Vol 2 Chapter 13: Let's Work Hard Together

Happiness came too suddenly.

For Sun Fan, nothing could make him happier than this moment.

He never dreamed that someone with such poor grades like himself would have the chance to sit next to the top student he admired.

In an instant, the brotherly camaraderie he had imagined earlier vanished from his mind...

Replaced by visions of sweet days to come.

Teacher Wang was clearly startled by this guy, nearly knocking over the cup beside him. It took him a while to calm down.

Glancing at Sun Fan's beaming face, he shook his head slightly without saying anything.

As the homeroom teacher, he obviously knew what Sun Fan was thinking.

But as an educator, he also knew very well that Zeng Yihui would never be interested in him.

After assigning Sun Fan, he turned to Liu Changqing.

"You'll sit with Qin Ruoliu. Go back to class and move your things later."

Teacher Wang's intention wasn't hard to understand.

Both Qin Ruoliu and Zeng Yihui were top students in class. This arrangement was meant to have the excellent students help the two underachievers.

Also... worried the boys might try to pursue them?

That was clearly impossible.

Teacher Wang couldn't see any charm in these two that would attract girls.

He felt completely at ease.

After the arrangements, the teacher left the two boys holding their horse stances.

Sun Fan was so happy that even while maintaining the punishing posture, he couldn't stop laughing repeatedly.

Watching this, Liu Changqing could only sigh helplessly.

He couldn't help muttering to himself.

Thinking about having Qin Ruoliu as his deskmate...

"Sigh... what a hassle..."

————————————

After class, the two returned to the classroom.

Although they'd been physically punished for the entire period, Sun Fan showed no signs of fatigue. On the contrary, he eagerly helped Liu Changqing pack his things as soon as they got back.

The homeroom teacher left after explaining the arrangement to Zeng Yihui.

She was clearly unhappy with this decision but didn't object, reluctantly packing her belongings before switching seats with Liu Changqing.

Soon, the seat exchange was complete.

Liu Changqing moved to the front row.

Zeng Yihui went to the back.

Compared to Liu Changqing's calm demeanor, his new deskmate Qin Ruoliu was visibly more nervous.

Stereotypes ran deep. Qin Ruoliu didn't know much about Liu Changqing, but her strongest impression was of him being a troublemaker.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have rejected his love letter out of fear.

She didn't want to get involved with someone like him.

After Liu Changqing sat down beside her, Qin Ruoliu's entire body stiffened. She sat motionless, neither greeting him nor initiating conversation.

As time passed, her breathing gradually became heavier.

After a pause, she stole a glance at Liu Changqing's profile.

Seeing his distracted expression, she hesitated before deciding it might be better to say something.

Taking a deep breath, she relaxed slightly.

Turning to face Liu Changqing, she spoke:

"If you don't understand anything, you can ask me. I'll help you..."

"Mm."

Liu Changqing's brief response made Qin Ruoliu blink in surprise.

"Um..."

"Don't talk to me unless necessary. I'm in a bad mood."

"O... okay..."

This treatment clearly unsettled Qin Ruoliu.

She lowered her head slightly, clasping her hands tightly on her lap, lost in thought.

Liu Changqing noticed her reaction.

His harshness stemmed from the morning's misunderstanding - the wrongly delivered love letter made her think he had a crush on her. Any friendliness now would only deepen her suspicion.

Better to take preemptive action.

With this in mind, after brief consideration, he picked up a pen.

Removing the cap, he drew a clear line down the middle of their shared desk -

The 38th Parallel.

His movements were swift and decisive.

This naturally caught Qin Ruoliu's attention.

Noticing her gaze, Liu Changqing put the pen away and explained:

"This line is our boundary from now on. Cross it, and there'll be consequences."

"......"

"Same goes if I cross it. You can retaliate then."

"......"

"Why aren't you saying anything? Objections?"

Adjusting her slipping glasses, Qin Ruoliu looked at the freshly drawn line, then at Liu Changqing's face.

She said timidly:

"Damaging school property... is wrong..."

"......"

"But... I won't tell the teacher..."

As she spoke, Qin Ruoliu inexplicably took out a pack of tissues and offered it to Liu Changqing.

With a faint smile, she said:

"Wipe your sweat. You're drenched... Was the office very hot?"

"......"

The summer heat was intense.

Yet somehow, Liu Changqing felt half-frozen at that moment.

What a kind girl...

And he'd been so harsh with her...

The guilt was overwhelming.

As the class bell rang, their conversation ended. Top students were still top students - Qin Ruoliu completely transformed from her earlier hesitant self.

The moment the teacher entered, she had all her materials ready, her expression turning serious.

Liu Changqing, however, was different.

He had a headache.

Logically, as someone who'd already been through high school once before transmigrating, he should be acing his studies now.

But listening to the lessons, he realized he'd forgotten most high school knowledge.

Perhaps because this was a different world, the curriculum differed too.

For instance, in literature class...

The texts the teacher discussed gave Liu Changqing a splitting headache.

The familiar authors like Lao Li and Lao Wang were gone, replaced by unknown writers and their works.

This realization made Liu Changqing suddenly aware - he had no special advantages here.

His initial dismissive attitude toward classes gradually weakened as the teacher lectured.

Finally, he understood...

He wasn't cut out for this.

At his current level, even trying his hardest might only slightly improve upon his previous grades.

But not by much.

Liu Changqing's frustrated expression didn't escape Qin Ruoliu's notice.

Watching him flip through textbooks with a troubled face,

At that moment, Qin Ruoliu seemed to understand.

She realized why the teacher had made them deskmates.

And for the first time, she saw that Liu Changqing was different from other underachievers - his poor grades likely resulted from hanging out with Sun Fan and others.

With proper guidance, he could learn to love studying.

This must be Teacher Wang's intention...

Having her, as class monitor, guide and teach him.

With this realization, Qin Ruoliu felt the weight of responsibility settle on her shoulders.

She knew this wouldn't be easy.

But...

As class monitor, it was her duty to help every classmate.

Even Liu Changqing - though he seemed rough around the edges, she admired his spirit.

He... could still be saved.

So after class, Qin Ruoliu called out to Liu Changqing.

When he looked at her,

She clenched her fists near her chest.

With utmost seriousness, she declared:

"Let's work hard together!"

"......"

Silence.

Liu Changqing stared at Qin Ruoliu, baffled by her sudden declaration...

He had no idea what she was talking about.