Chapter 131: The Unspoken Secret

The homeroom teacher, Mr. Yan, first glanced over his students before clearing his throat.

“Class, I have some good news to announce. In last semester’s final exam, two of our classmates took first and second place school-wide.”

At this, Mr. Yan couldn’t hide the pride on his face. Because of this achievement, not only had the principal personally praised him, but his year-end bonus was also the highest among all teachers.

“Wow,” a buzz of excitement filled the classroom. Everyone’s eyes turned to Wang Yuqing and Lin Xudong. They figured these two must be the ones who achieved such excellent results.

But when Lin Xudong caught everyone’s gaze, a bitter smile appeared on his face. He ranked fourth, far from the students Mr. Yan had mentioned.

“Doc, you did great this time. You owe us a treat,” Lin Xudong’s deskmate said admiringly.

However, before he could finish, Mr. Yan’s next words left him dumbfounded.

“The remarkable second-place achievement was made by Xiao Lin. His progress astonished me as a teacher. This proves that with effort comes reward—Xiao Lin is living proof.”

Though Mr. Yan had lost a bet, having both first and second place in his class was rare in the school’s history. So the outcome of the bet was no longer important.

“Oh my, is Xiao Lin defying the heavens?”

“From being at the bottom of the school to now top three—that’s unbelievable! Is he even human?”

“So cool, really cool. If only he didn’t have a girlfriend.”

“His name will definitely be on the next honor roll.”

The students’ astonished expressions didn’t surprise Mr. Yan in the least.

“Alright, quiet down now. If you work hard, the next miracle could be yours.”

At this, most students scoffed. Yeah right, as if we’re all freaks like Xiao Lin.

Mr. Yan then launched into a long-winded lecture on studying hard, words they had heard countless times. Seeing their lethargic faces, he sighed and reluctantly ended his talk. Class was about to begin.

In Classroom 2, Gao Zheng was holding a mirror, inspecting his hairstyle and occasionally adjusting it with his hands. Zhao Mingliang, noticing Gao’s cheerful mood, asked curiously, “Young master, what’s got you so happy?”

Gao glanced at Zhao, then leaned in with a mysterious smile. “Do you know the Four Joys of Life?”

Zhao was momentarily stunned. “Should it be: rain after a long drought, meeting an old friend in a strange land, the wedding night, and passing the imperial exams?”

“Correct, all four,” Gao laughed, patting Zhao on the shoulder.

“So, young master, are you happy because you experienced one of these? The first two seem impossible, the third maybe, so it must be the fourth—you must have done very well in your exams.”

“Wrong, all wrong. I haven’t had any of those four joys,” Gao said proudly.

“Ah, then what’s got you so happy?” Zhao was puzzled.

“I told you, you wouldn’t understand. Help me check how I look in this outfit,” Gao said, standing up and striking a pose.

He had thick, well-shaped eyebrows, a high nose bridge, thin yet seductive lips curved into a smile that could captivate thousands of girls, and was wearing delicate gold-rimmed glasses. His sleek black trench coat accentuated his noble aura.

“Looks great, still as handsome as ever,” Zhao admired sincerely.

“Good. I’m going to Class 1 soon to have a chat with Yuqing,” Gao said, settling back into his seat satisfied.

Zhao was surprised. Since Wang Yuqing and Xiao Lin got together, Gao hadn’t visited Class 1. Zhao knew Gao avoided seeing their sweet moments to protect himself. But now Gao said he was going there—had he finally come to terms with it? Zhao wondered silently.

In Class 1, Xiao Lin sat frozen in his seat. Tan Linlin, Wang Tao, and a few others were scrutinizing him, their eyes as if looking at a monster.

“This is human skin, right?” Tan Linlin pinched Xiao Lin’s cheek, puzzled.

“Are you kidding? If it’s not human skin, is it alien skin?” Xiao Lin retorted.

“Ha! I get it!” Yuan Weiye suddenly broke in with a strange tone, startling everyone.

“What do you get?” the others asked, confused.

“Xiao Lin must be like the professor from ‘My Love from the Star’—an alien. How else do you explain his rapid improvement? He must be using some alien technology,” Yuan declared confidently.

“I’ll spray salt soda over you. Yuan Weiye, even if you like that professor and I believe you two are… close, saying Xiao Lin is from outer space? I deeply despise your intelligence,” Wang Tao said, pointing at Yuan’s nose.

Everyone else gave Yuan a look that clearly said, “You need medication.”

“Uh, did I get it wrong? Xiao Lin isn’t from the same planet as that professor? Oh, I know! Xiao Lin is a spy sent from the Dark Planet. Tell us, what’s your mission on Earth?” Yuan said, adopting a trial-like tone.

The group burst out laughing. This guy was beyond help.

Gao Zheng stopped outside Class 1’s door but didn’t enter immediately. He secretly took out his small mirror again, checked his face, adjusted his clothes, then strode in confidently.

Just as he was about to greet everyone with a smile, he saw a group gathered around Xiao Lin and Wang Yuqing, who looked very affectionate together. It was nothing like the breakup story he had been told, and their seats hadn’t changed either.

His smile froze instantly.

“Wow, Gao—Gao Zheng, are you here... who are you looking for?” A girl blushed deeply as she approached, stammering nervously. It seemed if Gao said he was here for her, she might faint on the spot.

“I’m here to... I’m here to...” Gao couldn’t say he was here for Wang Yuqing, as it wasn’t the scene he expected.

Their conversation caught the attention of Xiao Lin and Wang Yuqing.

“Hey, Gao Zheng, who are you looking for in our class?” Xiao Lin greeted him. Wang Yuqing smiled and nodded.

“I’m here to... oh yes, I’m here to see your class monitor. The student council has some matters to inform him about. Liu Xiaoming, you come with me,” Gao blurted out a poor excuse.

“Student council? When did you join the student council?” Liu Xiaoming muttered but followed him out.

After a few words, Gao left abruptly, saying he had other matters. Liu Xiaoming was left confused.

Gao slumped into his classroom like a withered eggplant, resting his head on the desk. The stark contrast from earlier left Zhao Mingliang filled with questions. Ten minutes ago, Gao was all smiles; now he looked half dead. But Zhao dared not ask.

For the next few hours, Gao lay on his desk motionless, even through class. The teacher came over worried, asking if he needed to see the nurse. Gao simply said no and continued lying there.

“Ding ding,” the bell rang, marking the end of the first day back after winter break. Students poured out.

“Yuqing, I’ll walk you home,” Xiao Lin said as Wang Yuqing was about to leave.

“Huh?” Wang Yuqing was stunned. When they were together, this was normal. But now...

“Let’s go before others notice,” Xiao Lin said, helping her sling her rabbit backpack over her shoulder.

“Mm,” Wang Yuqing happily linked her arm through his.

“What’s this?” Xiao Lin’s eyes sparkled with surprise.

“Hehe, if you’re going to play a role, you have to play it fully,” Wang Yuqing teased with a smile.

“Oh dear, this isn’t suitable for kids,” Wang Tao said, covering his eyes jokingly.

“Xiao Lin, you don’t have to come back tonight. Don’t worry, we’ll tell the dorm supervisor,” Yuan Weiye said lecherously, eyeing the two with mischief.

“Let’s go, ignore them—bunch of bachelors who know nothing,” Xu Tong waved at Wang Yuqing and Xiao Lin, then gave Wang Tao and Yuan Weiye a big middle finger.

Xiao Lin, Wang Yuqing, Xu Tong, and Tan Linlin then left the classroom together.