Volume 1: Black and White Senior YearChapter 9: Another Clash

Long Kun hadn't arrived at school on time for ages. It had become something of a norm for him to stroll in as the final bell chimed, taking the dubious honor of being the last student to enter the classroom. Yet today was a rare exception. For once, he managed to step into the room just in time, though his weary steps betrayed his exhaustion. His body ached with a soreness that seemed to cling to his very bones, his gait unsteady, as if he were wading through an invisible tide of fatigue.

As the morning self-study session drew to a close, the second period remained unstructured—a continuation of the first. It was during this lull that Long Kun suddenly recalled something important: Tang Keyu's meticulously compiled notes were still in his possession. The class monitor, diligent as ever, must be in need of them to prepare for the upcoming exams. Leaving two of the books on his desk, he gathered the rest into his arms and approached Tang Keyu's seat.

"Tang Keyu," he began, his tone uncharacteristically subdued. "I didn't get a chance to review your notes last night. Something came up. Could I possibly borrow them for just one more day?"

His voice was tinged with genuine regret, yet Tang Keyu barely acknowledged him. A slight nod was all the response she offered, her gaze steadfastly avoiding his.

Her aloofness struck a chord in Long Kun. He recalled Luo An's casual comment from the previous day, speculating that he must have somehow offended the class monitor. Piecing together her cold demeanor with his own actions, he surmised that Luo An's assessment wasn't far from the truth. Yet, rather than retreat into frustration, Long Kun sought redemption.

"I truly owe you an apology for yesterday," he said earnestly, his tone softer now. "I got so caught up in reading that I completely forgot about the time. It was thoughtless of me. If you're free this afternoon, how about joining me for lunch? My treat."

Silence enveloped the air between them. Tang Keyu remained unresponsive, her expression rigid and unyielding.

Long Kun looked up tentatively, only to find her face etched with an even deeper indifference. Her tightly drawn features seemed to mock the absurdity of his excuse. Caught up in reading? It was almost laughable. Who didn't know that Long Kun was famously allergic to textbooks? Borrowing so many books had undoubtedly been a performance for appearances. Tang Keyu's icy demeanor communicated as much—she wasn't buying it.

Still, Long Kun wasn't one to back down easily. If there was one thing he admired about Tang Keyu, it was her resolute spirit. And today, he was determined to match it. "I promise it won't happen again," he pressed on, his voice tinged with quiet determination.

But the class monitor's expression remained as frosty as ever. If anything, his repeated attempts only seemed to fuel her simmering irritation. Internally, she scoffed: Won't happen again? Oh, so you're planning for next time now, are you?

Long Kun hesitated, his mind racing for a way to salvage the situation. After a moment of deliberation, he ventured, "How about this—we skip the usual place by the school gates. Instead, let's go to the Four Seasons Restaurant on Central Street."

The suggestion didn't come without a cost. The mere thought of footing the bill at such an upscale establishment made his chest tighten. Yet, recalling the 1,500 yuan Lu Zhongyu had given him recently, he allowed himself a glimmer of hope. Besides, he worked part-time at the Four Seasons. Perhaps he could leverage some connections for a discount.

This time, Tang Keyu's reaction was more pronounced, though not in the way he had hoped. Her face darkened visibly, a storm brewing behind her composed exterior. Does he seriously think I care about the venue? she thought, exasperated. The issue isn't where we eat—it's the fact that he had the nerve to disregard me in the first place!

Long Kun, oblivious to the turmoil within her, felt a pang of disappointment at her reaction. The Four Seasons Restaurant was his grand gesture—a testament to his sincerity. Could it be that even this failed to meet her standards?

His thoughts drifted back to what little he knew of her background. Every evening after school, a car would arrive to pick her up. Though modest in appearance, the vehicle spoke of a family that was comfortably well-off. Yet recently, Long Kun had discovered that Tang Keyu's family wasn't merely well-off—they were extraordinary.

Wang Jun, a classmate known for his incessant bragging, often boasted about his father's position as a senior executive at Tang Corporation. This prestigious enterprise was a cornerstone of Huxi City, with ventures spanning industries from food and retail to real estate. Its influence was so profound that the city's development in recent years was inseparable from the corporation's presence.

By comparison, the Four Seasons Restaurant—a place Long Kun considered the epitome of luxury—might be nothing more than a quaint eatery to someone of Tang Keyu's stature. The realization gnawed at him, planting a seed of inadequacy in his heart.

Long Kun had always prided himself on his resilience. Growing up without parents, struggling to afford an education, he had learned to steel himself against life's hardships. Yet, in the face of Tang Keyu's excellence, his inner strength faltered. Her brilliance cast a shadow that made him painfully aware of his own limitations.

As these thoughts weighed on him, the silence between them grew heavier. Tang Keyu, observing his downcast demeanor, felt her own irritation spike. Now he won't even speak? Is that his way of sulking?

Before either could break the stalemate, the bell signaling the start of the next period loomed. Most students had returned to their seats, but Long Kun remained conspicuously stationed by Tang Keyu's desk. His presence drew curious glances from around the classroom, with whispers rippling through the air. Even Hu Xiaoxiao, Tang Keyu's deskmate and confidante, leaned in with an expression that practically screamed curiosity.

Realizing the growing attention, Tang Keyu decided to put an end to the scene. Adopting the authoritative tone of a class monitor, she said, "Long Kun, we'll talk about lunch later. Class is about to start—please return to your seat."

"But…" Long Kun began, unwilling to concede.

Before he could finish, an all-too-familiar voice cut through the tension.

"Long Kun, class is starting. What are you still doing there? Even the class monitor told you to leave."

The voice belonged to Chen Yong, the class's self-appointed moral arbiter and perpetual thorn in everyone's side.

Tang Keyu frowned, annoyed at Chen Yong's interference. This guy really has a knack for making things worse. Still, she chose not to intervene. As much as she disliked Chen Yong's tone, she couldn't deny that she wanted Long Kun to return to his seat as well.

Long Kun, however, remained unruffled. Turning to Chen Yong, he replied calmly,"I was just asking the class monitor a question. I'll head back now."

"What kind of question could someone like you possibly have?" Chen Yong sneered. "You, who barely shows up to class, cheats on exams, and consistently ranks last? Don't make me laugh. You're just looking for an excuse to bother her. A toad dreaming of swan meat—keep dreaming!"

The insult hung in the air, sharp and cutting, yet Long Kun remained composed. Years of enduring far worse had inured him to such remarks. Still, he took a moment to deliberate his response. Fighting was out of the question—he couldn't afford another medical bill. A shouting match seemed equally futile.

Finally, with a measured tone, he said, "What's wrong with having aspirations? Goals are what give life purpose. Besides, the class monitor is exceptional—who in our class doesn't admire her? Expressing admiration is a natural emotion, not the vulgar act you're implying. And with the college entrance exams approaching, I'd appreciate it if you refrained from making comments that disrupt the class's focus."

The seriousness in his voice, coupled with the integrity of his words, silenced the room. Even Lu Zhongyu, who had been on the verge of intervening, paused to reevaluate. With a silent nod of approval, he gave Long Kun a thumbs-up.

For the second time, Long Kun had publicly stood up to Chen Yong, the self-proclaimed tyrant of the classroom. His courage and eloquence left an indelible impression on his peers, who began to see him in a new light. Perhaps Long Kun wasn't the aimless troublemaker they had thought. Perhaps, beneath his rough exterior, he harbored a quiet strength and a heart full of determination.