CHAPTER 349: CHAPTER 303

Throughout his life, Lan Tian had missed class countless times, and this time was no different. He didn’t feel any particular way about it, walked past the students sitting in front, took his seat, took out his books, and prepared for class. Every movement was so natural, as if it was always meant to be this way.

Zhou Sisi looked at Lan Tian with a complex expression as he sat down. That day, after she ended the phone call, she had gone to look up the address of Lantian’s family by the phone number she had, and that area was all homes of the privileged.

The last time she asked, Lan Tian had said that he was a girl from an ordinary family. Zhou Sisi felt displeased, considering Lan Tian her friend, she had told him everything about her family, but he hadn’t considered her a friend, keeping his family situation secret as if afraid she would take advantage of it.

Zhou Sisi thought this, but her face still wore the straightforward look of a girl, happy to see Lan Tian, and she chuckled, "Lan Tian, you’re back. You’ve been away from school for so long, everyone’s nearly forgotten about you."

The students around them, listening in, chuckled. Zhou Sisi really knew how to joke; Lan Tian was so beautiful, how could they forget him.

"Mm," Lan Tian responded but didn’t plan on talking further. However, seeing that Zhou Sisi was still looking at him, he thought for a moment and then said, "Thank you!"

This thanks was so ambiguous that Zhou Sisi was confused by Lan Tian’s expression of gratitude.

"Why are you thanking me?" Zhou Sisi glanced at Lan Tian, and then at the other students, feeling puzzled.

"My elders at home said that during the days I took leave, you called to inquire," Lan Tian rarely explained.

"Oh," Zhou Sisi dragged out her response, which seemed to carry a deeper meaning to those who heard it. Lan Tian gave her a side-eye, then continued to read his book.

The classmates suddenly realized there had been such an interaction, and some of the boys felt regretful for not having thought of doing the same thing.

Li Xinlan wanted to come over and talk to Lan Tian, but Zhou Sisi had been talking non-stop with Lan Tian, leaving no opportunity for her to interject; she just smiled at Lan Tian and listened from the side.

"Are you okay? Did something happen at home?" Zhou Sisi asked, showing concern. Lan Tian was startled and looked up at her without speaking, which made Zhou Sisi feel inexplicably confused.

They were just classmates, not close enough to share deep talks or inquire into each other’s privacy. Zhou Sisi was being a bit over the line.

"It’s nothing; class is about to start." After saying this, Lan Tian looked down at his book, his demeanor indicating he did not wish to speak. Zhou Sisi wanted to say more, but feeling it inappropriate to pry, she turned away and sat in sullen silence.

What’s going on?

Finally, the class ended, and Zhou Sisi tried several times to find an opportunity to speak with Lan Tian but failed. The other classmates came over to show concern for Lan Tian, and he thanked each one of them. By the time Zhou Sisi found a chance, the next class had begun.

A glint of amusement flashed through Lan Tian’s eyes as he bowed his head. Zhou Sisi was not as straightforward as she appeared. Lan Tian respectfully declined to engage with such a girl with deep schemes.

After two classes, it was time for self-study, and Lan Tian packed up his things to leave. Zhou Sisi turned around to speak to him but saw that Lan Tian had already left through the back door. She hurriedly packed her textbooks and chased after him.

"Lan Tian, where are you going? Wait for me."

Lan Tian reluctantly stopped as Zhou Sisi called him out by name. It seemed discourteous not to wait for her, so he turned to look at her.

"Skipping the last two classes, huh?" Zhou Sisi stuck her tongue out in a naively direct manner before making faces at Lan Tian. "I’m cutting class too. Where are you headed? If it’s on the way, we could go together!"

"Where are you going?" Lan Tian retorted without answering, giving Zhou Sisi, with her backpack, a glance.

"I’m going to..." Zhou Sisi puffed her cheeks, unsure how to respond. She just followed Lan Tian without any particular destination in mind, and she couldn’t just admit she wanted to tag along. Her eyes scanned the surrounding buildings and then she pointed towards the road ahead, "I’m headed to the library. What about you?"

"..." Lan Tian was speechless; what a solid excuse—so solid she couldn’t refuse. "I’m heading to the library as well."

Zhou Sisi laughed, "What a coincidence! Let’s go. Even though there aren’t many people there in the morning, some students prefer to visit the library then. It’s not too late yet; if we hurry, we might snag a good spot."

She dragged Lan Tian along, fearing Lan Tian might change her mind and not go.

"Little Lan."

As they were almost at the library, a devilish voice came from an intersection, giving Lan Tian goosebumps, making her turn towards the library, hastening her pace.

Meeting Shen Jingbing on the way to school was such bad luck; she should’ve checked the almanac before stepping out.

"Little Lan, ignoring a teacher when you see one, that’s rather impolite."

To hell with his ’ohs’, Lan Tian thought disdainfully. Zhang Shenjing hadn’t ever taught her; at most, they were just from the same school. Still, he had an inflated sense of self-importance, insisting on imposing a teacher-student relationship on them.

Lan Tian couldn’t avoid Shen Jingbing as he hooked his arm around her neck.

"Let go." Lan Tian glanced at Shen Jingbing, her eyes sweeping over his arm. This Shen Jingbing constantly paraded around as a "teacher" yet never did anything teacher-like, like making moves on her now.

It was getting more outrageous. In high school, he only pestered her; now, he’d escalated to getting handsy. Lan Tian considered that maybe a sack treatment would be appropriate, given his fervor.

"Hey, whoever is with..." Zhang Shenjing saw cold fierceness in Lan Tian’s eyes and hastily withdrew his arm. Are you kidding? This girl was ruthless. She wouldn’t hesitate to take down her teacher.

"Such a lack of respect for elders and teachers," Mr. Zhang muttered. "What have you been up to, skipping school for so long? I told you, the Archaeology Department isn’t fun. Now you get it, right? Why not switch to Finance or Computer Science?"

Lan Tian gave him a cold sidelong glance and said curtly, "Not interested." She nodded slightly to Hua Jing and headed toward the library.

Zhou Sisi’s head spun as she looked between Lan Tian and the prominent figures of Jing University. Eventually, she trailed behind Lan Tian, casting a reluctant glance back at the two figures they had left behind.

"Lan Tian, how do you know them?" Zhou Sisi leaned close to Lan Tian, lowering her voice out of curiosity. Lan Tian had transferred to their school midway and hadn’t attended many classes, even taking a week off. The few days she did attend, they walked together.

"You know them too," Lan Tian glanced at Zhou Sisi. "By the tone of your voice, they seem quite famous?"

"I don’t know them, no, I know them," Zhou Sisi contradicted herself, then realized the inconsistency in her statement, "I mean, I know of them, but they don’t know me. They’re well-known figures in the school, hardly anyone doesn’t know them. Don’t believe me? Just ask any student here."

"That said, Lan Tian, why does he claim to be your teacher?" Zhou Sisi glanced at Lan Tian and chuckled awkwardly, "If it’s a tough topic, never mind."