Chapter 62: Homework
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
The students of First High School watched in stunned silence.
On the other hand, He Jing was as cool as a cucumber. âI havenât thrown darts in a long time. I must be rusty⦠Itâs your turn.â
What was the point of them playing when the odds were stacked against them?
The man with brown spots admitted that he would never be able to do the same in his eight lifetimes and chose to admit defeat. First High School had lost the bet.
After leaving the club, He Jing crossed the road and waited at the bus stop for her ride home.
She bought a bottle of orange juice and received four coins in change, which she stowed in her frog-shaped purse.
A tall, handsome young man stood beside her. He was like her guardian angel, keeping her safe from the prying eyes of the other men around. âIâll send you home,â he said.
He Jing did not answer, seemingly not of a mind for idle chatter. Her head bowed, He Jing answered absentmindedly, âYou donât have to.â
Yan Hanxi plucked He Jingâs schoolbag off her shoulder and slung it over his. âMiss Merit Student, youâve kicked the hornetâs nest this time.â
He Jing looked up, growling, âAnd why would I have kicked the hornetâs nest if not for you?â
She would not have had to disguise herself and follow Yan Hanxi if he had not gone under her nose to do things. Besides, it was not like she could leave: the laws governing the novel world would not allow her. It was only right that she, as the adult between them, ensured that the young saplings of her country did not grow wayward or crooked..
Yan Hanxi chuckled. âAh! So you would lie and deceive others if it meant maintaining the integrity of the schoolâs reputation? Let me applaud you for being one of the top ten students in this country, then!â
There was nothing wrong with her being among the top ten in the country, or so He Jing thought. She had always been a positive person.
âSince youâre so set in your ways and believe we should part, letâs settle the score regarding you calling the police and claiming to be my mother,â Yan Hanxi said.
He Jing had already thought it through and answered calmly, âIf itâs money you want, I havenât got any. I only have this life of mine.â
Yan Hanxi quirked a brow. He knew He Jing was bold and stubborn, but not to this extent!
He tried for a compromise that would settle the itch in his heart. Quietly, with a honeyed voice like a cello playing on the G string, he asked, âWonât you give me a chance?â
He Jing was speechless.
She, of course, would not give him a chance.
He Jing could not be bothered to respond to the human-shaped flirting device next to her. When the bus arrived, she dropped a coin in the till, paid for her fare, and got on the bus.
Yan Hanxi remained behind, his hand in his pocket. He did not go against He Jingâs wishes, but that did not mean he could not enjoy himself, and enjoy himself he did, a Cheshire smile playing on his lips.
The next day, He Jing went to school early and saw Yan Hanxi sitting in his seat.
He seemed to be in high spirits. When he heard her entering, he turned to greet her, offering her a faint grin, âGood morning, Miss Merit Student.â
All the girls in the class looked at them.
âExcuse me,â He Jing said expressionlessly.
Her seat was next to Yan Hanxi, which she could not reach with his leg blocking the way.
Yan Hanxi lifted his leg out of the way with a raised brow.
She had just taken her seat when their form teacher bustled into class, saying,
âStudent He Jing, please bring your homework to my office later.â
He Jingâs expression froze. She put down her bag and took out her homework from the previous day. âExcuse me,â she said to Yan Hanxi.
This time, Yan Hanxi did not oblige. He kicked his legs up and rested them on his desk. âI havenât handed in my homework either. Arenât you going to ask for Oh-
She would have forgotten if Yan Hanxi had not mentioned it.
âYour homework, please,â He Jing requested icily, her hand outstretched and waiting.
Yan Hanxi admired He Jingâs fair skin and supple flesh, especially her hands and the lines that marked tracks along her open palm. âMiss Merit Student,â he began, his voice tickling the hearts of those who heard him with feather-like touches, âis it so hard to get homework from the big, bad bully? Why donât you try another approach?â
How could she be bothered with another approach?
âDo you think Iâm trapped just because you wonât let me through?â He Jing demanded..