Chapter 153: Chapter 125: Sis, You’re Trying a Bit Too Hard
"You guys go ahead. You copy first."
A smile played on Shen Yuan’s lips as he slowly pushed the Chinese test Chen Mingyu offered him back across the desk.
His voice was soft and gentle, as if he couldn’t care less about any of it.
Chen Mingyu looked at Shen Yuan, confused. He’d thought Shen Yuan would happily accept the test, since it was what the "homework alliance" had agreed on.
However, Shen Yuan’s reaction was completely unexpected.
Although he was still confused, Chen Mingyu didn’t press the issue.
Since Shen Yuan had made his refusal clear, he didn’t say another word. He just quietly picked up the Chinese test and turned to find other members of the homework alliance to trade with.
As Chen Mingyu walked away, Shen Yuan’s gaze slowly shifted to Li Zhi.
He still wore that faint smile, as if trying to show Li Zhi how principled and resolute he was.
"See? I took a righteous stand against the evils of copying homework!" Shen Yuan’s voice held a hint of smugness. He was expecting Li Zhi to praise him.
But Li Zhi’s reaction left Shen Yuan disappointed.
"Why are you telling me?" the beautiful girl said, her tone laced with sarcasm. "What’s it got to do with me whether you copy your homework or not?"
The corner of Shen Yuan’s mouth twitched. He clearly hadn’t expected such a response from Li Zhi.
"So what if you don’t copy it here? Are you telling me you won’t copy it when you get home?" Li Zhi continued. "What’s the point of putting on an act for me? I’m not your report card. You think your grades will start putting on an act for you just because you did?"
Shen Yuan’s expression soured.
Li Zhi’s words were sharp, but she had a point.
Shen Yuan had, in fact, been planning to copy the homework at home. His refusal was just for show.
"Fine..." Shen Yuan sighed, his voice noticeably quieter.
"Heh." Seeing his reaction, a smirk touched Li Zhi’s lips.
Seeing the look on his face, she felt the urge to lecture him a little.
And Li Zhi didn’t hold back. "What’s with the long face? I never said you couldn’t copy. I’m just telling you to be careful. Copying homework is one thing, but don’t let your actual grades slip."
At her words, Shen Yuan’s crestfallen expression immediately brightened.
He raised his head and looked at Li Zhi in surprise.
"What are you looking at? Get ready for class!"
Just as Li Zhi finished speaking, Old Zhou appeared in the classroom doorway.
Maybe it was because vacation was about to start, but to Shen Yuan, it felt like time suddenly began to speed up.
Two class periods flew by in the blink of an eye.
When the dismissal bell rang, Old Zhou, who had already gone over all the safety precautions, had no intention of suppressing this bunch of idiots’ holiday spirit. With a grand wave of his hand, he announced...
"Vacation’s on! All of you, be safe!"
The instant Old Zhou made the announcement, the classroom erupted.
A roar of cheers erupted, like waves crashing on the shore.
The boys in the back were especially ecstatic. They started slapping their desks, creating a rhythmic beat as if performing in some grand concert.
Mixed in with the drumming were all sorts of exuberant "WOOHOO—"s, rising and falling, echoing throughout the classroom.
"OH YEAH!!"
"It’s vacation! Vacation time!!"
"WOOHOO! I’m free!"
"Old Zhou, I love you!!"
Faced with his students’ enthusiastic cheers, Old Zhou gave a resigned wave of his hand and said with a laugh, "Now, there’s no need for that."
Amid the chaos, Shen Yuan, who had already packed his things, rested his chin on one hand. He quietly watched Li Zhi in the seat next to him, waiting for her to finish packing so they could leave for home together.
Li Zhi seemed to notice his gaze. She looked up at Shen Yuan, her hands pausing for a moment. "What are you looking at?"
"Waiting for you to finish packing so we can go home," Shen Yuan said softly, his voice holding a hint of subtle anticipation.
His fingertips drummed unconsciously against his schoolbag, as if to ease his nerves.
Just then, Li Zhi stood up in one swift, fluid motion.
Her canvas backpack was already neatly slung over her shoulder, and a barely perceptible smile touched her lips.
"Well, what are you waiting for?"
Li Zhi’s voice was crisp and bright, cutting through the classroom’s din like the first ray of morning sun.
Shen Yuan froze for a second, then broke into a wide smile.
"Let me get your bag," Shen Yuan said, standing up.
"Oh, right. I forgot." Li Zhi smiled, finally realizing she was still wearing her backpack. She slipped it off her shoulder and handed it to Shen Yuan.
Just as Shen Yuan took the schoolbag, he heard Ah Jie’s voice from behind.
"Lao Yuan! Ah Ze! Ai Muyu! I’ll miss you guys!!" The words had barely left Ah Jie’s mouth before he was already darting out the classroom door.
"Don’t forget the homework!"
Yang Ze called after him.
From the side, Chen Mingyu suddenly chimed in with a menacing tone, "If he doesn’t do it, we’ll have his hide on Monday."
His voice wasn’t loud, but it held a threat that could send a chill down your spine.
Shen Yuan heard Chen Mingyu and nodded emphatically in agreement.
"Bye-bye! See you Monday!" Li Zhi waved to the little author, her face beaming.
"Bye-bye, Zhizhi! See you Monday!" He Zhiyu replied happily, her laughter as crisp and pleasant as silver bells.
Seeing this, Shen Yuan also smiled and waved at He Zhiyu. Then, he turned to Zhuo Peipei, who was still in her seat, and said with a completely straight face, "Zhuo Peipei, don’t forget to update!"
Zhuo Peipei rolled her eyes at Shen Yuan’s words but replied casually, "I know, I know. I’ll get on it during the Mid-Autumn Festival."
