Originally, given Xuan Ying's personality, she would definitely have clung to her arm and asked about which course she was going to apply for.
The motivation was simple.
Xuan Ying was the type who always wanted company wherever she went.
But this time, things were completely different from her expectations, leaving her at a loss.
This wasn't right at all.
Zhao Yan looked at Xuan Ying, who was lying on her desk and probably secretly delighting in something, and fell into unprecedented confusion.
Where exactly had things gone wrong?
She carefully recalled Xuan Ying's previous personality and behavior.
Nothing seemed wrong.
Xuan Ying was someone who feared being alone the most.
So, she couldn't help but reach out and pat Xuan Ying's shoulder: "What... what course did you choose?"
"Oh, that."
Xuan Ying lifted her head, flashed a smile, and said cheerfully: "I chose a course that suits me."
"..."
Zhao Yan was momentarily speechless.
Chose a course that suits her?
Nonsense! She clearly chose the same course as Su Cheng!
Xuan Ying solemnly added: "For such a rare learning opportunity, we must take it seriously and prioritize choosing a course that best suits ourselves."
Then she emphasized: "Don't you agree?"
Zhao Yan's mouth twitched.
She couldn't argue with that statement.
Because it was indeed true.
But the problem was...
You clearly chose the same course as Su Cheng!
How was that suitable?
How was that taking it seriously?!
"Yes, this matter indeed needs careful consideration, choosing something useful for the future."
Zhao Yan took a deep breath, nodded and replied with a smile.
Xuan Ying smiled sweetly, seemingly in a good mood, and suddenly asked: "By the way, what are you planning to choose?"
Zhao Yan was slightly stunned: "Ah... this?"
Xuan Ying said seriously: "Although I'd love to be in the same class as you, I can't be selfish this time. I can't make you choose subjects you don't like just to accompany me."
If Zhao Yan had heard these words from Xuan Ying before, she would have definitely felt touched, but this time it was clearly a case of 'prioritizing romance over friendship'!
In short, now that she was in the same class as Su Cheng, she didn't need her anymore!
"Is that so? I'm glad you're thinking this way."
Zhao Yan forced a smile as she responded.
She was quite annoyed inside, but on the surface, she had to pretend to be pleased.
"Yes, I can't let my selfishness hold you back!"
Xuan Ying blinked her big eyes, looking innocent and romantic.
If outsiders saw this, they would definitely think Xuan Ying was a perfect friend who was considerate and thoughtful.
Zhao Yan: "..."
It seemed she couldn't get answers from Xuan Ying's mouth.
Because Xuan Ying clearly didn't want to tell her.
However, she could still draw conclusions from Xuan Ying's reactions to different topics.
First, consider what courses Su Cheng might choose.
Music, calligraphy, art.
These three were definitely not options Su Cheng would choose.
That left: Information Technology, Law, and Social Studies.
"Well, I was actually thinking of taking Social Studies."
Zhao Yan said with a smile, finger on her lips.
Upon hearing this, Xuan Ying's eyes widened in surprise as she looked at Zhao Yan and asked: "Really? Have you decided for sure?"
Zhao Yan said casually: "It's just one of the options I'm considering."
But her gaze was constantly observing Xuan Ying's facial expressions.
Surprise and curiosity.
She was curious about why Zhao Yan would choose that.
So, Social Studies wasn't the right answer.
If that was really the course she'd chosen, the reaction wouldn't have been like this.
Xuan Ying's eyes sparkled as she looked at Zhao Yan and asked: "What other courses are you considering?"
"I recently realized I'm quite lacking in legal knowledge."
Zhao Yan smiled and said: "I think I should brush up on law first."
Xuan Ying was momentarily stunned upon hearing this, then nodded and said: "Law? I didn't expect we'd both be planning to choose this subject."
Hearing this, Zhao Yan understood everything.
But she still covered her mouth, pretending to be surprised: "Oh, you chose this subject too?"
"Of course, I learned my lesson about legal matters during our last outing, so naturally I had to choose this course."
"What a coincidence!"
"Yes, such a coincidence!"
They looked at each other and smiled.
Their friendship was instantly rekindled.
After that, Zhao Yan filled out her form and submitted it.
"By the way, Su Cheng, what course did you choose?"
Just then, Wang Guancong's voice came from Su Cheng's seat, and both girls turned their heads to look.
"I chose law."
Su Cheng nodded and replied.
