Chapter 16, Section 16.

With the monthly exam only a few days away, Zhang Yunyi felt like a restless monkey, anxiously pacing back and forth.

Standing at the podium, homeroom teacher Mr. Zhao spoke kindly, “Whether you’re a mule or a thoroughbred, you have to come out and show yourself. But don’t be too nervous. It’s just a regular monthly test—just gauge your own level.”

Zhang Yunyi was speechless.

She was neither a mule nor a thoroughbred; she was a hopeless illiterate.

She couldn’t even imagine if, when the monthly exam results came out, Mr. Zhao would still smile so kindly during their talk.

If there were no exams, Zhang Yunyi actually felt okay. At least she no longer felt sleepy; if the teacher’s questions weren’t too difficult, she could barely follow along. But understanding half the material didn’t mean she could handle the test.

After class, Zhang Yunyi was no longer eager to go to the cafeteria.

Dai Jia dragged her out of the classroom and downstairs. They arrived at the cafeteria just a few minutes later than usual, but the many seats were nearly all taken.

“What should we eat?” Dai Jia fretted over this question every day, usually leaving it to Zhang Yunyi to decide. Their friendship was close enough to share lunch.

Zhang Yunyi glanced absentmindedly at the food window and weakly replied, “I want honey-glazed chicken drumsticks, and a hand-grabbed pancake with lots of chicken strips.”

Dai Jia nodded. “Then let’s also get a rice bowl with toppings?”

“Okay... The fish-flavored shredded pork rice bowl we had a few days ago was delicious.” Zhang Yunyi felt she shouldn’t have an appetite, thinking about how she could eat with the monthly exam looming. Yet her cravings were stirred, and her stomach rumbled loudly.

They divided their tasks clearly: Dai Jia bought the rice bowl, and Zhang Yunyi got the chicken drumsticks and pancakes.

The cafeteria staff were quick, and soon the two reunited, carrying their trays as they scanned for a place to sit.

“Hey, I see Fei Shijie and the class monitor,” Dai Jia said after a moment’s pause, turning to Zhang Yunyi for her opinion. “Should we share a table with them?”

Dai Jia was quite familiar with Fei Shijie but knew Zhang Yunyi wasn’t close to either of the boys and might not want to share a table.

“Sure!” Zhang Yunyi agreed.

They quickly headed to that table, not wanting to lose their chance to others from the class.

“Fei Shijie, class monitor, mind if we share your table?” Dai Jia called out before they reached the table.

Chen Kuo noticed them first, hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Sure.”

At the four-person table, Chen Kuo and Fei Shijie sat facing each other, each with an empty seat beside them. This time, Fei Shijie was faster; with food still in his mouth, he picked up his tray and sat next to Chen Kuo.

Zhang Yunyi ended up sitting opposite Chen Kuo in a rather narrow spot—if she lifted her foot, she could almost kick his shin.

She glanced at his tray—it was exactly what a boss would eat.

A standard plate: rice, vegetables, eggs, and meat.

He ate heartily, his plate piled high.

Fei Shijie usually ate quickly, but seeing two girls sitting across from him, he slowed down. “You two are a bit late today.”

Dai Jia handed an extra pair of chopsticks to Zhang Yunyi. The two leaned their heads together, sharing the rice bowl, each with a drumstick. Zhang Yunyi bit into her pancake a few times, then Dai Jia took a turn eating it. This scene stunned not only Fei Shijie but also Chen Kuo.

“The legs aren’t as long as yours,” Dai Jia complained, “The cafeteria is definitely the place that needs expanding.”

Zhang Yunyi laughed, “Usually, once they expand it, the food gets worse—except in college.”

“Is the hand-grabbed pancake good?” Fei Shijie asked, intrigued by how delicious they seemed to find it.

“You haven’t had it?” Zhang Yunyi replied.

“I have, but it always seems like you enjoy it more.”

“That must be because she piles on the extra fillings,” Dai Jia chuckled. “Zhang Yunyi always stuffs it full; it’s impressive the staff can still roll it up.”

Fei Shijie made an exaggerated ‘aha’ expression. “Learned something new!”

Chen Kuo thought Fei Shijie was just making small talk and kept his focus on eating.

“Class monitor, why aren’t you having soup?” Zhang Yunyi asked, realizing the three were chatting while the ‘boss’ was left out. Luckily, she and Chen Kuo were somewhat familiar now, so finding topics was easier.

Dai Jia and Fei Shijie both looked over.

Chen Kuo, chewing on vegetables, swallowed and replied leisurely, “I don’t like soup.”

The cafeteria offered both paid and free soup options. Even the free egg drop soup was popular among students.

Fei Shijie added, “There are many things he won’t eat. I’ve known him for years, and I’ve only seen him like milk and chestnuts.”

Upon hearing that, Chen Kuo instinctively raised his eyes, and Zhang Yunyi caught it, smiling quietly to herself.

See? Her memory was pretty good. Even a single line related to the ‘boss’ stuck with her. People like her were well-suited for the workplace.

Chen Kuo looked away, returning to his meal as if nothing happened.

The four chatted for a while about the monthly exam and the National Day holiday. The latter seemed to concern them more. When they learned the holiday might only be three days, Fei Shijie cursed, “Old Zhao calls us mules or horses, but I think we’re really just donkeys in a production team who never rest.”

