He Won't Leave Us Behind

Returning to the classroom, Lin Mo had just settled into his seat and hadn't even had time to take out his test papers when Jiang Yunlu nudged him with her elbow.

"What did the homeroom teacher want with you?"

"Giving me some perks because of the Huang Haoyang incident. They said they'll announce his expulsion tomorrow."

Jiang Yunlu paused for a moment, then her eyes lit up, the corners of her mouth curling up uncontrollably.

"Nice, the school finally did something right for once!"

After all, Huang Haoyang had tried to add her as a friend more than once; strictly speaking, it had already crossed the line into harassment.

However, the school still chose to handle the matter quietly.

After all, this kind of thing was ultimately a dereliction of duty on the school's part, a sign of inadequate management.

But suppressing it and brushing it off lightly was to be expected.

The semester was coming to an end. After the initial commotion, everyone had started to bury themselves in their studies. The only sound left in the classroom was the rustling of pen tips against paper, even from the sports and art students.

Of course, there were still occasional whispers.

The bell for the end of the evening self-study session was about to ring when Chen Xiaoya's figure appeared punctually at the door of Class Eight.

Only this time, Li Yan was following behind her.

"Lin Mo, come out for a moment." Chen Xiaoya's voice was soft, but it was like a pebble dropped into the quiet classroom.

"Again?"

Dozens of gazes snapped up, converging on Lin Mo before quickly darting toward Li Yan at the door. The air was instantly thick with speculation.

The three of them leaned against the railing of the school corridor to talk.

Unlike the fully enclosed school corridors in the north, southern school corridors were open-air, allowing a view of the scenery downstairs and across the way.

After all, the north needed to retain heat in the winter, while the south needed ventilation to stay dry.

Lin Mo stood with his hands in his pockets, leaning casually against the railing, quietly waiting for Chen Xiaoya to speak.

Chen Xiaoya considered her words for a moment before saying, "It's like this. Your academic performance is outstanding, and the school wants to ask for your personal opinion regarding class placement. Do you want to stay in Class Eight, or transfer to the Rocket Class?"

As soon as she finished speaking, a window in the corner at the other end of the corridor was silently pushed open a crack.

A head peeked out stealthily, ears pricked up straighter than antennas.

Lin Mo's divine sense swept over the movement behind him. He didn't make a sound, merely smiling and tossing the question back: "Teacher, what do you think?"

This question made Chen Xiaoya pause.

She subconsciously glanced at Li Yan beside her.

Chen Xiaoya looked at Li Yan; he was going to be in charge of the Rocket Class.

So naturally, he had tagged along to keep an eye on things, afraid that Chen Xiaoya might say the wrong thing.

Chen Xiaoya steadied herself and spoke in a businesslike tone:

"Personally, I think with your excellent grades, you should go to the Rocket Class. The teaching staff there is the best in the school, and the learning atmosphere is more intense. It would be better for your future development."

Hearing this, the face of the head in the window crack instantly changed.

He pulled his head back and, like a game of whack-a-mole, quickly patted his desk mate's shoulder, leaning in to whisper.

After listening, the desk mate's eyes widened like brass bells, and he turned to tell the back row.

One person told ten, and ten told a hundred.

"Hey, hey, hey, Lin Mo might be transferred away!"

"To the Rocket Class! Are you serious?"

"Damn, then who's going to explain the questions to us after exams?"

The news that Lin Mo might leave Class Eight spread through the room like a virus, silently setting off turbulent waves in the quiet evening self-study class.

However, the person at the center of the storm merely spread his hands slightly, his posture as relaxed as if he were discussing what to have for dinner.

"I think it's just alright."

Lin Mo spoke lightly, his words leaving both Chen Xiaoya and Li Yan stunned.

"The teaching staff doesn't have much impact on me."

He continued, "If it's just because of that, then I'll just stay in Class Eight. I'm quite used to being here."

The air seemed to freeze.

Chen Xiaoya opened her mouth, not knowing how to respond.

Li Yan took a deep breath. He had forgotten that the kid in front of him relied purely on talent.

Regular top students needed guidance from famous teachers and a good atmosphere.

But this kid right here was completely unconventional.

He was the kind of monster who survived purely on raw stats!

So-called top-tier teaching staff really had a negligible effect in the face of such overwhelming talent.

However, Li Yan still asked, "Is it because you can't bear to part with your classmates?"

This was phrased very subtly.

He had observed that this kid Lin Mo always walked with a girl on his way to and from school. Judging by their intimate manner, they were probably dating, right?

Unfortunately, Li Yan's gossip radar was ultimately a bit off the mark; after all, Xie Yuling was from the class next door.

Hearing this, the corners of Lin Mo's mouth curled up slightly. "I really can't bear to part with my classmates. Everyone is so talented and speaks so nicely. I absolutely love staying in there."

The hearts of the few boys eavesdropping by the window warmed, and they almost burst into tears on the spot.

"Did you hear that! Master Mo said he can't bear to leave us!"

"Boohoo, Master Mo has us in his heart! Thank god I'm a science student, we don't have to separate!"

A boy who had chosen liberal arts beat his chest and stomped his feet: "Damn it! Is it too late for me to apply to the homeroom teacher to switch to science?!"

The companion next to him threw an arm around his neck and spoke earnestly:

"Young man, don't be impulsive, your future is important! Go in peace. Just wait until next year's sports meet, our science class will definitely pin your liberal arts class to the ground and rub you in the dirt!"

"Get lost! Saying that makes me want to switch classes even less!"

Inside the classroom, Jiang Yunlu's heart leaped into her throat along with the discussions outside the window.

She was equally afraid, afraid that after the class division, she would never see Lin Mo again.

She subconsciously turned her head and looked at Chu Miaomiao behind her.

Chu Miaomiao was lying quietly on her desk, the tip of her pen scratching across the scratch paper with a soft rustling sound, seemingly turning a deaf ear to the commotion outside.

Jiang Yunlu couldn't help but lean closer, lowering her voice to ask, "Aren't you worried? Lin Mo might be going to the Rocket Class."

"Huh?"

Chu Miaomiao raised her head, a trace of bewilderment flashing in her round eyes, as if asking, "What are you talking about?"

In just a moment, she realized what was going on and burst into a giggle, revealing a pair of cute little dimples.

"I'm not worried."

She tilted her head, her tone so certain it left no room for doubt. "He won't leave us behind."

He won't leave us behind.

Who did this "us" refer to?

Was it her? Or her? Or Class Eight?

Jiang Yunlu's gaze landed on Chu Miaomiao's confident face, as if trying to find even the slightest hint of pretense.

"Are you really that sure?"

"Yeah, I'm sure." Chu Miaomiao smiled, her eyes curving into crescents, and lowered her head again to continue writing and drawing on her paper.

That calmness made Jiang Yunlu feel as though she was lacking something compared to Chu Miaomiao.