Over there, the sisters went out shopping, while Xu Lin was in a somewhat dull class.
"Xu Lin, come up and write this."
"Okay."
Xu Lin glanced at Su Qingwan.
Teacher Su was really serious about testing him, actually asking him to come up to the podium and write something.
"Alright, you can go back to your seat."
"Mm."
The English class felt unusually long today because everyone sensed that Teacher Su was unusually stern. It was nothing like her usual gentle and graceful self, making the students very nervous, thinking that she might be in a bad mood and taking it out on them.
However, the ones who were questioned and asked to come up were all students who performed well. The students who struggled breathed a sigh of relief.
Just 2 or 3 minutes before the end of the class, the homeroom teacher, Zhao Gang, walked in from outside, signaling with a wave of his hand, indicating that he had something important to interrupt for.
Su Qingwan understood, nodded, and stepped aside. For the first time, the students relaxed upon seeing Zhao Gang.
"Class monitor, next period is my math class, right?"
"Yes, it's math class."
Ji Yun replied, realizing from the homeroom teacher's actions that they hadn't done it yet this month.
"Well then, let's switch seats for the next period. Everyone, clean up your things before the break. Class monitor, you arrange the seat changes."
"Okay."
"Sorry for the interruption, Teacher Su."
"It's fine. It's almost time for the break anyway."
After the homeroom teacher left, the bell rang, and Su Qingwan closed her textbook.
"I don't have class this afternoon. I've prepared two test papers for you."
"Ah~"
The students groaned in response. The two papers were large and not something they could finish quickly.
"Why the 'ah'? We only have English, math, and Chinese today. Just three subjects with three assignments. It's time to focus, you're in sophomore year now."
After Su Qingwan finished speaking, she walked over to Ji Yun, placed the test papers down, and then clicked her high heels out of the room.
"Damn it, another break wasted today."
As soon as the teacher left, there was an immediate outcry, but some students didn't care at all—mainly those who never did their homework.
"Everyone, the test papers aren't the large ones from before. They're single pages. Teacher Su is being too kind to you."
Ji Yun stood up and spoke, and seeing the small single pages, everyone's expressions softened, and they looked relieved.
"Teacher Su is really great, even when she's angry, she still looks so nice."
Xu Lin silently apologized to everyone, as it was his fault that there were more questions today. However, despite his hard work, Teacher Su didn't believe in his abilities.
Even though English was his weak point, he was confident he could make it into the top 5 in the next monthly exam.
"Xu Lin, as the second place from last time, you get to choose your seat first. We're not desk mates anymore…"
Li Bin looked at him with reluctance, mainly because he would miss copying Xu Lin's homework and listening to his stories.
"Well, maybe you can find a pretty girl to be your new desk mate."
"Where are there any pretty girls… besides Ji Yun." Li Bin gave him a look that said he was being ridiculous.
"Look at Mo He, Qiu Yanqin, and Zhuo Yan. They're all quite nice."
"Mo He already has a boyfriend, Qiu Yanqin is just a tomboy, and Zhuo Yan… uh, I can't handle her."
"Then find someone who's good at studying. At least they can help you with problems. Work hard next month and you might get a better seat."
"Thinking about it that way, I do feel like I need to work harder."
"Mm."
"Then you'll definitely sit with Ji Yun, right?"
"Depends on her choice. I don't like sitting too close to the front. If she chooses a front seat, I won't sit there."
"You're quite principled, but it makes sense. Since you both live so close, who knows what trouble you might get into."
Ma Zhiyu leaned over from the back, with a knowing look on his face.
"Don't talk nonsense. There's nothing going on between me and Ji Yun."
"Come on, you haven't even held hands or kissed yet?"
"Look at you, just got yourself a girlfriend and already showing off."
Li Bin saw Ma Zhiyu's expression and wanted to punch him, but considering the potential hassle if he got hurt, he decided against it.
"Haha, honestly Xu Lin, there's no need to be so timid. Picking up the pace wouldn't hurt."
"I'm not just playing around."
Xu Lin glanced at Ji Yun.
Recently, Ji Yun had become even more attractive, but she also seemed more unapproachable. Everyone was interested in her, and if he got involved with her, it might disrupt his own plans.
Of course, if Ji Yun were to take the initiative, it would be a different story, but a girl like her probably wouldn't ever make the first move.
"Alright, everyone, get ready and change your seats! We'll start with the top student and go down to the last. Choose your new seats."
Ji Yun walked up to the podium with the list of grades, and everyone began packing up their things.
However, many students had too many items to fit into their backpacks and had to temporarily leave them on their desks until they had chosen their new seats. Zhuo Yan also helped organize Ji Yun's things.
This display immediately showed everyone's attitude toward their textbooks. Some were neatly kept, looking as new as ever. Others were battered, with missing corners or no cover at all. And it wasn't always related to academic performance; some students with poor grades had pristine books, while some high achievers had worn-out ones.
Ji Yun's books were wrapped in plastic covers, looking brand new compared to others that seemed like they'd been fished out of a trash heap.
"Everyone, move to the corridor. We'll start now."
As the class bell rang, Ji Yun called out, and everyone stood up and moved outside, lining up in the hallway.
"First, I'll choose. I'll take the seat on the right in the second row."
Ji Yun casually glanced at the seats and decided on one next to the aisle. It would be convenient for her to leave if needed without disturbing others. Plus, Xu Lin could sit next to her.
"Then, Xu Lin, you're up."
She said this lightly, but the students outside were peering through the windows. It seemed like the couple was going to sit together this time.
However, Xu Lin maneuvered through the crowd and walked straight past the seat next to Ji Yun, choosing instead to sit on the right side of the fourth row.
"Xu Lin, aren't you going to sit with the class monitor?"
Someone outside shouted this, and others joined in the teasing.
Ma Zhiyu even shouted to Ji Yun, "Class monitor, tell Xu Lin to be more considerate."
"Haha."
With everyone laughing, Ji Yun looked at Xu Lin, puzzled as to why he chose to sit at the back.
"Xu Lin, you have one chance to switch seats. If you sit down now, you can't change later."
"I'm fine sitting here."
Xu Lin replied, and Ji Yun pouted, clearly annoyed that he wasn't sitting next to her.
There was a touch of stubbornness in her demeanor.
"Please come to the front, Xu Lin. I heard you're a bit nearsighted."
"I'm not."
"Sit up front."
"Okay."
Seeing Xu Lin being scolded by his girlfriend, everyone outside laughed. While they were initially envious, over time they hoped the couple would continue to grow closer.
After all, who wouldn't want to remember their high school years with a perfect couple in their memories?
Everyone harbors a hope for a perfect youthful romance, even if they themselves couldn't achieve it. But they still wish to glimpse a piece of that beauty in their reflections on the past.