Chapter 27 Testing the Waters [VIP]

Chapter Summary: How much of what you want me to hear?

After leaving the office, Fu Xianyin saw Wu Jiacheng again at the door.

She was numb.

This person is like a leech; once they're stuck on, you can't get rid of them.

Fu Xianyin ignored him and continued walking. Wu Jiacheng followed, grinning, and said, "Fu Xianyin, I'm considered an old friend of yours in Linlan. Is this how you treat me?"

There are surveillance cameras inside the teaching building, and it's not a good idea to make a move in a busy corridor.

Otherwise, Fu Xianyin would definitely beat Wu Jiacheng so badly that his own mother wouldn't recognize him.

She ignored Wu Jiacheng, who followed her closely. Just as she was about to return to class, Wu Jiacheng suddenly grabbed her sleeve.

Fu Xianyin pulled away with some disgust, frowning as she asked, "What are you doing?"

Wu Jiacheng still had that same grinning face: "Do me a favor, ask Ji Zhumiao from your class to come out for a bit."

Fu Xianyin suppressed her anger, walked to Ji Zhumiao's desk, and knocked on it.

Ji Zhumiao was lying on the table when she heard the noise. She looked up and saw Fu Xianyin about to say something, but she was startled by Fu Xianyin.

Fu Xianyin's voice was devoid of emotion, and the atmosphere around her was terrifyingly low: "Wu Jiacheng wants you to go out for a bit."

After saying that, Fu Xianyin turned around and went back to her seat.

Ji Zhumiao glanced at the door with some annoyance, then went around to the back door.

Wu Jiacheng leaned casually against the corridor wall. Ji Zhumiao was a little displeased. She walked over and asked, "Didn't I tell you not to go near Fu Xianyin?"

Wu Jiacheng shrugged: "Your homeroom teacher is the grade head. I just transferred here and have to go find her. She asked me to come to your class to call Fu Xianyin. I didn't go to her on my own initiative."

He completely absolved himself of any responsibility.

If Ji Zhumiao hadn't witnessed the oppressive atmosphere emanating from Fu Xianyin, she might have actually believed that Wu Jiacheng hadn't said anything.

"Never mind, I'm not going to talk about this with you."

Ji Zhumiao looked at Wu Jiacheng: "What do you want from me?"

Wu Jiacheng: "I overheard that Fu Xianyin was the one holding the placard at the opening ceremony of your class's sports meet this year."

His eyes darted around: "Then we..."

Evening self-study.

Sister Gao announced in class that she would be holding the placard for the sports meet. To Fu Xianyin's surprise, many people in the class actually supported her holding the placard.

"Great! We need pretty girls to hold up the sign, it'll really make Class 15 look good!"

"Crush them!"

"Crush them, crush them mercilessly!"

Lin Anxu was the loudest shouter by the podium:

"Look, who can find the top student in the grade to hold up the placard? We're the only ones who can achieve this honor!"

Gao Ying tapped Lin Anxu on the head lightly with the test paper and said, "Shut up, don't do it during class study, keep your voices down."

Gao Ying: "There's still a little over a week until the monthly exams, and less than two weeks until the sports meet. In these two weeks, the class monitor and the sports committee member should lead everyone in practicing the formations for the sports meet. Those who want to sign up for events should take the initiative, don't wait for me to force you to participate at the last minute."

Class 15 is a pure science class, and there are more boys than girls.

After Gao Ying finished speaking, several girls slumped down.

After evening self-study, Cheng Zhaozhao quickly packed her things and ran excitedly to Fu Xianyin's desk, saying, "I'm here!"

After Fu Xianyin finished the last problem, packed her things, said goodbye to Yin Zexuan, and was then pulled out of the classroom by Cheng Zhaozhao, who took her arm.

As Lin Anxu passed by the podium, he asked, "Where are you two going in such a hurry?"

Cheng Zhaozhao shouted from the corridor to the classroom: "Embrace my happy long vacation!"

The two jogged out of the school gate. Fu Xianyin was also a little excited. She asked, "Where is Chen Nianke? Should we call her and ask?"

"I saw it!"

Cheng Zhaozhao, with her sharp eyes, spotted Chen Nianke waving at them immediately.

The two ran over, put down their backpacks, and Chen Nianke pointed to the menu and said, "Here, I ordered what I wanted to eat. Do you guys see if there's anything else you want to eat?"

Fu Xianyin glanced at it and said, "Then I'll add another portion of dried bean curd and dried orchid."

Chen Nianke gave a serious thumbs-up and approved, "You can eat well."

Fu Xianyin also put on a stern face and imitated her, saying, "You flatter me."

