Chapter 1

Absolutely a Little Witch

A cool, crisp air carried on the wind from the fields heralded the arrival of September and the beginning of another academic year.

A boy and a girl chatted as they walked through a narrow alley between houses. The wind inside the alley was stronger, lifting the girl’s skirt.

Noticing this, her cheeks flushed red; she quickly pushed down her dress and rushed out of the alleyway.

Suddenly, a sharp horn blared as a black sedan approached her head-on, leaving the girl frozen in place.

Time reversed back to one minute earlier, reflected in the dark eyes of the boy standing at the alley entrance.

“Wait.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I need to tie my shoelaces.”

Wei Lai stopped Qing Ting – who was with him – and began tying his laces in the alley.

Qing Ting curiously observed Wei Lai as he deliberately untied his already secured shoelaces. His fingers meticulously adjusted each lace section, ensuring the perfect tightness.

(This alley is too dangerous. I’ll wait for the car to pass by before crossing with her.)

Hearing Wei Lai’s thoughts, Qing Ting couldn’t help but smile warmly.

Another gust of wind lifted her skirt, revealing her smooth, evenly toned legs. However, Qing Ting remained still, hastily holding down her dress, then slowly bent forward to continue watching Wei Lai.

Wei Lai went on diligently tying his shoelaces, entirely focused on the task, oblivious to his surroundings.

A mischievous glint sparkled in Qing Ting’s eyes. As the gentle breeze persisted, her delicate fingers tucked a few stray strands of her hair behind her ear.

Just as Wei Lai was about to lift his head, she swiftly leaned down and gently kissed his forehead.

Having finished tying his shoe, Wei Lai inadvertently glanced up at Qing Ting’s delicate ankles peeking from beneath her skirt. This unexpected sight startled him, causing him to hastily step back half a pace before straightening up.

Standing upright, Wei Lai looked confusingly at Qing Ting beside him.

(Did you try to catch me off guard again? Is it that amusing?)

Qing Ting remained bent over, raising her head with slightly narrowed eyes, her smile turning sly.

“Did you purposely tie your shoelace just now to sneak a peek at my feet?If you want to look, go ahead; I don’t mind.”

In early autumn, the weather still felt warm. Qing Ting wore refreshing blue sandals, revealing her charming toes. She lifted her foot near Wei Lai, wiggling it gently to draw his attention.

Instantly, Wei Lai’s cheeks flushed red.

Qing Ting’s smile grew even wider. As the gentle breeze blew through the alleyway, her loose strands of jet-black hair seemed to sway, drawing him in.

Unwilling to explain, Wei Lai puffed his cheeks in frustration. He glanced again at the alley entrance to ensure it was safe before leaving.

“I’m not talking to you anymore; we’re going to be late for school.”

“We still have fifteen minutes; there’s plenty of time,” Qing Ting replied cheerfully, catching up to Wei Lai with just a few steps.

“For me, arriving less than ten minutes early is already late,” Wei Lai responded, focusing on the path ahead.

(Seriously, why does she always embarrass me?)

Because your flustered reactions are pretty amusing.

Walking beside Wei Lai, Qing Ting picked up his mental grumble and smiled knowingly.

As they approached the classroom door, Wei Lai glanced at the girl beside him. After confirming that everything remained normal, he sighed in relief and entered the classroom.

Upon reaching his desk, he sat down and placed his backpack inside the drawer beneath.

Qing Ting, walking beside him all along, held down her skirt and sat beside Wei Lai, placing her backpack in the drawer beneath her desk.

The morning reading teacher had yet to arrive, so she retrieved a small storybook from her bag and began reading.

Morning sunlight streamed through the classroom’s rear windows.

With her pinky finger, Qing Ting pushed back a few strands of her hair, revealing her lovely ears. The long eyelashes, accentuated by the sunbeams on the floor, appear exceptionally graceful and elongated.

(She looks quite pretty when she’s quiet,) Wei Lai murmured internally. Qing Ting’s expression softened further, a slight smile gracing her lips.

Wei Lai took out the third-grade language arts textbook from his backpack. Seeing ‘Third Grade Upper Semester’ written on it, he couldn’t help but reminisce.

Unbelievably, three years had already passed.

He vividly remembered meeting Qing Ting during the second half of their kindergarten year.

The day was bright, the crispness of winter softly yielding to the promise of spring. In the kindergarten yard, teachers gathered the children around tables, each surrounded by clusters of four or five kids. On these tables lay two baskets: one filled with various beads and strings, the other containing assorted colored paper, small scissors, and glue.

