Duan Chan'er: Dad
Which point are you asking about?
Zhang Zhaomu replied, "If we're talking about eating Barbecue or going to a hotel, then that's certainly true."
"Of course it's that little bit!" Duan Chan'er leaned closer and lowered her voice. "It means the three of you together..."
Zhang Zhaomu rolled her eyes. "Of course not."
"Xiang Qing couldn't go back to her dorm last night, so I booked her a hotel. Chen Zhen and I both went home to sleep."
"I guessed that was it." Duan Chan'er nodded, a little disappointed. "I heard you coming back last night."
I thought the class monitor was secretly having a harem. If that were true, I could happily ask him for advice.
They could even replicate his methods and write them into a novel.
"Then why did you ask?" Zhang Zhaomu said speechlessly.
"But then I heard you go out again..." Duan Chan'er said, "And then, after more than half an hour, you came back."
Although it seems a bit short including the journey to and from the hotel, the real world isn't a fictional world. A normal person probably... well... wouldn't need too much time, right?
Zhang Zhaomu:
Why is this person always eavesdropping on me at night instead of sleeping?
Did you update your novel that day? Do you have enough drafts saved up? Have you figured out how to develop the harem plot for later episodes?
He desperately wanted to ask this profound question.
"I'm just going to deliver some hangover medicine to Xiang Qing," Zhang Zhaomu explained.
"Hangover cure?" Duan Chan'er's eyes lit up suddenly. "You guys were drinking?"
A bad feeling welled up in Zhang Zhaomu's heart. "She only drank a few bottles of beer. Xiang Qing's alcohol tolerance is too low. Wait... why are you suddenly so excited when you hear about drinking? You're not an alcoholic, are you?"
"Of course not! I have no interest in numbing myself with alcohol," Duan Chan'er said casually. "But I do have a pretty good alcohol tolerance."
Zhang Zhaomu's lips twitched slightly.
He can't stand hearing that kind of talk now.
"Can September and Barbecue eat dog food now?" Zhang Zhaomu changed the subject. "I haven't seen the two little ones for several days, and I miss them a bit."
"The dog food soaked in goat milk is ready to eat." Duan Chan'er smiled, "It eats until its belly is round and full every day."
Yes, he's got plenty of energy. If you want to see, you can come to my house anytime.
"Um."
When class started, Zhang Zhaomu continued to maintain his " Academic Ace " persona and began memorizing the second-year high school curriculum.
It's only been less than a month since the start of the semester, and there hasn't been much progress yet. After all, compared to Zhang Zhaomu's almost photographic memory when he's focused, the learning speed of ordinary students is incredibly slow.
In just one morning, Zhang Zhaomu had caught up with the geography and history curriculum.
Of course, I didn't forget my exercise plan either, and I managed to do push-ups and squats intermittently during breaks between classes.
Another somewhat unexpected thing happened: Zhang Zhaomu noticed that Duan Chan'er's seat had been empty since the third period.
They hadn't returned by lunchtime.
This was quite unusual for Duan Chan'er, as she was clearly not the type to skip classes.
When the bell rang, Zhang Zhaomu went downstairs as usual and looked into the classroom of the science class.
They're actually taking an exam...
Isn't the monthly exam coming up soon? Why are we having a pop quiz? And it's lunch break, isn't it? Don't the students in this class have any right to manage their own free time?
Sitting in the classroom, Chen Zhenzhen noticed Zhang Zhaomu and gave him a helpless look.
Zhang Zhaomu nodded.
I understand what you mean.
Looks like I'll have to eat lunch by myself today.
He walked to the cafeteria, thought for a moment, and suddenly began to miss Duan Chan'er's cooking, which he hadn't done in a long time. Since they had talked about looking after the two little ones that morning, Zhang Zhaomu decided to go back.
It would be best to get a free meal, but if that's not possible... even buying a savory pancake from a street vendor outside the school would taste better than the food in the cafeteria.
As Zhang Zhaomu walked down the stairs to the third floor of the rented apartment, he could already hear the noise coming from Duan Chan'er's house through the door.
He raised his hand and knocked on the door.
"They're here!"
Duan Chan'er's voice rang out, followed by rapidly approaching footsteps. The door clicked open, and a cheerful voice called out, "Dad, it's been so long!" But then she recognized the person outside the door and her voice trailed off.
Zhang Zhaomu was a little amused and exasperated. "Actually, I'm more used to you calling me class monitor, but if you insist on calling me dad..."
It's not impossible.
Duan Chan'er's pretty face flushed slightly. "I didn't expect it to be the class monitor knocking on the door. I thought my dad had arrived."
