Chapter 33: Tsundere’s Flaws and Resolve

Chapter 33: Chapter 33: Tsundere’s Flaws and Resolve

Jiang Xueli and He Qing watched the class monitor wave her arms to erase the chalk marks from the blackboard.

When their eyes met again, they both realized something and actually burst into laughter.

They could both tell that even though neither of them was usually straightforward in how they spoke or acted, neither was willing to take a single step back in this particular matter. Since that was the case, the only way forward was to compete and see who would claim the ultimate victory.

This time, it was Xiao Heqing who spoke first. "Jiang Xueli, let’s clean the blackboard first."

The other girl nodded. "Okay."

Taking two fresh erasers, they each took a side and started wiping away the chalk, sending clouds of white dust flying into the air. Their pace went from slow to frantic. Xiao Heqing pursed her lips, her eyes filled with a rare determination. Jiang Xueli bit her lip, her twin tails swinging back and forth with her wiping motions.

Caught in the middle, the class monitor watched their escalating speed in awe, feeling as if they were in a race. "You two are actually pretty fast at this, aren’t you?" But she quickly noticed that neither was doing a thorough job and reminded them, "Hey! Don’t just focus on speed, wipe it clean! Otherwise, the teacher will scold us! Are you two listening?!"

In their hearts, Xiao Heqing and Jiang Xueli shouted almost simultaneously, "I’m going to win!"

The invisible war over Zhengran officially broke out today, and it raged on for an entire month.

Over the following month, the crossfire was relentless.

For instance, when Lin Zhengran walked out of his dorm in the morning or finished classes for the day, he would find both He Qing and Jiang Xueli already waiting for him at the exact same time. Not only were they highly synchronized, but they would even occasionally bring him snacks, each offering completely different varieties.

Meal times were even more intense. Prompted by Han Wenwen’s subtle glances, Xiao Heqing would take the initiative to place a piece of food onto Lin Zhengran’s plate.

"Eat more meat, Lin Zhengran," she would say softly and gently. "Middle school boys are growing and need the nutrition."

Not to be outdone, Jiang Xueli would blush and speak with her usual tsundere contradiction. "You big dummy, I don’t have much of an appetite today. I’m giving my meat to you so it doesn’t go to waste."

Seeing her rival’s move, Xiao Heqing whispered, "I’ll give you my vegetables, too. They’re good for you."

Jiang Xueli quickly countered. "I have absolutely zero appetite today. I’ll just give you all my food."

Lin Zhengran watched their chopsticks blur in a flurry of motion. Within moments, his plate was piled as high as a mountain, while both of their plates were completely empty.

Lin Zhengran’s face darkened with frustration. "Is there something wrong with you two lately? How am I supposed to eat this much every single time?! And aren’t either of you going to eat?!"

Sitting beside them, Han Wenwen chewed her food slowly, smiling as she enjoyed the show.

Both sides launched frequent attacks, and they even each occupied a portion of Lin Zhengran’s weekends. However, amid this back-and-forth battle, Han Wenwen—as an outsider—gradually saw who held the upper hand. The scales of victory had clearly begun to tip.

The sly fox rested her head on one hand, looking over at Jiang Xueli, who was sitting with her arms crossed, looking thoroughly unrepentant after being scolded.

"I already put it on your plate! How am I supposed to take it back?!" Jiang Xueli huffed. "You big dummy, all you know how to do is yell."

Then she looked at Xiao Heqing, who had immediately apologized after being reprimanded. Seeing Lin Zhengran’s displeasure, she quickly took her food back, repeating endlessly, "I’m sorry, I’m sorry, please don’t be mad."

Chewing on a bite-sized meat skewer, Han Wenwen sighed in her heart, "This is why tsunderes are destined to be the losing heroines. The personality trait itself is fundamentally flawed. Refusing to take the initiative and refusing to admit defeat is exactly why they can never win. It seems the outcome is already decided."

The reality was exactly as Han Wenwen had predicted. Jiang Xueli’s personality dictated that she would never openly admit her feelings during their skirmishes. Consequently, she had freely handed several golden opportunities over to Xiao Heqing, who—though soft-spoken—was at least honest about her intentions.

Furthermore, while they seemed to be on equal footing, He Qing had arrived unexpectedly. For the past four years, Lin Zhengran had accompanied Jiang Xueli to vocal practice, and they had spent almost every week together. Now, however, He Qing had laid claim to more than half of that time.

Finally, by the end of the month, this invisible war seemed to reach its conclusion.

