Chapter 11

When the break for physical exercises had just ended, and the classes hadn’t yet disbanded, Shang Yan, Li Zhe, and a few others had already left the exercise area early.

By late summer, any restlessness had almost entirely dissipated.

A few boys casually strolled under the cool shade of trees around the school, heading towards the southwest corner.

Next to the Science and Technology Building in the southwest corner, there was a bamboo grove hiding the shortest wall of the school.

It was over this wall that the boys usually escaped from school during class.

However, unlike others who did it sneakily, Shang Yan and his group always did it openly and boldly.

The only reason they didn’t exit through the school’s main gate was that jumping the wall was closer.

Specifically, just 200 meters from this low wall was one of the nicest internet cafes near the school, which offered a high-end environment.

Li Zhe was already discussing the fierce battles from last week’s game with another boy when he suddenly realized that Shang Yan, who had been walking slightly ahead, had disappeared.

Turning his head, he saw Shang Yan heading towards the main entrance of the Science and Technology Building.

Li Zhe’s face immediately fell.

“Brother Yan, didn’t you finish this week’s training task on Sunday? What are you going there for today?”

Shang Yan kept walking without stopping.A lazy voice drifted back, tinged with a hint of amusement—

“To train my disciple.”

Li Zhe: “…”

Couldn’t you just say teaching the disciple? Why use such a cheeky tone?

—

When Shang Yan entered the training department’s office, he only saw the laptop on his desk, its owner nowhere in sight.

Peering into the inner room, he saw no one there either.

“…Where’s the kid?”

Shang Yan frowned slightly and turned to ask Wu Hongbo and Luan Wenzhe.

Both looked up from their computers.

“Ah, right, where did little Su go? She was just here a moment ago,” Wu Hongbo scratched the back of his head.

Luan Wenzhe, more observant, uncertainly said, “She seemed to have taken a phone call, then went to the back room, and after leaving that room, she hasn’t come back.”

“With whom did she talk?”

Luan Wenzhe: “I don’t know…”Shang Yan’s gaze darkened slightly.

After standing for a moment, he went to the computer desk, sat down in the chair, and started waiting.

This wait lasted until the bell for the end of the third period rang.

When Li Zhe and the other boys excitedly knocked on the door of the training office after climbing back over the wall from playing games, the first thing they saw were two pairs of desperate, pleading eyes.

“Yan—… Bro?”

Sensing the atmosphere was off, Li Zhe quickly dropped the smile on his face.

Before he could further observe, the man who had been facing the door abruptly stood up from his chair, his handsome face stern, and walked out.

“It’s not…”

Li Zhe shivered as he felt a chill from passing Shang Yan, and looked puzzled at the two relieved men inside—

“What’s the situation here? Who dared to mess with Brother Yan?”

Wu Hongbo made a pained face: “It seems like Su Miao Miao stood up Brother Yan…”

Li Zhe: “…”

His expression froze for a few seconds before he snapped back to reality, exclaiming in shock, “To stand up Brother Yan like that, is she not valuing her life? There’s a first time, but daring a second?”

Without further delay, Li Zhe and the others quickly followed Shang Yan.

The school morning on Mondays consisted of five periods, and the fourth period was the Chinese language class.

The Chinese teacher for Class 1, surnamed Lin, known as “Old Lin,” was a retired teacher rehired by the school, known for his rather old-fashioned personality.

And because of this, unlike other teachers who dared not offend Shang Yan in class, Old Lin never showed him any special favors.

Skipping class carries the same penalties, or even harsher ones compared to other students.

As a result, Shang Yan and Old Teacher Lin were especially at odds.

Watching the figure descending the stairs with an air of gloom, Li Zhe sighed, keeping his voice low.

“Today’s tardiness is a given. When we enter the classroom later, if Old Lin picks on Brother Yan again, you guys better be clever about it.”

A boy next to him chuckled, “Zhe, are you still worried about Brother Yan being at a disadvantage? If you ask me, Brother Yan is just too yielding, that’s why Old Lin keeps escalating things.”

Li Zhe responded, “What can you do if not yield? He’s an elderly teacher; should you really be getting physical with him?”

The boy scoffed, “I think he’s just taking advantage of his age and seniority to make things difficult for Brother Yan.”

“… Brother Yan endures it, so you should hold it in too,” Li Zhe said.

After that, they quickly followed Shang Yan and reached the fourth floor together.

Class One was located at the far east end of the corridor on the fourth floor.

As they passed the back door of the classroom, Li Zhe instinctively glanced inside. The leg he was about to step forward with suddenly froze in place.

“—Yan, Brother Yan.”

Shang Yan, who was walking in front, stopped and turned slightly.

His distinct side profile outlined by the weak light from the window appeared exceptionally indifferent and unapproachable.

