Back at school, physical education class was nearing its end. Jiang Nian didn’t insist on having lunch with Song Xiyun, lest Xu Qianqian be left out, so he let her go back to the classroom. Having nothing better to do as a slacker, he simply headed to the cafeteria for lunch. While queuing up, his phone buzzed once. A message popped up, showing the sender as the low-grade... high-grade chaser Lin Yuxi. "Senior, are you eating in the cafeteria?" Jiang Nian instinctively glanced back; the cafeteria line was packed tight. A quick scan revealed no sight of her. He knew very well Lin Yuxi was persistently chasing him just for looks, caring solely about his face, not his inner self. What if he was some kind of coasting Silver Demon? Would she be more thrilled? That’s how young girls are these days, making choices so hastily, no wonder they get fooled by male celebrities. He thought for a moment and typed back. "I’m eating at home." "Liar!" Lin Yuxi’s message was fiercely assertive, as if she was about to jump out of the phone. Jiang Nian felt Lin Yuxi was the kind of girl who could be tricked into buying a box of something-or-other at a convenience store during a game of truth or dare. He thought a bit and decided not to reply. Suddenly, in the next second. "What a coincidence, Lu Yifeng, you’re here too?" A girl’s voice rang in his ear, but it was spoken to someone else. Lin Yuxi acted cute in front of a somewhat shy-looking boy behind Jiang Nian, then revealed her motive, whispering a plea. "We’re all classmates, please let me cut in line." Tsk, no backbone at all. Jiang Nian couldn’t help but tut lightly in his heart, thinking Lin Yuxi was some high-level manipulator, but it turns out she’s just a face-saver. "Please, give me some face?" The boy with the surname Lu blushed a bit under the public gaze, perhaps unable to resist Lin Yuxi’s cuteness. Jiang Nian thought it more likely was....making a decision to let someone cut in line under everyone’s watch made his conscience uneasy. However, he still did it. Little witch Lin Yuxi smoothly inserted herself into the line behind Jiang Nian, then patted his shoulder playfully. "Hello, it’s the first time meeting the line-cutting girl." Jiang Nian quickly distanced himself, "Next time, I’ll just report your student ID." Lin Yuxi instantly made a pout face, stomping her foot. "You’re doing it again!" Jiang Nian got goosebumps, lowered his voice. "Don’t push your luck." "Oh." Lin Yuxi returned to normal, then remembered something, turned to the boy, "Thank you, ha." Lu Yifeng was dumbfounded, receiving a "thank you" card. Logically, shouldn’t she have spoken to him first? Why is the thank you card given during a chat with someone else instead? But since he gave up the spot passively, he doesn’t feel foolish, just a bit aggrieved. He nodded lightly and asked. "Do you know each other?" "Senior from my hometown, it’s a habit to call him that." Lin Yuxi suddenly used her chest to hold onto Jiang Nian’s arm, pressing it in directly. Jiang Nian inexplicably got taken advantage of by this clingy girl, his expression quite annoyed. He promptly pulled away, distancing himself immediately. "Hehe, Senior really loves to joke." Lin Yuxi’s skin was quite thick, "Senior, how many points did you get in the joint exam?" "So high, isn’t that enough for a 985 University?" Lin Yuxi’s eyes sparkled with stars. Who could refuse a little fangirl? "It’s okay, really, I can hit the bar anytime with money." Jiang Nian waved his hand, "Have a little rave, dance some, no GPA restrictions, right?" The line shrank more and more, soon it was their turn. Corner of the cafeteria. "Senior, do you want to come in?" "Forget it, so many people watching." "It’s not that shameful, it’s unavoidable. Besides, no one’s watching you now, just come in." "It’s not about saving face, it’s just that..." "It’s okay, I can endure." "Alright, bear with it a bit, it’s a little....." Jiang Nian went in, sitting with Lin Yuxi in a rather cramped spot against the wall, with Lin Yuxi squeezed to one side. With so many people, they had to squeeze in a bit to sit down and eat. Have to say, once inside, it’s quite comfortable. At least sitting down to eat is much more satisfying than standing up. Standing to eat always feels like being a laborer. This reminded him of some unpleasant memories, one year he had to borrow a school place to avoid attention in some rural junior high. The trench-style cafeteria didn’t exist, nor did tables and chairs. After steaming the communal food basin, it was directly dragged to the open space next to the dormitory to eat, six or seven people squatting to eat in a circle. The reason for not building a cafeteria wasn’t mentioned. There were quite a few oddities in rural junior high, after all, it was a school built on a graveyard, even the ping pong table’s net was sourced locally. Neighbor, may I borrow your tomb bricks? No need to get up, no need, you rest, I’ll just take them myself. "Is it that outrageous?" Lin Yuxi’s eyes widened, her understanding refreshed as she listened to Jiang Nian recount his rural junior high experience. "Just eat your food, so