You Like The Smart Ones? You Should Have Said So Sooner! - Chapter 30

Chapter 30: Leaving Dong’an

“Huh?”

“I didn’t have much to be scolded for, but the other guy was different—Teacher Mo had plenty of reasons to scold him.” Song Ying’s bright, smiling eyes looked toward Qin Mian as he explained, “But later, once Teacher Mo realized we just went out to relax, he couldn’t be bothered to manage us anymore.”

Qin Mian imagined the scene and burst out laughing. Halfway through his laugh, he froze. “Wait, if we got caught tonight, would I be the one getting scolded?”

“Uh…” Song Ying choked, not expecting Qin Mian’s train of thought to be so peculiar. “No. I’d just say I instigated it.”

Qin Mian was delighted, his shoulders shaking with laughter. “I’m kidding. Believe it or not, even if the teachers from No. 2 High appeared in front of us right now, they’d probably act like they didn’t even see two living people like us.”

Song Ying was surprised. “Is that so?”

“Dong’an isn’t like Linjiang. When a potential ‘Top Scholar’ candidate shows up here, they treat him like a sacred treasure,” Qin Mian said, knowing the style of Principal Cai Yu and the other leaders all too well. “He’d use a half-broken fan that’s one foot in the grave for over ten years, but the moment you arrive, he’s willing to drop thousands on a brand-new air conditioner without a second thought.”

Song Ying laughed. “How do you know them so well?”

“I grew up here, I guess. This is my fourth year staying at No. 2 High,” Qin Mian replied.

Song Ying was silent for a moment, then suddenly turned serious. “Qin Mian.”

“Yeah?”

“Have you ever thought about leaving Dong’an?” Song Ying looked at him earnestly.

Qin Mian raised his eyes and met the other boy’s gaze, which was as gentle as a clear spring. Those eyes reflected Qin Mian’s own silhouette, clearly conveying his intent.

Qin Mian knew exactly what Song Ying was asking: what university did he plan to attend? With their levels, University A was practically in the bag for both of them. But University A was in Province A; to go there meant leaving Dong’an.

Song Ying’s tone was relaxed, as if it were just a casual question, yet he also seemed to already expect an answer. He assumed Qin Mian would definitely go to University A—after all, if you could get into University A, who would choose University Z?

Unexpectedly, Qin Mian fell silent. He didn’t immediately answer the question that Song Ying thought was so simple. He looked away toward the deep, blackish-blue night sky, dotted with flickering stars.

Song Ying was slightly stunned. Following Qin Mian’s gaze, he also looked up at the sky. Silence stretched between them.

“Who knows what will happen in a year? No rush.”

Under the cover of night, Qin Mian’s voice sounded steady and calm, as if he were merely stating a logical viewpoint. But Song Ying keenly sensed that something was off. His heart tightened, yet he couldn’t quite grasp what the other was thinking.

“Can I ask… why you are repeating the year?” Song Ying suddenly spoke up.

When he first started school, Qin Mian’s reputation was huge. Song Ying had heard from many people that getting into University A was a sure thing for him, yet he had chosen to repeat. Since Qin Mian ranked in the top 100 of the province this year, Song Ying’s first instinct was that his major choices were filled out incorrectly or he wasn’t satisfied with them.

But seeing Qin Mian’s current attitude, Song Ying began to doubt himself. Was it not about the major? Was it about the school itself?

Qin Mian shrugged, seemingly indifferent. “Why else? Someone changed my application choices, and I wasn’t happy with it.”

Hearing this, Song Ying breathed another sigh of relief. Maybe he was just overthinking.

Qin Mian saw him relax and raised an eyebrow. “What? Are you that eager for me to go to University A?”

He thought Song Ying would make up some excuse, but the boy simply nodded without a shred of hesitation.

Qin Mian froze, his pace gradually slowing. The person beside him slowed down as well, his gaze focused and sincere as if waiting for a response. The dim surroundings seemed to blur, replaced by an indescribable atmosphere.

Qin Mian exhaled slowly. It shouldn’t be like this, he told himself silently. How long had he even known Song Ying? Besides, maybe he was just overthinking things. Song Ying probably just saw him as a normal friend and hoped they could go to a top school together. Just like how he treated Ji Chenxiang.

Qin Mian forced a light smile to dispel the strange tension. He teased, “University Z within the province isn’t bad either, right? It’s close to home and a famous ‘985’ school.”

