After Liu Xiue’s birthday, Zhao ii officially threw herself into the busy preparation for the city-wide joint exam.
Robber Hao handed out test papers every day with red eyes, checking answers and explaining questions. Even when he was extrely busy, he didn’t forget to stand by Zhang Zhao’s desk, instructing him sternly: "Finish your questions quickly, I’ll be the first to check them."
No matter how laid-back Zhang Zhao was, he still had so foundation from his previous studies. With a bit of effort, he caught up. Ever since he cut himself with a knife, the whole class looked at him as if he were a lunatic; so timid classmates would walk past him carefully, afraid he might pull out a knife and, instead of amusing himself, decide to stab soone else for fun.
In this environnt where everyone was on edge, only the carefree Zhao ii behaved like nothing was going on, still accepting all kinds of snacks Zhang Zhao offered to her, eating them herself, sotis sharing them with Xu Xu and Wang Jiayue, and occasionally taking Zhang’s big wallet for a trip to the supermarket to raid the snack aisle.
Zhang Zhao walked beside Zhao ii, turning his head to look at her still sowhat pretty face. Sotis, unable to help himself, he’d ask mockingly: "Hey, Zhao ii, you’re not planning to have an affair, are you?"
Zhao ii imdiately shot back with a cold glare: "Nonsense, who am I supposed to have an affair with?"
Zhang Zhao pointed at himself.
Zhao ii snorted with disdain, unhesitatingly retorting: "Stop it, I’m not crazy."
Zhang Zhao sneered: "Being with is crazy?"
Zhao ii scoffed: "You’re not crazy? You cut yourself with a knife; normal people don’t do such things!"
Zhang Zhao rarely showed displeasure in front of Zhao ii: "And why isn’t it normal? It’s not like I’m slitting my wrists; using a knife to cut myself isn’t crazy, I didn’t hurt anyone else!"
Zhao ii lectured him: "And you say it’s not crazy?! Besides you, who else thinks cutting themselves with a knife is fun? If you can na one person, then I’ll admit you’re not crazy. Not even speaking generally, just our class—everyone from Robber Hao to our classmates, who doesn’t look at you like you’re nuts? You think it’s super cool, right? I’m telling you, it’s not cool, it’s crazy! And it’s serious! I... "
Zhang Zhao, both irritated and collapsing inside, was struck to the core by Zhao ii’s inadvertent words. Suddenly, he turned and kicked the wall, shouting roughly: "You don’t know anything! Who says it’s crazy?! It’s not crazy at all!"
Zhao ii was startled by his sudden outburst and curiously asked: "If it’s not crazy, then what is it?"
Zhang Zhao’s face instantly darkened, an indescribable anger erupted as if soone had poured filth over a statue of a deity. He glared fiercely at Zhao ii, his chest heaving: "It’s not crazy at all! She just wanted so excitent. Watching the blade cut through skin, severing blood vessels, it’s truly thrilling in that instant. It’s just a craving for ntal highs, it’s not crazy! What do you guys know? Who says it’s crazy?"
Zhao ii stared at Zhang Zhao in shock: "How is this not crazy? What if you hit an artery, then it’s suicide!"
The word "suicide" directly triggered Zhang Zhao’s long-suppressed gloom from inside out. Without even thinking, he blurted: "What do you an ’then it’s suicide’? My sister would never commit suicide. How can you guys say she has depression and wants to commit suicide just because she rebellious plays with blood!"
Zhang Zhao grabbed Zhao ii by the collar, pulling her forward so she slamd against the wall before she could stabilize herself, her back hitting the hard surface, making her gasp in pain.
Zhang Zhao growled furiously: "She’s pretty and has dated a few tis, so you say she’s ntally empty, seeking excitent, and has a ntal illness. You say she wants to kill herself anyti, anywhere! Bullshit! Absolute bullshit! You guys go commit suicide! Your whole family goes commit suicide!"
Zhao ii, overwheld by the information, stood dazed, forgetting the pain in her back. It wasn’t until much later that she slowly gathered her wits and asked, murmuringly: "Are you saying Sister Xin has depression? When did it happen? How could that be? Isn’t it nonsense? Last ti I saw her, she was perfectly fine. When did she play with blood? Zhang Zhao, is everything you’re saying really true?"
Zhang Zhao suddenly froze, color draining from his face to the paleness of a ghostly mask. His lips trembled slightly, mouth half open, grabbing Zhao ii’s hands only to let them fall weakly beside his body.
Zhao ii watched Zhang Zhao, goosebumps creeping up her neck: "So you cut yourself only to prove it’s not crazy, correct?"
Zhang Zhao didn’t speak; he seed drained, bending over, elbows resting on his knees, lowering his gaze to stare at his feet. This matter had been buried deep within him, never ntioned to anyone. Now, suddenly revealed, he felt empty, with an unsettling feeling of groundlessness.
Zhang Zhao stayed silent for such a long ti that Zhao ii leaned closer, patting his shoulder: "You okay?"
Zhang Zhao looked up at her, slightly dazed, realizing Zhao ii indeed was different from everyone else he knew.
Others were like kaleidoscopes, vibrant and diverse on the surface, but possibly just a crumbling cardboard inside.
While Zhao ii was like a bottle of juice whose transparency revealed everything. Unscrewing the cap, one could sll its sweetness inside; even when all the liquid was gone, there’s still a faint aroma clinging to its edges.
If before knowing Zhao ii, soone had told him he’d soday share the secrets buried deep inside him without reservation, he’d definitely think they’ve had their brain smoothed out with an electric iron.
"I’m fine." Zhang Zhao shook his head, standing up with a bitter smile, asking: "Just a bit tired. Can you keep company to eat so spicy skewers?"
Zhao ii blinked at Zhang Zhao, not saying anything.
Zhang Zhao averted his gaze, saying lightly: "If you don’t want to, forget it. Anyway, let’s go back to class; it’s almost ti for lessons."
Zhang Zhao turned to walk to the classroom, only to be tugged by his school uniform after taking just one step.
Zhang Zhao turned back, eting Zhao ii’s clear gaze.
Zhao ii squinted her eyes, lazily looking through her lashes at him: "Okay, let’s go, but you need to pay. I didn’t bring any money."
Zhang Zhao chuckled helplessly: "Class President, when have you ever paid when hanging out with ?"
Listening to his playful chatter, Zhao ii secretly sighed in relief, adding: "Wait for here. I’ll go back and make so cover arrangents, then I’ll co find you."
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