Tian Lu happily accepted the money. "Aren't you guys going to eat with us?"

  　　She figured that they might as well eat together since they were already gathered there.

  　　Tian Rong hooked a finger on the collar of his sweaty soccer shirt. "You girls go ahead. We're going back to take a shower."

  　　"Okay." Tian Lu nodded.

  　　The crowd on the field gradually dispersed as they moved to the canteen.

  　　The wet tips of Zhou Fu's black fringe covered his eyes when he removed the black bandana on his forehead. As he was passing by Lu Guixin, he felt her soft fingers carefully touch the back of his hand. His long eyelashes fluttered, and the hand which she touched became slightly numb.

  　　Lu Guixin whispered in a voice so soft that it could only be heard by each other, "I'll wait for you in an empty classroom tonight."

  　　Zhou Fu blinked. He felt as if his heart was being gently tickled. He made an inaudible "mm" as he walked off.

  　　…
　　Students who stayed in school had to continue with their evening study on Sundays. Thus, Lu Guixin and Tian Lu returned to their classroom after their dinner.

  　　However, after studying for a while, Lu Guixin started packing all her physics materials, and it earned her a strange look from Tian Lu. "What are you doing?"

  　　Lu Guixin said softly, "It's too noisy in the classroom. I'll go look for a quiet classroom to study."

  　　Tian Lu was all the more confused when she heard that. She basically spends her second evening study sessions sleeping, but she's now telling me that she's going to study?

  　　Holding her materials in her arms, Lu Guixin said, "I'm off."

  　　…
　　Class One of Year Three.

  　　After receiving a message from Lu Guixin about her location, Zhou Fu stood up, kicked the chair away, and took his black backpack.

  　　It just so happened that Tian Rong, who was going to ask Zhou Fu about some questions he couldn't solve, saw that. "Where are you going, Zhou Fu?"

  　　"I have something to do."

  　　Xia Cheng turned around when she heard that, only to see Zhou Fu walk out of the back door.

  　　…
　　Monday night.

  　　After self-studying for a bit during the first period of their evening study, Tian Rong came over and sat next to Zhou Fu with his phone. "Up for a game? I bought a new skin."

  　　"I have something on," said Zhou Fu as he took out a foreign language book. He then got up and left with his bag, leaving behind a speechless Tian Rong.

  　　…
　　Tuesday night.

  　　After the first period of evening study, Xia Cheng took out some information about next month's competition from her bag in the hope of discussing some issues with Zhou Fu. However, when she looked back, she saw him leave the classroom again.

  　　He didn't come back after that, and it had been that way for the past one week or so.

  　　She looked at his empty seat and then called out to the guy who sat in front of him. "Hey, how come Zhou Fu hasn't been around during the second evening study session lately?"

  　　"I don't know. He probably has something on. The school has always been pretty much lax with him, and all he needs to do is inform the teacher that he won't be attending the evening study."

  　　Xia Cheng nodded absentmindedly as she fell into deep thought.

  　　…
　　The second period of evening study of this day.

  　　Tian Rong took a cup of water and went to sit on Zhou Fu's empty seat in the last row. He asked the guy sitting in front, "What's Zhou Fu busy with these days?"

  　　The guy turned back and shook his head in an indication that he had no idea, either. "He hasn't been coming to the classroom with us in the morning and back to the dorm with us at night. He's also been buying his own breakfast. Nothing like that has happened even when he was busy in the past."

  　　"Yeah. I've known him for almost six years, but I've never seen him like this before," said Tian Rong.

  　　The other guy in front of him suddenly exclaimed in surprise after thinking about it for a few seconds, "Could he be… in love?"

  　　"That's what I suspect, too! He's suddenly started to pay attention to the quality of his breakfast when he usually doesn't pay much attention to it. There's only one possibility—that is, he's buying it for someone!"

  　　Xia Cheng stopped writing at that.

  　　"No way…" There was a complicated look on Tian Rong's face. "But there's nothing else that's unusual. He spends the rest of the time with us."

  　　The guy turned around, rested his head on the stack of books on Zhou Fu's table, and said in all seriousness, "It's unusual enough that he's suddenly buying breakfast and going MIA during the second evening study session!"