Three days off, and the last day still had evening self-study. How was anyone supposed to get anything done?

Fei Shijie and Dai Jia grumbled, Chen Kuo didn’t react, and Zhang Yunyi was too preoccupied with the monthly exam to complain. While Dai Jia kept eating, Zhang Yunyi had already gotten up and rushed to the supermarket. She grabbed a bottle of mineral water from the cooler, paid, and brewed instant coffee at a table by the supermarket entrance.

She sealed the cup, shook the bottle, and then unscrewed the cap.

Without warning, a male voice came from behind: “What are you drinking?”

She looked up to see Chen Kuo standing on the steps, holding a bottle still steaming with cold.

Chen Kuo was usually indifferent to things unrelated to him. The reason he asked was partly because they’d run into each other more frequently lately and talked a bit, but mainly because he noticed the dark color of the liquid in her cup.

His first thought was: medicine.

As the class monitor, seeing a classmate possibly taking medicine, he couldn’t just ignore it.

He knew many students worked hard even when unwell, which was reckless. Although “hardworking” and “diligent” were odd words to associate with Zhang Yunyi, it was undeniable that she had indeed been trying hard since senior year began.

Zhang Yunyi, full and already sleepy, was startled by his question. After a few seconds of confusion, she answered, “Coffee.”

At school, the supermarket only sold two coffee-related drinks: very sweet canned coffee and coffee-flavored milk.

Chen Kuo took a step beside her. “Ah, I thought it was medicine. Sorry, my mistake.”

Zhang Yunyi looked at him, then down at her cup, trying not to laugh. Maybe it was the dullness of student life, but such a small thing tickled her funny bone. She started holding it in but eventually turned her head, barely suppressing laughter, her fair face flushed red.

Chen Kuo saw her smile and, feeling a bit silly himself, showed a faint smile. “Does this actually help?”

He knew working adults liked coffee. Recently, his mother had mentioned waiting for National Day sales to buy a coffee machine.

But this kind of drink wasn’t recommended for minors regularly because caffeine stimulates the nervous system.

Zhang Yunyi pulled out a stick-pack from her pocket and handed it to him. “It’s okay, only for occasional cups. I’ve tried several brands; this one’s decent, not sour.”

Unexpectedly, Chen Kuo now held a pack of instant coffee.

Zhang Yunyi was warm-hearted and seemed able to chat with almost anyone after nearly two years in the same class.

Seeing her eyes brighten after smiling, he swallowed his “No thanks” and accepted her kindness.

“Class monitor, I’m heading back to the dorm now.” Spotting Dai Jia, Zhang Yunyi quickly closed the thermos lid, waved to Chen Kuo, and walked off lightly with Dai Jia toward the dormitory.

...

Before afternoon classes, Chen Kuo bought another bottle of water.

While paying, his hand brushed against the instant coffee pack in his pocket. Just seconds later, as he left the supermarket, he casually unscrewed the cap, took a few sips, tore open the coffee pack, poured it in, and shook the bottle.

With a few minutes before class started, he sat at his desk, placing the bottle beside him.

At the same time, Zhang Yunyi entered. As she passed the aisle, he lifted his eyes and their gazes met.

She naturally noticed the coffee bottle and smiled faintly.

After returning to her seat, Chen Kuo thought for a moment, then tucked the bottle into his desk drawer. Clearly, he remembered the lunchtime incident—not just her, but himself too—and didn’t want others to misunderstand he was drinking something strange.

In the afternoon, inside Class 3’s classroom, among so many people, only two shared the same taste.

—

The next day.

Zhang Yunyi wasn’t woken by an alarm clock; she was jolted awake.

Most girls are aware when their period arrives, rarely needing reminders. Half-awake, she sensed something wrong, sitting up abruptly, kneeling on the bed, and quickly lifting the covers. Seeing no blood on the sheets or pillowcases, she breathed a heavy sigh of relief, feeling as if she’d survived a disaster. What luck!

Good fortune must be on her side today!

As for the blood on her pants, that was nothing. She got out of bed, found sanitary pads and fresh underwear in the drawer, and tiptoed to the bathroom. As expected, only a little blood stained the pajama bottoms—not enough to soak through.

The first day usually wasn’t heavy, but she didn’t want to take a walk on the playground.

Unexpectedly, she ran into Chen Kuo on the way to the cafeteria. This was normal—his daily routine was very regular. It was Chen Kuo who looked surprised, and Zhang Yunyi didn’t feel the need to explain further.

No matter how close she got to the boss one day, she wouldn’t say, “My period came; I’m skipping the walk today.”

Though surprised, Chen Kuo obviously didn’t ask more.

They walked along together, Chen Kuo’s hands in his pockets, occasionally answering her questions with a tilt of his head. Suddenly, he stopped and glanced back. Two or three unfamiliar students followed behind.

Zhang Yunyi noticed his frown and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Chen Kuo felt a flicker of suspicion but shook his head. “Nothing.”

They continued until their figures disappeared down the road. Only then did the boys hiding in the bushes straighten up, nervously pat their chests. Remembering what they had seen, they were annoyed.

Indeed, their guess was right.

The class monitor of Class 3 was seriously chasing after Zhang Yunyi!