Cheng Fei turned around.
At some point, Shen Xi had entered through the rear door of the classroom.
Arms folded across her chest, she looked down at the two of them with profound black eyes, radiating an aura that discouraged anyone from approaching.
The next second, Chen Hao shot to his feet.
“I’m going to basketball practice.”
The students who hadn’t yet left the classroom all stared at Shen Xi.
Plenty of teenagers were pretty.
But in either appearance or presence, she occupied a tier of her own.
“Why are you here?” Cheng Fei asked.
“To find you.”
“What for?”
“Why didn’t you come to the clubroom?”
“I work on Wednesdays.
I applied for permission to leave early.”
“Today is Thursday.”
Shen Xi’s expression remained blank.
“I assumed you were happier when I didn’t come.”
“If that were true, I’d simply expel you.”
“I thought that was exactly what you were planning.”
“You thought wrong.
Which is precisely why you’re second in the grade.”
Shen Xi glanced at the math exercises spread across his desk.
“Instead of mindlessly grinding problems, engage with real life and build a complete framework of knowledge.
You’ll learn more efficiently.”
“By playing games?”
“Research.”
She stubbornly corrected him.
“Enough.
Fulfill your duty as a club member.
Come participate in club activities.”
With that, Shen Xi walked out.
Cheng Fei asked after her:
“Can I study in the clubroom?”
“If you’re capable of doing two things at once.”
She left that sentence behind.
Cheng Fei sighed, packed his things, and followed.
They crossed the wisteria-covered walkway from the classroom building toward the Club Activities Building.
One walked in front.
The other behind.
Neither spoke.
Inside the building, Cheng Fei noticed someone standing beside the hallway.
It was the Japanese exchange student from the gaming club.
Asuna, if he remembered correctly.
She looked as though she was waiting for someone.
Her straight legs were pressed together as she leaned against the wall, hands hidden behind her back, upper body tilted forward while she peered outside.
When Shen Xi passed, Asuna looked directly at her.
Shen Xi completely ignored her.
So Asuna looked at Cheng Fei instead.
Their eyes met.
The girl first appeared thoughtful.
Then she tilted her head and smiled warmly.
Cheng Fei noticed that the shape beneath the front of her blouse was considerably more generous than that of a certain narrow-minded Miss Shen.
Since she was being friendly, Cheng Fei had little choice but to nod back.
…
By the time they climbed to the sixth floor in one breath, Shen Xi was panting.
Cheng Fei unconsciously glanced at the movement of her chest as she breathed.
Two layers of fried egg at best.
Pitiful.
Of course, Cheng Fei’s stamina wasn’t much better.
When they reached the clubroom door, both of them simultaneously sighed in relief.
“Why exactly is your clubroom on the roof?” Cheng Fei tugged at his collar.
“It’s hot and annoying to climb.”
“Shut up.
This room is already the result of extensive negotiations with the student council.”
Shen Xi glared at him and unlocked the door.
“President, does our club receive an activity budget?”
“We’re officially recognized rather than merely an interest group, but no.”
“I formally request that club funds be used to purchase an electric fan.”
The instant the door opened, a wave of heat rolled out.
The room had been baking in sunlight all afternoon and was somehow hotter than outside.
“I just told you we don’t have an activity budget.”
Under Cheng Fei’s gaze—the sort one might give a brave warrior walking willingly into hell—Shen Xi frowned and entered.
Cheng Fei imagined her being roasted alive, her long black hair catching fire until she crumbled into ash.
Naturally, the real Shen Xi did not combust.
She hurried to the windows and opened all of them.
Wind poured in, creating cross-ventilation with the open door.
Only then did Cheng Fei enter.
He left the door open.
“You’re not afraid of me anymore?” he asked.
“I checked.
You really are a student in First-Year Class Six.”
Shen Xi looked perfectly composed, as though the girl from yesterday who had nearly considered escaping through the window had never existed.
“I told you relationships require trust.”
Cheng Fei put his bag on the table, sat down, and pulled out his math exercises.
Shen Xi watched him.
“But you still doxxed me.
Otherwise, there is no way you could know my game ID.”
“I like you so much that I committed a little crime.
Please understand.”
Cheng Fei lowered his head and started writing calculations.
Shen Xi responded as though she hadn’t heard his confession at all.
“I’m curious how you managed it.
As far as I know, Corridor’s user-data protection is excellent.”
“Everyone has secrets they can’t reveal.
I’m no exception.”
Cheng Fei made a shushing gesture.
Shen Xi fell silent for a second before raising her chin.
“I’ll figure it out.”
“Good luck.”
Cheng Fei sincerely wished her success.
Several quiet minutes passed.
Then Shen Xi asked:
“Let’s discuss something meaningful.
When are you submitting the research report?”
“What research?” Cheng Fei looked up.
“The observational record regarding players engaging in self-relief within the game—”
“Stop.”
Cheng Fei stared at the utterly calm girl.
“I’m fine with your other assignments.
That one is impossible.”
“Does the game functionality not allow it?”
“That’s not the issue.”
“Then why?”
“Doing that inside a game is too weird.”
“Men do that anywhere and anytime.
Why does being inside a game suddenly make it strange?”
“Anywhere and anytime is absurd.
And don’t talk as though only men do it.
Men and women aren’t that different in this respect.”
“There is data supporting that argument.”
“Then have you done it?
Before ordering me around.”
“I’m questioning you.
I paid you a dating fee.”
“I believe lovers should respect each other, even when they’re lovers because of a financial transaction.”
“You believe I don’t respect you?”
“Then at least tell me whether you’ve done it.
Could you do it?”
“I…
planned to use your report as reference before trying.”
“As the initiator of the research, I hope you’ll lead by example.
Maybe then I can accept it psychologically.”
“So the problem is psychological?”
“Correct.
If you do it, I’ll do it.”
Shen Xi touched her chin and thought.
“Using this method to pressure me isn’t very gentlemanly.”
“I thought someone like you believed in gender equality.”
“Men and women are born with physiological differences determined by genetics.
I consider attempts to enforce absolute equality between the sexes an exercise in rigid thinking.
Maximizing the interests of both sides is a more rational solution.”
“Even if that sounds reasonable, it doesn’t solve our problem.”
Cheng Fei spread his hands.
“Actually, I already compromised for you.”
“You did?”
“I permitted you to use me as the target of your fantasies.”
Shen Xi lowered her eyes.
Cheng Fei stared at her.
“That’s it?”
“Is that not enough?
Considering my level?”
The girl brushed her hair aside and lifted her exquisite face.
“You’re way too narcissistic.
And if I wanted to fantasize about you, I could do that anytime.
I don’t need your permission.”
Cheng Fei leaned back in his chair and looked openly at Shen Xi.
“But…” Shen Xi leaned against the wall, holding one elbow with the opposite hand as she turned her face away uneasily.
“I also provided you with material for your fantasies.”
Thank you so much for reading until the end.
[ END 401 Chapter ]
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