Chapter 111: Arrogant White Moonlight 4: Deskmate
Outside the playground was a path of sycamore trees. Fine sunlight shone through the dense branches and leaves onto the path. Ali wiped the tears from his face and walked towards the classroom where the instructors were holding a meeting.
Jiang Ye followed her quietly, keeping a distance from her that was neither too far nor too close.
He had never expected things to develop like this.
He has always done things spontaneously, and his favorite thing is to challenge the so-called "authority". Disobeying the rules is commonplace for him.
All the school rules and disciplines are bullshit. Others can follow them if they want. He is not that stupid, nor would he be so overly affectionate as to meddle in other people's affairs.
But today in the rest area, when he glanced at the persistent figure in the team, he happened to see Yang Xiaolian who was not in a good state.
It seems there is an opportunity.
At that moment, he threw down the soda in his hand and stood up.
It was because of the damn weather and the rigid rules, but also because of the glaring paleness and swaying figure.
Unexpectedly, not only did she not appreciate it, she also started crying for no reason.
Jiang Ye tugged at his open collar in frustration, threw his camouflage jacket back over his shoulders, and let the sleeves hang loosely, swaying slightly with his steps.
On the long tree-lined avenue, two people walked one in front and one behind.
Jiang Ye lowered his eyes lazily, glancing at Ali in front of him from time to time, and took long steps, each step following where she had walked.
Ten minutes later, the tree-lined path came to an end. Ali entered a teaching building and waited outside the office on the second floor for the instructors to finish their meeting.
Jiang Ye did not follow, but leaned on the stairs on the first floor, listening casually to the movement upstairs.
Not long after, he heard the sound of the office door opening, and the instructors walked out, causing a moment of commotion.
Ali's soft voice was mixed in with the others, making it hard to hear clearly: "Instructor Lin, are you free now? I want to report something to you."
In the short time that Jiang Ye was going upstairs against the flow of people, Ali had already told Instructor Lin what had just happened.
She said, "The weather is hot and some students are feeling unwell. As the class monitor, I should have dealt with them promptly instead of letting them disperse on their own. I failed to fulfill my responsibilities. Instructor Lin, if you want to punish me, please punish me alone."
"Also... you know the weather recently. Training started at 1 p.m. when the sun was at its hottest. Many students couldn't hold on. I should have reported this to you sooner. It's my fault."
When Jiang Ye went up to the second floor, he looked up and saw Ali standing at the end of the corridor in front of the instructor with his head lowered, one hand tightly clutching the corner of his clothes.
He walked over heavily, deliberately making some noise in the empty corridor, and the two of them looked at him.
Jiang Ye only met Instructor Lin's gaze. He said, "It was me who ordered the students to disperse. It had nothing to do with her."
Ali's eyes widened slightly, and he quickly looked at the instructor: "No, instructor, it's my fault for not calming everyone down. Everyone was just too tired, so they left the training ground."
Jiang Ye stopped a few steps away from them, his whole body in the light, and continued to speak to the instructor: "If you don't believe me, go ask your classmates."
Instructor Lin was initially confused and angry about Class 1's violation of discipline, and he never expected that the squad leader, Ruan Liqiu, would also violate the rules.
But now seeing Jiang Ye appear here, he understood everything.
This guy must have done it.
Instructor Lin's face darkened for a moment beneath the brim of his hat. He said in a deep voice, "Students showing signs of heatstroke can of course go to the rest area to rest. But Jiang Ye encouraging everyone to leave the team without permission is completely disorganized and undisciplined!"
Ali's heart suddenly lifted, and he looked worriedly at the figure not far away.
Instructor Lin cleared his throat and his expression became relaxed.
The school leaders had specifically told him to turn a blind eye to this student named Jiang Ye, but his biggest fault before was just feigning illness and being lazy. Now he dared to take the lead in violating discipline, so he had to be punished.
He said, "Jiang Ye, yesterday the school distributed a batch of summer supplies to each class. You will be the one to carry all of these supplies to the designated location today as punishment for violating discipline."
