After learning that Ji Cიცen wasn't interested in girls, Shen Yu clicked his tongue regretfully and switched his target to boys, thinking himself clever.
But before Shen Yu could act, Ji Cიცen seemed to have been provoked into squeezing what little break time his deskmate had left. Sometimes, even his homework had to be completed under supervision.
Under his oppression, Shen Yu dared to be angry but not to speak up. Aside from pleading pitifully for mercy, he could only grumble inwardly about his deskmate's tyranny.
After all, ever since Shen Yu's parents learned that Ji Cიცen was in the same class as Shen Yu, the couple had been overjoyed. They repeatedly invited Ji Cიცen over to the Shen Family home, warmly entertaining this unofficial member of the family.
Ji Cიცen naturally accepted without a shred of guilt. After all, Shen Yu really was a handful, whether in his studies or... his personal life.
During those miserable days of oppression, Shen Yu found what joy he could in his suffering, wagging his head every day as he comforted himself that things would get better once he grew up.
Fortunately, time passed quickly, and with Shen Yu eagerly counting down the days, their second-year coming-of-age ceremony arrived right on schedule.
To celebrate the students entering a new stage of life, the principal stood under the blazing sun and delivered a passionate speech, spittle flying.
Feeling left out, Shen Yu propped up his chin, swept his round almond-shaped eyes over his surroundings, then withdrew his gaze in utter indignation.
"Everyone's eighteen, so why am I only seventeen?!"
Having become the youngest student in class in the blink of an eye, Shen Yu nearly whimpered. Even his cheerful tuft of hair drooped.
"What's wrong with being younger? Come on, call me big brother!"