Chapter Text
The smell of vomit inside the car is already making Maomao nauseous, is even stronger thanks to the sunny day, which keeps the car like an oven that she can't escape even with the window down, makes her want to jump out of the car.
This is her second day of traveling to her new home. The strange old man who called himself her father had discovered her and demanded her custody after learning that after her mother's death, she had been living with her grandmother in a strip bar. So he sent his nephew/son and one of his assistants to look for her. Because of this, she had to endure her new brother (with a strange attraction to numbers) vomiting next to her in an empty fast food bin (not so empty anymore) while they searched for a gas station.
— Sis, are you sure you don't have anything for the vomit? — Lahan's question is interrupted by him vomiting again.
—Don't vomit looking at me! —Maomao said angrily as she moved closer to the window. «I feel like I'm covered in his vomit. Even though I gave him everything I had, this guy keeps throwing up.»
— In a few minutes we should arrive at the nearest station, you should take advantage of it to change your clothes and stretch your legs, Miss La. I'll help Lahan and we'll clean the car. — Onsou, the strange old man's assistant, seemed tired and about to cry, so Maomao thought it best to try not to bother him too much. — Fine.
When they finally arrived at the station, Maomao didn't hesitate for a second to grab her backpack and run out. After changing, she stopped by the station store, where she bought water and a sports drink to give to Lahan. As she headed to the car, she could see in the distance how Lahan, trying to get in, ended up vomiting inside. — I'm not going to get in there. — She turned around and decided to explore the back of the station, where the trucks and cars arrived at night to spend the night. She was deep in thought when she saw a person staggering from side to side as if he was going to fall at any moment. He was wearing a large hooded sweatshirt, a face mask, and dark glasses. Maomao hesitated to approach the suspicious person, but finally her curiosity won out, and against her better judgment, she approached.
—Are you okay, sir?– She had barely finished asking when the man fell on top of her. —Sir...?– When she didn't get an answer, Maomao considered leaving him there, but as a future doctor, she decided it was against her principles and decided to help him. She laid him down on one side and took off his glasses and hood. But when she was about to take off his mask, a strong hand grabbed her wrist.
—What are you doing?– the man said in a weak but somewhat angry voice.
—I'm trying to stop you from dying of heat stroke, but from the strength he has, it seems he doesn't notice,– said the now angry Maomao, taking her hand away and putting some distance between them.
—I don't need your help– the man replied, trying to get up, but apparently he spent all his strength trying to stop Maomao's hand before he fell on his back. —If you don't let me take off your mask, at least you need to take off your sweatshirt, sir.
—No.
—If I don't take it off, you'll faint again.
—I don't want to.
—You said you don't need my help, but it's clear you do– Maomao said as she searched for water in her backpack and wet a towel. —Put this around your neck. This will cool the heat a bit. Since you don't seem willing to take off your sweatshirt, it makes it easier– she said angrily before taking out the sports drink and handing it to him. —You need to hydrate, come on, here.
The man looked at her doubtfully before finally removing his mask and drinking. «Was it a woman? It doesn't matter, he's so handsome he scares me» While Maomao looked at him, the man looked at her strangely (and a bit of fascination) by her face that showed no reaction to him and decided to introduce himself.
Smiling, the man began, —I regret my previous behavior. Normally, when a woman approaches, it's to harass me. I'm Jinshi.– He smiled, closing his eyes and offering his hand. Unlike what he expected, he only heard an "ugh." When he opened his eyes, the girl looked at him in disgust. —Uh... What's that face?!
—Ugh... That's normal, hufufu– the girl said, letting out a laugh and returning to her serious face.
—Hey, why are you suddenly looking at people with disgust? That's rude— Jinshi said, pouting.
—Uh... Bye, Mr. Jinshi, I have to go,– Maomao said quickly as she stood up, but he grabbed her arm.
—W-wait, are you leaving so soon? You didn't even tell me your name...
—Maomao, goodbye– she tried to leave again.
—What?
—My name is Maomao. Bye.
