Chapter 101

During the National Day holiday, Lu Wei lived a fulfilling life.

Especially in the first two days, when he successfully took Gao Yuqin out, Lu Wei was beaming with joy.

The only pity was that Gao Yuqin brought two best friends along—this wasn't a private outing.

But for Lu Wei, this was already a solid step forward.

There was just one annoying thing.

Gao Yuqin's two best friends were two girls from the neighboring Class 8: Jin Yuting and Ren Zheng.

During conversations, they kept bringing up Li Luo, the class monitor of Class 8, which made Lu Wei extremely annoyed.

But Gao Yuqin looked genuinely interested, even sharing stories about her interactions with Li Luo during student council meetings, so Lu Wei couldn't interrupt them—he could only silently tag along, carrying their bags.

Thus, when the National Day holiday ended and students returned to campus,

Lu Wei waited by the back door of Class 8 until Li Luo appeared.

"You must be Li Luo," Lu Wei called him to the corner, squinting.

"What do you want, classmate?" Li Luo looked puzzled. "You're from Class 7, right?"

"That's right. So you've been watching me too," Lu Wei nodded, already forming a judgment from Li Luo's recognition of him. "Then I can speak plainly."

"Uh… go ahead, I'm in a hurry to eat."

"Then I'll say it straight," Lu Wei crossed his arms, radiating confidence. "I don't like dragging things out, so let's make a deal—or a bet."

"... Carry on."

"Simply put," Lu Wei cleared his throat, speaking with serious intent, "the midterm exams are coming. Let's compete: whoever scores lower can't initiate contact with Gao Yuqin ever again."

Li Luo: "..."

Watching this guy's earnest, fiery expression, Li Luo fell silent.

He wondered: even at Fu Yi High, there were still people with this kind of mindset?

After all, they were still high schoolers—this age was when hormones surged wildly; he'd try to understand.

"Lu Wei, there's something you should know first," Li Luo kindly warned. "I've never once approached your class monitor. This bet doesn't bind me at all."

"Impossible!" Lu Wei frowned. "Don't be a coward—Gao Yuqin told me herself about you during the National Day outing. You two chat all the time in student council."

"Huh?" Li Luo paused, recalling last month's routine meetings—except for brief greetings and handing over documents, he didn't recall ever having any real conversation with Gao Yuqin.

How had it become "chatting all the time" in Gao Yuqin's version?

Li Luo twitched his lips, then said directly: "Forget the bet—I never seek out Gao Yuqin anyway."

"Scared, are you?" Lu Wei sneered.

He'd specifically checked: Li Luo's grades weren't bad—he scored 316 total in the three main subjects at the start of term, ranking 14th in class.

But Lu Wei's score was also strong: 320 at the start of term, so he still had an edge.

At that moment, a voice came from outside the corner.

"Li Luo, are you done yet?" Yan Zhusheng peeked over. "I'm hungry."

"Coming, coming," Li Luo signaled to her, then pointed at Yan Zhusheng and turned to Lu Wei. "Look, my desk partner is way prettier than Gao Yuqin. Save your energy—I'm not interested in her."

After speaking, Li Luo patted Lu Wei on the shoulder and quickly walked out of the corner, waving to Yan Zhusheng: "Let's go eat."

"Okay."

Starting today, Teacher Sun from Class 1 will give midday tutoring to students who perform well in the Math Club.

So Ying Chanxi can't eat lunch with them.

Xu Youyu also thought the group gatherings wasted too much time, so he went straight to eat with his classmates.

That left only Li Luo and Yan Zhusheng, walking together toward the cafeteria.

"What did that guy want with you?" Yan Zhusheng asked curiously.

"Nothing," Li Luo sighed. "Typical teenage nonsense—letting your lower head control your upper head, getting worked up."

"Huh?" Yan Zhusheng looked confused. "What head?"

"The guy likes a girl who seems to have some interest in me, so he came to challenge me," Li Luo rephrased it in terms she'd understand. "Anyway, it's nothing."

"So do you have feelings for me too?" Yan Zhusheng asked.

"Why are you asking that?"

"You said I'm pretty."

"You were eavesdropping on us?"

"You pointed at me while saying it—I couldn't help hearing."

"I was just stating a fact."

"Then you're better-looking than that guy."

"Hmm, good student," Li Luo nodded approvingly. "You're stating a fact too."

"Li Luo, I'm not stupid," Yan Zhusheng narrowed her eyes slightly. "You're kind of shameless."

"Being smart at times like this is itself a kind of stupidity."

Since becoming familiar with Li Luo, Yan Zhusheng had started talking more often—but still rarely spoke to other classmates.

She enjoyed talking to Li Luo; it felt interesting, unlike those who sent her love letters—whose content always made her frown.

The two reached the second floor of the cafeteria, queued for food, then found a corner table to sit.

Soon after, two people walked over, trays in hand, asking: "Is this seat taken?"

"No, please sit," Li Luo looked up and recognized them.

"Hello, Li Luo," Liu Shaowen sat down with Liao Hailin opposite them, handing drinks to Li Luo and Yan Zhusheng. "Long time no see—this is on me."

"Uh… it's only been a week," Li Luo glanced at the drinks, unsure of his motive. "We saw each other at the Literature Club before National Day."

"Speaking of the Literature Club," Liu Shaowen chuckled, "you still haven't replied to my letter. It's heartbreaking."

"Didn't Ying Chanxi just reply to you?" Li Luo glanced at him.

"But I wrote her another letter afterward, and there was no further response," Liu Shaowen said earnestly. "You know her better—since we're in frequent contact, could you tell me more about her?"

Although Liu Shaowen had admired Ying Chanxi since middle school, they weren't in the same class, and he had little time to get to know her.

Now that fate had placed them in the same class, Liu Shaowen felt he should seize the opportunity.

Xie Shuchen had been making aggressive moves lately; he couldn't fall behind either—at least he needed to build a good relationship with Ying Chanxi's cousin.

After hearing Liu Shaowen's words, Li Luo was torn between laughter and exasperation, thinking: What even is this?

"Ying Chanxi… likes fluffy plush toys," Li Luo thought long and hard, deciding a bottle of drink was worth no more than that, and told Liu Shaowen.

Ying Chanxi slept every night hugging the panda plush he'd given her—he was sure he hadn't gotten it wrong.

"So that's how it is," Liu Shaowen exclaimed in sudden understanding, his face lighting up. "Thank you!"

Xie Shuchen, Xie Shuchen—you circle around Ying Chanxi all day, and lucky enough to be chosen by Teacher Sun to tutor with her—so what?

How can you make progress if you don't even understand her?

With this thought, Liu Shaowen ate his rice even faster.

Li Luo stared at him, speechless.

In his memory, Ying Chanxi had never dated anyone until right before his rebirth—she'd remained a lifelong virgin until her thirties.

This brother of Liu Shaowen was completely wasting his time.

But Li Luo couldn't very well stop him.

After dinner, as they walked back to the classroom, Yan Zhusheng turned and asked: "Does Xixi like plush toys?"

"She probably does."

"Oh." Yan Zhusheng's expression grew thoughtful.