Brother! This is the adoption certificate. I don't want your sister-in-law!

Li Ze stepped down from the podium and patted the chalk dust off his hands.

He walked over to Xu Niannian, cleared his throat, and put on what he considered his most approachable smile.

"Xu Niannian, don't misunderstand, that's not what I meant."

He put his hands in his pockets, trying to look casual and natural. "Someone like Su Xiao, who skips class and gets into fights, is already being considered for expulsion. I'm worried that you'll get too close to him and get involved."

Xu Niannian paused, her hand holding the broom still.

Seeing that she didn't refute him, Li Ze felt even more confident.

"Think about it, your grades are so good. If you win an award in this math competition, you'll have a chance to get into a good university. He, on the other hand, is at the bottom of the class in exams and can't even balance a chemical equation. You two are simply not on the same wavelength."

He took another half step closer to her, lowered his voice, and said with a hint of intimacy, "I'm doing this for your own good. There aren't many people in this class who understand you. As the class monitor, if you ever have any difficulties in the future, feel free to come to me."

Xu Niannian stopped and leaned the broom against the desk.

She looked up at Li Ze, then quickly looked back down at the ground, but her voice was clear.

"Are you finished speaking?"

Li Ze was stunned for a moment.

Xu Niannian walked to her seat and put the textbooks on the table into her schoolbag one by one.

She zipped up her backpack, slung it over her shoulder, and walked toward the classroom door with her head down.

He's not like that.

She walked to the back door, paused for a moment, but didn't turn around.

He is not.

Then she walked out of the classroom with her schoolbag on her back, her footsteps gradually fading away in the empty corridor.

Li Ze stood alone in the classroom, opening his mouth as if to speak.

Watching Xu Niannian's figure disappear through the door, he felt a little depressed.

What is it about me that I'm inferior to Su Xiao, that rotten apple?

However, he quickly composed himself.

It's okay. Xu Niannian is an introverted girl who isn't good at interacting with people. It's normal for her to be easily fooled by someone as smooth-talking as Su Xiao.

But ultimately, why would Su Xiao, a poor student, compete with him?

Whether it's grades, family background, or future prospects, I am far superior to him.

Tomorrow is the day to go to another province to participate in a math competition, and Xu Niannian must have signed up as well.

Over three days, we'll eat, live, and travel together, providing ample opportunities to get to know each other gradually.

Li Ze adjusted his glasses, and a smile slowly appeared on his lips.

Thankfully, I found Xu Niannian today, otherwise I would have regretted it for the rest of my life.

Hahaha! My urban male protagonist novel life is about to begin, where I'll redeem the lonely school beauty!

……

That night, Su Xiao was unaware that someone was already eyeing his leading role.

He was sitting shirtless on the sofa, holding a bottle of liniment for bruises, and twisting his body to apply it to his lower back.

The medicinal wine was dark brown and had a very strong smell. As soon as the bottle was opened, the entire living room was filled with a pungent medicinal odor.

He twisted his body and wrapped his arm behind his back, but after searching for a long time, he couldn't find the right spot.

Su Wan Ning came out of her room to pour water and saw this scene, so she put the cup on the table.

She stood to the side and watched for a few seconds.

Su Xiao clumsily smeared the medicated wine everywhere, missing the bruise on her lower back but managing to smear quite a bit on the sofa.

"So stupid."

She walked over, snatched the bottle of medicinal wine from his hand, and sat down next to him. "Turn around."

"Huh? Oh."

Su Xiao was stunned for a moment, then obediently turned her back to her.

"where."

"A little more to the left... no, no, a little more to the right... yes, right there."

Su Wanning poured the medicinal wine into her palm, rubbed it to warm it, and then pressed it onto the bruise on his lower back.

Her technique was unorthodox, but the pressure was just right. Her palms were warm, and the spiciness of the medicinal wine seeped into her skin along with her body heat.

Su Xiao squinted comfortably, about to say "My sister is the best," when suddenly a hard press was applied to his lower back, making him yell in pain.

"You're so blind when you play basketball."

Su Wan Ning's voice was still icy, but she loosened her grip considerably. "If you crash like this again, don't come back for dinner."

Su Xiao winced in pain, wanting to retort but not daring to, and could only utter an "Oh".

It's okay, little sister. Once I win over Xu Niannian and bring her home, you'll understand that my injury wasn't in vain.

