Shi Li, Rongrong, and Fu Huixing only had a brief one-week break before resuming their previous schedule of evening self-study sessions and weekend classes. The Class Teacher continued to give them extra tutoring to prepare for the winter training camp.
They even added several more classes, leaving only half a day of rest on weekends.
This schedule was quite exhausting, but the Class Teacher would motivate them by painting rosy pictures of the future, saying that if they persevered for a few more months and performed well in the training camp, they could qualify for direct university admission and wouldn't need to attend regular classes anymore.
At this point, the Class Teacher was only thinking about the students' future and his own performance metrics, completely forgetting that if Shi Li went home, the class would miss out on all the drama.
After several days of listening to the Class Teacher's grand promises, the students became immune to his motivational speeches.
Nevertheless, classes had to continue.
Sunday afternoon was their only time to relax during the week. After class, Shi Li, Rongrong, and Fu Huixing would usually grab food and bubble tea near school, discussing the day's problems. If there was nothing to discuss, they would study together for a few hours at a nearby study room, have an early dinner, and then go home to do something relaxing before bed, without any more studying.
This routine continued for half a month.
As the weather grew colder, winter break drew nearer.
The approaching final exams motivated students to work harder, both in Class One and other classes.
As usual, the three of them went out for lunch after weekend classes, sometimes joined by their shameless Class Teacher.
However, today the Class Teacher had something to attend to and left class in a hurry.
Walking side by side as they left campus, Shi Li wondered aloud, "I've never seen the Class Teacher end class so easily before. Something's definitely off." The Class Teacher was notorious for extending classes, so his sudden punctuality was strange.
Fu Huixing briefly explained, "He has a blind date."
A blind date?!
Somehow, the concept of a blind date seemed completely disconnected from their Class Teacher.
Rongrong scratched her head, "Doesn't the Class Teacher like boys?"
Shi Li: ......
More curious about what led Rongrong to this conclusion than about the blind date itself, Shi Li asked, "What makes you think the Class Teacher likes men?"
Shi Li remembered that in her previous life, there were rumors about the Class Teacher liking men, but as he was her teacher, she trusted what she saw with her own eyes.
Rongrong blinked, "I just feel he's not very straight."
Shi Li reached out from her pocket and patted Rongrong's wool hat twice, "He's just single, there's no other reason."
While verbally defending the Class Teacher, Shi Li thought to herself, [No wonder the Vice Principal had his eye on the Class Teacher's behind. He really might not seem that straight, can't blame others.]
Rongrong: ?? What's this about? I've never heard this before, what exactly did I miss!
But she couldn't ask Shi Li directly, so she secretly looked at Fu Huixing, hoping he would provide answers.
However, Fu Huixing's attention was completely focused on Shi Li, totally missing her hopeful glances.
Rongrong mentally scoffed.
Shi Li asked Fu Huixing curiously, "How did you know about the Class Teacher's blind date?"
Fu Huixing replied, "I overheard his phone call. His mother was urging him not to be late."
That explained it.
It was truly wonderful to have a peaceful meal with just the three of them, without the Class Teacher around.
They chose a random restaurant for lunch, then each ordered bubble tea at a nearby shop.
Despite it being the weekend with few students at school, the bubble tea shop was still crowded with students queuing up.
Fortunately, the shop was spacious with plenty of waiting areas and empty tables.
While waiting for their drinks, they found an empty table to sit at.
Because the shop was so crowded, with some students using it as a study space, all the quiet corners were already taken, leaving only spots near the entrance available.
The three didn't mind and sat down anyway, since they weren't planning to study there. They could discuss the morning's problems at the bubble tea shop first, then head to the study room with their drinks.
As usual, Fu Huixing had questions, and Shi Li took out a ballpoint pen to demonstrate the solution process.
Meanwhile, Rongrong silently rolled her eyes: How fake!
Three minutes later, after explaining one problem.
Fu Huixing packed his test papers, scratch paper, and pen back into his bag as Shi Li looked up to check the number being called.
In that glance, she met a familiar face.
He was happy to see Shi Li, "Shi Li, you're here for bubble tea too?"
Shi Li smiled and nodded.
Every male lead needs a like-minded sidekick and childhood friend - someone handsome but not as handsome as the lead, from a good family but not as good as the lead's, with many good qualities but none quite matching up to the lead's.
Zuo Hengyi was exactly that type of character.
He and Feng Yunhe were childhood friends who grew up together, classmates from kindergarten through high school.
When the original Shi Li was desperately pursuing Feng Yunhe, she often took indirect approaches, building good relationships with his parents' friends.
Through various intentional and unintentional interactions, Shi Li and Zuo Hengyi had developed a decent friendship.
They were the kind of friends who would greet each other and chat briefly when they met.
However, Shi Li's relationship with him was limited to just that.
"I heard you won another award. I haven't congratulated you yet. You're really amazing."
Shi Li continued smiling politely, "Thank you, thank you."
Just then, their order numbers were called out in the shop, and Shi Li's eyes lit up.
Fu Huixing stood up, "You guys keep chatting, I'll get them."
He collected Shi Li and Rongrong's receipts and went to get the drinks.
When Fu Huixing stood up, the seat across from Shi Li became empty.
Zuo Hengyi sat in Fu Huixing's original spot.
Since he didn't leave, Shi Li had to make awkward conversation, "Did you come alone for bubble tea?"
"Of course not." Zuo Hengyi looked toward a couple sitting at a table for two nearby, "We came together."
Shi Li understood why he'd rather make awkward conversation here than join his closer friends - after all, no one wants to be a third wheel.
However, Shi Li's gaze froze when she noticed the couple, her eyes darting back and forth between them and Zuo Hengyi.
Her staring made Zuo Hengyi uncomfortable, feeling like something was off.
Fu Huixing returned with three cups of bubble tea, but Zuo Hengyi showed no intention of giving up his seat. Instead, he moved further in, playing host, "Come, brother, have a seat, don't be shy."
Fu Huixing sat down expressionlessly.
Shi Li finally remembered.
[I just remembered, Zuo Hengyi's friend's girlfriend will become his stepmother in the near future]
Zuo Hengyi: What?
