She’s Crazy C16

Su Zai Zai thought for a long time but couldn’t come up with anything, so she decided not to dwell on it.

She started packing up, ready to go home.

Jiang Jia, after finishing her analysis, grew more and more excited. She grabbed Su Zai Zai’s hand, shaking it enthusiastically.

“Zai Zai, I’m so happy for you!”

“Huh?”

“You were right! Actions matter more than looks.”

“…You can shut up now.”

“In my lifetime, I actually got to witness a toad eat swan meat.”

“Get lost.”

A while later.

Su Zai Zai thought for a moment, then lowered her voice to explain, “It’s really not like that.”

Although she really wanted everyone to believe that Zhang Lu Rang was hers, she didn’t want to randomly label him with something like puppy love out of nowhere.

Jiang Jia didn’t push the topic further.

While packing her things, she casually mentioned, “I heard a girl from Class One cried all afternoon in the classroom yesterday because of Zhang Lu Rang. So dramatic.”

“Huh?” Su Zai Zai was confused.

“Apparently, it was because of that silver medal he gave you.”

“…What’s the big deal? He was just trying to get rid of me.”

“I’m not too sure either.” Jiang Jia thought for a moment. “That girl sits right in front of him, and then all the girls in their class went to comfort her. Some even asked Zhang Lu Rang to say something to her, but he completely ignored them.”

Su Zai Zai was utterly lost. “So why was she crying?”

“You seriously don’t get it? That girl likes Zhang Lu Rang!”

Su Zai Zai rubbed her chin thoughtfully.

“I think it’s great. She’ll be reborn after a good cry.”

“…”

“And besides, the great beauty ignoring her is totally normal. He’s always been heartless.”

Jiang Jia: “…”

The two slung their backpacks over their shoulders and walked toward the door.

Jiang Jia was looking down at her phone when she suddenly said, “Don’t you think Zhang Lu Rang treats you differently? Like, he gave you that silver medal, and just now, he helped you carry your chair.”

Su Zai Zai paused for a moment and answered honestly, “Nope.”

“Think about it. That girl sitting in front of him cried like that, and he didn’t react at all. My friend told me he was completely unfazed…”

“Yeah, he has an automatic filter for outside noise.”

Jiang Jia was exasperated. “Can you let me finish?!”

“…Oh.”

“Anyway, I really think Zhang Lu Rang does things for you that he wouldn’t do for other girls.”

This time, Su Zai Zai was silent for a long time.

A long, long time later, she finally spoke.

“If that were true, that would be nice.”

But she didn’t dare take it any further.

Su Zai Zai felt that things were just fine the way they were.

She lived in a world of her own.

In that world, Zhang Lu Rang also liked Su Zai Zai.

As long as she didn’t deny it, no one could refute it.

—

On Sunday, Su Zai Zai left home an hour earlier than usual.

To wait for Zhang Lu Rang at the bus stop.

From when the sun hung high in the sky to when it slowly set.

Su Zai Zai lit up her phone and checked the time.

If she kept waiting, she would be late.

She put her vocabulary notebook back into her backpack.

After glancing one last time at the bus stop, she finally got on the bus.

When she entered the classroom, the night study bell rang.

Seeing her return, Jiang Jia looked up and asked in a low voice, “Zai Zai, why are you so late today?”

Su Zai Zai pulled out her books and placed them on the desk.

She sighed in despair, “Lying in wait never works.”

“Huh?”

“I can’t be too deliberate. The more deliberate I am, the more I won’t run into him.”

“What nonsense.”

Su Zai Zai looked at her and analyzed seriously, “My fate with the great beauty is predestined. If I try too hard, I might disrupt the original path of destiny.”

Jiang Jia was speechless. “Are you possessed by something?”

After her little outburst, Su Zai Zai started feeling down. “Do you think he did it on purpose?”

“Did what?”

“Avoid me. Maybe he also left earlier or went to a different bus stop.”

“Don’t overthink it.” Jiang Jia patted her head.

Su Zai Zai rummaged through her desk drawer and found the last two jelly cups. She placed one on Jiang Jia’s desk.

Then she pulled out her math homework and started doing problems.

During the first night study break, Su Zai Zai headed straight to the third floor.

