The Bunny and the Carrot

The autumn wind rustled, blowing down red leaves that sliced through long-sealed memories.

Ye Nanzhi still remembered what the scene was like the day she first met Chu Ran.

It was very similar to today, also during the golden autumn season.

Ye Nanzhi had loved drawing since she was a child; many of her artworks were hidden on the edges of textbooks and the backs of homework notebooks.

If it were up to her own wishes, she would have preferred to be an arts specialty student and enter an art academy to study, but…

“A girl studying art is unstable in the end. It is better to be a teacher. It is steady, and life will be more stable.” One sentence from her mother changed Ye Nanzhi’s choice.

Strictly speaking, Ye Nanzhi was not a “mother’s girl”; on the contrary, she had many ideas of her own.

But at home, compared to her mother’s affirmation, her own fantasies seemed so insignificant.

Thus, following her mother’s wishes, she was admitted to Jiangzhou University in their home city, majoring in primary education.

Past desires are like the grass on a vast prairie; a tiny spark can induce a raging fire that spirals out of control.

Passing by the recruitment board of the Art Club, Ye Nanzhi eventually turned back and paid the membership fee.

Upon first entering the Art Club, many students had no foundation. Ye Nanzhi was different; she quickly moved away from the so-called basic class and entered higher-level technical studies.

That day, Tang Mu, the president of the Art Club, led her alone into a studio. In the studio, a girl sat with a straight back under the window, the tip of her pen making a rustling sound against the drawing paper.

The soft sunlight outside spilled wantonly over her face, and her straight bridge of her nose cast a dark shadow on her jade-white cheek. The bangs over her forehead slightly obscured the indifferent expression in her eyes.

“Chu Ran, this is a new girl in the Art Club, she is like a little sister to me. She wants to learn still-life sketching; you lead her.” Senior Tang Mu, who was leading Ye Nanzhi, introduced them: “This senior’s family name is Chu, she is a second-year graduate student in the Architecture Department. Her architectural sketches have won awards. Learn well from her.”

Ye Nanzhi quickly reached out her hand: “Hello, Senior. My name is Ye Nanzhi. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

The person opposite finally stopped her lead pencil, turned her head to glance at her, and let her gaze fall on Ye Nanzhi’s palm.

Just like that, Ye Nanzhi’s hand hung awkwardly in mid-air for a long time. Just when she thought the other party would remain in this stalemate and was about to quietly withdraw her hand, the other party suddenly gripped it: “Chu Ran.”

The movement was distant, only lightly brushing Ye Nanzhi’s fingertips without even touching her palm, and she immediately let go after the brief contact.

Afterward, according to Tang Mu’s introduction, although this Senior Chu Ran had first-class drawing skills, she was famous for her unwillingness to socialize. She never had contact with people; today, perhaps because she saw you were a young girl, she reluctantly shook hands.

Ye Nanzhi looked down at the right fingertips that had been brushed by the other party.

Tsk, as expected… she has the aura of a great master!

From then on, Ye Nanzhi became Chu Ran’s only “assistance target” in the Art Club. Most students chose the Art Club to learn cartoons or manga. Those who wanted to learn still-life, buildings, and black-and-white sketching… indeed, there was only Ye Nanzhi.

Although she was the only student, after the previous handshaking experience, Ye Nanzhi did not dare to approach Chu Ran abruptly. Every time, she maintained a perfect distance so their clothes would not touch each other.

Chu Ran was just as Tang Mu said—she did not like contact with people. She came and went alone every day. Even the rhythm of the lessons consisted of facing the same scenery with their own drawing boards. In the middle, Chu Ran would look back a few times, give a few words of guidance, and after finishing, they would compare the differences between their drawings.

Chu Ran said that different states of mind would result in different images. For example, compared to Ye Nanzhi’s lighter style, Chu Ran’s images had stronger light contrast and a more powerful visual impact.

On the podium, Chu Ran took a name list and a fountain pen out of her bag, preparing to start the roll call.

“The students whose names I call, please stand up for a moment so I can get to know everyone.” She opened the list and began reading them one by one.

