On Monday, the second period was replaced by a class meeting.
The bell for second period had been ringing for a while before homeroom teacher Liu Shiguo finally sauntered into the classroom.
"Today's class meeting is simple. We're doing a thorough classroom cleanup. Living Committee Member, organize everyone's assignments in a moment."
He swept his gaze around the room before it landed on Zhou Da in the back row.
"Yes, sir!"
Zhou Da answered loudly, the corners of his mouth lifting uncontrollably.
Today, he was finally getting to use the little authority that came with being Living Committee Member.
After assigning the tasks, Liu Shiguo went into the hallway to smoke.
The students were delighted to hear that they would be cleaning instead of having class.
Next, Zhou Da went to the podium, cleared his throat, pulled out a small notebook, and began assigning people with exaggerated seriousness.
"Zhang Wei, Li Qiang, the high windows are yours! Wang Ming, bring some people to mop the floor, and wring the water out properly! Girls, I'm counting on you for the blackboard and desks. Wipe them carefully!"
He had deliberately assigned the girls the relatively more "presentable" jobs.
Finally, his gaze fell on Brother Yun, Ling Yun, and he pointed at himself.
"As for the most important task—taking out the trash—that'll be handled by me and Brother Yun!"
Zhou Da deliberately emphasized "most important," earning a knowing chorus of jeers from the boys and quiet laughter from the girls.
Taking out the trash? Who didn't know that the biggest "perk" of the job was getting to carry the trash can around the enormous campus for a leisurely stroll? It was practically an upgraded version of getting out for fresh air between classes.
The two waited until everyone had piled the scraps of paper, dust, and discarded stationery into a small mountain before leisurely sweeping the trash into a huge blue plastic barrel.
Each stood on one side and grabbed the rim. After exchanging a glance, they let out a perfectly synchronized "heave-ho," bent their backs theatrically as though lifting a thousand-kilogram weight, and wobbled out of the noisy classroom.
"Brother Yun, you were absolutely right. Being Living Committee Member really is easy!"
As they walked along the tree-lined path behind the teaching building, Zhou Da finally relaxed. His shoulders sagged, and his face was full of smug satisfaction.
"Of course. When has your Brother Yun ever let you down?"
Ling Yun relaxed as well. He casually rested one hand on the rim of the barrel and patted Zhou Da's shoulder with the other, laughing.
"By the way, Brother Yun, how are things with those two beauties from the Jiang Family these past few days? Heh heh, any new developments?"
Zhou Da suddenly remembered something. He leaned toward Ling Yun, wiggling his eyebrows as a lecherous, gossipy grin spread across his face.
"Oh, I went to her house for dinner last Saturday. Her father invited me."
Ling Yun glanced at him, his tone as casual as if he were talking about the weather.
"What?!"
"Beauty Jiang's father? Invited you... to his house for dinner?!"
Zhou Da came to an abrupt stop, his eyes bulging so wide they nearly popped out. He almost threw away the trash barrel in his hands.
"How long has it been? You've already met the parents?! Brother Yun, did you take a rocket to the sky?"
His mouth was wide enough to fit an egg, and his voice rose eight octaves. His face plainly said, You've got to be kidding me.
"Yeah, her parents were pretty amiable, and we got along well. They even said something about... hoping we could become one family someday."
Seeing Zhou Da's expression of utter shock, as if the sky had fallen, a sly smile flashed through Ling Yun's eyes. He deliberately made his words ambiguous.
"O—one family?!"
Zhou Da's voice cracked completely. Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, he circled halfway around the trash barrel, his voice trembling.
"No... why do you get that?! Even if you're Brother Yun, that speed is ridiculous! Am I still dreaming?"
He rubbed his eyes hard, then pinched his own arm. After grimacing from the pain and confirming that it wasn't a dream, he wore an expression of total despair.
"Probably because I'm handsome and wealthy, sunny and cheerful, know a little magic, sing well enough to listen to, and am decent at games?"
Ling Yun waited until he had enjoyed Zhou Da's spectacular expression before slowly adding that.
With every sentence he heard, Zhou Da's face fell another notch.
"Fine... fine, then!"
Zhou Da lowered his head in resignation, his shoulders drooping.
