Chapter 148: A Stunning Glimpse

After the first Evening Self-Study ended, a large group of people rushed out of the classroom carrying book baskets to grab spots by the Stairwell Entrance.

Li Hua sighed contentedly about the peaceful passage of time, even taking a sip of hot water and exhaling white mist.

“Tsk tsk, the people of the world rush about anxiously.”

Jiang Nian was busy reviewing for the exam and didn’t even look up. They only had two Evening Self-Studys in total today, and he needed to move quickly after setting up the Examination Venue later.

Xu Qianqian was impatient, yet insisted on waiting. When she got anxious from waiting, she would sulk.

Yu Tongjie’s expression kept changing after class. He wanted to rush for a spot. Then he remembered he clearly had a chance this afternoon but chose to sit and wait instead, filling him with regret.

If he moved now, wouldn’t that just prove he had lost?

Sounds of “There are no spots left over there” constantly drifted from the corridor, making Yu Tongjie hesitate and unable to make a decision, yet he still refused to get up.

Finally, he gave up. It wasn’t like there was absolutely nowhere to put his books.

At worst, he could put them on the stairs. The Senior Three Building had no shortage of books. Could the books really get lost? Who would want a pile of relatively useless books anyway?

Yang Qiming rushed out carrying his book basket, his heart filled with extreme anxiety. He internally cursed the Homeroom Teacher as a bastard, wondering why he couldn’t speak up earlier—everything was always a step too slow.

He walked to the Stairwell Entrance closest to the classroom, only to find it already full. He cursed under his breath, exerted himself running to the other side. It was full too.

“Old Liu is truly a sinner of Class Three, such a bastard!”

Yang Qiming put down his book basket, sweat faintly seeping from his forehead. He had no affection for the Homeroom Teacher; his curses had already extended to Old Liu’s household register.

More and more people surged toward this area, ultimately returning disappointed, just like him.

Ring ring ring, the bell for the second Evening Self-Study rang.

He couldn’t help but sigh, his gaze falling upon the restroom not far away. A few people who really didn’t want to move their books back had already started placing them in the dry area outside the restroom.

Should he follow suit?

If he quickly placed his books outside the restroom now, he might still grab a good spot. If he hesitated any longer, he might not even get a spot at all. As for cleanliness…

It was far enough away that, logically, it shouldn’t pick up any smell.

Just as Yang Qiming was hesitating, someone patted his shoulder from behind. He turned his head and saw a familiar, honest smile, causing him to feel surprised.

“Cailang?”

“Brother Yang, still haven’t found a place to put your books?” Huang Cailang’s forehead was sweaty, and his nostrils were damp too; he must have run all the way here after dropping off his own books.

“Yeah, there’s no room anywhere. Some people are going to put them in the Office,” Yang Qiming said helplessly. “Class has started, I guess I’ll just move them back.”

He had just been hesitating about whether to grab a spot near the restroom, but now that he ran into an acquaintance, he immediately dismissed the idea. He must have been crazy.

Just thinking about having to retrieve his books from the restroom entrance every time he attended self-study…

Hmm.

“Yeah, they won’t let anyone put books in the corridors throughout the whole grade,” Huang Cailang said. “I saw some people planning to move them back to the Dorms, and others planning to move them to the Senior Two Building.”

“Brother Yang, put yours with mine. Stack them on top of my book basket.”

“What?” Yang Qiming was stunned.

“I managed to grab a spot, though it’s not a great one.” Huang Cailang scratched his head and smiled honestly. “If you don’t mind, Brother Yang, we can put both our book baskets together.”

Hearing this, Yang Qiming was greatly moved and patted his shoulder.

“How could I mind? Seriously, thank you, Cailang. I don’t know what to say, I’ve had a lot going on recently.”

“It’s nothing, Brother. Everything will get better,” Huang Cailang said sincerely, his smile looking particularly honest. “Don’t give up, Brother.”

