I'm a senior in high school, and the system says I'm going on a blind date with my childho

Chapter 282 See, I've already gone easy on them.

At the window of the laboratory building, Li Zhi's face showed a slight weariness after the exam, but her eyes were still bright.

The setting sun streamed through the window, dancing on her hair and making the red string on her wrist shine brightly.

"How does it feel?"

Li Zhi looked at Shen Yuan who had walked to his side, his voice carrying a hint of relaxation that came with the exam, no longer tense like he had been during the exam.

"good."

Shen Yuan responded and naturally extended his hand.

Li Zhi naturally placed her hand in Shen Yuan's hand, letting Shen Yuan hold her hand and massage it.

The air in the classroom was filled with a sense of relaxation and slight fatigue, as if a major exam had just ended.

The sounds of desks and chairs being moved, and the students' whispers and stretches, rose and fell, mingling with the deepening twilight outside the window.

Just as the noise subsided, the homeroom teacher, Mr. Zhou, appeared at the door.

He remained unhurried as he strolled up to the podium.

"Quiet down, everyone go back to your seats."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a weight that could calm people down.

The once noisy classroom quickly quieted down, and everyone took their seats, their eyes fixed on the podium.

He Zhiyu winked at Shen Yuan and Li Zhi, his gaze falling on their hands, only to be glared at back by Li Zhi.

Old Zhou pushed up his glasses and glanced at the whole class: "The third mock exam is over, how did it go?"

A few sounds, whether of relief or sighs, came from below; they were not exactly in unison.

"This is the last major test."

Old Zhou spoke calmly, as if stating a fact.

"The results will be out in a couple of days. If you did well, don't get carried away; it was just a mock exam. If you feel you didn't perform well, don't panic; there's still time, and there's still a lot you can do."

Then, he softened his tone: "Alright, I won't say any more. That's all for today."

"Everyone, please be careful on your way back. Get some rest, but don't forget what you're supposed to do. Be back on time for evening self-study tomorrow."

"Cherish this last long holiday of your senior year! There won't be any more holidays after that."

As Lao Zhou finished saying "Let's go home," the classroom was immediately filled with the more substantial sound of packing schoolbags.

As dusk settled, the entire teaching building gradually quieted down, signaling a brief respite after a mock exam.

The final sprint on the track will resume after a brief pause.

The two walked side by side in perfect harmony, blending into the crowd of students leaving school, yet creating a quiet little world of their own amidst the noise.

As you walk through the main road leading from the teaching building to the school gate, the noise gradually fades behind you.

The golden glow of the setting sun gently bathed the way home; the streets were bustling with traffic, but people walked with a leisurely pace.

I stopped at a red light intersection, and the evening breeze, carrying the warmth of early summer, brushed against my cheeks.

Li Zhi slightly turned her head, looking at Shen Yuan's calm and peaceful profile, and suddenly spoke. Her voice was not loud, but it clearly entered the slightly ambiguous air between the two of them.

"Hey, Shen Yuan."

Shen Yuan turned his head and looked down at her: "Hmm?"

Li Zhi stood with her hands behind her back, her fingertips unconsciously twirling the knot of her red rope, a hint of cunning and anticipation in the girl's eyes.

It's like searching for an answer, or like confirming something.

“This time…” she paused, her clear eyes looking directly into his, “Are you confident?”

"Huh?" Shen Yuan didn't react for a moment.

Li Zhi's lips curved slightly into a smile, carrying a hint of challenge. His voice was lowered, like a feather gently brushing against the heart.

"I mean, are you confident you can surpass me?"

The air seemed to freeze for a moment, and even the evening breeze seemed to pause for a second.

Shen Yuan's gaze lingered on her face for a few seconds, moving from her slightly flushed cheeks, bathed in the glow of the setting sun, to her eyes that sparkled like stars.

The calmness on his face gradually faded, replaced by a lazy smile.

He let out a low laugh, the last syllable rising in pitch, with a hint of knowing the answer and a touch of mockery.

"Um……"

Shen Yuan deliberately dragged out his tone, leaning slightly towards her, creating a unique sense of intimacy and pressure between them.

