I have few friends, but many childhood sweethearts.

Chapter 483. Ruan Wen, don't you like me?
In the school's studio, the parents' meeting for the first-year high school students was coming to an end.

"Don't be arrogant in victory or discouraged in defeat. One exam doesn't mean anything. I also believe that all the children who can get into Licheng Middle School are excellent. Even if they relax for a while, they can catch up quickly."

Therefore, I hope parents can keep a calm mindset and provide the best logistical support for their children. As for academic matters, please trust our teachers and, more importantly, trust your children themselves.

I firmly believe that the children will submit a perfect score in three years.

After the principal silently read out the closing remarks, which were written by people older than him, the audience erupted in applause.

Parents began to get up and leave, and Zhang Chunxue and her group quickly met up at the studio entrance.

"That's pretty good. If Xiaofan, Xiaoxiao, and Xiaoyu keep up their grades, they'll have no problem getting into Tsinghua or Peking University in the future," Lin Qiaoshan said to everyone after coming out.

During the meeting, the principal specifically mentioned the three of them: the top scorer, runner-up, and third-place finisher in the district's high school entrance examination. Moreover, the three of them achieved near-perfect scores in almost every subject in this midterm exam, which is enough to prove that the teaching level of the teachers at Licheng Middle School is not bad.

“The three kids have always taken turns being number one, two, and three since they were little. I didn’t expect them to still be doing it in high school,” Zhao Yuemin said with a smile.

"I don't really care about Tsinghua or Peking University. I only see my daughter once a week now that she's in high school, and sometimes I miss her. If she goes to university far away in the future, I'm afraid we'll only be able to see each other once every six months or so."

There was a time when Lin Jing even considered having Xia Xiaoxiao skip a grade so she could attend Tsinghua or Peking University. But after experiencing loneliness over the years, she has let go of those vanities.

“That’s true. If Xiao Fan goes to university in Yanjing, my daughter will definitely go with him. I’d miss seeing him only once every six months, haha,” Wen Wanqing said with a smile.

Yao Jinping really wanted her son to get into Tsinghua or Peking University, at least to vent her brother's anger. What, our Yao family also has promising students!

But since Lin Jing and Wen Wanqing had just said they were reluctant to see their daughters go far away, Yao Jinping could only say, "It's too early to talk about that. There are still two and a half years left in high school. My brat is always fiddling around, and he might not focus on his studies one day."

“I didn’t even finish elementary school, so I don’t know anything about academics. I think the principal is right. We should take care of the children’s basic needs. As a mother, I don’t know anything else, so I won’t cause any trouble.”

Li Meijuan had been a listener throughout the journey, but when the topic came up, she couldn't help but share her own thoughts.

"Meijuan is right!"

"That's right. As for which school the children want to attend in the future, we laymen won't give advice to the experts. Let the children make their own decisions."

"Ah."

When the adults returned to the starting point and met up, Xu Qingfan and the others had already showered and changed into their school uniforms and were waiting in the living room.

"Mom, did the teacher praise us?" Xiao Ruanwen ran up and hugged Zhao Yuemin's arm.

“You’re not the top three scorers, but the teacher praised Xiaofan and the other two, saying their grades have never declined.” Zhao Yuemin gently poked her daughter’s forehead with her finger.

"I haven't regressed, okay? We've actually improved! It's Fan and the others who've stuck in the same place!" Xiao Ruanwen pouted and acted coquettishly.

"Ruan Wen is right. Let's improve further by the end of the semester and bring down Xiao Fan's and the others' rankings," Wen Wanqing encouraged with a smile.

Xiao Ruanwen stared at Wen Wanqing in disbelief; this was no joke.

"Auntie, are you kidding me? Please let me go. How could I possibly beat Fan Ge, Xiao Xiao Yu, and the other two in the exam?"

Sending her to kill Brother Fan is no different from sending her, who just left the beginner village, to challenge the final boss.
"Hahaha!" Laughter soon filled the room.

Dinner was at a restaurant serving Shunde-style raw fish, but since Xu Qingfan absolutely couldn't stand raw fish, they ended up having fish hot pot instead.

The perfectly cooked fish, paired with scallions and soy sauce, is so delicious that if you're not too picky about the texture, it's almost as good as sashimi.

After finishing their meal, they walked back to school, and the parents went their separate ways.

"I don't understand what's so good about sashimi. Just looking at it makes my stomach hurt." Xu Qingfan shook his head and complained, still holding the unfinished bottle of Tiandi No. 1.

"I don't understand why someone would dare to marry five wives. I find it unbelievable just thinking about it." Xia Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes at him and imitated the sentence format he had just used.

