Chapter 33: Ambiguity “There’s nothing between me and Fang classmate…”…

From that day on, as long as there were classes, Xu Muzhou would bring her meals every day, always two portions. However, he would only eat half of his own meal each time. To avoid waste, they gradually developed a habit where he would give her most of his food before eating, so she essentially ate two people’s portions every day.

As for why he still prepared so much food knowing he couldn’t finish it, Fang Chuning didn’t delve too deeply into it.

The two of them always sticking together for lunch naturally didn’t escape others’ eyes. Soon, a post titled “The CP everyone thought was inevitable has finally become real” was pinned on the forum.

It also included photos of the two eating together in different corners of the campus.

Sunflower: “I knew they would definitely get together. No one in the school is more suitable for each other than them. Although I’m sour, I still wish them happiness!”

Teddy Bear: “Congratulations!!!”

Blue Sky: “Congratulations +1”

OnlyForOnePersonReply@BlueSky: “Congratulations +2”

SpiritualReply@BlueSky: “Congratulations +10086”

Of course, with supporting voices, there were also opposing ones.

Cloud Depending: “Why is everyone so supportive of puppy love? Moreover, I think as the student council president, she should set a better example. She should be a role model for everyone, how can she lead the way in puppy love, and so blatantly?”

Unattainable: “I thought this couple wouldn’t happen. After all, I’m in the same class with them and haven’t noticed any ambiguity between them. I remember the vice president used to be indifferent towards the president!”

Slap in the Face: “Same class +1. I also find it strange. Maybe everyone’s got it wrong? Perhaps they’re often together recently because there’s a lot of class business to handle.”

Warm Evening: “Starting with one picture, the content is all made up. Those people should look at their own grades when they have nothing to do. It’s better to sign up for a few more study classes than have that much free time.”

Hide and Seek: “I don’t think it’s like that either. I feel the vice president’s personality doesn’t suit the president.”

The comments skyrocketed to over a thousand within an hour, with voices split half and half. In the end, the opposition and disapproval far outweighed the congratulations, and some even said they would report the post for spreading rumors.

Rumors like this couldn’t be suppressed. Even though Fang Chuning usually didn’t check the forum, the way people in her class looked at her subtly revealed that something was up.

When she learned about the post from Gao Qiong, she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. If these people put this enthusiasm into studying, how could there still be underachievers?

“Is it true?”

During class break, Gao Qiong sat in front of them, her eyes narrowed slyly as she scrutinized the two, unable to conceal her bursting curiosity.

The young man’s ear tips turned red at the question. His slender white fingers held a pen, writing unhurriedly in his exercise book, eyelashes lowered, lips pressed together in silence.

Fang Chuning was annoyed by the question: “Can you go away?”

“No, not unless you tell me.”

“I’ve told you it’s not, and you don’t believe me. So why ask?”

“Mainly because what you said isn’t very credible.” Gao Qiong looked at the person seriously writing beside her, “Vice President, tell me, are you two really together?”

The pen tip paused. Xu Muzhou’s eyelashes trembled slightly. He slowly raised his eyes, the blush on his face clearly visible, “No, there’s nothing between me and Fang classmate…”

His demeanor made people think there was something between them.

Gao Qiong didn’t believe it: “Really, Vice President? You don’t look like there’s nothing~”

Xu Muzhou bit his tender lip, the blush on his face deepening. His eyes looked helplessly towards Fang Chuning beside him.

That dependent expression would make anyone think there was something between them. It gave the impression of a couple unwilling to go public.

Even Fang Chuning looking at him felt like they might have something. However, she strangely didn’t feel averse to such rumors, and besides… Fang Chuning glanced at the young man, he should like her, right?

Thinking about it now, the confession she heard by her ear when she woke up that day seemed like an illusion from a dream. Without hearing him clearly say it a second time, she always felt it was a bit unreal, afraid of misunderstanding, which would be so awkward.

But these days he’s been bringing her meals every day, so he should like her, right…

But that’s not right either. What if that’s just his personality, used to being nice to others?

She couldn’t just directly ask “Do you like me?” That’s too direct. Even if he did like her, a boy wouldn’t feel comfortable saying it directly.

Fang Chuning was struggling with her thoughts, while Gao Qiong had already determined their relationship, “I never thought…”

She knew before that the vice president liked Ning Ning, but she didn’t expect them to get together so quickly, “No wonder I thought you suddenly became so concerned about the vice president, even inviting him to your private island for his birthday. I don’t see you care that much about my birthday.” Gao Qiong said, half-sourly: “Ah, truly different strokes for different folks!”

What does this have to do with anything, Fang Chuning thought sarcastically: “Didn’t you say yourself that birthdays don’t need much superficial fuss?”

“That was just being polite, I can’t believe you took it seriously.”

So this person knows how to be polite, Fang Chuning said irritably: “Fine, I’ll make it up to you next time.” The two girls bantered back and forth, seemingly insulting each other, but it was precisely this that showed their close and friendly relationship.

Xu Muzhou lowered his eyes, his pen forcefully tracing the last stroke of a character on the paper. He didn’t stop even when the pen tip tore through the page, the spreading black ink imprinting in his pupils.

