With Zong Bei’s earth-shattering shout, Jiang Zhihuo and Yan Mu froze at the same time, unable to react in time. They turned toward the two people who had burst in through the window with pale faces.
Eight eyes met, but no words were exchanged.
Zong Bei: “What are you doing?!”
Jiang Zhihuo: “What are you doing here?!”
Jiang Zhihuo managed to speak on the surface, but in fact, he was on the verge of collapsing.
Damn it!
When did these two come inside?!
What did you both see?!
How should it be explained?!
I’m not chasing girls anymore; I’m into guys, the most handsome ones.
Did Yan Mu and I get together? No, that’s not right; we weren’t together in the first place?!
What’s so unusual about sharing a kiss? Aren’t love rivals supposed to kiss each other? Who the hell believes that?!
In that moment, Jiang Zhihuo’s mind raced through countless explanations, yet none could perfectly explain the fact that he and Yan Mu, his enemy and love rival, were kissing in the empty classroom.
None of it made sense!!
Jiang Zhihuo was at his wit’s end and decided to just come out with the truth that he was turning into an omega and had been marked by his love rival, so he had no choice but to kiss in order to survive. He figured that revealing the whole story was better than being misunderstood as being involved with Yan Mu.
Jiang Zhihuo: “Actually, we…”
Zong Bei: “Why can’t you talk things out properly? Fighting at school—if you must fight, do it outside!”
Jiang Zhihuo’s prepared explanation got stuck in his throat. “?”
The incident happened so suddenly that Jiang Zhihuo forgot to let go. After a long while, he blankly said, “Fighting?”
The unlocked window was off to the side, at the back of the classroom. As soon as the two people inside heard the noise, they immediately separated their lips. When Zong Bei and Xie Qiu jumped in, they could only see the backs of the two. Jiang Zhihuo was pressing Yan Mu down, one hand gripping his shoulder tightly, the other hand firmly holding the back of his neck. His left leg was against the corner of the desk, with his knee bent, clearly in a posture ready to use force.
This posture was one that Jiang Zhihuo had taught Zong Bei, a type of wrestling technique. “Betas can’t release pheromones, so they can’t show off their strength. When faced with real situations, they need to know some moves.”
At that time, Jiang Zhihuo used the same posture to seize Zong Bei’s shoulder and the back of his neck, lifting his knee. Zong Bei immediately wanted to bend over to block, but with his shoulder and neck tightly held, his body was restricted, and he couldn’t even make the bending motion. Jiang Zhihuo didn’t actually intend to kick him and said, “Just like this, one kick, and you can make him cry and call you daddy.”
Zong Bei stepped forward and pried Jiang Zhihuo’s hand away, while Xie Qiu also approached Yan Mu. Yan-ge didn’t let anyone touch him, so Xie Qiu could only glance over at him. Apart from the nearly healed bruise on his arm, there were no other injuries.
They had arrived just in time, and the fight hadn’t started yet. Xie Qiu felt relieved and asked, “Yan-ge, are you okay?”
Yan Mu didn’t show much emotion and asked in return, “What are you guys here for?”
Zong Bei: “Shouldn’t we be asking that? What are you doing here? Huo-ge, were you just threatening God Yan?”
Jiang Zhihuo: “?”
Not receiving a response, Zong Bei turned his face to look at Jiang Zhihuo. It was this very face that had chased Jiang Zhihuo down the hallway earlier, pressuring him to have makeup lessons.
In the blink of an eye, Jiang Zhihuo thought of an explanation that could describe the current situation without revealing what was going on between him and Yan Mu.
“What are we doing here?” Jiang Zhihuo repeated Zong Bei’s question, buying himself some time to organize his words. “Yes, that’s right. I am threatening Yan Mu because I need to get him to have makeup lessons!”
Zong Bei: “?”
Xie Qiu: “?”
Yan Mu, who had planned to say ‘nothing’ and then leave immediately. “……”
Zong Bei was doubtful. “Makeup lessons?”
