LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 290
“Xu Lin, read out the class monitor’s essay.”
“Alright.”
Xu Lin took the test paper from the Chinese teacher’s hand and began to read Ji Yun’s outstanding composition aloud.
Xu Lin’s voice wasn’t particularly pleasant originally, but ever since leveling up his singing to Lv2, his voice had improved significantly. With daily breathing exercises, he no longer had issues like excess saliva or phlegm while speaking; his voice was now clear and smooth.
As he read, the students and teacher couldn’t help but feel a little surprised. Who knew Xu Lin had this in him? After a few minutes, Xu Lin handed the paper back to Ji Yun and sat down. The Chinese teacher clapped, followed by a round of applause from the class.
“Well read! Everyone should learn from Xu Lin. Even though the college entrance exams don’t include an interview, preparing yourself like this will help in the future.”
The class continued as the teacher explained key points about essay writing. Everyone took out their notebooks and began jotting down notes.
After class, Xu Lin glanced at the schedule and saw that the next class was history. He rubbed his wrist. Oh, man, my hand’s going to fall off.
The history teacher’s teaching method was simple: “The more you write, the more you’ll remember.” As a result, students had a love-hate relationship with the subject. They liked it because there were no oral questions or practice problems, but they hated it because it was so hard on their hands—writing and memorizing nonstop.
The 45 minutes of hand labor finally ended, and school was dismissed. Xu Lin glanced at Ji Yun and noticed her eyelids drooping.Zhuo Yan and Li Bin also noticed and turned to look at him.
“Why are you all staring at me?”
“We’ve never seen the class monitor like this before. Did you make her stay up late?”
“Ma Zhiyu, how could I possibly make the class monitor stay up late? Don’t spread nonsense!” Xu Lin shot a glare at Ma Zhiyu.
If word gets out, it’ll ruin my future wife’s reputation! I haven’t even won her over yet, and you’re already stirring things up?!
“I was just joking!”
“Well, don’t joke about stuff like that.”
“Exactly! My Ji Yun is definitely virtuous. As long as she’s not married, there’s no way this little rascal could succeed!” Zhuo Yan chimed in.
“Who are you calling a rascal…” Xu Lin looked at Zhuo Yan. Ji Yun’s best friend really had a sharp tongue.
“What marriage?!” Ji Yun suddenly sat upright and looked at them.
“Ji Yun, we’re just chatting for fun.”
“Sorry, I didn’t sleep well last night.”
“It’s fine. Let’s go. Time to head home.”
“Yeah, let’s go home,” Ji Yun replied casually, reaching out and grabbing Xu Lin’s hand.
“Whoa, whoa, holding hands already?” The students who hadn’t left the classroom teased them.
“Yup, and you all wish you could hold this hand but can’t~” Ji Yun responded for the first time, lifting her and Xu Lin’s arms into the air.
“Haha, the class monitor is showing off her relationship now! My youth is over!”
“Ugh, my class monitor!”
“Alright, let’s go. I’m done eating dog food.”
“Haha, class monitor, you two better keep up your studies!”
Amidst the laughter and banter, everyone left the classroom. Xu Lin and Ji Yun got up and prepared to leave as well.
“Are you two officially dating now?” Zhuo Yan walked over, grabbing her best friend’s hand and giving Xu Lin a sideways glance. Xu Lin didn’t say anything.
“Nope, I never agreed,” Ji Yun replied.
“But doing this is basically making it public.”
“Wasn’t it already public knowledge?”
“That’s different. Rumors are different from you confirming it yourself.”
“Doesn’t matter~” Ji Yun smiled sweetly and shot Xu Lin a quick glance.
Zhuo Yan understood immediately. Once her best friend made up her mind, she wouldn’t waver. Still, it wasn’t a bad choice.
Xu Lin was handsome, academically excellent, and even good at acting. Such an outstanding guy was barely worthy of her best friend.
