Before lunch break ended, I reluctantly returned to the classroom. Besides blaming myself for impulsively admitting my feelings, which led to my current predicament,

I had this overwhelming urge to break down and cry. I tried to hold back my tears - I knew I must have looked awful, so I lowered my head to avoid being seen.

"Jerry..."

The sudden sound of Zhiye's voice made me instinctively lift my head.

"Jerry… Has anyone been bullying you?" Zhiye asked worriedly.

"No…" I shook my head, trying to feign normalcy.

"Is that so? But Jerry, the look on your face is distressing…"

Of course, my heart hurt even more.

"But... You really do look like you are about to cry," Zhiye said softly, reaching out to gently wipe the corner of my eye with her thumb.

"Your eyes are indeed moist. Jerry, have you been crying… Who bullied my Jerry?"

Zhiye seemed agitated, as if she was consumed by a blazing fire, her expression grave.

"Nobody, I swear nobody's been bullying me. And anyway, the person who would dare bully me hasn't even been born yet," I quickly interjected, trying to calm her.

"Really? You're sure you weren't bullied?" Zhiye asked, skepticism evident in her tone.

"Mm…" Was all I could muster, a bitter taste in my mouth, as I nodded my head.

"But... Why is there a shoe print on your face?"

"Eh?" I touched my face in panic. I knew I had been kicked hard, but I assumed any marks would have faded by now.

"Why is there a trace of blood under your nose…”

It seemed there was no blood initially, but when Zhiye touched it, it started to flow uncontrollably, as if a faucet had been turned on.

"Ah, Jerry... Your nose is bleeding. Quick, tilt your head back," Zhiye called out nervously, diligently using tissues to stop my nosebleed.

"Jerry... Who did this to you? I swear I'll make them pay!" Suddenly, Zhiye lost her composure, proclaiming aloud her determination to avenge me.

I hurriedly grabbed her, whispering, "Zhiye, there's no one. We're in school, we should be mindful of our behavior."

"Ah… I'm sorry, Jerry. I was being inappropriate," Zhiye apologized sincerely.

"There's no need for an apology. As long as you understand, it's fine," I reassured her.

"Jerry…" Zhiye's voice trembled with emotion. Despite being two years older than me, her behavior appeared quite childish at this moment.

"Jerry, why is there a shoe print on your face, and why are you suddenly having a nosebleed?"

"Well… perhaps it's due to my body heat... Drinking something cool will help. As for the imprint on my face, it's probably a result of... a handprint,” I told Zhiye.

"A handprint?" Zhiye didn't seem convinced. I, too, felt my explanation was flimsy, but once I'd started telling the story, I had to stick to it.

"Zhiye, I said some very embarrassing things in the broadcast room earlier, so I was hiding my face. The mark might be left by my hand."

Even I didn't believe the story I was spinning. It was obvious the footprints didn't match the handprints.

"Is that so?" Zhiye appeared dubious.

"I want to apologize to you as well," I confessed, my face a mask of contrition, "I was audacious enough to say those words."

"Can you do me a favor?" Zhiye suddenly asked, a gentle smile in her eyes.

"What's that?"

"Give Jerry a loving hug," Zhiye stretched out her arms.

"Ah? This isn't really the appropriate time and place, is it?" I took a step back.

"No, no, you cannot refuse my request."

"What's the point of asking if I can’t refuse?" I couldn't help but retort. Then Zhiye grabbed my hand, pulled me in, and somehow I ended up in her arms.

My head was buried in her chest; the softness and her nice scent stimulated my senses. The sensation was both comforting and breathless."I never thought Jerry would be so fond of my chest. Although I often feel troubled by its weight, it doesn't matter as long as Jerry likes it. Even if it becomes bigger, it doesn't matter," I thought to myself. But then, if it gets any bigger, it will become a problem. I can't breathe, let go of me, I screamed internally, but I still couldn't break free from Zhi Ye's embrace. After a few minutes, my face turned red, I gasped for air and looked around the classroom again. A lot of people were watching me, including Su Yuqian. She seemed to have just come in from outside.

Seeing their contemptuous eyes, as if they were looking at maggots, coupled with the hostile gazes that wished to hang me up and beat me, it was both desperate and terrifying.

The only one who seemed blissfully unaware of anything was Zhi Ye, his face was beaming with a joyful smile.