This humble Taoist priest wants to take the college entrance exam.

Chapter 129 Adding a Bonus
This was the first time in Lin Mengqiu's life that someone had come running to see her.

Her anxious wait, which had almost led her to deduct two points from his score, vanished the moment she saw Chen Shi'an running straight towards her...

I even felt a little happy and a little shy for no reason.

Perhaps people can only run this fast when they are going to see something they really want to see?
...Wait, why didn't you come sooner?!
You'll lose 0.5 points!

"What are you doing at home? Why are you going out so late?"

"Make incense, class monitor, can't you smell how fragrant I am?"

Who would want to smell you?

Although she said that, Lin Mengqiu's nose still twitched secretly.

Unfortunately, she didn't have Chen Shi'an's keen sense of smell. Being outdoors, shoulder to shoulder with him, she couldn't smell anything at all.

"Has the class monitor been waiting long?"

"No."

"Where shall we play ball then?"

"The stadium next door."

Do you need me to help you with your things?

"..."

Seeing that he was empty-handed and dressed in a short-sleeved Taoist uniform, he didn't look like someone going to play ball. After thinking for a moment, Lin Mengqiu took the racket bag off her shoulder and handed it to him.

Just like she had done, Chen Shi'an hung the racket bag on the shoulder furthest from hers.

Lin Mengqiu is afraid of the cold. At this time of morning, the temperature is only 21 degrees Celsius. Chen Shi'an is still wearing short sleeves, while Lin Mengqiu is wearing black sports pants and a black sports jacket.

The streets were bustling at nine o'clock on Sunday, and the two walked side by side on their way to the stadium.

Lin Mengqiu remained taciturn, but her expression at this moment was completely different from when she was in the classroom; it was calm but not cold.

Occasionally, he would seem to be in a daze, looking at the shadows cast by the sunlight in front of the two of them, or secretly glancing at Chen Shi'an beside him.

Chen Shi'an was much taller than her. When they sat together in the classroom, she could easily look him in the eye. But when they walked side by side like this, she had to look diagonally upwards.

Sometimes, I'd have something I wanted to say to him in my mind, the words would be on the tip of my tongue, and my mind would race, but I'd never say a word.

She tried to speak first time and again, contradicting herself, but in the end, Chen Shi'an spoke to her first.

"Monitor."

"Ok?"

When Lin Mengqiu managed to squeeze out such a gentle response, she was taken aback.

"Uncle Lin isn't home?"

"No."

"Would you like to come to my house for lunch?"

"Is Sister Wanyin not home?"

"Yes, I'm here. If you come, I'll cook you a meal."

"……it is good."

Actually, when Lin Mengqiu heard that Li Wanyin would also be there, she didn't really want to go. After all, it was Li Wanyin's place, and she always had a strong sense of boundaries. She felt uncomfortable eating at someone else's house. She wished that only Chen Shi'an was there.

However, she had a good impression of Li Wanyin, and in the end, she couldn't resist the temptation of Chen Shi'an's cooking, so she agreed.

"Are there any other people?" Lin Mengqiu asked casually.

"No, it's just the three of us. Are you coming or not?"

"it is good."

Chen Shi'an asked twice, and she answered twice, this time much more readily.

As the conversation gradually warmed up, Lin Mengqiu began to take the initiative to ask Chen Shi'an questions.

Are you still setting up your stall today?

"I'm not setting it up anymore."

"What about later?"

"We'll see. I'll go when I have time."

"Why won't you take my money?"

Why didn't you take the class monitor's gift when I offered it?

Chen Shi'an did not answer her question, but instead asked a question in return.

Lin Mengqiu froze, then whispered, "I didn't mean no..."

"You have it."

"I don't."

Lin Mengqiu looked at him with a stern face, as if she couldn't tolerate the slander of the heart she so desperately wanted.

"Then I'll keep it."

"All right……"

"Then I'll give you something, class monitor, aren't you going to thank me?"

"Thanks……"

"You're welcome."

The sudden change in style made Lin Mengqiu feel like something was wrong.

The girl, who was not good at socializing, took a while to realize that she seemed to have been tricked by this stinky Taoist priest. It was clearly something she bought voluntarily, but it became something he gave her. The starting points were completely different!
Lin Mengqiu dared not argue with the cunning and stinky Taoist priest anymore. She just glanced at him like a mosquito and finally stopped talking about paying him.

"Why did the class monitor think of asking me to play basketball today?"

"I didn't play last week."

"Is that even a reason?"

"Doesn't that count?"

"I thought the class monitor would be studying all day on the weekend because the monthly exams were coming up soon."

"It's good that you remember the monthly exam is coming up soon."

Lin Mengqiu gave him a slightly resentful look.

The stinky Taoist priest kept reminding her that the monthly exam was coming up, but he himself went off to set up a stall and make incense, showing no concern for her studies whatsoever.

Of course, Lin Mengqiu felt that going out to play ball with him alone this morning was a bit of a 'neglect of her duties'...

This would have been unimaginable in the past.

Suddenly, Lin Mengqiu began to ponder a very philosophical question—

If Chen Shi'an refused her invitation to play ball today because he had to study math, should she feel unhappy or happy?

Seeing that the class monitor was silent and deep in thought, Chen Shi'an glanced at her curiously.

