What to Do If Beta Cannot Be Marked? - Chapter 17

“Stand up,” the P.E. monitor called out, and all the students rose to greet the English teacher who had just entered the classroom with a unified “Good morning, teacher.”

Chi Jinxian straightened his body and stood facing the blackboard. Though his gaze seemed fixed ahead, his attention still lingered on the back row where it had been just before class started. A trace of bewilderment mixed with faint surprise lingered deep in his pupils.

The moment the teacher instructed them to sit, Chi Jinxian couldn’t wait another second. He instantly twisted around, eyes sparkling as he called out eagerly in a hushed tone, “Lu-ge.”

Lu Zhi opened his textbook, his expression unchanged impatient and irritated. Hearing the address, he lifted his gaze and quietly watched the other, as if waiting to hear what he would say next.

Chi Jinxian asked, “Do you not like it when people pursue you?”

As far as he knew, throughout their three years of high school, countless people had pursued Lu Zhi, though none as persistently as himself. He was also aware of how Lu Zhi typically rejected others, having witnessed it firsthand. Yet he couldn’t grasp the meaning behind Lu Zhi’s words before class. Was this Lu Zhi granting him special permission to help ward off admirers?

Lu Zhi’s brows relaxed, but his expression grew even colder.

Chi Jinxian faltered, then quickly voiced his speculation that “Lu Zhi wanted him to help fend off romantic interests.” After he finished, Lu Zhi’s lips didn’t move, but his voice came through clearly: “What do you think?”

Having posed the question, Lu Zhi seemed to suddenly recall his role as class monitor and added, “What grade are you in? Shouldn’t you be studying?”

For some reason, Chi Jinxian sensed a hint of flustered irritation in his Lu-ge. But it was merely an illusion, Lu Zhi’s face showed no detectable emotion, his gaze radiating nothing but the upright, impartial sternness befitting a class monitor.

As the male classmate privileged enough to share meals with Lu Zhi and now even entrusted with his meal card, which contained a full twenty thousand Alliance coins! Chi Jinxian had been walking on air ever since he’d gotten hold of it. It was only upon seeing that junior student after class that he’d sobered up a little: even if he held Lu Zhi’s bank card, it didn’t change the fact that Lu Zhi didn’t like him. No one had the right to meddle in Lu Zhi’s private life, and Chi Jinxian had no intention of playing the rival to a crowd of admirers before they were even dating.

It would be undignified, and he wasn’t cut out for that sort of thing.

Although all he’d confirmed was that Lu Zhi wanted him to help ward off admirers, Chi Jinxian couldn’t suppress the corners of his mouth from quirking upward. His bright smile nearly materialized into audible laughter, but the classroom was a sacred place for learning not to be desecrated. Mainly because there was a teacher at the podium. So he stifled it forcefully, channeling all the joy into his eyes and his heart, where it manifested as a powerful, rapid thumping his heart drumming wildly.

Out of the corner of his eye, Jiang Baixiao watched his deskmate and sighed inwardly. Their Class 10 Senior Three’s little cash was truly easy to please.

“I’m in Senior Three! I am studying!” Chi Jinxian grinned and said, “I know ”

“Chi Jinxian, second-to-last row by the window in the aisle.” The English teacher on the podium, poised and sharp in her stiletto heels, braced her hands on the lectern while looking down at her notes, not even lifting her head.

Yet it was as if she had eyes on the top of her head, swiftly and unerringly locking onto her target like a hawk.

Chi Jinxian immediately sat up straight, responding in an obedient and very soft voice, “Teacher.” After answering, he nudged the stool with his foot, intending to stand up, but the English teacher raised a hand to stop him without even looking up. Chi Jinxian, who had half-risen, instantly sank back into his seat, his eyes fixed timidly on the lectern.

After a few seconds of silence, as if the silent pressure on Chi Jinxian was sufficient, the English teacher finally looked up, hands still braced on the lectern, and said to him, “Save matters of lifelong importance for after class or school. During class, focus your heart and mind on studying properly.”

The bond between Chi and God Lu was truly fiery, especially Chi Jinxian. The entire school faculty and students knew he trailed behind Lu Zhi every day as his little follower. As Chi Jinxian’s teacher, she understood this even better, especially since this student still wanted to sit next to Lu Zhi just to be with his “Lu-ge” at all times though Lu Zhi had refused. Thus, Chi Jinxian had settled for a seat very close to Lu Zhi.

This public reprimand had the rest of the class stifling laughter without even needing to glance back, they all understood.

Chi Jinxian’s ears turned red. He lowered his head, rubbing them with his hand, and when he spoke again, his voice was almost inaudible: “I’m sorry, teacher. I understand.”

“If it weren’t for the fact that you haven’t neglected your studies and have consistently ranked at the top, you’d be standing outside right now as punishment,” the English teacher added.

The memory of the first flag-raising ceremony two years ago lingered. When such a bold and shameless student first appeared, the principal was the first to be shocked into high blood pressure to this day, Chi Sui still teased Chi Jinxian about it.

