C19 Duan Chen

Ann Jue had taken a few days off due to eye discomfort, but now it was time to return to her studies at No.1 High School. Known for its high college acceptance rates and excellent faculty, the school was even considered superior to some in the city, attracting many parents who couldn't afford prestigious primary schools but still wanted to improve their children's academic performance. They often transferred their children to No.1 High School for a better education.

Lee Xiaodou, Ann Jue's desk mate, was one such student.

"Hey, Ann Jue, you've been gone for three days. I've been so worried!" Lee Xiaodou exclaimed, her ponytail swinging as she pulled Ann Jue into the classroom.

Ann Jue looked around the classroom with a sense of novelty and smiled, "What's the matter? Couldn't manage to finish your homework without me?"

Lee Xiaodou was a clever and spirited girl, small but with a big heart, though not particularly fond of studying.

"Exactly! But that's not the most important thing. Listen, a top student has transferred to the class next door. His dad and my dad were classmates, but he and I have never gotten along! I'll point him out to you. If we ever cross paths, you've got to back me up!" Lee Xiaodou pleaded.

Ann Jue chuckled, "Who's got you so scared? A boy or a girl?"

"A boy! I wouldn't be scared if it were a girl!" Lee Xiaodou admitted with a mix of annoyance and jealousy. "He's so smart, and my dad always compares me to him. Isn't that the most irritating thing? He's so arrogant and cold, I wouldn't even want to say hi if our families didn't know each other."

Ann Jue couldn't help but laugh to herself. Apparently, the 'Ice Mountain Handsome' type hadn't caught on yet. Otherwise, her best friend might not be so antagonistic towards him.

"Alright, I'll definitely help you out! Let's go have a look," Ann Jue said, grabbing her schoolbag and nudging Lee Xiaodou towards the door.

With caution, Lee Xiaodou took Ann Jue's hand and tiptoed to the neighboring classroom's window. After a quick scan, she pointed and whispered, "See that boy by the window, second to last row? He's really tall, must be almost 175 cm!"

Ann Jue gave her a teasing look. "Don't you dislike him? Yet you know his height so well?"

Lee Xiaodou touched her reddened ear tips. "Hey, just look!"

Ann Jue smiled, shook her head, and followed the direction Lee Xiaodou was pointing.

"Jue, what's wrong?" Lee Xiaodou, seeing no response, nudged her shoulder.

The instant Ann Jue's gaze landed, she instinctively held her breath and stood rooted to the spot.

"What's his name?"

"Duan Chen," Lee Xiaodou answered. "What's the matter? You look so pale. Are you okay?"

"No, it's nothing. I... might have mistaken him for someone else," Ann Jue quickly regained her composure and dashed back to the classroom without a backward glance. It can't be him. It just can't! I must have mistaken him for someone else, definitely! But the boy bore a striking resemblance to the Duan Chen she remembered, even their names were similar. Could it really just be a coincidence?

Why had she never heard Lee Xiaodou mention Duan Chen in her previous life?

This episode left Ann Jue restless all morning, unable to concentrate on any of her classes. But having always been a top student, she found the fifth-grade curriculum at No.1 High School easy to recall with just a quick glance at the textbooks. The exams posed no challenge, so whether she paid attention in class didn't really affect her.

She shook her head and sighed. Having resolved to have no further entanglements with Duan Chen, what did it matter if this person was indeed him? She firmly pushed aside the troubling thoughts and put him out of her mind.

Yet, by some strange twist of fate, Ann Jue and Duan Chen ended up face-to-face after school.

"Hey, have we met before?" Duan Chen approached with a smile, blocking her path.

Ann Jue furrowed her brows and sidestepped. "I've never seen you before. Don't stand in my way... That pick-up line is so outdated!"

But Duan Chen continued to gaze at her intently, stepping even closer until he was almost nose-to-nose with her. Suddenly, he exclaimed, "Oh! Now I remember. You're the girl who almost got hit by a car at the market entrance the other day, right?"