“Zhuo Yan, to be honest, it’s time for you to find a boyfriend.”
Xu Lin glanced at Zhuo Yan, who was glaring at him fiercely, and threw out the comment.
“How could a top student like me possibly have time for a boyfriend?”
“Then why is it that we, who are not top students, still score better than you?”
“Get lost!”
Zhuo Yan waved her arm angrily and stormed out. Ji Yun gave Xu Lin a light smack on the arm.
“Xu Lin, you’re bullying Zhuo Yan again.”
“Me? Bully her? I’m already lucky if she doesn’t bully me. To make up for it, how about I treat her to something good to eat?”
“Something to eat?”
“Come over to my house for a good meal at noon.”
“Sure! But Sister Chu is out with Teacher Guan today.”
“What a pity. Well, the three of us can eat, then.”
“That tone of yours doesn’t sound like you mean ‘what a pity’ at all. When Sister Chu comes back, I’m definitely reporting this!”
“Class monitor Ji, resorting to tattling now? Let’s get going—your bestie might just head home if we take too long.”
—
Ten minutes later, Zhuo Yan trailed behind Xu Lin and Ji Yun with a bitter expression, her legs sore and feeling like she’d been cheated.
“I’m eating a meal with you two lovebirds, and I still have to walk so far? Couldn’t you have just biked or called a cab?”
“We didn’t bring any money.”
“You two really are something else. By the way, what are you treating me to?”
“Sichuan sausages. You know, lap cheong.”
“Are they authentic?”
“Of course! If I’m treating you, it has to be the real deal.”
Hearing this, Zhuo Yan finally nodded in satisfaction. Suddenly, her legs and feet didn’t feel so sore anymore.
When they reached the community and stood downstairs at Xu Lin’s building, Zhuo Yan realized his house was closer to Ji Yun’s than she’d thought. Still, when they got to Xu Lin’s door, Zhuo Yan felt a bit nervous—it was her first time visiting a male classmate’s house, after all.
Xu Lin opened the door, and she followed him in, immediately spotting Xu Lin’s mom, whom she’d met during a parent-teacher conference before.
“Ji Yun’s here! Long time no see.” Mrs. Li greeted warmly as she approached.
“Auntie, I haven’t had a chance to come chat with you recently.”
“It’s fine, it’s fine. You’ve lost weight, haven’t you?”
“No, I haven’t. Oh, by the way, this is my good friend, Zhuo Yan, from the same class.”
“Hello, Auntie.” Usually bold, Zhuo Yan suddenly turned as shy as a little sparrow.
“Zhuo Yan, your mom has long hair, right?”
“Yes, that’s my mom.”
“Have a seat. I’ve already started cooking—it’ll be ready soon. Xu Lin, call Qingchan and Fengyi to join us.”
“Sister Chu is out. Xu Lin, you call Sister Fengyi and Sister Liu instead.”
“Got it.”
Xu Lin went to his room to make the calls, while Zhuo Yan and Ji Yun sat on the sofa, noticing a woman with her hair in a bun busy in the kitchen.
“Who’s that?”
“Probably Xu Lin’s cousin,” Ji Yun said.
Xu Lin had mentioned her earlier that morning, but it was Zhuo Yan’s first time seeing her—a beauty, no less. But since she was just a cousin, there shouldn’t be anything to worry about, right?
“Hey, hey, who’s this ‘Sister Chu’ you keep mentioning?”
“She’s a good friend of both Xu Lin and me.”
“A ‘good friend,’ huh?”
“She’s Teacher Chu’s sister.”
“Oh, I see. So, is Teacher Chu Fengyi really Xu Lin’s cousin?”
“She is… yeah…”
“But they don’t feel like cousins. Oh, and who’s this Sister Liu?”
“She’s, um…”
Suddenly, Ji Yun’s face twisted into a look of utter defeat.
“Xu Lin! I can’t handle this anymore—get back here now!”
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