The next day, Jiang Fan still took the bus to school at a leisurely pace, sticking to his 8 a.m. routine.

To be honest, he felt dead tired waking up at 7:15 every morning. He couldn’t fathom how he’d survived boarding school days, rising at 5:50 daily.

He arrived in class before the first lesson at eight. Though not particularly sleepy, Jiang Fan habitually slumped over his desk.

Honestly... he felt like a plant. His desk was the soil; he was a little sapling rooted here. Basking in the sun daily like this, he might just learn photosynthesis next.

Since he had few friends, no one usually bothered him in this corner. Even after Lin Mengyao’s visit sparked gossip-hungry chats, his perfunctory replies had driven them all away.

The most important years of life...

Jiang Fan recalled Shu Yue’s words from yesterday. Truth was, across all his rebirths, he’d never truly experienced a full senior year.

If he escaped being killed by Mu Yuli this time, what then? He’d barely considered it—such a future felt too distant.

Striving for a hundred days, acing exams, university, entering society... he’d skipped it all. Kind of pitiful, now that he thought about it.

He glanced around the classroom. Everyone sat at their desks, waiting for the teacher. Many had exercise books out, scratching their heads over unsolved problems or beaming with joy at breakthroughs.

Was this the youth of Chinese high schoolers?

Without Mu Yuli, he’d probably be one of them.

But reality had no "ifs."

Mu Yuli was his girlfriend. To survive, he had to find the right moment to break up with her.

Her possessions met only two fates: kept close or destroyed. She’d never let others touch them—and he, as her boyfriend, was no exception.

So Jiang Fan had to cherish her heart carefully, then slowly bore her with tiny thorns of annoyance. Only by letting her initiate the breakup, with a trace of lingering affection, could he avoid her revenge.

He smiled faintly at his hardworking classmates.

Youth really couldn’t do without effort.

He’d have to keep striving to stay alive too!

The harsh school bell blared over the speakers. Right after it ended, homeroom teacher Shu Yue strode in. Her staff uniform—black stockings and high heels—looked incredibly sexy, yet carried such authority it killed any impure thoughts.

Maybe that was Shu Yue’s charm?

"Take out yesterday’s test papers. We’ll go over them briefly today."

Test papers? Was there an exam yesterday?

Jiang Fan checked his nearly empty desk drawer and found a pristine test sheet and answer card.

Ah, right. Two Chinese classes yesterday morning—he’d slept through them. No wonder someone had nudged him awake.

After sorting that out, he placed the paper on his desk and propped his cheek on one hand, boredly gazing out the window.

"Jiang Fan, answer this question."

Shu Yue called his name—routine for her. To keep everyone focused, she often picked struggling or distracted students. Jiang Fan was a regular target.

"Pick C," whispered the boy in front. But Jiang Fan wouldn’t fall for that trick. He stood up and replied directly, "Teacher, I wasn’t paying attention. Which question was it?"

Shu Yue didn’t get angry. She nodded calmly. "The poetry recitation. In *The Humble Abode*, which line refers to the author’s simple home, expressing his contentment and admiration for past sages?"

*The Humble Abode*... it should be this line...

"Nanyang’s Zhuge’s hut, Xishu’s Ziyun’s pavilion."

After his answer, classmates stared in surprise. They hadn’t expected the king of slacking off—who either daydreamed or slept—to actually know it.

Shu Yue was equally taken aback. But as Jiang Fan sat down, she called another name.

"Zhou Yang, in Liu Yuxi’s *Reply to Bai Juyi at a Feast in Yangzhou*, which line shows new things replacing the old?"

Zhou Yang sat right in front of Jiang Fan. He’d just guiltily turned back around when his name was called.

Anyone sitting in the back rows with Jiang Fan wasn’t exactly a star student. Chinese wasn’t his strong suit, let alone a surprise question.

"Sunken ships..." he strained his brain. "Sunken ships lie by as a thousand sails pass!"

The second half stuck in his throat. Then he heard a helpful whisper from behind.

"Amidst a riot of blooms, spring always wins."

"Yes! Sunken ships lie by as a thousand sails pass; amidst a riot of blooms, spring always wins!"

As he declared it confidently, the classroom erupted in laughter. Zhou Yang didn’t get it at first. Only after others pointed it out did he realize he’d been tricked.

Shu Yue didn’t scold him much. Livening up class was fine. After correcting his answer, she let him sit.

He turned back with a resentful glare. Seriously? Still holding a grudge?

Jiang Fan ignored him completely, still posing as a quiet, handsome guy.

Everyone knew Chinese class was the most sleep-inducing. Not much to learn, really. Even with Shu Yue’s lively teaching, Jiang Fan’s eyelids grew heavy.

Just as he was about to slump down, a sharp gaze shot at him. He snapped upright like a soldier on inspection—never sat this straight even for bosses.

Under Shu Yue’s strict watch and constant call-outs, Jiang Fan fought the urge to nap for the entire lesson. It felt utterly uncomfortable.

Finally, the bell rang for break. The moment Jiang Fan’s face touched his desk, Shu Yue added calmly:

"Class dismissed. Jiang Fan, my office. Now."

Again?

Would that woman be grilling him today too?

"Teacher, I have a stomachache. Gotta use the restroom!"

"I’ll wait till you’re done. I’ll excuse you from Mr. Qin’s next class—you probably won’t listen anyway."

Jiang Fan stared at her, thinking, *You really know me.*

Knowing he couldn’t escape, he stood up with his head drooping and followed her.

"Going to the bathroom without toilet paper?"

"...I’m not in pain anymore..."

Shu Yue just smiled and handed him a pack of tissues.

"Take it. Might start hurting again later."

Staring at the tissues, Jiang Fan sighed deeply.

This sucks...