squad leader

Zhang Ningxia tried to hold back her laughter, "Come on, Duoduo, your chicken wings are ready, eat them!"

Fortunately, the boss arrived in time, and Xu Zhiyi immediately breathed a sigh of relief. The atmosphere was too awkward.

Everyone continued chatting for a few more minutes, and Song Chengrui quickly left with his sister.

After they left, Zhang Ningxia exclaimed in admiration, "My phone is full of your photos, isn't that obvious?"

"What's so obvious? Let's go!" Xu Zhiyi smiled, quickly packed up his things, paid the bill, and left.

—

After the sports meet, the relaxed atmosphere in the school was gone, and exam day arrived in the blink of an eye.

That day, Xu Zhiyi had just returned from the office and when he passed the corner of the corridor, he suddenly ran into a young couple hugging each other.

The girl was the first to see Xu Zhiyi's figure. She was so scared that she immediately let go and pushed the boy away.

"Someone."

Xu Zhiyi was also a little embarrassed. She pretended not to see it and quickly walked away.

Back in the classroom, the atmosphere was still lively, with people discussing topics and gossiping everywhere.

As soon as Xu Zhiyi sat down, he heard a burst of exclamations in the class.

"Wow, the squad leader is here!"

Through the window, I saw Peng Shiming standing at the door, and he seemed to be leaning on a cane.

Soon, the boy at the door reacted first and quickly helped Peng Shiming up.

Peng Shiming waved his hand, leaning on his crutches skillfully, "No, no, I'm almost healed."

The classroom suddenly exploded.

“Wow—”

"Squad leader, is your leg healed?"

"It still looks swollen, huh? Are you okay?"

Peng Shiming slowly moved to his seat surrounded by the crowd, carefully leaning his crutches against the wall. "I'm almost going moldy staying at home. If I don't come to school soon, I'm afraid I won't be able to catch up with my review progress."

"Besides, the doctor said I'll be able to walk normally in another month. Don't worry, I'll be fine."

Xu Zhiyi guessed that Peng Shiming happened to return to school at this time, probably to take part in this month's monthly exam. However, he was delayed for so long that he didn't know if he fell too far behind.

During the break, Xu Dongxing came to the classroom and announced that since Peng Shiming had difficulty in moving, a classmate would be arranged to help him get his meals and even help him make up for the missed homework.

Many students raised their hands, and even several students who were close to Peng Shiming stood up and said, "Teacher, I'm responsible for this. Let me do it."

Peng Shiming felt a little embarrassed. "Thank you everyone," he looked at Xu Dongxing and said, "Teacher, I can do this myself."

"It's settled." Xu Dongxing pointed at Xu Zhiyi and handed her a piece of paper.

"Xu Zhiyi, you're a student council member. You need to help Peng Shiming with his homework. Please write the new seating chart later."

In an instant, the whole class's eyes were focused on Xu Zhiyi. She was stunned for a moment, then nodded, "Okay, teacher, I will."

Xu Dongxing pushed his glasses with satisfaction, gave a few more instructions on classroom discipline, and left the classroom.

As soon as the teacher left, the classroom was in an uproar.

"Student Councillor, thank you for your hard work!" a boy in the back row said. "The class monitor is so lucky! The student councillor is the best in our class!"

Peng Shiming touched the back of his neck awkwardly and smiled apologetically at Xu Zhiyi: "Sorry to trouble you. Actually, I can do it myself..."

Xu Zhiyi spread the seating chart on the table and said calmly, "It's okay, it's what I should do. I'll help you move your things when we change seats later."

When she saw the seating chart, she realized that her seat was next to Peng Shiming. Logically, Xu Dongxing should not allow boys and girls to sit together, but given Peng Shiming's special situation, the teacher must have taken him into consideration.

However, the others were very concerned about the seating chart and were frantically trying to find out the information.

"Xu Zhiyi, help me look where I'm sitting?"

"Zhu Jiajia's seat in the fourth row."

"Student Councillor, could you please tell me where I went?"

"Second row aisle window."

She saw that Song Chengrui's seat had been moved to the back row, behind Peng Shiming, still facing the corridor.

Several boys crowded around Xu Zhiyi's table and stretched their necks to see the seating chart.

She pushed the paper under the textbook and said, "For the rest, you can put it on the wall and read it yourself later."

She turned to Peng Shiming, "Have you brought all your books and exercise books? Do you want me to help you organize them?"

Peng Shiming quickly waved his hands, "No, no, I've packed it all."

He tried to stand up and reach for his old textbook at the back of the classroom, but his movements were clumsy.

Xu Zhiyi had already walked over and swiftly moved a pile of books next to his new seat.

"Thank you." Peng Shiming's ears turned slightly red and he thanked in a low voice.