The children were free to create crafts based on their preferences. Before class ended, they would showcase their creations to the teacher and the well-made pieces could be displayed on the classroom’s small bulletin board.

At that time, Wei Lai had already discovered his ability to foresee one minute into the future, initially believing others possessed similar powers too.

However, a year prior, his parents – Wei Zikang and Xu Xiang – found out about his ability and repeatedly cautioned him not to reveal it to anyone else. From then on, he realized he was unique. Gradually becoming more reserved, he stopped playing with other children.

On that particular day, the teacher introduced a charming little girl to  the class. Her sparkling eyes seemed to invite everyone to play with her.

The seat next to Wei Lai was empty, but upon glancing at the girl, he knew instinctively that the teacher would guide her to sit at the table behind him. Thus, he paid no further attention to her.

As the teacher approached his seat with the girl, she suddenly pointed to the vacant spot beside Wei Lai, expressing her desire to sit with him.

Wei Lai’s eyes widened with surprise as he watched her. However, she responded with a warm smile like gentle sunshine, causing him to blush and remain silent.

(I still can’t figure out what she was thinking back then when she insisted on sitting next to me at preschool.)

Recalling those past events, Wei Lai couldn’t help but mutter silently. If not for that incident, he likely wouldn’t have gotten acquainted with Qing Ting so quickly, nor would their relationship have developed to its current closeness.

Hearing Wei Lai’s thoughts, Qing Ting turned to look at him, noticing his gaze buried in the language arts textbook. Softly, she said:

“Did you know? From the moment we first met, I liked you…”

“Huh?!” Wei Lai, startled, swiftly turned to glance at Qing Ting.

“The surprised expression on your face is quite amusing.” Qing Ting’s eyes sparkled as she finished her sentence.

Feeling embarrassed once again for his impulsive reaction, Wei Lai blushed slightly.

With her cheek resting in one hand, Qing Ting’s tone grew even more relaxed. “Your flushed cheeks are also incredibly cute.”

(Demon! She’s definitely a little witch. I shouldn’t engage with her.)

Wei Lai hastily picked up his language arts book, opened his mouth to read aloud, only to realize it was upside down.

“Is it more fun  to read upside down?”

“I just prefer reading this way, okay?!” 

Without turning around, Wei Lai steeled himself and began reciting from the textbook. Although it was uncomfortable to read upside down, by taking his time, Wei Lai found it manageable.

Feeling tired after a while, he glanced towards the classroom door.

(The teacher will be here soon; she’ll definitely get caught if she’s still reading that comic book.)

Knowing Qing Ting’s impending embarrassment brought Wei Lai some satisfaction. He focused intently on his language arts book, continuing to read aloud.

Just under a minute later, their homeroom teacher and language arts instructor, Qiong Shaoshao, appeared at the classroom entrance. As she stepped inside, the loud voices of students reciting lessons filled the room instantly.

Qiong Shaoshao stood at the podium, scanning the pupils below. Just as she was about to nod approvingly, her gaze suddenly landed on Wei Lai and Qing Ting’s direction.

Wei Lai continued reading loudly from the textbook, hoping to divert Qing Ting’s attention before the teacher noticed them.

“In the morning, from the hillsides, from the grassy fields, along the paths bloomed sunflowers…”

Suddenly, Qing Ting’s earnest voice reading from the textbook echoed beside Wei Lai. Surprised, he turned to find that at some point, she had hidden her comic book and was now softly reciting from the language arts textbook.

Before Wei Lai could recover from his shock, a hand snatched away his own textbook.

Qiong Shaoshao looked at him with a reproachful gaze.

“Wei Lai, your book is upside down! Pay attention while reading; don’t let distractions from your female classmates sidetrack you.”

“Uh… Teacher, I know I was wrong.” Wei Lai lowered his head apologetically as Qiong Shaoshao straightened his language arts textbook before leaving.

As soon as she walked away, Qing Ting picked up her language arts textbook again, using it to conceal her face. 

She peered over it with a smile. “Wei Lai, the teacher doesn’t understand your interests. Should I help explain?”

“No way, you’re not that kind-hearted. You just want to see me embarrassed,” Wei Lai muttered, holding onto his textbook.

(When did she switch the books back? She made me look foolish again!)

Of course it was when you told me about it. EN: when she read his mind

Qing Ting sat on the seat, her legs swinging leisurely beneath her skirt.

Feeling delighted as another wonderful day unfolded.

*****

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