“Su Wanli? Are you requesting to hand in your paper early?”
Looking at the black-haired girl who was about the same age as Meng Huange, yet already walking up to the podium with her test paper, Xiaohua Teacher instinctively asked, then suddenly realized, hurriedly waving her hand in apology.
“Oh, I didn’t mean that as sarcasm just now, nor am I trying to stop you from leaving the classroom. I just wanted to double-check, that’s all. If you want to leave, you can go anytime. Come back early… I mean, come back whenever you like. I wish you a pleasant day!”
Su Wanli rolled her eyes at Director Wan, who was inexplicably looking over, and, saying nothing, slapped her test paper on the podium and walked toward the classroom door.
Well, even though the last big question was quite complicated, it was similar to the multiple-choice question Meng Huange had gone through with her during a self-study period, so Su Wanli still remembered it clearly.
Besides, after Su Xiaoli accidentally gave her the correct answer recognized by the System, it became much easier to solve.
After completing that final question, the System’s predicted Math score changed as well—she could now surpass two-thirds of the examinees in Great Chu. Combined with her Chinese results, she was now among the upper-middle students of Class Three, Year Two, maybe even a little above average.
In the end, after working hard by herself for so long, she was still pulled up during the exam by Meng Huange…
Not that she minded, it was just that Meng Huange only gave her a simple “plus” and “minus” hand gesture—who besides herself could even tell what that meant! Besides, it was only thanks to her previous struggles that she could secure a better position for the next round. What’s there to complain about?
The System’s faint electronic voice sounded by Su Wanli’s ear.
[Host, are you trying to explain your actions to the System as a way of currying favor with the heroine? Being looked after like this won’t lower your mission score, nor will it affect your Villainess Value. Please rest assured on this point.]
“I’m not explaining anything to you,” she replied inwardly, “I’m just trying to make peace with my fragile self-esteem.”
The reconciliation was fairly successful. Su Wanli let out a soft breath, stretched her sore shoulders from working on problems, then strode out of the classroom.
Meng Huange, who had handed in her paper a step ahead, was leaning quietly against the classroom wall outside. Her waterfall-like black hair swayed in the midday breeze, some strands falling onto her arm, where the Red Badge of the Discipline Committee crossed paths with her white sleeve.
Hearing Su Wanli emerge from the classroom, Meng Huange withdrew her gaze from the large clock on the Baiying Teaching Building and turned to look at Su Wanli’s steps, offering her a gentle, warm smile.
“How did it go? Was the exam smooth enough?”
“Thanks to you, at least I’m above average…”
Of course, words like that could never be spoken aloud. Su Xiaoli merely shrugged her shoulders and glanced away from Meng Huange.
“Don’t worry about it. Besides, the way you say that sounds just like a nagging old lady. Try to say fewer outdated things like that in the future.”
Meng Huange smiled, nodded, and propped herself up against the wall, pulling out her phone.
“There’s still 42 minutes left until the end of the next exam. That’s a bit more than the last subject. If we follow the pace we discussed earlier, as long as nothing unexpected happens, we should reach your target number today.”
“…Let’s hope so.”
Su Wanli nodded coldly, then, imitating Meng Huange’s movements, slipped the red badge onto her own sleeve and gave her a meaningful look.
Time really wasn’t tight. The Discipline Committee of Baiying Academy wasn’t particularly diligent in patrolling the hallways. Just during the 20 minutes of the Chinese exam, half the test-takers were already going wild. Not to mention now, when they had the legitimate status recognized by the Guidance Office Director—unlike before, when they had to dodge the hall monitors. Their efficiency would only get higher.
However…
Recalling what the System said during the Math test, Su Wanli quietly pursed her lips.
Is Meng Huange’s level of dislike for me really still at 70?
The System’s plot was always full of holes; nothing it said sounded reliable. Yet there was one thing she couldn’t refute:
As the heroine of the story, Meng Huange must have her own bottom lines, her own nature, her own morals, and some boundaries she simply would not cross.
Someone like her would never, for no reason, roam all over the campus with Su Wanli, let alone go so far as to help break into the Guidance Office’s window.
So, Meng Huange must be doing all this to achieve her own goals. Only then would she act so out of character.
If they were just ordinary classmates, barely friends after a few days, then for Meng Huange to go so far for her sake, Su Wanli would feel deeply moved, as she ought to.
But if Meng Huange actually hated her, and was forcing herself to put on a friendly front, her only goal being to make Su Wanli accept her presence so she could secure her place in the Su family…
Staring at the complex emotions that flitted across Meng Huange’s face, Su Wanli let out a light sigh, then turned around and casually gestured with her hand.
“…Meng Huange, this time, don’t come with me.”
“Eh? Miss Xiaoli, you mean you want to act separately?”
“No, I mean, you don’t need to be involved in this anymore. After all, this is just something I want to do on my own.”
Su Wanli crossed her arms in front of her chest and shook her head at Meng Huange with a hint of coldness.
“Meng Huange, whether it’s exposing cheaters or breaking into the Guidance Office’s window, you only did it in front of me because you could tell what I wanted. At heart, you never actually wanted to do these things, right?”
“Miss Xiaoli, I…”
“Don’t try to lie to me. I know you’re not that kind of person. At least, you’re not someone who’d proactively do things like this.”
Su Wanli slightly raised her chin, then walked up to Meng Huange and held out her hand, indicating for her to hand over her phone.
“That’s enough, Meng Huange. There’s no need to force yourself to do these things with me. I don’t care whether you’re there or not.”
“Force myself… huh?”
Meng Huange frowned slightly, resting her chin on her hand as she smiled and met Su Wanli’s gaze.
“I see, Miss Xiaoli. You think that I’m not acting of my own will, but only helping you because you want it?”
Su Wanli didn’t answer her question, merely stood there, quietly looking into Meng Huange’s eyes, which, apart from doubt, showed little else in the way of emotion.
The question Meng Huange asked was precisely the answer Su Xiaoli wanted.
If, as the System said, Meng Huange only participated in her reckless plans because she couldn’t back out, if every step, every trick, every time she stood up for her in front of the Guidance Office Director, was only due to circumstance—if she truly, at heart, never wanted to accompany Su Wanli in such things, and the more she did, the more she came to dislike her…
Meng Huange, right now, I’m giving you the chance to walk away.
Su Wanli stared seriously into Meng Huange’s eyes.
What will your answer be?
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