“Yeah! Everything will get better!” Yang Qiming carried his books toward the classroom. “Cailang, what do you want to eat tonight? I’ll treat you.”

“No, no, no need to spend money.” Huang Cailang shook his head like a rattle-drum. “It was just a small favor. How could I accept Brother Yang’s Late-Night Snack?”

“What’s the big deal? Want some Wontons?” Yang Qiming thought Huang Cailang was just being polite.

Huang Cailang thought to himself, accepting the Wontons would make it seem like he only came for the meal. He wasn’t that kind of person; he was thinking of Brother Yang.

“Seriously, no need, Brother Yang. I already ate your snacks yesterday, how can I accept more? I should be treating you to Wontons. If you consider me a Brother, don’t refuse.”

Yang Qiming immediately felt a warmth in his heart, thinking that Cailang had excellent character and was worthy of deep friendship.

“Alright!”

The two arrived at the Stairwell Entrance. Yang Qiming set down his book basket, stacking it on top of Huang Cailang’s book frame.

Just as he straightened up, he heard Ji Jiayu’s voice complaining. He followed the sound out of curiosity and saw Ji Jiayu and Yuan Zhengchuan standing by the stairwell.

“There are absolutely no spots! I told you to follow Jiang Nian and move them this afternoon, but you kept making excuses!”

Yuan Zhengchuan was irritated by the scolding, frowned, and couldn’t help but retort.

“How was I supposed to know Old Liu would go back on his word! If we couldn’t put them in the corridor, we’d have to move them back and forth, and how could I manage that alone?”

“Then what do we do now?” Ji Jiayu was anxious; self-study had already started.

Yang Qiming felt indifferent and prepared to turn around and return to the classroom.

Suddenly, he heard Huang Cailang speak.

“Um, Ji Jiayu’s book basket can be stacked on top of Brother Dong’s book basket. He won’t mind.”

Hmm? Yang Qiming turned back, looked at Huang Cailang, and felt confused. Since when was Cailang so familiar with Ji Jiayu, and Lin Dong…

Mentioning that name made him feel a little uncomfortable too.

His former good Brother had moved Dorms, separated only by a wall. Yet, he could clearly feel the distance growing between them, to the point where they weren’t even as close as he was with Cailang.

“Really?” Ji Jiayu asked in surprise.

Huang Cailang didn’t dare look into the eyes of her Boyfriend, Yuan Zhengchuan, only remembering Lin Dong’s instructions. He could only bite the bullet, hummed in agreement, and advised.

“Just tell Brother Dong later; he’s very generous.”

“Okay, thank you!” Ji Jiayu’s eyes curved into crescent moons as she smiled.

Yuan Zhengchuan’s face was completely dark. He wanted nothing more than to slam Huang Cailang against the wall and interrogate him. Are you people sick, trying to seduce other people’s Girlfriends!

Couldn’t he find a spot himself! Damn it!

But he couldn’t say that out loud; he could only think it internally. If he indulged in momentary gratification, how would the book storage problem be solved? Was he supposed to move everything back to the dorm?

Don’t be ridiculous, his arms would break.

Forget it, endure!

The second Evening Self-Study had already been underway for ten minutes.

Because it was the final Evening Self-Study, the atmosphere inside the classroom was unusually restless. The teacher hadn’t arrived, and the class was chaotic, like a Vegetable Market.

Li Hua watched Ji Jiayu talking to Lin Dong by the window, and seeing her Boyfriend’s deathly poker face, he couldn’t help but laugh out loud and turned his head to say.

“I didn’t realize Lin Dong was so popular.”

Jiang Nian hummed in response, grabbed Li Hua, and pointed to a question on the Test Paper.

“How do you do this problem?”

Ring ring ring, the second Evening Self-Study ended.

Everyone left school to go home, but a small portion of people had been so engrossed in reviewing that they hadn’t cleaned out their Desks or grabbed spots this afternoon, and were only starting to tidy up now.