"Did you hear that clearly?"
Before Jiang Ye could say anything, Ali stepped forward eagerly: "Instructor Lin, as the squad leader, I have also failed in my duties. Letting Jiang Ye move so many things by himself is really..." It's a bit unfair.
She pursed her lips and didn't say the rest.
The supplies arrived yesterday. She had already taken the list to the warehouse to count them once, so she naturally knew how much and how heavy the supplies were.
Jiang Ye interrupted her again, his voice still lazy, as if he didn't realize how severe the punishment was: "Okay, instructor, I accept the punishment."
Ah Li was still trying to argue, but Instructor Lin spoke again, this time to her: "Ruan Liqiu, do you know where the entire class is right now?"
She was shocked by the instructor's sudden question, her eyelashes trembling and she couldn't speak.
He glanced at the watch on his wrist and continued, "Go back to the playground immediately and gather all the students. I'll come check in twenty minutes."
"Got it, instructor!" Jiang Ye suddenly agreed loudly, walked forward, took Ali's wrist, and took her downstairs.
Ali wanted to take the responsibility alone, but he didn't expect that the instructor only punished Jiang Ye.
But Jiang Ye was also concerned about the physical condition of his classmates. The instructor's behavior... was too inhumane.
As a good girl in the eyes of her parents, Ali always does whatever the adults and teachers tell her to do and never questions their decisions.
Today was the first time she felt a little differently about such an arbitrary decision.
Ali refused to leave and looked back: "I'm going to talk to the instructor again. I'm obviously also at fault in this matter. He can't just punish you."
Jiang Ye laughed, his tone relaxed: "This is the first time I've found you to be such a serious person. Okay, stop being so naive after getting the advantage. Go back to the playground and count people."
Ali frowned, his face full of disapproval: "What do you mean by 'don't act cute after getting an advantage'? Can you please stop confusing right with wrong? This is clearly the instructor's fault for handling the situation inappropriately."
Jiang Ye touched his nose, knowing that he could never say anything good, so he did not refute.
Only then did Ali realize that he was still holding his wrist.
She blushed and raised her hand to break free. Jiang Ye also let go as if he had been electrocuted and stood a little further away from her: "Alright, go back quickly, or the instructor will scold you again."
Ali was still hesitant, looking at the teaching building behind him, and then at Jiang Ye.
Jiang Ye, however, had already jumped down the stairs in two steps and walked leisurely towards the warehouse where supplies were stored. When he heard Ali calling him from behind, he just raised one hand and waved without even turning his head.
Ali's hands hanging at his side slowly curled up, then let go, no longer struggling, and quickly returned to the training ground.
Fortunately, although the students in Class 1 were indeed tired, they did not run around everywhere.
Ali found them and apologized sincerely, saying that he had not handled the matter well and should not have forced everyone to continue standing at attention. Finally, before the instructor arrived, he gathered everyone at the designated location.
When the instructor arrived, he first reprimanded them seriously, and then announced that due to the high temperature, they should rest for an afternoon and continue training tomorrow.
This was also the notice issued at the emergency meeting just now.
After the class was dismissed, Jian He, the short-haired girl who almost became Ali's deskmate, came over and asked her if she wanted to go back to class now.
Ali shook his head and said he had something else to do, so Jian He left on his own.
After everyone left, Ali picked up his schoolbag and trotted to the warehouse.
Seeing Jiang Ye moving things inside, she put a bottle of iced soda she bought on the road on a box beside her and stood by the door, not knowing whether she should go in.
When Jiang Ye turned around, he found her silent.
He walked over, saw the bottle of steaming soda, and picked it up: "Did you buy it for me?"
Without waiting for her to answer, Jiang Ye unscrewed the can and started drinking in big gulps.
Ali clutched the schoolbag in his arms uncomfortably, and waited until he finished drinking before nodding slightly.
"Why did you buy only one bottle?" Jiang Ye asked.
Ali paused for a moment and said truthfully, "Carbonated drinks are bad for your health."
