Chapter 212.1
Editor: Jodi
The first-year high school curriculum was relatively easy, especially for a hardworking student like Lin An Lan.
Cheng Yu on the other hand wasn’t all that enthusiastic about studying, but he was smart, so even though he spent half his time gaming and reading novels every day, his grades still stayed at the top of the class.
By comparison, Xu Sheng had it way tougher. Even just to get into the elite science class in their second year, his dad even went as far as donating an entire building.
“You’re really hopeless.” Xu Sheng’s mom scolded him. “Look at Cheng Yu and Lin An Lan. You all grew up together, so how come you’re falling so far behind?”
Xu Sheng felt helpless. “What do you want me to do? Cheng Yu games, I game. Cheng Yu reads novels, I read too. How was I supposed to know that even doing the same stuff, he could still end up miles ahead of me?”
“That’s why this semester, you better start studying properly. If you don’t understand something, go ask them. And if that doesn’t work, we’ll hire you a tutor. Either way, you’re not allowed to keep falling behind like this.”
Xu Sheng let out a long sigh and the next day, he started talking with Lin An Lan about tutoring him next semester.
Cheng Yu was not happy about it. “Why does An An have to tutor you?”
“Because An An’s gentle and patient.” Xu Sheng said. “If I ask you, all you’ll do is call me dumb.”
Cheng Yu: …Well, that was fair.
He cleared his throat. “Alright then, I won’t insult you, don’t worry. Just don’t bother him. I’ll tutor you instead.”
Lin An Lan looked at him suspiciously. While on the other side of the WeChat chat, Xu Sheng was also very skeptical. “Really?”
“Really. Trust me.”
“Okay then.” Xu Sheng agreed half-heartedly.
**
They were in high school now, and the boys and girls were all starting to have their own thoughts. When second year began, both Cheng Yu and Lin An Lan started getting confession letters one after another.
The shy girls would secretly stuff letters into their desks, while the bold ones waited outside the school to corner them, where one would be distracted while the other got confessed to.
Cheng Yu rejected them all without hesitation and even reminded Lin An Lan, “Focus on studying. No early dating. No relationships before the college entrance exam.”
Lin An Lan gave him a sideways glance. “I think you’re more likely to fall in love before I do.”
After all, he really had his head in the books all day, while Cheng Yu’s attention seemed way more scattered.
“No way.” Cheng Yu slung his arm around his shoulder. “Would I do that? If I start dating, what are you going to do? So I’m not dating anyone until you do.”
Lin An Lan was going to say there was no need. After all, they’d each eventually fall in love and get married someday. They weren’t going to stay stuck to each other forever. So even if he started dating now, it wouldn’t matter.
But then he thought again. Cheng Yu already wasn’t fully focused on his studies—spending all day wanting to game, read novels, and read comics—and his grades only stayed high because he was naturally smart and he was always keeping an eye on him. If he started dating too, how could he possibly still concentrate on school?
He still wanted him to get into a good university, so in the end, he didn’t say anything.
And anyway, the two of them had grown up together, had been desk mates since primary school, and were practically inseparable. If Cheng Yu suddenly got into a relationship, there was no way they could keep being as attached as they were now. And he probably wouldn’t handle the change very well either.
So it was better to hold off a bit. Wait until university as by then, they’d both be adults. If Cheng Yu started dating then, he wouldn’t have to worry about his grades, and he could also focus on finding a part-time job or something to distract himself. He wouldn’t be so lonely either.
His thoughts circled around a bunch, and in the end, he didn’t say a word. He just silently accepted what Cheng Yu said.
Cheng Yu caressed his hair gently, asking as he did so, “Touched?”
Lin An Lan raised an eyebrow. “With how your head’s clearly not in your studies? You better not be dating, or you won’t even know which university you end up in.”
“That’s not a problem.” Cheng Yu said without hesitation. “Wherever you go, I’ll go. We’ve always been at the same school since we were kids, haven’t we?”
“Hopefully.”
“No, it’s a sure thing.” Cheng Yu replied.