A new braised duck restaurant opened near the entrance of No. 1 Middle School. Chen Nian had been longing to eat there for several days, but unfortunately, the afternoon dismissal time was too short, and the braised duck restaurant was very popular. Chen Nian was afraid of being late, so she hadn't been able to eat there yet.

Finally, the long break arrived, and Chen Nianke was able to leave school. She told the two girls that she wanted to wait until after school to come over and eat roast duck to celebrate.

Cheng Zhaozhao readily agreed, and Fu Xianyin thought about it and agreed as well.

Having known each other for so long, Cheng Zhaozhao knew that Fu Xianyin usually lived at school. She asked worriedly, "What will you do if you eat too late at night and the school closes? Hey, do you want to stay at my house? I'll tell my mom."

As Cheng Zhaozhao spoke, she seriously considered the feasibility of this matter. Fu Xianyin smiled and said, "No need. I have a place to stay even if I can't go back to the dormitory."

Since learning that Fu Dongyuan had a long-stay room at the hotel, Fu Xianyin no longer worried about having nowhere to go.

Cheng Zhaozhao said, "Then you should tell your mother, okay? Don't let her worry."

Fu Xianyin smiled and said, "Yes, it's alright."

The shop was fairly crowded, with three girls chatting at a table, their chins propped up on their hands.

Chen Nianke has become more familiar with Fu Xianyin during this time and has also become more relaxed.

She said, "Yinyin, when are you planning to rent a dress? Take me with you then, so I can see some beautiful women."

Fu Xianyin: "Oh, I wasn't planning on renting another dress. I was just going to wear the one from the last arts performance."

Cheng Zhaozhao asked in surprise, "What?"

Chen Nianke vetoed: "No way!"

Fu Xianyin was startled by the two of them.

Cheng Zhaozhao: "We've already worn the last one, and this is the opening ceremony of the sports meet, so we can't be careless."

Chen Nianke: "Exactly, and Yinyin, renting a dress can be reimbursed by the class fund, why don't you rent another one?"

The two men stared at her expectantly, clamoring, "Rent it! Rent it!" Fu Xianyin had no choice but to agree.

Cheng Zhaozhao: "You have no idea how dark Song Yaoge's face was after Sister Gao said it was you."

Fu Xianyin chuckled, "Song Yaoge is sitting in the first row. You're sitting so far behind her, how can you see her face?"

Cheng Zhaozhao pouted: "Anyway, I just don't like Song Yaoge."

Chen Nianke: "I think Song Yaoge is alright. I feel like she was spoiled by her family. Sometimes when I see her getting into trouble, I find it quite cute."

Chen Nianke whispered, "I don't get along with Ji Zhumiao. I don't know why, but she seems to have a lot on her mind."

Fu Xianyin also asked in a low voice, "Does this count as talking badly about others behind their backs?"

Cheng Zhaozhao also said in a low voice, "It seems so, then let's say less."

The three nodded seriously.

The roast duck was just ready and served, and the three of them rolled up their sleeves and began to feast.

Chen Nianke is the type of person who looks like she's enjoying her food. Every time Fu Xianyin eats with Chen Nianke, seeing her eat so heartily makes her feel like she can eat two more bowls of rice.

The three of them devoured the entire large portion of roast duck.

Chen Nianke leaned back in her chair with a satisfied look and said, "Yinyin, you look so thin, but you can eat quite a lot."

Cheng Zhaozhao said, "Yinyin has a big appetite, but she often doesn't eat. If we eat together, I feel that Yinyin can eat more than me."

Chen Nianke looked at Fu Xianyin's small, pointed chin with envy: "I'm so envious of Yinyin, she's so thin. When will I be able to get that thin?"

Fu Xianyin said, "You're not fat, you look great like this."

Chen Nianke is not fat at all; she just has a bit of baby fat on her cheeks.

Chen Nianke chuckled: "I was just saying, I can't actually go without eating."

"Senior year of high school is so tough. Every day is just attending classes, doing practice problems and homework. Eating is my only joy."

She looked at Fu Xianyin and asked, "Yinyin, you study every day, sometimes even skipping meals. Aren't you tired? Or do you really enjoy studying?"

Fu Xianyin: "I don't particularly enjoy studying, but I just feel that doing practice problems and homework every day isn't so bad."

Chen Nianke asked in surprise, "Don't you feel bitter? Don't you feel tired? Don't you feel overwhelmed seeing so many test papers every day? Don't you want to rest or go out and play with your family and friends?"

Fu Xianyin thought for a moment and said, "I think I'm really fine."

Chen Nianke sighed, "Then you truly possess an innate learning physique."

Cheng Zhaozhao nodded: "I'm so envious. There's definitely a gap between academic geniuses and us."

Fu Xianyin just smiled.

She just thought about what would happen if she didn't study, and what she could do.

