So Shy She Wouldn't Even Kiss a Classmate in High School

"Juntang, you don't need to apologize."

Lin Yilin truly lived up to her temporary role as an agent of justice. She immediately lowered her voice to comfort Zhang Juntang.

"This junior seems a little shy."

Jiang Linyuan grinned and tried to smooth things over:

"I used to be shy too. Back in high school, I didn't even dare kiss my classmates."

Zhang Juntang seemed startled. She hurriedly glanced up at him, then quickly lowered her eyes again, saying nothing.

"That's not shyness at all!"

Lin Yilin retorted.

"Were you afraid to kiss your male classmates or your female classmates?"

That was Su Muzhi's question.

Jiang Linyuan ignored them both and turned to Zhang Juntang:

"Outgoing people like them will never understand the pain of us shy people, right?"

Zhang Juntang flinched like a high school student who'd been called on while daydreaming in class, then nodded like a pecking chick.

How could she be such a pushover?

Why did I feel like some villain who bullied girls?

The trend of boneless chicken feet had finally spread to people.

"Don't tease Juntang!"

Lin Yilin stood in front of Zhang Juntang like a mother hen protecting her chick, glaring fiercely.

A mother? What are you?

I knew Binary Sister had a talent for playing Valorant.

"Juntang, don't be mad. This is Senior Jiang, the one I told you about. He's just like that."

Lin Yilin added:

"He's actually a pretty decent person."

"Mm..."

I know.

Zhang Juntang sneaked another glance at Jiang Linyuan.

What are you, some kind of expert at staring at people?

You look at me, I'll look at you.

Jiang Linyuan looked back at her.

Zhang Juntang hurriedly lowered her head.

"My name is Su Muzhi. Call me whatever you like."

Su Muzhi looked at Zhang Juntang and asked with a smile:

"Junior, do you know Jiang?"

"N-no, I don't."

That sentence seemed to take all of Zhang Juntang's courage. Though her voice was soft, everyone heard her.

Seriously, what a coldhearted junior!

I even helped you carry your luggage!

And now you're treating me like a stranger! What a heartbreaker!

"Junior, you're breaking your senior's heart."

Jiang Linyuan pretended to look wounded.

"No, that's not it."

Zhang Juntang hurried to explain. She lifted her head and stared at him with bright, flustered eyes, looking as if she might cry.

"I didn't mean that. I... I..."

"Senior, I told you not to tease Juntang!"

This time, Binary Sister was genuinely a little angry.

Even Jiang Linyuan was left awkwardly at a loss for words.

Zhang Juntang was way too shy around people.

It seemed like she wasn't comfortable around me. I should keep my distance from now on.

He thought it over and started to apologize:

"I'm sor—"

But before he could finish, Zhang Juntang grabbed his sleeve and tugged hard at it with her small hand.

"You don't need to apologize. I... I only said that because I was afraid you'd get mad... I remember you..."

"So don't apologize, okay?"

Jiang Linyuan looked down and saw pleading and worry in her eyes.

Seriously, was there something wrong with this junior?

Jiang Linyuan parted his lips.

"Then I'll do as you say."

Zhang Juntang visibly relaxed and gave him a contented smile.

Junior, don't be like that. You're starting to scare me.

Nobody told me Binary Sister's roommate was a total nutcase!

"Sounds like there's a story there."

Su Muzhi leaned close to Jiang Linyuan's ear and teased him with a grin.

"I'm not kidding. I've only met her a few times."

Jiang Linyuan defended his reputation.

"Got it. 'This girl, I've seen her before.'"

Su Muzhi grinned mischievously.

Had she eaten too many red beans or something? Was that why she was getting all sentimental?

Jiang Linyuan jabbed Su Muzhi with his elbow, but she'd seen it coming and dodged with a slight twist.

Then she turned to him with a smug look.

"Come on, Senior Sister Su. Stop fooling around."

Lin Yilin looked at the rain outside, which was coming down harder by the minute, and urged them:

"We should get going."

"Well... Jiang, I'll take your little junior with me for now."

"Heh. So pleased with yourself."

"What do you mean, 'Senior's little junior'? I'm not!"

After fooling around for a bit, they got ready to say goodbye.

Before leaving, Zhang Juntang hesitated by the doorway and looked at Jiang Linyuan, then asked Lin Yilin:

"Shouldn't we do something about Senior Jiang?"

"No need. Someone's bringing him an umbrella."

"Mm."

Zhang Juntang nodded, but kept looking at Jiang Linyuan, her thoughts unclear.

Su Muzhi's dorm was in a different direction from Lin Yilin's, so they parted ways after walking only a short distance.

Zhang Juntang and Lin Yilin continued on together.

"Juntang, Senior Jiang's actually a really nice person. He just likes to joke around."

On the way, Lin Yilin looked at Zhang Juntang and said.

"I know. He's a really, really nice person."

Zhang Juntang replied softly.

Lin Yilin felt a little deflated. She'd been planning to say all sorts of nice things about Jiang Linyuan, but Zhang Juntang's reply left her with nothing to add.

Instead, seeing how sincerely Zhang Juntang praised him, and remembering what she'd done at the milk tea shop, made Lin Yilin feel a little troubled.

But she soon adjusted her mood and began again:

"Actually, Senior Jiang isn't that great. He's always so slick with his words, and he's both lecherous and average and confident!"

As she spoke, she remembered how Jiang Linyuan had gotten handsy with her. Her face flushed, and she quickly changed the subject:

"He's even planning to pursue a girl lately. She's in the Academic Department of our Student Union."

"She must be a really outstanding person."

Zhang Juntang replied.

"I don't know her well yet, but I don't think Senior Jiang's interested in her because of that."

Lin Yilin grumbled.

He was just going after her looks!

Thinking of Yu Songsong's generous curves, she couldn't help looking down at her own.

Then she saw the tips of her shoes.

There was always room to grow.

"Then the girl he wants to pursue must be very charming."

Zhang Juntang replied again.

"Come on, Juntang. Why do you keep sticking up for Senior Jiang?"

Lin Yilin turned down the corners of her mouth and squeezed Zhang Juntang's little hand.

It was much softer than Senior's.

"I... I just don't think it's right to talk badly about people behind their backs."

Zhang Juntang avoided her gaze and stammered.

Lin Yilin thought it over and decided she was right:

"Then next time I'll say it to Senior Jiang's face."

Zhang Juntang froze for a moment.

"By the way, Juntang, didn't you join the Youth Volunteer Association? When's the volunteer event?"

Lin Yilin asked.

"This Saturday."

Zhang Juntang replied.

"Then I'll come see you."

As Lin Yilin spoke, she unconsciously glanced at Zhang Juntang's chest. Her clothes were loose-fitting, but she could still make out the shape.

So she couldn't help grumbling:

"I really don't know what's so great about Yu Songsong. You're better than her, Juntang."

"Yu Songsong?"

Zhang Juntang hesitated.

"She's the girl Senior Jiang wants to pursue."

"I think I've heard that name."

Zhang Juntang said softly:

"That name's on the list for this Saturday's volunteer event too."