Chapter 543: Chapter 543: Still That Pair of Braided Pigtails
Xu Xiangbei was quite fond of her braids. He still remembered one self-study session in high school when he asked, "Xiao Ting, why do you always wear your hair in braids? But you know, this hairstyle really suits you; it enhances your face shape nicely. How did you discover this style suited you so well?"
Faced with Xu Xiangbei’s compliment, Song Yuting blushed and bit her pink lips, summoning up the courage to tell him the truth: "Actually, my mom only taught me this one way to tie my hair. I haven’t tried any other styles."
They both laughed afterward. To Xu Xiangbei, for Song Yuting to share such a secret with him was clearly an intimate gesture, making him feel as sweet as if he had tasted honey.
Those braids, once thought to be long gone from his sight, unexpectedly reappeared before him today, intersecting and overlapping with the shadow that haunted his dreams in the past.
Seeing Xu Xiangbei standing at the doorway, Song Yuting smiled and greeted him, though feeling a bit awkward, her smile was very natural.
As she opened her mouth, she was at a loss, unsure of how to address him. Calling him Doctor Xu felt too formal, as she wasn’t in a hospital, and he didn’t look like a doctor.
Call him Teacher Xu? He was an old classmate, after all; how could she possibly see him as superior, like a teacher? That was even less natural.
"Xu... Xiangbei, good morning."
Finally, Song Yuting decided to call him by his name. During their school days, she would call him that countless times each day. Back then, the name was so familiar, often called with varying tones, yet now, it felt somewhat unfamiliar.
"Xiao Ting, have you had breakfast? Do you still have the old habit of sleeping in?"
He recalled how in high school, Song Yuting would often rush into the classroom just as the bell rang, panting heavily, her fair cheeks flushed, making her even more charming and alluring.
Because Song Yuting had a bad habit of oversleeping and loved to laze in bed, when she shared this secret with Xu Xiangbei, he’d often text her when he got up, reminding her to wake up on time, not to be late.
Recalling those days, Song Yuting’s cheeks flushed slightly, reminiscing about the high school days when their hearts were first stirred by love. Though unspoken, they always thought of each other. That delicate love, so bittersweet, yet so vivid and unforgettable.
This aligns perfectly with the logic of the world: such painful, impactful memories remain long-lived, while the mundane, neutral memories are often forgotten quickly.
For Xu Xiangbei, this hazy, bittersweet affection was like a needle, deeply lodged in his mind, impossible to forget. Although he thought he’d forgotten, it was actually hidden deep within his memory.
Upon seeing Song Yuting and her little braids, those memories were suddenly reactivated, flooding back into his mind, surprisingly plentiful.
"I’ve eaten already, how about you? I remember you often skipped breakfast. Sometimes, you’d sneak a fried dough stick in class, and Teacher Wu would shout, ’Xu Xiangbei, are you eating a fried dough stick again?’"
"Yes, Teacher Wu had quite the keen nose. I’d be eating a fried dough stick, and he could smell it immediately. I truly admired him for that."
"I still remember once you specially brought two. When Teacher Wu called your name, you handed one to him and said, ’Teacher Wu, are you jealous of my fried dough stick? I saved one for you.’ You made the whole class burst into laughter, and Teacher Wu was so angry that he asked you to bring in your parents."
Talking about high school antics, Xu Xiangbei felt there were endless topics to cover. At the age of budding love, spending days at school, it was an age full of stories, where even small incidents were savored for a day.
They never considered that these anecdotes were not just products of that age or stage of life but were valuable treasures for their lifetime, deeply buried in memory, never to be forgotten. On some sunny afternoon, when they’re tired, they’ll lie on a rocking chair and reminisce about these happy times.
"Haha, I’ve caught you! What are you chatting about so happily? Gorgeous, come back to your seat with me. Teacher Xu, you should return to the podium. Being seen like this isn’t appropriate."
Just when Xu Xiangbei and Song Yuting were recalling more high school topics and wanted to talk a bit longer, Xiao Qing jumped out like a mischievous kid intent on causing trouble, pulling Song Yuting away to the back row of the lecture hall.
Only then did Xu Xiangbei realize that while he was talking to Song Yuting, the once-empty classroom was now more than half filled.
The students in the front row were still those girls who admired him secretly yesterday, led by Lin Wanyi, the school beauty.
Lin Wanyi had made advances toward Xu Xiangbei yesterday, but Gu Xiangyi had thwarted her. Lin Wanyi was not one to give up easily.
Today, she wore a more elegant suit, with a low neckline, revealing her fair and full bosom. Her delicate face was dusted with blush, her bright eyes lined with eyeliner, especially her cherry lips, painted in purplish-red lipstick.
She softly parted her purple lips, revealing a tiny red tongue. Her voice could melt the bones of anyone who heard it: "Doctor Xu, what are you going to teach us today?"
Xu Xiangbei replied with a smile, "I’ll be talking about the twelve meridians of the human body..."
"Doctor Xu, do you think my lipstick is pretty today?"
"To be honest, it does look nice, but you all should know, as medical students, while you can wear makeup, it’s best to keep it light. Your purple lipstick is beautiful, but it’s a bit too heavy. Lin Wanyi, I advise you not to wear makeup in the next class."
Originally hoping to entice Xu Xiangbei, Lin Wanyi instead got a scolding. Feeling a bit disappointed, she wiped off the lipstick. In truth, without the purple lipstick, she looked even better.
Being in her twenties is a naturally beautiful age, and there’s no need for cosmetics to mask the glow of youth; doing so might be superfluous.
Lin Wanyi didn’t abandon her approach, extending her fair wrist: "Doctor Xu, could you please check my pulse again? I took the medicine yesterday and I’m feeling much better."
Xu Xiangbei generously stepped forward, gently holding Lin Wanyi’s fair, tender wrist: "Your body is fine, but you have a bit of blood deficiency. Have you been staying up late often? Girls should avoid staying up late. It’s most harmful to your endocrine system and accelerates aging."
In Lin Wanyi’s eyes was a mix of admiration and concern. She worked as a game streamer, hosting from her dorm every night, often staying up late.
She gave a thankful smile, her eyes seductive: "Thank you, Doctor Xu. I’ll follow your advice and try to stay up less. Doctor Xu, do you have a girlfriend? How about I be your girlfriend?"
