(You punk).

After Old Liu gave a brief warning, he didn't check the phone. He continued lecturing while slowly wandering back to the podium.

Li Hua immediately relaxed and whispered a comment.

"Old Liu is naturally suspicious."

Zeng You: "Indeed."

Jiang Nian chuckled and couldn't be bothered with them. He took out his phone and browsed through news headlines by himself.

He happened to see an article about different hotpot eating styles across the country and couldn't resist clicking in to take a look.

"Sichuan's..."

Zhang Ningzhi glanced over and couldn't help but feel slightly envious. He's already starting to research eating styles so eagerly.

Hmph! Their relationship must be unusual.

But though she thought this way, she wouldn't say it out loud. Doing so would only backfire.

Once the college entrance exam is over, everything will be fine.

"Damn it, click-bait." Jiang Nian muttered, this UC Shock Department, purely a trick to generate clicks.

They claim to present nationwide hotpot styles, but really only mention a few examples. Then they start making up their own conclusions.

Jiang Nian felt indifferent and put his phone aside to pay attention to the class again.

In the blink of an eye, it was the afternoon self-study session.

Zhu Yin was busy, so he didn't give him extra lessons. The Burning Technique had already been shared; the rest was up to fate.

Li Qingrong glanced down at the physics problem.

"Which part don't you understand?"

Fate refers to having external support.

Jiang Nian didn't comprehend it, but there was a feature for seeking outside help. If it didn't work out, he could always ask Xiao Song at home.

Although for now he's mainly focused on securing his grades, it's not like he's too busy anyway, especially in this environment.

Everyone is making a final push, who could refuse to gain a few extra points?

"This... and this one too." Jiang Nian pointed while waiting for an explanation, storing it temporarily in his mind.

Li Qingrong: "..."

She was speechless for a moment and glanced at him, "Next time, just say you don't understand any of it."

Jiang Nian was shy, "I feel embarrassed to say that."

Li Hua, attracted by the commotion, glanced over and sneered silently, waiting for Jiang Nian to ask him.

However, literally no one cared.

"That's outrageous!"

He angrily left his seat to complain to Ma Guojun, "Tell me, why doesn't he ask the master!"

The big guy laughed, always finding humor in Li Hua's overconfidence, "Are you a girl?"

"My integrated scores are nearly perfect!"

"The class leader got a perfect score."

"That's outrageous..."

Li Hua felt defeated but soon saw Lin Dong, which immediately renewed his motivation to show off.

....

During the evening self-study, there was a biology, chemistry, and physics exam.

Everyone in Class Three was already accustomed, some were writing furiously. Others were dismissive, prioritizing their own test papers.

Secret exams, Hengshui exams, prediction exams, black-and-white exams.

Various types of test papers were as common as snowflakes. Everywhere in the classroom, they could spend half a day on them if they picked one up.

It was like the night before a sect showdown in a fantasy world, with elixirs and magical items everywhere.

Yet most people had grown tired of them, barely even glancing, and decided to select and practice the important ones.

Jiang Nian was much more straightforward, practicing with the Burning Technique. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Once he finished the test paper, it was already time for evening self-study to end. He packed his things and ambled towards the school gate.

Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks.

"Hm?"

A little way from the school gate, in an area with fewer pedestrians, beneath the streetlight, stood Xu Qianqian and Song Xiyun, one standing and one squatting.

"Come on, what are you doing staring over there!"

"Over here."

Jiang Nian snapped back to reality and quickly walked over, "Didn't you guys get out early, why haven't you left?"

"We were waiting for you," Xu Qianqian grumbled.

"We made a quick trip to the supermarket," Song Xiyun added, "It wasn't closing yet then."

Only now did he notice the shopping bags at the feet of both girls.

"Oh, I see."

"Mainly to buy stuff, just thought we'd wait for you a bit," Xu Qianqian said, preparing to stand up.

But after squatting for so long, her legs were already numb.

"Ah!!"

Jiang Nian reacted quickly and effortlessly pulled Xu Qianqian back to balance.

In a smooth gesture, he caught her and immediately let go. "Is this what happens with newly bought legs, did you not adjust the sensitivity?"

Xu Qianqian: "...."

She really wanted to make this guy shut up for good. If he didn't talk, he'd almost seem human.

