Chapter Four: Jiang Wuyang's Allergy to Fish

As expected, amidst the crowd’s eager anticipation, the sharp sound of high heels steadily approached from afar. Step by step, as if treading on the very tips of hearts.

A teacher, dressed in professional attire and wearing black-rimmed glasses, arrived at the door and paused. Seeing the disorder inside the classroom, she didn’t enter but stood quietly at the doorway. She observed everyone silently, saying nothing, as a heavy atmosphere instantly spread throughout the room.

“Teacher, it was Jiang Wuyang!” someone called out.

The head teacher’s gaze settled on Jiang Wuyang.

“Do you have anything to explain?” Her voice was calm and steady, betraying no emotion.

Jiang Wuyang seemed pushed forward by an invisible force. Reluctantly, she walked over, her head bowed low, hands hanging timidly before her, speaking in a small voice, “I’m sorry, Teacher. I was walking just now and tripped, accidentally knocking over the desk. I’ll clean it up right away.”

She began gathering the fallen items.

The head teacher was not unreasonable. Moreover, she had witnessed the prejudice this class often held against Jiang Wuyang. Given Jiang Wuyang’s timid and shy nature, she found it hard to believe she could have caused such trouble. However, it was clear the students wanted her to take the blame. If she openly sided with Jiang Wuyang, it might only make things worse for her.

With this in mind, the head teacher cleared her throat and addressed several boys in the back row. “You all, come help clean up quickly. Don’t let this delay class.”

Everyone was stunned by Jiang Wuyang’s sudden change in behavior—when she hit someone earlier, it was completely different!

Ruan An’an frowned, her eyes lowered, concealing her true feelings.

The head teacher taught math, and coincidentally, Wen Ruchu excelled in the subject—so much so that the head teacher often urged her to transfer to the science class. But at the time, her heart and mind were fully consumed by a few senior boys. She disregarded the teacher’s advice, even suspecting it was a trap. She was perfectly fine in the humanities and saw no reason to switch to science.

Having lived through it all again, she now realized just how naïve she had been.

The half-day’s lessons ended quickly.

Yuncheng No.1 High School operated a semi-closed system, requiring students to eat in the cafeteria at noon and nap quietly in their classrooms afterward.

Jiang Wuyang had no friends at school.

After class, she packed up her things and headed alone toward the cafeteria.

Ruan An’an sat at her desk, catching sight of Jiang Wuyang’s retreating figure through the corridor window, a strange feeling flickering in her heart.

Usually, Jiang Wuyang waited to eat with them. Despite their cold jests, she clung to them like a shadow.

Why didn’t she wait today?

Ruan An’an hadn’t yet figured it out when a clear voice called out.

“An’an, let’s go eat.”

Turning around, Jiang Yiran and Duan Jinyan stood by the door, tall and graceful, exuding an exceptional aura.

Duan Jinyan and Jiang Yiran were neighbors, having grown up together. Unlike Jiang Yiran, who was gentle only to those close to him, Duan Jinyan’s kindness seemed to radiate naturally from within.

Ruan An’an warmly greeted them.

Jiang Yiran returned the greeting and instinctively glanced around the familiar seats, not seeing that persistent shadow.

“Brother Yiran, are you looking for sister? She left ahead of us,” came a sweet voice, drawing a surprised look from Duan Jinyan.

Jiang Yiran’s face flushed red, a hint of frustration showing as if this was an embarrassing matter. He firmly denied it: “No! I’m not looking for her!”

He awkwardly changed the subject. “Come on, let’s eat before the cafeteria runs out of food!”

It was all Jiang Wuyang’s fault. If she hadn’t left without a word, would he have suffered such embarrassment?

The group walked toward the cafeteria, and on the way, Ruan An’an dramatically recounted the day’s classroom incident to them.

“So that’s what happened. I think sister’s behavior… might not be very appropriate. Of course, I mean no offense—just worried she might offend someone.”

She stuck out her tongue playfully, a picture of innocence, clearly concerned for Jiang Wuyang’s sake.

Jiang Yiran tousled Ruan An’an’s hair gently and spoke softly, tinged with helplessness: “You’re not at fault. It’s Jiang Wuyang’s doing. Who taught her to be so unreasonable?”

His words revealed deep disappointment in Jiang Wuyang.

Meanwhile, Jiang Wuyang had already reached the cafeteria and quietly begun to eat.

Their entrance caused quite a stir; all were prominent figures at school, drawing many glances.

Jiang Wuyang ignored the attention, calmly taking bite after bite.

Suddenly, a shadow fell over her.

She heard the rustle of movement as several people sat down beside her.

Looking up, her gaze met theirs.

Seeing Duan Jinyan, an uncontrollable pang of pain stabbed her heart.

To be fair, Duan Jinyan had been the kindest to her in her previous life, but also the most heartless.

Noticing Jiang Wuyang’s gaze, Ruan An’an felt triumphant.

Now that both her beloved older brothers were on her side, Jiang Wuyang must be feeling miserable.

Yet despite this thought, her expression remained innocent.

“Yangyang sister, why didn’t you wait for us to come to the cafeteria together?”

“Were you afraid Brother Yiran would scold you because of today’s incident? Don’t worry, sister, he’s very gentle.”

Ruan An’an prodded Jiang Wuyang, while Jiang Yiran clearly recalled how Jiang Wuyang had abandoned them at the cafeteria.

“Jiang Wuyang, why didn’t you wait for us today?” Jiang Yiran frowned, agitation bubbling beneath the surface.

How could she ditch them and then sit here eating like nothing happened?

Ruan An’an was silent for a moment, wondering why Jiang Yiran seemed unconcerned about Jiang Wuyang’s assault earlier. Was it really so strange for her to eat alone?

Jiang Wuyang furrowed her brow.

“What do you mean? You want me to wait for you? So you can chat happily up front while I trail behind like a lonely tag-along?”

Jiang Yiran was momentarily speechless, evidently recalling past moments when they walked together.

“But… but you can’t…” He stammered, then finally found a useful excuse and shouted indignantly, “Are you trying to go home and tattle to Dad that I didn’t bring you to eat?”

“I knew it! You’re really scheming!” Jiang Wuyang rolled her eyes and said nothing more, continuing to eat with her head lowered.

Out of the corner of her eye, Jiang Yiran noticed Duan Jinyan silently picking fish bones from Ruan An’an’s food, a rare look of disappointment flashing across his face.

The atmosphere between the two men plunged to an icy low.

Ruan An’an awkwardly smiled, trying to ease the tension.

“Yangyang sister, try this. The cafeteria’s fish is really delicious.”

She tugged at Jiang Yiran’s sleeve, hoping he’d say something.

Jiang Yiran’s forehead twitched, forcing down his anger. “Yeah, eat more fish, it’s good for you.”

Jiang Wuyang stared at the fish on her plate for a few seconds, then deliberately picked it out and set it aside.

Duan Jinyan’s gaze lingered on her briefly before withdrawing.

Jiang Yiran suddenly slammed the table, bursting out, “Jiang Wuyang, what exactly do you want?!”

Ruan An’an gently tugged at Jiang Yiran’s sleeve: “Brother, don’t be angry. Sister didn’t mean it. Maybe she just doesn’t like fish.”

With her eyes lowered, Jiang Wuyang suddenly let out a quiet chuckle and spoke bluntly, “Jiang Yiran, you do know I’m allergic to fish, don’t you?”