many questions." Jiang Nian didn’t continue and expertly stopped the conversation. "Then....." Lin Yuxi twisted and turned, asked in a low voice, "Senior, did you have any relationships back then?" Jiang Nian: "??? Do you only have these things on your mind?" He and Lin Yuxi chatted about some inconsequential topics, and they pretty much finished their meal. Lin Yuxi watched under the sun as his figure left. She couldn’t help but bite her pure lip, feeling a bit unwilling inside. She had scored high, yet still couldn’t get closer to the senior, it seems someone’s words were true. Scores are too high, not conducive to effort. Since this way isn’t working, she had to think of other ways. On the way back to the classroom, Jiang Nian had one hand in his pocket. It’s not that he dislikes hanging out with Lin Yuxi, it’s just that there’s a generation gap between freshmen and seniors, their daily lives are worlds apart. One just entered Zhenan Middle School, drawing on the mental weekly report: [How to adapt to high school life and relationships]. The other was about to graduate, less than half a year left. Every day revolved around exams, lessons, reviews, exams. Drawing on the mental weekly report: [Properly handling exam anxiety, taking exams with a positive mindset, preparing for college entrance smoothly]. For Lin Yuxi, what she needed was experiences. Not to pursue a result, so she felt invincible. Jiang Nian had limited time and energy, not willing to spend time on something with no outcome, so he would occasionally chat with her. Just to pass the time, without investing any effort. "Nian, you’re really a rotten cabbage, huh." Li Hua uncharacteristically turned up at the classroom midday, accompanied by a Ma Guojun. "Why didn’t you guys go home?" Jiang Nian was stunned. Sunlight spilled through most of the classroom, the surplus amount reminiscent of anime. The chubby-thin duo stood there, winking. "We played soccer too late, didn’t feel like going home." Ma Guojun, all smiles with his chubby face, said, "Then we went to the small shop for some instant noodles." "On the way, we saw you having lunch with a lower-year girl, whoa, you really play all the moves!" Jiang Nian was embarrassed for a second but didn’t explain. "Sigh, you’ve caught me. Indeed, a newly met junior, won’t stop pestering me." Upon hearing this, Li Hua, who was gulping water, couldn’t hold it in. He sprayed water everywhere like a leaky watering can, soaking the aisle. "Hahaha, byd you Lu Duo. Dreaming up all sorts of things, even claiming juniors cling to you." Ma Guojun also laughed, "What a rotten guy move, no wonder you kept it under wraps for so long without exposure." Jiang Nian ignored them, only remembering the "playing soccer" they mentioned; he recalled Li Hua always played basketball. "Did you play soccer during P.E?" "Yes, too bad you weren’t there." Li Hua pulled out a few papers from Jiang Nian’s drawer, "Didn’t you know the school is hosting a soccer tournament?" "I knew, but Lao Liu didn’t officially say anything." Jiang Nian sat back down, "Wasn’t there a pitch-pot tournament last time?" "Such a fuss, prizes were even confirmed. But there’s no word on when the finals will be held or where to compete." "How can that be the same?" Ma Guojun also grabbed a paper, paused for a moment, and said, "I heard the pitch-pot contest was managed by the academic director." "An old teacher introduced some 233 education plan a few years ago. They’ve been applying for an experimental class, approved only this year." "This pitch-pot tournament was tailored for these two experimental classes, do you know how many people from one class have to go?" "How many?" Jiang Nian asked. Ma Guojun used his chubby fingers to indicate a number. "Of course they want to take first place, both in terms of winners and scores." Li Hua came over, grinning. "Probably they’re still not perfected, buying time for practice, unless they want you to show off?" Hearing this, Jiang Nian felt uninterested. "Again with these trivial matters, students not focusing on studying, competing in pitch-pot all day, what about the college exams?" "They fail." Li Hua replied. Ma Guojun pushed up his glasses, "Repeat a year." "Goodness." Jiang Nian smirked, dismissing the pitch-pot contest from his mind, "So what’s the deal with the soccer tournament?" "School organized; you get an award for top four out of thirty-two." Li Hua made an enigmatic smile, "There’re individual and team awards." "That’s it?" Jiang Nian was taken aback. "You’ll know then; I heard they’re giving medals." Li Hua lifted his shirt, exposing his ribs, "Pretty cool." Ma Guojun turned back, adding another line. "Byd, you must come when we sign up!" Hearing this, Jiang Nian realized the chubby baby was also participating, curiously asked. "What’s your position?" "Goalkeeper." Ma Guojun chuckled, "Lucky there aren’t many in our class who can play soccer, and even fewer who can keep goal." "What about Li Hua? What’s his position?" Jiang Nian asked. "Super!" Li Hua struck an Ultraman pose, lifted his hand, and shouted, "Big! Forward!" "Any good?" Jiang Nian turned to ask Ma Guojun.