Zong Yuan shrugged off the guy with one shoulder and confidently walked away to wash his hands.
The guys behind him stood dumbfounded in place, all simultaneously looking at the guy whose face had turned red.
Zong Yuan didn’t rush back to the classroom. Instead, he leaned against the railing, gazing through the window at Fu Xin sitting in the last row.
In the noisy classroom, only that corner was quiet.
Zong Yuan rubbed his fingers together, feeling the urge to smoke. He licked his lips and pulled out a piece of mint candy, popping it into his mouth. Fu Xin was busy writing, his slightly long hair covering his eyebrows. Zong Yuan commented, “That hairstyle won’t do. It doesn’t look handsome.”
0046 humbly asked for advice, “What kind of hairstyle looks handsome?”
“You, a data guy, what are you trying to join in for?” Zong Yuan knocked on the railing and gestured. “Look, Fu Xin has a classic beauty face shape. His forehead is full, his lines are smooth, and his chin is round. He’s just thin, barely any flesh on him. But once he gains a little weight and his whole face shows, pfft, he’ll be a handsome guy.”
Fu Xin was completely unaware of being scrutinized. The seat next to him was empty, despite him sitting alone before the first class today. However, as the day went on, he found himself feeling somewhat uncomfortable looking at the vacant seat beside him.
He pursed his lips as Zhang Zhi’liang approached, holding exam papers. “Fu Xin, here’s yours.”
Zhang Zhi’liang smiled gently, and Fu Xin quickly took the exam paper, whispering, “Thank you.”
“No need to thank me,” Zhang Zhi’liang lingered, his expression concerned. “Are you okay today? I noticed Zong Yuan doesn’t seem easy to get along with. It might be better for you to keep your distance from him, just in case.”
He glanced inadvertently out the window, and the rest of his words choked in his throat as he saw Zong Yuan smiling at him from outside the window. Despite the distance, Zhang Zhi’liang felt as though Zong Yuan had somehow heard his words.
Stiffly, Zhang Zhi’liang returned the smile, while Fu Xin fumbled with the pen in his hand and spoke up, “Zong Yuan is quite good.”
It had been a long time since Fu Xin had spoken to Zhang Zhi’liang like this. Usually, it was just “yes,” “thank you,” “I’m sorry.” Now, as he lifted his head, his clear and handsome features were revealed to Zhang Zhi’liang. Fu Xin earnestly thanked Zhang Zhi’liang for his concern, but Zhang Zhi’liang felt a lump in his throat.
Just one day in, and even the detestable Fu Xin was speaking up for him.
“You like me, don’t you?”
Zhang Zhi’liang smiled gently. “That’s good to hear.”
As Zong Yuan entered the classroom, people greeted him enthusiastically in small groups. Despite the short distance, as he walked over to Fu Xin and Zhang Zhi’liang, he exuded the aura of a superstar on the red carpet.
Leaning one hand on the desk, he bent halfway, his youthful body forming a powerful arc. “I see the class representative has been standing at my desk for quite a while. Is there something you need?”
The contrast in their auras was stark. Zhang Zhi’liang tightened his grip on the exam papers, trying to respond calmly. “I’m distributing the exam papers.”
“Oh,” Zong Yuan suddenly realized, “while you’re at it, why don’t you go ahead and explain the questions here?”
A strange atmosphere arose between them. People nearby, who had gathered close, began to look over. Zhang Zhi’liang showed a helpless expression. “Zong Yuan, are you upset?”
Zong Yuan snorted disdainfully, about to retort, but Fu Xin tugged at his sleeve. It was the first time Fu Xin had initiated physical contact with him. Following the force, Zong Yuan sat back in his seat and began tapping the desktop with his fingers as if playing the piano. “Look at what our class rep said. You’ve blocked my seat, so I had no choice but to stand here and chat with you.”
Fu Xin caught a whiff of the mint scent on him and blurted out, “You were eating candy in the bathroom.”