He glanced at her and commented, "Are you so careful with your life?"
Jiang Ye drank the cold and refreshing soda happily and sighed comfortably. He supported himself on the door frame with one hand and, taking advantage of his height advantage, lowered his eyes to look at Ali: "What are you doing here?"
Ali glanced up at him quickly, then looked away: "Nothing, the instructor said there's no need for training this afternoon."
"Then why don't you go back to class? There are so many classmates waiting for you to take care of them." Jiang Ye raised his eyebrows.
Ali pursed his lips and muttered, "Aren't you also in our class?"
As she said that, she put on her schoolbag and reached out to move the box next to her: "Let me help you."
Jiang Ye kicked the box back and said, "With your skinny arms and legs, stop making things worse."
Ali was not good at arguing, so he could only quietly retort, "I just look thin, and I exercise regularly."
Jiang Ye glanced at her and continued with his own business: "Really? It's strange that there are no signs of training at all."
...Is it that bad?
Ali rubbed the corner of his clothes embarrassedly.
After that, every time she wanted to help, Jiang Ye would push her away intentionally or unintentionally, and she could only follow him around helplessly.
Jiang Ye thought her look was funny and asked, "Where do you get so much inexplicable sense of responsibility?"
Ali stopped, feeling a little lost.
"It's really strange. How did your parents usually teach you?"
When talking about his parents, Ali's expression froze for a moment, and he lowered his eyes quietly.
Jiang Ye didn't notice her strange behavior. He turned his back to her and sorted out the box in his hand: "That..."
He said two words and then stopped, as if it was difficult for him to speak: "Um...I apologize to you for what happened on the playground just now."
Jiang Ye's voice suddenly lowered when he uttered the last few words, and if you didn't listen carefully you wouldn't be able to hear them at all.
Ali didn't hear clearly, so she asked, "What happened just now?"
Jiang Ye's back paused for a moment, as if he was relieved, but also nervous and disappointed, and he mumbled, "Nothing, forget it if you didn't hear it."
Ali stood by the door, deep in thought.
After a moment, she spoke, "Today on the playground, I was indeed a little too stubborn. I only knew how to follow the rules set by the instructor and didn't consider everyone else... and your feelings."
As she said this, she lowered her head, her toes unconsciously crushing the dust on the ground, and her face felt a little hot.
I wasn't so nervous and anxious when I apologized to so many classmates just now.
She has done everything well since she was a child and has always been an excellent student in the eyes of her parents and teachers. Naturally, she is a little arrogant without realizing it and almost never bows her head to apologize.
But if she makes a mistake, she must admit it and correct it. She will never avoid her mistakes.
Jiang Ye had his back to her and couldn't see her expression, and Ali had his head down and couldn't see his expression either.
After saying that, a more subtle silence fell between the two.
It was the school bell that broke the awkward atmosphere between the two. Ali pulled at his schoolbag strap and whispered, "School's over. I, I'm leaving first. My family has prepared dinner for me. I..."
The short sentence was incoherent and her face was getting redder and redder.
Fortunately, Jiang Ye simply said "Oh" and didn't have any special reaction.
Seeing that he didn't say anything else, Ali said, "See you at evening study," and then quickly left with his schoolbag on his back.
Jiang Ye was the only one left in the huge warehouse. He took a few steps back, sat casually on a box, and made a phone call.
A moment later, a car stopped in front of the warehouse and several people who looked like workers got out.
Jiang Ye watched them finish moving everything. Bo Gao appeared out of nowhere and hit him from behind. "I can't find you anywhere. I heard that your class instructor punished you and made you a laborer here?"
Bo Gao thought this was a very strange thing. It was already strange that Young Master Jiang was punished, but what was even stranger was that he actually accepted the punishment obediently.
Jiang Ye stumbled a few steps after being pushed, looked at his dirty hands with disgust, shook off Bo Gao's arm, and said with a sour face: "Is it not possible for me to do it even if I want to?"
"You're still willing to be punished? I wonder if there's something wrong with your brain?" Bo Gao finished his silent rant and reminded Jiang Ye, "Han Zixuan is still waiting for us at the school gate."
