Old Zhou didn’t wait until the end of the evening study session to hand out the seat numbers. Instead, he came during the second period.

As for why it was the second period, it was because he was eating during the first.

"Stick these on the left side of your desks. Just use some tape to secure them."

Carrying the seat numbers, Old Zhou slowly made his way around, handing them out.

When he got to Li Zhi’s side, he looked at Young Master Li, still slumped over her desk, but didn’t say anything.

Instead, he handed the seat number to Shen Yuan and gestured toward Li Zhi.

"Stick this on for her."

"I don’t know how to do this problem."

Old Zhou gave him a look of disgust. "I’ll come back later."

After handing out all the seat numbers, Old Zhou returned to Shen Yuan’s desk.

Zhongdeng struck a flamboyant pose and began explaining the problem to Shen Yuan.

"Got it now?"

Shen Yuan nodded. "Now I get it."

The corner of Old Zhou’s mouth twitched.

’This damn kid.’

"If there’s anything else you don’t understand, you can also ask Zhou Shaojie. He’s good at math."

"I can’t understand him," Shen Yuan said honestly. "He’s not cut out to be a teacher."

Ah Jie got agitated hearing that. "Hey, hey, hey! I guess this isn’t one of those times you’re copying my homework, is it?!"

Old Zhou’s expression froze.

’Dammit, I’m the head teacher and I’m right here. Could you guys show me a little respect?’

"Copying homework is one thing, explaining problems is another. You dare say you’re better at explaining things than Old Zhou?"

Old Zhou raised an eyebrow, very satisfied.

"Can you even fucking understand him?"

"Hey, just because I couldn’t understand him before doesn’t mean I can’t understand him now!"

Old Zhou’s expression froze again.

’So you’re telling me you really couldn’t understand me before, you brat?!’

Old Zhou reached out and smacked both Shen Yuan and Zhou Shaojie on the head.

"Get back to studying. The exams are tomorrow, what are you still chattering about?"

Ah Jie looked at Old Zhou in disbelief. "What the hell? Weren’t you the one who brought me up in the first place?"

Old Zhou said nothing and slipped away.

Leaving Ah Jie to fume by himself.

"Dammit, I’m going to aim for a specific score on this math test! I’ll get an 89! That’ll piss Zhongdeng off!"

"Literally, turn into a dog!"

Ah Jie’s expression stiffened, and he immediately changed his tune. "On second thought, never mind. I don’t want to be a stray dog."

Shen Yuan burst out laughing. "If Chekhov saw you, *Chameleon* would have been a full-length novel."

"You bastard!"

"Quiet!" The discipline monitor, Yang Yimeng, shot them a glare.

...

Perhaps because she’d been indulging her cravings lately, Li Zhi, having eaten too much ice cream, still felt exhausted by the third period of evening study.

"See what happens when you eat so much ice cream? Now you feel awful, don’t you!"

Hearing Shen Yuan’s words, Li Zhi’s pout grew more pronounced before she turned her head away, ignoring him.

Seeing her like this, Shen Yuan dropped the subject of ice cream and asked something else.

"Hey, if you’re really not feeling up to it, you should have your family come pick you up after school."

After he spoke, Li Zhi moved her head slightly.

It seemed to be a nod.

Shen Yuan then took out his phone and sent a message to Old Shen.

Old Shen replied promptly that he was working overtime but said he would let Old Li know to come and get them.

’Heh, you old coot. Not exactly jumping at the chance, are you.’

Shen Yuan turned to Li Zhi. "Old Shen’s working overtime. My father-in—ahem, your dad is coming to pick you up."

The words had barely left his mouth when Young Master Li shot him a resentful glare.

Shen Yuan gently slapped his own mouth. "My stupid mouth-to-brain filter is bugging out. I’ve been watching too many short videos lately."

Li Zhi huffed, tossed out a "Got it," and went back to resting on her desk.

She didn’t press the issue.

Normally, Li Zhi would have shot back with something like, "I’m your daddy."

Simple trash talk, ultimate satisfaction.

