"William, William, don't walk so fast, wait for me."
William stopped and said to Daniel, "Why are you following me?"
"I'm a bit scared."
"How did you get out?"
"I said my nose was bleeding."
"Go back, don't follow me." William's eyes were as black as the night, and he was surrounded by an aura of hostility, with his emotions inscrutable.
"I... I'll go back then." Daniel looked back at William once more and then left.
The young man was tall with an upright posture, black hair, and a high nose bridge. A button on his collar was casually undone, and the sunlight softened his features as it fell on him.
William tugged at his hair in frustration and walked over to the water faucet in the restroom. He turned it on and splashed water on his face, taking a few breaths before he felt the restlessness in his heart subside.
The bell rang for the end of class, and many students poured out.
William leaned against the corridor in front of an empty classroom, playing a matching game on his phone with occasional swipes on the screen.
Suddenly, his sleeve was tugged with a gentle force. William looked down to see his well-behaved deskmate in her school uniform. He asked, "What's up?"
Ellie met William's gaze, nervously licking her lips as his expression looked fierce.
"I'm sorry, you got scolded in class because you were helping me see the content on the blackboard." Ellie looked up at him, her fair little face full of seriousness, and her clear apricot eyes sincere.
William looked at her obedient appearance and said, "It's none of your business." It was Mr. Thompson who couldn't stand him, finding issues to "teach" him almost every class. What did it have to do with her?
The young man's eyes were very dark, elongated, with fair skin and black hair falling over his forehead. The wound on his face had scabbed over, adding a touch of ruffian charm. Water droplets slid down his cheeks.
Ellie stared at him for a moment, then took out a piece of paper from her pocket and handed it to him.
William let out a light laugh and said, "Thanks, class is about to start." He saw Ellie glance at her wristwatch and then run off.
He looked at the piece of paper in his hand, stuffed it into his pocket; she was indeed a good student, running off as soon as she heard class was about to start.
Ellie reached the door with the bell, hearing a "report" from behind.
She exchanged a glance with William, then looked away and walked in slowly.
William started sleeping as soon as he entered the class. Halfway through the class, there was a knock on the window. Ellie met Mr. Johnson's gaze, looking somewhat bewildered.
Mr. Johnson glanced at William, who was sleeping again, and said, "Ask him to come to the office after class."
"Okay."
William wasn't asleep. He looked up at Mr. Johnson and said, "Got it, I'll be there."
The next class was a self-study period.
William sat opposite Mr. Johnson, his face expressionless.
"William, do you know why I called you here?"
William looked up at him, his black eyes with a hint of mockery. He said, "Skipping class? Or something else? If it's about talking back to a teacher, I don't admit it." The young man leaned back in his chair with his arms crossed, his expression indifferent.
Mr. Johnson had heard about the situation in class from Mr. Thompson and looked at the young man helplessly, "You know, Mr. Thompson doesn't mean any harm. He just wants you to get better."
The office door was knocked a few times, and William watched Ellie walk in.
"What's up, Ellie?" Mr. Johnson looked somewhat astonished at the sudden appearance of the girl, but due to Xu Yan's presence, he didn't ask if Ellie was feeling unwell and needed leave.
Ellie looked at Mr. Johnson and spoke very slowly and calmly, "Today in class, William only copied the words from the blackboard for me because I couldn't see them, and then he passed them to me. However, the teacher mistakenly thought we were passing notes. This incident has nothing to do with William."
Mr. Johnson looked at William and said, "Is that so, William?"
William didn't care much about these things, and he didn't care whether to explain or not. He indifferently gave a "Hmm" sound.
Ellie continued, "That's what I came to say."
Mr. Johnson said, "I understand, you can go back now."
Ellie left the office.
William leaned back in his chair and said to Mr. Johnson, "If you're going to tell me something about respecting teachers, it's not necessary."
Mr. Johnson sighed and said, "As a head teacher, I naturally hope you get better and better." Looking at the young man's indifferent expression, he said, "The monthly exam is coming up, and you should study hard during this time. Ellie's grades are excellent; you can ask her if you have any questions."
William gave a "Hmm," and he had heard from the beginning that his little deskmate's grades were good. He said, "If there's nothing else, I'll leave first."
The door was suddenly knocked again, and Daniel came in grinning widely.
William glanced at him without speaking, then walked past him.
"Teacher, I'm here to ask about a math problem."
Mr. Johnson looked at him doubtfully and said, "Which one?"
Daniel pointed to one and said, "If you don't explain this one, I won't be able to do any of the rest."
Mr. Johnson: "Alright."
Mr. Johnson patiently explained the problem to him. Daniel suddenly said, "Teacher, I have something to tell you."
"Go ahead."
Daniel embellished the story of what happened in class today and said indignantly, "What Mr. Thompson said in class today was indeed a bit harsh."
Mr. Johnson said, "Alright, you can go back now." He pressed his temple, looking a bit weary.
Although it's said that William is arrogant and a problem student, William has hardly caused any major trouble for him.
He has some understanding of William's family situation; there is only a father who is often away, and the information about the mother is blank.
Mr. Thompson used to teach in a good class and had high aspirations. He was suddenly transferred to Class 17, a poor-performing class, and he couldn't accept it. He protested many times to the school without success. Teaching this class, he somewhat looked down on these students and has mentioned this in front of him more than once. He didn't expect that he would openly say such things in the class.
He felt he needed to talk to Mr. Thompson, to correct his teaching attitude, and if necessary, report this issue to the school.