Originally, Song Xiyun carried a plastic bag, but now handed it to Jiang Nian, then went to support Xu Qianqian.

"Why not slow down a bit before walking?"

"No need, just a minor numbness," Xu Qianqian was stubborn, "I'm fine, I can manage."

Jiang Nian: "She's a masochist."

"Go away!"

The three leisurely wandered home, Jiang Nian in high spirits. This was quite nice, much more fulfilling than walking alone.

However, it's not likely to always be like this.

Jiang Nian spent a little while in the living room across from his door before leaving, went home to wash up, worked on the test papers a bit, then turned off the lights.

The next day, Saturday.

In the morning, another single subject exam, in the afternoon discussion of integrated scores test papers, and by afternoon dismissal, the classroom seemed especially heavy.

"We had exams yesterday, exams today, exams on Monday," Sun Zhicheng put down his pen and looked out the window.

Still cloudy skies, even a bit dark.

"Sigh, only a few days left," Lin Dong rubbed his temples, "Hang in there, tomorrow's a day off."

"No, Brother Dong," Sun Zhicheng turned his head, "I just don't get the point of the third simulation exam."

Lately, he wasn't paying much attention in class anymore. The grades were set, listening to more lectures wouldn't help.

Lin Dong: "....."

Ah Cheng was showing off again.

Suddenly, on the other side of the classroom, Jiang Nian got up from his seat, but then noticed Yu Zhiyi also headed out.

Lin Dong turned and earnestly said.

"You see, that's the point of the third simulation exam. It's just that for you, there's no point."

Sun Zhicheng was taken aback, his mouth opened.

"Alright then."

"Ah Cheng, I understand you," Lin Dong patted him on the shoulder, "You say 'alright' but inside, your heart is bleeding."

Sun Zhicheng: "...."

But he didn't refute it, after all, inside his heart truly felt like it was bleeding. Even if Yu Zhiyi had nothing to do with him.

But thinking about Jiang Nian unlocking Soraka.

Couldn't stand it.

....

"Where to?"

"To pee."

Yu Zhiyi: "....Oh."

"Something up?"

"Oh, nothing, just on my way."

She followed him out but didn't really have anything to do, she was just quite satisfied with how she dressed today, so found an excuse to stroll around.

Wanted to hear Jiang Nian's thoughts, that's all.

"Oh, then go ahead." Jiang Nian took a couple of steps towards the restroom but suddenly doubled back to the stairs.

"Aha! You claim not to be following me?"

Yu Zhiyi: "...."

She swore Jiang Nian was the most boring, shameless, compassionless person she'd ever met in this world.

Bar none.

"Alright, I admit I followed you." She took a deep breath, "But it's just to ask you."

"How does this outfit look?"

With that, Yu Zhiyi twirled at the staircase. Luckily she didn't lose her balance, otherwise the consequences would have been dire.

Jiang Nian: "???"

"My vision's not great, ask someone else." He couldn't be bothered praising her, it's just curvy lines.

Couldn't even touch, what's the point in talking.

Saying that, he turned and left. No lingering attachment, since it was a public place, unlikely for anything to happen.

Nothing more to say, next time then.

Yu Zhiyi: "...."

In anger, she stomped her foot. Couldn't he see her skin condition and freshly washed hair?

No taste whatsoever!!

But she wasn't discouraged, thinking she'd been so direct just now. Couldn't help but smile a bit, walked off with hands behind her back.

Some things, when done repeatedly, become addicting, like a bottomless abyss.

A mix of shyness, competitiveness, and embarrassment would tempt her to keep exploring the edge of the abyss.

Jiang Nian didn't pay much attention, after all, Yu Zhiyi was always like that. He busied himself with eating, then returned to work on the papers.

He should return Qi Xue's notes by tomorrow, needed to digest them quickly, and ask her some things too.

People, when occupied, don't notice time passing.

In a flash, evening self-study ended.

Jiang Nian lifted his head from his seat, feeling a bit disoriented. Closed the notes and stuffed them into his bag.

Needed to leave soon, had plans for the night.

Already arranged with Xu Qianqian and the others, weekly gathering time. As the chef, he definitely couldn't be absent.

Returned home, knocked on the door across the hall.

Both girls were at the door, wearing aprons, highlighting their body curves.