Chapter 365 - 195: Perhaps This Is a Big-Game Player
Chapter 365: Chapter 195: Perhaps This Is a Big-Game Player
The bell rang, signaling the end of the evening self-study session. The clamor in the science building instantly reached its peak, only to quickly dissipate along the small path leading to the school gate.
Shen Yuan and Li Zhi packed up their things and walked side by side on the concrete path, which was dappled with light and shadow from the streetlights.
Neither of them carried a schoolbag, nor did they have any review materials.
With exams tomorrow, today was for conserving energy and getting a good rest.
The autumn night air was cool, and breathing it in made one feel exceptionally clear-headed.
The lights from the shops lining the street, some bright and some dim, stretched and shortened their shadows.
The familiar smell of late-night snacks still filled the air, but neither of them went to buy any.
Before exams, it was better to stick to home-cooked meals or the school cafeteria.
What if they got food poisoning? Who would they even complain to then?
Shen Yuan kicked a small pebble on the road and broke the silence, his tone casual. "Ah Jie mentioned to me during self-study tonight that he wants to go check out West Lake after the exams."
Shen Yuan turned his head, glancing at the clear outline of Li Zhi’s profile under the streetlight.
Li Zhi didn’t break her stride, letting out a soft hmph. "If you want to go, then go with him."
Shen Yuan cleared his throat, his eyes shifting as he tried a different tack. "By the way, why is the break for this joint exam longer than usual?"
"No idea. How should I know what the school has planned?" Li Zhi replied faintly.
After a brief silence, Shen Yuan tried to start another conversation, his tone more cautious and clearly probing. "Um... Li Bao..."
Li Zhi shot Shen Yuan a look and huffed softly.
The girl paused, stopping under a dim yellow streetlight. She turned her head, her eyes, which looked especially bright in the night, staring straight at Shen Yuan.
Shen Yuan’s heart skipped a beat under her gaze. He instinctively avoided her eyes, like a student who’s been caught fidgeting in class by the teacher.
The streetlight’s glow outlined Li Zhi’s features. A knowing smile seemed to play on her lips.
"Shen Yuan."
"Hm?"
"Drop those little schemes of yours and focus on your exam."
Called out so bluntly, Shen Yuan was momentarily at a loss.
But Shen Yuan was persistent. He stubbornly mumbled, "I was just asking... Can’t I ask in advance? It’ll be too late to ask after the exams..."
"Too late?" Li Zhi scoffed. "What’s there to be too late for? Who said I’d agree to go out?"
"But... but..." Shen Yuan was at a loss for words.
"But what! How many times have you asked already?"
Li Zhi started walking again, her voice returning to its usual flat tone. "This exam is definitely going to be harder than the last monthly test. You should think about what score you’re going to get before you even think about bringing this up again."
"..."
Shen Yuan’s weak spot had been hit with pinpoint accuracy.
Grades—the eternal Sword of Damocles hanging over the many private deals he made with Li Zhi.
Shen Yuan looked at his mission and sighed heavily.
’Brother Tongzi, it looks like I’ll have to put this mission of yours on hold for now.’
’You’ve been quiet for so long, and the moment you show up, you give me such a tricky mission...’
’Great. Now completing the mission has become difficult for me.’
’I bet completing this mission would have been pretty simple for my 35-year-old self.’
’I’m so jealous.’
Shen Yuan glanced at Li Zhi’s retreating back, then heard the pretty girl’s voice call out from ahead of him.
"What are you doing, just standing there? Are you trying to piss me off before the exam so I’ll mess up?"
"Wouldn’t dare, wouldn’t dare."
Shen Yuan shook his head repeatedly and hurried to catch up to Li Zhi. "I promise you! For the next two days of exams, I’ll be completely focused and give it my all! I won’t say a single word about going out to have fun."
"What’s the use in promising me? Are you studying for my sake?"
Hearing that classic line come from Li Zhi’s mouth, Shen Yuan grinned. "Who else?"
Li Zhi took a deep breath, about to let him have it, when she heard Shen Yuan speak up.
"Hey, are you scolding me now because you want to put me in a bad mood so I’ll mess up on the exam?"
Hearing her own words come out of Shen Yuan’s mouth, Li Zhi immediately took a sharp breath.
The girl coolly raised her eyes. In the streetlight, a glint of ridicule flashed in her bright pupils, and an imperceptible, mocking smile touched her lips.
"Hah. Your IQ is higher than I thought. Learned how to mimic people already?"
The expression on Shen Yuan’s face froze. Just as he was about to argue, Li Zhi’s small fist landed on his chest with a soft THUD.
’How should I put this... it didn’t even hurt.’
"Goddammit, just hitting you is more satisfying."
Li Zhi glared at Shen Yuan. "After the college entrance exams, I’m definitely going for a check-up. If I have any nodules, you’ll be the first person I kill!"
"You don’t have to wait until after the exams for that. I think you can check for them yourself. Let me look it up..." Shen Yuan said, pulling out his phone.
"Get lost!"
Shen Yuan chuckled. "Just kidding, trying to lighten the mood."
"I’m starting to suspect you carved the wrinkles on your brain yourself."
"Don’t suspect. My genes did the carving."
Li Zhi pressed her lips together. "Well then, their craftsmanship is pretty terrible."
After saying that, Li Zhi suddenly couldn’t hold it in anymore and burst out laughing.
Seeing Li Zhi laugh at such a strange thing, Shen Yuan couldn’t help but laugh too.
After they shared a laugh, Shen Yuan met Li Zhi’s gaze, his eyes serious. "I will prepare for the joint exam seriously. After it’s over, will you do me the honor of sparing half a day, or even a full day, to go out and have some fun?"
Li Zhi looked at his rare, serious and determined expression, and was silenced for a moment by this sudden, solemn promise.
Her eyelids drooped slightly, her long lashes casting small shadows beneath her eyes.