Chapter Twenty-Nine: Plum's Note

The summer vacation had barely ended when senior year began, and my life suddenly became hectic. Graduation was just around the corner, and for reasons I couldn’t quite recall, the class had suddenly taken to exchanging memory books. I remembered this trend back in junior high too—at the time, I enthusiastically filled every single memory book I received. Looking back, I really was brimming with energy! Now, asked to write even half a sentence, I found myself completely at a loss.

Still, I eventually went with the flow and bought two memory books myself, tossing them to my classmates upon returning to the classroom.

It turned out I was fairly well liked. Whether close friends or mere acquaintances, whether we’d spoken much or barely at all, everyone wrote their well wishes in my memory book.

As the college entrance exam drew near, each day was filled with endless classes and tests. It was a rare occasion today—the homeroom teacher let us study on our own for the last two periods. Bored, I sprawled across my desk, half-listening as Ye Hui passionately explained his latest CS tactics, drifting gradually toward sleep.

“Xiao Bei, a note for you.” Zhao Wenyu, who sat behind me, suddenly tapped my shoulder and handed me a slip of paper.

“Hm?” I took the note, glanced quickly at the homeroom teacher at the podium, then swiftly tucked the paper into my desk drawer and opened it discreetly.

“Hey, employee, the boss is in a bad mood. Keep me company and chat with me.” The note was signed Plum.

Plum had been our first class president after we were split into new classes in our second year. During that time, since she was in charge of all the boys in our class, we jokingly called her the “Duck Shop” boss. She, never one to be outdone, called us her employees, and since I got along well with her, I naturally became the “top duck” at her shop.

When senior year came, Brother De was no longer our homeroom teacher. During the first class committee election with the new teacher, Plum was removed from her post on the grounds that her grades weren’t good enough. This hit her hard, leaving her discouraged, and her grades plummeted.

“What’s wrong, boss?” I glanced back at Plum and passed the note back.

“Oh, for crying out loud, can’t you two just text each other? If you keep passing notes like this, even if you’re not tired, I am!” Zhao Wenyu grumbled as he took the note.

I stifled a laugh. “Be a good postman, Yu Pig. We’re counting on you.”

Soon, another note from Plum made its way to me: “I’ve been dumped recently, so hurry up and come comfort your boss.”

“Wow, don’t tell me you got dumped by a guy?” I couldn’t resist teasing her.

“Hmph! Of course not! I dumped him!” This time, she’d used two exclamation marks, her tone brooking no argument.

“Then why are you in a bad mood? Shouldn’t you be happy instead?” Women really are hard to understand—I found Plum more baffling than ever.

“Nonsense! Employee, your boss is single once more. I’m off to pick up boys, haha!” Even without turning around, I could picture her goofy grin as I read her words.

“Tch, always thinking about boys.” I replied, feigning annoyance.

“Got a problem with that?” This time, the note held just five words. As I received it, I glanced back to see Plum waving her fist at me.

A true man knows when to yield. Sensing danger, I hurriedly surrendered. “Ah! My mistake. Even though you’re my old X, I shouldn’t have…”

“What?? Old X what?” Clearly, my words had led her astray.

“Obviously, I meant boss.” I answered without hesitation.

Relieved, she wrote, “Yes, that’s right. Glad you know.”

But I wasn’t about to let Plum off that easily. “Um, also my old X.”

“What?? Still what??” She seemed on the verge of collapse.

“Class president, of course.” Sensing the moment was right, I let the joke slip.

“That’s three words! I really don’t know what to do with you. You tell me!” Only now did Plum realize she’d been teased.

“Fine, I’ll make a sacrifice—let you kiss me, but only once! No more! It’s very painful for me, you know!” I set down my pen, a mischievous smile spreading across my face.

“Go to hell! I don’t want to!” Plum refused at once.

I wasn’t ready to give up. I picked up my pen again: “So what now? Twice? That’s the limit! Alright, settled. I won’t make a move, you’ll have to come over if you want to. Offer expires if you’re late. That’s final. Haha!”

“I’m not kissing you! Go to hell!” Plum protested, exasperated.

“It’s settled then. What, you want three? No way! I’ve already given up so much.” By now, Plum was used to my jokes and never got angry, so I said whatever came to mind.

“Go die! Seriously, I’m done with you…” This time, she didn’t bother with Zhao Wenyu, but flung the note straight at my head. She really didn’t need to be that accurate!

And so, back and forth, we exchanged notes for an entire class period, exhausting our “postman,” Zhao Wenyu.

“Xiao Bei, are you two done yet? Maybe I should just switch seats with Plum so you can talk directly instead of all this hassle.” Zhao Wenyu slumped over, looking helplessly at me.

“Fine by me, you two sort it out.” Having finished teasing Plum, I was in an inexplicably good mood.

To my surprise, Zhao Wenyu actually followed through. By the end of class, Plum had moved to the seat behind me.

“Boss, what brings you over here?” I leaned my head back onto her desk, gazing up at her upside down.

“Stupid employee, you’re not happy to see me?” Plum grabbed a textbook and threatened to smack me in the face. I quickly ducked my head away.

“You must be in love with me, haha.” I said gravely, taking the chance to scoot my chair forward.

“You’re so annoying!” Plum’s face flushed red and she gave me a hard kick. Even though I was on guard, I still couldn’t dodge it. My dark school trousers were instantly marked with a dusty white footprint.

“Sigh…” As I was trying to brush off the mark, Plum suddenly let out a sigh.

“What’s bothering you? Want to talk about it?” I didn’t turn around, just leaned against her desk and asked softly.

“My, aren’t you dramatic!” Plum laughed and shoved me hard.

“Am I? Well, go ahead and talk then.” I exaggeratedly toppled forward, then leaned back again.

“You’re ridiculous! I’m fine!” she said with a laugh, pinching the back of my neck gently.

“Really?” I asked again to make sure.

“Really! I’m fine! You’re so annoying!” she huffed, then ignored me, bowing her head to play a game on her phone.

“Sigh, no good deed goes unpunished.” With nothing else to do, I sprawled back over my desk, bored once more.