As soon as the words fell—
Both girls immediately breathed sighs of relief. Even though they already knew, what could be more reassuring than hearing it directly from him?
.....................
Noon
Lunch break
Su Cheng was tidying his desk when suddenly a figure quietly approached him.
It was Xuan Ying.
"What is it, Xuan Ying?"
Su Cheng asked puzzled, seeing her standing there motionless.
Xuan Ying looked at Su Cheng, took out a lunchbox from behind her back, and handed it to him: "Here, this is a thank-you gift."
Su Cheng's expression changed slightly upon hearing this. After taking it, he looked at Xuan Ying and asked confusedly: "Wasn't this given to senior sister Liu?"
Xuan Ying shook her head, her cheeks flushing red. She explained: "Actually, this was specially made for you, and senior sister Liu realized that, so she returned it to me, and then..."
Her voice was low as she spoke, as if feeling guilty.
She had just searched online and learned that when giving such gifts, one must be sincere to move others.
So... she decided to tell the truth.
Although she knew Su Cheng would definitely refuse.
But at least her feelings could be conveyed.
However, things didn't go as she had imagined.
Su Cheng shook his head and said: "This gift, I really can't decline it politely, yet accepting it makes me feel unworthy. It puts me in a difficult position."
"I understand!"
Hearing this, Xuan Ying quickly lowered her head, her cheeks almost bleeding red.
Her voice was so low it was barely audible, only Su Cheng could hear it.
Seeing this, Su Cheng suddenly started rummaging through his drawer, then pulled out a can of Eight Walnuts drink, a bottle of pure milk, and a piece of bread.
"This is my lunch, would you like to trade?"
Su Cheng asked seriously.
She looked up at the young man before her, her heart pounding.
"O-of course!"
Xuan Ying's face broke into a brilliant smile as she nodded repeatedly, "I'll take them!"
Saying this, she happily put everything into her bag and bounced away.
Su Cheng looked at the lunchbox and finally picked it up and walked out of the classroom.
During this time, Xuan Ying and Zhao Yan had been secretly observing Su Cheng from their seats.
"Let's go to the cafeteria for lunch!"
Xuan Ying, seeing that Su Cheng was about to eat her lunch box, had a face full of happy smiles as she pulled Zhao Yan to go to the cafeteria.
"Wait, don't you already have lunch?"
Zhao Yan enviously glanced at Su Cheng's lunch in Xuan Ying's bag and continued: "Aren't you going to eat it?"
"Huh? Eat? Why would I eat it?"
Xuan Ying was stunned, looking at Zhao Yan in confusion.
"?"
Zhao Yan was momentarily stunned, then realized.
She was going to keep it as a memento!
This was serious!
Her best friend was showing signs of becoming a lovesick girl.
"Oh, this? I'm planning to save it for dinner!"
Xuan Ying blushed, also realizing the situation, and quickly made up an excuse.
"Alright then."
Zhao Yan nodded, and they walked out of the classroom.
.....................
On the rooftop
Su Cheng looked at the elaborate lunch box in his hand, his expression very complicated.
Because he realized that Xuan Ying might have feelings for him.
After all, making and giving someone a handmade lunch box was too obvious.
Before, he could always find reasons to convince himself not to think too much about it.
But this time, he couldn't find any excuses...
This set off alarm bells in his mind, causing him distress.
"Ah~"
Su Cheng sighed softly and opened the box lid.
As the lid was pushed open, a sweet aroma immediately wafted out, catching Su Cheng's attention.
The contents of the lunch box were clearly carefully prepared.
Su Cheng took a spoonful.
All high-quality ingredients, nutritiously rich, carefully matched, and every dish was delicious.
"Do rich people also cook this well?"
Su Cheng ate the lunch box while thinking silently.
Ten minutes later
After finishing the lunch box, Su Cheng stood up and walked down to the bathroom sink, intending to wash the container.
After washing it clean, he returned to the classroom, placed the lunch box in Xuan Ying's drawer, and walked out of the classroom.
He was going to look for his confession target.
As he passed by the campus wall, he stopped and looked at it.
"Disciplinary Committee Chairman Report"
There were more than a dozen names listed.
But Su Cheng only recognized one.
Second year, class two.
Hoshino Mirai.
The girl he had pranked on the rooftop last time.
Su Cheng looked at the notice, his brows slightly furrowed.
He shook his head and walked out of the teaching building, only to find a large group of Disciplinary Committee Members standing outside the pavilion, most of them with "available for confession" marks above their heads.