The classroom was in a state of chaos when changing seats.

Xu Zhiyi helped Peng Shiming put his things away, and then went to tidy up his new place.

Her seat was now on the left of Peng Shiming. As soon as she sat down, she heard the sound of a stool being dragged behind her.

Song Chengrui was pushing the table back with his schoolbag slung over one shoulder.

His new position was directly behind Peng Shiming.

The two of them met eyes briefly, and Song Chengrui raised his eyebrows and smiled, "Student Councillor, please give me your guidance."

Xu Zhiyi didn't respond, but turned around and sat down.

The class bell rang at the right time.

In the next few days, Xu Zhiyi performed his duties conscientiously.

After class every day, she would ask Peng Shiming what notes he needed, and after school, she would stay for an extra half hour to help him sort out the key points of the day.

Peng Shiming felt bad and said several times, "There's really no need to go through so much trouble..."

Xu Zhiyi continued to highlight the key points without even looking up. "The teacher said he would help you more with copying notes. I'll make a copy for you once I'm done."

During a break, Xu Zhiyi was explaining a math problem to Peng Shiming when Song Chengrui's voice suddenly interrupted from behind: "Wouldn't it be easier to just set the coordinates of the circle's center?"

He leaned over and pointed at the exercise book. "Look, start writing from here..."

Xu Zhiyi paused for a moment. What he said was indeed right, and the method was more concise.

She nodded. "This method is better. Let's use this."

Peng Shiming looked at Song Chengrui, then at Xu Zhiyi, "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Song Chengrui leaned back on the stool with a casual tone.

In the next few days, Song Chengrui interrupted more and more frequently.

Sometimes when Peng Shiming encountered a difficult problem, he would directly hand him a piece of paper with his solution ideas written on it from behind. Even when Xu Zhiyi forgot to take notes from the previous class, Song Chengrui would silently hand him his.

Xu Zhiyi was a little surprised when he took the notes, "You've been studying so hard lately?"

"When have I ever been careless?" Song Chengrui said with a proud tone, not feeling guilty at all.

She opened it and saw that it was actually quite complete, much better than the clean textbook she had before.

Peng Shiming's leg injury recovered faster than expected.

Three weeks later, he was able to walk short distances without a cane.

But Xu Zhiyi still continued with the tutoring.

During lunch break that day, Xu Zhiyi got up as usual and prepared to go to the cafeteria alone. Recently, she always went to the cafeteria late and didn't let Zhang Ningxia wait for her.

Peng Shiming stood up and said, "I'll go with you today. My legs are much better now, and it's time to move around."

Before he finished speaking, Song Chengrui had already walked over from behind and greeted them very naturally, "Come on, I want to go too, let's go together."

Xu Zhiyi was stunned for a moment, "Hey? Why haven't you eaten yet?"

"Oh, I forgot about playing basketball." Song Chengrui glanced back at Peng Shiming. "Anyway, the squad leader won't mind if there's one more person, right?"

Peng Shiming stood there, opened his mouth, and finally nodded, "Yeah."

It ended up being a three-person trip.

On the way to the cafeteria, Peng Shiming walked slowly, and Song Chengrui and Xu Zhiyi walked ahead unknowingly.

Song Chengrui slowed down his pace and chatted with Xu Zhiyi about the last big question on the math test that had just been handed out.

At first, Xu Zhiyi was paying attention to Peng Shiming behind her, but the solution Song Chengrui proposed was indeed clever. She listened attentively and forgot to look back for a moment.

After they got their meal and sat down, Xu Zhiyi realized that Peng Shiming hadn't said a word.

"Squad leader, does your leg still hurt?" she asked.

"No, much better." Peng Shiming smiled and lowered his head to eat.

On the way back to the classroom after dinner, Song Chengrui turned his head to look at her and whispered, "Are you still giving him extra lessons after school this afternoon?"

"Well, there are still two chapters of chemistry that I haven't sorted out yet."

"Add me," Song Chengrui said enthusiastically, "I keep getting the numbers wrong on the last big question in chemistry, so I'd like to listen."

Xu Zhiyi was puzzled. "Aren't you good at chemistry?"

"It's not okay to make a mistake." Song Chengrui put his hands in his pockets and walked slowly.

After school in the afternoon, just as Xu Zhiyi took out her chemistry notes, Song Chengrui, carrying her schoolbag, sat down in the empty seat in front of Peng Shiming and turned to face them. "Let's get started."

When Xu Zhiyi was lecturing, Song Chengrui listened very carefully and even asked questions.

But the questions he asked were often tricky and hit the nail on the head, so even Xu Zhiyi had to think for a moment before answering.

Peng Shiming was stuck in the middle and couldn't say anything.

