Chapter 81

Chapter 75: Three People Together

After listening to Si Yajing's words, Wen Liang smiled bitterly and said, "Teacher Si, it's not easy to explain this in detail..."

"Oh, what bad things did you do? Let me guess, did you go play video games with Ren Yi, or did you talk about life and ideals with some female classmate?"

Wen Liang was speechless. The more he interacted with Si Yajing, the more he realized that beneath her beautiful and charming appearance lay a mischievous and playful heart. "Teacher Si, you were there last time..." Si Yajing's expression turned serious, and she said, "Wen Liang, I believe you are a sensible and discerning good child who knows what to do and what not to do, which is why I lied for you. I know that boys your age might have some things they don't want to tell their parents, and I can understand that. However, I hope you can consider me as a friend and tell me what's going on!"

Seeing Si Yajing become serious, Wen Liang smiled and said, "Alright, it's not much. Do you know Xu Yao from Class 1 and Ning Xiaoning from Class 7?"

"Of course, along with Ji Su, they are the three most famous girls among the new students this year. I've heard the boys discuss them countless times behind their backs, heh."

"Right, that's the case. I know Xu Yao and Ning Xiaoning... Okay, why are you making that face? We met at the Qingzhou Top Ten Outstanding Youth League Members Award Ceremony, it's not as complicated as you think."

Si Yajing was slightly surprised, "Ah, you even won an award?"

Wen Liang straightened his clothes and stood up straight, smiling, "Sure, sure."

Si Yajing chuckled, feigning anger, "Don't be so full of yourself, just tell me what happened?"

"It's like this, I have an uncle who runs a soy milk shop. Sometimes we three go there to help out and earn some pocket money. That night, there was a small issue at the shop, so I came back late. I can't tell my mom these things, or she definitely won't let me do it."

Si Yajing's bright eyes sparkled with a smile, and she said, "I see... I'll believe you this time! But let's make a deal, if you can't get into the top five of the class this time, I'll talk to your mom. At your age, you should focus on your studies, not on making money."

Wen Liang almost choked, "Is this how you treat a friend? You just got my secret and now you're threatening and intimidating me?"

Si Yajing, feeling satisfied with her plan, said with a smile, "Exactly, we are friends, but first and foremost, we are teacher and student. I am responsible for your grades. Wen Liang, you need to be in the top ten, not a single point less!"

Before class in the afternoon, Wen Liang stared at Ren Yi, making him feel uneasy and shiver. Ren Yi couldn't take it anymore, coughed, and said, "Brother, what do you want to ask?"

Wen Liang imitated his gesture and lightly coughed, saying, "I dare not, may I ask how many of the seven subjects—Chinese, English, Math, Physics, Chemistry, Politics, History, and Geography—have you mastered?"

Ren Yi patted his chest and said proudly, "I can't say I've mastered them, but I know about 80-90% of them. In Chinese, nothing can stump me except reading comprehension and essay questions. In English, I know everything except word spelling, sentence correction, and picture essays. In Math..."

At first, Wen Liang listened with great interest, thinking Ren Yi was quite impressive and well-rounded, knowing a lot in each subject. But as he listened, he realized something was off. After careful thought, he realized that if he excluded the parts Ren Yi didn't know, what was left were all multiple-choice questions.

Wen Liang kicked him and said, "You just bully honest people, don't you? It must feel great to trick someone with a lower IQ? But don't say that doing multiple-choice questions is just a matter of luck..."

Ren Yi laughed heartily, put his arm around Wen Liang's shoulder, and said, "Brother, you're loyal. Don't worry, I'll be with you for this exam. We'll take the last two spots, no problem!"

Wen Liang smiled bitterly and said, "Can't we aim a bit higher?"

Under the pressure from his mother and teacher, Wen Liang didn't pay attention in class in the afternoon. Instead, he reviewed the progress in all subjects over the past one and a half months. Chinese and English were fine, Math needed some formulas memorized, Physics required some practice problems, Chemistry was manageable, and Politics, History, and Geography all needed to be memorized, which was the hardest part!

By the time school was over, Wen Liang had lost confidence in the exam. Efforts over a few days might get him into the top twenty, but the top five in a key high school like No. 1 High School was out of the question unless he was blessed by a star. Wen Liang packed his books into his bag, preparing to study at home. Ji Su walked over, her gentle smile barely hiding the shyness in her eyes, and said softly, "If you have time, I can help you with your studies these few evenings..."

