Chapter 8: Borrowing Books
Leaving the crowd, Lu Zhiyin went to Ouyang Qing’s side.
“Oh, you’re here.”
Ouyang Qing wasn’t very interested in Lu Zhiyin’s social interactions, so she watched Lu Zhiyin being surrounded by people without interfering.
She felt nothing about killing the person who had confessed to her earlier.
It was as if crushing an ant that displeased her wouldn’t cause her any emotional fluctuation.
In front of her, human lives were like grass, and that wasn’t an exaggeration; the word wasn’t even enough to describe the cheapness of human lives before her.
Well… except for Lu Zhiyin. Lu Zhiyin was no longer an ant, but a toy worth playing with for a longer time.
Grabbing the turtle doll hanging by her side, Ouyang Qing patted its head.
The furry texture felt good, the craftsmanship wasn’t exquisite, but at least it wasn’t inferior.
“Since you accompanied me with a better-looking doll, I’ll reluctantly forgive you for what happened yesterday.”
With a condescending tone, Ouyang Qing leaned against the railing in the corridor.
“Mm…”
A little absent-minded, Lu Zhiyin nodded.
It seemed Ouyang Qing liked turtles more than frogs?
Glancing at the doll swinging beside Ouyang Qing, Lu Zhiyin averted her gaze. She didn’t know how to bring up the recent incident with Ouyang Qing, and it seemed there was nothing to discuss anyway.
Her thoughts wouldn’t influence Ouyang Qing.
The matter subdued, Lu Zhiyin finally chose silence.
She stopped beside Ouyang Qing and leaned against the railing, just like her.
“…So disgusting, don’t come so close to me.”
The distance had decreased further. Ouyang Qing could smell the scent of blood on Lu Zhiyin, and she could also see the blood on Lu Zhiyin.
The person who had professed his love to her earlier had disgusted her, and so did the blood he left behind.
Ouyang Qing frowned and moved two steps to the side.
Lu Zhiyin didn’t react immediately, thinking Ouyang Qing meant she was disgusting.
She stood frozen until Ouyang Qing spoke again.
“The blood on you is too disgusting. Go back, shower, and change your clothes. Otherwise, I don’t want to see you.”
Ouyang Qing said this, turned, and left the corridor, not knowing where she was going next.
Lu Zhiyin could only hope she wouldn’t cause more trouble.
“Sigh…”
Sighing, Lu Zhiyin prepared to return to the dormitory.
In the distance, Long Qinxin noticed Lu Zhiyin and Ouyang Qing separating. She thought they had a conflict and instinctively wanted to go and ask Lu Zhiyin, but after taking two steps, she remembered that they weren’t close.
“…”
Silently, Long Qinxin finally left the school sadly.
Lu Zhiyin was unaware of Long Qinxin’s every move. She went to the class teacher to get a new school uniform, then returned to the dormitory to take a shower, changed into new clothes, washed the discarded school uniform, and hung it on the clothesline.
After finishing these tasks, it was almost noon.
“…I have a spare school uniform, but no underwear or anything… Ah, so troublesome. The money I earned yesterday isn’t enough to buy new clothes…”
Lu Zhiyin began to feel lucky that not much blood had splashed on her. She only needed to change her outer clothes and didn’t have to change the clothes underneath.
She didn’t have much money left from yesterday. After buying a doll and deducting the cost of three meals a day, she only had enough money to borrow books from the library.
Troubled by financial issues, Lu Zhiyin went to the cafeteria for lunch.
Lunch cost her ten yuan. She would have to wash a hundred dishes to earn enough for one meal.
After lunch, Lu Zhiyin didn’t look for Ouyang Qing but went to the library.
“Hmm? She’s not here?”
Lu Zhiyin browsed the library but couldn’t find Zhu Qing. She took a history book from the shelf and sat on a chair near the checkout counter.
She thought Zhu Qing had probably gone to the cafeteria for lunch and would be back soon.
As she expected, Zhu Qing returned to the library shortly after finishing her lunch.
She still liked the job of a librarian and was never negligent.
“Classmate Lu Shiyu?”
As soon as Zhu Qing entered, she spotted the white-haired figure sitting next to the checkout counter.
“Senior Zhu Qing?”
Hearing Zhu Qing’s voice, Lu Zhiyin stood up.
There was a hint of surprise on her face.
Well, it was feigned surprise.
With a familiar face but an unfamiliar expression, Zhu Qing was momentarily dazed.
“Classmate Lu Shiyu, why are you here? Did you run into any trouble?”
After returning to the checkout counter, Zhu Qing opened the computer.
Zhu Qing didn’t pay much attention to Lu Zhiyin’s way of addressing her, as she was a celebrity at school, and it was easy to find out her grade and class with a little inquiry.
“No, no trouble. I just wanted to borrow books to catch up on my studies. I’ve been here for a while. Seeing that Senior Zhu Qing wasn’t here, and thinking I couldn’t take the books without permission, I sat here to read.”
Lu Zhiyin closed the book, placed it on the counter, tucked a stray hair behind her ear, and smiled as usual.
“Yes, I just went to eat. Sorry.”
Nodding apologetically, Zhu Qing’s favor towards the girl in front of her increased.
There were quite a few book thieves in the school, so Zhu Qing always rushed when she went to eat.
The surveillance systems weren’t very effective, and she couldn’t disturb others who were reading. Every few days, there would be one or two book thefts, which was why the school library charged a fee for borrowing books.
The cost of stolen books was recovered from the general public, and the money earned was used to purchase more books. Though, this was a bit unfair to students who followed the school rules.
“It’s fine, Senior Zhu Qing. Could you help me register, please?”
Lu Zhiyin stood obediently in front of the checkout counter.
“Okay.”
Picking up the history book Lu Zhiyin wanted to borrow, Zhu Qing registered it in no time, and Lu Zhiyin promptly paid the fee.
“Remember to return it on time within a week, or there will be a penalty.”
Straightening the crumpled banknotes and putting them into the cash register, Zhu Qing did not forget to remind the girl in front of her.
Interacting with Lu Zhiyin made her feel very comfortable. The girl’s face always seemed to be filled with a heartwarming smile.
“Okay, thank you for the reminder, Senior Zhu Qing.”
Taking the book, Lu Zhiyin prepared to leave.
“Wait, classmate Lu Shiyu, I heard about what happened this morning. You handled it very calmly. Although I don’t know if that classmate will survive, you did a good job.”
Zhu Qing took the initiative to mention the accident that happened that morning, and she was generous with her praise for Lu Zhiyin.
She often helped others, so she naturally felt good towards other helpful people, including the new transfer student.
“Ah, it was okay. It was just what I should have done.”
Lu Zhiyin touched her head and smiled shyly.
The girl’s smile further increased Zhu Qing’s good impression of her.
“Alright, I won’t disturb you anymore. In any case, the accident scene this morning was bloody, and Classmate Lu Shiyu must have been a bit frightened. You should go back and rest well.”
Zhu Qing waved goodbye to Lu Zhiyin.
“Mhm, I will rest well. Oh, right, Senior Zhu Qing, if you don’t mind, you can call me junior from now on. Goodbye then.”
Saying goodbye to Zhu Qing, Lu Zhiyin left the library.
“…”
As soon as she was out of Zhu Qing’s sight, Lu Zhiyin dropped her smile and returned to her calm demeanor.
“Ha… It’s tiring to act all the time…”
She hugged the history book tightly and began to ponder whether she should return to the dormitory or leave the school for the restaurant where she worked part-time.