Since then, the principal and all of Chi Jinxian’s teachers had kept a close watch on him, fearing that this flower-like child might stray down the wrong path. But after observation, everyone realized that Chi Jinxian was sensible, knew his limits, clever, and obedient, never letting trivial matters interfere with his studies. He was genuinely likable.

Chi Jinxian, who often enjoyed such leniency, lowered his head even further, his voice growing even softer with embarrassment: “I know, I’m sorry, teacher. It won’t happen again.”

The English teacher lifted her chin slightly and said, “Lu Zhi, as class monitor, you need to be stricter in managing classroom discipline from now on.”

As if expecting to be named, Lu Zhi showed no surprise and replied, “Okay.”

One Chi, one Lu the pair was complete.

A few corners of the classroom couldn’t hold back soft snickers. Hearing them, Chi Jinxian pinpointed the sources and began glaring at them in mock anger. Zhong Qing noticed and, unable to contain it any longer, burst into laughter, turning stifled chuckles into full-blown hilarity.

That one sound instantly infected the entire class, especially Jiang Baixiao. Chi Jinxian, sitting close to him, could even feel the vibrations of his shaking chest through the desk. Chi Jinxian’s blush faded as he reached under the desk to pinch Jiang Baixiao.

Feigning anger, Chi Jinxian muttered, not too quietly, “You all have no sense of camaraderie.”

The classroom erupted into even louder laughter.

The English teacher let them carry on for a moment before shaking her head with a light chuckle and saying, “Alright, enough fun. Let’s continue with the lesson.”

The moment the bell rang, Jiang Baixiao sprang up and grabbed Chi Jinxian, the pinch marks from class might still be visible on his arm.

“Sister, you’re really ruthless. Why didn’t you just pinch me to death?” Jiang Baixiao leaned in and asked with a laugh.

Chi Jinxian retorted, but didn’t dare use too much force, what if he got labeled as a Hercules Omega from then on?

His strength was almost on par with Jiang Baixiao’s as he said, “Weren’t you the one laughing at me first?”

“I laughed because even the teacher allowed us to!” Jiang Baixiao declared righteously. After his bold statement, he recalled the classroom scene and couldn’t help bursting into laughter again. Mimicking their English teacher’s flat tone, he said, “Save matters of lifelong importance for after class or school focus on studying during class hours. Hahahaha Cash, even the teacher knows about your lifelong affairs now!”

This statement stirred up a wave of reactions. Zhong Qing and the others started applauding and cheering: “We all know now!”

“Cash, Cash!”

“Go for it!”

Their enthusiasm surpassed even that of a sports rally.

Chi Jinxian: “…”

Class 10 of Grade 12 was particularly lively after the second period, with laughter nearly shaking the roof. Before students from neighboring classes could come over to see what was happening, they instantly noticed the classroom had suddenly fallen silent.

So quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Just as Cheng Fei reached the corridor window by the back door, he saw the students of Class 10 scratching their heads, turning around, or pretending to do homework.

The senior sitting next to Chi Jinxian coughed awkwardly and said, “Sorry, God Lu! The joke went a bit too far!” He quickly averted his gaze from the back row and sat up straight as if a teacher were present. Chi Jinxian, sitting beside him with what seemed like a mischievous grin, nudged him with an elbow and teased, “Go on, laugh now. Keep laughing.”

Jiang Baixiao raised a hand to hit him but, noticing Lu Zhi still scanning the classroom, corrected his posture and attitude.

However, the next moment, he glanced out the window and actually smiled.

Sensing his gaze, Chi Jinxian stopped gloating. A gut feeling told him something was off, and he turned around suspiciously.

Cheng Fei stood outside his window holding a milk tea, as if the window were a sales counter with Lu Zhi as the merchandise.

Feeling the weight of his duty to ward off admirers, Chi Jinxian mustered full confidence and declared to the window, “Junior, what grade are you in? Oh, Grade 11. Bad timing Brother Lu. I mean, Lu Zhi isn’t here.”

Jiang Baixiao: “…”

Cheng Fei: “…”

Lu Zhi: “…”

Jiang Baixiao stared strangely at Chi Jinxian, clearly wondering what species his deskmate belonged to. Cheng Fei looked past the window at Lu Zhi in the back row, his eyes now visibly displeased. Was this Chi Jinxian treating him like a fool?

Meanwhile, Lu Zhi cast a peculiar glance at the student surnamed Chi. After a moment’s thought, he opened his English textbook from the previous class, casually laid his head on the desk, and covered his face with the book.

He was sleeping.

In the dead silence, Chi Jinxian corrected himself without changing expression: “Sorry, my mistake. Lu Zhi is asleep. He has terrible morning grumpiness, so it’s best not to wake him.Jiang Baixiao shot him a look that said, “How do you know he has a bad mood when he wakes up?” Have you seen it?” Chi Jinxian returned a gaze that implied, “I’ll see it eventually.” Their silent exchange was seamless!

Nothing could be more resolute than this rejection. After all, Cheng Fei was still a sixteen- or seventeen-year-old boy, at an age where his self-esteem was at its peak. He couldn’t help but feel a bit embarrassed and reluctantly said, “Then, Senior Chi, could you help me deliver this to Senior Lu?”

