SW - 48

Upon hearing the principal’s words, Tang Yin reached up to touch her cheek.

However, she didn’t feel anything. Instead, the image of Lu Chi leaning down and gently biting her cheek floated in her mind.

She turned toward Lu Chi, who was also looking at her.

Seeing their behavior, the principal sighed and rubbed his balding head in frustration. “You two really are...”

Zhou Cheng, standing to the side, covered his face. These two troublemakers kept provoking the principal right in front of him—it was no wonder he was so angry.

The principal directly sent them away: “Write your self-criticism! You must read it exactly as written.”

In the past, speeches were half memorized and half read aloud. But now, due to the shadow cast by previous incidents, the principal thought reading from a script would be safer to avoid any mishaps.

He planned to give them a stern warning later.

Once they exited the office, the group of people gathered outside quickly dispersed.

Walking side by side, Tang Yin asked Lu Chi, “What should we write for the self-criticism?”

Lu Chi paused for a moment. “I’ll write it.”

“Can you even write one? Have you ever written a self-criticism before?” Tang Yin eyed him suspiciously. He had always been such a model student.

Though she herself had never written one either, in the past, others had provided templates that she could easily copy. Clearly, this time, the principal wouldn’t let them off so easily.

Lu Chi mumbled, “There’s always a first time.”

Since coming to this school and meeting her, it seemed like he’d done all kinds of firsts. Writing a self-criticism didn’t seem like much.

“Forget it. A self-criticism isn’t a big deal anyway,” Tang Yin giggled. “Let’s write it together.”

There were still several days until Monday. She was confident she could come up with a few hundred words, but she didn’t want to stick to the script. What should she do?

As if sensing her thoughts, Lu Chi simply gave a faint smile.

Approaching the door of Class Zero, Tang Yin suddenly said, “Jealousy jar.”

Before he could respond, Tang Yin had already slipped into the classroom.

As soon as they returned to Class Zero, a few students who had been secretly gossiping about the incident surrounded them.

“How did it go? What did the principal make you do?”

“Did the principal scold you and give you a punishment?”

“I bet there’s definitely a punishment. This was too sensational. Otherwise, someone would surely feel unhappy, and then one report after another will follow.”

“What happened?” Lu Ye chimed in enthusiastically. “What punishment does the principal have in store for you? Any disciplinary action?”

Tang Yin plopped down casually. “Just a self-criticism.”

Hearing this, Lu Ye gave a strange look.

The principal actually dared to make Tang Yin give another self-criticism? Hadn’t he learned his lesson from the last two speeches? Tang Yin clearly wasn’t the type to obediently write a self-criticism.

He suddenly felt an inexplicable anticipation for next Monday’s flag-raising ceremony.

Life had become monotonous lately—nothing but exams and problem-solving. Thinking about it now, it seemed exciting and fun.

“Wow, you still have one self-criticism left unfinished, and now another one? That’s what happens when you’re too carefree. I feel sorry for you.”

“Why feel sorry? She has Lu Chi to comfort her. What can you do?”

The two teased each other back and forth.

No one understood what had just happened better than the classmates in Class Zero who had witnessed everything from inside the classroom.

They had seen with their own eyes Lu Chi walking over, turning Tang Yin around with a cold expression, and then kissing her outright.

This was something no one had expected.

Later, reflecting on why he had looked so serious, they connected the dots—clearly, he had seen Tang Yin talking to Su Xun and gotten jealous.

Who would have thought this quiet, model student had such a strong sense of jealousy? In the future, others should probably stay away from Tang Yin.

Lu Chi’s ears turned slightly red. The impulsive rush had passed, but thinking about it still felt thrilling.

“Everyone, move aside,” Tang Yin waved her hand.

Lu Ye commented, “Starting to get annoyed by our interference, huh?”

Everyone laughed. Just as they thought nothing more would happen, the classroom door was pushed open again, and Zhou Cheng called them back to the office.

Lu Ye smirked. “Good luck.”

How dare they commit such an outrageously provocative act?

He glanced at Lu Chi, finding himself increasingly impressed by his classmate’s composure. If he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, he would never have believed Lu Chi capable of such a thing.

Meanwhile, Zhao Ruyi, sitting at the front of the classroom, couldn’t help but bite her lip.

She had been in the classroom all day and had personally witnessed the entire incident without even having time to react.

It was unexpected.

It wasn’t Tang Yin forcing him—Lu Chi had done it willingly.

It seemed the two of them weren’t far from being together.

Zhao Ruyi sighed wistfully. She had never had the courage to do something like that. If she had, perhaps her life would be different now.

But there was no use in “what ifs.”

In the office, Zhou Cheng was already waiting at his desk.

He had just returned from the principal’s office, where teachers had been asking about the punishment and what had been said.

He didn’t want to answer any of it.

As soon as the two entered, the gazes of the other teachers in the office immediately turned toward them, filled with various emotions.

Most of the teachers were wondering how Lu Chi had ended up entangled with Tang Yin.

Zhou Cheng said, “Come stand closer.”

But just then, the physics teacher suddenly spoke up: “Oh, Lu Chi, good timing. I haven’t finished grading these test papers. Teacher Zhou, lend him to me for a bit.”

For talented students like Lu Chi, the physics teacher had a special fondness.

Not only did Lu Chi listen attentively during every physics class, but his homework was also meticulously done. As for exams, he had never made a single mistake, and his problem-solving methods were concise and clear. Having such a student was both worry-free and convenient.