— You can't leave yet, I... I haven't paid for the drink yet! And I still feel sick, Dr. Maomao— he said, smiling again. All his life, just showing a smile was enough to get people to pay attention to him and get the things he wanted. That's how he became a model and an actor. Of course, he didn't like being hired only because he was pretty and not for his acting ability, but over time, he got used to it and started using it to his advantage. The fact that she didn't pay attention to him intrigued him, so he tried again. It didn't work.
—You didn't seem to think that way before, Mr. Jinshi.
—I will now!— he said quickly as he took off his sweatshirt. He felt strangely comfortable with this girl who didn't look at him as if he were a god, and he wanted to talk for a while longer.
— Well... Mr. Jinshi has already done everything I could do for you, so I'll go.
— Wait! Let's talk a little more. I'm a jinshi and I'm 17 years old, although you should already know that...
— That sounds very egotistical of you. If you hadn't told me, I wouldn't know— she said, looking at him with narrowed eyes as if she were judging him.
— You say that as if you don't know me. That's why you helped me, isn't it?
— Why would I have to know you? Are you famous?
— Yes! Don't pretend not to know me. Knowing me won't make me lose interest in you— he smiled flirtatiously.
—If you act like this with everyone, it's obvious girls will notice you. If you're famous, you'll be on the internet, right?— Maomao said with a smile, believing she'd caught him; just because he was pretty didn't mean everyone had to know him. «Who does this guy think he is?» That smile faded immediately afterward because she didn't even have time to search for his name when she came across a news story: "Actor Jinshi announces hiatus to finish school".—Ah...
Jinshi smiled triumphantly as he looked at her. —See, it's obvious you knew me.
—If you are so famous, find someone else to talk, bye.
— Maomao! You were here, we were looking for you-! Aaaaaa! — Lahan let out a scream so high-pitched that Maomao wondered if her sisters could have heard it. — Jinshi-sama, I don't know how my little sister has been treating you, and we apologize. This child has been living under a rock of medical books and poisons. — he said, grabbing Maomao's head while forcing her to bow. — We are so sorry! Your numbers are even prettier in person.
As Lahan continued rambling about her numbers, a tall man approached from behind Jinshi.— Jinshi-sama, I was looking for you. We have to go now.
— Oh, right— he seemed happy to be able to get away from Lahan. — It's a shame, but I have to go, sir— he said, smiling at Lahan, causing him to scream again. As they watched Jinshi's back walk away, he turned around and shouted. — It was nice to meet you, Maomao.
A few days later, Maomao arrived at her new home and was getting ready for her first day of school at one of the best schools in Li. «The only good thing about living with that old man is that my last two years of school will be at a school that will help me get accepted into a good university.» — Hehehe..
— You're laughing to yourself again. If you're that weird, they'll look at you strangely at school. With those freckles painted on, your numbers won't help. If you're also weird, no one will talk to you. Ouch! Dad, why?
— Don't talk to your little sister like that!
—I'm just trying to help her! The other day we could find a famous guy, and she was looking at him with a disgusted expression!
While the strange old man told Lahan that it was good for her to keep the men away, Maomao thought about the guy at the gas station; she couldn't remember his name or his face. «I hope I never have to deal with someone like that again.»
When she got to school, she was surprised to see her classroom full of girls and a few boys surrounding a seat, but she made some space anyway and looked for a spot.
—Sit here, this seat is empty— a pretty girl with pigtails called out to her— My name is Shisui! And you?
—Maomao— While they were talking, the bell rang, and Maomao finally saw who they were surrounding. «Hmm... That hair looks familiar...» She looked next to Shisui and saw that his hair was the same color as the boy’s. «That must be it.»
—Good morning, students. For those who don’t know me, I’m Miss Lihua, and I’ll be your head teacher. I’d like the new students to come here and introduce themselves to their classmates.
Maomao thought about not getting up, but Shisui forced her to go. With her gaze lowered, she came to the front and introduced herself, along with another student (whose name she didn't catch). She saw how everyone was staring in amazement. She wondered what was going on and looked to her side.
—It's good to see you again, Maomao– Jinshi said softly, while he smiled at her.—It's an honor to return to school after so long. I know I wasn't present last year, but as the student council president, allow me to welcome you to school and to this new school year.
«fuck»