"Squad leader, didn't you eat lunch with Chen Zhenzhen in the cafeteria? Why are you back today?"
Zhang Zhaomu explained, " Chen Zhenzhen is busy today. I was originally planning to come back to see the two little ones and maybe ask you for a meal. I already messaged you beforehand..."
"I didn't check my phone," Duan Chan'er said, looking embarrassed. "I've been tidying up the room."
Zhang Zhaomu suddenly realized. "So, you took two classes off because your uncle was coming today, and you came back early to tidy up the house?"
"Hmm." Duan Chan'er nodded. "My dad works in the provincial capital year-round, so his return this time was a pleasant surprise."
Actually, it was fright.
During the second period, Duan Chan'er was shocked to receive a message from Lao Deng saying that he was already driving back to Xinxi.
You know, there are still a lot of embarrassing things in my room that I haven't cleaned up yet!
Especially compared to Zhang Zhaomu's cloud storage-based approach, Duan Chan'er was much more old-fashioned with the learning data in her bedroom. She particularly preferred physical books, especially comics. Compared to pictures on an electronic screen, the lines drawn on paper were clearly more appealing for repeated viewing and study.
Of course, a better learning experience also comes with higher risks.
Duan Chan'er couldn't even imagine what she would do if Lao Deng found out about those comics.
That's why I took leave without stopping and came back to hide anything that didn't fit my public image!
"I see." Zhang Zhaomu smiled. "Alright, since Uncle is coming, it seems it won't be convenient for me to ask you for lunch today."
"Yes, I'm sorry, class monitor." Duan Chan'er nodded. "I'll cook you a special meal next time."
"No need, you don't owe me anything." Zhang Zhaomu waved his hand, preparing to say goodbye, when suddenly footsteps came from up the steps.
Then came a slightly surprised voice. " Chan'er?"
The two of them looked over at the same time.
A middle-aged man was standing at the corner of the stairs. He was dressed in a formal shirt and trousers, wore glasses, and had his hair neatly styled. He exuded a serious and refined air.
Zhang Zhaomu's first thought was that if this person wanted him to do a makeover, the design possibilities were already very limited; he was currently already " Teacher Zhu's Super Plus Version."
It was probably the first time Teacher Zhu, after his self-transformation, looked in the mirror that he imagined himself to be two levels more refined and handsome.
An old Ferrari with a scholarly air.
He instantly realized who this person was, and then secretly marveled at how he could have such a beautiful daughter as Duan Chan'er; the genes were indeed excellent.
"Dad..." A hint of panic flashed across Duan Chan'er's face.
What a coincidence! I just happened to be chatting with the class monitor.
This slight panic wasn't because she was afraid of being misunderstood after her dad caught her chatting with a boy—she had nothing to be ashamed of in that regard. Rather, it was because she suddenly remembered that, from the class monitor's perspective, her dad had another identity— the Bing Chan who wrote harem-themed novels!
Besides, the class monitor is a big fan of the book "The Bing Chan," so what if he gets excited and runs over to ask for an autograph or something...?
Then you'll be completely exposed and might as well just die on the spot.
"And who is this?" Duan Chan'er's father, Duan Boyuan, was scrutinizing Zhang Zhaomu as he slowly spoke.
"This... this is our class monitor..." Duan Chan'er's mind was still replaying the terrifying scene after her identity was exposed, so she couldn't help but stammer a little.
"Hello, Uncle." Zhang Zhaomu quickly greeted him politely.
"Hmm." Duan Boyuan nodded. "The young man looks quite dashing."
Zhang Zhaomu: "... Thank you."
He remembered that when Duan Chan'er first spoke to him, she seemed to have described him in the same way, truly worthy of being family.
"Dad, don't stand down there talking, let's go inside." Duan Chan'er said, looking at Zhang Zhaomu, "Class monitor, you..."
Zhang Zhaomu naturally understood, quickly took out his keys, walked to his front door, unlocked it, and said, "Then I won't disturb you any longer."
Duan Boyuan watched Zhang Zhaomu enter the house before turning to Duan Chan'er: "This young man lives right across the hall?"
"The class monitor has been living across the hall for over a year," Duan Chan'er explained.
"Yeah?"
Duan Boyuan narrowed his eyes slightly. "This can be considered fate, but I've never heard you mention him to me before."
"Because I wasn't in the same class as the class monitor before, we didn't talk much," Duan Chan'er said. "We only started talking recently."
"We've become familiar with each other."
Then she pouted and said, "Dad, why are you asking so many questions? I've already cooked the food. Come in quickly, or it'll get cold."
"Haha, good." Duan Boyuan laughed, "It's been a long time since I've tasted our Chan'er's cooking, I really miss it."