How to describe Lin Mengqiu when she spends the weekend with him? Chen Shi'an thinks she is like a cat. In the classroom or when there are strangers around, a cat's eyes are sharp, always alert and aloof, but in a safe environment, a cat's eyes are round, looking non-aggressive and very cute.

Extroverts often have words on their lips; introverts often keep their thoughts to themselves. Chen Shi'an had always been curious about what the class monitor was thinking when he wasn't talking.

Unfortunately, he didn't have mind-reading abilities, so he asked directly:
"Squad leader, what are you thinking about?"

"..."

Lin Mengqiu snapped out of her reverie after her thought about that 'philosophical question' was interrupted.

She wasn't some annoying cicada, so of course she wouldn't tell Chen Shi'an such a trivial question about a young girl's thoughts. So she turned to look at him and said calmly, "It's nothing."

"Oh--"

“×”

At the intersection, Lin Mengqiu nudged Chen Shi'an.

Like a bumper ball, Chen Shi'an turned right.

Lin Mengqiu secretly glanced at his reaction. He seemed quite natural, as if he wasn't surprised or bothered at all that she had used a "butt" to remind him to turn.

The girl herself had even more to say, since she had done it on purpose, with a little bit of a test in mind.

It crossed the line, and it was also quite different from her usual self. She cautiously tested his boundaries, even preparing herself for his 'surprised look'.

But Chen Shi'an did not.

That natural familiarity actually eased the tension in Lin Mengqiu's heart, giving her an indescribable sense of freedom and relaxation.

Do you play badminton with Wen Zhixia every afternoon?

Lin Mengqiu kept her eyes fixed ahead, her steps unwavering, and spoke softly.

"Hey, class monitor, how did you know?"

"I've seen it a few times."

From Lin Mengqiu's calm tone, one could not discern any particular emotional fluctuation in her expression regarding this matter; she was simply stating something she had observed.

This has always been the girl's habit. Whenever something stirs her emotions, she never speaks it out immediately. She always suppresses it in her heart first, and only after reason prevails over emotion will she mention it lightly. She would never easily reveal her true feelings.

Unfortunately, Lin Mengqiu had to admit that she still minded... otherwise she wouldn't have been able to ask now.

"Yeah, I have time after class in the afternoon anyway, so I'll play some ball with Xiaozhi and then go eat."

"What's the outcome?"

"Little Cicada hasn't beaten me by even one ball yet."

"Ah."

Lin Mengqiu couldn't help but chuckle, finally showing some happiness.

Chen Shi'an couldn't help but turn around and glance at her.

"Does the class monitor really think he can beat me by one point?"

"That should be more than that."

"Ah."

Chen Shi'an couldn't help but let out the same laugh as she had just had.

"……why are you laughing?"

"Looks like you're still not convinced that you shaved the class monitor's head last time."

"My stamina is depleted more than yours by using a gauntlet-style attack."

"Oh--"

"××!"

"So be it."

Chen Shi'an smiled and said, "Let's add a little something to our game today."

"What's the prize?"

"If you can beat me by one point, I'll grant you one request."

"what's up?"

"Anything is fine."

"...Really, anything is possible?"

"Yes, I always keep my word. So, is there something you want me to do, class monitor?"

"..."

That's way too many!
When Chen Shi'an said that, Lin Mengqiu couldn't help but think about what he should do first. Should he study math for 24 hours a day, cook for her every day, or not drink Fanren Chan's soy milk, or not play ball with Fanren Chan, or... the list goes on and on!

Lin Mengqiu became happier and happier as she thought about it. She put her hands in the pockets of her sports jacket and walked with light steps.

"I have not decided yet."

"It's okay, class monitor, you can think about it slowly, you can think about it for a lifetime."

"?"

Arrogant! Lin Mengqiu turned her head and glared at him. What kind of courage did he have to think that he could never beat him by a single point in his entire life?

"Alright, since you've said that, if I can't beat you by even one point, I'll grant you one request."

"Anything is fine?" Chen Shi'an's eyes lit up, showing interest.

“…It can’t be anything sleazy.” Lin Mengqiu shrugged and gave him a wary look.

Chen Shi'an has always been the one to fulfill other people's wishes; this is the first time he has encountered someone who wants to fulfill his own.

After thinking for a moment, Chen Shi'an said, "How about this, if you can't beat me even by one point, you'll wash these clothes for me, okay?"

Lin Mengqiu glanced at him from head to toe, and after a long pause, finally managed to utter:
"...I won't wash that."

"Which one?" Chen Shi'an didn't react.

"Underpants." Lin Mengqiu's voice was a little softer, her eyes darting away.

"...Class monitor, you're so perverted."

"XXX!"

Lin Mengqiu blushed slightly and glared at him.

"Just this martial arts uniform," Chen Shi'an said.

"can."

"Wash by hand, do not use a washing machine."

"……Can."

"Okay, it's a deal. I'll bring your clothes over to wash during evening self-study tonight. Make sure they're clean."

"Aren't you being too confident?"

Lin Mengqiu almost laughed out of anger at him. He was actually starting to arrange when to give her the dirty clothes to wash?

Fine, you do the first day of the month, I'll do the fifteenth! The girl decided that if she beat him by even one point, he'd have to do her laundry! Even her socks!!

It's just winning by one point, anyone can do that.
(End of this chapter)