"Chasing back your wife is like going through a crematorium," so what's a little hardship compared to that?

Su Wan Ning lowered her head and continued to rub the medicinal wine on him, but the light in her eyes was a little different.

Although she spoke coldly, she applied the medicine very gently and slowly, as if afraid of hurting him.

That faint pity was hidden beneath her lowered eyelashes, behind her icy tone, something she wouldn't let anyone see.

After resting for a while, Su Xiao changed into a clean T-shirt.

He pulled his math textbook out of his bag, mustered his courage, and prepared to study hard tonight, asking Su Wanning a few questions in order to light up his learning journey.

He froze as soon as he stepped into the living room.

A suitcase lay open on the living room floor. Su Wan Ning was squatting next to the suitcase, putting folded clothes into it one by one. Next to it were toiletries, a worn-out math competition problem set, and two pens.

"Where are you going?" Su Xiao blurted out.

Su Wan Ning didn't even look up, continuing to put clothes into her suitcase.

"I'm going to the math competition tomorrow."

Su Xiao's mind suddenly clicked.

It seems that the homeroom teacher did mention this in math class today, but he was so engrossed in Xu Niannian's stunning beauty that he didn't pay any attention.

Tomorrow? So soon.

His mouth slowly opened.

Xu Niannian is going to a math competition, and Su Wanning is also going to a math competition.

Same competition, same destination, same three days.

In other words, neither of them will be available for the next three days.

Su Wan Ning wasn't there, so no one made him breakfast, no one checked his math problems, and no one waited for him on the path after school.

With Xu Niannian gone, there was no one to take chemistry notes for him, no one to poke his arm with a pen cap to remind him to pay attention in class, and no one for him to tease.

As for Fang Yu...

Fang Yu is not considered a person.

Su Wan Ning looked up and saw the complex expression on Su Xiao's face.

His mouth was open, and his eyes showed shock, disappointment, and a sense of helplessness as if he couldn't quite accept reality.

She pursed her lips slightly, a strange feeling slowly welling up inside her.

Is he so reluctant to leave on his own?

Before that sweet feeling could fully surface, she suppressed it again.

She put the last school uniform jacket into the suitcase, zipped it up, and stood up.

"While I'm gone for a few days," her voice returned to its usual coldness, "you must study according to the schedule I assign every night. You must finish all the exercises in your notebook. I will check them when I return."

Su Xiao snapped out of her daze, stood up straight, and patted her chest to assure him.

Su Wanning pushed her suitcase to the entrance and put it away, then walked back and took a folding umbrella out of her backpack.

It's the one they used to get through the rain together before; it's already been washed clean.

"The forecast says it'll rain for the next few days. You don't have an umbrella, so use mine."

Su Xiao took the umbrella, looked down at the little white rabbits on the umbrella, and felt incredibly warm inside.

His younger sister is concerned about him.

I offered him an umbrella so he wouldn't get wet in the rain.

Their relationship is indeed developing in a positive direction; this is what a normal sibling relationship should be like!

Su Wan Ning looked at him holding the umbrella with a touched expression and slightly looked away.

"Don't lose it."

After saying that, she turned and walked towards her room.

He walked to the door, paused for a moment, and did not turn around.

"I've already filled out your math notebook; it's on the table. Don't be lazy."

The door closed gently.

Su Xiao stood in the living room, holding the sky-blue folding umbrella, grinning like a fool.

He carefully placed the umbrella next to his schoolbag, patted the umbrella surface, and made a solemn decision in his heart.

You must study hard these three days!

I can't let my sister down.

As for Fang Yu inviting him to an internet cafe, forget it.

Su Wanning returned to her room and sat down at her desk.

The light from the table lamp fell on the table, illuminating the diary that had been turned to the latest page.

She picked up her pen, wrote a few lines on the paper, then stopped and looked out the window.

There are no stars tonight, and the clouds are very thick; it will probably rain again in the next few days.

She turned her gaze back to the key on the corner of the table.

That's the house key; she needs to remember to put it in Su Xiao's bag before she leaves tomorrow.

She was afraid that he would go out without thinking and wouldn't even be able to get into the house.

She lowered her head and wrote a few more words.

"I'm leaving tomorrow. Why do I feel a little uneasy?"

"And what about him?"

She stared at the big question mark for a while, then gently closed the diary.