Xu Qingfan:
After finishing his apple juice, he threw the paper cup into a nearby trash can while attempting a basketball shot. He missed, so he jogged over, picked up the trash, and put it back in the bin.

When Xu Qingfan returned to the five girls, he pretended that Xia Xiaoxiao hadn't said anything. He casually started a conversation and said, "The school sports meet is on Thursday. By the way, have you all signed up for events yet?"

"Hmph~" Xia Xiaoxiao glanced at him, but didn't dwell on the previous topic. "I signed up for the 100 meters."

"Wow, Xiaoxiao, I also signed up for the 100 meters. If we meet in the finals, do you think Brother Fan will cheer for you or for me?" Xiao Ruanwen hadn't finished speaking when she suddenly fell silent.

[What nonsense am I spouting? Am I deliberately trying to make Xiaoxiao suspicious?]
"Brother Qingfan also signed up for the 100-meter race. I'm so bad at it. Let's cheer for Yiyi together!" Fortunately, Lin Wanning quickly chimed in, preventing Xiao Ruanwen from feeling awkward.

"Really? Xiaoyu, you didn't sign up for the 100-meter race too, did you?" Xu Qingfan asked Wu Lingyu.

"No, I registered for the 1,500 meters," Wu Lingyu said, shaking her head.

"Wow~ Xiaoyu, you're amazing!" Lin Wanning exclaimed in surprise, her mouth agape. She couldn't even run 800 meters on the side, let alone 1,500 meters. She simply couldn't imagine it.

"It's probably because no one in the class signed up again, so you're filling in the gap." Xu Qingfan reached out and ruffled Xiaoyu's hair, instructing her, "I'll run with you on the playground."

Xia Xiaoxiao suddenly widened her eyes: No, you should have said you were going to run 1500 if you had just said so! I would have run even if you had run with me!

What could be a better way to assert your dominance in high school than running 1,500 meters with your partner?
"Okay, Xiaoyu, I'll run with you then," Xia Xiaoxiao said after thinking for a moment.

Since I can't wear Pinru's clothes, then nobody should wear them either.

Wu Lingyu:
"Hehe. Um, thank you, Xiaoxiao," Wu Lingyu forced a smile.

"Wow, is this really fun? I'll come too!" Xiao Ruanwen clapped and chimed in.

"You think it's fun, huh? Why didn't you sign up for the 1500 meters back then?" Xu Qingfan slapped her hard on the back of the head.

"That stinky Fan hit me again, I'll bite you!"

"Then I won't run away!"

"Stop!"

The setting sun was like blood, and only six blurry figures remained on the quiet cement path.

By the time they returned to their respective classrooms, evening self-study had already been going on for some time.

However, since the school sports meet is coming up soon, there are basically no students who can concentrate on studying.

"Brother Fan, you're really awesome! Out of 1050, you got a four-digit total score."

"No wonder you were able to become the leader of the first group, I'm impressed."

As soon as he and Xiao Ruanwen sat down, Wu Shichong and Lai Chenglang started their banter again.

Seeing the two bowing with their hands clasped in greeting, Xu Qingfan rolled his eyes in annoyance. "But the class monitor is only third in the class, does that mean the class monitor will also be a group leader next semester?" Wu Shichong added.

Xiao Ruanwen rolled her eyes after hearing the first half of the story. What did she mean by saying that she was also third in the class? Didn't she deserve it?
However, when she heard the second half, her heart skipped a beat, and she subconsciously looked at Brother Fan next to her.

[Yeah, if I keep ranking in the top eight of my class, won't I be unable to sit next to Fan Ge as his deskmate next semester?]
A hint of worry quickly flashed across her brows. Should she deliberately get a lower grade on the final exam in order to continue being deskmates with Fan?
But why does it have to be my deskmate with Fan Ge?
Final exams are crucial for class placement and future independent admissions!
Could it be that I...?
[I became his deskmate so that it would be easier for Xiaoxiao to keep an eye on Fan Ge. That's right! I did this for Xiaoxiao's sake!]
“I happen to be able to do all the questions this time, but I might not be so lucky with the final exams.” She tilted her head and smiled at Wu Shichong.

"Oh, really? You're amazing, class monitor. Luck is part of ability too." Wu Shichong suddenly felt embarrassed when the goddess smiled at him.

Xu Qingfan knew Xiao Ruanwen's true capabilities, but since she wanted to be modest, he didn't expose her.

"Medicated oil, Yunnan Baiyao, Shuangfeiren (a traditional Chinese medicine), glucose, and I also bought a packet of salt. This should be enough, right?" Xiao Ruanwen opened her schoolbag and took out the medicines she had bought on her way home this week.

