I Might Have Fallen in Love With My Childhood Sweetheart
Chapter 229 - 221: Destined to Be Rivals

Chapter 229: Chapter 221: Destined to Be Rivals

Summer vacation flew by, and it whizzed past even faster for those who attended tutoring classes.

During this time, Old Wu would almost every other day "specially care" to check if they had been studying well, to the point that Qingran now felt fearful every time she saw an unread message on WeChat.

Not just Qingran, as the finals approached, even Fang Jin and Li Qingmo dedicated themselves wholeheartedly to their studies.

Teacher Xu seemed to have learned about their upcoming participation in the provincial physics competition in some way, Fang Jin himself guessed: it was probably his mom bragging too vigorously about her child and slipped the competition details out.

Well, since it wasn’t anything bad, the typically stoic Teacher Xu actually cracked a comforting smile upon learning about the competition and became obviously more attentive in teaching them.

Sometimes, when they were confused about some difficult points and hadn’t sorted it out, Teacher Xu would keep them after class for further explanation until they all understood.

When they left the tutoring class for the last time, it was already dark outside.

It was only them in the tutoring center, so there was no need to queue for checking out anymore.

No matter how late they studied, Qiao Wanbai would always wait for Bai Wenxing in the lobby, and today was no different.

Without Ruan Ruan there, Qingran and Fang Jin, neither of them the gossipy type, just glanced at Bai Wenxing and Qiao Wanbai walking together before looking away.

On the other hand, Bai Wenxing stopped at the door and turned back to glance at their group.

Li Qingmo rolled his eyes and draped his arm over Xu Liang’s shoulder, asking, "What’s that Bai guy staring at me for?"

Xu Liang: "..."

Being self-centered isn’t illegal; perhaps you could be even more so.

Fang Jin gently bumped Qingran’s arm and whispered, "Could Bai Wenxing be wanting to talk to you again?"

Qingran looked up toward the direction of the door and met Bai Wenxing’s eyes, noncommittal: "Possibly."

After all, during this time in the tutoring class, Bai Wenxing had only spoken to her, even though their conversations never strayed from academics.

These days, Bai Wenxing was truly serious and dedicated to his studies, his efforts comparable to, if not surpassing, Qingran’s.

Compared to someone like Xie Ying’an, who was lax in his studies, it was rare to find such a diligent opponent, which made Qingran realize that her own efforts were not enough.

When the group approached the door, Bai Wenxing waved at Qingran: "Hey, Li Qingran!"

Qingran nodded at him and was about to pass by when Bai Wenxing suddenly said, "Student Li Qingran, we haven’t had a proper chat during the tutoring sessions, and I’ll be heading back tomorrow. Could we talk alone for a moment?"

What could a teenage boy and girl discuss alone?

Qiao Wanbai stared at Bai Wenxing with eyes wide in disbelief, then turned to look at Qingran; today, however, she didn’t make a scene or cry, but suddenly her eyes turned red, and she quickly lowered her head not wanting anyone to see.

Qingran didn’t think Bai Wenxing harbored any romantic feelings towards her; a simple look was enough to know if someone really likes another, and the way Bai Wenxing looked at her was clearly the gaze of seeing her as a rival.

"Can’t we talk here?" Qingran wondered.

Bai Wenxing pushed his glasses up on the bridge of his nose, smiling somewhat embarrassedly: "It just feels a bit embarrassing to say it in front of so many people."

See, that statement could lead to even more misunderstandings.

Fortunately, Xie Ying’an wasn’t at class today and wasn’t present.

Realizing something was off, Li Qingmo, Qingran’s older brother, withdrew his arm from Xu Liang’s shoulder and stood up straight, scrutinizing Bai Wenxing from head to toe, meticulously.

"You kid," Li Qingmo frowned deeply, his fists clenched tight at his side, the school bully aura emanating instantly, he nonchalantly asked, "You’re not planning to confess to my sister, are you?"

Today, if Bai Wenxing dares to admit it, or even says ’yes’, I’ll beat him until he’s looking for his teeth all over the floor.

Bai Wenxing’s expression becomes surprised upon hearing this: "Confession? No, I just wanted to discuss something about the final contest with Li Qingran. Why would you think that?"

Li Qingmo: "..."

Me think that? It’s your vague way of speaking that’s the problem. Why don’t you ask everyone else if they have the same impression?

Damn it! In the end, not only did I embarrass myself, but I also did it on behalf of my sister.

How humiliating.

But no matter how embarrassing, I still have to try to salvage a little bit of face. I mimic Xie Ying’an’s disdainful look and throw a side-eye at Bai Wenxing: "If it’s not a confession, then what can’t be said in front of us? What’s the matter? Afraid that we’ll eavesdrop?"

A flicker of embarrassment crosses Bai Wenxing’s handsome face, and he scratches his head, unsure of what to say.

Qiao Wanbai, standing next to him, has regained her composure. She glances at Qingran with a look full of wariness in her eyes.

Some people, you just know you’ll never be a match for them with one glance, and this tranquil and beautiful girl, Qingran, gives Qiao Wanbai exactly that kind of feeling.

Even though she knows Bai Wenxing wasn’t confessing to her, hearing him admit it in person still secretly relieves Qingran. Dealing with Xie Ying’an is already overwhelming her; she doesn’t want someone else to interfere with her studies.

"How about over there?" Qingran points to a small meeting room in the tutoring center’s hall and says to Bai Wenxing, "Whatever you have to say, can we talk over there?"

Bai Wenxing follows her pointing finger, looks over, and then slowly smiles: "Sure."

They both head toward the meeting room, and Qiao Wanbai instinctively wants to follow but is blocked by Li Qingmo’s leg.

After the two enter the meeting room, they don’t close the door.

In the compact space, they keep a distance between them. Bai Wenxing tightens the strap on his shoulder bag, and his face suddenly becomes more serious.

"Li Qingran," he says, "the main reason I’m here today is to thank you."

Qingran frowns slightly: "I don’t think I’ve done anything to deserve your thanks."

"Maybe," Bai Wenxing’s serious expression cracks, and he chuckles lightly: "Perhaps I just simply wanted to thank you."

Qingran: "..."

Are you out of your mind?

"I was just thinking about becoming good friends with you on my way over," Bai Wenxing pauses, noticing Qingran has no intention of speaking, then continues with a bitter smile and a shake of his head: "But it’s impossible. We stand on opposite sides, so we’re doomed to be rivals in the future."

Qingran just looks at him calmly: "You have something else you want to say, don’t you?"

Bai Wenxing nods: "Yes, I haven’t said it yet, but suddenly I don’t feel like saying it."

He takes a deep breath and adds: "Li Qingran, I genuinely want to be good friends with you. The path of studying is so lonely. Many competitors aren’t strong enough to stay with me till the end, but you are, and you are even a bit better than me."

"But," the young man’s voice carries a tinge of sorrow: "what does it matter if you agree to be friends with me now? After the final contest, you definitely won’t acknowledge it..."

In a daze, Qingran seems to understand something, but doesn’t get it completely.

Bai Wenxing is right; no matter the circumstances, during the finals, they can only be competitors.

What they are fighting for is individual honor, school honor, and their future lives.