Chapter 148: A Glance of Grace

After the first evening self-study session, a large crowd burst out of the classroom, carrying book baskets to fight for spots at the corridor entrance.

Li Hua sighed at the peace of the moment, even sipped some hot water, exhaling a wisp of white steam.

"Tsk tsk, the world is frantic and chaotic."

Jiang Nian was busy reviewing for the exam, not even lifting his head. Today there were only two evening self-study sessions; after he finished setting up the exam room, he'd need to move quickly.

Xu Qianqian had no patience, yet insisted on waiting; when she grew impatient, she fell into a sulk.

Yu Tongjie's expression shifted repeatedly after class—he wanted to rush for a spot, but then remembered he'd had the chance earlier that afternoon and just sat there waiting, and he felt regret.

If he moved now, wouldn't that prove he'd lost?

Voices from the other end of the corridor kept shouting, "No spots left over there!" leaving Yu Tongjie hesitating, unable to decide, yet unwilling to stand up.

Finally, he gave up—there couldn't truly be no place to put his books.

He could just put them on the stairs; the Gao San floor had more than enough books. How could books even go missing? Who'd want a pile of useless books anyway?

Yang Qiming grabbed his book basket and dashed out, frantic with anxiety. He cursed his homeroom teacher silently—what an absolute piece of shit, why couldn't he just say something earlier? Everything always came too late.

He reached the corridor entrance near the classroom, only to find it already packed. He muttered a curse under his breath and struggled to run to the other side—it was full too.

"Old Liu is truly the traitor of Class Three, way too late!"

Yang Qiming set down his book basket, sweat already beading on his forehead. He had no fondness for his homeroom teacher; his curses had already extended to Old Liu's household registration book.

More and more people flooded toward the spot, all ending up as disappointed as he was.

Ding ding ding—the bell for the second evening self-study rang.

He sighed involuntarily, his gaze drifting toward the nearby restroom. A few people, unwilling to carry their books back, had already placed them on the dry area outside the restroom.

Should he follow suit?

If he moved now and placed his books outside the restroom, he might still grab a decent spot. If he hesitated any longer, he might not even get a spot at all—never mind cleanliness.

It was far enough away; logically, it wouldn't pick up any odor.

Just as Yang Qiming hesitated, someone tapped his shoulder. He turned and saw a familiar, earnest smile—he was startled.

"Cai Lang?"

"Brother Yang, haven't found a place for your books yet?" Huang Cailang's forehead and nostrils glistened with sweat—he must've run all the way after putting his own books down.

"Yeah, everywhere's full. Someone's even thinking of putting theirs in the office." Yang Qiming sighed. "Class has started. I'll just take mine back."

Just moments ago he'd been considering grabbing a spot by the restroom—now that he'd met someone he knew, he instantly dropped the idea. What was he thinking?

The thought of having to fetch his books from right outside the restroom every time he studied.

Hmm.

"Yes, no one's allowed to put books anywhere on the school corridors," Huang Cailang said. "I saw some planning to take theirs back to the dorms, others even thinking of moving them to the Gao Er building."

"Brother Yang, put yours on top of mine. I've got space."

"What?" Yang Qiming froze.

"I got a spot, but it's not great," Huang Cailang scratched his head, grinning sheepishly. "If you don't mind, we can stack our baskets together."

Hearing this, Yang Qiming was deeply moved and clapped him on the shoulder.

"How could I mind? Thank you so much, Cailang. I don't even know what to say—I've had a lot going on lately."

"It's nothing, Brother. Everything will get better," Huang Cailang smiled, his expression especially sincere and earnest. "Don't give up, Brother."

"Yeah! Everything will get better!" Yang Qiming carried his books toward the classroom. "Cailang, what do you want to eat tonight? My treat."

"No no no, don't go to any trouble," Huang Cailang shook his head like a rattle drum. "It's just a small favor—how could I possibly eat your late-night snack?"

"What's the big deal? Want some wonton?" Yang Qiming assumed Cailang was being polite.

Huang Cailang thought: if I eat wonton, it'll look like I only did this for the meal. I'm not that kind of person—I did this for Brother Yang's sake.

"Really no need, Brother Yang. I already ate your snacks yesterday—how could I eat yours again? It should be me treating you to wonton. Brothers don't refuse."

Yang Qiming's heart warmed instantly—he thought to himself: Cailang's character is solid. Someone worth truly befriending.

"Alright!"

The two reached the corridor entrance. Yang Qiming set down his basket, stacking it atop Huang Cailang's.

As he straightened up, he heard Ji Jiayu complaining. Curious, he turned to look—and saw Ji Jiayu and Yuan Zhengchuan standing at the far end of the corridor.

"There's literally no space! I told you to follow Jiang Nian and move your books this afternoon, but you kept making excuses!"

Yuan Zhengchuan, irritated by the scolding, frowned and retorted.

"How was I supposed to know Old Liu would go back on his word? What if the corridor's not allowed after all? Then I'd have to move them again—how could I handle that alone?"

"Then what do you suggest we do now?" Ji Jiayu snapped. Class had already started.

Yang Qiming felt nothing, ready to turn back toward the classroom.

Suddenly, he heard Huang Cailang speak.

"Uh, Ji Jiayu's basket can go on top of Lin Dong's. He won't mind."

Huh? Yang Qiming turned back, glancing at Huang Cailang, puzzled. When had Cailang become so close to Ji Jiayu? And Lin Dong—

Just hearing that name stirred a pang in his chest.

