\text{legs}$ was exposed to her $\text{gaze}$ at the same time. Ji Xun stared at the $\text{wobbling}$ $\text{thing}$. $\text{Disgust}$ and $\text{revulsion}$ arose in her $\text{heart}$. She $\text{hated}$ her $\text{difference}$. Even $\text{worse}$, listening to Tang Mingling $\text{putting}$ $\text{on}$ her $\text{clothes}$, ​Read on BaiLianTales​Ji Xun $\text{unconsciously}$ $\text{imagined}$ her $\text{naked}$ $\text{body}$ in her $\text{mind}$. The $\text{flesh}$ between her $\text{legs}$ also $\text{erected}$ as if it had a $\text{life}$ of its $\text{own}$.

How $\text{disgusting}$… Ji Xun $\text{painfully}$ $\text{clenched}$ her $\text{palm}$ over her $\text{lewd}$ $\text{physiological}$ $\text{state}$. But she couldn’t $\text{delay}$ any $\text{longer}$. She reluctantly $\text{took}$ her $\text{swim}$ $\text{trunks}$ and $\text{put}$ them $\text{on}$.

She was the only one in $\text{swimming}$ $\text{class}$ who always $\text{wore}$ $\text{swim}$ $\text{trunks}$. After finally $\text{changing}$, she suddenly heard Tang Mingling $\text{gasp}$ softly. Ji Xun $\text{reflexively}$ $\text{turned}$ around and found that Tang Mingling had $\text{slipped}$. She quickly $\text{reached}$ out and $\text{caught}$ her.

“I almost $\text{fell}$…” Tang Mingling, still $\text{shaken}$, $\text{leaned}$ in Ji Xun’s $\text{arms}$. “I’m $\text{glad}$ I $\text{changed}$ $\text{clothes}$ with you.”

After hugging her, Ji Xun suddenly $\text{remembered}$ her $\text{embarrassing}$ $\text{state}$. Her $\text{lower}$ $\text{body}$ was $\text{poking}$ Tang Mingling’s $\text{buttocks}$. This made her $\text{too}$ $\text{nervous}$ to $\text{speak}$.

But what she $\text{feared}$ had $\text{come}$. She heard Tang Mingling in her arms say $\text{faintly}$, “Ji Xun… do you have $\text{pockets}$ $\text{to}$ $\text{put}$ $\text{things}$ in when you $\text{wear}$ $\text{swim}$ $\text{trunks}$ too?”

Ji Xun’s $\text{face}$ $\text{turned}$ $\text{pale}$. The $\text{fear}$ of being $\text{disgusted}$ took $\text{over}$. She sadly $\text{closed}$ her $\text{eyes}$ to $\text{escape}$ $\text{reality}$ and $\text{said}$, “Please $\text{don’t}$ $\text{hate}$ me, Mingling.”