Chapter 10 Part 1

Chi Nuan was frightened by Cao Pinhui and walked on eggshells for several days. Fortunately, Cao Pinhui did not appear again. Whenever she caught sight of him on campus from afar, Chi Nuan kept her distance.

Progress on the sports event registration was not going smoothly, especially for the track and field events, which almost no one showed interest in.

Chi Nuan took the Registration Form to find Zhou Damao and discussed it with him. “Zhou Damao, how about you sign up for the men’s 1500-meter?”

Her voice was soft and sweet as always, and Zhou Damao raised his head proudly.

“Or the 800-meter would work too,” Chi Nuan said. “You’re one of the fastest runners in the class. Last year’s autumn sports meet, you didn’t place, but you ran spectacularly, and the whole class applauded for you.”

Zhou Damao took the Registration Form from Chi Nuan’s hand, leaned against the wall smugly, and shook his leg. “Then let’s talk conditions?”

Here it came.

Chi Nuan lowered her head. “What do you have in mind?”

Gu Ningzi’s game interface froze.

Zhou Damao grinned sleazily. “You wrote my homework for half a month last year, and I was very satisfied. This year…”

“Excuse me.” Gu Ningzi interrupted Zhou Damao.

Zhou Damao dragged his stool forward, eyes still on Chi Nuan. “This time, half a month is definitely—”

As Gu Ningzi passed behind Zhou Damao, she casually snatched the Registration Form, crumpled it into a ball, tossed it into the trash can, and walked out of the classroom without looking back.

Zhou Damao: “…”

Chi Nuan: “…”

Zhou Damao yelled at Gu Ningzi’s back. “What the hell? Why are you messing around? Can’t you see we’re talking business here?”

Zhao Jingjing turned around. “Zhou Damao, that’s enough! Chi Nuan wrote your homework for half a month last year. Do you know how late she had to stay up every night? And you have the nerve to bring it up?”

Du Min also turned and chimed in. “You’re doing this for the class competition, not just for the Class Monitor. Who do you think you are to demand conditions?”

Zhou Damao: “Who asked the Class Monitor to be so willing? Why don’t you two go compete instead?”

Du Min spat. “Look at you acting all high and mighty. Why don’t you go negotiate conditions with Awen directly?”

Zhou Damao spread his hands. “Anyway, if you want me to compete, it’ll be like this.”

Chi Nuan sighed helplessly and returned to her seat.

Zhao Jingjing and Du Min followed, surrounding her and chattering persuasively. “If no one signs up, so be it. No big deal. Zhou Damao is just like that—don’t indulge him.”

“Exactly. Even if he joined, he’d just get crushed by the sports class. No difference either way!”

…

The last class of the afternoon ended, and the dismissal bell rang.

The Study Committee Member rushed over before Chi Nuan could pack her bag. “Chi Nuan, take a look at this problem. How did you solve it?”

He held the Math Extension Exercises that Chi Nuan hadn’t written yet. She took the problem, skimmed it roughly, and started sketching the solution diagram on scrap paper.

After a few strokes, she frowned and paused.

Study Committee Member: “See? I spent a whole class on it and still couldn’t solve it.”

Chi Nuan reread the problem word by word from the beginning. Two seconds later, she said to Xu Dan, “You guys go ahead. I’ll solve this and then leave.”

Xu Dan glanced at it. “Looks tough?”

Chi Nuan hummed in agreement.

Xu Dan patted her shoulder and left with Zhao Jingjing and Du Min.

The surroundings were noisy, but Chi Nuan focused, switched to a different approach, calculated a few more times, and suddenly her train of thought cleared.

She scribbled out the solution equations in a few strokes. The Study Committee Member’s face lit up with a “holy shit, it works like that?” expression.

Chi Nuan gave him the answer. He clasped his fists in thanks and pulled out an apple from somewhere. “Here, thanks. For you.”

The apple was big and red, smelling quite fragrant. Chi Nuan held it as she turned, spotting Gu Ningzi leaning against the wall, hands in her pockets, idly kicking Zhou Damao’s chair leg now and then.

“Gu Ningzi, walking together?” Chi Nuan walked over and asked.

…

Daylight lingered longer, and the evening campus carried the scent of early summer. Some girls who loved beauty had eagerly switched to their summer school skirts.

Chi Nuan rolled up the sleeves of her spring uniform several folds, revealing a snow-white section of arm.

She looked up and chatted with Gu Ningzi about class matters. Her voice was soft, and Gu Ningzi zoned out a bit while listening.

“Chi Nuan? What a coincidence.”

Chi Nuan turned toward the voice.

Xue Wen walked over, glanced at Gu Ningzi beside Chi Nuan, and smiled as she asked, “Where are you headed?”

She had braided her bangs in too, her face clean and delicate, small and exquisite. Chi Nuan slowed her steps and replied, “To get dinner.”

Xue Wen’s smile widened. “I’ve been meaning to treat you to a meal. Want to go together?”

Cai Miao and Zhu Zhu stood awkwardly a short distance behind Xue Wen.

Chi Nuan shook her head. “No need…”

Xue Wen: “Do you have something else?”

Chi Nuan said, “Midterms are coming up. I need to review.”

Xue Wen sighed. “Alright then.”

Chi Nuan watched her retreating back and suddenly remembered the apple in her hand. “Xue Wen.”

Xue Wen turned. Chi Nuan handed her the apple. “Here, for you.”

Xue Wen looked at the apple. “A return gift for the cookies?”

Of course, there was also Zhou Yue’s involvement. Chi Nuan felt a bit embarrassed that her intentions were seen through.

Xue Wen smiled. “You don’t have to be so precise about it, but thanks anyway.”

Xue Wen left with the apple.

Chi Nuan and Gu Ningzi parted ways at the school gate. Chi Nuan headed to the dorm, but after a few steps, Gu Ningzi called out to her.