Chapter Twenty-Six: The Preferences of a Genius

Wen Yichen knew that Jiang Mu Wen was definitely angry. When he’d asked her a question just now, her response had been perfunctory. He wasn’t foolish; he understood this wasn’t enough to make Jiang Mu Wen stay upset for so long. Judging by her reaction, she was almost certainly angry with him.

Yet for Wen Yichen, cheering up a young girl was never something he excelled at. He couldn’t come up with amusing things to coax her laughter, nor could he make silly faces like Yin Lizhe. All he could do, perhaps, was offer her a piece of candy—just as he had when she was five or six, crying in front of him after a fall, unable to comfort her except with a sweet treat.

The early autumn sunlight spilled gently across his palm, the chocolate wrapper catching the light and reflecting a beautiful gleam that sparked a small delight in Jiang Mu Wen’s heart. Slowly, she raised her hand and took the chocolate from his palm, unwrapping it and slipping it into her mouth.

“I haven’t forgiven you yet…” she mumbled, feeling a bit aggrieved, cheeks puffed with chocolate, her voice low and muttering—she looked just like a cute little hamster.

Wen Yichen naturally heard her words, and his heart jolted. He glanced at her cautiously, as if seeking confirmation. “What did you say?”

Jiang Mu Wen froze, as if she’d accidentally let slip some terrible secret. Clearing her throat, she shifted her gaze to the window in confusion. “Nothing.”

“So… you’re angry with me?” Wen Yichen asked quietly.

Jiang Mu Wen paused, turned her head, and met his gaze. She made a sound of assent, admitting it.

“Did I say something that upset you?” Wen Yichen was puzzled. He looked at her, trying to recall what he might have said to make her angry—was it that morning’s “you eat so much, you’re like a pig,” or his refusal to help her with math at lunchtime?

Then he remembered her interactions with Yin Lizhe today… Could it be he’d slammed his notebook too forcefully? Or had she overheard something he’d said?

Mouth slightly open, Wen Yichen wanted to explain but didn’t know how to start.

Jiang Mu Wen lowered her eyes, muttering softly, “You said… who I like is none of your business… We’ve known each other for so long, yet I never imagined our relationship meant so little to you…”

Her voice grew quieter, thinking Wen Yichen wouldn’t hear, but he caught every word.

“But if you really fall for someone, does it matter if I care?” Wen Yichen’s voice reached her ears, startling her. She looked up, surprise flickering in her eyes.

Indeed, feelings were something even one’s own heart could not control—how could anyone else?

“If I really liked some boy… you…” Jiang Mu Wen spoke softly and hesitantly, trailing off, lacking the courage to finish. She truly wanted to know how Wen Yichen would react if she liked someone else.

Even though she didn’t finish, Wen Yichen understood what she meant. Silence settled between them.

For Wen Yichen, it was hard to imagine Jiang Mu Wen falling for another boy. Yet he knew, the idea of her with someone else—like Yin Lizhe—left him inexplicably unsettled. Perhaps it was simply an inability to see her happy with someone else.

“I don’t answer hypothetical questions,” he said.

He really couldn’t picture what it would be like if her words came true, so he chose to end the topic.

…

Soon, the rumors spread by Zhou Yao gradually faded with time, and Wen Yichen and Jiang Mu Wen’s relationship returned to its former state.

On Friday, as the dismissal bell rang, the classroom became lively and noisy. Despite the commotion, a voice from the back reached Jiang Mu Wen clearly: “Wen Yichen, what kind of girl do you like?”

If the question had been about anything else, Jiang Mu Wen wouldn’t have paid attention. But the mention of Wen Yichen’s name made her instinctively perk up her ears and listen. Her concern for Wen Yichen was no less than for herself. Besides, it was about his standards for choosing a partner—how could she miss it?

After a moment’s silence, Wen Yichen replied slowly, “I don’t know.”

Jiang Mu Wen paused in her movements—was Wen Yichen unwilling to answer, or simply didn’t want to?

“Don’t you have any standards? Like gentle and generous, kind and virtuous…” his deskmate pressed.

After a moment’s thought, Wen Yichen answered seriously, “Beautiful, smart.”

When his words fell, Jiang Mu Wen’s eyes dimmed, a wave of disappointment rising in her heart.

Everyone said Wen Yichen was like Jiang Zhishu in the idol dramas—smart and handsome. But she knew—he was not Jiang Zhishu, and she was not that lucky Miss Yuan.

“The preferences of a genius really are unique…” his deskmate commented, then Wen Yichen continued, “But…”

Before Jiang Mu Wen could hear Wen Yichen’s next words, Gu Nianxi’s voice interrupted: “Xiao Wen Wen, here’s the notebook I organized for you. Take it home and look it over—it should help.”

Jiang Mu Wen instinctively looked at Gu Nianxi, accepting the notebook, flipping through it and seeing the neat handwriting and clear organization. Warmth surged in her heart. She carefully closed the notebook and looked at Gu Nianxi. “Thank you so much!”

Gu Nianxi smiled, her delicate face brightening. “Why thank me? I’m glad I could help.”

Such a kind girl left Jiang Mu Wen at a loss for how to express her gratitude—she realized the world really did have gentle, beautiful, and warm-hearted young women.

Lost in thought, her desk was tapped lightly by Wen Yichen. “Are you done?”

His voice startled her, and remembering his earlier reply, Jiang Mu Wen’s eyes dimmed again. She quietly zipped up her bag and murmured a soft assent.

She only heard the first half of Wen Yichen’s answer, and perhaps she would never know the words he added after: “But… if you really fall for someone, who can say what she’s truly like?”