Reencountering Wang Qinghe

The second class on Monday wasn't a lecture, but a class meeting.

After the bell for the second class rang for a while, the homeroom teacher, Liu Shiguo, slowly walked into the classroom.

"Today's class meeting is very simple, it's a class-wide cleanup. The Living Committee Member will organize the division of labor among the students shortly."

He scanned the room, his gaze landing on Zhou Da in the back row.

"Yes, teacher!"

Zhou Da responded loudly, the corners of his mouth unable to stop curling upwards.

He was starting to use the minor authority of the Living Committee Member for the first time today.

After assigning the tasks, Liu Shiguo went to the hallway to smoke.

The students, hearing that they would be cleaning up this class, were very happy; they wouldn't have to attend a lecture.

Immediately after, Zhou Da came to the podium, cleared his throat, took out a small notebook, and began assigning tasks with great seriousness.

"Zhang Wei, Li Qiang, the high windows are yours! Wang Ming, take people to mop the floor, wring out the water well! Girls, the blackboard and desks are entrusted to you, wipe them clean carefully!"

He deliberately assigned the girls the relatively "decent" tasks.

Finally, his gaze fell on his good brother, Ling Yun, and he pointed to himself.

"As for the most important task – taking out the trash – that's for me and Brother Yun!"

Zhou Da deliberately emphasized "most important," eliciting a knowing snort from the boys and giggles from the girls.

Taking out the trash? Everyone knew the biggest "perk" of this job was being able to stroll around the vast campus with the trash can, an upgraded version of a break.

The two waited until everyone had piled the swept paper scraps, dust, and discarded stationery into small mountains before leisurely sweeping the trash into a large blue plastic bin.

One person on each side, they grabbed the rim of the bin, exchanged a look, and with a tacit "Heave-ho," they hunched their backs as if lifting a heavy weight, swaying out of the noisy classroom.

"Brother Yun, you were right when you said it, this Living Committee Member job is really easy!"

As they walked along the tree-lined path behind the teaching building, Zhou Da's tense posture relaxed, his shoulders slumped, and his face was full of pride.

"Of course, when has your Brother Yun ever let you down?"

Ling Yun also relaxed, casually resting one hand on the rim of the bin, patting Zhou Da's shoulder with the other as he chuckled.

"By the way, Brother Yun, how are things going with those two beauties from the Jiang family these past couple of days... Hehe, any new developments?"

Zhou Da suddenly remembered something, leaned closer to Ling Yun, winked, and put on a gossipy, mischievous smile.

"Oh, I had dinner at her place last Saturday. Her father invited me."

Ling Yun glanced at him, his tone as flat as if he were commenting on the nice weather today.

"What?!"

"Miss Jiang... Miss Jiang's dad? Invited you... to dinner at their house?!"

Zhou Da stopped abruptly, his eyes wide, almost dropping the trash can.

"It's only been this long? Meeting the parents already?! Brother Yun, are you riding a rocket to the heavens?"

His mouth was open wide enough to fit an egg, his voice pitched an octave higher, his face screaming "Are you kidding me?"

"Mmm, her parents are very amiable. We had a good chat. They even said... they hope we can become family in the future."

Seeing Zhou Da's shocked expression, as if the sky had fallen, a hint of mischief flickered in Ling Yun's eyes as he deliberately spoke ambiguously.

"F-family?!"

Zhou Da's voice completely cracked. Like a cat with its tail stepped on, he spun around the trash can for half a circle, his voice trembling.

"No... why? Even if you're Brother Yun, this speed is too ridiculous, right? Am I still dreaming?"

He rubbed his eyes hard, then pinched his arm. He winced in pain, and after confirming it wasn't a dream, he looked utterly defeated.

"Probably... because I'm handsome, rich, sunny, cheerful, plus I know a little magic, my singing is decent, and I'm not bad at games?"

Ling Yun, having enjoyed Zhou Da's dramatic reaction, slowly added.

With each sentence he spoke, Zhou Da's face fell a little more.

"Fine... Fine!"

Zhou Da lowered his head as if accepting his fate, his shoulders slumping.

