Chapter 93: Mu Shaoyan (without Xiao Xi)

Ninety-three:

He Guang: ...

He Guang glared at him, his eyes wide with fury.

He never dreamed that Mu Shaoyan would dare to cause trouble in front of the teacher.

Does he know what he's saying?

Did he really not cheat?!

"No," He Guang immediately denied. "Impossible! How could a scumbag like Mu Shaoyan improve so much in just one month of study?!"

He Guang turned to his homeroom teacher, "Teacher, I don't think the proctor was negligent. I just think Mu Shaoyan's grades this time are too suspicious. If he really didn't have any problems, why didn't he dare to let me do a new test on the spot?!"

He Guang looked at Mu Shaoyan, "If you think it's unfair that only you are doing this, I can do it with you! I didn't plagiarize, I didn't cheat, I'm not afraid of being tested. If you didn't plagiarize either, you can do the same as me, instead of running away and refusing?! Mu Shaoyan, do you dare?! What are you afraid of?! Are you afraid that others will find out that your grades this time are fake?!"

Mu Shaoyan sneered, "Why should I do things your way? Who do you think you are? Do you even deserve it?!"

"So you don't dare, you're feeling guilty!"

"I have nothing to be ashamed of. On the contrary, it's you who's been jumping around spreading rumors about me. What are you after? Envy, jealousy, and hatred?"

"I don't!"

"Then why are you doing this?" Mu Shaoyan looked at him. "Why are you always watching my grades instead of your own? You even know my last Chinese score? You don't have a crush on me, do you?"

"I didn't!" He Guang roared angrily!

This is an insult!

Utter disgrace!

How could he say that?!

How disgusting he is!

He Guang said hatefully, "You're disgusting."

"Just as disgusting as your brother."

With a "bang," Mu Shaoyan threw a punch.

Caught off guard, He Guang was knocked off balance and nearly fell to the ground.

The homeroom teacher was startled and quickly stopped Mu Shaoyan, "What are you doing?"

Mu Shaoyan didn't look at her, but stared coldly at He Guang. "You can talk about me, but try talking about my brother again."

"Enough!" the homeroom teacher shouted at him. "Mu Shaoyan, this is an office, not a place for you to act violently!"

After saying that, the homeroom teacher looked at He Guang and asked, "He Guang, do you have any evidence that Mu Shaoyan cheated?"

"If he didn't cheat, why doesn't he dare to do another test?!" He Guang said indignantly, his hand pressed against his face.

“You need evidence to do things. If you say Mu Shaoyan cheated, then you need to have substantial evidence. You and Mu Shaoyan were not in the same exam room. No one in Mu Shaoyan's exam room reported that he cheated, and the invigilator in Mu Shaoyan's exam room did not report that he cheated either. There were no traces of cheating left in his exam room. So you can't assume that he cheated just because his grades improved.”

"But if he didn't cheat, why doesn't he dare to do another set of papers?!" He Guang insisted.

"Because he has no obligation to cooperate with you," the homeroom teacher said. "If it's just your opinion that he needs it, then tomorrow, when other students think it, will the student being thought to need it too?!"

"At that time, you'll think I'm right, and I'll think you're right. The teacher won't need to grade the papers anyway, since we'll have to do a new set in the end."

He Guang: ...

He Guang looked at his homeroom teacher and felt that she was a stranger. He wondered how she could treat him like this.

The homeroom teacher noticed his gaze, softened her tone, and gently reassured him, "You two are classmates. You should be able to see whether he's been in the classroom this past month, and how he's been there. If you can't see him, then the teacher is standing on the podium, and the teacher can see him. Yes, his grades were indeed not good before, but this past month he has been very attentive in class and has completed his homework on time."

“He Guang, you may have forgotten that when the classes were divided in the second year of high school, he entered the class with a ranking of tenth in the class and thirtieth in the grade. Later, in the first monthly exam of the second year of high school, he ranked seventh in the class and twenty-first in the grade.”

“He is not a completely bad student. He has a foundation, even a very good one. As long as he is willing, he can improve.”

The homeroom teacher simply couldn't understand why He Guang was so insistent on believing that Mu Shaoyan had cheated.

She also saw the post on the school forum, but she never expected that the source of this matter was actually a student in her own class.

"The progress brought by cheating is only a flash in the pan. It is impossible to maintain good grades, or even better grades, every time. I believe that Mu Shaoyan will continue to work hard in the next monthly exam and achieve better results. You can also see his results after that."

"That's a new set of exam papers. You can take a good look at it then."

He Guang: ...

He Guang turned around, no longer wanting to stay in this suffocating place.

He rationally knew that the homeroom teacher was right, but things had already escalated to this point. What did it matter if he was right or wrong? The homeroom teacher's actions would only embarrass him.

He Guang thought, how could she do this?

Why did she treat him like that?!

Mu Shaoyan was always fighting and brawling. He hardly ever came to school during his entire second year of high school, and his grades plummeted. He was practically a piece of scum in society.

And him?

