"Ye Feng, you're unbelievable! Sleeping in the class of 'Extinction Master Tai'—you've got guts!" Hao Jian exclaimed as he rushed to Ye Feng's side after class, his face brimming with admiration.
"And not just that! You even dared to flirt with our school goddess, oh wait, I mean sister-in-law, during her class. Truly impressive!" Fan Tong chimed in, giving Ye Feng a big thumbs-up as he joined them.
"Come on, you two. Can't you speak one at a time? Is she really that formidable?" Ye Feng glanced at the middle-aged woman who had just left the classroom and asked his two friends.
"Formidable? Absolutely!" At Ye Feng's question, Hao Jian launched into an animated recounting of the so-called 'Extinction Master Tai's' legendary feats, rattling off her strict and infamous deeds as though reciting treasured tales.
Ye Feng listened, stunned. He had only asked casually, but Hao Jian's enthusiasm left him speechless.
"What's the next class?" Ye Feng turned to Lin Shiyun, who was still tidying up her notes.
"English class. Didn't you see the board?" Lin Shiyun replied, a hint of confusion in her tone.
"English? Alright. What do you want for lunch? I'll bring it for you," Ye Feng asked, his mood dampening instantly. Though his god-tier academic skills ensured he wouldn't struggle with the subject, he still felt an aversion to English. He'd much rather explore Beihai City, familiarize himself with its sights, and maybe even find a tech company interested in his 2030 microwave technology. Skipping class suddenly felt like a very reasonable choice.
"Wait, are you planning to go out?" Lin Shiyun asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Yeah, tell me what you want to eat. Otherwise, there'll be no chance once class starts," Ye Feng replied, glancing at the rapidly ticking seconds on the classroom clock.
"But without special circumstances, the school doesn't grant leave—it's fully closed-campus management," Lin Shiyun reminded him.
"Clearly, you don't get it. Ye Feng is planning to skip class," Fan Tong teased with a grin.
"Exactly. Now, what do you want to eat? I'll bring it for you," Ye Feng pressed, urging Lin Shiyun for an answer.
"Sweet and sour fish, pan-fried tofu, and boiled greens—those three will do," Lin Shiyun replied, counting on her fingers. The school's food was notoriously unappetizing, so any chance to eat something better was always welcome.
"Hey, Ye Feng! Boss! Don't leave me behind—I want some too!" Hao Jian called out, rushing after Ye Feng, who had already started heading out.
"What do you want? You're already so fat," Ye Feng said with a laugh, looking back at Hao Jian.
"Come on, being fat isn't my fault! I gain weight just by drinking water—it's my body's fault, not mine!" Hao Jian protested with mock seriousness, as if defending some great injustice.
"Heh, well, I can't carry that much food climbing over walls. Next time, alright? I'll bring you something next time for sure," Ye Feng replied, half-joking.
"Ah, forget it. No time to argue—I'll be late if I don't leave now!" Ye Feng exclaimed, glancing at the clock and realizing class was about to start. Without another word, he bolted out of the classroom.
"Prioritizing love over friendship, huh? Fine, next time it is," Hao Jian muttered, watching Ye Feng's retreating figure before returning to his seat, resigned.
"That was close—almost didn't make it out," Ye Feng sighed in relief as the bell signaling the start of class rang just after he exited the teaching building. However, his relief was short-lived as he realized his predicament: he'd only been at this school for a few days and was unfamiliar with its layout. The campus was huge, and sneaking out through the main gate was clearly not an option. His only choice was to scale the wall, but he didn't even know where the wall was, let alone how to get there.
Still, since he had already left the classroom, there was no turning back. As he wandered the school grounds, he came across a senior class having a P.E. session. Judging by their uniforms, he could tell they were third-year students. Without hesitation, he approached a small group of girls strolling on the track.
"Excuse me, senior, could you tell me which way to the school wall?" Ye Feng asked one of the girls directly.
"Oh my, a junior trying to hit on us? And with such a lame excuse—asking for directions in school? Really?" Before the girl could respond, another girl with a face full of acne piped up with a sarcastic tone.
"Wow, she's beautiful," Ye Feng thought as he finally took a good look at the girl he had addressed. Preoccupied with his plans to sneak out, he hadn't noticed her features earlier. Now that he saw her clearly, he couldn't help but be struck by her beauty. She was on par with Lin Shiyun, though their styles were different—Lin Shiyun had a cold, enchanting allure, while this girl exuded a pure, refreshing charm. Her simple school uniform did nothing to diminish her radiance, making her seem as though she had stepped out of a springtime breeze. However, Ye Feng quickly averted his gaze, not wanting to appear rude. One Lin Shiyun was enough for him; he wasn't the type to act on fleeting impulses or shallow attractions. Still, who knew what might happen in the future?
"What? Haven't seen enough yet?" the girl's friend said in a teasing tone, noticing Ye Feng's brief moment of distraction.
Ye Feng had been misunderstood. He wasn't gawking at the girl—he had simply been caught off guard by her beauty for a moment. The girl herself, Xiao Xiaoyu, noticed his reaction and found it puzzling. Unlike most boys who looked at her with predatory eyes, Ye Feng's initial admiration had quickly faded into a calm and composed demeanor.
"This boy is strange," Xiao Xiaoyu thought, observing the mix of charm and mischief in Ye Feng's features. Most boys in the school either ogled her shamelessly or tried to impress her awkwardly. Ye Feng's straightforward yet unaffected attitude left her curious.
"It's not an excuse—I really don't know where the wall is. I've only been at this school for a few days," Ye Feng replied with a smile. "But if you want to think of it as hitting on a beautiful senior, I don't mind. It'd be my honor."
"Still denying it? That's obviously hitting on her," the acne-faced girl said with a mocking tone.
"Xiaoyu, stop teasing him," Xiao Xiaoyu's friend interrupted, then turned to Ye Feng with a gentle smile. "Little brother, what do you need the school wall for?"
"Little brother? Am I that young?" Ye Feng thought, feeling slightly exasperated. In his previous life, he would've been two or three years older than Xiao Xiaoyu. But he brushed it off—his current youthful appearance was undeniable.
"What else would I want with the school wall? Obviously, I'm skipping class," Ye Feng replied matter-of-factly.
The girls, including Xiao Xiaoyu, burst into laughter. Only Ye Feng could make skipping class sound so natural and justified.