Chapter Fifty-Three: Trapped Against the Wall

After speaking, Wen Yichen turned away without another word and headed straight for the classroom door.

Just as he reached the threshold, Bai Xu entered from outside. He glanced at Wen Yichen, sensing something was off—at that moment, Wen Yichen’s expression was severe and unsmiling, yet he exuded an effortless authority.

Bai Xu instinctively grabbed his arm, curiosity lighting his face. “What’s wrong with you?”

At his words, Wen Yichen subconsciously glanced back, then replied coolly, “Nothing.”

Physical education had only just ended, and there were few students left in the classroom. None of them spoke, which only made the atmosphere even more stifling.

When Wen Yichen returned to the classroom again, he was holding a stack of homework in his hands.

As he set the homework on Zhou Yao’s desk, she shot him a look, clearly still holding a grudge over what had just happened. “Wen Yichen, aren’t you afraid I’ll tell the homeroom teacher?”

She had expected some reaction, but Wen Yichen only glanced at her, then turned away coldly with the rest of the homework, leaving Zhou Yao looking like a clown performing in vain.

Wen Yichen ignored her completely, but this only piqued the curiosity of Yin Lizhe, who had just walked in. “Oh? What are you threatening to tell the homeroom teacher?”

He spoke as he unscrewed a bottle of mineral water and took a sip.

His gaze landed on Zhou Yao again, and she shrank back, trembling with fear—she still hadn’t recovered from his last confrontation with her. Zhou Yao shook her head instinctively, hurriedly stuffing her homework back into her desk.

Yin Lizhe had no idea that Zhou Yao had put a bug in Jiang Muwen’s pencil case. Puzzled, he returned to his seat, spun around, and asked Jiang Muwen, “Boss, what just happened?”

Jiang Muwen knew Yin Lizhe’s temperament well and, not wanting to stir up any more trouble, simply shook her head. “Nothing. Wen Yichen already took care of it.”

…

Soon, it was time for dismissal. Jiang Muwen walked with Wen Yichen, neither of them speaking as they made their way to the bus stop. The air between them was filled with a mysterious silence, as though both had something they wanted to say but couldn’t bring themselves to voice. This awkwardness had persisted for a week now.

Jiang Muwen glanced up at Wen Yichen, recalling the moment earlier when he had stood up for her. Since he’d done that, did it mean Wen Yichen was no longer angry with her?

With that thought, Jiang Muwen spoke softly, “Wen Yichen… thank you for today…”

When she finished, Wen Yichen instinctively turned his face slightly toward her, his eyes dropping to meet hers. For a fleeting second, a smile touched the corner of his lips—so brief even he didn’t notice it, and certainly too quick for Jiang Muwen to catch.

“So just a verbal thank you? How insincere,” Wen Yichen remarked, raising his eyebrows nonchalantly.

Hearing this, Jiang Muwen suspected he had something else in mind.

“Then how should I thank you?”

“There’s an exhibit at the last stop… we could…” Wen Yichen’s voice grew softer as he spoke, as if he were searching for the right words so it wouldn’t sound abrupt.

Jiang Muwen’s heart leapt at his words. She’d wanted to see that exhibit for ages, but Wen Yichen had refused to go with her, and Gu Nianxi was too busy… But now it seemed Wen Yichen had changed his mind.

Suppressing her excitement, Jiang Muwen feigned disinterest. “Didn’t you say you wouldn’t go with me? I’m not really interested anymore, and besides, tickets are so hard to get…”

Despite her words, an uncontrollable smile crept onto her face. She quickly composed herself and looked away, determined not to give in too easily—after all, Wen Yichen had declined her so decisively before, and besides, this was the final week of the exhibit, and she’d heard tickets were sold out.

But soon her little expressions betrayed her excitement, all of which Wen Yichen saw clearly.

Looking at her, Wen Yichen felt all his previous resentment toward her dissolve. When he finally looked away, he couldn’t help but smile to himself. These two had always been like this—no matter how long they argued, as soon as one softened, the other’s anger would vanish, and they’d be back together as if nothing had ever happened.

“Very well then,” Wen Yichen said, feigning helplessness as he raised his eyebrows slightly. He pulled two exhibition tickets from his bag and waved them gently, making sure she could hear the rustling sound. “If you won’t go, I’ll just find someone else.”

Jiang Muwen’s gaze shot to the tickets, and her eyes nearly sparkled with delight. The next moment, she snatched the tickets from his hands. “I don’t really want to go, but if you can’t find anyone to accompany you, wouldn’t it be a waste for these two tickets?”

Wen Yichen promptly took the tickets back from her. “And how do you know I have no one else to go with?”

“I…” she started.

“The bus is here.” Before Jiang Muwen could finish, Wen Yichen interrupted, stepped onto the bus, found a seat, and added, “I’m riding to the last stop. You should head home on your own.”

Barely had his words faded when Jiang Muwen immediately mumbled, “I’m also going to the last stop…”

…

By the time they finished at the exhibit, night had already fallen.

It was the peak dinner hour, and the exit corridor of the exhibition was crowded. Even though Wen Yichen and Jiang Muwen walked close to the wall, they were inevitably jostled by the throng.

Wen Yichen was just behind and to the side of Jiang Muwen, when suddenly, an unexpected push from behind caught him off guard. He staggered forward a few steps, trying to steady himself by reaching for the wall.

Unfortunately, in his stumble, he collided directly with Jiang Muwen. Before she could react, Wen Yichen had pressed her between himself and the wall, their bodies momentarily flush.

Jiang Muwen looked up, rendered speechless by the sudden proximity—she could only stare at Wen Yichen, her eyes full of astonishment.

Wen Yichen, too, lost all words as he gazed at this gentle, beautiful girl before him; for a moment, his mind went completely blank…