With an extra two and a half hours taken up by the Chinese Weekly Test, evening study seemed to end particularly quickly that day.
After the weekly test and one period of self-study, the bell rang to dismiss evening study.
No wonder evening study had to be extended in Senior Year Three. Although weekly tests were part of studying too, they clearly ate into independent study time. There were visibly more students staying behind in the classroom to study a little longer that night.
Chen Shi'an had no habit of keeping up the grind outside study hours. As usual, he packed his things to go home.
Lin Meng Qiu, who had been quietly working on questions, turned to glance at him.
Only after looking away did she speak softly, her head lowered as she continued working.
"You're leaving after studying for just this little while?"
"I have things to do when I get home."
"What things?"
"Sort out the medicinal herbs I picked in the mountains this afternoon, then make some pine nut candy."
Lin Meng Qiu really had to hand it to him. He was a high school student, so why did everything he did seem more important than studying?
Making pine nut candy-was that really so urgent?
"Have you ever had pine nut candy, class monitor?"
"No."
"Then I'll make it tonight and bring some for you to try tomorrow."
As soon as Chen Shi'an said that, the girl's rising urge to scold him inexplicably vanished.
Her pen paused. She turned to him and said, "I'd probably be happier if you spent that time studying math instead of making Pine Nut Candy."
"Don't worry, class monitor. I won't fall behind in math. I picked quite a few medicinal herbs and bought some good-quality ones at the herb