Zong Yuan turned his dark face towards him, mouth open, the candy just placed in his mouth. He mumbled, “Look, look, I just ate it.”
Fu Xin inspected closely and furrowed his brows. “You have a cavity in one of your teeth on the left side.”
Zong Yuan was startled, not daring to move. He let Fu Xin lean in closer to examine. “How is that tooth doing now?”
Fu Xin leaned in, smelling nothing but the strong scent of mint on Zong Yuan. He solemnly furrowed his brows, looking like he could pass as a doctor even in a lab coat.
Meanwhile, Zhang Zhi’liang had been completely forgotten by the two of them. He wore a stiff expression and glanced at them a few times, then continued handing out the exam papers as if nothing had happened.
Zong Yuan’s tooth was fine for now, but he needed to cut back on the candy.
Confidently, Fu Xin drew the approximate location of the tooth on the paper for him. Zong Yuan took a glance but couldn’t quite figure out where the tooth was. He couldn’t believe it. “Can candy really cause cavities?”
Fu Xin treated him like a pediatrician dealing with a three-year-old. “Any candy should be eaten in moderation.”
Zong Yuan frowned and nonchalantly took out a cigarette from his pocket, sighing.
If he had to cut back on candy, then he’d have to smoke more.
Yang Fan turned around and almost jumped out of his skin. “Why did you bring a cigarette?”
In the eyes of teachers, cigarettes are no different from drugs for high school students, especially seniors.
Zong Yuan casually shook the fingers holding the cigarette. “I’m not lighting it up, just holding it to ease the craving.”
His posture was skilled, the cigarette casually held between his left index and middle fingers, as if he would inhale and exhale smoke in the next moment, extremely captivating.
For many girls, boys who smoke actually have an irresistible charm, especially when they look handsome while smoking.
He Xiu’xiu’s eyes were glued to Zong Yuan, completely forgetting Zhang Zhi’liang sitting beside her. “He’s so daring.”
Wang Li wanted to chat with Zong Yuan more. “Xiu Xiu, you’re the class monitor. Go over and say something. How can someone smoke in the classroom?”
He Xiu’xiu was shaken by her words, and Wang Li could see it in her expression. “Let’s go together. I’ll accompany you.”
As they approached Zong Yuan, they heard him talking to Fu Xin. “Master Fu, you haven’t finished drawing yet.”
Fu Xin rubbed his forehead in frustration. “Almost done.”
He examined the drawing again, confirming it was the best one he had done recently. Time always flies when engrossed in something, and it had been a while since he had been so relaxed and focused.
He Xiu’xiu’s gaze turned cold as she looked at Fu Xin, displaying visible disgust before returning to her usual demeanor.
Wang Li muttered beside her, “Zong Yuan is getting deceived by that disgusting guy.”
He Xiu’xiu slapped her hand gently, admonishing her. “What are you saying? Fu Xin is also pitiful. That’s too harsh.”
She walked over. Zong Yuan heard her footsteps and turned to look, a sly smile playing on his face. “Oh, class monitor.”
He Xiu’xiu pointed at the cigarette in his hand, her smile sweet and pleasant. “Zong Yuan, you know smoking isn’t allowed in the classroom, right?”
“Sure,” Zong Yuan leisurely handed the cigarette to Fu Xin. “Deskmate, could you throw this away for me? Thanks.”
The trash can was closer to Fu Xin. He took the cigarette from Zong Yuan, and Yang Fan secretly whispered to him, “Fu Xin, give it to me.”
He hadn’t even smoked this cigarette yet, probably his dad hadn’t smoked this brand either.
Fu Xin glanced at him and continued to toss the cigarette into the trash bin.
Yang Fan: “…”
He awkwardly turned his head away.
Zong Yuan glanced at the ceiling. “Class monitor, let it go.”
Casually flicking his hair, every move of his could make He Xiu’xiu blush uncontrollably. She felt embarrassed. “Okay.”
