Zhao Qingyan resigned herself to it. Since her principal father refused to interfere with the homeroom teacher’s decision, she had no choice but to pinch her nose and accept this deskmate.
She had never considered deliberately doing poorly on exams to force them to change their minds. After all, she had always been a top student since childhood—there was simply no way she could suddenly “reform” by slacking off.
Her proud and competitive nature made such a thing impossible. Even coming in second place was something she found hard to accept.
Besides, even if she did perform badly, it wouldn’t matter. Neither the homeroom teacher Han Changming nor her principal father Zhao Weiming had ever worried about her college entrance exam results.
Why?
Because there was something most of the students didn’t know—Zhao Qingyan was terrifyingly strong in mathematical olympiads. Not only did she qualify for a 20-point bonus in the college entrance exam, she had already passed the preliminary review for direct admission to Qinghua and Peking University.
She had basically secured a guaranteed recommendation slot.
That was also the confidence Han Changming had to use her as the “Five-Finger Mountain” to suppress troublemakers during these last hundred days. Since you’re already guaranteed admission to Qinghua or Peking, what’s wrong with helping keep this monkey under control?
Fine then. I’ll listen to Dad and try getting along with this idiot.
Zhao Qingyan opened her diary and, under the date March 2, 2009, wrote a line: “That annoying old man arranged a donkey as my deskmate. He’s not ugly, but I’m still very angry…”
Then she recalled Shen Weiyue saying he would respect her even more than his own mother, so she added another line: “Thankfully, this dumb donkey at least knows his place.”
After jotting down a few simple lines, Zhao Qingyan began seriously reading books that weren’t part of the high school curriculum.
If Shen Weiyue were here, he would once again sigh at the vast gap between people—so wide it might as well be between humans and dogs. This top student was actually studying advanced olympiad mathematics, the kind where even giving him the answers wouldn’t make it easy for him.
…
The next day.
As Shen Weiyue stepped out, he ran into Liang Yuting again. They hadn’t met after evening self-study yesterday, so he hadn’t been able to hand in that English essay. Naturally, it became the topic of conversation now.
Liang Yuting was steady and confident within her field of expertise. Shen Weiyue’s short essay eased the awkwardness of walking alone together, and as she read and commented on it while walking, her impression of him improved noticeably.
“Shen Weiyue, I thought you were joking yesterday. I didn’t expect you really wanted me to tutor you?”
“Of course, Teacher Liang. I’ve already decided not to drift aimlessly anymore. If I say I’m going to get into Jianghai University, then I will. That’s my only goal right now.”
“You’ve got ambition, but Jianghai University isn’t easy to get into. Why are you so determined to go there?”
“Someone there is calling me.”
“What?”
Liang Yuting couldn’t help but stop in her tracks, studying Shen Weiyue carefully before bursting into laughter. “You watch Qiong Yao dramas too?”
“I never said it was a woman.”
“Oh? Then it’s a man?”
“A woman.”
“…”
Liang Yuting almost choked on her own breath at his completely illogical reply. Seeing they had reached the alley entrance, she quickened her pace to put some distance between them and waved the essay in her hand. “Fine, for Shen Weiyue’s ‘mission call,’ I’ll fight alongside you for these hundred days. Let’s see what kind of result you can achieve in the end.” Follow the newest chapters on novelping . com.
“Thank you, Teacher Liang.”
“No need to thank me again. I already said that yesterday. Go eat breakfast and get to class.”
The two parted ways. Liang Yuting’s retreating figure was genuinely beautiful.
…
After class started that day, Shen Weiyue noticed that Zhao Qingyan was no longer as resistant to him as she had been yesterday. Moreover, she had truly stepped into her role as a supervisor.
If he lost focus, she would poke him with her pen. If he got sleepy, she would not only poke him but also make a note of it in her little notebook.
By the time morning classes ended, three of his “crimes” had already been recorded.
“Shen Weiyue, in just one morning, you’ve gotten sleepy three times. I’ll report this to Teacher Han later.”
“Uh… every beginning is difficult. I’ll adjust as quickly as possible.”
“Really? Because I’ve heard that for some people, not only is the beginning difficult, but the middle is difficult too, and the ending even more so.”