  　　Tian Rong begged to differ, though. "How's that unusual? Maybe he's taking proper meals and getting proper rest now because he's started focusing on his health. The school doesn't care about that, anyway."

  　　"You talk as if he's been studying seriously. Most of the time, he sleeps the evening study sessions away!"

  　　"Yeah! I doubt he left early to go rest!"

  　　Tian Rong was unable to refute that. "Fine. Let's say he's really dating. Who's worthy enough in our school to get him to buy breakfast for them?"

  　　The group of boys fell into deep thought. The students of Ming City High School are outstanding enough. There's Xia Cheng, who's good at studying, and Lu Guixin, who's drop-dead gorgeous. Although there are people pairing Xia Cheng and Zhou Fu on the school forum, there's really nothing between them. In fact, they don't even talk much. As for Lu Guixin, we hardly see her around much because she's a freshman. Zhou Fu has also clarified on the school forum that there's nothing between them. Most importantly, he's not interested in her in the first place. Who can he possibly like, then?

  　　The guys thought about it for a long time. They considered girls who were slightly famous in school, but they overturned their conjectures in the end. Impossible! There's no way Zhou Fu is dating!

  　　Tian Rong mused, "I think he's probably just busy with other things. As for breakfast, he might've become more health conscious."

  　　Albeit the answer sounded a bit ridiculous, it was the most plausible of all. That was, Zhou Fu started paying attention to his health at such a young age.

  　　While Xia Cheng was listening in to their entire conversation, ink seeped out of the tip of her pen that had been pressing against the exam paper for a long time. It formed a rather large stain on the paper, and it reflected her cold eyes. She bit her lower lips. Her instincts told her that Zhou Fu and Lu Guixin were together.

  　　She then took out her phone and scrolled through her address book to look for a Year One girl named Zuo Ran in Class Nine. Despite having never talked to her before, she sent a text, asking, [Hi, is Lu Guixin in the classroom at the moment? Can you help me to ask her if she wants to participate in any performances for the New Year's Day celebration?]

  　　Zuo Ran was pleasantly surprised when she received the text, but her mood soured when she realized that the other party was asking about Lu Guixin. Despite her annoyance, she politely replied, [Guixin isn't around. I'll help you to ask her when she's back.]

  　　Xia Cheng's mood sank to the pits when she saw the reply. [In that case, I'll go look for her during tomorrow's second evening study session. It'd be better to talk in person if she's interested in participating.]

  　　[Zuo Ran: You should come during the first session if you want to look for her. She hasn't been around for the second session recently.]

  　　That message made Xia Cheng clutch her phone tightly and glare at the screen. Lu Guixin was absent from her second evening study session, so Xia Cheng could confirm her suspicion that Zhou Fu and Lu Guixin were together every day during that period. Her expression darkened at that, and there was a sinister and mad look in her eyes as she clicked open her photo album and looked at the photo of Lu Guixin and Tan Ying.

  　　…
　　Zhou Fu and Lu Guixin were the only ones in the empty classroom.

  　　After explaining the physics paper to Lu Guixin, Zhou Fu propped his chin on his hand and looked at her. "If you can't rank in the top three hundred of your grade for this week's exams, I'll stop tutoring you."

  　　Lu Guixin's face sank immediately as she pouted and asked with a frown. "Why?"

  　　"Cause there's no hope for you," answered Zhou Fu.

  　　"Ah, no…" Lu Guixin looked at him with sad and moist eyes. "That's too difficult, though. I usually rank 1000+. Can't we do 800?"

  　　"No."

  　　"What about 700?" Lu Guixin put her hands together and pleaded, "Please don't make things difficult for this little cutie."

  　　Zhou Fu's eyes sparkled with amusement, although it immediately faded. Still, he said, "No."

  　　Lu Guixin made a concession and put up five fingers in the air. "500, then. That's really the limit."

  　　"300." Zhou Fu refused to budge.

  　　Lu Guixin glared at him unhappily, although she eventually gave up and resigned to her fate. "Is there any reward for getting into the top 300?"

  　　There was no expression on Zhou Fu's face as he asked, "What do you want?"

  　　Lu Guixin looked up with bright eyes and hesitantly asked, "Can I ask for anything?"

  　　"As long as it doesn't go against the school rules."

  　　Lu Guixin's expression dimmed as she quietly lowered her head.