When Xu Sheng heard that Cheng Yu wanted to go to the same university as Lin An Lan, he practically gasped in despair. “Heavens, I’m so doomed. If you both end up at X University and I don’t, my parents are going to come for me again!”
He held a pen, staring at his test paper. “Why is my life so hard?!”
Cheng Yu knocked on the table. “Come on, finish writing. You’ve still got half the paper left.”
Xu Sheng instantly felt even more pitiful.
He was just about to lower his head and get back to the test when he noticed someone else sitting in Cheng Yu’s usual seat, asking Lin An Lan a question.
Lin An Lan was reading when someone suddenly asked, “Class rep, can I ask you a question?” It caught him a little off guard.
He had good grades, a gentle personality, and was good-looking too, so when classes were reshuffled, the teacher made him the class rep. A lot of girls in the class had used that as an excuse to get close to him, but a boy? This was a first.
Jiang Xu didn’t really have a choice. He didn’t understand the question, didn’t catch it when the teacher explained it, and he didn’t have a tutor at home. And seeing Lin An Lan who was sitting not too far away and remembering that his math scores were perfect, he decided to give it a shot.
Lin An Lan nodded good-naturedly, tucked a bookmark into his book, and asked, “Which one?”
Jiang Xu pointed to the problem. Lin An Lan leaned in, took a look, and pulled out a notebook to explain.
Xu Sheng found it kind of surprising. “Even guys come to An An with questions now?”
“What’s so strange about that?” Cheng Yu said without a care. “He’s good at studying. Even you wanted him to tutor you too, didn’t you?”
“Yeah, but you didn’t let him.”
“You’re too dumb—I was worried you’d wear him out.” Cheng Yu said honestly.
Xu Sheng: …That cut deep, man!
Cheng Yu saw his annoyed face and slung an arm around him in consolation. “See? That just proves how deep our friendship runs. I have to explain one problem to you five times, and I’m still not on strike.”
He sighed dramatically, not ashamed at all. “With this kind of brotherly love, I’d totally win one of those ‘Touching C Country’ awards.”
“Thanks a lot.” Xu Sheng said through gritted teeth.
“You’re welcome.” Cheng Yu replied sweetly.
After that, he leaned on his hand and glanced over at Lin An Lan again, not saying a word.
The bell rang for class. Cheng Yu left Xu Sheng’s desk and went back to his own seat. Only then did Jiang Xu stand up, thank Lin An Lan, and return to his own desk.
“All done?” Cheng Yu asked.
“No.” Lin An Lan replied. “There was a part he didn’t quite get. Took a while and he’s still not clear.”
“So he’s going to come back next break?”
“I don’t know.” Lin An Lan said. He hadn’t asked, and he didn’t care.
Truth was, he’d grown up with Cheng Yu. They told each other everything, shared everything, and even lived together. Their bond was way closer than typical brothers or childhood friends.
Because of that, his attention had always been on Cheng Yu, and he’d never really paid much mind to anyone else.
And he didn’t need to, as Cheng Yu gave him friendship and gave him family. Aside from romantic love, Cheng Yu gave him everything, so when it came to others, he just didn’t care. He wasn’t curious or interested at all.
Cheng Yu didn’t take it seriously either. He just whispered, “I’m going to nap a bit. Call me if anything happens.”
Lin An Lan: !!!
Lin An Lan turned and pushed his head back up. “I’ve got something now—pay attention in class! No sleeping!”
Seriously, how could he be so blatant about sleeping before class even started?
“Did mum and dad pay your tuition just for you to come and sleep?”
Cheng Yu: …
He nodded then listened to the class quietly.
He really wasn’t that into studying, however who made him have a study-loving person like Lin An Lan by his side, constantly on his case, which meant he didn’t have much room to slack off?
Not that he minded much, because honestly, he kind of enjoyed it.
He couldn’t really explain it, but every time Lin An Lan looked at him and scolded him for this or that—don’t do this, don’t do that—he felt weirdly happy.
So even though he couldn’t sleep, his mood was good. He even secretly nudged Lin An Lan’s arm with his elbow.
And noticing, Lin An Lan gave him a helpless look, then put his left hand down on the desk.
Cheng Yu grabbed it quietly then started squeezing it gently.