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Xie Qingyu had been wanting to confirm whether the boy she saw was indeed him, but Uncle Le kept blocking her from finding out what was going on.

After saying this, she suddenly remembered something else. “There are only nine minutes left before class starts; we might as well not go.”

Le Ya couldn’t help but want to laugh. “You were the one who was all fired up just moments ago. Why are you backing out now that class is about to start?”

Xie Qingyu retorted, annoyed: “I was thinking we could wait until the longer break between classes. You know, the big break.”

The longer break lasted twenty minutes, which meant more time to look and chat.

Le Ya thought for a moment. “Alright.”

“By the way, when will your package arrive?” Xie Qingyu returned to her seat, resting her chin in her hand. “It’s taking so long.”

Le Ya took out her phone to check. “It’s almost here. I should be able to get it tomorrow. The thing is, there are several packages.”

She hadn’t bought them all from the same store, so the shipping times varied—some were delayed, while one had only been shipped two days ago.

These weren’t from Tmall Supermarket or SF Express, and she’d forgotten to ask the sellers, so they were all regular deliveries.

Xie Qingyu waved her hand dismissively. “Then let’s just wait.”

The next class was Chinese, which mainly involved classical texts and reviewing practice problems from the textbook.

Le Ya listened halfway through before pulling out Chen Yang’s test paper again.

She was curious about his other subjects’ test papers, even his Chinese. With handwriting like that, he must have scored high on neatness.

And she was particularly curious about his essay score.

However, Le Ya didn’t intend to borrow it because it would be inappropriate, and people might misunderstand.

As soon as the bell rang after the third period, the teacher had barely left when Xie Qingyu eagerly waved her hand.

Le Ya packed up the test papers and went out with her.

It was now the longer break, and many students were outside. From the corridor, they could see some boys playing around below.

Students were scattered along the railing of the corridor in small groups.

Xie Qingyu hooked her arm around Le Ya’s. “Remember, don’t mention your name later. If Uncle Le finds out, we’re in trouble.”

Le Ya nodded. “Mm.”

The corridor was only about ten meters long, and they reached it in the blink of an eye. Through the back window, they could see that half the students in Class 17 were still inside.

Xie Qingyu said, “I’ll knock on the window and ask.”

They went to the window near the front door, with Le Ya following close behind. Xie Qingyu knocked on the window, and a girl nearby opened it. “What is it?”

Xie Qingyu asked, “Is Chen Yang in your class? Our math teacher borrowed his test paper earlier, and our class representative came to return it.”

She pointed at Le Ya.

Le Ya showed the name part of the test paper to the girl.

The girl looked back into the classroom, then turned back with a smile. “Just give the test paper to me, and I’ll pass it on to him.”

Hearing this, Le Ya hesitated.

Xie Qingyu hadn’t expected such bad timing. Shouldn’t this guy be studying in the classroom all day? What’s with running around?

Le Ya said, “Then I’ll wait until he comes back to give it to him.”

The girl’s expression changed slightly. “Are you two trying to use the excuse of returning the test paper just to see Chen Yang?”

She still wouldn’t take the test paper.

Le Ya replied, “Isn’t it normal to return it to the person himself?”

Xie Qingyu nudged her hand. “What’s so interesting about Chen Yang? We’re returning the test paper to him directly because we can’t trust others with it. Don’t you know some classmates might tear up a top student’s test paper out of jealousy?”

She gave an example off the top of her head.

Though they were indeed thinking that way, they absolutely couldn’t admit it.

Le Ya tugged at her. Why did she suddenly say that?

“Tear up Chen Yang’s test paper? Go ahead and try to see what happens.” The girl sneered and reached out to grab the test paper from Le Ya’s hand.

Le Ya dodged slightly, and the girl, having missed, slammed the window shut, nearly causing Le Ya’s hand to hit the glass.

This sudden twist caught both of them off guard.

Xie Qingyu was stunned. “Why did she say that?”