Chi Jinxian replied, “No.”

“…” Cheng Fei twirled the milk tea in his hand and said, “Senior, aren’t you being a bit too domineering?”

Everyone in the school knew Chi Jinxian. Cheng Fei knew they were rivals in love, but that didn’t mean Chi Jinxian should dismiss him so bluntly, right?

Chi Jinxian said with a straight face, “Even the principal knows I’m domineering.”

Cheng Fei: “…”

It was true. The principal turned a blind eye to Chi Jinxian, the love-crazed pursuer, because it didn’t affect his studies.

To prevent anyone from tossing things through the window like in the previous class, Chi Jinxian preemptively closed it. Before shutting it completely, he very kindly said to Cheng Fei, “Study hard, junior. It’s not too late to date in college!”

Lu Zhi seemed to have genuinely fallen asleep, maintaining that position for half an hour, the second break was a long one, lasting thirty minutes.

Just before class was about to start, Chi Jinxian reached out and gently tapped Lu Zhi’s arm. After a moment, Lu Zhi pushed the English textbook off his face, his furrowed brows filled with irritation. The gloom and restlessness in his eyes couldn’t even be concealed by his half-lowered lashes. The moment he woke up, he seemed shrouded in a haze of gloom, startling Chi Jinxian so much that he reflexively pulled his hand back from Lu Zhi’s desk.

Lu Zhi didn’t move, but his gaze instinctively followed the owner of the hand, immediately locking eyes with Chi Jinxian’s slightly intimidated expression.

He blinked, his brows unconsciously relaxing, as if the irritation and gloom in his eyes vanished with that blink.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice slightly hoarse, as he sat up and ran a hand through his hair.

Chi Jinxian snapped back to reality and said, “Oh, Lu-ge, class is about to start. I just wanted to wake you up.”

Lu Zhi replied, “Mm.”

After class started, Chi Jinxian still seemed a bit unsettled by Lu Zhi’s earlier demeanor, though he wasn’t exactly scared, just momentarily startled because he’d never seen him like that before. Now, he was just feeling a bit reflective.

He gently nudged Jiang Baixiao’s elbow and whispered knowingly, “See? I told you Lu-ge has a bad temper when he wakes up.”

His tone was firm, his attitude resolute. This time, it wasn’t a guess, he had truly witnessed it!

Jiang Baixiao couldn’t be bothered to respond.

It was unclear whether Cheng Fei had learned to back off after facing difficulties. Just to be safe, as soon as school was over, Chi Jinxian immediately stood up and said, “Lu-ge, I’m worried your admirers might try to intercept you. Let’s hurry and grab some food.”

Lu Zhi pushed his chair under the desk and glanced at Chi Jinxian, looking somewhat resigned.

Coincidentally, Jiang Jin, having seemingly overheard Chi Jinxian’s thoughts, appeared right on cue.

“Lu Zhi.”

Lu Zhi responded, “Mm.”

As they walked side by side, Jiang Jin first cast a rather suggestive glance at Chi Jinxian. Lu Zhi didn’t understand why he was making that expression and frowned slightly. Jiang Jin quickly averted his gaze back to Lu Zhi, his expression still suggestive.

Lu Zhi met his gaze indifferently. Jiang Jin chuckled and nudged him with his elbow. “The whole school is talking about it, you know. I wanted to message you about it yesterday, but then I figured I’d just wait till today to talk in person. That’s the only reason I held back.”

The moment the words began, Chi Jinxian had an intuition that this matter was related to him. When the words finished, it really was! He unconsciously widened his eyes slightly and slowed his pace.

Chi Jinxian never knew Jiang Jin could be so gossipy!

Lu Zhi was baffled: “What?”

Jiang Jin cleared his throat, his voice extremely low but full of expression: “Little Cash pressed God Lu against the wall and kissed him passionately.”

“…”

Though they had all just left school together, the surrounding students’ voices seemed to be instantly absorbed by a sponge, leaving only their small group exposed under the sun, utterly embarrassed.

Chi Jinxian let out a soft “hiss,” lowered his head and fell a few steps behind the others, rubbing his ear with one hand.

Lu Zhi halted his steps, seeming utterly incredulous.

He repeated: “What?”

Seeing this expression, Jiang Jin knew it was fake. His expression was no longer suggestive and sticky, and he clicked his tongue regretfully: “So you didn’t kiss?”

Lu Zhi probably understood what he was referring to now, his expression indifferent. After a moment, he turned to look at Chi Jinxian, who had stopped several steps behind them, watching as he desperately tried to lower his head to his chest while continuously rubbing his ear, looking extremely guilty.

For some reason, Lu Zhi stared directly at Chi Jinxian and said: “Would he dare to kiss?”

“…”

The three of them were in a world of their own, unusually quiet. Jiang Jin looked back and forth between the two, finally settling his gaze on Lu Zhi, asking curiously and unexpectedly: “Would you dare to let him kiss you?”