Monday, November 7th.
After a week of rain the sun was finally out. It was still 20 minutes till the self-study period and Lin Yuan was sitting at his desk as the warm rays fell on him from the open window.
Next to him Zhang Li was slouched forward in his chair with his head resting on his hand. His face was listless; he had been forced to come early this morning. Looking around the classroom, most people were talking loudly in small groups. Of course some of the more serious students would have their head in a book trying to ignore the noise.
He yawned and turned to look at Lin Yuan who had become a serious student. Habitually glancing down at his desk, expecting to find some inscrutable maths problem that would make his head spin.
"Huh? You're doing English questions?"
Zhang Li was very surprised. He had heard Lin Yuan's English scores were among the worst in the class, but he'd never seen him study for English once since they'd become deskmates this year.
Shaken out of his thoughts, Lin Yuan looked up from his table to see Zhang Li's confused face.
"Yeah." Lin Yuan didn't know why Zhang Li was so surprised.
It's just English.
"No this won't do! Why are you studying English? Are you trying to betray the alliance?!" Seeing his nonchalant expression, Zhang Li's voice rose a few octaves and he spoke very righteously.
Looking at his aggrieved expression, Lin Yuan's face was dark.
Actually Zhang Li's English was much better than his, it was usually his maths and science scores that tended to fluctuate.
I just don't know why he chose science class instead of liberal arts?
"What do you mean to betray the alliance? Your English is better than mine."
Zhang Li didn't feel embarrassed by being called out. He shook his head and explained with great sincerity, "Lin Yuan you and I are like yin and yang. You are good at maths and I'm good at English. Now if you suddenly start studying don't you realise our qi will be out of balance. Any disturbance in the flow of qi could have disastrous consequences. The best case your meridians will explode, your heart rhythm will be interrupted…" Zhang Li's face turned more grave as he continued "and your kidneys will be damaged…"
Lin Yuan had already quickly grown used to his nonsense these past two months, so he was just going to ignore it, when someone interrupted.
"Zhang Li, why are you disturbing Lin Yuan again?"
Lin Yuan turned to look at the person standing in front of their desk. She was a beautiful girl with medium length black hair that was tied in a ponytail, wearing thin framed glasses and holding an exercise book in her hands. Overall, she looked very studious.
When Zhang Li heard the discordant voice his face instantly changed.
"What are you talking about Zhang Yin?! Don't slander me like that?" He tried to sound angry but he seemed a little scared.
Zhang Yin just ignored him and turned to Lin Yuan, and said seriously, "Are you studying English? That's good, your English has always been the lowest in the class. This is the last year so you should try to make up for your weaknesses. Do you want to look at some of my notes, you probably haven't made any right?"
Even though there were still some unnecessary words in between, Zhang Yin was still very thoughtful as she held out the book in her hand.
Before Lin Yuan could answer Zhang Li waved his hands and spoke very excitedly, "Lin Yuan don't listen to her. Look, I'll give you my notes. Whose do you think would be better, the number one in the grade or second place?!"
He said that last line while turning his nose up at Zhang Yin, but unfortunately she wasn't phased and just kept looking at Lin Yuan.
Looking at his deskmate that seemed to be getting more upset, Lin Yuan felt like their interactions looked a little familiar.
"Thanks." He looked up at Zhang Yin and nodded sincerely as he took the exercise book with both hands.
Actually, while Zhang Li had the best English marks, he had never seen him take the class seriously. He had heard that Zhang Li had lived in Hong Kong before and that's why his English was so good. Feeling that his notes were probably full of doodles, Lin Yuan couldn't help but feel even more grateful to Zhang Yin.
Don't worry class monitor, I'll make sure Zhang Li doesn't goof around anymore.
Lin Yuan made a solemn oath in his heart.
Seeing him take the exercise book Zhang Yin smiled lightly. "By the way, I've already filled that one so it's fine if you return it to me in a few days."
Then glancing at Zhang Li, she snorted, "And you. You better start studying properly, or I'll be telling your mother."
Before waiting for his reaction, Zhang Yin walked away very gracefully.
"You…you…" Zhang Li was choked as he looked at her leaving back. He was about to shout something, but then thinking of his mother's figure holding a large rolling pin, whose wood was filled with the echoes of his tortured cries, Zhang Li just sighed and deflated back into his chair.
Ignoring the figure who was sulking beside him Lin Yuan began to seriously copy Zhang Yin's English notes.
She said I can take my time, but I'll try to return it today. I shouldn't take advantage of people's kindness.
Even though he seemed detached, Lin Yuan was still a good boy.
There was finally some quiet for a while but it was soon disturbed by Zhang Li's soft voice.
"...By the way, why is she bothering you so much?"
Lin Yuan looked up slightly. Zhang Li's face was nonchalant but he sounded a little concerned. Lin Yuan couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
Interesting.
"It's because of Teacher Wei. He probably asked her to."
"Oh…oh."
"Right, she is the class monitor…"
Zhang Li thought about it and felt it seemed to make sense. He was happy thinking that Zhang Yin would be nagging Lin Yuan instead now.
Looking at him laughing like a fool, then thinking of the strict class monitor, Lin Yuan felt worried. Zhang Li, unaware he was being looked down on, leaned back in his chair again and began to talk relaxedly.
"Oh also, a bunch of the guys from Class 2 said they were going to play basketball at lunch. Do you want to join us?"
"No."
Then Lin Yuan thought about it for a second and added, "I have to go to the library today. Do you want to come?"