He studied diligently and conscientiously, and his grades were much better than Mu Shaoyan's. Why didn't his homeroom teacher help him?

Is it because their family isn't as wealthy as Mu Shaoyan's?

That's true. If Mu Shaoyan can dye his hair and skip class, who among the average student would dare to do that?!

He hated Mu Shaoyan all over again!

I hate his fearlessness!

I hate his reckless and arbitrary behavior!

I hate him even more for putting himself in this embarrassing and humiliating situation!

Mu Shaoyan stared blankly at his homeroom teacher, somewhat taken aback.

He didn't expect his homeroom teacher to say that.

I will choose to stand on his side.

She thought she would call the proctor to investigate the situation and then help him clarify things.

"Sit down." The homeroom teacher pulled up a chair and patted it. "I have something to tell you."

Mu Shaoyan: ? ? ?

Do you have something to say to him?

What did you say?

Mu Shaoyan sat down, puzzled.

The homeroom teacher looked at him and said, "I've seen your grades this time, so even if you hadn't come to me today, I would have still come to see you."

Mu Shaoyan: ? ? ?

Mu Shaoyan was even more confused. What did that mean? What was wrong with his grades?

"First of all, I do not agree with He Guang's point of view. I believe you did not cheat."

Mu Shaoyan nodded.

He realized it when she spoke up for him.

"You don't need to do this. You've never cheated, even if you didn't take the exam or didn't answer the questions properly. Cheating is meaningless to you because grades and the college entrance exam aren't that important to you. You skipped classes for a whole year in your second year of high school, so why would you care about grades? Is it necessary to cheat for a so-called slightly better but not particularly good grade?"

Mu Shaoyan: ...

Why did he feel that his homeroom teacher was being sarcastic or unfriendly towards him?

"So I'm very happy," the homeroom teacher said. "I'm very happy that you're finally willing to work hard, finally willing to start studying properly again."

Mu Shaoyan: ...

Mu Shaoyan looked at her, not expecting her to say that.

“I’ve been tutoring you since your first year of high school, specifically in math. Back then, you were doing very well. You were good-looking, from a good family, had a good personality, and were academically excellent. Not only did the girls at school like you, but the teachers in the office also really liked you. So, when we were divided into classes in your second year of high school, I was very happy to have you in my class.”

"I just don't understand why you changed so much just two months into your second year of high school. When I tried to talk to you, you wouldn't say anything, and then I couldn't find you at all."

“Your situation is special. Other students like you will either be demoted to a regular class or expelled directly.”

“But your brother bought new chemistry lab equipment for the school. He hopes you can stay in your current class. He said, ‘Everyone has moments of confusion. Don’t give up on him. Don’t let him feel that others have given up on him. Give him some time, and he will return to the classroom.’ He is willing to pay for it himself.”

"He loves you very much, and the school isn't immune to human emotions, so the principal made a special exception and allowed you to stay in your current class and continue attending school."

"In the blink of an eye, you're already a senior in high school. I thought I wouldn't be able to see the vibrant, outstanding, and brilliant you that I first met in my freshman year of high school, but I never expected that you would come back."

“For the past month, sometimes when I entered the classroom, I would think, ‘Are you in the classroom today?’ I would worry, ‘If you’re not here, then have your three years of high school really passed by like this?’”

"So, when I finished the rankings yesterday and saw your results, I was really pleased. You see, you still have a solid foundation, you are still very smart and have great potential. In just one month, you have made so much progress. You still have almost a year to catch up and give yourself a perfect finish in high school."

"So Mu Shaoyan, stop wasting your time and talent. Stop letting others think you're unworthy just because you've made a little progress. Do you remember your grades from your first year of high school? If you don't, your teacher printed out a copy for you. Go back and look at it yourself. See what you were like back then. See when you can return to your former self."

"Don't wait until it's too late to regret it and want to start over. By then, it will be too late."

After the homeroom teacher finished speaking, he took an A4 sheet of paper from the lesson plan and handed it to Mu Shaoyan.

Mu Shaoyan took it and saw his monthly exam scores from the first year of high school to the first month of his second year.

He had long forgotten.

Even now, it feels like a century has passed.

Mu Shaoyan thought that he seemed to have really forgotten his former self.

Mu Shaoyan did not return to his class.

The break time was long over, and the teaching building was quiet, with only the occasional sound of teachers lecturing drifting out from inside the door.

He walked quietly and silently to the end of the corridor, went up the stairs, and entered the rooftop of the school.

The wind was strong and a bit cold against his skin, but Mu Shaoyan was completely oblivious.

He sat in a corner of the rooftop, gazing at the sky not far away.

The sky was so blue, it looked as if it had never been polluted.

Blue, as if it never has any worries and never regrets.

Mu Shaoyan wondered how he had gotten to where he was today.

In the end, what did he gain?

What is he after?

Duan Yi stood outside the door of the rooftop not far away, silently watching him.

The bell rang for class while Mu Shaoyan and He Guang were arguing in the teacher's office. The students who had been gathered at the office door gradually dispersed and returned to their classrooms.

