Chapter Sixteen: Learn and Apply
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This is bad... I'm doomed...
My own goddess actually took the initiative to poke me—that obviously means she wants something! But at this moment, He Tianran hadn’t yet been transformed by Wen Liang to the point where he could effortlessly converse with Cao Aiqing. He could only force himself to stay calm, keeping a serious expression to hide his excitement.
“What’s up?”
His voice was low and magnetic; after all, playing it cool is a skill engraved in every inexperienced young man’s soul.
“He Tianran is really so aloof. If this keeps up, he’ll lose big compared to Zhang.”
Cao Aiqing thought to herself, then quietly said, “He Tianran, aren’t you going to do something about it?”
He Tianran tilted his head slightly. “Do something? What do you mean?”
Not only was the boy bewildered, but Cao Aiqing was also a little lost. After thinking for a moment, she said, “I mean you and Wen! Weren’t you together last Friday?”
“...”
Seems like her gossip was a bit behind the times.
He Tianran turned his attention back to his textbook, flipping through it casually. After a moment, he still said nothing.
“Did you upset him? Oh my, Cao Aiqing, really! How can you say such things outright? You’re purposely poking at someone’s sore spot! No manners at all! Curiosity killed the cat! Study! Yes! Study!”
While Cao Aiqing was scolding herself internally, He Tianran finally spoke:
“Cao, we’re not together. That’s just a rumor.”
A full sentence!
His new deskmate had finally spoken a complete sentence!
Cao Aiqing felt that for the next month, she could get along peacefully with this solitary classmate. Besides, he seemed not as cold as he appeared on the surface.
“I see... But I just saw Wen looking at you when she came down, so I thought you two really were...”
Hearing this, He Tianran felt like dying...
He wanted to cry!
He wanted to recount what Ye Jiaqi had just said—was she blind?!
And Wen Liang too—if she wanted to observe him, she could’ve done it secretly. Being caught staring was so embarrassing. If not for He Tianran, at least consider your own reputation...
“We’re just ordinary friends. On weekends, I go to her father’s boxing gym to practice.”
He Tianran pointed to the bandage on his hand, trying to prove his innocence.
This gesture made Cao Aiqing pause, then she stuck out her tongue shyly and said, “Sorry, I misunderstood.”
That little apologetic expression was like a ruby ignited with flame magic, striking straight at He Tianran’s heart!
So well-behaved, so adorable—Ah Wei is dead again...
He Tianran twisted his neck back to his seat, wanting to savor that moment’s expression alone, when he heard Cao Aiqing say:
“Actually, I think you and Wen suit each other. One’s lively and cheerful, the other calm and rational. Besides, Wen is so beautiful...”
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“Boring!”
He Tianran couldn’t hold back any longer and snapped irritably, causing Cao Aiqing to fall silent in shock.
His anger stemmed partly from being misunderstood by the one he liked; partly because he didn’t want classmates, especially Cao Aiqing, to have misconceptions about Wen Liang due to him.
I like you!
You can’t just randomly ship a couple!
But as soon as those words slipped out, He Tianran regretted it. Seeing Cao Aiqing lower her head and return to her usual aloof demeanor, he frantically searched for a way to make amends.
He slowly closed his textbook and took several deep breaths.
“Cao.”
“Hm?”
He Tianran turned to face her squarely. Cao Aiqing pretended to study without looking up.
“You’re actually very pretty. To me, you’re no less than Wen. Talking with you today gave me a new understanding of you. Sometimes I don’t know how to express myself well. If I offended you, please don’t take it to heart. I hope in the coming month, we can be friends.”
Listening to his sincere words, Cao Aiqing tilted her head slightly. Seeing the genuine sincerity in He Tianran’s eyes, she instantly looked away, almost electrified.
“Okay...”
After receiving Cao Aiqing’s faint response, He Tianran turned back, and the two quietly resumed studying—though she was on English, and he on math.
After a while, their faces both flushed without knowing why.
Two girls sitting behind them were dumbfounded, having witnessed everything He Tianran did just now...
Is this still the same shy, reclusive He Tianran they knew?
Could he have been possessed by some Casanova spirit?
Generally, boys find it awkward and embarrassing to say such things, but when spoken sincerely, it solves many unnecessary problems. After all, honesty is never disliked.
But now, He Tianran had already thought of Wen Liang eighteen times in his mind.
Old classmates, reborn ones, future superstars—I’ve already followed your teachings. You better not deceive me on matters like this!
“Bang!”
Suddenly, a loud noise came from behind. The language teacher, who was explaining classical Chinese on stage, paused, and the class all looked back.
It was Xue Yong slapping his desk and standing up, sarcastically saying:
“Teacher, I want to change seats. Zhang Zhifan is too tall; he blocks my view of the blackboard.”
Well, here comes another juicy story.
Everyone in the class clearly understood the hidden meaning behind his words.
It had to be said, Wen Liang truly had star quality; wherever she went, there was drama.
Chen Mei pushed up her glasses.
“Is there anything written on the blackboard?”
“...No, but in other classes...”
“Have you looked?”
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“...”
“Zhang Zhifan sits at the back because of his height, even if he does well, he chooses to sit there. And you, Xue Yong, have been in that same seat since freshman year. Now you say he’s blocking your view? How can you be so shameless?”
Xue Yong looked impatient. “I just want to be a bit more proactive and sit in the front row. That’s not too much to ask, right?”
“Fine, okay.”
Xue Yong was pleased to hear that, but Chen Mei continued: “Come, take your desk and move it next to my podium.”
“...”
“Move!”
Startled, Xue Yong shivered. One had to admit, Chen Mei, the homeroom teacher, was quite good at keeping people in line.
Thus, amidst the laughter of the class, Xue Yong reluctantly moved his desk and chair to a new throne.
Actually, He Tianran admired Xue Yong. This wasn’t Stockholm syndrome from being bullied; it was simply a personality that dared to take responsibility—something He Tianran felt he lacked.
Wen Liang seemed completely unaware of the commotion behind her. When she saw He Tianran looking at her, she pulled at her eyelids and made a sullen face.
He Tianran gave her a cheering gesture, leaving Wen Liang utterly puzzled.
Could it be that his gesture wasn’t standard enough?
Sigh, sitting next to the person you secretly adore must be nerve-wracking; tension sometimes leads to dullness. I understand, I empathize.
Thinking this, He Tianran focused his attention back on the lesson.
“Buzz buzz~”
His phone vibrated twice in his bag. He pulled it out and saw a message from Wen Liang.
“Are you sick?”
“No, it’s just my heart is beating really fast...”
“Really sick? Could it be that your weekend boxing practice was too intense?”
“No, it’s because my goddess is sitting right next to me!!!”
“...”
“Master, I’ve already applied the method you taught me.”
“What method?”
“The one where you said to openly and boldly give compliments. Cao Aiqing even agreed to be friends with me just now. What should I do next?”
“...”
“Master, are you there? Is it the wrong timing? Master, say something!”
“Who do you call master!! Get lost!”