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

Chapter 14 My Deskmate Examines the Chronicle of Life and Death

When Chen Shi'an first arrived at Class 5, he was not familiar with his classmates.

I don't know why the others were so surprised that I was sitting next to Lin Mengqiu.

He is very confident in himself, so it can't be his problem. It must be Lin Mengqiu's problem.

Although all he heard were abstract whispers, Chen Shi'an was intelligent enough to glean some key information from them.

For example, she's the class monitor, she's hard to approach, she has the power to change deskmates at any time, and it's rumored that she even has a special notebook for deducting points from people...

And she was the prettiest girl in the class.

This also made Chen Shi'an hear a hint of envy in the tone of many boys' voices.

This amused Chen Shi'an. He was clearly afraid of her, yet he envied the person who sat next to her. Was this the duality of human nature?
Beautiful and aloof girls often make men feel reserved when they are around them. They either try to show off to attract attention or become timid and unable to speak clearly.

However, Chen Shi'an did not, not because he was face-blind, but simply because his Dao heart was as firm as a rock.

Chen Shi'an had already tidied his desk. Seeing that Lin Mengqiu had also stopped writing and didn't seem to intend to continue working on her problems, he naturally struck up a conversation and asked:
"Are you the class monitor?"

"Ah."

This time, Lin Mengqiu answered quickly. She could tell that if she didn't answer, the Taoist priest would stare at her like before until she replied.

Is Principal Lin your father?

"..."

This time, Lin Mengqiu did not answer immediately, but turned to look at him.

However, he didn't see anything deliberate on Chen Shi'an's face; it seemed like just a casual chat.

"Did he tell you?"

Instead of answering, he asked a question, revealing his assertive nature.

"No, not really, it's just that I can tell from your and Principal Lin's appearances."

"He let you sit next to me?"

"You'll have to ask Principal Lin; I didn't know that before."

Chen Shi'an wasn't lying; he genuinely didn't know that Principal Lin's daughter was also in Class 5, and even more so that she would be his deskmate.

This likely reflects a desire to take care of him, given that Lin Mengqiu has good grades while his foundation is terrible.

Lin Mengqiu understood her father's intentions perfectly well. If it weren't for her father's decision, Teacher Liang would never have dared to arrange a deskmate for her so casually.

She was first in her class and first in science in the entire grade. If it weren't for the fact that she was asked to mentor others, would they have found someone with better grades to mentor her instead?

To be honest, after a brief conversation, Lin Mengqiu didn't have any ill feelings towards Chen Shi'an; she simply didn't like having anyone bothering her.

She wasn't particularly interested in Chen Shi'an's identity as a Taoist priest, and even felt that wearing a Taoist robe to school was a publicity stunt. However, his handsome appearance and demeanor did suit the robe, so she forgave him...

That's really unfair to Chen Shi'an.

He always wore a Taoist robe on the mountain and didn't have any everyday clothes. He was used to going out in a Taoist robe and didn't know the school's rules. He didn't pay attention to them for a while. After all, he was a Taoist priest. What would a Taoist priest wear if he didn't wear a Taoist robe?
However, he has now received his new school uniform and will wear it tomorrow. Although he doesn't care about other people's opinions, he still has to follow the school rules.

"Are you a Taoist priest?"

"Yes."

When he answered this question, Chen Shian's expression was as natural and irrefutable as if he were answering the question, "Are you a boy or a girl?"

Lin Mengqiu was even more puzzled, wondering when her father had gotten involved with Taoist priests.

Of course, putting aside her father's connections, as the class monitor, she should show some care for the new students, even if her role as class monitor is more about intimidation, and even if she is not actually good at caring for others.

"You can ask me anything you don't understand in the future. Anything about class or studies."

The words, which should have been warm, sounded cold coming from the girl's mouth. Lin Mengqiu looked away, thinking that today was probably the day she had interacted the most with her new deskmate.

Normally, when faced with such a cold attitude, most people would know to keep their distance, let alone an eighteen-year-old who is most concerned about saving face.

But Chen Shi'an was neither ashamed nor annoyed; instead, he took the opportunity to ask her a few questions:

"Does the cafeteria have food now?"

"Have."

"Can you pack it up?"

"Add one more."

Is it okay to leave the books in the classroom?

"It's ok."

"Okay, thank you."

It's clear that Chen Shi'an wasn't deliberately asking her these questions that wouldn't be problems for other students; he genuinely needed answers.

After receiving a reply, Chen Shi'an picked out a few books from the table, put them in his backpack, got up, put his chair back under the table, and prepared to leave.

Having asked such a silly question, Lin Mengqiu knew that this Taoist priest had absolutely no concept of school life. Seeing that he was about to leave, she couldn't help but remind him:
"We have to attend evening self-study at 6:30 pm."