He lowered his head, his gaze fixed intently on her slightly evasive eyes, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.

"...What do you think?"

He deliberately paused, watching Li Zhi's slightly held breath as she waited for an answer, and her increasingly flushed ears, before slowly beginning to speak.

"Well... that depends on you, Teacher Li—"

The voice was deliberately lowered, and every word was clearly uttered into Li Zhi's ears.

"Will they loosen the restrictions or not?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Li Zhi blushed bright red, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

The words "No way!" and "Let me see your determination to get the marriage certificate" from the previous exam room instantly echoed in my ears.

"Shen Yuan!!" the girl hissed in embarrassment and anger, raising her foot to kick his shin.

Shen Yuan had anticipated this, and with a light laugh, he nimbly dodged the attack, subconsciously protecting her body as she lost her balance with the kick.

"Tsk, why are you getting so worked up, Teacher Li?"

His smile was radiant, his eyes reflecting the golden sunset and the shy yet reproachful face of the young girl.

"Let's be reasonable. Don't you know the answer best in your heart?"

Li Zhi glared at him, too lazy to continue with this obviously embarrassing remark, and quickened her pace, crossing the intersection where the traffic light had turned green.

Shen Yuan watched the angry yet still adorable figure from behind, and quickly caught up with it. The strap of his backpack swayed with his steps, and the red string on his wrist drew a warm arc in the sunset.

He deliberately nudged Li Zhi lightly with his arm, a question escaping his throat with a smile.

"You haven't answered me yet, Teacher Li—"

Warm breaths brushed past her ear on the evening breeze, her deliberately lowered voice hiding a wicked glint in her eye.

"Did they... release the water?"

Li Zhi suddenly stopped in his tracks.

The afterglow of the setting sun fell just over her suddenly straightened back, turning her earlobes, which peeked out from between her hair, into a translucent crimson.

She suddenly turned her head and glared at him, her eyes reflecting a glint of shattered gold, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

"Why are you putting in water!"

He gripped the end of the red rope tightly with his fingertips, the thin rope digging deep into his fair skin.

She practically spat out the words through clenched teeth, each one laced with burning shame and anger as she hurled them at him.

"Idiot! Who's going to let you win?!"

The last word burned her tongue, and she couldn't utter it, only managing a rapid, heavy nasal sound—

"Humph!"

The girl abruptly turned her head, her ponytail tracing a defiant arc in the warm golden air, her footsteps thumping onto the sidewalk tiles.

Looking at her flushed ears and slightly hurried back, Shen Yuan felt a surge of joyful warmth welling up in his chest again.

The boy chuckled softly, took a long stride, and followed her at a leisurely pace, keeping a half-step distance.

A gentle evening breeze carried the sweet fragrance of the girl and a hint of the sweet aftertaste of melting ice cream to his nose.

We walked in silence, accompanied only by the hum of passing cars and the soft sound of our shoes on the ground.

Shen Yuan would occasionally nudge her lightly with his shoulder or arm, earning Li Zhi a silent glare or a few quicker steps in return, but the mischievous smile on his face never disappeared.

The red string on her wrist still shimmered with a warm glow in the deepening twilight.

Stepping into the familiar apartment building, the automatic door closed, shutting out the outside noise and twilight.

The hallway was only lit by the dim light of the motion-activated lights.

Li Zhi raised his hand and pressed the elevator button, and the metal door slid open silently.

"Ding."

The elevator doors slowly closed after they stepped inside, and the mirrored wall vaguely reflected the two figures standing side by side.

Shen Yuan habitually reached out and pulled Li Zhi into his arms.

Li Zhi tilted his head to look at the changing floor numbers, from "1" to "3", seemingly staring intently at the red dot.

The elevator vibrated slightly before smoothly moving upwards.

Shen Yuan's gaze fell on her slightly drooping neck and alluring ear tips, and his Adam's apple bobbed silently.

He leaned down slightly, close to her ear, breaking the silence.

"Hey."

“I’m not calling you ‘Hey’.” Li Zhi looked at Shen Yuan expressionlessly.

"A tired, overused trope."

"That's a classic!"