Duan Yi didn't leave. He thought that perhaps Mu Shaoyan needed him to help him prove that his achievements were the result of his hard work.

He waited and waited, but before Mu Shaoyan came out of the office, he was greeted by the physics teacher.

The physics teacher called him aside and started talking to him.

As they were talking, Mu Shaoyan came out.

But he didn't see him, nor did he return to the classroom; instead, he walked all the way to the end of the corridor.

Duan Yi felt puzzled and, after hurriedly saying goodbye to the physics teacher, followed him from a distance.

He watched as Mu Shaoyan made his way up to the rooftop.

Duan Yi was a little worried, but thankfully, he didn't do anything irrational; he simply sat down in a corner of the rooftop.

For some reason, Duan Yi felt that Duan Yi seemed very lonely at this moment.

It's very sad.

Is it because the results you achieved through hard work are being questioned?

Duan Yi watched silently, and after confirming that Mu Shaoyan's emotions seemed relatively stable and that he did not intend to do anything foolish, he turned around and went downstairs.

He bought a cup of milk tea at the school cafeteria, and then returned to the rooftop.

Duan Yi stepped through the rooftop door that Mu Shaoyan had opened and walked silently to his side.

Mu Shaoyan turned his head, somewhat surprised, to find it was him.

Why aren't you in the classroom?

"My physics teacher wants to see me."

Duan Yi sat down next to him and handed him the milk tea in her hand. "Here you go."

Mu Shaoyan raised an eyebrow, "For me?"

Duan Yi withdrew his hand. "If you don't want to drink it, I'll drink it myself."

Mu Shaoyan immediately reached out and snatched the milk tea from his hand.

He punctured the straw, quickly took a sip, frowned, and said with disgust, "It tastes awful. Where did you buy it?"

Duan Yi: ...

Duan Yi reached out to take it back.

Mu Shaoyan stepped aside, "I've already drunk it, are you still trying to take it? Do you want to indirectly kiss me?"

Duan Yi: ...

Duan Yi silently withdrew his hand.

Mu Shaoyan smiled and continued drinking his milk tea.

Duan Yi looked at the tall buildings and the sky not far away.

"Why did you suddenly buy me milk tea to comfort me?" Mu Shaoyan asked.

His tone was calm, revealing no emotion.

"No," Duan Yi said indifferently. "It's a reward for your improved grades."

Mu Shaoyan said "Oh," holding the milk tea and looking ahead.

“Most of your classmates believe you didn’t cheat,” Duan Yi said.

Mu Shaoyan nodded. "Mm."

"If you'd like, I can tell your teachers that I'm tutoring you."

"So, from now on, you, Duan, won't be able to stay out of trouble?"

"Forget it," Mu Shaoyan refused. "My reputation isn't good anyway, so I won't drag you down with me."

Duan Yi was somewhat surprised, "Damaged?"

“Yes.” Mu Shaoyan stirred his milk tea, his tone calm. “You’re a top student, and I’m the school bully. There’s a world of difference between us.”

Duan Yi smiled and said, "So you think about these things too."

"So in your heart, am I a fool?" Mu Shaoyan said in a very calm voice.

Duan Yi: ...

Duan Yi immediately realized that he had said the wrong thing.

“No,” he said. “Mu Shaoyan, I didn’t think that way.”

Mu Shaoyan remained silent.

He held the hot milk tea in his hands for a while before finally taking a sip.

"Sometimes, I feel like I'm really a fool," Mu Shaoyan said in a low voice.

“You are very smart,” Duan Yi said. “I’ve tutored you, and you are smarter than most people.”

Mu Shaoyan shook his head and said, "Duan Yi, have you ever regretted it?"

Duan Yi remained silent.

Mu Shaoyan said, "I have it."

He said, "I regret it now."

"I hurt many people who loved me, but I didn't even know it."

Teachers, older brothers, fathers, and perhaps even former friends.

"I regret it very much," Mu Shaoyan said. "I regret it right now."

Duan Yi turned his head and saw his quiet profile, which was filled with sadness.

His eyelashes drooped quietly, like falling raven feathers; his black hair was soft and obedient, concealing the sorrow in his eyes, leaving only a lonely and pale face.

Duan Yi watched calmly.

For some reason, I raised my hand and touched his black hair.

“It’s okay,” he said. “You have a long time ahead of you. You’re only eighteen. You can take your time and make it up to them properly.”

Mu Shaoyan raised his eyes, his eyes clear and serene, like a cool spring.

That was a look Duan Yi had never seen before.

He had always thought that Mu Shaoyan was boisterous, bright, brilliant, passionate, and carefree, never knowing any worries.

But now he realizes that's not the case.

Mu Shaoyan also feels pain, and he calms down, becoming like a lake in winter, desolate and tranquil.

He finally witnessed another side of Mu Shaoyan, a side of Mu Shaoyan that did not match his preconceived notions.

But he didn't like it.

Duan Yi thought that he still preferred Mu Shaoyan's carefree, childish, and mischievous nature.

That's the kind of person he should be.