Jiang Zhihuo: “Yes.”
Once the topic was brought up, it was easier to handle. Jiang Zhihuo adjusted his attitude and began to shift the conversation calmly. “My grades are really terrible. I’m at the bottom of the science class, over six hundredth place—it’s hard to make a comeback from that. After school started, I realized that I really couldn’t afford to be so slack in my senior year. But I really don’t understand this subject; my foundation is too weak. Only a top student could help me with this, right?”
Jiang Zhihuo continued, “You heard Old Ding talking in the office, right? My answer is still the same as before; I really have no interest in acting and want to focus on my academic subjects instead. Zong Bei, it’s not that I’m unwilling to have makeup lessons. I was actually planning to talk to Yan Mu about this on Saturday!”
Well done. You managed to smooth things over for Saturday’s situation as well!
“Ah?” Zong Bei didn’t expect these words to come from Jiang Zhihuo. Jiang-ge actually took the initiative to suggest makeup lessons?! What happened to the Jiang-ge who acted like makeup lessons were a matter of life and death?
Jiang Zhihuo nodded. “At that time, I refused you because I didn’t want to hold you back. Makeup lessons would take up too much of your time. You should spend more time on your studies, right?”
These words were so reasonable and heartfelt; Jiang Zhihuo felt even he was being convinced by his own words.
Xie Qiu, standing on the side, asked, “Then why did you use such a fierce expression?”
Jiang Zhihuo glanced at him and put on an exaggeratedly frustrated expression. “Come on, studying is so tough. Do you expect me to look like I’m enjoying it?!”
Xie Qiu was quick to believe it. After all, Jiang Zhihuo and Yan Mu had conflicted and exchanged glances for so long, but they had never actually fought.
Yan Mu remained silent throughout, watching Jiang Zhihuo’s performance. Xie Qiu and Zong Bei made eye contact and then turned towards Yan Mu. What Jiang Zhihuo said alone wasn’t enough; Yan Mu’s approval was what really counted.
Jiang Zhihuo raised his hand and scratched the back of his neck, deliberately grazing the area where the bandage was placed with his fingertips.
He asked, “So? Did I fight with you, God Yan?”
Yan Mu let out a snort that only Jiang Zhihuo could hear and said to Xie Qiu and Zong Bei, “No fight happened, and I didn’t agree to it either.”
Seeing that Zong Bei and Xie Qiu’s thoughts were following Jiang Zhihuo’s line of reasoning and no longer focusing on the odd idea of ‘fighting,’ Jiang Zhihuo breathed a sigh of relief. However, before he could fully relax, a voice came from outside the door.
“Oh, you really want to ask Yan Mu for makeup lessons?”
Ding Jianhui was originally heading to the classroom for a lesson when he heard noises coming from the empty classroom. He came over to check and happened to overhear Jiang Zhihuo saying that he wanted Yan Mu for makeup lessons.
Ding Jianhui’s eyes lit up. “That’s great!”
Jiang Zhihuo: “……”
After class, Jiang Zhihuo was called to the office once again, and Yan Mu was also summoned because of the earlier incident.
“Ah, so you’ve already made your decision. I’m very pleased.” Ding Jianhui said as he poured two cups of goji berry tea. The tea was hot, sending up two wisps of steam. He added joyfully, “No wonder you didn’t want to take the art entrance exam.”
“Yes.” Jiang Zhihuo said, closing his eyes and starting to ramble again, “In our third year of senior high school, we should focus on our studies.”
Ding Jianhui nodded with satisfaction and then looked at Yan Mu. “What do you think about the makeup lessons, Yan Mu?”
Since Jiang Zhihuo was just rambling nonsense, Yan Mu didn’t feel the need to play along with him.
Yan Mu politely declined, “Sorry, teacher, I might not have much time.”
Jiang Zhihuo just wanted to end this topic quickly. He didn’t want the makeup lessons at all!
