The System Is Quite Amusing

"What are you looking at, Little Xia?"

"Shen Nian's English test paper."

"Let me see too."

Li Shiyan, bored, came over as well. The two girls pointed and commented at Shen Nian’s test paper left on the desk.

Top students had the privilege of choosing their seats and desk mates. Li Shiyan had been Xia Yanchun’s only desk mate for the past two years—long black hair, a high ponytail, delicate features, and a particularly vibrant smile.

As her desk mate for two years, Li Shiyan had heard Xia Yanchun mention Shen Nian a few times. She knew they were from the same hometown and had attended the same school before.

If it were any other guy frequently interacting with Xia Yanchun, Li Shiyan would’ve suspected something between them. At first, she had even wondered about Shen Nian and Xia Yanchun.

But Xia Yanchun had a saying: "Old friends in a new place feel especially close."

Being hometown acquaintances explained their closeness—nothing ambiguous about it.

Xia Yanchun never told others that she and Shen Nian were childhood friends. Such a loaded term was better kept between them to avoid strange rumors.

Like the one about "Shen Nian liking Lin Xiyuan."

In the restless throes of adolescence, nothing burned brighter than gossip of that nature.

Once whispers started, they’d spread through the entire class in half a day. But clearing things up? That’d take ages.

The two girls were still at Shen Nian’s desk, chatting away when he returned from the bathroom. He glanced at them, then turned to lean on the hallway railing with Chen Dong, enjoying the breeze.

Hanging out in the hallway during break—that was the essence of youth.

Shen Nian grinned and patted Chen Dong’s back. "Chen Dong, my man, friends gotta learn to tolerate each other."

"What do you mean?"

"If I’m bored and pat you, just bear with it."

Shen Nian spoke with mock solemnity, his damp hands from the bathroom now dry, leaving a faint handprint on Chen Dong’s shirt.

"And then?"

"If I get mad and yell at you, just bear with it."

"What if I get mad and wanna yell at you?"

"Then you bear with it."

"??? So I’m just supposed to endure everything?"

"We’re best friends. Endure it."

Chen Dong was utterly baffled.

Six-six-six. No acting anymore.

His foot itched—he wanted to kick Shen Nian in the face like General Yu’s flying kick.

Back in the classroom, the two girls were still examining Shen Nian’s test paper when a passing boy sneered.

"Seriously? You’re looking at Shen Nian’s English test?"

Lan Fukai, the English class representative, had scored 138 on the final exam—second in the class. First place was Xia Yanchun with 142.

"Yeah, Shen Nian did pretty well this time."

Before Xia Yanchun could respond, Li Shiyan spoke up.

Lan Fukai scoffed. "This weekly test was easy. Anyone with hands could’ve scored high."

To him, Shen Nian’s score was like a dog stepping on an answer sheet—barely worth acknowledging.

Even if Yan Yuzhu said Shen Nian was trying, how much progress could he really make in such a short time?

The class had plenty of high-achieving girls, but seeing two of them fussing over Shen Nian’s mediocre English score irked him.

He felt he and Xia Yanchun belonged in the same circle.

Similar English scores, studying together after class, discussing ways to improve—that’s how it should’ve been. Instead, Xia Yanchun was closer to Shen Nian, an English disaster.

Bad company corrupts good character. Sooner or later, Shen Nian would drag her down.

As a fellow English ace, he felt obliged to warn her. "Shen Nian’s been terrible at English for two years. Even if he starts from scratch now, he won’t improve much in a year. Don’t waste time talking English with him. I’ve seen too many top students ruined by slackers."

"Progress doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a step-by-step process," Xia Yanchun replied coolly, her brows slightly furrowed.

Lan Fukai smirked. "Tch. Well, good luck with that ‘slow progress.’ If he even passes, I’ll consider him hardworking. If not, well… that’s just who he is." With that, he walked off.

Xia Yanchun neatly placed Shen Nian’s test paper back and tidied his desk before returning to her seat.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. She wanted to punch Lan Fukai into oblivion.

What business was it of his if Shen Nian was trying? So his English was slightly better—his overall grades weren’t even that much higher than Shen Nian’s.

Shen Nian, someone’s doubting you. You’ve got to prove them wrong!

By the time Shen Nian returned to his seat, the class bell rang.

"Shen Nian, you have to work harder! Go for it!"

"Huh?"

Confused by her sudden outburst, Shen Nian scratched his head. "I am working hard. Why the reminder?"

"Not hard enough! You need to push even more! Go for it!"

Though baffled, Shen Nian nodded.

"Honestly, just scold me like usual. This feels weird."

"Piss off."

"Ah, that’s more like it."

By afternoon, Shen Nian had finally finished all six subjects’ weekly tests. His brain felt like mush.

He double-checked—every answer slot filled—but the system task still wasn’t complete.

Damn it. Did he have to wait for grading?

This godforsaken system really knew how to tease.

The thought of a passive skill dangling just out of reach made him itch with frustration.

After school, students scattered—weekend-bound ones rushing for buses, boarders heading out to shop.

Car horns blared outside.

Near Ci’nan Second High were two police stations. Every Saturday, officers directed traffic at the school gate.

"Let’s go." Shen Nian slung his backpack over his shoulder. "Chen Dong, take it easy when you get back."

"If I don’t ‘take it easy,’ what else would I do?"

"I meant gaming."

"So did I."

The two boys froze, then burst into stifled laughter, their faces mirroring the same meme-worthy expression.

Xia Yanchun was lost. What were they even talking about? Was this still Chinese?

"Shen Nian, you coming or not? I’m leaving."

"Coming, coming."

"I’ll buy you ice cream."

"Did you find money or something?" Shen Nian eyed her skeptically, glancing around to confirm no one familiar was nearby before flicking her fluffy ponytail.

"Getting bold, huh?" Xia Yanchun rolled her eyes. "So? Want it or not? If not, forget it. It’s just a reward for studying hard lately."

"Fine. I’ll take a Chocliz."

"Too expensive. Two-fifty max."

"Be a little generous. Acting like four bucks will kill you. Fine, I’ll treat you. Got money to spare."

"Since you’re offering, I’ll let you."

"Wow. Go eat rocks instead."

If they weren’t in public, Xia Yanchun would’ve kicked him.

Sunlight filtered through plane tree leaves, scattering golden flecks across Xia Yanchun’s hair, her face bathed in a soft glow. The light caught the fine hairs at her temples and gilded her long lashes.

Shen Nian bought a Chocliz—the kind with chocolate inside. He’d eat anything. Xia Yanchun, however, was consistent: always the two-fifty Peanut Master.

"You’re really loyal to this, huh? Eating the same thing since childhood and still not sick of it? Is it that good?"

Watching her carefully peel the wrapper and lick the cream, Shen Nian chuckled.

"It’s good," Xia Yanchun nodded.

"Not as good as Chocliz, if you ask me."

"You strike me as the type who'd insist on salty tofu pudding when everyone else is raving about the sweet version."

At first glance, Xia Yanchun is the epitome of a sweet, doll-like beauty—if only she’d keep her mouth shut.

Shen Nian shook his head. "You still don’t get me."

"I’d just say both sweet and salty tofu pudding are trash. I’m all about that fermented mung bean juice flavor."

Yanxi reminds you: Due to Tomato’s request for over 3 million daily hits overwhelming the servers, we now recommend switching to other major sources.