Except for the male members and Hoshino Mirai.
And sitting in the middle of the pavilion was yesterday's confession target.
The former Disciplinary Committee Chairman.
Nishizono Shizuko.
No confession mark.
He had already confessed yesterday.
"I'll go somewhere else."
Su Cheng decided to stay away, as operating under the watchful eyes of the Disciplinary Committee would be like lighting a lamp in the bathroom - pointless.
So he walked around the crowd, moving to the side.
"I know you all want to gain my support."
However, these words from inside made him stop and turn his head. He saw Nishizono Shizuko sitting properly in the pavilion, legs crossed, appearing to be giving a speech.
As soon as she finished speaking, all the Disciplinary Committee Members' breathing became rapid, their gazes intense, unable to stand still.
It seemed they all wanted to gain this support.
A supporting speech from the former Disciplinary Committee Chairman.
It was absolutely tempting.
"However, I am not one to show favoritism."
Nishizono Shizuko looked at everyone, her calm tone brooking no argument, "So I've decided to give everyone a fair chance."
"Please explain."
"We will definitely participate enthusiastically."
"Please explain the rules."
The Disciplinary Committee Members stirred with excitement.
"I hope you can earn my recognition through your own efforts, so..."
She paused briefly, then continued: "Yesterday, something happened on campus that made me extremely angry. And the cause of this incident was merely a 'childish truth or dare' game. While such games aren't inherently wrong, the punishment made me furious!"
Nishizono Shizuko's gaze was piercing as she swept it across the Disciplinary Committee Members below, her tone cold: "The punishment was to jokingly confess to female students at school. This kind of deplorable behavior shows complete disrespect for others, seriously crosses the line, and exploits others' dignity! If we don't handle this matter and let it continue, what kind of negative impact do you think it will have on our school? And yesterday, this even happened to me!"
"What?"
"How dare they!"
"That's too shameless!"
"This is an insult to all of us!"
"Disgraceful!"
As soon as Nishizono Shizuko finished speaking, the Disciplinary Committee Members below erupted in anger, all expressing their indignation.
Among the crowd, Hoshino Mirai also showed signs of anger.
One could imagine how infuriating this matter was.
"Who is it!"
"We must find that scoundrel!"
"Exactly!"
"Catch him and deal with him severely."
"Right!"
"Trampling on dignity, making fun of people, disrespecting school rules, it's just too much!"
...
For a moment, the Disciplinary Committee Members below were in an uproar.
"The rules this time are..."
Nishizono Shizuko fixed her sharp gaze on everyone and said in a deep voice: "Whoever finds the organizer of this game first!"
"Here's a hint - it's a first-year student!"
...
"Holy crap!"
Su Cheng, who had been listening nearby, broke into a cold sweat.
He hadn't expected this B-level danger.
It turned out to be this.
Being targeted by all Disciplinary Committee Members.
Su Cheng watched these Disciplinary Committee Members rush into the teaching building, feeling speechless.
But it wasn't a big problem.
He still had to make his confessions.
Nothing could stop him from confessing!
Now that all the Disciplinary Committee Members had run to the teaching building.
He could find his confession targets without worrying about being discovered.
Thinking this, Su Cheng quickly walked away and indeed spotted an elegant figure.
It was a young woman with an "available for confession" mark above her head.
She was crouching in front of a phoenix tree, playing with a small blade of grass.
Her body was slender, with graceful curves and snow-white skin.
She looked like a fairy who had wandered into the mortal world, pure and elegant.
Su Cheng glanced at her and then looked around to check for anything unusual...
Hehe... a lone girl.
Then he slowly approached her...
But at that moment, the girl suddenly stood up and turned around, meeting Su Cheng's gaze.
In that instant, Su Cheng's face turned pale, and he stepped back two or three paces.
He was clearly startled.
"Am I that frightening?"
Ji Qingyi stood straight, her expression cold, her voice calm.
"No."
Su Cheng hurriedly denied, forcing a smile on his face, "I just didn't expect to find you here, President."
Ji Qingyi looked into Su Cheng's eyes and slowly asked, "Just now I thought some greedy creature had its eyes on me."
Her seemingly casual inquiry made Su Cheng's heart pound, his palms covered in cold sweat.
"Your gaze seems somewhat different now."
Ji Qingyi stared at Su Cheng intensely, enunciating each word: "Focused on me."
Her words exploded like thunder in Su Cheng's ears.