Seeing the students being punished, naturally, she wanted to intervene.

Zhou Cheng hesitated for a moment. “Lu Chi, go help the physics teacher grade the test papers.”

Lu Chi glanced at Tang Yin.

Tang Yin stared at him longingly.

Seeing the two of them acting so openly in front of him, Zhou Cheng coughed lightly, realizing once again that they were indeed capable of such actions.

“It was me... I did it,” Lu Chi suddenly spoke up.

Zhou Cheng wanted to cover his face. Didn’t he already know it was him? So many people had seen it.

He said, “I know it was you. I’ll deal with you later.”

Lu Chi pursed his lips and slowly walked over to the physics teacher.

The physics teacher’s desk and Zhou Cheng’s desk were in opposite corners of the office—the longest distance between desks in the room.

Though they were in the same office, the two stood at opposite ends.

Tang Yin immediately knew what Zhou Cheng intended to do. He had likely been scolded by the principal and wanted to make an example out of them.

Though punishments were plenty, the thrill of the moment had been worth it.

After the excitement came the punishment.

But why was she being lectured while Lu Chi was helping grade test papers?

Zhou Cheng continued, “Tang Yin, your performance in this second mock exam improved compared to the last one, but don’t get arrogant. Some teachers told me you often sleep during evening study sessions, is that true?”

“Mm. I only slept once.”

Zhou Cheng tapped the table. “Once is still sleeping. The college entrance exam is approaching, and evening study sessions are the last chance you have to make use of your time. Do you want to regret it during the exam?”

These words had been heard countless times before.

Zhou Cheng was merely finding an excuse to lecture the two. Deep down, he didn’t think kissing was such a grave offense.

In fact, he had also wanted to do something like that during his high school years, but he lacked the courage. Youthful impulsiveness was normal.

As long as both parties consented, didn’t neglect their studies, didn’t interfere with others, and didn’t do anything excessive, in his eyes, it wasn’t a big deal.

But this office wasn’t just him. He still had to put on a show.

Lu Chi was busy organizing the test papers.

There had been a new quiz last night, and the teacher couldn’t finish grading them alone.

The office was quiet. Most teachers were focused on their tasks, though occasionally a few glanced at Zhou Cheng’s direction.

“Oh, Teacher Zhou,” a female teacher chimed in. “Young people, falling asleep in class must mean they studied too hard at night. Without understanding the situation, criticizing them might discourage her.”

Tang Yin, who had supposedly studied too hard at night, remained silent.

But Zhou Cheng inwardly sneered.

Before going to the principal’s office, this teacher had subtly mocked Tang Yin and Lu Chi’s incident. Now she was pretending to be kind-hearted, as if he didn’t know what she was thinking.

Zhou Cheng turned back to Tang Yin. “If you fall asleep again during class, you’ll stand up. I guarantee you won’t be able to sleep anymore. And regarding the public display today...”

He frowned, unsure how to punish them. The principal had already assigned a self-criticism, so he couldn’t impose additional punishments.

“You’ll stand as punishment. Don’t do such impulsive things in the future.”

Before Tang Yin could respond, two teachers across the room couldn’t hold back. “Teacher Zhou, aren’t you being too harsh? This is Tang Yin’s first offense. A few words should suffice.”

“Yes, she’s just a young girl. Treating her like this hurts her dignity. It’s not a big deal.”

Zhou Cheng flipped through his book and calmly replied, “Isn’t this what you all said was indecent earlier?”

His words silenced several mouths.

Out of the corner of her eye, Tang Yin observed the teachers, noticing their expressions before they could mask them. She guessed they had probably enjoyed watching the spectacle.

There was intrigue and rivalry in this office. Being a homeroom teacher certainly wasn’t easy.

Standing as punishment was likely just for show.

Tang Yin didn’t argue. Standing wasn’t a big deal. During breaks, she even stole glances at Lu Chi.

It didn’t feel bad at all.

During the extended break, there were twenty minutes to spare.

When the physics teacher returned before class began, she asked, “Lu Chi, how are the test papers coming along?”

Lu Chi replied, “Almost... almost done.”

In reality, he had already graded quite a bit. He just needed to check the remaining answers against the key. Besides, he had helped teachers grade papers before, so it wasn’t particularly difficult.

However, multitasking had slowed his efficiency.

The physics teacher didn’t disturb him, sitting nearby to continue grading papers.

After a long while, she suddenly remembered something, looked up to grab a folder, and noticed Lu Chi pausing his pen to glance at Teacher Zhou’s direction.

She followed his gaze and saw Tang Yin standing as punishment.

Students these days had many thoughts, but they weren’t hard to guess.

As a teacher, paying attention to students inevitably revealed certain situations. Tang Yin and Lu Chi’s relationship was practically common knowledge throughout the school, and the principal had been angered multiple times because of them.

Thinking about it, she felt a bit sorry for the principal. If she were in his position, she’d probably be just as frustrated.

Seeing him staring intently, the physics teacher didn’t notice her own lingering gaze.

She cleared her throat, bringing Lu Chi back to attention.

Lu Chi felt a bit embarrassed and pretended to focus on the test paper in front of him, but he couldn’t bring himself to grade it.

The physics teacher noticed and couldn’t help teasing, “Feeling sorry for her?”

At the sound of her voice, a group of teachers in the office perked up their ears, ready to eavesdrop. Even teachers got bored sometimes.

Then, they heard Lu Chi respond.

“Mm.”

His voice wasn’t too loud or too soft, but it was just enough for everyone in the office to hear.