It was morning.
At the same three-way intersection as before.
Jiang Xu arrived before An Nuonuo.
But Jun Yue was already there.
When they noticed each other, they inwardly cursed their bad luck.
Then they both turned their heads in unison with a soft humph, not wanting to see each other.
In less than two minutes, An Nuonuo arrived.
"Good morning, Brother Jiang, Brother Junyue," she greeted.
An Nuonuo's voice was clear and sweet.
Both young men shivered at the sound of her greeting.
Jiang Xu couldn't help but consider something.
If she used this voice in certain situations...
Wouldn't it instantly cut his fighting power in half?
From the sound of her voice, it was clear that her cold was gone.
Junyue revealed a sunny smile.
He took out his study materials from his backpack.
He handed them to An Nuonuo, "Here, these are all my study materials, including various problem-solving methods.
You should take them and have a good look over the next few days.
They'll definitely boost your abilities significantly.
Without a doubt, you'll achieve good results in the upcoming final exams."
Jiang Xu casually replied, "I don't think that's necessary."
Junyue retorted, "Of course you don't care because you have good grades, but Nuonuo needs this."
Jiang Xu replied, "I mean that she doesn't need the study materials you gave her.
Because I gave her mine last night."
The twist he didn't see coming.
Junyue was mildly irritated, "What you gave her is your business; what I give her is mine."
Jiang Xu responded, "A martial arts manual from the world's number one expert,
put together with one from a perpetual runner-up.
What do you think everyone would choose?"
These words threw Junyue back, his face flushed with shock.
He was momentarily at a loss for a rebuttal.
He grumbled inwardly.
Did Jiang Xu grow up on razor blades?
Why was every sentence he uttered so cutting?
This was completely unfair.
Sensing the rising tension between the two boys, An Nuonuo quickly collected the study materials.
She thanked Junyue and promised that she would definitely review them.
Only then did Junyue's mood somewhat improve.
On the way to school, Junyue resolved to work harder.
With only a few days left, he had to study relentlessly.
He needed to achieve the best grades in this final exam,
and completely crush Jiang Xu's arrogant spirit.
Upon arriving in the classroom, Jiang Xu glanced at Zhou Qingyue and Li Honghong.
Both girls remained silent.
One was reading, and the other was seemingly writing something.
Usually, they would be chatting as soon as they entered the classroom.
Jiang Xu couldn't help but laugh.
It seemed Zhou Qingyue had done as she'd said she would.
Upon noticing someone's arrival, Li Honghong and Zhou Qingyue looked up.
But they looked at Jiang Xu with completely different expressions.
One resentful, the other joyous.
As Jiang Xu passed by, Zhou Qingyue greeted him cheerfully.
Jiang Xu, however, ignored her as if he hadn't heard her.
"Jiang Xu…" Zhou Qingyue called again, raising her voice.
Jiang Xu stopped and said coldly, "What?"
Zhou Qingyue: "Lunch together at noon?"
He initially wanted to refuse.
But on second thought,
if he rejected her now, the two girls might reconcile.
Whenever these two talented individuals were together, they loved to stir up trouble.
So he simply nodded, "Sure."
Having said that, he went back to his seat.
Zhou Qingyue felt a rush of elation in her heart.
So Jiang Xu didn't lie to her!
The reason he had treated her like that previously was entirely due to Li Honghong!
In an instant, Zhou Qingyue's displeasure with her had reached a peak.
She vowed never to play with her again.
An Nuonuo, hearing this, asked softly, "Are you planning to reconcile with her?"
Jiang Xu's lips curved upward, "What do you think?"
An Nuonuo shook her head, "I can't figure it out."
Jiang Xu smiled and didn't say anything.
An Nuonuo was reading with her head lowered, her thoughts drifting away.
Noon came quickly.
As soon as school ended, Zhou Qingyue ran over.
Her face full of excitement, "Let's go eat."
Jiang Xu: "Previously, I always helped you get your meal.
Today, you can get mine for once and bring it to the classroom,
Grab a little extra."
"Oh, okay, wait for me."
Zhou Qingyue glanced at An Nuonuo, then joyfully ran off to get food.
In her mind, An Nuonuo, her substitute, was about to be discarded.
An Nuonuo felt somewhat disheartened.
She packed up her things in silence, preparing to stand up and go get food.
Jiang Xu pushed her down, "What are you doing?"
"Going to the dining hall to eat."
"Didn't I just tell Zhou Qingyue to go get it?"
"Huh?" An Nuonuo didn't understand.
"Didn't I just tell her to load up on food? There's enough for both of us."
"That doesn't seem very fair," An Nuonuo hesitated.
Jiang Xu felt it was necessary to explain to her.
Otherwise, she might think he was someone who liked to bully girls.
So, he told her all about his past with Zhou Qingyue.
After hearing it, An Nuonuo's small fists clenched tightly.
Her face puffed up in anger, "How could she treat you like that?"
Jiang Xu shrugged, "It was my naivety before.
But I made it clear to her later, to not bother me anymore.
If she insists on provoking me, then naturally she needs a small lesson."
An Nuonuo nodded, "Yes, she should."
Even though she was quite simple-minded, at least she had some discernment.
That's why she felt at ease eating this meal.
She viewed it as getting back at her deskmate.
Not ten minutes later, Zhou Qingyue was back.
She must have run back, slightly panting, with sweat dripping down her face.
A few strands of hair stuck to her face.
She placed the food in front of Jiang Xu, her face shy, "I didn't know what you liked, so I got a portion of each dish."
"Hm," Jiang Xu nodded, "Alright, go back to your work."
"Let's eat together."
She placed her portion on the table as well.
Jiang Xu ignored her.
He divided half the food and gave it to An Nuonuo.
Then, he broke a pair of disposable chopsticks in half.
The smile on Zhou Qingyue's face disappeared, "Why did you give it to her?"
Jiang Xu: "This food was meant for me, right?"
Zhou Qingyue: "Yes."
Jiang Xu: "Since it's given to me, it's mine.
I can give it to whomever I want, can you control that?"
Seeing Jiang Xu's icy tone, Zhou Qingyue reacted instantly.
Her eyes brimmed with resentment.
Her face was filled with anger and injustice, "You intentionally tricked me!"
Jiang Xu: "Yes, I did, I've certainly experienced this feeling before."
"You jerk, I hate you, I will never forgive you in this lifetime!"
Zhou Qingyue was in tears.
She covered her face, sobbing, and ran out of the classroom.
Jiang Xu remained indifferent.
He had only one thought.
That was, he hoped she would do as she said, and never talk to him again.
Zhou Qingyue, who had run outside the classroom, unexpectedly bumped into Li Honghong.
She ran up to her, utterly aggrieved, "Honghong, wuh wuh wuh, I was deceived."