Desk mate, your persona has crumbled.

From Tuesday afternoon to evening, Song Shuyan didn't find a chance to chat with Xia Tian.

The girl's plans to make friends were thus temporarily put on hold.

After Wednesday morning self-study, Song Shuyan exchanged a few words with Xia Tian.

"Homework is handed in."

"for you."

Xia Tian was overjoyed to hear that Song Shuyan had actually paid attention to her when she handed in her homework.

As for why it was only in the morning, it's because at noon, Old Tang brought some exciting news.

The monthly exam is next Wednesday.

In an instant, the entire Class 17 erupted in cheers.

As members of Yuedu No.1 Middle School, we all basically emerged from various exams.

They haven't taken any exams in far too long since the middle school entrance exam.

"My black pen is itching for a shot!"

"Wuhu! Let me see who the real district is!" Cheng Yuanhao shouted, raising his arm.

Jin Kai followed closely: "Who will ultimately claim the title of District King?"

"Hmph, tremble before absolute power! The title of District Commander will certainly not belong to me!"

Du Qingsong pushed up his non-existent glasses, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"After the monthly exam on the 20th, the losers become the district!"

Seeing the class's morale had been ignited, Cheng Yuanhao loudly announced:

"Excellent! Very spirited! Then I hereby declare—the first District King Championship of Class 17 officially begins!"

"Aww!!!"

A chorus of howls and screams erupted in the classroom.

Looking at the students dancing wildly, Xu Mo couldn't help but facepalm: "Hey, that's enough! Be careful you don't cause a major disaster!"

Looking at the lively scene, Song Shuyan couldn't help but smile slightly.

The bell signaling the end of evening self-study dispelled the last vestiges of noise in the teaching building.

Xu Mo picked up his schoolbag and walked out of the classroom with Song Shuyan.

It didn't rain today, so Song Jianghuai didn't come to pick me up.

On the way back, Song Shuyan didn't mention wanting to have a late-night snack.

Xu Mo guessed that it was probably because of the monthly exam.

The boy looked at the girl beside him and raised an eyebrow: "Song Shuyan, why don't you want to have a midnight snack today? Is it because you're a little nervous about the monthly exam?"

Upon hearing this, Song Shuyan raised her head, her clear eyes looking at Xu Mo, and gently shook her head.

"I'm not hungry. I ate a full dinner."

"It's really not because of the monthly exam?"

"no."

It seems there really is no problem.

Xu Mo asked curiously, "You seem very confident?"

"Um!"

Song Shuyan answered without the slightest hesitation.

The boy's eyes widened slightly.

"Song Shuyan truly lives up to his reputation as a top student."

The girl looked at Xu Mo and tilted her head slightly: "Are you nervous?"

"No, I just have a good attitude."

Xu Mo chuckled: "I'm only in my first year of high school, and it's just a monthly exam. Doing well is great, but not doing well doesn't mean I'm doomed."

Song Shuyan blinked, agreeing that Xu Mo's words made a lot of sense.

"come on!"

"Thanks, good luck to you too. Don't forget our promise to Cheng Yuanhao and the others."

Song Shuyan nodded.

Thinking back to when Cheng Yuanhao shouted "District King Competition" at noon, Song Shuyan couldn't help but laugh.

This was originally just a small bet between a few of them.

As a result of Cheng Yuanhao's shout, all the boys in Class 17 joined in.

The current bottom-ranked team even boasted that they would continue to wear the crown of district king on their heads and make all districts continue to swear their loyalty.

That's very interesting.

Back home, Song Shuyan greeted her parents and then went to her room.

After closing the door, Song Shuyan placed her schoolbag next to the desk.

The soft light in the room couldn't dispel the turmoil in her heart.

The girl sat down at her desk, the promise of a reward still swirling in her mind for the past two days.

In fact, when they were walking side by side down the street, she almost blurted out that she wanted to ask Xu Mo if he wanted to get some late-night snacks.

The words rolled around on his lips again and again, but in the end, he swallowed them back.

No.

That's too casual.

How can you just hastily serve up a bowl of fried noodles?

She needs something more special, something that can truly express her feelings.

Xu Mo has helped her so much, from exchanging notes to ordering food, from being her partner in PE class to walking her to and from school together. This reward must be given with great care.

The girl pursed her lips and took her phone out of her pocket.

She opened her browser and slowly typed in the search box:

What kind of rewards does a 16-year-old boy like?

The search results appeared quickly.

Sneakers...

Song Shuyan recalled Xu Mo running during PE class, and realized that sneakers seemed quite practical.

But the girl didn't stop; instead, she continued looking down.

Gaming peripherals, personalized stationery...

The girl's slender fingers unconsciously swiped down the screen, trying to find more inspiration.

Suddenly, a term unexpectedly entered the girl's field of vision.

JK uniform!

Song Shuyan: ?!

The screen displays a lovely sailor collar and an exquisite plaid skirt pattern.

The beautiful girl's eyes widened instantly.

Why... why is this appearing in the search results for "what rewards do 16-year-old boys like"?!

Xu Mo... would like this?

Song Shuyan carefully examined the contents.

The reason has finally been found.

Oh!

Oh, it was my girlfriend wearing it!

That's even stranger!

Why is it a reward when my girlfriend wears a JK uniform?

An indescribable heat suddenly rushed from the base of her neck to her cheeks, instantly reddening Song Shuyan's ears and cheeks.

The girl felt her heart pounding in her chest.

Under the lights, those usually cool eyes were now filled with unprecedented shock.

What kind of reward is this?!

The internet is so strange!

Song Shuyan stared at the dazzling array of JK uniform pictures on the screen, the sailor collars and plaid skirts swaying in front of her eyes.

The girl's fingers suddenly began to slide down uncontrollably.

When the page scrolls over a photo of a model wearing knee-high socks, her leg lines clearly outlined.

The girl's thoughts drifted uncontrollably back to that delicate afternoon.

In the entrance hall of Xu Mo's house, the boy's gaze hurriedly shifted away...

If I were wearing this outfit...

Song Shuyan's fingertips trembled, and she pressed the phone directly onto the table.

"Snapped!"

The screen was turned upside down to block out the images that burned her ears.

(Super shy!)

The girl buried her burning cheeks between her bent knees, her slender shoulders trembling slightly.

Soft sobs escaped from the crook of her arm.

Song Shuyan!

What are you thinking about?!

After a long while, Song Shuyan finally dared to slowly lift her head from his arms.

Her little face was flushed, and even the tips of her ears and neck were tinged with a thin layer of pink.

Those usually cool and calm eyes were now wet, with a trace of moisture rising from excessive shame.

If Xu Mo were to see the beautiful girl looking like this, he would be so shocked he wouldn't be able to speak.

The girl's usually expressionless face was now bursting with life and vibrancy, and the contrast was so striking that it was incredibly endearing.

"No...this is absolutely not allowed..."

"Absolutely...absolutely must not buy..."

The girl repeated it again in a low voice, as if to reinforce her resolve.

After saying that, Song Shuyan cupped her burning cheeks in her hands, feeling the heat from her palms, and let out another soft moan.