Jiang Ye stopped and looked back at him: "Then let's go, why are you standing there?"
Having said that, he walked towards the school gate.
In the subsequent military training, because Class 1 took the lead in "rebellion", other classes followed suit. The school immediately adjusted the afternoon training time and equipped it with better anti-heat measures. Students who felt unwell could rest in time. Everything was prioritized for the health of the students.
Soon, the week-long military training ended successfully.
*
In the blink of an eye, a month passed and the first monthly exam of the first semester of high school was over. The results were quickly counted.
As the temporary class monitor, Ali was the first to get the freshly printed report card from the teacher's office.
It was during the break, and she sat back in her seat, looking over nervously.
Her name was in the first row, she ranked first in the class and the grade, and her grades in all subjects were close to full marks, with no subject being poorly performed.
Ali let out a long breath, patted his chest and gave a faint smile.
not bad.
She hadn't felt well during the exam, as if something was wrong. She had been anxious for a long time, but now that the results were out, she could finally put her mind at ease.
She leaned back in her chair with some ease, and suddenly saw Jiang Ye walking in from outside the classroom, and subconsciously looked for his name on the report card.
Su Bai's fingers traced the form again and again, but she couldn't find the two words "Jiang Ye".
Ali felt a little strange and looked again with a frown, but she still couldn't find it until Jiang Ye sat down.
Jiang Ye looked at the paper in her hand curiously: "What are you looking at?"
"Transcript," Ali continued searching without looking up, "but your name isn't on it. Could it be that the teachers made a mistake in the statistics?"
Jiang Ye stretched out his hand and pulled out a report card: "Let me see..."
"Isn't it right here? Squad leader, you don't even have me in your eyes."
"Ah?" Ali was extremely surprised and ignored Jiang Ye's teasing. Seeing his finger pointing at the report card, he hurried over to take a look.
"Look, here," Jiang Ye pointed at his own name, his tone exaggerated, "The second place is right below you, and you can't even see it."
He sighed deliberately: "You really don't like me. You ignore me and treat me coldly every day."
Ali's face suddenly turned red, and he silently turned over the report card in his hand.
Jiang Ye noticed her furtive movements and suddenly realized: "Oh! You went straight to the second page of the transcript, so you couldn't find me! Am I so bad in your eyes?"
Ali's face flushed red as he stammered, "No... I..."
She did have a preconceived notion that Jiang Ye could only get a score ranked on the second page, so she went straight to the second page.
He was not wrong.
At this moment, Ah Li was so ashamed that she wanted to find a hole to hide in. However, Jiang Ye was still pressing her further, and put one hand on the back of her chair: "Or do you think that I was forced into this position only because of my family connections?"
Caught in the act, Ali was so nervous he couldn't speak, his ears red as if they were dripping blood: "I... I'm sorry..."
When she and Sun Huiyue were chatting privately, she did guess that he was a relative of someone else, and Sun Huiyue even gave him a nickname, "Airborne Soldier".
Now that all of this has been pointed out by Jiang Ye himself, Ali feels ashamed and embarrassed, and just wants him to stop talking.
Jiang Ye looked very hurt, and his voice dropped: "Just an apology?"
Ali reluctantly met his pitiful gaze and asked cautiously, "What else do you want?"
Seeing that she had taken the bait, Jiang Ye was about to speak when the head teacher walked in. He could only lower his voice and speak word by word: "Class monitor, you have to get to know me better in the future."
Zhang Chunping glanced around the class and said, "The monthly exam results are out. The monitor will hand out the report cards later. Everyone, take a good look at them, but don't be too nervous. This is only the first exam."
"We'll have a class meeting later and rearrange the seats. Everyone, pack up your books and things and go out. Then, come in and choose your seats according to your ranking on the transcript."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone in the class started discussing in low voices.
The blush on Ali's face had just subsided a little, and Jiang Ye looked at him again, "Class monitor, do you want to find a new deskmate?"
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