You're Just Like That Jiahao

Li Jiahao's face was as red as a baboon's butt.

Looking around like a thief, he sneakily reached out, grabbed the sleeve of Chen Zhi's school uniform, and dragged him toward the vending machine in the corner of the corridor.

"Class Rep, a word in private."

Chen Zhi stumbled a bit from the pull. He annoyedly shook off the guy's paw and casually smoothed out his wrinkled cuff.

"Spit it out, and keep your hands to yourself. People who don't know any better might think you're trying to confess your love to me."

Li Jiahao nearly choked on his own spit.

"Pfft! Class Rep, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't just say whatever you want! My orientation is perfectly normal!"

He lowered his voice, his face full of sheepishness. His hands nervously rubbed the hem of his uniform jacket, looking like a wronged little wife.

"Um... Class Rep, this is strictly between you and me. You absolutely cannot tell anyone else."

Chen Zhi leaned against the vending machine, fished three coins out of his pocket, and slotted them in. With a clunk, a can of ice-cold cola dropped out.

Classmate Jiahao then poured out his heart.

"Online dating?"

Chen Zhi raised an eyebrow. The condensation on his ice-cold cola can slid down his fingertips.

"Not exactly..." Li Jiahao's slightly tanned face flushed red, his eyes darting around. "We just added each other on QQ and have been chatting for half a month."

"From Thirteenth High?" Chen Zhi casually tossed the empty can into a trash bin. "Never met in person? Never video called? Do you even know if the person on the other end is human or a ghost? What if it's some hairy middle-aged dude trying to scam you into buying tea leaves?"

"Class Rep!" Li Jiahao grew anxious, stiffening his neck. "Her profile picture is her real self! She looks super pure and innocent, and... and her voice is incredibly sweet. Every night she sends me a voice message saying goodnight."

Chen Zhi looked at him with the kind of pity usually reserved for the intellectually disabled.

There really were too many naive kids these days.

"Alright, so what does this have to do with you wanting to test into First High?" Chen Zhi asked lazily, leaning against the vending machine. "Planning to get in so you can meet up in person?"

Li Jiahao took a deep breath. His expression suddenly turned serious, even a bit tragic.

"She said her goal is Jiangcheng First High. She said she likes guys who are driven."

Li Jiahao clenched his fists, his eyes burning with blazing determination. "She said if we can meet at First High, she'll agree to be friends with me!"

Chen Zhi was silent for two seconds.

Good lord.

That's quite the beautiful, hollow promise she's dangling in front of you.

If it were the past, Chen Zhi absolutely would have taught this naive kid a lesson, explaining "The Self-Cultivation of a Spare Tire" and "The Art of Fish Pond Management."

But looking at Li Jiahao's eyes full of hope, Chen Zhi swallowed the toxic reality check that was already on the tip of his tongue.

Well, that's youth.

Who hasn't gone crazy over a girl before?

Even if it all amounted to nothing in the end, at least the hot-blooded passion in this moment was real.

"There are only a hundred days left." Chen Zhi looked him up and down, his tone playful. "With your current grades, the gap between you and First High's admission score is roughly... oh, about the height of Mount Everest."

"I don't want to regret it later!" Li Jiahao gritted his teeth. "Class Rep, just tell me if it's possible!"

"Whether it's possible or not is up to you."

Chen Zhi walked over and patted Li Jiahao's broad shoulders heavily. He hit him so hard that Li Jiahao winced in pain.

"If you want to go for it, don't leave yourself a way out. As long as studying doesn't kill you, study like your life depends on it. If you actually get in, even if she ends up rejecting you, you won't lose out. At the very least, you'll have the academic credentials."

Li Jiahao froze for a moment, then nodded emphatically. "You got it! Class Rep, starting today, I am the ultimate warrior of pure love!"

"Good luck, warrior."

Chen Zhi waved a hand, walking back to the classroom with his hands in his pockets. "Just don't give up in a few days."

The school dismissal bell is always the sweetest sound.

The previously quiet campus instantly boiled over, filled with the chatter of students.

Chen Zhi swiftly stuffed a few test papers into his backpack, slung it over one shoulder, and walked out of the classroom with a smooth swagger.

He wasn't in a hurry to leave the school.

Going against the flow of the crowd, he strolled leisurely over to the old locust tree by the school gates.

He still had to wait for Lin Wanwan to come out so they could go home together.

The sun was setting, and the fiery orange afterglow dyed the entire sky in brilliant colors.

Chen Zhi tossed his backpack behind him, shoved one hand into his uniform pocket, leaned back slightly, and rested against the mottled wall.

