Desk mate, your persona has crumbled.

The bell for morning self-study ended the playful fight.

After the sound of reading aloud filled the air, the boys and girls immediately focused their attention on their studies.

As students of No. 1 High School, they take their studies quite seriously.

After the bell rang to end the morning self-study session, the class representatives began collecting homework as usual.

Xia Tian stood up and took a deep breath.

As the one who discovered this shocking gossip, she now looks at Song Shuyan and Xu Mo with eyes that are filtered through gossip lenses.

It even has a hint of shipping (or CP) vibes.

There's no way around it, both of them are good-looking.

Although Xu Mo is a bit dark-skinned, it doesn't detract from the boy's good looks.

Even this blemish on his skin gave Xu Mo a unique charm.

"Chinese homework!"

Xia Tian carried the group's assignments to the two-person table.

As always, Xu Mo simply placed his homework on top of the pile of books.

As for Song Shuyan...

Xia Tian couldn't help but look at this icy classmate, wanting to see if her eyes were still so cold.

Their eyes met, and that familiar chill spread once more.

hiss--

Xia Tian gasped.

A Siberian cold front swept over her, making her teeth chatter, and all her previous fantasies about a gentle girlfriend shattered into pieces.

Xia Tian grabbed her homework and fled in panic.

Help! It's that iceberg that caused frostbite!!

At this moment, Xu Mo, who had been watching the whole thing, rested his chin on his hand and turned his gaze to Song Shuyan.

(Super nervous!)

Well, it's the same as always.

Of course, the class representative for Chinese was too nervous.

Aside from her, the other class representatives... weren't much better off.

Classes continued as usual.

The academic pressure in the first year of high school is actually not that great.

Although Xu Mo missed a week of class, he has now completely caught up.

Compared to academic pressure, Xu Mo felt that the pressure from Song Shuyan's father was greater.

Time flew by and it was already afternoon.

In the afternoon, before the last self-study period.

Cheng Yuanhao crouched down and slipped to Xu Mo's table:

"Hey Mo! Want to go out for dinner tonight? I've asked around, there's a fried food place near the back gate that's pretty good! It's only 5 minutes away."

Xu Mo looked at Cheng Yuanhao, who was squatting by the table: "Are you already tired of the cafeteria food?"

"Hey! This is something new!"

Cheng Yuanhao said cheerfully, "We've been in school for almost a month! And we haven't eaten out yet! If we behave ourselves like this, Old Tang will really think we're some kind of model students!"

"Hey hey hey! I'm such a good student!"

Upon hearing this, Cheng Yuanhao immediately rolled his eyes at Xu Mo.

"The school doesn't care anyway, so what do you say, want to go or not? It's just for the novelty! And I don't have much homework today!"

Seeing Cheng Yuanhao's expectant look, Xu Mo's heart stirred. He turned his head and his gaze fell on Song Shuyan, who was sitting quietly beside him.

The girl was looking down at a book, her long eyelashes casting a small shadow under her eyelids, as if creating her own quiet world.

"Song Shuyan, how about we try something outside of school for dinner tonight?"

In fact, Song Shuyan had already overheard their conversation, and now that Xu Mo had suddenly come to ask her, the girl immediately became nervous.

Having dinner off-campus?

This was a concept completely outside the scope of her daily activities.

I walked out of the school gate and went to a small, unfamiliar shop.

Just imagining that scene made her nervous.

However, the very next second that this tension arose, a restless impulse also surfaced in her heart.

Because there was a familiar figure in her picture.

Going out with Xu Mo is something I can consider.

Xu Mo originally just asked around and didn't have high hopes.

If Song Shuyan refuses, then he can also refuse Cheng Yuanhao.

So just as that familiar feeling of tension began to wash over him, he was about to say that it was okay not to go.

(Eager to try.)

Xu Mo's lips twitched.

He subconsciously tilted his head, his gaze fixed intently on Song Shuyan's face, as if trying to confirm whether he had misperceived.

The girl was looking at him, and her eyes were gradually brightening.

Song Shuyan, you've gone astray too.

Oh no, I should say I've corrupted them.

Xu Mo couldn't help but smile.

That eager feeling was clear and endearing, like a kitten cautiously reaching out its paws.

"OK!"

Xu Mo readily agreed, then turned to Cheng Yuanhao, who was still squatting by the table.

"Let's go together after self-study!"

Cheng Yuanhao was stunned, his eyes darting back and forth between Xu Mo and the still silent Song Shuyan.

He didn't hear a sound from Song Shuyan at all, nor did he even see her nod. How did Lao Mo make up his mind?

Although she was full of questions, judging from Xu Mo's expression, and Song Shuyan's apparent lack of objection, she could see that he was not against it.

Cheng Yuanhao decisively chose to trust his brother's judgment.

"Okay! It's a deal!"

Cheng Yuanhao immediately beamed with joy, as if afraid they might change their minds.

"Sister Song is brilliant!"

He blurted out in Song Shuyan's direction, as if Xu Mo would only agree if Song Shuyan agreed.

After saying that, Cheng Yuanhao happily slipped back to his seat.

Xu Mo watched Cheng Yuanhao's cheerful yet somewhat bewildered figure disappear into the distance, then turned to look at the quiet Song Shuyan beside him:

"Why is this guy thanking you? He should be thanking me, shouldn't he?"

Song Shuyan turned to look at Xu Mo and nodded slightly.

"Um!"

Song Shuyan's expressive abilities still have shortcomings.

The bell rang for self-study, and the classroom was instantly enveloped in a deliberately subdued silence.

The rustling of a pen nib across paper, the soft turning of pages, and the low hum of the air conditioner blend together to form the background noise.

Song Shuyan opened the workbook, her eyes falling on the questions, but her mind was not really on it at all.

I went out for dinner with Xu Mo.

The girl quietly turned her head and caught a glimpse of Xu Mo, who was intently solving a problem, looking extremely serious.

An eager feeling, like tiny bubbles, rose up, bubbling and dissipating some of the tension.

She couldn't help but wonder what that shop would be like? What would the fried skewers taste like?

Cheng Yuanhao's loud and boisterous manner... wouldn't it be interesting?

Oh right, Cheng Yuanhao will definitely bring Jin Kai along.

What does the back gate of the school look like?

And then there's Xu Mo.

(expect.)

This sense of anticipation was so clear, even carrying a hint of sweetness, that it made Song Shuyan feel a little shy.

Xu Mo paused for a moment.

The intertwined tension and anticipation tickled his senses like tiny claws.

Who would have thought that this seemingly cold-faced girl would have such a lively inner world?

Song Shuyan, stop teasing me!

A smile curved the corners of the boy's lips, and his mood lightened.

Time flowed slowly, second by second, as Song Shuyan waited.

The air in the classroom seemed to be filled with the restlessness of an impending lunch break, just waiting for the call to liberation.

finally--

"Ring ring—!"

The crisp sound of the school bell, like heavenly music, suddenly broke the tranquility of the study room.

Before the bell had even stopped ringing, Cheng Yuanhao jumped up from his seat.

The boy waved his hand forcefully towards the back row and shouted loudly:

"Kai! Lao Mo! Sister Song! Let's go!"