#8 — A Suddenly Appears

"Ding~~~!" With the bell's chime, the forty-minute morning reading session ended.

"Smack!"

Zhang Lei tossed his English textbook onto the desk, shaking his head dramatically. "What's the point of learning this bird language every day? I'm not planning to go abroad! If everyone mastered this nonsense, wouldn't all those translators be out of jobs?"

Though he'd heard this rant countless times before, Ji Feng couldn't help but chuckle. "That's not how it works. There's no harm in learning an extra language."

"Learn it for what? To become a translator? Or to be one of those pretentious types who randomly spout foreign words?" Zhang Lei scoffed. "Like calling parents 'daddy' and 'mommy'—sounds ridiculous compared to good old 'dad' and 'mom'! If you're Chinese, act like one!"

Ji Feng shook his head with a wry smile. Zhang Lei's aversion to English was nothing new.

"If you ever gain influence, you can change the system," Ji Feng said lightly. "But for now, you'd better study English properly. Otherwise, forget about college—how would you ever get that influence?"

By senior year, university admissions were on everyone's mind. Ji Feng had heard many colleges had strict English score requirements—even with good overall grades, poor English marks could mean rejection.

If Ji Feng wanted to rise above his circumstances, no matter how much he disliked English, he'd study it diligently. Only then could he enter university and access broader horizons.

Hearing this, Zhang Lei deflated like a punctured balloon. "Changing the system? Easier said than done. Fine, I'll obediently learn my English."

Watching his exaggerated dejection, Ji Feng burst out laughing.

"Hey, Fengzi!" Zhang Lei suddenly perked up, eyes gleaming. "During morning reading, our gorgeous campus belle kept sneaking glances at you. Spill it—when did you two get so cozy?"

"Cozy? What nonsense!" Fortunately, Ji Feng was used to Zhang Lei's wild claims by now. "If you'd been late, she'd have stared at you too!"

Truthfully, Ji Feng had noticed Tong Lei glancing his way several times during the session. Clearly, Old Ban's scolding was inevitable.

"Still playing dumb?" Zhang Lei grinned. "Let me ask you this—plenty of people are late all the time. Have you ever seen Tong Lei pay attention to any of them? Explain that!"

Ji Feng sighed. "Maybe it's because everyone knows Hu Xuehui dumped me. Could be simple curiosity."

"That... actually makes sense." Zhang Lei nodded.

Ji Feng rolled his eyes. "Way to be blunt."

"Just calling it like I see it—one of my many virtues!" Zhang Lei declared solemnly.

They shared a laugh before Zhang Lei grew reflective. "Seems you've really moved on from Hu Xuehui. Good for you, man."

Seeing Ji Feng mention Hu Xuehui so calmly convinced Zhang Lei there were no lingering issues.

Ji Feng smiled. "Ancient history."

Zhang Lei's grin turned mischievous. "Since you're over the heartbreak, how about considering... a second spring?"

Ji Feng blinked. "Second what?"

"Our campus belle Tong Lei, of course!" Zhang Lei said excitedly. "The county's top socialite! Snagging her would save you decades of struggle—"

Mid-sentence, Zhang Lei's expression froze. He stared dumbly behind Ji Feng, face flushing with awkwardness.

"What nonsense!" Still oblivious, Ji Feng shook his head. "A man should rely on his own efforts. I'm not some gold-digger! Sure, Tong Lei's beautiful and well-connected, but that's exactly why she'd only go for some elite talent or wealthy heir. A nobody like me with no looks or background—why would she look twice?"

Zhang Lei's expression grew increasingly peculiar, as if suppressing laughter. "So you're saying... you actually do like Tong Lei?"

"Who doesn't appreciate beauty?" Teasing Zhang Lei had become second nature. "She's gorgeous—why wouldn't I like her? But liking someone doesn't mean acting on it. Speaking of which—if you weren't constantly watching her, how'd you know how many times she looked my way? Sounds like projection to me!"

"Ahem..." Zhang Lei coughed awkwardly. "I was, uh... studying our monitor's learning methods! Her grades are stellar—pure academic interest!"

"Pathetic excuse." Ji Feng laughed scornfully. But his mirth died instantly when an icy voice spoke behind him.

"You're curious about my study methods? Since when has Zhang Lei cared about academics?"

The voice was crisp and ethereal, like a celestial maiden's whisper—yet carried a frosty edge.

Ji Feng's heart plummeted. He whirled around to see none other than the subject of their discussion—Tong Lei herself!

Damn it!

Mortification flooded Ji Feng. First time gossiping about someone, and he gets caught red-handed. He wanted to vanish.

"Monitor Tong, I—we're sorry!" Ji Feng stammered, face burning. "We shouldn't have talked behind your back. Please forgive us."

Tong Lei's stunning features were glacial. Ignoring his apology, she glared at them both. "You two. Outside. Now."

With that, she turned and strode away, her youthful silhouette soon disappearing through the classroom door.

"You knew she was behind me the whole time?" Ji Feng rounded on Zhang Lei, teeth gritted. Recalling his friend's earlier expression, the setup was obvious. "Screw you. Just wait till I get payback."

Zhang Lei just grinned. "Fengzi, don't bite the hand that feeds you. This wasn't sabotage—it was matchmaking! If I'd warned you she was there, would you have dared admit you liked her?"

Ji Feng: "..."