Chen Huimei will go crazy, and she will go crazy along with her. Fu Dongyuan will think she is incompetent and give up on her completely, and may not even give her any money anymore.

So all she can do is study.

For Fu Xianyin, the pain of learning was much less than these two.

She only just realized what Chen Nianke had said.

She has lived for so many years, and it seems she has never thought of living a different way.

Is it that I never thought about it, or that I couldn't think about it?

Fu Xianyin didn't know.

Fu Xianyin slept until almost noon.

After a long-awaited good night's sleep, Fu Xianyin felt refreshed.

When they arrived at the affiliated high school, Lin Anxu and the others had already arrived.

All the boys were wearing jerseys, but Gu Linzhao was the only one wearing a white T-shirt and jeans.

Fu Xianyin asked him, "Aren't you going to fight?"

Gu Linzhao: "Ah, I won't fight."

Lin Anxu complained from the side, "Brother Zhao insisted that the sun was too strong today and he wanted to watch it from the side."

After he finished speaking, he gestured towards Fu Xianyin with his lip: "Young Master is spoiled."

Fu Xianyin thought this reason was quite reasonable. If she hadn't come to the affiliated high school to print exam papers today, she would most likely have rejected Lin Anxu because of the scorching sun.

However, Fu Xianyin tilted her head and smiled.

Lin Anxu usually calls him "Brother Zhao," but this is the first time Fu Xianyin has heard him called "Young Master."

She found it amusing and cute, and turned to look at the young master beside her with great interest.

The young master laughed and scolded, "Alright, alright, I'm not going to say anything more, I'll be your substitute."

After saying that, he turned to Fu Xianyin and asked, "Are you hungry?"

He had already assumed that Fu Xianyin was not eating, and automatically omitted the question, "Have you eaten?"

Fu Xianyin shook her head: "I ate a lot with Zhaozhao and Nianke last night, so I'm not hungry."

Gu Linzhao: "Okay, just say you're hungry."

Lin Anxu's ability to make friends is truly remarkable. Among the people playing basketball this time, only a few were from Class 15. The others looked unfamiliar to Fu Xianyin, so she guessed they were from other classes.

Surprisingly, quite a few girls from their class also came.

Besides Cheng Zhaozhao, Song Yaoge and Ji Zhumiao also came, along with several other girls.

Cheng Zhaozhao said, "You know Lin Anxu's personality, and since it's a long break, everyone comes as soon as he calls."

Oh, I see.

Fu Xianyin nodded.

She pulled Cheng Zhaozhao to a shady spot by the basketball court, and when she looked up, she saw a familiar person running towards them from not far away.

Wu Jiacheng?

Fu Xianyin's face darkened.

Lin Anxu, unaware of the inside story, waved to Wu Jiacheng: "Brother, I'm over here, come quick."

Wu Jiacheng changed his jersey and jogged over.

Fu Xianyin thought she was going to have to endure another round of disgust, but to her surprise, Wu Jiacheng smiled at her, then turned around and went to talk to Ji Zhumiao.

Fu Xianyin was happy to have some free time, so she sat cross-legged on the ground and chatted with Cheng Zhaozhao casually.

Fu Xianyin: "Where's Nian Ke? Why didn't she come?"

Cheng Zhaozhao: "She said she wanted to sleep, and no one could stop her from sleeping."

"I see."

Cheng Zhaozhao laughed and said, "She loves to sleep. When I first met her, she didn't reply to my messages for a whole day, which scared me to death. I even thought she had died from irregular sleep patterns or something, and I called Sister Gao. But guess what happened?"

Cheng Zhaozhao said, "Chen Nianke replied to my message in the evening, saying that she had slept all day and hadn't checked her phone."

Wow.

Fu Xianyin sincerely envied Chen Nianke's sleep.

Cheng Zhaozhao said, "From then on, whenever Chen Nianke didn't reply to my messages, I knew she was sleeping."

The boys had already started warming up, and among the group of boys wearing sports uniforms, Gu Linzhao stood out with his refreshing attire.

Fu Yeyang was late in arriving at the affiliated high school.

Lin Anxu jogged over and asked Fu Xianyin, "Sister, why don't you send a message to Ye Yang and ask him about him?"

Fu Xianyin thought for a moment and said, "He just told me he's in the teaching building. I'll go look for him."

Lin Anxu: "Sure, just call me if you need anything."

Fu Xianyin nodded and slipped into the teaching building along the shady side.

She had mentioned the test papers to Fu Yeyang during the week, and she told him again when she arrived at the affiliated high school. He said he was going to print the test papers for her.

Fortunately, Fu Xianyin asked Fu Yeyang where he was printing the exam papers, otherwise she wouldn't even know where to find him now.