"Safflower oil should be needed too, right?" Wang Xuan picked up the bottle of Shuangfeiren and whispered a reminder.

"Oh right, I forgot to buy safflower oil!" Xiao Ruanwen patted her head. "But it should be okay, they all have it in the infirmaries. If I fall, I can just go to the infirmary."

"This is enough. Keep it in the classroom when you're done. Someone might need it if they accidentally sprain their ankle later." Xu Qingfan took out a bag from somewhere and put the things away.

The classroom was as noisy as a vegetable market during the two evening self-study sessions. During the third evening self-study session, the homeroom teacher came to the classroom and called Xu Qingfan and Xiao Ruanwen out.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Guo Youcai explained why he had called the two men out:

"Here's the thing, besides the school sports meet, Thursday is also the school's centennial celebration. There will definitely be many well-known alumni invited to visit. The school hopes that you two can act as tour guides and give everyone a tour of the school."

Xu Qingfan and Xiao Ruanwen exchanged a glance, not expecting that something like this would happen between them.

"No problem at first, but teacher, we all have competitions to participate in that day, so..."

He left his answer unsaid, waiting to gauge the homeroom teacher's reaction. If it wasn't too urgent, he was willing to decline.

To be honest, Aunt Zhang had already introduced him to the top tier of business and political circles in the port city, so he really didn't need this kind of opportunity.

Rather than being a tour guide, he preferred to take more beautiful photos of the five girls.

"It'll probably be around 9 or 10 a.m. on Thursday, about an hour. I hope that won't interfere with Qingfan's events at your school sports meet?"

Guo Youcai still took it seriously, after all, it was a task assigned by the principal, even though Song Dongsheng's original words were that it didn't matter whether he participated or not.

"Ah~ it's nine o'clock."

"Teacher, I'm really sorry. Ruan Wen and I both have to participate in the 100-meter race at nine o'clock. We've already registered, so we can't change our participants at the last minute. Besides, it's our class's first school sports meet, so I feel even more embarrassed not to participate."

Xu Qingfan said with a look of great regret.

"Alright then, I understand. You can go back now."

Guo Youcai originally wanted to argue a bit more, but since Xu Qingfan had already said so much, he had no choice but to give up.

"Well, goodbye teacher."

"goodbye teacher."

After saying goodbye to their homeroom teacher, the two left the office one after the other.

Just as Xu Qingfan was about to walk back to his class for evening self-study, Xiao Ruanwen suddenly pulled him towards the stairwell.

"Hey~ Ruan Wen, what are you doing?"

Xu Qingfan was startled, but even though Xiao Ruanwen didn't answer, he obediently followed her.

He thought Xiao Ruanwen wanted to pull him downstairs, but on the contrary, Xiao Ruanwen pulled him upstairs.

The midterm exams are over, and the door to the sixth floor has long been locked.

Xiao Ruanwen pulled Xu Qingfan to the corner of the stairs between the sixth and seventh floors before letting go of his hand and stopping.

"Tell me, what's the meaning of having five wives this morning?" She took two more steps, looking down at Brother Fan from her elevated position.

From Xu Qingfan's angle, it was practically impossible to look the girl in the eye; it was utterly shocking!

Xu Qingfan swallowed hard and stepped onto the stairs to stand beside her.

"Ruan Wen, what do you think I could mean?" The scoundrel casually placed his hand on her shoulder.

Xiao Ruanwen: !!!

[No, how dare he!]
"How would I know what you mean? I... I'm telling you, Brother Fan, don't get any funny ideas!" Xiao Ruanwen said, her muscles tense, trying to appear calm.

Xu Qingfan removed the hand from her shoulder and squatted down on the steps.

Perhaps because young couples often come up here for secret rendezvous, there is no dust on the steps.

Xiao Ruanwen glanced at him furtively, but still stood up straight.

"Marrying five wives was just a joke I made with my aunt."

He spoke slowly, and Xiao Ruanwen exhaled slowly.

"Brother Fan, I know you like all five of us, but marrying five wives is really not an option. Don't even dream about it!"

"Also, Xiaoxiao will definitely not agree. Think about Xiaoxiao's father, Fan-ge, do you want to become the kind of person that you yourself hate?"

After saying what she wanted to say, Xiao Ruanwen waited silently for Chou Fan's reply.

Thirty seconds passed, then a minute, and just as she was getting impatient, Xu Qingfan suddenly spoke.

"Ruan Wen".

"what?"

Xu Qingfan stood up again and approached the girl step by step until their faces were almost touching, like an army at the gates of a city.

"Ruan Wen, don't you like me?"

"Ah?"

(End of this chapter)