Normally, just being stared at by those deep, dark eyes would have made Li Zhe swallow his words.

However, at that moment, he couldn’t contain his astonishment—Li Zhe pointed at the back door of Class One’s classroom.

“There seems to be someone… at your seat.”

Another boy laughed, “Who dares to touch Brother Yan’s seat? Are you telling ghost stories?”

Li Zhe recalled the familiar silhouette he had just seen.

“…”

He too thought he was seeing things.

Li Zhe wanted to turn around and take another look to confirm, but before he could, Shang Yan asked with a frown, “Who is sitting there?”

—Judging from Li Zhe’s nearly twisted expression, Shang Yan knew it wasn’t just someone sitting in his spot.

Li Zhe spoke with difficulty: “If I’m not mistaken, it looks a bit like… your little apprentice, Brother Yan.”

Shang Yan was startled.

In the next second, the coolness in his eyes suddenly faded.

Standing still for a moment, the young man lowered his eyes, his lips curling slightly, then turned and walked towards the classroom’s front door.

Leaving Li Zhe and the others dazed in place—

“Did Brother Yan just smile?”

“Damn, you saw it too? I thought I was seeing things…”

“It’s not an illusion?”

“I thought someone was definitely going to be unlucky today; does this mean he’s just going to let it go?”

“…”

The group didn’t dare say more and hurriedly followed him.

Inside the classroom.

The bell for class had just stopped ringing not long ago, and Wen Susu, the class monitor, was standing beside the lectern, quietly speaking with the Chinese teacher.

This rehired Chinese teacher, surnamed Lin with the single name ‘Zheng,’ was nodding while listening to Wen Susu’s words.

“Okay… I understand. Are the students in your class still not very clear about this new student’s situation?”

Wen Susu: “Yes, the homeroom teacher said it’s due to personal medical reasons, so I wasn’t allowed to tell the other students.”

“I agree with Teacher Li’s approach. However, as the class monitor, you should take extra care of her.”

A fleeting emotion crossed Wen Susu’s eyes, but she didn’t say anything, just nodded. “Teacher, may I go back to my seat now?”

“Yes, go ahead.”

As Teacher Lin was about to pick up the teaching materials, he suddenly remembered something and frowned, “Wait a minute.”

“What is it, Teacher?”

Teacher Lin: “Why is she sitting at Shang Yan’s seat?”

At this mention, Wen Susu’s expression darkened slightly. After a couple of seconds, she reluctantly spoke, “The homeroom teacher let her choose.”

Thinking of Shang Yan’s temperament, Teacher Lin’s brow furrowed with concern.

“Alright, go back to your seat.”

Wen Susu returned to her seat.

The classroom quieted down.

Teacher Lin opened the textbook, “This lesson, we…”

Before he could continue, a lazy tone came from the classroom door—

“Reporting.”

All eyes in the classroom turned toward the door.

The boy standing there was tall, his pale face sharp and striking, his black eyes unblinkingly fixed on the only desk in the front row.

The girl in the seat seemed to sense his gaze, her fingers holding the pen pausing.

After a few seconds, her slender fingertips hesitantly began to retract.

On the lectern, Teacher Lin frowned.

“Come in.”

Shang Yan remained still, and so Li Zhe and the others didn’t dare move either.

After a few seconds without a sound, Teacher Lin looked up, “What? Do I need to personally invite you in after you’re late?” His words were cut off when he saw Shang Yan eyeing the new student in the first row, squinting slightly.

He then remembered the situation and his expression softened slightly.

“That, Shang Yan, and the rest of you—this is Su Miao Miao, a new student who has just transferred to your class. She’s quite frail, so don’t bully her. …Shang Yan, you find another place to sit for now.”

Realizing it truly was Su Miao Miao, Li Zhe turned back around, now all smiles.

“Teacher Lin, you’re really taking sides here. Clearly, this girl is bullying our Brother Yan and even took his…”

Before Li Zhe could finish, the boy in front of him suddenly made a move.

Shang Yan averted his gaze, suddenly letting out a light chuckle.

It was husky and pleased.

Then he turned his attention back, stretched his legs, and walked straight towards the desk at the front of the classroom.

Upon reaching the desk, he stopped.

He pulled his hand out of his pocket, placed his long, pale knuckles on the desk, and leaned forward.

Amidst Su Miao Miao holding her breath, she could only hear the boy’s voice under the hood, carrying a lazy laugh that lightly vibrated the air around her ears—

“Who’s this kid belong to?”

…Su Miao Miao clenched her fingertips tightly.It seemed he noticed.So, with a slight curl of his thin lips, his laughter grew softer, exuding a lazy and roguish charm:”…If no one claims her, then she’s mine.”