Song Ying clearly disagreed. “How can that be the same? University Z is fine, but compared to University A, it’s much weaker. University A has a superior location, immense strength, and its Science and Engineering departments are top-tier in the country. With your grades, it wouldn’t be a problem at all. Even if it’s a bit far from home, you can fly back every semester. It’s very convenient.”

Song Ying listed a long string of advantages. Qin Mian was amused by his earnestness.

“Alright, alright, I never said University A was bad. It’s about time; should we head back?”

Song Ying blinked. At Qin Mian’s evasive attitude, his lashes dipped with a hint of disappointment. But he quickly convinced himself: It’s okay, there’s still a long time. I can take it slow.

Just as they were about to turn back, they saw a suspicious figure hiding in the bushes.

Crap, did a thief get into the school?”

Qin Mian lowered his voice and crouched down to approach. “Stay back, I’ll go take a look.”

Song Ying frowned and grabbed Qin Mian’s wrist. Qin Mian just assumed he was worried. “It’s fine, don’t worry.” He pulled his wrist away and silently approached the dark shadow.

When he was less than five meters away, Qin Mian saw the curly hair and knew exactly who it was. He curled his lips into a mischievous smile and suddenly lunged forward to scare the person.

“AHHH!!! CRAP! CRAP! CRAP!”

A heart-wrenching scream erupted from the bushes as a disheveled figure jumped out, shrieking and flailing. Song Ying stood behind Qin Mian, watching Yu Canxing hop around like a monkey.

“Do you have a fetish for acting like a thief?” Qin Mian asked coldly, his arms crossed. He felt zero guilt for scaring him—because he had done it on purpose.

Yu Canxing’s scalp was tingling. He swallowed hard and confessed: “I just followed you guys out to get some fresh air.”

Song Ying: “Then why were you hiding there?” He looked extremely suspicious.

Yu Canxing’s heart was full of bitterness. He didn’t want to hide! Initially, he was just curious and didn’t want to study, so he followed them. But then he saw Song Ying and Qin Mian walking side-by-side on the playground. Under the moonlight, the two tall figures walking slowly across the empty field actually looked quite beautiful. The atmosphere between them felt so private that Yu Canxing didn’t dare show himself.

“I was planning to go back, but a patrolling teacher passed by just now. I was scared of getting caught, so I just ducked into the bushes.” He complained with a long face, “Brother Mian, why did you have to scare me?”

Qin Mian rolled his eyes, cold and succinct: “Couldn’t help myself.” Who told you to hide there like a burglar?

Yu Canxing: QAQ. “You people have no hearts.”

Song Ying glanced down at the time. “Class is almost over. Shall we go back?”

Qin Mian had no objections. Since there were only two or three minutes left, the two of them figured there wouldn’t be any more patrols. They stopped playing guerrilla and just walked back boldly.

Predictably, they ran right into a teacher.

Ding Zi stood frozen, holding two large bags of things. He looked at the three of them and said hesitantly, “It seems… class isn’t over yet, right?”

Almost,” Qin Mian said, confident despite having no leg to stand on.

“Where are you two coming from?”

Song Ying told the truth: “Got tired of studying, went for a walk.”

No discipline.” Ding Zi was too lazy to argue, knowing these two knew what they were doing. His gaze shifted to Yu Canxing, who was hiding behind Song Ying. “Stop hiding. How blind do you think I am?”

Yu Canxing shuffled out from behind Song Ying with an awkward laugh. “Teacher Ding… what a coincidence.”

Ding Zi stared at him with that piercing ‘Head Teacher’ gaze until Yu Canxing nearly cried. Only then did he look away. “Don’t go running around with these two. They aren’t normal people.”

Qin Mian: “……” Song Ying: “……” Rude, much?

Yu Canxing nodded like a chicken pecking at grain. Ding Zi still held great prestige in the class.

Ding Zi hefted the things in his hands, sweat dripping down. “It is a coincidence. Quick! One bag each, help me carry these to the classroom.”

Qin Mian took one and peeked inside. “What is this?” He opened it to see a pile of snacks.

Ding Zi grimaced as he massaged his aching back, wiping sweat as they walked toward the class. “Got you guys some food. Don’t you young people love this stuff? I saw everyone has been studying quite hard lately, so I thought I’d let you relax a bit.”

“Generous, Old Ding! These two bags must have cost a lot?” Qin Mian raised an eyebrow in surprise.

Ding Zi waved his hand. “This bit of pocket change? Your teacher can still afford it.”