Le Ya guessed, “Maybe she thought you were talking about her earlier. What you said wasn’t quite right.”

Xie Qingyu turned around. “I was just making an excuse. Otherwise, how could we see him?”

Such an official opportunity couldn’t be wasted.

Just then, the window was pushed open again, and a bespectacled boy reached out. “Give me the test paper.”

Both Le Ya and Xie Qingyu looked over.

Xie Qingyu whispered into Le Ya’s ear, “That’s the guy I saw the other day.”

Le Ya quickly sized him up: tall and thin, pale complexion, his school uniform slightly faded from washing. He fit her image of Chen Yang.

Seeing both girls looking at him, the boy blushed a little and said, “Just give me the test paper.”

Coming back to her senses, Le Ya figured this must be Chen Yang. Who else would come to claim the test paper?

She handed over the test paper. “Are you Chen—”

Before she could finish, the test paper was suddenly snatched from her hand.

Le Ya turned her head to see a man standing beside her. His handsome features were right in front of her eyes, eyebrows slightly raised, an air of aloof elegance, but too close for comfort, revealing an unbridled edge.

Realizing who it was, she exclaimed, “It’s you again.”

Chen Yang unfolded the item in his hand and remarked, “This test paper looks familiar.”

Le Ya reached out to take it, but he deftly moved it away, easily avoiding her attempt without giving her a chance.

Chen Yang leaned lazily against the wall, scanning the paper from beginning to end, confirming it was his. “Where did you get this test paper?”

Unbeknownst to them, the window had been reopened, and the girl blinked, reminding them, “I heard their teacher borrowed it.”

Chen Yang carelessly closed the window again without hesitation.

The girl inside nearly got hit in the face and became furious.

Earlier, she had intended to get Chen Yang’s test paper, take a photo, and boast to her roommates.

Who knew those two girls wouldn’t hand it over.

Seeing the situation turn sour, Xie Qingyu whispered, “Let’s run. As classmates, it’s impossible for them to keep the test paper, right?”

Mainly, she felt they didn’t seem easy to deal with.

Le Ya bit her lip lightly, tilting her head up. “You can’t do this. The math teacher told me to return it personally.”

Chen Yang nodded. “Mm, I know. It’s already returned.”

Le Ya: “… “

She reached out again, but Chen Yang lifted his hand.

Being tall, he held it out of her reach unless she jumped.

Frustrated, Le Ya poked him lightly, afraid to apply any real force.

Chen Yang couldn’t help but chuckle, his lips curving slightly. “It’s returned. Tell your teacher that.”

Just as Le Ya was about to speak, Yellow Hair and Red Hair appeared at the stairwell entrance, immediately looking over.

Xie Qingyu tugged at Le Ya. “Let him return it.”

Chen Yang glanced at the visibly frustrated girl in front of him and gently said, “Be good, go back to class.”

His voice was pleasant, deep and melodious, like velvet brushing against Le Ya’s ears, bringing a slight tingling sensation.

Le Ya’s cheeks flushed slightly, but outwardly she remained composed. “Give me the test paper first.”

Chen Yang casually folded the test paper, holding it between his fingers teasingly.

The girls by the classroom window watched, their faces turning red with excitement.

Chen Yang lowered his head. “Do you want to keep it?”

Keep a test paper? Le Ya was utterly exasperated.

She didn’t have any unusual preferences. It was just a test paper. No matter how much she liked it, she wouldn’t secretly hoard someone else’s test paper.

Beside her, Xie Qingyu’s ears were about to explode. She nudged the still serious-looking Le Ya and hurriedly pulled her away.

They left the vicinity of Class 17.

Le Ya still wanted to go back. “The test paper is still with him.”

Xie Qingyu said, “My lady, do you think he’ll give it to you? He said it’s returned; just tell the teacher, and he probably won’t do anything.”

Le Ya reluctantly agreed. “Alright.”