The wind was a bit strong, rustling the loose hair on his forehead.

The young man stood tall and straight, the collar of his uniform slightly open to reveal the edge of a white T-shirt underneath. Under the glow of the setting sun, his facial features were sharply defined, with a high nose bridge and a faint smile lingering on his lips.

He just stood there casually, yet it was as if he came with his own spotlight.

Passing girls couldn't help but steal glances.

"Look, look, that's Chen Zhi from Class Three, right?"

"Those legs, that waist... I can't even, I'm going to go ask for his WeChat!"

"Don't. I heard he's really aloof, and apparently he already has a girlfriend..."

"I heard he made the top ten in the grade again on this mock exam. It's bad enough he's handsome, but he's also smart. It's just not fair."

The whispering drifted into his ears on the wind.

On the surface, Chen Zhi looked as steady as an old hound, but inside, he was actually panicking.

His legs were going numb.

Why was this stupid wall so hard?

In the crowd not far away, Li Jiahao was squeezing his way out with a heavy backpack.

As soon as he looked up, he saw this scene.

The setting sun, the old tree, the young man.

The picture was so beautiful it looked like a movie poster.

"Holy crap..." Li Jiahao couldn't help but curse.

They were both wearing school uniforms, so why did the Class Rep look like the male lead in an idol drama, while he looked like a lump of dough?

Was this the disparity of the world? Why was it so unfair?

Li Jiahao quietly pulled his phone out of his pocket. Making sure no teachers were around, he quickly snapped a photo in Chen Zhi's direction.

Click.

The boy in the photo was bathed in golden light, gazing deeply into the distance, looking ridiculously handsome.

Li Jiahao sneakily put his phone away and left the campus.

Just as Chen Zhi felt like his poor back was about to snap, a familiar figure finally appeared in his line of sight.

Lin Wanwan finally came out, holding a bottle of juice and laughing with Chen Xinyu beside her.

As if sensing something, she looked up. Her gaze pierced through the crowd and landed on Chen Zhi.

Their eyes met.

Lin Wanwan's footsteps paused for a second.

Chen Zhi raised an eyebrow, stood up straight, and waved at her.

Lin Wanwan rolled her eyes, said something to Chen Xinyu, and then walked briskly over.

"Chen Zhi, are you standing here acting as a door god?"

Lin Wanwan stopped in front of him and tilted her head up to look at him. The setting sun reflected in her eyes, making them sparkle.

"Waiting for you." Chen Zhi naturally took her backpack and slung it over his other shoulder, his movements outrageously practiced. "What took you so long? I'm about to dry up in this wind."

"I had to do cleaning duties!" Lin Wanwan muttered, though her eyes lingered on his face for a few seconds, her ears turning slightly red. "And why were you standing like that just now? You looked like that guy Jiahao."

Chen Zhi reached out and flicked her forehead. "Let's go, time to head home. My stomach is practically touching my back from hunger."

Ouch! That hurts!

Lin Wanwan clutched her forehead and kicked him angrily. Chen Zhi, can't you keep your hands to yourself?!

The two walked shoulder to shoulder on their way home, their shadows pulled long by the setting sun, overlapping on the ground.

They were surrounded by bustling students, and the air was filled with the aroma of deep-fried skewers from street vendors mixed with the smell of car exhaust.

Walking beside him, Lin Wanwan kept stealing glances at Chen Zhi.

That inexplicable confession in the classroom this afternoon, along with the scene at the school gates just now, had stirred up a raging storm in her heart.

Hey, Chen Zhi.

What? If you want to treat me to a grilled sausage, permission granted. Chen Zhi kept his eyes straight ahead.

Lin Wanwan chewed on her straw. She hesitated for a moment but still could not help asking, What exactly did you dream about during your nightmare this afternoon?

Chen Zhi's footsteps paused slightly.

He turned his head and looked at the vibrant, youthful girl beside him.

Then he remembered the dream he had just experienced.

I dreamed... Chen Zhi deliberately dragged out the word, a wicked smirk curling on his lips. I dreamed that you turned into a massive fatty in the future, eating eight bowls of rice per meal and demanding that I support you. It scared me to death.

CHEN!! ZHI!!

Lin Wanwan blew her top instantly. You're the fatty! Your whole family are fatties! I'm going to kill you!!

Have mercy, my lady! Don't use violence!!

Chen Zhi burst out laughing and sprinted forward.

Stop right there!

Lin Wanwan chased after him, completely exasperated.

One in front and one behind, the two chased and playfully fought their way down the sunset-lit street.

The wind was gentle, and their laughter rang bright and clear.