Halfway through her speech, Xu Zhiyi suddenly heard someone calling her.

"Zhi Yi! Hurry up, help is needed!"

Zhang Ningxia hurried back to the classroom, her homework book in hand. "I just finished my homework, and my teacher asked me to stay after class to edit the school bulletin board. But my parents are coming home for dinner today, and I'm almost late for the bus! Please help! Please!"

Xu Zhiyi looked at Peng Shiming and Song Chengrui hesitantly.

"Is there something wrong?" Song Chengrui asked.

Xu Zhiyi walked towards Song Chengrui: "Ningxia asked me to help her edit the bulletin board. It's a bit urgent."

"You go ahead," Song Chengrui took the pen from her hand very naturally, "I'll continue here."

Xu Zhiyi hesitated, "You..."

"I'm pretty good at chemistry," Song Chengrui tapped his notes with the tip of his pen, "I can explain this content well. Right, squad leader?" He looked at Peng Shiming.

Peng Shiming nodded, "It's okay, go and do your thing, it's okay for me."

By the time Xu Zhiyi rushed to the downstairs of the teaching building to help Zhang Ningxia finish the blackboard newspaper and rushed back to the classroom, nearly an hour had passed.

She thought the classroom was empty, but she found the lights were still on.

Song Chengrui and Peng Shiming were still sitting in their seats.

Song Chengrui was sleeping on the desk while Peng Shiming was doing homework.

The atmosphere seemed to be somewhat subtly silent.

"Is it not over yet?" Xu Zhiyi walked in quietly.

Peng Shiming looked up and said, "I just finished the last question."

Song Chengrui heard the voices and opened his eyes. Then he straightened up and stood up. "Just right, now that we're done. Let's go home?"

Xu Zhiyi looked at Peng Shiming, "Can your legs move back on their own? Do you want to..."

"I'll take him there." Song Chengrui interrupted her, having already picked up Peng Shiming's schoolbag and handed him his crutches. "On the way."

Peng Shiming took the crutches and stood up. "Thank you."

The three of them walked out of the teaching building together. Peng Shiming walked in the middle with a cane, occasionally saying a few words to Xu Zhiyi about the review progress, but he had little communication with Song Chengrui.

When we arrived at the school gate, Peng Shiming's family's car was already waiting.

Before he got in the car, he thanked you again: "I've really troubled you these past few days."

The door closed and the car drove away.

Xu Zhiyi turned around and found Song Chengrui still standing next to her.

"Can't you see?" Song Chengrui suddenly spoke.

"What?"

"He doesn't need extra lessons," Song Chengrui said, looking at the direction the car left. "At least not that many."

Xu Zhiyi frowned, "But he missed a lot of classes..."

"Peng Shiming is the kind of person who can catch up on his studies even if he breaks a leg," Song Chengrui turned his gaze back at her. "Haven't you noticed that his scores in the last few tests have already returned to the top five in the class?"

Xu Zhiyi was stunned. She did notice it, but she thought it was the result of her help.

"Then why did he..." She stopped talking before she could finish her sentence.

Song Chengrui didn't answer, but just smiled and said, "Let's go, I'll take you home."

On the way, Song Chengrui didn't mention the matter again. But Xu Zhiyi couldn't help but recall the details of the past few days, wondering if she was too redundant.

The next morning, when Xu Zhiyi came to the classroom, Peng Shiming was already there.

She walked over and put down her schoolbag. "Class monitor, I think you've recovered well. You should be able to organize your notes by yourself."

Peng Shiming looked up, a little surprised.

"You can also go have lunch with your friends," Xu Zhiyi continued, "You'll probably get bored eating with me all the time."

Peng Shiming was silent for a few seconds, a little confused. "I'm not bored, I just trouble you too much."

"But if you really have any problems after school, you can always ask me," Xu Zhiyi added, "or ask Song Chengrui," she paused, "he seems quite happy to help."

Peng Shiming's smile faded a little, but he still nodded, "Okay."

Xu Zhiyi returned to his seat and just took out his textbook when he heard a low laugh behind him.

Song Chengrui came at some point and was leaning back in his chair looking at her.

"What are you laughing at?" Xu Zhiyi didn't turn around.

"Nothing," Song Chengrui poked her back lightly with a pen, "I just think that the student council is really smart."

Xu Zhiyi turned around and asked, "You knew this a long time ago?"

Song Chengrui shrugged, "When boys look at boys, it's always clearer."

"Why didn't you say so earlier?"

"Would you believe me if I told you?"

Song Chengrui raised his eyebrows, "You have to see it yourself."

Xu Zhiyi glared at him, turned around, and heard a laughing voice behind him:

"But it's good like this now."

"Where is good?"

"Pure."

Xu Zhiyi didn't respond, but the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.