His former best friend had switched dorms—just one wall away—but clearly, they'd grown distant, even more so than with Cailang.

"Really?" Ji Jiayu exclaimed, delighted.

Huang Cailang dared not meet Yuan Zhengchuan's eyes, only remembering Lin Dong's instructions. He could only force out a hesitant "Mm-hmm," adding, "Just tell Lin Dong later—he's very generous."

"Great, thank you!" Ji Jiayu's eyes lit up like crescent moons.

Yuan Zhengchuan's face turned pitch black—he wanted to slam Huang Cailang against the wall and scream: Are you all fucking insane? Trying to seduce someone else's girlfriend!

Why can't you find your own spot! Fucking hell!

But he couldn't say it aloud—he could only think it. If he exploded now, how would he solve the book placement problem? Would he have to carry everything back to the dorm?

But he couldn't say that out loud—he could only think it to himself. If he indulged his momentary impulse, how would he solve the problem of where to put the books? Was he supposed to carry them all the way back to the dormitory?

"Stop joking, my hand will break."

"Forget it, endure it!"

The second evening self-study period had already been going on for ten minutes.

Because it was the last evening self-study period, the atmosphere in the classroom was unusually restless. The teacher hadn't come, and the class was as chaotic as a vegetable market.

Li Hua watched Ji Jiayu standing by the window talking to Lin Dong, saw her boyfriend's deathly poker face, and couldn't help but laugh out loud. She turned her head and said,

"Can't tell, Lin Dong is really popular, huh."

Jiang Nian grunted, grabbed Li Hua, and pointed at a question on the test paper.

"How do you do this one?"

Ring ring ring, the second evening self-study period ended.

Everyone left school for home. A small portion of people had been busy reviewing and hadn't tidied their desks in the afternoon, nor grabbed seats, and only now started cleaning up.

Zhang Ningzhi and Huang Fang each held a broom, staring blankly at the messy classroom.

Li Hua walked over and began directing.

"You guys sweep the third big group first, basically everyone's left over there."

"Okay."

"Oh oh."

Li Hua scratched his head, feeling a bit annoyed looking at the messy classroom. byd, what the hell did these brats hide in their desks usually, desk universe or what!

Whenever it was time to clear out the desks, all kinds of trash came tumbling out.

The ones with a bit more decency still knew to gather it up and throw it in the trash can; the less decent ones just yanked it all onto the floor. Clatter clatter, the whole floor was covered in trash.

"F***ing hell, how is there so much trash?" Ceng You came over carrying the trash can, unable to resist complaining, "Eating sh*t, these people."

Jiang Nian left as soon as class ended, went down to the third floor and greeted Xu Qianqian.

"Where's the book?"

"Pfft, already done." Xu Qianqian said, pulling her bestie along, "Thanks to Xiyun's reminder, we grabbed the spots at noon."

Song Xiyun looked a little embarrassed, "The teacher told me, said we could put books over there."

"The class rep is awesome, knows every piece of news." Jiang Nian finished praising Song Xiyun, then glanced at Xu Qianqian, "Coming with me to the fourth floor to wait?"

"Not going, too much trouble, too lazy to go up." Xu Qianqian refused.

Jiang Nian didn't insist; he'd invited her yesterday and been turned down. At the time he thought she was just being shy, but now it seemed she really didn't want to go, so he could only nod.

"Alright then."

Song Xiyun looked at the two of them and asked carefully.

"I'm planning to go home and review, you guys—"

Jiang Nian spread his hands, "I'm on duty today."

Xu Qianqian tilted her head, "I'm waiting for my son to finish school."

The hallway light flickered.

"Ah! Jiang Nian, you want to die! Don't pinch my face!" Xu Qianqian jumped away, rubbed her cheeks, and hid behind Song Xiyun, "Xiyun, call the police!"

Song Xiyun hugged Xu Qianqian, then let go, and waved to the two of them.

"Then I'll head home first, bye bye."

"I'm heading back to the classroom."

As Jiang Nian went upstairs, Song Xiyun went downstairs. On the third floor, only Xu Qianqian was left alone, backpack on, standing in the bustling crowd. She took out her phone as if it were second nature.

Li Qingrong had just come up from the general affairs office on the first floor, walking against the flow of people to the third floor. A hurried glance at the hallway entrance, and her eyes happened to meet a girl's.

Under the dim hallway light, that girl had outstanding temperament, a face smooth as jade. Playing with her phone in her hand, she gave off a familiar feeling.

Xu Qianqian also saw Li Qingrong, and her gaze couldn't move away.

That cool, aloof temperament, the high ponytail that slays girls, the pretty face.

For a moment, Xu Qianqian inexplicably sensed a familiar aura about the other person—had they met somewhere before?

She thought carefully, but couldn't remember when.

Their gazes crossed, then flashed past.

Li Qingrong slowly went up to the fourth floor, passed through the crowded hallway, and arrived at the classroom door. The fluorescent light shone bright as day, and the floor inside was a wasteland.

Ceng You knocked the dustpan against the big red bin, and shouted with his hands on his hips.

"How is there so much trash! F***!"

He turned his head, saw the class monitor come in, and immediately shut up.

Zhang Ningzhi and Huang Fang were cleaning the classroom; the other three boys—Jiang Nian, Wu Jungu, and Li Hua—were in charge of moving the desks. The classroom was instantly filled with scraping sounds, exceptionally grating.

Jiang Nian turned his head and saw Li Qingrong walking toward him.