Chu Ran’s expression was indifferent. Although her expression was soft, she seemed to carry a natural barrier that made people afraid to approach.

Why would she appear here?

Ye Nanzhi’s thoughts returned. It wasn’t hard to guess. Chu Ran was a native of Shen City. After returning from studying abroad, it was only natural for her to return home.

Could it be that she was supposed to hide in the north alone like four years ago, in a place where the winter snow could reach one’s waist?

Thinking of this, Ye Nanzhi unconsciously lowered her head, her vision completely obscured by the black hat brim. She slipped her keys into her pants pocket.

“Li Huan.” Chu Ran read the last name on the list but unexpectedly received no response.

The seats in the class were full, and the headcount was correct. No one should be playing truant.

“Li Huan? Stand up so I can see you.” Chu Ran raised her head and scanned the room. There was no response in the quiet classroom.

At the same time, her gaze slid to the last row of the classroom.

She had noticed this figure from the moment she walked in. This girl was petite, and her loose hair was pressed down by a black baseball cap, the brim hiding her entire face.

But this figure made Chu Ran feel a hint of inexplicable familiarity.

“The girl in the last row, far right. Could you please take off your hat during class?” Chu Ran clearly identified that she was the only person in the entire class who had not stood up to answer.

Suddenly being called out, Ye Nanzhi’s back stiffened instantly.

She should not have indulged Li Huan by delivering things today, or none of this would have happened.

Meeting a former flame while substituting for a class—and a person she had “scummed” at that… was there anything more awkward in the world?

“This student, the teacher is asking you. What is your name?”

“Li Huan, stand up!” Someone in the classroom, who knows who, cooperated with Li Huan to provide this “assist.” But this enthusiastic classmate probably did not know what an awkward situation they were about to fall into.

In an instant, everyone’s eyes were focused on Ye Nanzhi. Everyone present knew she was Li Huan’s cousin, yet they still waited to watch the excitement as usual.

Chu Ran looked at her wristwatch: “Student, you have already wasted three minutes of everyone’s time.”

She used to be a person with a very strong sense of time; this point had indeed never changed. No, how could she change? Her goal was always to study abroad and prove her strength to everyone. She did it and returned to her original life trajectory.

Perhaps regarding the events of four years ago, the only one who changed was Ye Nanzhi.

After Chu Ran urged her again, Ye Nanzhi finally could not withstand the pressure and rose from her seat, but she still kept her head down, hiding her face with the hat brim.

“This student. During class, please take off your hat, okay?” Chu Ran’s voice was still clear and harmonious, but Ye Nanzhi could hear that it was the end of her patience.

Out of necessity, Ye Nanzhi had no choice but to comply.

Her trembling hand lifted the hat, revealing a fair forehead and a pair of misty eyes. Like a startled small animal in the forest, her eyelashes fluttered slightly, not daring to look directly at the person on the podium.

As for her face, it was perfectly covered by a black mask. This was just handed to her by the girl next to her, who said Li Huan had asked her to prepare it.

It was… quite thoughtful…

Ye Nanzhi thought to herself that under such cover, Chu Ran… should not be able to recognize her.

After all, this was a second-year class in the Architecture Department. By all logic and reason, it would not have any connection with her bad memories.

Chu Ran on the podium was slightly dazed, her fingertips gripping the fountain pen turning white. She stood in place, staring at the person wearing the mask. The expression in the depths of her eyes was unfathomable; no one could understand the light in her eyes. After a long time, Chu Ran finally reacted, her voice soft and sounding no different from how she treated other students in the class.

“What is your name?”

“Teacher, her name is Li Huan.” Li Huan’s roommate next to her timely helped Ye Nanzhi out: “Teacher, she has a cold and a sore throat lately, she cannot speak.”

Hearing the word “cold,” Ye Nanzhi cooperatively coughed twice, as if afraid of spreading her cold to the other classmates, before consciously putting the mask back on.

Chu Ran’s gaze swept indifferently over Ye Nanzhi. Finally, she did not pursue the matter further and only said softly: “Sit down.”