Fu Xin glanced at He Xiu’xiu, his dark eyes causing her complexion to change slightly. “Since there are no prohibited items, I’ll go back.”
Zong Yuan glanced meaningfully at her retreating figure, chuckling, then turned around. “Fu Xin, you haven’t finished drawing yet.”
Fu Xin hesitated a bit. “I finished, but…”
Zong Yuan stretched out his hand casually, curious. “Come on, let me have a look. Even if it’s not well-drawn, it shouldn’t be too ugly since I’m so handsome, right?”
The next moment, his eye twitched uncontrollably, almost unable to maintain his facial expression.
0046 looked at him sympathetically. “I shouldn’t have used the flower comparison. I insulted the flower.”
Night self-study quickly ended. Zong Yuan lived nearby. He picked up his backpack and waited for Fu Xin to pack up. Fu Xin’s movements slowed down, and many students had already left the classroom. Zong Yuan was still standing at his desk, his tall figure blocking a patch of light. Fu Xin asked, “Do you have something to do?”
Zong Yuan picked up his dark, worn-out backpack from his desk, slinging it casually over one shoulder. “Let’s go.”
With long strides, he walked towards the door. Fu Xin was stunned for a few seconds before reacting. “Zong Yuan!”
He followed, catching up to Zong Yuan and reaching out to pull his backpack off him. Zong Yuan effortlessly held onto the backpack, allowing Fu Xin to bounce around him like a child, completely unfazed by his seemingly feeble attempts. Calm and composed, he said, “You live outside too, right? What a coincidence. Let’s go together.”
0046 nodded with satisfaction, “That’s right. It’s just right to see who dares to bully Fu Xin on the way.”
Fu Xin’s hand, pulling the backpack, was getting tired. “How do you know I live outside?”
Zong Yuan raised a finger and shook it, enigmatic, “For such a simple question, of course, I would know.”
Fu Xin watched as Zong Yuan pulled out a cigarette and lit it with a lighter. The bright flame reflecting on his handsome profile, accompanied by the smoke, had already become a painting in his eyes.
His breath paused slightly, then he quickly lowered his head and followed Zong Yuan home.
Zong Yuan wisely chose to part ways with Fu Xin at the intersection. He watched Fu Xin walk further into the alley and suddenly shouted, “Fu Xin.”
Fu Xin turned around, seeing that figure almost blending into the night. He felt a bit nervous, echoing Zong Yuan’s tone, “What’s up?”
Zong Yuan extinguished the cigarette and lazily waved to him, his voice carrying the gentle warmth exclusive to the night, “See you tomorrow.”
Fu Xin’s heart suddenly skipped a beat twice.
He stood still for a moment until he sneezed. Only then did he realize that Zong Yuan was gone, surrounded only by the dim light of the street lamps. The night wind felt a bit chilly as Fu Xin slowly walked home, suddenly feeling something was wrong, “Wait, where’s my backpack?”
Following the route of 0046, Zong Yuan entered an apartment. The kitchen fridge was filled with frozen food. He put down his backpack, leisurely took out a packet of meat dumplings, and hummed a tune.
0046 remarked, “I don’t know if you’ve noticed…”
“Hmm?” Zong Yuan scooped out the dumplings and found the chili sauce. 0046 calmly added, “There are two backpacks on your sofa.”
Zong Yuan burst into laughter, “Two backpacks? Are you kidding me? Backpacks can reproduce themselves now? Don’t they cost money?”
Holding the dumplings, he walked outside, “This joke is so damn cold. You’re…”
Sure enough, there were two backpacks on the living room sofa, and one of them looked particularly familiar—it was the one he had carried all the way.
It belonged to Fu Xin.
0046 chuckled as he watched him get caught off guard, “Do your work properly. Two sets of homework, don’t drag others down. Oh, and by the way, one of them is your favorite math test.”
Zong Yuan: “…”