In mid-October, the weather started to cool down. It was still hot under the blazing sun outdoors, but when Fu Xianyin went inside, the wind made her legs feel cold.

As she was about to go up the stairs, Fu Xianyin suddenly felt that something was not quite right.

As Fu Dongyuan's eldest son, Fu Yeyang has an advantage that Fu Xianyin lacks: he is extremely punctual.

Normally, he wouldn't be late for the already arranged ball game because he was printing test papers for Fu Xianyin.

An ominous premonition arose in Fu Xianyin's mind.

Almost simultaneously, an angry shout from a woman came from upstairs.

Fu Xianyin took off running towards the direction of the sound.

She knew what had happened.

The girl was light-weight and walked lightly; her soft sneakers landed on the ground like kitten paws, making almost no sound.

The woman's roar grew louder and louder, and Fu Xianyin could now clearly hear what she was cursing.

Suddenly, a crisp sound rang out.

"Smack!"

Fu Xianyin slammed on the brakes and stopped in place.

She took two more steps forward and looked toward the stairwell with some disbelief.

The corner of the wall blocked Li Chan's view. Fu Yeyang leaned against the wall, his head down, with a bright red handprint clearly visible on his fair face.

He was still clutching a stack of exam papers in his hand.

Li Chan scolded, "Fu Xianyin got first place in the grade this time, and you still have the mind to play ball here. She already has the advantage over you. Fu Dongyuan is her father. Do you know that if you can't beat her, we'll have nothing left!"

Fu Yeyang lowered his head and remained silent.

Seeing that he didn't make any move, Li Chan raised her arm and slapped him again.

This time, Fu Xianyin was closer.

She saw the stray hairs falling from the boy's forehead, and the side of his face that had been slapped was already slightly swollen.

"Speak up!" Li Chan yelled, "Are you mute?!"

Fu Yeyang raised his head, seemingly oblivious to the pain, and laughed, "What do you want to hear me say? That I'll make Fu Dongyuan fall in love with you, divorce Chen Huimei, and then marry you?"

He shook his head, his voice echoing in the empty corridor: "If you ask me, I just think that Fu Xianyin is good because she can get first place in the grade, and that Fu Dongyuan should give her the company, which is what she deserves."

Fu Xianyin didn't listen anymore.

She sent Gu Linzhao a WeChat message, then quickly ran downstairs to the convenience store.

She rarely exercises and has very poor physical fitness. When she got to the convenience store, her legs gave way and she almost knelt down.

She grabbed two ice packs, bought some ice cream and drinks, and ran towards the teaching building with the bags in her hands.

On the basketball court, Gu Linzhao looked at the message on his phone.

Fu Xianyin: [Help me find a reason to tell Lin Anxu that Ye Yang isn't playing today, and to let them play first and not wait.]

He stopped Lin Anxu and said, "You guys start first. Let the substitutes from the affiliated high school play. Ye Yang can't play anymore."

Lin Anxu was confused: "Huh? Why?"

Gu Linzhao made up a story without any expression: "I twisted my ankle going down the stairs."

Lin Anxu: "Okay, I'll go tell them. Hey Brother Zhao, where are you going?"

Gu Linzhao: "Go and bring warmth to people."

The affiliated high school's teaching building is not much different from that of the No. 1 high school.

Gu Linzhao had just stepped into the lobby on the first floor when he heard a woman's shouts coming from upstairs.

With a guess in mind, he walked up the stairs toward the source of the sound.

The sound grew louder and clearer, and just as Gu Linzhao was about to go to the stairwell to find out what was going on, a small, icy hand suddenly grabbed him.

It was his deskmate.

No, it was my former deskmate.

A layer of sweat gathered on Fu Xianyin's forehead, and a faint blush rose to her originally fair cheeks.

Her shoulders were heaving up and down with her rapid breathing, clearly indicating that she had done strenuous exercise.

Gu Linzhao looked at Fu Xianyin's other hand, where a transparent plastic bag contained a bunch of ice packs, ice cream, and frozen drinks.

Fu Xianyin didn't say anything, but pulled him in the opposite direction.

After descending two flights of stairs, Fu Xianyin sat on the stairs, panting heavily, while holding onto the handrail.

Before she could even catch her breath, Fu Xianyin asked, "Why are you here?"

The tone was not very friendly.

The sting made Gu Linzhao feel a little uncomfortable.

Before he could speak, Fu Xianyin spoke again.

This time, her tone was gentler, with a hint of probing: "How much...did you hear?"

Gu Linzhao was inexplicably annoyed by that little test.

He was even more annoyed than when Fu Xianyin first made that sarcastic remark to him.

He lifted his eyelids slightly, and asked in a flat, emotionless voice:

"And you, how much do you want me to hear?"