Chapter 13

Yue Bin blinked guiltily and defended himself, "When I came back, I brought Zhuo Yue and the others a late-night snack!"

"Zhuo Yue confiscated it, though." Qiao Shiyu said expressionlessly, "Not only did he confiscate it, he also reported Yue Bin for skipping class to the homeroom teacher. He even turned in the late-night snacks Yue Bin brought them."

From then on, Yue Bin's parents strongly opposed him living on campus. They believed he lacked self-control and would easily go astray if he stayed at school. Zhang Yang, Yue Bin's accomplice in skipping class, received the same treatment.

Zhang Yang said indignantly, "It was all because that brat Zhuo Yue had no loyalty. What would it have hurt for him to turn a blind eye and pretend not to see anything?"

With a world-weary expression, Yue Bin looked up at the sky and said in a grief-stricken tone, "I never expected the world to be so cold and people's hearts so treacherous. Zhuo Yue, with those thick brows and big eyes, was actually the spy my brother planted beside me. He made excuses to get close to me and earn my trust, all so he could betray me when I was at my most relaxed!"

Lu Chi: "..."

The plot was indeed full of twists, and the emotional delivery from the person involved was certainly heavy—but why did Lu Chi feel like a wave of stupidity was rushing right at him?!

Chapter 13

It was midsummer in June. At seven in the evening, the sky had not yet fully darkened. The dim sunset cast the entire campus in hazy shadows, while the teaching building was brightly lit. Harsh white fluorescent light slanted through the windows in the front and back doors of the classrooms, making the empty, silent hallway flicker between light and dark.

In the Grade Two teachers' office, Lu Chi handed the application he had just filled out to Sun Yiping and said, "Teacher Sun, starting tonight, I'll be going to the library for evening self-study."

Sun Yiping accepted the application with a smile. He casually pulled a file folder from the plastic bookshelf on his desk and placed the application inside. "Zhuo Yue is an exceptionally outstanding student. Since the year he tested into the middle school division of Yanda Affiliated High School, he has consistently ranked first in his grade. But in our eyes, Zhuo Yue's greatest strength is not his exam scores. It is his powerful self-discipline, as well as his understanding of how to study in order to improve more effectively. Of course, he is not the only one. Every member of the study group is like that. They are constantly researching more useful study techniques. Many times, even we teachers refer to the study group's experience, and sometimes we promote proven, effective study methods throughout the entire school."

"So after joining Zhuo Yue's study group, you must humbly seek advice from these outstanding classmates. Don't waste such a good opportunity."

"Also, the study group's evening self-study sessions are held in the library. After you join the study group, teachers won't be able to keep an eye on you all the time. You'll have to rely on your own self-discipline. Learn to study independently, and don't waste your time on unnecessary things."

At this point, Sun Yiping added meaningfully, "And don't let anyone tempt you into skipping class to go to an internet café. No one will cover for you."

Lu Chi: "..."

It really felt like Teacher Sun was targeting someone!

After leaving Teacher Sun's office, Lu Chi gently closed the door. The motion-sensor lights in the hallway lit up one after another. He walked straight through the quiet corridor and headed directly outside the teaching building.

"Why did it take you so long to get out—"

A voice came from in front of him.

Lu Chi stopped on the steps. The motion-sensor lights inside the teaching building lit up behind him, their faint glow spreading out to illuminate the small area before the building. It also illuminated the person standing before him.

"Hey!" Yue Bin had his backpack slung over one shoulder as he tilted his head at Lu Chi. "I've been waiting here for ages. I thought you didn't want to go."

Zhang Yang, standing beside Yue Bin, also waved smugly at Lu Chi. "Old Lu, you really are slow!"

Lu Chi: "..."

Inside the brightly lit library, Zhuo Yue, who was reviewing his lessons, checked his watch and then looked out the window.

The entire campus lay in indistinct shadows beneath the night sky, and nothing could be seen clearly. The ponytailed girl sitting opposite him glanced out the window and asked without pausing her work, "Could that Lu Chi be planning not to come after all?"

"That's possible!" The bespectacled boy beside her shrugged and chimed in, "I heard from other students that Lu Chi has a photographic memory, learns incredibly fast, and is especially good at self-study. That's how he managed to rank first despite being away from school for half a month... With that kind of talent for studying, he probably doesn't care much for our study group!"

"Besides, didn't they say Lu Chi is especially close with Yue Bin and the others? If Yue Bin strongly opposes Lu Chi joining our study group, then Lu Chi probably won't come out of consideration for his friend—"

"Hey, don't judge a gentleman's heart with your petty minds, okay?" A voice came from the doorway.

The study group members instinctively turned their heads. Yue Bin, Zhang Yang, and a remarkably handsome boy were walking toward them side by side.

"I can't stand you people who tattle. But I won't make decisions for my friends without permission, even under the banner of 'doing it for his own good.'" As Yue Bin spoke, he did not forget to shoot Zhuo Yue a sidelong glare and let out a cold snort.

The study group members exchanged looks, then finally turned their gazes toward Zhuo Yue.

Zhuo Yue shook his head with a wry smile, stood up, and extended his hand to Lu Chi. "Welcome to our study group."

Lu Chi shook Zhuo Yue's right hand and said with a smile, "Thank you."

Using his other hand, Zhuo Yue patted Yue Bin's arm and asked with a smile, "So, you decided to come back?"

Yue Bin snorted and threw an arm around Lu Chi's shoulders. "I came with Lu Chi, so you foxes wouldn't bully him!"

A den of foxes: "...?"

Zhuo Yue continued smiling wryly and shifted his gaze to Zhang Yang.

With great tact, Zhang Yang raised a hand and announced why he was there. "I came to observe everyone studying, and to prepare for version 2.0 of my review notes while I'm at it."