But right now, even if she had the will, she was completely drained of energy.

She couldn’t be bothered to trade barbs with him. It was too much effort.

A slight smile curved Shen Yuan’s lips. Just as he was about to say something, he felt a bump against his hand.

Shen Yuan turned to Zhou Shaojie. "What is it?"

Ah Jie said slyly, "Were you about to say ’father-in-law’ just now?"

"What are you talking about?"

Shen Yuan feigned disgust. "You’re so young. Is your brain already failing you, or are your ears going bad too?"

Ah Jie shot him a mock-threatening glare. "Then what did you mean by ’my father-in’?"

"What’s wrong with that? It’s just a term of address! Young Master Li’s dad is an older guy, isn’t he?"

Ah Jie immediately scoffed. "It’s not like I haven’t seen him at parent-teacher conferences."

"He just ages well."

Ah Jie looked at Shen Yuan, then waved his hand dismissively. "Forget it, forget it. This is lame."

Shen Yuan chuckled and grabbed Ah Jie. "Spit it out. Were you thinking of putting me on the Early Love Prohibition Association’s priority watchlist?"

"Am I that kind of person? Huh? Lao Yuan! I may be a key operative of the Early Love Prohibition Association, but search your heart and ask yourself: am I, Zhou Shaojie, the kind of person who would be so treacherous?"

Ah Jie thumped his chest. "Am I the kind of person who would frame his brother to gain glory?"

Shen Yuan’s brows furrowed as he stared intently into Ah Jie’s eyes.

"This is true love."

"This is definitely true love."

Yang Ze and Chen Mingyu turned around, their expressions filled with approval.

"Fuck off!" Ah Jie immediately cursed back.

"Quiet! Class isn’t over yet!"

As soon as the discipline monitor, Yang Yimeng, spoke, the four of them settled down.

But it was only about three or four minutes later that the bell signaling the end of school rang.

Ah Ze shot up from his seat.

"Bromance! Ah Jie and Lao Yuan were making eyes at each other during class!"

"Holy shit? How do you even do that?"

"Here! Look into my eyes! Are they not filled with love?"

"Besides any trace of intelligence, yeah, I can see everything."

Ah Jie’s hand shot out in a "monkey-steals-the-peach" groin grab, making Ah Ze leap up with a yelp.

"I’m hit! Michael!"

Someone immediately jumped up and started singing, "Annie are you OK? Are you OK?"

"Hollow! Thank you!"

The originally dynamic rhythm was immediately derailed.

But that’s how it is with singing—as long as you’re having fun, that’s all that matters.

Just screaming your lungs out at random is good enough.

I’m happy when I sing; you’re miserable when you listen.

But what does your misery have to do with me?

Today, Shen Yuan was carrying both backpacks.

Li Zhi wasn’t carrying hers.

Even though Young Master Li was exhausted from her period, she wasn’t so tired that she couldn’t walk.

After all, she had rested for most of the day and had regained some strength.

If she really couldn’t manage, it would be no trouble for Shen Yuan to support her.

As a gentleman of the new era, he knew not to offer help to a lady until she asked for it.

She might not necessarily need your help.

That was called respect.

The two were walking side by side across campus when Li Zhi’s phone suddenly rang.

It was from her dad, asking if they were out of the school yet.

After hanging up, Li Zhi looked at Shen Yuan in confusion. "My dad says he’s probably pretty conspicuous."

Shen Yuan looked puzzled.

’Conspicuous?’

’What kind of stunt could this father-in—oh, no, this uncle of mine, pull just by picking someone up?’

However, once the two of them reached the school gate, they found out exactly what "conspicuous" meant.

On the dimly lit street, a bright yellow arrow stood out in the crowd.

↓

Beneath it, Old Li’s handsome face beamed with a proud smile.

Li Zhi covered her face.

Just then, Li Zhi heard Shen Yuan’s voice, full of admiration.

"Holy crap! That’s awesome! So awesome!"

With that, Shen Yuan waved at Old Li. "Liangzai! Over here!"

Li Zhi suddenly felt so, so drained.