“Vice President, can I invite a few more friends on your birthday?” Gao Qiong asked, oblivious.

The pen tip stopped. Xu Muzhou looked up, smiling slightly, “Of course you can.”

“Vice President, you’re so nice!” Gao Qiong praised generously.

Seeing that the class bell was about to ring, Fang Chuning suddenly felt an urge to use the bathroom. She stood up and walked out.

Jiang Luoyu, sitting in the back row, saw this and followed her out.

Xu Muzhou saw this scene. He politely excused himself to the girl and stood up, moving his chair to follow them out.

Fang Chuning had just finished using the bathroom and washing her hands when she came out to see someone standing not far away, seemingly waiting for her. She wiped her hands clean and walked over, “Class is about to start, why are you still standing here?”

Jiang Luoyu’s hands, placed in front of him, nervously clasped together, “I want… I want to ask the president something…”

“What is it?”

“About the forum…” Jiang Luoyu was reluctant to believe, “The president and Xu classmate are just being rumored about, right?” Even if the two were really as the forum said, he hoped Fang Chuning would lie to him because she didn’t want to make their relationship public. At least this way, he wouldn’t feel so bad.

Fang Chuning didn’t directly answer his question, but advised him again: “I’ve told you before, you don’t need to waste time on me. And I think, rather than dating, you should focus on your studies.” Actually, when it came to studying, it wasn’t her place to say anything, but she really felt this kid was too love-brained. If he put just a bit of his heart into studying, his grades wouldn’t be so poor. Even that Qin Shaoqing, who was good for nothing except being number one at confrontation, had surpassed him in grades.

Jiang Luoyu still wasn’t willing to give up: “Then… is the president really dating Xu classmate?”

Of course not, Fang Chuning was about to answer him when a soft and pleasant young man’s voice suddenly interjected, “Class is about to start, why are you still here?”

Both of them turned their heads to look. Xu Muzhou was standing just a few meters away from them, the unwiped water droplets on his wrist indicating he had just come out of the bathroom too.

Jiang Luoyu bit his lip and turned his face away.

At this moment, the class bell rang.

Fang Chuning said, “Class is starting, let’s get back to the classroom.” As she spoke, she walked towards the young man.

Jiang Luoyu watched her back, a hint of resentment appearing in his eyes.

The three of them returned to the classroom together, with Fang Chuning walking on the outermost position and Xu Muzhou in the middle. As they reached the last step, he suddenly “accidentally” stumbled. Fang Chuning, walking beside him, instinctively grabbed his arm to steady him.

“Be careful,” she reminded him.

A blush spread across Xu Muzhou’s fair face. He somewhat deliberately glanced at the boy silently watching them, and said in a low voice, “You’re gripping me too tightly.”

“Ah, sorry.” Fang Chuning let go of him, the hand hanging at her side lightly clenched. She didn’t think she had used much force just now.

This exchange between the two, in others’ eyes, seemed particularly ambiguous.

Jiang Luoyu clenched his fists, slightly lowering his eyes: “I’ll head back to the classroom first.” With that, he quickly passed by them, unwilling to stay a second longer.

A glint flashed through Xu Muzhou’s eyes, his expression innocent: “Did Jiang classmate… misunderstand?”

Misunderstand? Fang Chuning thought for a moment and felt that if he really did misunderstand, it might be for the best. Once he sobered up, he probably wouldn’t waste time on her anymore. “I don’t know, we should hurry back to the classroom.”

Confirming that there was no disappointment on her face, Xu Muzhou’s lips curved slightly.

“Mm.”

…

“Jiajia, the teacher is coming, quick, put your phone away!”

The boy kept his eyes on the math teacher slowly walking towards them with a book in hand, frantically warning his deskmate who was still looking down at his phone.

Tang Jiali seemed not to hear him speak, his eyes still fixed on the phone screen.

The teacher walked past their position without even noticing. The boy sighed in relief, looking at his deskmate who had been obsessively staring at his phone for the past two days, wanting to say something but afraid of being heard by the teacher.

It wasn’t until school let out that Tang Jiali put his phone into his schoolbag, slung it over his shoulder, and was the first to run out of the classroom.

He habitually stood at the school gate, his eyes sharp like an eagle’s, staring at the boys and girls gradually walking out of the school.

After about twenty minutes, Tang Jiali finally saw that soul-stirring figure, but this time was different from usual. Not only was her best friend by her side, but there was also an extremely eye-catching person.

“Hey, that boy seems to be staring at you,” Gao Qiong said with her arm draped over the girl’s shoulder, finding it interesting.

Fang Chuning pursed her lips, not even bothering to give her a glance.

Actually, Xu Muzhou and them weren’t walking side by side. He and Qin Shaoqing were walking a step behind. Gao Qiong’s voice wasn’t lowered, and he looked in the direction she was pointing, coincidentally meeting the boy’s unfriendly gaze.

Xu Muzhou frowned slightly.

The boy showed no intention of coming over, but his eyes were like nails fixed on him.

“Why is that guy staring at you? Do you know him?” Even Qin Shaoqing noticed.

Xu Muzhou withdrew his gaze, his voice indifferent: “I don’t know him.”