  　　Zhou Fu raised his eyebrows as he looked at her dark and soft hair. "I can fulfill one wish."

  　　Lu Guixin looked up.

  　　"It can be anything," Zhou Fu slowly added.

  　　Lu Guixin's eyes lit up once more as she excitedly asked, "Do you mean it?"

  　　Zhou Fu nodded.

  　　Lu Guixin pursed her lips and smiled. She then pulled out a blank A4 paper and turned around to write something on it. Her short hair was tied to the back against her nape, so her fair and porcelain skin of her neck was revealed.

  　　Zhou Fu stared at it for several seconds before averting it with much difficulty.

  　　Once Lu Guixin finished writing, she folded the paper into a vertical strip before folding it into a flat pentagonal knot. She pressed down the edges and then handed it over to Zhou Fu while smiling. "Here's my wish. When I rank in the top 300, you can open it and give me my wish."

  　　After saying that, she looked at the time.

  　　It was 10.20 pm now. It was time for her to return to her class.

  　　Zhou Fu didn't say anything.

  　　Lu Guixin took out a milk candy from her pocket. This time, she tore open its packaging and shoved the candy straight into Zhou Fu's mouth.

  　　Zhou Fu was caught off guard as the sweetness of the candy spread from the tip of his tongue.

  　　"I'll get going now." Lu Guixin grinned at him and left the classroom with her materials.

  　　Zhou Fu watched her leave, and it was only after the classroom door closed that he retracted his gaze.

  　　Now that the candy's milk flavor had spread all over its mouth, the scent had gotten even stronger.

  　　He lazily leaned back and spread his legs wide open, resting his feet against the table's support. He looked down at the paper in his hand. After a few seconds, his long fingers moved to unwrap the paper.

  　　On the black piece of paper were three lines of words, which were written in a cute, clear, and round manner.

  　　…
　　I wish that…
　　Zhou Fu will make my dream come true.

  　　Lu Guixin

  　　…
　　Zhou Fu raised his eyebrows. When he said that he'd grant her wish, he meant that she could ask for a waiver of the money she borrowed for him. He didn't expect her to be so ambitious as to lay eyes on him.

  　　…
　　The next day, Friday.

  　　At the end of the third period, Tian Lu and Lu Guixin lay sprawled on their tables, exhausted.

  　　"The semester went by too fast. Tomorrow is our third monthly exam. I've been staying up at night to do revisions recently. I'm tired," said Tian Lu weakly.

  　　Lu Guixin echoed in agreement. "Me, too."

  　　She even stayed up until 3 am last night to help someone test a system, so she was really sleepy now.

  　　Just when they were about to fall asleep, there was a sudden burst of discussion in the classroom, and it got louder and louder.

  　　Tian Lu covered her ears and frowned in irritation as she rubbed her face. She then got up to go to the toilet to wash her face and freshen herself up. However, when she reached the doorway, she saw two girls looking at their phones in surprise.

  　　"What are you girls looking at?" As she asked this with puzzlement, she looked around the classroom and saw that everyone was talking about something with their phone in their hands.

  　　The girl looked at Tian Lu and then at Lu Guixin, who was sleeping with her earphones on. After much hesitation, she turned her phone screen toward Tian Lu and whispered, "Photos of Lu Guixin and Tan Ying going to a hotel have made their way to Weibo. It's the 12th most popular post now. The post is getting popular really fast!"

  　　Tian Lu's shocked expression immediately sobered up. She snatched the phone from the girl and looked at the post.

  　　The post was from an overseas account. [Elder Tan has led an upright life in the field of education for years, but his grandson doesn't cherish his reputation. He went to a hotel with a high school girl. That girl is quite shameless, too. She's only in her Year One, but she's so good at seducing people.[Pic][Pic]]

  　　The first picture showed Lu Guixin and Tan Ying entering the hotel at 6 pm, while the second picture showed them leaving the hotel after 11 pm. It meant that they had stayed in the hotel for over five hours.

  　　The comments below the post were almost unbearable to read.

  　　[Damn! A Year One? How did her parents raise her? Why didn't she cherish herself?]

  　　[Elder Tan's reputation is gone—his degenerate grandson has destroyed it.]