Shen Yuan looked at the soft whorl of hair on the top of her head and a smile curved his lips: "Li Bao, your parents probably haven't come back yet, right?"

Li Zhi's eyelashes fluttered slightly, her gaze still fixed on the numbers "8", "9", "10" that were gradually climbing on the screen...

Shen Yuan's voice drew closer: "How about... we go home together first?"

The air seemed stagnant.

Li Zhi suddenly held his breath.

She turned her head sharply, her clear eyes meeting Shen Yuan's.

The girl's pink lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to refute something, or call him a "bad dog," or "thinking about something bad again."

But the frankness in Shen Yuan's eyes left her speechless for a moment, even the usual "idiot" stuck in her throat.

The elevator made a crisp "ding" sound and came to a smooth stop on their floor.

The metal doors slowly opened to both sides, letting in the light from the corridor.

Shen Yuan didn't urge her immediately, but instead gave her a deep look.

He naturally reached out to protect the elevator door frame, and slightly turned his body to indicate that she should go first.

In those eyes, the invitation was silently repeated, as if to say, "I'm waiting for your answer."

Li Zhi stood frozen in place, her heart pounding like a drum from the heat of that gaze.

She actually wanted to go home, but as she took her first step, perhaps guided by Shen Yuan's silent gaze, she hurriedly stepped out towards the familiar door of his house.

The girl's back view showed an ostrich-like shyness, as if she wanted to hide in the sand, and a hint of expectation that she herself was unaware of.

The smile in Shen Yuan's eyes spread quickly, like ink splashed into clear water, becoming rich and warm.

He strode after her, leaning slightly behind her, almost touching her back.

"Welcome home."

A deep, warm voice sounded close to his ear, making Li Zhi's heart skip a beat.

The security door clicked shut behind me, shutting out the chilly air in the hallway.

At the same time, it seemed to shut out that bit of embarrassment as well.

Without a word, Shen Yuan naturally took her hand and led her to the room that was no longer unfamiliar. A brief moment of tranquility and solitude passed by, and the earlier heartbeat and the bet about grades and "getting married" seemed to be temporarily soothed by the warm, dim space, immersed in a silent understanding.

However, time never truly stops.

The short holiday passed in the blink of an eye.

The past few days have slipped by unnoticed amidst a deluge of test papers, error corrections, and formula memorization, leaving little room for respite.

In the classroom, time is divided into precise segments.

During the ten-minute break between classes, the noise was mostly taken over by the turning of pages and the occasional whispers discussing the questions, and the air was filled with a tense and quiet focus.

Li Zhi occasionally raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over Shen Yuan beside him.

The boy remained calm, twirling his pen with his fingertips, focused on tackling a challenging physics problem in his error notebook, seemingly unconcerned about his unresolved grade.

Only Li Zhi knew that Shen Yuan actually cared a lot.

This guy keeps saying it's impossible, but he's always thinking about competing with me.

If he really surpasses me, I'm afraid this guy will actually make a promise to get married.

During the final sprint of senior year, the calendar pages turned at an astonishing speed.

The scarlet numbers on the countdown banner decreased day by day, silently and resolutely pointing from "25" to "22".

The sycamore leaves outside the window are growing thicker in the early summer sun, and the cicadas' chirping has begun to appear, trying to break the silence in the classroom, but it is easily covered by the scratching sound of pens.

Even during lunch break, few people think about taking a short rest.

The classroom door was gently pushed open.

Old Zhou arrived with a thin sheet of A4 paper.

He first habitually pushed up his glasses, his gaze calmly sweeping over the students in the classroom who were either engrossed in their studies or taking a short break. His composure seemed to contain a weight that was about to be revealed.

The students, who had been engrossed in solving problems, seemed to sense the unusual commotion at the front of the classroom. One by one, they slowly raised their heads, their gazes unanimously focusing on the familiar figure on the podium.

Old Zhou didn't say anything, but walked with a clear goal towards the blackboard area at the back of the classroom where notices were usually posted.

He steadily picked up the A4 paper in his hand.

At that moment, the afternoon sun slanted across the blackboard, elongating Old Zhou's shadow.