As she finished speaking, a faint blush appeared on her earlobes. There were still many classmates around, and when Ji Su came over, all their attention focused on her. Recently, Ji Su and Wen Liang had been getting along well, and many people were no longer surprised. However, when Ji Su said this, it caused a stir. Some were wide-eyed, some were in agony, some were indifferent, and one even kicked the table leg and hopped out in pain.

With so many people around, Wen Liang couldn't say no, and he smiled, "Sure, it's like a drought meeting with rain. Ji Su, you're a real lifesaver. But not in the evenings, you can't come home too late. How about this, if I have questions during the day, I'll ask you, and most importantly, can I borrow your class notes to study?"

Ji Su understood that he needed to take care of his mother, felt warm inside, and nodded, standing aside as if waiting for him to finish. Wen Liang packed his things and called out, "Let's go, together!"

As they left, the classroom erupted in a chorus of groans and moans.

As they passed the square in front of the office building, they ran into Si Yajing. Before the gossipy woman could speak, Wen Liang took the initiative to satisfy her curiosity, "I just spent the whole afternoon pleading with Ji Su, and she finally agreed to help me with my studies. Teacher Si, I'm really trying hard..." He needed to lay the groundwork for this, so even if he didn't make the top five, he could still negotiate.

Si Yajing ignored him and instructed Ji Su, "This boy isn't very honest. If he behaves, it's fine. But if he bothers you, don't hesitate to tell me, and I'll deal with him!"

Wen Liang protested, and Ji Su stood quietly, her clear smile as pure as water, and said, "Thank you, Teacher, but Wen Liang won't bully me, don't worry!"

Si Yajing detected a different tone in her voice and curiously glanced at Wen Liang. Wen Liang smiled bitterly, thinking, "Beautiful women bring trouble. Now Si Yajing has more gossip to chew on."

The three of them left the school gate together. After a few steps, a Nissan Bluebird pulled up, and Liu Tianlai waved from the driver's seat. Wen Liang smiled and said, "Great, we have a free ride. Teacher Si, Ji Su, let me give you a lift."

Si Yajing smiled and declined, though she appreciated Wen Liang and didn't mind the small details, she didn't want to be seen taking advantage of a student outside school. However, Ji Su recognized Liu Tianlai, knowing he was the one who took her to see her father that night. Her heart clenched, thinking there might be new information about her father, and her eyes were filled with anxiety and longing as she looked at Wen Liang.

Wen Liang understood her thoughts and insisted. Si Yajing couldn't refuse and pulled Ji Su into the back seat. Wen Liang sat in the front and turned to ask, "Teacher Si, let me drop you off first. Where do you live?"

Si Yajing, not recognizing Liu Tianlai, thought he was just a driver and said, "Thank you, sir. Stop at No. 28 Youdian Road." She didn't need to thank Wen Liang, as he was her student.

Liu Tianlai's face turned stiff at being called "sir," especially since the female teacher was both beautiful and graceful, with a dignified and upright demeanor, making her a top-tier beauty.

Wen Liang saw Liu Tianlai trying to turn around to chat, and knowing his style from the police station, he quickly interrupted, "Driver Liu, focus on driving. If my teacher had sat here, this car would have crashed into a pole!"

Liu Tianlai's face turned red, knowing he couldn't mess with the teacher, and obediently drove. Si Yajing's face also turned slightly red, and she scolded, "Wen Liang, if you keep talking nonsense, I'll tear your lips off!"

Ji Su, knowing Liu Tianlai's identity, couldn't help but laugh despite her worries.

After about half an hour, the car stopped at No. 28 Youdian Road. Liu Tianlai leaned out and said, "So, Teacher Si is a wealthy person. The houses here are not affordable for ordinary people."

Si Yajing seemed unwilling to talk more about it and replied, "These are houses allocated by the postal service. I, a teacher, can't afford them."

Si Yajing got out of the car and left. Wen Liang couldn't help but laugh, and Liu Tianlai grumbled, "The prettier the woman, the more temperamental. What can you do?"

Ji Su, leaning out the window, suddenly said, "Wen Liang, look, Teacher Si seems to be arguing with someone."

Wen Liang then saw a well-dressed man standing in front of Si Yajing, speaking angrily. Si Yajing tried to leave from the side but was grabbed by the man, who raised his hand high.