Zhao Qingyan’s sudden remark left Shen Weiyue momentarily speechless.
“You’re unexpectedly humorous. That joke was really cold.”
He didn’t feel like continuing a conversation with someone who clearly didn’t know how to chat. This campus belle had outstanding intelligence, but her emotional intelligence seemed rather lacking.
No wonder she was aloof and didn’t fit in.
Back when Director Shen had been young, he hadn’t fit in because he didn’t like talking. Now it seemed that this one didn’t fit in because she simply didn’t know how to talk.
No wonder, in the future, Zhao Qingyan would go all the way to a doctorate, become a distinguished young scholar, yet remain unmarried and live in isolation. It was even said she later suffered from depression.
So this was the root of the problem.
Shen Weiyue glanced at her with a trace of sympathy. What a pity.
Sure enough, God is fair. How could someone be so perfect? At least now he felt a bit more balanced.
“Shen Weiyue, what kind of expression is that?” Zhao Qingyan frowned, clearly uncomfortable with his gaze.
“Class monitor, I think you should try engaging more with society and maybe adjust the way you speak. You might make some friends that way,” Shen Weiyue suggested seriously.
“Mind your own business. Are you saying I don’t fit in? You’re the one who doesn’t fit in. Everyone even calls you Yue Buqun…”
“Heh, if you’ve only walked fifty steps, why laugh at someone who’s walked a hundred?”
Shen Weiyue shook his head, then called out with a grin, “Taozi, it’s noon. Time to eat?”
“Let’s go, Yue-san. Together, together!”
Ye Lingtao, acting like a Japanese guy, immediately responded. The source of this chapter is novelping.com.
Shen Weiyue smiled faintly at Zhao Qingyan before leaving the classroom with ease. That expression seemed to say: See? I have friends. As long as I want to, I can fit in. And you, my friend—you’re the one who truly doesn’t belong.
This time, Zhao Qingyan was genuinely shaken.
That damned Shen Weiyue!
Stupid donkey!
…
The first class in the afternoon was physical education. Though rare, the senior students of Ling Shan County No.1 High School still maintained a schedule of two PE classes per week.
Today’s activity was running two laps around the football field, followed by free time.
After 800 meters, the girls collapsed onto the rubber track, panting for breath, while the boys quickly occupied the court to play basketball.
Director Shen decided it was time to be a bit more sociable, so he and Ye Lingtao took the initiative to join in.
The muscle memory brought back from his rebirth was astonishing. His classmates were surprised that such a fierce player existed in their class—so Yue Buqun, this old schemer, had been hiding his abilities all along.
With his top-tier skills and the easygoing charm he had honed over the years, Shen Weiyue quickly blended in with the boys.
By chance, Zhao Qingyan witnessed this scene, and for a fleeting moment, envy welled up in her eyes—so much so that it nearly brought her to tears.
So it’s not that he couldn’t do it. He just didn’t want to before.
Compared to him… it’s not that I can’t either—I simply don’t have it.
Ah, I’m so useless. I’m the one who’s socially inept.
The moment that thought surfaced, Zhao Qingyan bit the tip of her tongue and forcefully suppressed it, her expression turning cold as she shifted her gaze away.
Tch. What “Gentleman Sword” Yue Buqun.
Don’t even think about disturbing my state of mind!
Yet while the thought could be suppressed, the irritation in her chest refused to fade.
When they returned to the classroom and class resumed, Shen Weiyue had just sat down when Zhao Qingyan said coldly, “I told you not to have a sweat smell. You’re drenched in sweat—it stinks.”
“Huh?” Shen Weiyue blinked, stunned. “Sorry, I forgot. Next time I’ll bring a change of clothes for PE class.”
“Hmph. Since your attitude in admitting your mistake is acceptable, I won’t record this in the notebook this time.”
Zhao Qingyan regained a point, and the icy expression on her face softened into a faint smile, like snow melting in spring.
Shen Weiyue couldn’t help but stare, momentarily dazed.
Damn it, it’s not that Director Shen wants to lose focus—it’s just that the class monitor is too beautiful.
“What are you staring at? I told you not to look at me like an idiot. That’s another mark against you!”
Zhao Buqun added yet another “crime” to Yue Buqun’s record.