Affrettando: hurrying, pressing onwards.
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The day changed again, but Zhou Yongliang's mood did not change at all. His mood was still bad due to the events that happened yesterday. His heart was still confused, but he did not find the slightest point of light for his confusion.
This afternoon, the English teacher announced the results of a test which was held a week ago. Two students got the highest scores, and one of the two brilliant students was himself. It was not too surprising because Zhou Yongliang always scored above average in this foreign language subject.
Then, who was the other student? The other student, of course, was the cold student who got the highest score in the entrance examination a year ago. Who else if it was not Yang Liu?
Yes, Zhou Yongliang and Yang Liu both received the highest scores, which of course, were rewarded with proud and envious applause from their classmates. So, what was the prize from their teacher for their great achievement? The prize from the teacher was an order to return the two stacks of thick dictionaries, which were used by the students during the class, to the library.
It sounded unfair, didn't it? It was indeed unfair, but the teacher insisted that apart from having smart brains, the two best students must also have good characters, which could be shown by helping the teacher to return the dictionaries.
Zhou Yongliang did not mind doing such a noble task, but the problem was, he knew that the task required him to walk with Yang Liu to the library. What should he do? Yang Liu had been avoiding him since this morning like a germ, so it must be very uncomfortable to be alone with the taller boy.
Even so, he would just take the positive side. Perhaps, the time given to the two of them could be used to dig up information regarding Yang Liu's change in attitude since yesterday. Yes, that was the plus side.
After taking one slow breath, Zhou Yongliang finally walked forward to the teacher's desk, then picked up a stack of dictionaries which he had to return to the library. After the stack of heavy dictionaries was in his hands, he looked back at Yang Liu's desk.
The taller boy noticed his gaze as he immediately got up from his seat and walked to the front of the class, approaching Zhou Yongliang, who was still standing at the teacher's desk.
At every step Yang Liu took, Zhou Yongliang felt a flutter. He tried to strengthen his heart when Yang Liu's cold eyes kept staring at him. This was like a slow-motion scene. It took a long time for Yang Liu to reach the teacher's desk.
Zhou Yongliang's lips formed a straight line when Yang Liu glanced past him without a word. Yes, the black-haired student did not intend to approach Zhou Yongliang and carry out the task of returning the dictionaries, but he intended to leave the classroom; he neglected his duty.
The whole class fell silent when they saw the unexpected scene. The cold student even didn't hesitate to refute the teacher's orders. Not surprising, though. The English teacher had left the classroom earlier after he finished giving mandates to Yang Liu and Zhou Yongliang. He didn't know that one of his students rebelled and ran away from his obligations.
Zhou Yongliang made a sad face. Yang Liu must have avoided him on purpose today. He was really troubled by the attitude of the taller student.
"Zhou Yongliang." A pat on his left shoulder made the owner of the name aware. He turned his head and found Huang Bo standing next to him. "I'll help you to return the dictionaries to the library. We better hurry because we have to move to another class after this. You don't want to be late, do you?"
Zhou Yongliang finally nodded weakly, letting Huang Bo lift the stack of dictionaries Yang Liu was supposed to carry. The two of them then walked out of the classroom after giving small smiles to Ren Weisheng and Chen Guangli, who were clenching their fists while muttering words of encouragement.
"Yongliang," suddenly Huang Bo called him when they were already away from the classroom. "I want to know your opinion about my brother. What do you think about him?"
The sudden question generated a large question mark in Zhou Yongliang's mind. He didn't expect that Huang Bo would ask him about his brother. He thought that Huang Bo would ask about Yang Liu, but he was wrong.
"I don't really know Hwang Jihyuk gege, but he is always kind and cares about me. He is also very mature and gentle. I'm sure he is not a bad person."
Huang Bo nodded. The two of them were now concentrating on going down the stairs. They certainly didn't want to roll over just because they took the wrong footing.
It was only when they made it through the stairs safely that Huang Bo returned to the boy next to him. "I think my brother doesn't like seeing you getting close to Yang Liu."
This time, Zhou Yongliang stopped walking, causing Huang Bo to stop walking as well.
"Why could you come to such a conclusion?"
"A few days ago, when you came home with Yang Liu, Hwang Jihyuk gege saw the two of you. I noticed my brother's expression back then, and his expression was dark. It's clear that he didn't like what he saw."
Zhou Yongliang didn't expect the information at all, but then he realized something. Perhaps it was the right time for Zhou Yongliang to tell the truth to his best friend.
"Huang Bo," he started by calling his friend's name. "Hwang Jihyuk gege told me that he likes me." Huang Bo widened his eyes at his confession, but Zhou Yongliang continued, "I'm surprised too, Huang Bo. We've only met a few times, and we're not even close to each other. I'm confused, Huang Bo."
Huang Bo gave Zhou Yongliang a dreary look. He could see the puzzled look on Zhou Yongliang's innocent face.
On the other hand, Zhou Yongliang had many things in his head. He tried to explore as many hypotheses as possible which could answer all his questions. Once he came up with one hypothesis, he refocused on the Huang Bo in front of him.
"Huang Bo." The summoned looked back at Zhou Yongliang. "Do you think Hwang Jihyuk gege wants to keep Yang Liu away from me?"