Almost all eyes were fixed on his hand holding the report card, and a silent anxiety hung in the air.

Shen Yuan put down his pen, his fingertips curling slightly on his knees.

Li Zhi held his breath, his heart pounding heavily and fast under his ribs.

She wasn't worried about her own grades, but she was curious whether Shen Yuan could surpass her.

Old Zhou used a magnet to firmly press the white paper, which carried countless emotions and expectations, into the very center of the blackboard bulletin.

"The results of the third mock exam are out, take a look for yourself."

Old Zhou's voice, neither too loud nor too soft, clearly reached everyone's ears, adding a powerful emphasis to the tense atmosphere.

After a brief silence, several boys in the back row couldn't contain themselves and were the first to stand up.

The crowd quickly gathered, like ripples created by a stone thrown into water, layer upon layer blocking the A4 sheet of paper.

Taking advantage of his height, Shen Yuan took out his phone from his school uniform pocket and pointed it at the top of the newly pasted report card.

"Click."

A clear, brief shutter click was drowned out by the voices.

A tiny flash illuminated the side of his knuckles, instantly freezing the crucial names and scores at the top of the screen.

After confirming that the photo was clear, Shen Yuanli turned around and nimbly made her way back to her seat through the crowded throng.

Upon seeing this, Zhou Shaojie immediately leaned closer.

"Yuan, did you get a picture of mine?"

"Huh? I only bid on the top ten."

Ah Jie immediately rolled his eyes at him: "You son of a bitch! You ungrateful bastard!"

After saying that, A-Jie addressed the crowd at the back of the classroom.

"Take a picture and post it in the class group chat! What are you all doing huddled together like this? Are you gay?!"

"Eh? Eh!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Ah Jie was dragged away.

"Damn, the college entrance exam is coming soon, and I won't be able to masturbate to my heart's content anymore."

From the back door of the classroom came A-Jie's exaggerated wails and playful shouts, interspersed with a few chaotic cries of "Help! Brothers, don't touch me there!"

As Shen Yuan listened to the "miserable" sounds of the familiar "A-Jie hunting" farce behind him, a helpless smile involuntarily curved his lips.

He didn't turn back to look at the chaotic ending; instead, his gaze shifted slightly and landed precisely on the girl beside him.

Strands of hair fell across the girl's cheeks, outlined with a velvety golden edge by the sunlight.

The subtle tension in the air, stemming from the "three mock exam results," flowed silently beneath her feigned calm.

He leaned slightly forward, his broad shoulders acting as a barrier, easily separating the noise and chaos from the back of the classroom.

"Li Bao, here's the result."

As he spoke, he had already steadily pulled out the phone.

I gently stroked the edge of the screen with my fingertip, and the screen immediately lit up.

The photo, frozen in time with the rankings, was clearly displayed in the center of the phone's bright screen.

Shen Yuan tapped the screen with his fingertip, pointing to the name at the top.

The first place was clearly marked with the name of class monitor Xu Ziqiong.

When Shen Yuan's gaze swept over the words "First Place: Xu Ziqiong" at the top of the photo, a clear flash of lightning instantly struck his mind.

Li Zhi's abilities have always been far superior to others in the class.

Whether it was the incredibly difficult mock exam, the subsequent joint exam, or the relatively balanced second mock exam, she consistently held the top spot, usually leaving the second-place student by more than ten points.

But now, in the third mock exam, which is generally considered to be the easiest and easiest to get high scores, the top spot actually belongs to the class monitor?
The moment the slightly amused smile spread across his lips, Shen Yuan's heart skipped a beat.

He almost immediately turned his head and looked intently at Li Zhi beside him.

The girl had her eyelashes slightly lowered, seemingly looking at her open exercise book, but Shen Yuan clearly caught the blush that quickly spread across her fair ears and the small gesture of her fingers unconsciously tightening the red string.

An almost absurd idea exploded within him, yet it made his heart race wildly.

Could this unusual ranking really be a confirmation of my joke from that day?
Did Li Bao really turn the tables?
Shen Yuan's Adam's apple bobbed as he suppressed the throbbing in his heart and the secret joy of being "let off the hook." A meaningful smile curved his lips as he leaned closer to Li Zhi's ear.