Thinking about Ling Yun's immense popularity online and his undeniably dazzling real-life performance, he had to admit defeat.

"Brother Yun, did you accidentally grab the protagonist's template for your life script? Are you going to leave any room for us common folk to live?"

He sighed to the heavens, his tone mournful, as if he were genuinely questioning the meaning of life.

"Hey, Da Zi, pull yourself together! With our ironclad friendship, you're already standing at the peak of billions of people worldwide, okay?"

Ling Yun couldn't help but laugh at his dejected appearance and patted his back forcefully.

Comforted by Ling Yun's words, Zhou Da's eyes darted around, and he suddenly perked up.

"Hey! Brother Yun, what you said just now enlightened me!"

He slapped his thigh hard, his eyes gleaming with "wisdom."

"I'm going to write a book based on you! I've already thought of the title: My Cheating Brother is an All-Around Male God! It'll be a huge hit! I'll split the copyright fees with you..."

He was lost in the dream of being a bestselling author, talking non-stop.

Just then, a fair hand gently patted Ling Yun's left shoulder.

Ling Yun and Zhou Da froze simultaneously, stopping in their tracks and their conversation.

Ling Yun turned his head and saw Wang Qinghe smiling brightly a few steps away. Her neat sportswear accentuated her tall, straight figure.

"Yo, junior schoolmate Ling Yun, what a coincidence!"

Wang Qinghe's gaze swept over the large trash can between the two of them. Her delicate eyebrows rose slightly, with a hint of amusement. "Seeing you two so engrossed in conversation, it doesn't look like you were going to take out the trash!"

Zhou Da, who was still fantasizing about the future, snapped back to reality. Looking at the beautiful senior schoolmate with her unique aura and cheerful smile, he subconsciously shrunk closer to Ling Yun and whispered, "Brother Yun, who is this...?"

"This is senior schoolmate Wang Qinghe from the third year," Ling Yun introduced, then added casually.

"Oh, right, senior schoolmate Wang is the defending champion of our city's Free Combat Youth Division. Her boxing and kicking skills are incredible."

His tone carried a hint of good-natured teasing.

"Hey! Junior schoolmate Ling Yun!"

Wang Qinghe's eyes immediately widened, and she feigned anger, waving her fist.

"You're ruining my image as a gentle senior schoolmate! I have a super good temper!"

As she spoke, her seemingly light punch landed on Ling Yun's arm.

"Ouch--!" Senior schoolmate, your 'super good' temper sure packs a punch!"

Ling Yun gasped dramatically, rubbing his arm, but a smile played on his lips.

"H-hello! Senior schoolmate! My name is Zhou Da, and I'm Brother Yun's classmate."

Zhou Da's eyelids twitched, and he quickly stood up straight, greeting her properly.

"Hello, junior schoolmate Zhou Da."

Wang Qinghe turned to Zhou Da, her smile immediately returning to its radiant sunshine, her expression changing so quickly that Zhou Da secretly marveled.

After introductions, Ling Yun looked at Wang Qinghe and asked, "Sister Qinghe, during class time, where are you off to for special training?"

"The city's Free Combat competition is starting soon."

Wang Qinghe tilted her chin up, her eyes shining with seriousness.

"I'm going to the boxing club for some extra practice. I won the city championship last year, and I don't want to stumble at home this year."

Her tone was relaxed, but Ling Yun detected a hint of gravity.

"The city competition, for you, Sister Qinghe, should be a sure win, right?"

Ling Yun said sincerely.

"The city competition is fine."

Wang Qinghe nodded, and her gaze sharpened.

"The provincial competition is the key. Last year, I ran into a tough opponent in the first round and was defeated."

"This is my last year in the youth division, and I must bring home that championship trophy!"

She paused, took a deep breath, and looked toward the distant gymnasium, her voice quiet but exceptionally firm.

"Go for it, Sister Qinghe! With your skill and this drive, the championship will definitely be yours! We'll be waiting for your good news!"

Ling Yun dropped his playful demeanor and, seeing the fighting spirit burning in Wang Qinghe's eyes, nodded seriously.