Chapter 33: From Today On, He Will Be Bai Qingxia’s Shield

"If only I had met you earlier, Bai Qingxia," Lu Yuanqiu murmured softly as he gazed at his trousers.

It was from their homeroom teacher, Liu Wei, that Lu Yuanqiu first learned Xu Yan had bullied Bai Qingxia as early as their first year of high school, even going so far as to cut her hair. The reason for the latest incident was trivial: Xu Yan had heard Bai Qingxia would be carrying the class placard in the parade. Unwilling to see Bai Qingxia shine before everyone, Xu Yan wanted to see her hurt, so she wouldn’t be able to participate.

For most, beauty is a coveted blessing, but for Bai Qingxia, it brought endless trouble. The hair falling over her face, the baggy school uniform she always wrapped herself in—these had become her shelter. Yet, the moment she clipped on a hairpin and donned the class uniform, her "shell" would vanish. Like the brightest flower plucked from the garden, she would once again become the most conspicuous target, exposed and fragile.

But it didn’t matter.

Lu Yuanqiu hugged the trousers, patched with little daisies, tightly to his chest and smiled fondly. From today on, he would become Bai Qingxia’s shield.

…

At the Happiness Lane apartment.

Lu Yuanqiu returned home, spinning and gliding across the floor as if dancing, flaunting his work trousers before his parents. Su Xiaoya and Lu Tian leaned forward, craning their necks for a look, but before they could glimpse the prize, Lu Yuanqiu theatrically dropped to one knee on the shining floor and lifted the trousers high above his head, his expression almost reverent.

"Dun dun dun dun~"

Lu Tian glanced at him, puzzled. "What’s with you? Are those trousers made of gold?"

Su Xiaoya’s curiosity was piqued. "Really, son, you weren’t this happy even when you were praised at school yesterday. What’s so special today?"

Lu Yuanqiu shot them a smug look, then handed over the trousers, proudly displaying the patches of grass and little flowers.

"See here? I tore my trousers, and Bai Qingxia sewed them up for me."

"Oh, what fine needlework!" Su Xiaoya’s eyes sparkled as she took the trousers for a closer look. "That girl’s so thoughtful! And the embroidery’s beautiful!" She beamed at her son. "Next time, invite her over for dinner!"

Lu Yuanqiu shrugged. "I’ve thought about it, but I doubt she’d agree."

Lu Tian glanced at the trousers, then back at his son with a look of mild disdain.

"Just look at yourself—how is it you’re so far behind others at your own school? She’s younger than you, yet she’s hardworking, capable, beautiful, and does well in her studies."

"She’s younger than me? How do you know?" Lu Yuanqiu asked.

"I saw her ID last time," Lu Tian replied, crossing his legs. "Birthday’s September nineteenth. That girl hasn’t even turned seventeen yet… By my count, that’s not far off."

Lu Yuanqiu glanced at the calendar. "Eleven days to go."

Exactly the day before the sports meet.

"Aren’t you thinking of getting her a present? She patched your trousers for you; just that alone says she’s a good girl," Lu Tian said, folding his newspaper and looking at his son.

…

A week later, during the morning break.

The class monitor, Wang Haoran, entered the classroom and knocked on the door. "I need a few guys! The class uniforms are here—come help carry them!"

At once, the room fell silent.

Then, chaos erupted.

"I’ll do it!" Gao Qiang volunteered.

"Me too!" echoed Zhong Jincheng.

Normally these two would dodge any heavy lifting, but today they rushed out with resolve.

Lu Yuanqiu glanced at his deskmate. Bai Qingxia, too, had just looked away, and their eyes met for a fleeting moment before she quickly averted her gaze again. Between them hung an invisible barrier.

Since the night she cried and confided in him, Bai Qingxia had kept her distance. Lu Yuanqiu understood she didn’t dislike him, nor was she ungrateful. She hadn’t cried in gym class simply because she’d been shaken by Xu Yan’s failed attempt to hurt her. She’d cried because she’d seen Lu Yuanqiu act recklessly for her sake, and she feared he’d be punished as a result.

She kept her distance out of fear it would happen again. She always worried about burdening others, never herself.

Lu Yuanqiu sighed. He understood all this.

This girl was sensitive and insecure, always seeing herself as a problem. Even when others were kind to her, she feared she might trouble them.

But how could Lu Yuanqiu be afraid of that? He’d been given a second chance at life—he feared nothing, least of all the trivial squabbles of school. Teaching a lesson to these petty bullies was as easy as squashing ants; he had countless ways to make sure they couldn’t show their faces in Lucheng again.

He twirled his pen and focused on another matter.

Bai Qingxia’s birthday was only a few days away, and he’d been racking his brains over what gift to get her. He could just imagine how long it had been since anyone had celebrated her birthday—let alone given her a gift.

Just then, the boys returned, hauling the class uniforms. Wang Haoran placed a large package on the teacher’s desk.

"Come collect your uniforms by size—don’t mix them up," he announced.

"What size are you? I’ll get yours," Lu Yuanqiu offered.

Bai Qingxia shook her head gently, declined, and went up herself. As she walked away, Lu Yuanqiu called after her, "Then grab mine too—XXL!"

Moments later, she returned with two uniforms, placing Lu Yuanqiu’s on his desk.

"Oh, black knee-high socks…" Lu Yuanqiu’s gaze fell on Bai Qingxia’s white shirt, blue tie, dark blue pleated skirt, and two pairs of black knee-highs. He reached out mischievously, but Bai Qingxia’s ears flushed red. She snatched the socks away and stuffed them into her desk.

"How stingy," Lu Yuanqiu teased.

The girl pressed her lips together, as though she’d cast a silence spell on herself, ignoring him.

In front, two girls chatted, "What shoes go with knee-highs?"

"White sneakers? Or just regular trainers?"

"Black leather shoes would be perfect, but… ugh, I don’t have any."

Lu Yuanqiu heard every word. He knew Bai Qingxia didn’t have black leather shoes either—she’d only ever worn canvas sneakers.

Well, there it was: the perfect birthday present!

But then a serious problem arose.

Lu Yuanqiu frowned.

How big were Bai Qingxia’s feet, anyway?

He couldn’t just ask her—that would ruin the surprise.

After evening study hall.

Four Seasons Fresh Mart.

Bai Qingxia, clad in a little red vest, was stacking frozen meat in the chilled section. Lu Yuanqiu crept up behind her, clutching a cup of water like a thief.

Fatty Wang, the butcher, spotted him and was just about to greet the young boss when Lu Yuanqiu signaled him to keep quiet. Fatty Wang zipped his lips and glanced at Bai Qingxia, instantly understanding Lu Yuanqiu’s intent.

Sneaking up, Lu Yuanqiu tipped his cup and spilled the water all over Bai Qingxia’s canvas shoes.

"Oh no! I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry!" he shouted, feigning panic.

Startled, Bai Qingxia quickly drew back her feet and stared at him, bewildered. Lu Yuanqiu knelt down and hurriedly undid her shoelaces. "Take them off! Quick, take them off! You’ll catch cold! I’ll go dry them—don’t thank me!"

"What are you doing?!" Bai Qingxia cried, trying to push him away in her panic.

But Lu Yuanqiu paid her no mind. He swiftly pulled off her shoes, grabbed them, and dashed out of the store.