“Teacher Li…” He paused deliberately, his tone full of anticipation.

"Seriously, how much water did you release this time?"

Li Zhi's body visibly stiffened.

She didn't look up immediately. A few seconds later, she finally slowly raised her eyelids. Her clear eyes were shimmering with tears, yet they carried a forced calmness and...

A hint of an indescribable smile?

She glanced at him quickly, then looked away, her gaze landing on his phone, whose screen was still lit up.

Her voice was very soft, like a feather brushing past, with a hint of ambiguity.

"See for yourself..."

As she spoke, she raised her slender fingertips and gently tapped the photo of the report card on her phone screen.

"Didn't you take a picture of it?"

This ambiguous answer, coupled with her evasive yet expectant gaze, acted like a powerful catalyst, instantly igniting the burning anticipation in Shen Yuan's heart.

"Hehe, all talk and no action..."

Shen Yuan chuckled softly, a warm feeling welling up inside him.

He was almost certain that Li Zhizhen had compromised on that seemingly joking request to "get a marriage certificate" because of his bold statement!

The ecstasy and indulgent feeling that came with this realization made him feel light and carefree.

He almost couldn't wait to zoom in on the photo on his phone screen with his fingertip, and the name on the report card was clearly visible.

His gaze swept eagerly over the names in the list: Xu Ziqiong...

His heart skipped a beat, and he skipped over the unexpected first place, quickly searching downwards.

Finally, he saw it—second place: Li Zhi.

Right below her name is the third place: Zhong Junkai.

Shen Yuan came in fifth place.

The smile on Shen Yuan's lips, which had been waiting for the results of his "watering out" of the situation, instantly froze.

He blinked in disbelief, his gaze repeatedly checking the rankings of "2" and "5" not far away.

The burning anticipation that had just welled up in my heart hadn't even had a chance to fully blossom before it was doused with a bucket of cold water by the cold ranking in front of me, leaving only the cruel reality that I was "still below her".

A silent sigh seemed to echo in the air.

He abruptly turned his head, looking helplessly at the girl beside him, his eyes filled with a complex mix of resentment and a hint of being "tricked".

A silent question was conveyed in his eyes: What happened to the promise of letting you win? You're no longer in first place, so why am I still behind you?

Li Zhi took in all the changes in his expression.

She met his helpless yet accusing gaze, and the feigned composure in her clear eyes finally melted away, replaced by pure triumph.

Her lips curved upwards, revealing an incredibly bright and radiant smile, like the early summer sun suddenly piercing through the clouds.

Her fingertips gently circled the red string on his wrist again, then lightly poked the back of his hand, which was frozen on his knee.

The girl's warm breath, sweet and gentle, brushed against his ear, her voice soft and gentle, with a hint of mischievous slyness.

"You naughty dog, what are you looking at?"

"Who said you can surpass me just because I'm not number one?" Her eyes sparkled, and her smile almost overflowed.

Those smiling eyes clearly said—

"See? I've already released the water. But even if I have, you still have to stay obediently down there."

Shen Yuan's gaze fell on Li Zhi's face, which was smiling like a little fox.

Did Li Zhi loosen the rules? Yes, he definitely did.

Although she didn't release all the water at once, it was still a form of letting go.

Shen Yuan looked at Li Zhi and could only sigh helplessly in the end.

He shook his head with a wry smile.

The boy raised his hand, his slender fingers pinching Li Zhiwei's slightly flushed cheek. His deep eyes showed indulgence, but also ignited an even stronger fighting spirit.

"Li Bao, you're such a little rascal."

As he finished speaking, he looked into her eyes.

The girl's eyes still curved with a sly smile, but the shallow dimples on her cheeks suddenly spread as his fingertips touched her skin.

She didn't flinch, but instead slightly raised her chin, letting his fingers, full of affection, linger on her flushed cheeks.

His clear eyes held the dappled sunlight streaming in from the window, reflecting the boy's helpless yet indulgent expression, his smile sweet, open, and self-righteous.

As if to say——

"I'm a little rascal, what can you do about it?"

(End of this chapter)