Zhang Ningzhi and Huang Fang each held a Broom, staring blankly at the messy classroom.

Li Hua walked over and started directing them.

“You two sweep the Third Large Group first; most of the people over there have left.”

“Alright.”

“Oh, okay.”

Li Hua scratched his head, annoyed by the cluttered classroom. Damn it, what kind of stuff did these brats hide in their Drawers? A Desk Universe, right!

Whenever it was time to clear out the Desks, all sorts of trash came pouring out.

Those with better manners knew to collect it and throw it in the Trash Can, but those with poor manners simply dumped everything onto the floor. Crash! The floor was covered in garbage.

“What the hell, why is there so much trash?” Zeng You came over carrying a Trash Can and couldn’t help but complain. “These guys are red stones.”

Jiang Nian left immediately after class, went down to the Third Floor, and greeted Xu Qianqian.

“Where are your books?”

“Hmph, they were taken care of ages ago,” Xu Qianqian said, pulling her Best Friend closer. “Thanks to Xiyun’s reminder, we reserved our spots at noon.”

Song Xiyun looked slightly embarrassed. “The teacher told me that we could put books over there.”

“The Class Representative is awesome, knowing all the news.” After praising Song Xiyun, Jiang Nian glanced at Xu Qianqian. “Are you coming up to the Fourth Floor to wait with me?”

“No, it’s too much trouble. I’m too lazy to go up,” Xu Qianqian refused.

Jiang Nian didn’t press the issue; he had invited her yesterday and been refused. At the time, he thought she was shy, but now it seemed she genuinely didn’t want to go, so he just nodded.

“Fine.”

Song Xiyun looked at the two of them and asked cautiously.

“I’m planning to go home and review. What about you two?”

Jiang Nian spread his hands. “I have duty today.”

Xu Qianqian tilted her head. “I’m waiting for my son to finish school.”

The corridor light flickered.

“Ah! Jiang Nian, are you trying to kill me! Don’t pinch my face!” Xu Qianqian jumped away, rubbed her cheek, and hid behind Song Xiyun. “Xiyun, call the police!”

Song Xiyun hugged Xu Qianqian, then let go and waved goodbye to both of them.

“Then I’m heading home now. Bye-bye.”

“I’m going back to the classroom.”

As Jiang Nian went upstairs and Song Xiyun went downstairs, only Xu Qianqian remained on the Third Floor, standing alone with her Backpack amid the bustling crowd. She habitually pulled out her Phone.

Li Qingrong had just come up from the General Affairs Office on the First Floor, walking against the flow of people until she reached the Third Floor. Catching a quick glimpse at the Stairwell Entrance, her eyes met those of a girl in the corridor.

Under the dim corridor light, the girl had an outstanding aura, and her face was smooth like jade. She was playing with her Phone, which gave Li Qingrong a sense of familiarity.

Xu Qianqian also saw Li Qingrong, and her gaze immediately became fixed.

That cool, aloof demeanor, that ‘Girl-Slaying’ High Ponytail, that beautiful face.

For a moment, Xu Qianqian inexplicably sensed a familiar magnetic field around the other girl. Had they met somewhere before?

Thinking carefully, she couldn’t recall when they might have met.

Their gazes crossed, fleetingly.

Li Qingrong slowly went up to the Fourth Floor, passed through the crowded corridor, and arrived at the Classroom Entrance. The Fluorescent Lights were as bright as day, and the floor inside was a ruin.

Zeng You knocked the Dustpan against the Large Red Barrel, put his hands on his hips, and shouted.

“Why is there so much trash! Damn it!”

He turned his head, saw the Class Monitor enter, and immediately fell silent.

Zhang Ningzhi and Huang Fang were sweeping the classroom, while the other three boys—Jiang Nian, Wu Jungu, and Li Hua—were responsible for moving the Desks. The sound of scraping immediately filled the classroom, extremely jarring to the ear.

Jiang Nian turned his head and saw Li Qingrong walking toward him.