Picked Up the Female Lead When She Was Young (GL) - Chapter 55

“I saw it. I’m keeping it safe.”

Xia Wanshuang carefully preserved everything Zhou Qinglang wrote to her.

Things received before they moved were in a box under the desk in the study.

Things received after the move were kept in the cabinet of her computer desk.

“That’s good…”

Zhou Qinglang replied, feeling a little disappointed.

Looks like Sister didn’t notice.

But she quickly cheered up.

She deliberately kept the card short because she wanted Xia Wanshuang to notice the signature.

Xia Wanshuang couldn’t have missed it.

This meant that Xia Wanshuang found her using that name acceptable?

Could she push her luck a little further?

“Then… then I’m going to sleep, goodnight.”

Zhou Qinglang said, quickly closing the door and running away.

Zhou Qinglang had originally wanted to say “Wanshuang”, the two characters of her first name, which sounded tender when read aloud.

She practiced silently, her hands shaking with nervousness.

But she still didn’t dare to say it.

A sudden surge of fear made her timid about saying her name in front of Xia Wanshuang.

She could only quickly choose the form of address used by Lin Qiushui and Zhao Tianhang, thinking Xia Wanshuang wouldn’t find it strange.

But even using a borrowed nickname required all the courage the adolescent girl could muster in her secret crush, and she couldn’t face the reaction of the person in the room, fleeing in embarrassment.

Returning to her familiar territory, closing the door and collapsing onto her bed, Zhou Qinglang clutched her fiercely pounding heart.

She breathed deeply, like someone freed from suffocation, then repeatedly replayed her recent actions.

It should be fine, right?

It should look pretty normal, right?

The smile on her face shouldn’t have been too weird or stiff, and her voice shouldn’t have trembled.

Did it tremble?

Zhou Qinglang doubted herself, a little uncertain.

I hope that in Sister’s eyes, I was composed, calm, lively, mischievous, and a little gentle.

Zhou Qinglang’s mind raced.

She rubbed the small jade bead.

She never knew she could be so cowardly.

But it felt completely out of her control… whenever she wanted to show a different feeling in front of her sister, her heart trembled involuntarily.

“Useless,” Zhou Qinglang muttered, despising herself fiercely in her mind.

Go… go flirt with her!

Show off your charm!

Let her know you’re a mature adult just like her, not a child anymore!

But… in front of her sister, she was just this useless.

Xia Wanshuang was completely unaware of the girl’s lovesickness.

She merely raised a puzzled eyebrow at the tightly closed door.

She was about to call out to Zhou Qinglang and ask why she suddenly stopped calling her “Sister,” but the girl had run too fast.

It’s probably just an affectionate tease, Xia Wanshuang thought.

She once had a colleague whose younger sister, five years her junior, would occasionally call her by the duplicated syllables of her name to tease or show affection.

Such a cute girl.

Xia Wanshuang’s lips curved up.

She held the book and opened the pages.

The cold wind howled outside the window, causing the panes to rattle.

Before falling asleep, Xia Wanshuang thought that tomorrow would surely be even colder.

Xia Wanshuang was right.

It hadn’t snowed on Christmas, but the weather had become increasingly dry and cold.

Everyone walking on the street was bundled up like a ball.

The students’ brightly colored coats diluted the dullness of the campus.

Unlike summer, when fans were constantly running and doors and windows were wide open, the classrooms in winter were an entirely different scene.

The air was thick with carbon dioxide, and only the occasional opening of the front door let in a burst of cold air, which the students sitting by the door stoically endured.

The homeroom teacher stepped onto the podium in a gust of this cold wind and announced a piece of news that made everyone’s hearts feel even colder.

The principal said that the students were too lethargic in winter and lacked the vitality of youth.

They needed to move and exercise.

How about a basketball game?

“Basketball in this freezing weather?”

A male student gasped, his voice filled with disbelief as he listened to the sharp, distorted sound of the wind whistling through the window.

“Just one game. Our school hasn’t formed a basketball team yet, so we have to put one together first, and then play a friendly match with No. 2 High School. And it will be played in the indoor gymnasium, so you won’t feel the wind.”

The homeroom teacher picked up the thermos on the desk, blew on the steam, and took a slow sip.

“This is a great opportunity to bring glory to No. 1 High School, students! You must try hard.”

The girls, not minding the spectacle, encouraged the boys in the class to sign up.

“Teacher, as much as I want to bring glory to No. 1 High School, the final exam is in half a month. We still need to study; where do we have time to exercise?”

A boy joked, trying to avoid the reality of playing basketball.

“You’re full of nonsense. Those who want to go, sign up. We certainly won’t force those who don’t. It’s voluntary, isn’t it? Besides, we’re only forming one team, including substitutes, which is only seven people. I don’t know if anyone in our class can make it,” the teacher said slowly, taking another sip of hot water.

