Chapter 5: Make Him Retreat in Defeat

Lin Qianfan lowered his head in deep thought, as if seriously considering something.

His hand was clasped behind his back, and his toes lightly kicked at the stones on the ground, producing a faint clicking sound.

After a moment, he lifted his head and spoke with a tone as if he had made up his mind: “How about… you be my girlfriend?”

The air seemed to freeze for a moment.

Xia Ruo was stunned, completely unprepared for such a response.

She raised her head, parted her lips slightly, then lowered her gaze again, remaining silent for quite some time.

Seeing her no reaction, Lin Qianfan continued, “What, you don’t want to? Look, I’m handsome and a sports student, definitely not a bad deal.”

Xia Ruo lowered her head, staring intently at her shoes, her fingers unconsciously clutching the strap of her backpack until they turned slightly pale.

“Ah, well… I…” she stammered, her voice faltering, “I think… we’re probably not very compatible.”

Lin Qianfan looked down at himself, brushed dust off his school uniform, and joked, “No way, am I really that bad? Or is it that you find me annoying?”

Xia Ruo glanced at him and quickly shook her hand, “No, no! That’s not what I mean…”

“Then what is it?” Lin Qianfan looked at her seriously. “Do you think I said it too suddenly? Or do you dislike me?”

“No, it’s not that I dislike you…” Xia Ruo’s voice was as soft as a whisper, “It’s just…”

Her lips moved slightly, as if organizing her words.

“It’s just… I want to focus on studying right now, and I don’t want to be in a relationship.” Xia Ruo finally spoke, still in a gentle tone.

Lin Qianfan raised an eyebrow; he had actually anticipated this rejection.

“Oh…” he responded softly, lowering his head.

Seeing him like this, Xia Ruo felt a bit uneasy and bit her lip.

“But…” she suddenly spoke, pausing briefly, “we can still be friends.”

Lin Qianfan’s eyes lit up at her words. “Really?”

Xia Ruo nodded. “Yes, if you don’t mind.”

“How could I mind? It’s an honor to be your friend.” Lin Qianfan smiled.

They exchanged a smile, and the atmosphere immediately lightened considerably.

Lin Qianfan then took two steps back, adopting a carefree demeanor.

“If anyone bullies you from now on, just come to me. I’ll have your back.”

Xia Ruo lowered her head and softly responded with a “Mm,” not daring to meet his gaze.

“It’s almost time for class. Let’s head back to the classroom.” She glanced around awkwardly.

“Alright, let’s go.” Lin Qianfan slung his backpack over his shoulder and followed her.

As they walked into the teaching building, Lin Qianfan felt a twinge of disappointment, but seeing Xia Ruo’s shy and obedient demeanor comforted him somewhat.

After all, a friend is better than a stranger.

They entered the classroom one after the other.

Many students were already seated, and upon seeing Lin Qianfan and Xia Ruo entering together, whispers began to spread.

Lin Qianfan ignored them and followed Xia Ruo back to their seats.

Soon, the bell rang to signal the start of class.

The homeroom teacher, Fang Zhengyang, entered carrying a textbook. Tall and upright, wearing rimless glasses, he looked young but carried an imposing aura without needing to raise his voice.

Standing at the podium, he scanned the room. “Everyone seated? Let’s begin.”

Lin Qianfan raised his hand. “Teacher Fang, I have something to discuss.”

Fang Zhengyang paused and looked at him with a hint of impatience. “What is it?”

“I want to change my seat,” Lin Qianfan scratched his head.

Fang frowned. “Isn’t your current seat fine? Why do you want to change?”

Lin Qianfan stood up and said plainly, “I want to sit with Xia Ruo.”

Fang slammed the textbook on the desk. “Lin Qianfan, do you think because you’re a transfer student, you can just do whatever you want?”

Lin Qianfan waved his hand and spoke earnestly, “No, teacher. I really want to study. As a sports student, academic subjects are tough for me. Xia Ruo is a good student, and I want to sit with her to learn.”

Fang Zhengyang’s expression grew complicated as he sized Lin Qianfan up, trying to judge whether he was serious.

“Teacher, I truly want to study,” Lin Qianfan said more earnestly than before.

“If you don’t believe me, I promise I’ll achieve decent results on the monthly exam.”

Fang stared at him for a moment, somewhat moved by his attitude, yet still reluctant.

A buzz of whispers erupted in the classroom.

One boy spoke teasingly, “Oh wow, Lin Qianfan’s really changed!”

“Wasn’t he previously Xu Qian’s knight? Now he’s switched to Xia Ruo’s side?”

“Yeah, Xu Qian must be furious when she finds out!” another boy chimed in.

“It’s only been a short while, and he’s already sitting next to the school beauty!”

The teasing voices crescendoed, especially from several boys.

“Lin Qianfan, what do you mean by this?” Xu Qian’s voice suddenly rang out.

Her face was sullen as she glared at Lin Qianfan, full of accusation.

Nearby, Li Yanzi also spoke up sarcastically.

“Lin Qianfan, did you get your brain stuck in a door? Out of all these people, you choose Xia Ruo?”

“Exactly! What’s so good about Xia Ruo? Poor and with no background. Sitting with her, what can you possibly learn?” another girl, close to Xu Qian, joined in.

Hearing this, Xu Qian’s expression softened slightly.

Lin Qianfan turned to look at them coldly. “Who I sit with is my choice. What business is it of yours?”

Afterward, he looked back at Fang Zhengyang. “Teacher, I really want to study hard.”

Fang frowned, glanced at Xia Ruo, then at the other students.

“Quiet down,” Fang commanded, halting the chatter.

The classroom gradually fell silent, though many still whispered softly.

“Since you want to change seats and study with Xia Ruo, then prove your dedication.”

Fang glanced at the exercise book on the podium, flipping through several pages before stopping at one.

“How do I prove it?” Lin Qianfan straightened his posture, eyebrows slightly raised.

Fang didn’t answer but picked up the chalk and wrote a math problem on the blackboard.

It was a complex solid geometry problem, lengthy like an abstract, with intricate conditions and multiple steps to solve.

As soon as it was written, the classmates began whispering.

“That problem… isn’t that the final question from the last competition’s storm paper?”

“Lin Qianfan, a poor student, recognizing the problem is already a stretch. Solving it? Just give up now!” another boy sneered.

“The teacher’s tactic is brilliant—forcing him to quit before he even starts.”

In Xu Qian’s clique, someone crossed their arms, eagerly awaiting Lin Qianfan’s failure.

Xia Ruo looked at the problem and involuntarily drew a sharp breath.

“This is your problem to solve,” Fang Zhengyang said, placing the chalk on the podium.