"Isn't it 6:45?"

"Our class rule is to be in the classroom at 6:30." "Okay, Ms. Liang has approved that I don't have to come tonight, but thank you for reminding me anyway."

"..."

After the young Taoist priest left, the space around the girl was empty again, except for the extra tables and chairs.

Well, although she wasn't entirely happy with the extra set of cumbersome desk and chair, she couldn't seem to find a reason to change her deskmate...

I hope you don't get caught.

Lin Mengqiu spread out the test paper and continued to work on the questions quietly.

Those who bet on Chen Shi'an at the open and couldn't hold out until tonight are likely to face margin calls...

……

It seems the rumors are true.

The young Taoist priest was unaware that he had already been included in the "Table of Life and Death for Deskmates" by his new deskmate.

He had been at school for most of the day, and only now did he have time to wander around the campus by himself.

The setting sun cast long shadows of the teaching building, spreading large swaths of orange across the red running track on the playground.

Classes don't officially start until tomorrow, but almost all the freshmen and returning students from grades 11 and 12 have already arrived.

It was easy to tell them apart; even Chen Shi'an, who had never been to school, could tell them apart—those who were wandering around like him without wearing school uniforms were all freshmen.

This Taoist robe was still too conspicuous, and Chen Shi'an could occasionally hear some hushed conversations:

[Why is there a Taoist priest at the school?]
[He's quite handsome!]
Having grown up in the mountains with a limited social circle, Chen Shi'an rarely cared about his appearance.

According to his master, he was good-looking, 1.8 meters tall, with a slender and upright figure, regular facial features, and a calm and composed temperament that was rare among young people.

He was quite curious about what he would look like if he took off his Taoist robe and put on a school uniform.

After a quick stroll, Chen Shi'an arrived at the cafeteria.

It was only a little past 5 p.m., but many students had already come to buy food, thankfully without having to queue.

Chen Shi'an observed how others bought their meals before taking out his meal card and walking to the window to order.

The auntie serving the food was taken aback when she saw that he was a Taoist priest.

"What would you like to order, young master?"

"Auntie, could I please have a serving of braised pork, a serving of shredded pork with dried tofu, a serving of shredded potatoes, and a serving of greens? I need these to go."

"Add one yuan for a takeaway."

As she spoke, the lady serving the food quickly filled the containers with the appropriate amount of food.

Perhaps it was because the Taoist robe had the power to ward off evil spirits, but the auntie serving the food stopped shaking after a whole afternoon! This box of food was packed full.

Chen Shi'an thought for a moment and then added, "Auntie, could you please pack another one of the same thing?"

They were all local home-style dishes, nothing he couldn't get used to. He packed an extra portion to take with him when he went to see Principal Lin later; it wouldn't be right to only bring one portion, regardless of whether Principal Lin ate it or not.

Soon, both meals were packed up.

"Does the young master have a meal card? If not, you can scan the code or pay in cash here."

"some."

The aunt skillfully operated the machine, adding a two-yuan packaging fee, making a total of eighteen yuan.

Two meat dishes and two vegetable dishes cost only eight yuan a serving, not including the takeout fee. It's not expensive; a regular fast food meal in this small town costs twelve yuan.

Of course, when they were on the mountain, the master and apprentice cooked for themselves, with Chen Shi'an in charge of the cooking.

Occasionally, when they go out to perform religious ceremonies and can't reach the host's house before mealtime, the master and apprentice will eat a fast food meal outside.

Chen Shi'an took the lunchbox and stuck the meal card given to him by Principal Lin onto the machine.

[drop]
Card swipe successful, balance 782 yuan.

Principal Lin's teacher meal card provides an 800 yuan meal allowance every month, which is enough for Chen Shi'an's standard of eating.

Today is the last day of August, but it's still the first time this card has been swiped.

Principal Lin doesn't use a card in the cafeteria; he uses facial recognition instead.

The unused balance on the card will be reset next month, which greatly eased Chen Shi'an's psychological burden.

However, he will definitely remember Principal Lin's kindness.

Isn't this perfect for sitting next to Lin Mengqiu? If needed, it wouldn't hurt to take care of Principal Lin's daughter.

I'm just short on cash right now, so I can only use Principal Lin's meal card to treat him to a meal. I'll throw a big banquet for him when I have more money in the future.

The cat was still in the office. Chen Shi'an packed up the food and went to pick up the cat. He would have to go with Principal Lin to the rented apartment to tidy up later.

"Forestry School".

"Shi'an, you've come at the right time. The girl you share an apartment with is back from work. Let me take you there."

(End of this chapter)