With those three simple words, Ye Nanzhi finally breathed a sigh of relief. But just as she was about to move, Chu Ran on the podium spoke again: “Next time, do not make everyone wait so long, do you understand?”

“Xiao Ye, I beg you, I will return it to you as soon as I am done. I won’t make you wait long!”

For freshmen, the campus freshman basketball tournament was undoubtedly the most attractive activity. Whether it was the players sweating on the court or the cheerleading dance during halftime, it was enough to make the audience’s blood boil.

Today was the competition between the College of Education and the College of Mechanical Engineering.

Since the number of girls in the College of Mechanical Engineering was negligible while the College of Education had many, those who were capable did more work, preparing two cheerleading performances.

As a freshman, Ye Nanzhi and her roommate were assigned to two different teams. They wore uniform clothing printed with the college’s name but danced two different dances.

Now, as the rest time was approaching, Ye Nanzhi’s roommate Feng Linlin happened to spill half a cup of cola on her T-shirt. The large brown stain was wet and very obvious.

Feng Linlin was standing in the front row. If she danced in such clothes, it would not only bring shame to the college but might also make her a laughingstock among this year’s freshmen.

So, she looked at Ye Nanzhi beside her: “Xiao Ye, I beg you, lend me your top to wear. Anyway, you don’t dance until the next round. As soon as I finish dancing, I will return it to you immediately! Wait for me in the restroom, okay?”

Ye Nanzhi was a hundred times unwilling in her heart. This top was a short style that even exposed the waist, which meant there was no other inner layer inside the top except for underwear.

Waiting for someone in her underwear… Ye Nanzhi did not want to.

But with Feng Linlin begging her like this, she indeed could not refuse.

“I… what if someone sees me, I…”

“No, no!” Feng Linlin said quickly: “Today is Saturday, there aren’t many people in the teaching building. Go to the restroom in the building next door and wait for me.”

Another roommate, Fang Fang, was on her way back to get clothes. Feng Linlin’s clothes were soaking wet and could not be worn; she needed a replacement.

“As soon as I am done here, I will bring it up to you immediately! If Fang Fang comes back first, I will also have her go directly to find you.” Feng Linlin pleaded.

Even if Ye Nanzhi was unwilling, where was the opportunity to refuse? she could only make the most stable choice under the circumstances.

“Then… then I will wait for you in the restroom on the top floor.”

There were few people in the teaching building on Saturday anyway; not many people would painstakingly climb to the top floor, Ye Nanzhi thought.

Everything went smoothly at first. Ye Nanzhi hid in the restroom alone. Who knew that Feng Linlin would not return, and Fang Fang was also delayed. The cheerleading pleated skirt had no pockets, and Ye Nanzhi’s phone was left in her bag.

She waited alone in the restroom, anxious as could be. The clothes taken off by Feng Linlin were curled up lonely in the corner.

Although the weather was not cold, Ye Nanzhi was only wearing a bra and a short skirt. Additionally, the restroom was dark and damp, and the psychological fear made her feel chilly all over. Ye Nanzhi hugged her arms in this environment that could not be called bright, listening to the dripping sound from the water pipes.

The sound seemed to have a magical penetrating power, dropping one by one on Ye Nanzhi’s nerves, gradually pushing her to the brink of collapse.

Finally, after an unknown amount of time, a long-awaited sound of footsteps came from the door. Ye Nanzhi listened as the other person walked step by step to the door of the cubicle where she was.

Without thinking, she pushed open the cubicle door.

“Linlin, why did you just…”

The word “return” never left her mouth.

The person who came was not Feng Linlin at all, but… her little teacher from the Art Club, Chu Ran.

Eyes met, and the chill on Ye Nanzhi’s body was instantly dispelled, replaced by a scorching heat of shyness. Three seconds later, she subconsciously covered her chest with both hands and screamed as she hid back in the cubicle.

She left Chu Ran standing there in a daze.

In her momentary trance, Chu Ran finally realized what kind of charming spring scenery had been before her.

If she saw correctly, on the fabric over the chest, a little bunny’s skirt was fluttering, and it seemed to be hugging a carrot in its arms.