He then continued with a smile, “Also, the principal said that if you win, there will be a bonus.”

“Two hundred yuan per person.”

The homeroom teacher made a V-sign with his fingers, and the students erupted.

Xia Wanshuang was also stunned; 200 yuan was quite generous at the time.

“Even the substitutes who train hard will get 100 yuan, even if they don’t play.”

The teacher emphasized the word ‘hard,’ warning anyone who planned to slack off.

The classroom burst into noise, with excited chatter.

Everyone was discussing as if the 200 yuan would land in their own hands, or they were guessing who would make the team and win the money.

The teacher smiled, watching the students’ excitement.

After letting them discuss for a while, he tapped the desk to quiet them down.

“And this isn’t just about basketball. It’s about academics, too. Someone just mentioned the exam is in half a month. The dedication to studying is excellent. I’ll also mention that for the final exam, we will also have a joint exam with No. 2 High School. The principal wants you all to do your best.”

“Teacher, is there money involved?”

A student blurted out without thinking, causing the students to burst into laughter and egg each other on.

“Yes, there is.”

The teacher tapped the desk, looking at the students with a subtle smile.

The students fell silent, looking at his expression.

“The top student in the joint exam across both schools gets a 500 yuan bonus,” he quickly added before they could exclaim.

“The top ten students will all receive a reward, so you all need to work hard.”

The homeroom teacher was still smiling, but this time, the students weren’t as excited as they were about the basketball game.

After all, everyone knew their own academic standing and turned their attention to the high-achieving students.

Zhou Qinglang’s expression was unperturbed.

She twirled her pen, seemingly deep in thought.

“Top student, what are you thinking about?”

As the class’s first-place student and a frequent top-three contender in the grade, Zhou Qinglang’s presence in the class was definitely strong.

A student in the front row turned around and asked curiously.

“I’m trying to decide what to buy my sister after I win the 500 yuan.”

Zhou Qinglang said with a slight frown, seemingly struggling with the choice.

“Boss, you’re the true boss.”

The student in the front row bowed his hands.

Listen to this; is this what a human says?

“If only Zhao Tianhang hadn’t left, we could have taken both first places.”

Zhou Qinglang sighed, running small calculations in her head.

Too bad he was gone.

“So confident, Zhou Langlang?”

Xia Wanshuang rested her head on her hand, looking at the girl sitting next to her.

So reckless and certain, the essence of youth.

Zhou Qinglang loved the sound Xia Wanshuang made when she called her name with a smile.

The end of the sound was drawn out, echoing softly and melodiously.

“Of course, I have to be confident.”

Since Zhao Tianhang left, Zhou Qinglang was competing for first place with a senior in Class 5 who wore glasses.

Zhou Qinglang usually only used about 80% of her effort.

She felt that if she gave 100%, while she couldn’t guarantee first place, there was at least an 80% chance she’d get it.

••••

After school, the students of No. 1 High School, uncharacteristically, didn’t rush to the cafeteria or the school gate.

Instead, they headed to the basketball court.

A group of teenagers was undergoing tryouts, running around in the cold wind, shivering and nearly shedding manly tears.

Xia Wanshuang and Zhou Qinglang didn’t head to the school gate, either.

It wasn’t because Zhou Qinglang was trying out for the basketball team; it was because Lin Qiushui was, and he dragged his two best friends along.

“I don’t know what kind of feud or bet the principals of our school and No. 2 High School have, to pull a stunt like this in the winter.”

Lin Qiushui was rubbing his hands together, looking very excited.

He didn’t need the 200 yuan; he just wanted to play basketball and participate in a competition.

Although he hadn’t made the team yet, he felt an unprecedented sense of collective honor.

“But Little Vinegar Pot, aren’t you joining? It’s probably better if you don’t. It’s so cold, and it’s all boys.”

Zhou Qinglang was essentially Lin Qiushui’s basketball coach.

She habitually asked him, then quickly answered herself.

“I heard there are rewards for the top ten in the exam. You two will focus on the exam, I’ll play basketball, and together we’ll bring glory to No. 1 High School.”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself. It’ll be embarrassing if you don’t make the team later.”

Xia Wanshuang teased him.

She was only ranked in the top five due to the advantage of her past life.

Science was still a bit challenging for her, and she sometimes needed Zhou Qinglang’s help.

Only when they split into liberal arts and sciences would Xia Wanshuang feel a sense of relief.

“No way! Don’t underestimate me! Look who my coach is—Little Vinegar Pot taught me personally, and I’ve graduated!”

Lin Qiushui patted his chest, brimming with confidence.

The tryout was quite simple: it was all about shooting.

Since No. 1 High School’s campus culture was generally more serious, focusing on academics, there were no extra-curricular classes besides P.E., and naturally, no school basketball team.

Students only played for fun.

Because they were forming a school team, the requirements were slightly higher.