He put on a regretful expression and continued along with Yan Mu’s words, “The pressure on a top student like Yan Mu is definitely greater than that on us regular students, and the time consumption is also higher. I thought about it, and indeed, my idea was too hasty. Yan Mu doesn’t have enough time. It’s alright, teacher. I’ll just work harder and gradually be able to catch up on my own.”
Hearing this, Ding Jianhui first glanced at the homeroom teacher of Class 4, who waved his hand dismissively and said, “Don’t look at me.”
The only competition between teachers of different classes was grades, and Jiang Zhihuo’s grades were so poor that could single-handedly drag down the class. average. With only one year left, no matter how much effort was put in, there wasn’t much that could be saved.
The homeroom teacher of Class 4 said, “Look at Yan Mu.”
Ding Jianhui nodded. Indeed, it was rare to find time to help out at this moment, and it was clearly a bit difficult. Ding Jianhui sincerely said, “Yan Mu, I still want to ask you for this favor. It’s rare for Zhihuo to have the desire to learn, and I don’t want to discourage him. Improvement in grades can’t happen overnight. If you could take a little time each day to help him, just half an hour would be enough. Consider it as helping me, alright?”
Ding Jianhui’s words left no room for refusal.
No matter how many papers there were, half an hour could be squeezed out each day. Ding Jianhui had no demands regarding Jiang Zhihuo’s grades. Since he had come around and had this desire, Ding Jianhui naturally wanted to support him.
Jiang Zhihuo: “Teacher, it doesn’t necessarily have to be Yan Mu helping me. I can still find…” I can still find Zong Bei. Anyway, I had already embarrassed myself in front of Zong Bei back in the third year of junior high. Doing it again would be easier to manage than dealing with Yan Mu.
Before he could finish speaking, Yan Mu said, “I understand.”
Jiang Zhihuo: “……”
After coming out of the office, Jiang Zhihuo asked, “Why did you agree?”
Yan Mu replied calmly, “Did I have any room to refuse?”
“Fine, just agree then.” Jiang Zhihuo pinched the bridge of his nose. “Let’s just pretend nothing happened. Anyway, Old Ding won’t ask.”
“Jiang Zhihuo,” Yan Mu suddenly said as they reached the door of Class 4. “I agreed to this. If your grades don’t improve, I’ll take the blame.”
“……”Jiang Zhihuo’s forehead twitched. “What do you mean by that?”
He had a bad feeling. “What are you planning to do?”
Yan Mu didn’t answer the question and turned to enter the classroom.
— Without needing to say anything, having had a dispute with Yan Mu for so long, Jiang Zhihuo could guess what he was thinking just from a scene or a backhanded glance.
This person is serious! He really plans to give him makeup lessons!!
The more Jiang Zhihuo thought about it, the more hopeless he felt, and he posted a skull emoji on his WeChat moment.
In a little while, the phone vibrated. Li Muhe sent two messages.
Li Muhe: What’s wrong?
Li Muhe: Caught using the phone during class.
Jiang Zhihuo was shameless and had long been used to it. During sleep, the teacher would come around to knock on him, as it affected the class environment, but no one bothered when he used his phone.
Jiang Zhihuo typed: Li-ge.
Jiang Zhihuo: I’ve dug a hole for myself and buried myself in it.
Li Muhe: What happened?
Jiang Zhihuo: It looks like I’m going to start makeup lessons, the one-on-one kind.
Li Muhe: Need help?
Jiang Zhihuo: Not really.
Li Muhe: Back in the third year of junior high, you used to come home and rant every day.
That was the most foolish time in Jiang Zhihuo’s eighteen years of life!
Jiang Zhihuo: Forget about it!
The cicadas chirped outside the window, damp and humid. The summer wind was scorching. After finishing typing, Jiang Zhihuo tossed his phone under the desk, laid down on the desk, and let out a long sigh.
Summer classes were always long and stuffy.
Lunch breaks were short. Students at No. 1 High School usually don’t go home at noon; after finishing their meals in the canteen, they rest in the classroom.