Thinking of Ling Yun's immense popularity online and his genuinely dazzling performance in real life, he had no choice but to admit defeat.
"Brother Yun, did you pick up the wrong protagonist template for your life story? Are you really not going to leave us ordinary mortals a way to survive?"
He threw his head back and let out a mournful sigh, as though he had genuinely begun questioning the meaning of life.
"Hey, Da Zi, cheer up! With the ironclad friendship between the two of us, you're already standing at the peak of the world's several billion people, all right?"
Seeing how deeply shaken he was, Ling Yun couldn't help laughing. He slapped Zhou Da firmly on the back.
After Ling Yun's consolation, Zhou Da's eyes shifted, and he suddenly perked up again.
"Hey! Brother Yun, that actually gave me an idea!"
He slapped his thigh, his eyes shining with "wisdom."
"I'll write a book when we get back. You'll be the protagonist's inspiration! I've already thought of the title: My Cheat-Enabled Brother Is an Omnipotent Male God! It'll be a huge hit! I'll split the royalties with you..."
He was completely immersed in his dream of becoming a bestselling author, chattering on without end.
Just then, a fair hand gently tapped Ling Yun's left shoulder.
Ling Yun and Zhou Da froze at the same time, stopping both their footsteps and their conversation.
Ling Yun turned his head and saw Wang Qinghe standing a few steps away, smiling brightly. Her crisp athletic outfit accentuated her tall, upright figure.
"Oh, Ling Yun, what a coincidence!"
Wang Qinghe's gaze swept over the enormous trash barrel between them. Her delicate eyebrows rose slightly, and she teased, "The two of you seem to be having such an engaging conversation. It doesn't look like you're on your way to take out the trash!"
Zhou Da, still daydreaming about the future, snapped back to reality. Looking at this uniquely charismatic, bright-smiling beauty senior schoolmate, he instinctively edged closer to Ling Yun and whispered, "Brother Yun, who is she...?"
"This is senior schoolmate Wang Qinghe, a third-year student," Ling Yun introduced her, then added seemingly offhandedly, "By the way, she's the defending champion of our city's youth division of Free Combat. She's incredibly skilled with her fists and feet."
There was a hint of good-natured teasing in his voice.
"Hey! Ling Yun!"
Wang Qinghe immediately widened her eyes and shook her fist in mock anger.
"You're ruining the image of your gentle senior schoolmate! I obviously have a wonderful temper!"
As she spoke, that seemingly weightless fist landed on Ling Yun's arm.
"Hiss—Senior schoolmate, your 'wonderful' temper packs quite a punch!"
Ling Yun exaggeratedly sucked in a breath, rubbing his arm with a smile on his face.
"H—hello, senior schoolmate! My name is Zhou Da. I'm Brother Yun's classmate."
Zhou Da's eyelid twitched at the sight. He hurriedly straightened up and greeted her properly.
"Hello, Zhou Da."
Wang Qinghe turned to Zhou Da, her smile instantly becoming bright and sunny. The speed of her transformation left Zhou Da secretly astonished.
After introducing themselves, Ling Yun looked at Wang Qinghe and asked, "Sister Qinghe, where are you headed during class time? Special training?"
"The city's Free Combat tournament is about to begin."
Wang Qinghe raised her chin slightly, a serious light shining in her eyes.
"I'm going to the Boxing Club for some extra training. I won the city championship last year, and I don't want to stumble at my own doorstep this year."
Her tone was relaxed, but Ling Yun detected a trace of solemnity beneath it.
"The city tournament shouldn't be much of a challenge for you, Sister Qinghe, right?"
Ling Yun spoke sincerely.
"The city tournament should be fine."
Wang Qinghe nodded, and then her gaze sharpened.
"The key is the provincial tournament. Last year, I ran into a tough opponent in the first round and was eliminated."
"This is my last year eligible for the youth division. I absolutely have to bring that championship trophy home!"
She paused, took a deep breath, and gazed toward the distant gymnasium. Her voice was soft, yet exceptionally resolute.
"Keep it up, Sister Qinghe! With your skill and determination, the championship is definitely yours! We'll be waiting for your good news!"
Ling Yun put away his joking expression. Looking at the fighting spirit burning in Wang Qinghe's eyes, he nodded seriously.
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