After all, he was from Class 17.

Xie Qingyu quickly changed the subject. “Did you see Chen Yang? He’s like a little white poplar tree. He really needs some nourishment.”

Le Ya thought for a moment. “It’ll arrive in a couple of days.”

If she kept secretly buying nutritional supplements, in a few months, the little white poplar could grow into a big tree.

In the afternoon, Class One had a short English quiz.

Everyone was used to exams, so after this one, they complained theatrically as usual, and life went on as usual.

After the last class, school ended.

Since they had evening self-study, there was only an hour and a half in between, and many students didn’t plan to go home unless they lived nearby.

After eating at the cafeteria, Le Ya and Xie Qingyu went to stroll around the playground.

On one side of the playground was the basketball court, and inside was the track. Many students were walking on the track, while others gathered in small groups.

Le Ya and Xie Qingyu sat on the grass watching things.

There were athletes on the track, as well as girls trying to lose weight, occasionally running past them, lap after lap.

After adding several items to her shopping cart, Xie Qingyu said, “Hey, let’s run. Look at your tiny frame.”

Le Ya refused. “No running.”

“All day sitting in the classroom, then taking the bus home at night.” Xie Qingyu pulled her up. “How much time do you spend walking every day?”

Le Ya felt a bit ashamed at being reminded of this.

But their running couldn’t match others’, and chatting while running was exhausting. After two slow laps, the two collapsed on the side, panting.

Xie Qingyu lay flat on the grass. “Oh my god, I’m never dragging you to run again. This is killing me.”

Le Ya’s face was still flushed from the heat, contrasting with her naturally fair skin, making it very noticeable.

She took several deep breaths. “Next time, I’m never running with you again.”

Xie Qingyu tickled her armpit, catching Le Ya off guard, causing her to burst into laughter. The two rolled around together in a heap.

...

Liang Qian carried two cups of milk tea, humming a tune.

Zhao Mingri sent a message: “Brother Yang, where are you?”

Chen Yang: “Playground.”

The two were not far from there and spotted Chen Yang by the edge of the playground at a glance. Liang Qian handed over the milk tea. “Here.”

Glancing inside the playground, oh, a familiar face.

Liang Qian had a cup for herself too. Seeing Le Ya there, he remembered asking Chen Yang about her last time and couldn’t help but laugh inwardly.

He and Zhao Mingri had kept this a secret, not daring to let Chen Yang know.

Still, Liang Qian felt that even if they didn’t know the name yet, Chen Yang probably had an idea in his mind.

Chen Yang took the milk tea but didn’t drink it.

The three of them standing there drew the attention of many onlookers in the playground. Some girls stopped running altogether and sat not far away.

...

Autumn evenings fell early; by six o’clock, it was already pitch dark. The streetlights nearby were on, casting a warm yellow glow different from the roadside lights.

Le Ya touched her warm face. “Let’s go back.”

Xie Qingyu got up from the ground, brushing off the grass bits. “It’s a bit chilly tonight, especially after sweating from the run.”

“We’ll warm up once we get back to the classroom.” Just as Le Ya was about to stand up, a girl ran over and placed a cup of milk tea in front of her.

Her action left both of them stunned.

Le Ya looked around and realized the girl was addressing her.

Confused, she asked, “For me?”

The girl directly shoved the milk tea into her hands. “It’s yours.”

Xie Qingyu leaned over to ask, “Are you treating her? Miss, we don’t recognize you. Which class are you from?”

The girl smiled and shook her head. “It’s not me treating her.”

Upon hearing this, Le Ya softly sighed in realization.

Had the milk tea shop started marketing inside the school? But since it was already handed to her, she couldn’t refuse.

Le Ya took out her phone from her pocket, ready to pay. “How much is this milk tea?”

The girl was amused by her actions and laughed. “Though it’s not me treating you, someone else asked me to deliver it to you.”

She pointed towards the exit of the playground.