The ceiling fan was set to maximum, and the test papers on the lectern were held down with a chalkboard eraser. The entire class lay on their desks, with many having small fans buzzing in front of them.
The first class in the afternoon was math.
Having math as the first class in the afternoon was simply a poor arrangement. Upon waking up this time, everyone felt sticky and groggy, their minds still not fully awake. The math class was focused on reviewing the test papers. They had gone over part of it in the morning, and now only the last two big questions remained. The teacher briskly finished explaining the conic sections, leaving most of the time for the final question.
At No. 1 High School, the academic performance was strong, and the students’ level was higher compared to other schools. For this type of question, students typically solve the first two questions. The third question was solved step by step, with those who were more capable trying further. Even among the entire city of Lincheng, there were only a few who could get all the questions correct.
The math teacher was older and preferred using the blackboard for teaching. The board was filled with writing as chalk dust flew everywhere. The students looked up and then back down, listening while copying the steps.
When the bell rang, he was discussing the third question of the problem. He briefly explained the main points and handed out the answers, saying, “For the third question, just get the main idea. There’s no point in getting stuck on it during the exam. Check the answers, and if you have any questions, feel free to come to my office.”
The answers were passed from the front to the back, and the students who had been tense throughout the class could finally relax for a moment. In the classroom, there were single desks for each student, arranged in five rows. The rows were quite close together, so Chang Luo discussed the main idea for the first two questions with a boy nearby. When he turned his head, he saw Jiang Zhihuo resting his cheek on one hand, seeming bored, scribbling on the paper.
The answers reached Jiang Zhihuo; he took one and passed it to Chang Luo.
“Huo-ge, what are you writing?” Chang Luo asked.
“Mhm?” Jiang Zhihuo made a final mark on the paper, scribbling a few numbers as if randomly guessing. The writing was small, so Chang Luo couldn’t see it clearly.
“Not much,” Jiang Zhihuo said, finishing the last mark. Without looking, he tucked the answer sheet into his textbook, along with the scrap paper, and shoved everything under the desk. “I’m leaving first.”
Huo-ge often skipped class in the afternoon and didn’t come back until the next day. Chang Luo was used to it and didn’t ask any more questions, simply saying, “See you tomorrow.”
“Chang Luo, Chang Luo.”
After a delay earlier, the answers still haven’t reached the boy nearby. He asked Chang Luo, “Hey, so what’s the answer to the last question?”
“Let me check.” Chang Luo took a look.
The answer was too long to fit on one page, and at a glance, he couldn’t even see where it started at a glance.
Only a true genius among geniuses could solve such a problem. Besides Yan Mu, the legendary ‘god of learning’ with insane scores, no one else in the No. 1 High School could solve it.
“Let me take another look…” Chang Luo flipped to the next page, scanning the final line. “By the way, it’s impossible to solve a question like this. Why are you asking for the answer?”
The boy held his test paper. “I worked through a few steps, but in the end, I just guessed a possible range of answers. If I get lucky and guess it right, I could get an extra point! One point means a thousand people!”
“Well, you’d need some serious luck to guess that correctly… Ah, I found it.” Chang Luo read out the answer, “f(n) is increasing, and the range for a is from ln2 to 3+ln2. Did you guess it right?”
The boy shook his head. He could only guess something like 0 to 1, or -1 to 1 at most. How could he guess something like ln2, which was such an uncommon value?!
Chang Luo patted him on the shoulder. “It’s okay; you’re just not meant to get this question.”
As they spoke, someone in the front row was messing around and quickly ran down the hallway. The speed created a light breeze, causing a corner of the scrap paper that Jiang Zhihuo had stuffed under the desk to move slightly.
Among a bunch of messy scribbles, there was a string of numbers written.
（ln2，3+ln2）
The author has something to say:
Huo-ge: What you see is not the real me. For some reasons, I have to hide my true abilities. I’m not lying to you.