As soon as she arrived, she saw Zhang Lu Rang walking out of the classroom with another boy.

She sneakily followed behind them.

Up ahead, she could hear their conversation.

“Did Ye Zhenxin help you pack your meal today?”

“…”

“Nice! Respect, man. Honestly, I admire how you don’t judge people by looks.”

“…”

The boy kept gossiping. “I thought you were into that gorgeous girl from Class Nine…”

Zhang Lu Rang frowned and immediately cut him off. “Neither.”

After a while.

The boy continued, “Hey, then give me the WeChat of that girl from Class Nine. Since you’re not interested anyway.”

Su Zai Zai didn’t want to hear Zhang Lu Rang’s answer, so she abruptly spoke up, “Give what?”

Both of them turned to look at her, stopping in their tracks.

Su Zai Zai grinned. “He doesn’t have it.”

The gossiping boy seemed a bit awkward, seeing his subject of gossip suddenly appear.

Su Zai Zai pointed at Zhang Lu Rang. “Do you have his WeChat?”

“Yeah…” The boy answered honestly.

Su Zai Zai’s eyes lit up. “Then let’s trade!”

Hearing this, Zhang Lu Rang’s face stiffened, and he said in a low voice, “Su Zai Zai.”

Sensing the subtle atmosphere between them, the boy quickly excused himself and left.

“Rang Rang.”

“…”

“Zhang Lu Rang.”

“Mm.”

…When would he finally accept this cute little nickname?

Su Zai Zai decided to get straight to the point this time. “Didn’t you say you don’t have WeChat?”

“Mm.”

“…”

“But that guy just said he has your WeChat.” Su Zai Zai pursued relentlessly.

Zhang Lu Rang remained expressionless. “He lied to you.”

Then, he calmly scratched his neck.

Su Zai Zai: “…”

The moment WeChat was mentioned, he always lied. How much did he not want her to add him?

After a while.

Su Zai Zai sighed, “I know you have it.”

Zhang Lu Rang: “…”

Su Zai Zai rambled on, “We’ve known each other for so long. What’s the big deal about giving me your contact info? It’s not like I’d do anything to you. What are you so afraid of?”

Zhang Lu Rang pressed his lips together, his fingers lightly tapping the blue-painted railing.

Thud, thud.

Like he was thinking about how to respond.

Half a minute later.

“Why do you keep coming to the third floor?”

He changed the subject.

“You.” Su Zai Zai answered.

Zhang Lu Rang: “…”

Noticing his expression, Su Zai Zai quickly corrected herself.

“Ah, no, I meant to see you. I left out a word…”

“…”

“After all, you’re my only male friend. Gotta maintain the friendship.”

Zhang Lu Rang lowered his gaze.

Dark hair, sharp brows, deep black eyes, lips lightly pressed together.

His entire presence exuded a cold and alluring aura.

Su Zai Zai suddenly turned away, stammering, “You-You’re looking at me weird.”

Zhang Lu Rang frowned. “How am I looking at you?”

“You just gave me a flirty look.” Su Zai Zai blushed.

Zhang Lu Rang: “…”

He genuinely couldn’t imagine himself giving a flirty look.

But he still subconsciously looked away.

Zhang Lu Rang rubbed his face and said with a cold expression, “We’re not close.”

Su Zai Zai blinked. “Nobody starts off close.”

Hearing this, Zhang Lu Rang wanted to say, I don’t want to be close to you.

But when he saw Su Zai Zai’s face, the words got stuck in his throat.

The night study bell rang, breaking the silence.

Around them, a few students were slowly heading back to class from the restroom.

A flickering light overhead cast their faces in shifting shadows.

The night breeze swayed the branches.

Zhang Lu Rang suddenly felt exhausted.

He sighed and said, “Go back and study.”

“…Oh.”

Su Zai Zai turned and walked away.

After a few steps, she turned back, unwilling to give up.

“Do you really not want to add my WeChat?”

—

—The phrase “toad eating swan meat” (癞蛤蟆想吃天鹅肉) is a Chinese idiom that describes someone who desires something far beyond their reach, usually in the context of relationships. It often implies that a person of lower status or attractiveness is aiming for someone perceived as much more beautiful or desirable, similar to the English expression “punching above one’s weight.”