  　　[It might not be Tan Ying's fault. I heard that his grades are very good in Experimental High School and that he's always ranked first in his year. He might be a bit of a flirt, but he's never done anything out of the line before. It was always just kisses and hugs.]

  　　[I can testify to that. I dated Tan Ying for two weeks before. He's quite well-behaved. If I really have to describe him, he's a gentle scumbag.]

  　　[Then that must mean that the girl had resorted to dirty tricks. Why is this only exposed now? They can't do any drug tests now.]

  　　[How shameless can that girl get?! Because of her, the Tan family's reputation is going down the gutters!]

  　　[How did Ming City High School allow such a person into their school?]

  　　[Found it. That girl is Lu Guixin, and she was voted as the campus belle of Ming City High School. Someone exposed her indecent life on their school forum before, but those posts have been taken down. I bet the school was trying to silence the matter.]

  　　[What the hell? Not only did they not expel her, but they even silenced the matter?]

  　　[Yeah. What's more ridiculous is that the school made the girl who posted those articles withdraw. I heard that that girl did extremely well in academics and was in the top fifty of her grade.]

  　　[Just how influential Lu Guixin's family is for the school to do that?!]

  　　[She probably found herself a backer from sleeping around.]

  　　[That's exactly what happened. The Tan family has a lot of influence. Getting the school to expel a student is nothing to them.]

  　　[[Pic] This is a picture of the connections of the Tan family's important members. They really are something. They command both the political and the commercial world.]

  　　[That's disgusting! @MinistryofEducation Please take these people in hand.]

  　　[Why hasn't @MingCityHighSchool given any response? They're just letting the rumors snowball.]

  　　Anger rushed up to Tian Lu's head, and her fingers were trembling out of fury as she read the post and comments. She even forgot to return the phone to the girl as she stormed back to her seat, pulled off Lu Guxin's earphones, and gave her a hard shake. Her voice was even trembling as she said, "Wake up! Something's happened!"

  　　Lu Guixin, who had never heard Tian Lu sounding so flustered before, instantly woke up and sat straight up. "What's wrong?"

  　　"See for yourself." Tian Lu passed the phone to her. Her fingers had gone all red from clutching the phone so tightly.

  　　The moment Lu Guixin took the phone from her and saw the photos on Weibo, her eyes narrowed, and there was a murderous look in them. She quickly scrolled down the comment section.

  　　There were comments calling her shameless and saying that Old Master Tan didn't know how to educate his own descendants when he was an educator himself. Even the rest of the Tan family got implicated.

  　　In just a few minutes, the post topped the trending list. And just a few seconds ago, the exposer deleted both their post and their account.

  　　Lu Guixin stared at the screen. Her eyes were cold, dark, and hostile. Her pretty lips were pursed tightly, and the hostile aura she exuded sent chills down people's spines.

  　　Someone in the class stood up. "Lu Guxin, never mind that you're shameless, but you even got Elder Tan implicated!"

  　　Others began criticizing her as well. "I was a fool to believe what Su Zeyue said on the school forum were lies."

  　　"You deliberately got close to Zhou Fu. Now, you even went to the hotel with Tan Ying. Have you no shame?!"

  　　"Tian Lu, you should stay away from her. No wonder she's always sleeping in the classroom during the day. God knows what she's been doing at night."

  　　"Shut up! That's none of your business!" Tian Lu angrily retorted. "Your mind is so dirty. No wonder you see everyone the same way."

  　　The girl's face flushed as she glared at her. "You don't know what's good for you!"

  　　Tian Lu didn't believe what the Internet said. All she was thinking at the moment was how they should clarify the matter. Having never encountered such a matter before, she was extremely worried and anxious. She looked at Lu Guixin and asked, "What should we do now? Those netizens have all flocked to the school's official Weibo page."

  　　The last time was just a small fight within the school, but this time it was on the internet. The internet was so advanced that even a small matter would be magnified exponentially, much less a matter of such severity. Neither Ming City High School, the Tan family, nor Lu Guixin was spared from criticism.

  　　Lu Guixin looked at Tian Lu, who stiffened when she met her eyes. The latter almost felt suffocated from the overwhelming murderous aura the former was exuding.

  　　Lu Guixin took out another from her bag and, in a glacial voice, she said, "Move aside."

  　　Having never seen this side of her before, Tian Lu instinctively moved to the side out of shock.