Two P.E. teachers stood there, testing shooting, dribbling, and passing.

The number of boys at No. 1 High School was considerable.

The third-year students weren’t participating, but even the first and second-year students trying out totaled one or two hundred.

Including the spectators, the basketball court was packed.

The teachers were very strict.

Many backed out as soon as they saw the selection criteria.

So, there were more spectators than participants.

Lin Qiushui performed a dazzling display.

He was also good-looking, and the P.E. teacher had already noticed him.

Very satisfied, he wrote down his name, remembering the principal’s words: Find the handsome ones.

Even if we lose to No. 2 High School, we have to lose with style.

You could say the principal was quite stubborn.

Lin Qiushui couldn’t leave after his tryout.

He had to stay to help with the selection and offer his opinion.

He looked at Xia Wanshuang and Zhou Qinglang with an apologetic expression.

Zhou Qinglang and Xia Wanshuang waved at him, squeezed through the crowd, and left.

Both Zhou Qinglang and Xia Wanshuang assumed the basketball game had nothing to do with Zhou Qinglang, but to their surprise, two days later, Lin Qiushui came with a long face, begging Zhou Qinglang to join the team.

The newly formed team was struggling.

Their chemistry was only average.

With the pressure of studying, homework, and practice, one member couldn’t keep up and quit.

They had selected seven people, and one left, leaving six.

Normally this wouldn’t be a problem, but the substitute’s skills were subpar, and he sometimes couldn’t keep up.

The more nervous he got, the worse he performed.

The game was only a week away, and the atmosphere was gloomy.

Lin Qiushui had no choice but to ask Zhou Qinglang to save the day.

Zhou Qinglang was tall, especially for a girl, and she wasn’t overshadowed by the boys.

She was also skilled at basketball, had great stamina, and had chemistry with Lin Qiushui.

She was the perfect choice.

Zhou Qinglang didn’t mind.

Since she was called in for an emergency, she went.

Because of the practice, Zhou Qinglang wouldn’t be able to walk home with Xia Wanshuang for nearly a week.

Zhou Qinglang was quite reluctant, but Xia Wanshuang was calm.

After all, they would still walk home together after evening study hall.

Due to basketball practice, Zhou Qinglang was absent from the last period of class.

When the dismissal bell rang, Xia Wanshuang unhurriedly packed her desk, put on her scarf and gloves, and walked out the door.

Only five minutes had passed since school ended, but the entire floor seemed empty.

Xia Wanshuang adjusted her hair, bundled herself up tightly, and slowly walked downstairs.

No. 1 High School had a vast campus.

Being built near the mountain, the classrooms were spacious, and each grade occupied a large building.

The building was six stories high, and the first floor, the ground floor, had no classrooms.

That floor housed the laboratories, which were off-limits to students and only accessible to teachers.

It took Xia Wanshuang several minutes to descend from the sixth floor to the first.

As she was about to walk down the long corridor, she suddenly heard voices coming from the restroom.

She paused at the stairwell, confusion in her eyes.

The restrooms at No. 1 High School were divided into teacher and student restrooms, located at opposite ends of the building.

Therefore, the student restroom on the first floor was essentially a display; it was almost impossible for anyone to be there.

The wind carried the sound to Xia Wanshuang’s ears—indistinct cursing.

As a teacher who had died saving a student from school violence, Xia Wanshuang instantly knew what might be happening.

Her face turned cold, and her fists involuntarily clenched.

Xia Wanshuang started to walk closer but saw a guard at the entrance—a girl in a black down jacket with a black earpiece.

“What are you looking at?”

The girl glanced at her, her face full of impatient dismissal.

Xia Wanshuang turned and walked away, reaching the front door and disappearing from the girl’s sight.

Xia Wanshuang wasn’t stupid.

To help someone, she wouldn’t repeat the mistakes of the past.

Last time, the situation was urgent, and when her warnings didn’t work, she had to physically step in.

At that time, she was an adult.

Children who haven’t fully grown up are the most reckless.

Xia Wanshuang didn’t know how many people were inside, and given her slender frame, rushing in without a plan was the worst course of action.

Xia Wanshuang took out her phone.

Although the school prohibited them, she had no family members to contact nearby, so she always carried it.

She dialed the security guard’s desk.

They had a landline.

She reported the location, saying there was a fight.

The old guard hung up and rushed over in his security uniform, wielding a stick.

When the two elderly security guards passed her, Xia Wanshuang pretended she had just walked out.

Once the guards were inside, she lingered by the door, listening to the commotion.

“What are you doing?! What are you doing?! Which class? What are your names?! Don’t even think about running!”

The guard’s shout echoed throughout the building.

There were the sounds of hurried footsteps in the corridor, as if someone was trying to flee but was caught.

Xia Wanshuang slowly adjusted her scarf and walked into the cold wind.