Zhang Li thought about it for a moment, then shook his head thinking he'd already made a promise,"No, I already promised them, I'll go with you next time. Actually, the reason I wanted you to come was mainly because those guys are all cheaters. They're from the basketball team so they just gang up on me…"
"Actually, did I tell you that last year we had a…"
"By the way, have you read the new chapter of Battle Through the Sky, this author is really annoying, he suddenly started updating after half a year…"
"Hey, when are you going to play League again? Those guys last time completely ruined my rankings, you know I was tricked…"
And so Zhang Li kept chattering away, totally forgetting Zhang Yin's warning, while Lin Yuan would scribble on his paper seriously while occasionally nodding or humming in acknowledgement.
It seemed his solemn oath was also quickly forgotten.
…
…
…
"Class dismissed." With the sound of the teacher leaving everyone started talking. People began slowly packing up their things and talking about their plans
"Ahhhh…"
Zhang Li yawned loudly and stretched lazily onto the table. It's probably because he didn't get much sleep last night and he had to wake early but he felt exhausted. He sighed, thinking he should've caught up on sleep at lunch.
I should have just gone with Lin Yuan to the library instead of playing with those cheaters from Class 2.
The library also has air conditioning…
He sighed again, feeling very regretful. Lin Yuan was such a nice guy and he'd failed to see his good intentions.
Turning to the side, he looked at Lin Yuan packing up quietly. The red rays of the setting sun were falling behind him, giving him a transcendent glow and the gentle evening breeze blew his hair lightly. Zhang Li was dazed.
"Hey Lin Yuan, you look pretty good…"
Lin Yuan's figure paused instantly. He felt a chill down his spine as he heard Zhang Li's languid voice.
Looking up suddenly, his shocked eyes met Zhang Li's sincere gaze. Lin Yuan couldn't help but feel scared.
"You, you, what are you talking about?!"
Seeing Lin Yuan's flustered look, Zhang Li was pleasantly surprised. This was the first time Zhang Li had ever seen him make that expression.
Without any shame, he continued in a sweet tone "What's wrong? I said you look good. Hey, how about we have a date later at my parents' noodle place, I'll treat you." He even blinked his eyes cutely and put on an expectant expression.
Zhang Li had expected to see Lin Yuan freak out again, so when he saw his face quickly return to a calm smile and the hint of mockery in his eyes, Zhang Li instantly felt something was wrong.
"What's this about a date?"
Hearing Zhang Yin's drawling voice coming from behind him, Zhang Li cursed in his mind.
Nice guy, what a joke! This kid is really sinister!
"Hey, what's this about a date? Zhang Li, I didn't realise you were like that -" Zhang Yin asked again in a loud voice.
"- Zhang Yin, stop talking nonsense!" Zhang Li quickly stood up and glanced around to make sure no one was paying attention to them.
"Hmm I don't know, it didn't seem like nonsense. " Then she had a look of realisation and spoke a little more quietly "Oh I know…trust me I won't tell anyone. I don't judge, in fact I give you my blessings!"
"Zhang Yin! You!"
Lin Yuan glanced at the two of them messing around and for some reason he couldn't help himself, "Zhang Li, I appreciate your feelings for me but I'm sorry I can't agree to it. I hope we can still be friends."
He spoke very sincerely and bowed deeply.
This time both Zhang Li and Zhang Yin were stunned.
"You, why are you playing along with her nonsense?!" Zhang Li felt a little helpless now that even Lin Yuan had joined in. Glancing at Zhao Yin, who was looking at Lin Yuan still surprised, he couldn't help but curse that this woman was really the bane of his existence.
…
…
…
Standing at the school gates, looking at Lin Yuan on one side and Zhang Yin on the other, Zhang Li was confused.
Why is this woman still following us?
Deciding to ignore her, Zhang Li put his arms around Lin Yuan's shoulders. Or at at least attempted to before it was quickly shuffled off.
Unabated, he continued "Lin Yuan, let's go to my house, I wasn't lying before, I'll treat you this time."
"Are you going to the restaurant? I'll come." Before Lin Yuan could reply, Zhang Yin interrupted from the side with a calm voice.
Zhang Li thought that he should berate her for joining in their plans inconsiderately. Looking at Lin Yuan beside him, Zhang Li felt braver. He turned toward her only to catch a glimpse of her sharp eyes staring at him.
"Ahem…"
What's with that look? Scary.
Zhang Li decided to compromise, besides a trio wasn't too bad.
"I can't. I have something to do." Unfortunately Lin Yuan shattered this thought the next second.
"Come on, you know I was only joking in class before." Zhang Li thought he was still trying to mess with him and couldn't help but clarify with a dark face.
Lin Yuan glanced at him, and smiled, then quickly putting away his smile then he said calmly, "It's not that, I really have something to do. You should treat the class monitor instead. I'll see you tomorrow."
Nodding quickly toward Zhang Yin, Lin Yuan fled toward the bicycle shed before Zhang Li could react.
Zhang Li turned to Zhang Yin mechanically. Thinking of what Zhang Yin had said in the morning about telling his mother about his marks, Zhang Li was worried.
"Ummm…actually I think I made an appointment with… I mean, I'm not really hungry…"
"Oh, but don't you still have to go home?"
"Aha, actually I've decided to stay overnight here, so I can study in the library. I think what you said before makes a lot of sense, this is the last year before the entrance exams I should study hard from now on -"
"- Okay stop messing around. Let's go"
With that she started walking toward the school gate. Zhang Li stood still and watched her go.
Only an idiot would go with you!
"..."
Listening to the steps that were catching up with her and the faint grumbling, Zhang Yin had a smile on her face.