Chapter 338

"New semester, please guide me, deskmate." Xia Yan jokingly sighed, looking at the gate in front of him. Hua Xin, unusually, didn't attack him, but blinked and said to Xia Yan in a slightly cloyingly sweet voice, "Brother Yan, please guide me." "Ahem..." Xia Yan's face showed a rare seriousness, and his smile instantly stiffened slightly. Hua Xin couldn't help but laugh out loud when she saw Xia Yan's embarrassed look. Since it was the first day of school, there were already many people coming and going at the school gate, and as a handsome guy and a beautiful girl, they naturally attracted a lot of curious glances. But this time she was no longer afraid. Hua Xin and Xia Yan crossed the gate together and walked into the school. This time, as an engaged couple. 261. You say this is Hua Xin? The classroom, which should have been lifeless and full of sleepiness and dissatisfaction on the first day of school, was unusually quiet. The little heads that should have been slumped over their desks taking a nap were all whispering among themselves. "Is this the Class Monitor's girlfriend? It's the first time I've seen her like this. She's even prettier than in her photos on social media..." "Yeah, yeah, look at her skin! Holy crap, it's so white and there's no sign of makeup! I don't think that's right. Is she using some kind of makeup brand I've never seen before?" "Bringing her here so openly for the opening speech... that really fits the Class Monitor's open and aboveboard style. But it's not like it's a class, so it's not a big deal." "Hey, didn't you like the Class Monitor before? Do you still have feelings for her?" "... I feel like crawling into a hole." "Listen to me, listen to me, listen to me! Wasn't the Class Monitor almost always on leave last semester? He said it was for family matters, but could it actually be..." "It's to give birth..." "Keep your voice down!!!" "But there's some truth to that, though it's a bit far-fetched. After all, he was single in his freshman year, and that Senior Lin was always hanging around him. It seems things only got better after Xia Yan left the Student Council in his sophomore year, but by then he was already with the girl he is now, right?" "What a good guy..." "Agreed." For those of them who had been in the same class for almost two years, apart from those in the same dorm or those who were close friends, they weren't actually that familiar with each other. Some might not have even spoken more than a few words since freshman year. This was true even among same-sex students, and even more so in a class with more girls than boys. Today was supposed to be an ordinary day, just another ordinary start to the semester in three or four months, a day when they could slack off and relax as usual. But something very different happened. Hua Xin felt a lot of pressure. The constant stares and whispers from those around her felt like a powerful, tangible weapon, relentlessly assaulting her senses and making her feel like she was the center of attention. Commonly known as "social death." Hua Xin, outwardly expressionless, sat in a seat near the wall, only able to catch her breath thanks to Xia Yan's shield, acting as if nothing had happened. But inwardly, she was filled with immense regret for not wearing a mask and hoodie to school that morning. All those thoughts she'd had outside could go to hell! Whether she was Hua Xin or not, Gu Xin Hua or not, it made no difference! As long as she could continue being an ordinary, invisible person... Feeling the surprised and envious glances from both men and women around her, Xia Yan didn't actually feel anything else, just a sense of happiness. After all, he had worked hard to win over this beautiful girl, and they had gone through many trials before finally getting together. Openly announcing their relationship to people they knew and didn't know could, in a way, save him and Hua Xin from some unseen troubles. For example, girls who wanted to pursue him? Or boys who wanted to pursue Hua Xin because she was so pretty? Right now, everyone just assumed Hua Xin was his girlfriend and that's why she came to class with him, and no one noticed that someone wearing a black hoodie and a mask had conveniently disappeared at the same time. Both of them had a simultaneous alibi, so it was natural to equate them. Thinking about what was going to happen next, Xia Yan couldn't help but smile. "I'm going to get what I want," Hua Xin said through gritted teeth, her hand gripping Xia Yan's waist under the table. She completely regretted listening to Xia Yan's lies. "Don't worry, things will get better. After all, you have the exemption to attend classes only two days a week," Xia Yan comforted her, but his mind was still preoccupied with how to communicate with everyone after the counselor finished speaking and get them to accept it. Of course, there was nothing he could do even if they didn't accept it. "Brother Yan." "You beast." Mu Feng and Xiang Guan sat down in front of Hua Xin and Xia Yan, their calm eyes easily conveying the sincere greetings they wanted to say. However, while they were like this to Xia Yan, when they turned to Hua Xin, their smiles completely changed. "Hello, sister-in-law~" Mu Feng and Xiang Guan both greeted Hua Xin with what they considered the kindest, most friendly, and approachable smiles. As Xia Yan's roommates, they naturally had to be kinder. Seeing her usual shut-in and weightlifting geek in this state almost made Hua Xin lose her composure. It was a rare treat to see someone she knew among a group of complete strangers, and her tense nerves calmed down a little. A sly glint flashed in her eyes as she turned away and said softly in a different tone, "Hello, my name is Hua Xin Hua Xin." "Okay, okay, Hua Xin..." "?" Mu Feng and Xiang Guan's smiles froze instantly. A genuine sense of doubt arose in their eyes—had they misheard or were they hallucinating? A huge question mark appeared above their heads. What was that noise? Where did that sound come from? Who was speaking? Hua Xin ... This name sounds so familiar, like I've heard it before... Where have I heard it before? Hua Xin Hua Xin ... "Brother Hua...?" Mu Feng was the first to react, his face, which looked more like he was crying than smiling, managed to squeeze out those two words. Compared to this unacceptable fact, the words spoken by the beautiful girl in front of him made reality even crueler. Hua Xin said to him in a somewhat surprised, girlish voice, "Wow... I didn't expect Lao Feng to still recognize me. I thought you had all forgotten me." Hearing the girl's soft, ethereal voice again, Mu Feng's smile became even more unpleasant. He turned to Xia Yan and asked for confirmation, "Am I dreaming?" "You mean this is the taciturn Brother Hua who always wears a hat and mask?" Mu Feng's expression at this moment was as if he thought, "This child is eight years old?" Xiang Guan, Xiang Guan to the side, was completely petrified, with only two eyes rolling around. Xia Yan smiled slightly and said in a voice that could only be heard between them: