Shi Hai had a clear understanding of his own status.
As a socially invisible and nearly forgotten member of his class, his sources of information were naturally fewer than others. It was quite normal for him not to know about a dominant figure in the school.
However, the senior had spent so much time boasting about her achievements, which indicated she was very confident in her notoriety.
If he bluntly admitted he didn't know her, wouldn't that be disrespectful?
To satisfy her vanity, he needed to act like he had long admired her reputation, praising her to complete her display of arrogance.
With this in mind, Shi Hai hurriedly followed up, complimenting her.
"I was just thinking, someone who can achieve so much must be the legendary senior. Truly impressive—"
"Actually, you've never heard of me, have you?"
The flattery was cut short.
Awkward.
Shi Hai thought his acting was flawless. How was he exposed so quickly?
Was it because he didn't react immediately?
Whatever the reason, he needed to smooth things over.
"No, a famous senior like you, how could I not recognize you? You're the dream girl of every boy in school!"
"Every boy in school includes you?"
"Of course!"
This time, Shi Hai didn't hesitate, giving a thumbs up and a grin that he thought was charming but actually came off as exaggerated.
"Your captivating presence at the art gala mesmerized all the boys!"
"I've never participated in an art gala because I hate being watched like an animal in a zoo."
"..."
The compliment had backfired.
This senior seemed like someone who loved being the center of attention, yet she hadn't participated in an art gala?
Does this make sense?
Shi Hai felt distressed and puzzled.
Please, I'm giving you face, okay?
Just accept the praise and feel happy. Why expose me and make things awkward for both of us?
Or was his approach wrong?
Instead of directly sucking up like a lackey, should he have started by challenging her?
Start with a foolish line like "Who do you think you are?" and then end with "No, it can't be! You're actually—!" like a low-grade villain getting humiliated and retreating in disgrace...
No, I can't do that...
However, she seemed completely unaware of Shi Hai's frustration, continuing to press her advantage.
"If you say you know me, then tell me, what's my name?"
"..."
Damn it.
Shi Hai clicked his tongue, realizing she was just trying to mess with him.
He might as well stay silent.
Yet she didn't intend to let him off, pointing her foot at Shi Hai and saying.
"Even though your acting is fake, if you kneel and lick my foot, I'll believe you."
Shi Hai's face remained expressionless.
"Senior, you must be joking, right?"
She smiled slyly and responded.
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
"Doesn't seem like it, but I don't want to."
If this offends her, so be it. Who cares.
What's the worst thing she would do, expel me?
I'll just go learn how to operate an excavator tomorrow!
After a few seconds of standoff, she withdrew her leg, speaking in a displeased tone.
"Hmph, I knew you wouldn't..."
But why are you smiling?
Seeing her retract her foot, Shi Hai sighed in relief, glad he wouldn't need to learn how to operate an excavator after all.
She shook her head regretfully, clicking her tongue repeatedly.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. You missed the precious opportunity to be the first man to voluntarily submit to me."
"No, who would want such an opportunity..."
"Hmph, you don't know how many men will beg to be under my foot in the future."
Then find a willing lackey...
Oh wait, thinking back, it seems I've already been under her foot.
And as if reading his thoughts, she continued.
"Hehe~ However, you've already been under my foot."
She giggled, nudging Shi Hai's arm with her elbow.
"Oh my, what a big shoe print. Which pretty girl's shoe print is this? Whose bones are so hard?"
Finally, Shi Hai couldn't hold back, shouting.
"Accidents don't count! Are you three years old?"
"Hmph, you ran over to be under my foot, so it's like you volunteered."
"Why don't you just say my face was magnetically attracted to your shoe?"
"Oh? So you're saying you're willing to always have your face under my shoe? Oh my, I didn't expect you to be such..."
What do you mean by such?!
Judging by her expression, Shi Hai could guess the word she omitted was probably 'pervert.'
"..."
Alright, I can't win this argument.
Shi Hai realized that arguing with a woman would always result in him losing.
She always found strange angles and reasons to humiliate him.
After staring at Shi Hai's face for a while, she suddenly reached out to touch it.
Shi Hai couldn't react in time and felt her touch his nose.
"Using my shoe is too much... I should go barefoot next time."
???
Shi Hai was utterly confused.
He realized this senior not only liked to tease people but had an especially whimsical mind.
He had thought she was a socially adept senior, but now he suspected she had some kind of mental disorder.
Seeing Shi Hai's confusion, she asked curiously, touching her chin.
"Hmm? Do you prefer a harder feel?"
"Is this topic not over yet..."
"Just joking, don't take it seriously~"
She touched her lips with the finger that had touched Shi Hai's nose.
"Anyway... don't worry, I won't harm you."
"Hard to believe..."
"Even if you got expelled because of me, you'd just nonchalantly run off to learn cooking in Xinbei, right?"
Actually, I was thinking about learning how to operate an excavator... but it's close enough?
How does she know what I'm thinking?
Shi Hai was full of questions.
"Because you're not the type to care about such things."
Actually, I do care.
Otherwise, I wouldn't be trying to kiss up to you.
But she spoke with such certainty.
As if she knew him well.
Shi Hai felt a strange sensation.
As if he had known her for a long time...
But this was indeed their first meeting.
Given her distinctive personality, he would not have forgotten her if they had met before.
While Shi Hai was still puzzled, she spoke again.
"Tian Shui."
"What?"
Shi Hai looked up, reflexively asking.
She brushed past him, turned halfway to face him, and declared confidently.
"My name, Tian Shui. Remember it well."
"Oh, I'm called—"
"Shi Hai."
"Um?"
Hearing his name from her mouth, Shi Hai saw something fly toward him and quickly caught it.
Opening his hand, he found a key.
Her voice matched perfectly with this moment.
"Here's the key. Lock the door when you leave~"
After her dazzling figure disappeared, Shi Hai suddenly realized.
I didn't say my name.
How did she know my name? And my year...
Could it be she already knew me?
Tian Shui... a strange senior.
The afternoon class bell brought Shi Hai back to reality.
Then he suddenly remembered his purpose for coming here.
"I forgot to check the letter..."
There was still time, so he quickly took a look at the love letter to at least find out who it was for.
However, when he flipped through the book, he froze.
"Huh?"
Where's the envelope? It's gone!
<+>
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