It was a Saturday morning, just three weeks away from the freshman gala. The event normally wouldn’t have been delayed this long, but the small town’s middle school was notoriously lax with schedules, pushing the date back time and time again. Jiang Xueli, hoping to be scouted by a music company, had to dedicate even more time to her rehearsals.

Meanwhile, since her return, Xiao Heqing had enrolled in the town’s Taekwondo gym. Having encountered a formidable opponent there, she also needed Lin Zhengran to accompany her to practice.

Early that morning, the four of them gathered together before heading home.

Han Wenwen linked her arm through He Qing’s and asked, "It’s the weekend again. Is Lin Zhengran planning to accompany Jiang Xueli this weekend, or is he going with Qingqing?"

She asked this right in front of Xiao Heqing and Jiang Xueli. Both girls immediately looked at Lin Zhengran.

"I can’t accompany you guys every single week, can I?" Lin Zhengran replied. "This week, I plan to sleep at home and rest."

Hearing that he wanted to rest, Jiang Xueli instinctively crossed her arms behind her back, turned her head away, and blurted out, "If you want to rest, then just rest. It’s not like you *have* to accompany me. The competition is still a while away anyway. I can practice by myself."

Xiao Heqing, on the other hand, said, "Have you been feeling tired lately? You should rest, then. But... could I go to your house this weekend to visit your parents? I could massage your shoulders while I’m there." She waved her hands reassuringly. "Don’t worry, I definitely won’t cause any trouble."

Hearing this, Han Wenwen cast a curious glance at Jiang Xueli. Jiang Xueli simply stood there, stunned. Her previous words made it impossible for her to speak up now.

Lin Zhengran looked completely indifferent. "Suit yourselves. Regardless, I’m not accompanying anyone to practice today. I’m just going to lie in my bed and sleep."

Xiao Heqing smiled and nodded. "Okay. Don’t worry, I definitely won’t bother you." Then, with an innocent look, she turned to Jiang Xueli and asked, "Jiang Xueli... do you want to come too?"

Jiang Xueli scoffed in her typical tsundere fashion. "Who... who wants to go? Didn’t the big dummy just say he wanted to rest? Unless he actually *needs* a shoulder massage, who would willingly give him one?" But the moment the words left her mouth, she regretted them.

Lin Zhengran hoisted his backpack and walked out of the school gates. "It’d be best if neither of you came."

Xiao Heqing, Han Wenwen, and Jiang Xueli watched his retreating figure.

He Qing even asked Jiang Xueli one more time, "Are you really not going?"

Putting up a brave front, Jiang Xueli forced a smile. "I’m not going. I actually have other things to do today anyway. Besides, I don’t know how to give massages. You go."

Xiao Heqing smiled, nodded goodbye to Han Wenwen and Jiang Xueli, and ran after Lin Zhengran. "Lin Zhengran, wait for me! I need to buy some gifts before going to your house. Could you wait while I run to the supermarket?"

Falling into step beside him, Xiao Heqing continued, "I remember your dad likes bananas. How about I buy some to bring over?"

As the two of them walked further and further away, Han Wenwen turned to Jiang Xueli, who was still rooted to the spot. "This week is different from the others, you know. It’s not about practicing anything; it’s about spending time alone together. It’s the absolute best time to foster feelings. Are you really just going to hand this opportunity over to Qingqing? Honestly, if you insisted on going, I don’t think Lin Zhengran would say anything."

Jiang Xueli stared at the two fading figures before looking at Han Wenwen with curiosity. "Aren’t you on He Qing’s side? Aren’t you her best friend? Why are you worrying about me?"

Han Wenwen tilted her head and smiled. "We’re all so familiar with each other by now, I consider us friends. I was just asking." She waved her hand dismissively. "I’m heading back to the dorms. See you next week."

She turned and walked away, leaving Jiang Xueli standing there alone. For some reason, it felt as though all the strength had been drained from her body. She wondered how many times she had handed an opportunity over to He Qing now.

"If things keep going like this, I’m going to lose... No, I’m *definitely* going to lose."

She reached into her pocket and pulled out two movie tickets for a romance film. She had actually bought these tickets several days ago. The date was for tomorrow—because tomorrow was her birthday.

But... just as Han Wenwen had said, being a tsundere was a personality trait that relied entirely on the other person taking the initiative. A tsundere simply couldn’t bring themselves to make the first move or extend an invitation. It was a flawed personality. Unless they could force themselves to take that crucial step forward at a critical moment, they were doomed to hand their happiness over to someone else.

Jiang Xueli looked up in the direction where the two had long since vanished. Clutching the movie tickets, she spread her arms out for balance as she walked along the curb bordering the grass, slowly making her way toward home.

"Big dummy... big dummy... big dummy..."