Damn it, I'm surrounded by childhood sweethearts

"Really, Yu? You didn't sign up for the 100 meters too, did you?" Xu Qingfan looked at Wu Lingyu.

"No, I signed up for the 1500 meters," Wu Lingyu shook her head and said.

"Wow~ Yu, you're so awesome!" Lin Wanning exclaimed with her mouth wide open. She couldn't even finish an 800-meter race, let alone 1500 meters—that was simply unimaginable.

"I bet no one else from class signed up and you're just filling in the gap," Xu Qingfan said as he reached out and ruffled Yu's head, reminding her, "I'll accompany you on the track when it's time."

Xia Xiaoxiao suddenly widened her eyes: No way, you're going to pace for the 1500 meters? You should have said so earlier, I would have run too!

After all, what is a more sovereignty-declaring act in high school than finishing a 1500-meter race side by side with your significant other?

"Um, Yu, I'll also run with you when the time comes," Xia Xiaoxiao said after a moment of thought.

Since I didn't get to wear Pin Ru's clothes, nobody else should wear them either.

Wu Lingyu: ...

"Hehe... um, thanks, Xiao Xiao..." Wu Lingyu forced a smile.

"Wow, this sounds so fun, I'll come too when it's time!" Xiao Ruawen clapped and chimed in.

"You think it's fun, huh? Why didn't you sign up for the 1500 meters then?" Xu Qingfan slapped her on the back of the head with a big, teasing gesture.

"Brother Chou Fan is hitting me again, I'll bite you!"

"But I can't run!"

"Freeze right there!"

As the setting sun bled like blood, only the blurred figures of six people remained on the quiet concrete path.

...

By the time they returned to their respective classrooms, evening self-study had already been going on for a while.

However, the school's sports meet was just around the corner, so there were hardly any students who could settle down to study.

"Brother Fan, you're really something, a perfect score of 1050, and you got a four-digit total score,"

"No wonder you're the leader of the first group, little bro here is impressed."

Xu Qingfan and Xiao Ruawen had barely sat down when Wu Shichong and Lai Chenglang started their antics again.

Seeing the two of them bowing to each other, Xu Qingfan rolled his eyes unimpressed.

"But, the class president is actually third in class, does that mean next semester the class president will also become a group leader?" Wu Shichong added.

Xiao Ruawen, who had been rolling her eyes at the first part—what do you mean 'she's actually third in class,' isn't she worthy?—felt a sudden jolt in her heart as she heard the second part and subconsciously glanced at Brother Chou Fan beside her.

[Right, if I keep my grades within the top eight in class, I won't be able to continue sitting with Brother Fan next semester!]

A trace of worry fleetingly crossed her face. So, should she deliberately score lower on the final exam to continue sitting with Brother Fan?

[But why do I need to sit next to Brother Fan anyway?

The final exams affect class assignments and future independent admission, both of which are crucial!

Could it be that I...]

[I want to sit next to him so I can watch over Brother Fan for Xiao Xiao's sake, that's right! I'm doing this for Xiao Xiao!]

"I just happened to know how to do all the questions this time, but I might not be so lucky for the final exams," she said with a tilt of her head and a smile at Wu Shichong.

"Ah, right, right... You're impressive too, President, luck is also part of one's skill," Wu Shichong suddenly felt shy under the goddess's smile.

Xu Qingfan knew perfectly well how capable Xiao Ruawen was, but since she wanted to be modest, he didn't expose her.

"Active oil, Yunnan Baiyao, Shuang Fei Ren, glucose, and I also bought a pack of salt—these should be enough, right?" Xiao Ruawen opened her backpack and took out the medical supplies she had bought over the week.

"Shouldn't we also have Red Flower Oil?" Wang Xuan picked up the bottle of Shuang Fei Ren and reminded her in a low voice.

"Right, I forgot to buy Red Flower Oil!" Xiao Ruawen slapped her forehead, "But it should be okay, they have those in the infirmary. If someone falls, just go to the infirmary."

"These are enough, put them in the classroom when you're done using them. They can be useful if someone sprains an ankle later," Xu Qingfan said as he pulled out a bag from somewhere and packed the items.

...

The classroom was noisy like a marketplace during the two evening self-study periods. During the third self-study period, their homeroom teacher came to the class and called out Xu Qingfan and Xiao Ruawen.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Guo Youcai revealed the reason he'd called them out:

"Here's the thing, besides the sports meet on Thursday, it's also the school's centennial celebration, right? Many prominent alumni are invited to visit, and the school hopes that the two of you can act as tour guides, showing everyone around the school."

Xu Qingfan and Xiao Ruawen exchanged a glance, surprisingly, they hadn't anticipated that there would be any issue between them.

"There wouldn't have been a problem, but, teacher, we both have competitions to take part in that day, so..."

He left his sentence hanging, gauging the homeroom teacher's reaction; if it wasn't too urgent, he still wanted to get out of it.

To be honest, having already become acquainted with the top brass of Hong Kong's business and political circles thanks to Aunt Zhang, he really didn't need such opportunities.

Compared to playing tour guide, he would rather spend time taking more beautiful photos of the five girls.

"It's probably going to be from about nine to ten in the morning, just one hour. It wouldn't interfere with your school sports event, would it?"

Guo Youcai was actually taking it seriously, as it was a task arranged by the principal, even though Song Dongsheng's original words implied it didn't matter whether they participated or not.

"Ah, it's at nine?"

"Teacher, I'm really sorry, but at nine o'clock, Ruan Wen and I are both registered for the hundred-meter dash, and it's impossible to switch out at the last minute. Moreover, it's our class's first school sports event, so it would be even more embarrassing not to participate."

Xu Qingfan said, looking genuinely regretful.

"Well... okay, the teacher understands. You can go back now."

Guo Youcai originally wanted to struggle a bit more with it, but with Xu Qingfan putting it that way, he had no choice but to give up.

"Okay, teacher, goodbye."

"Teacher, goodbye."

After saying farewell to the homeroom teacher, the two left the office one after the other.

Just as Xu Qingfan was about to head back to class for evening self-study, Xiao Ruawen suddenly pulled him towards the stairs.

"Hey, Ruan Wen, what are you doing?"

Xu Qingfan jumped a little from the surprise. Although Xiao Ruawen didn't respond, he obediently followed her.

He thought Xiao Ruawen was going to pull him downstairs, but instead, she led him upstairs.

The midterm exams had ended, and the door to the sixth floor was already locked.

Xiao Ruawen took Xu Qingfan to the corner of the stairs between the sixth and seventh floors before she let go of his hand and stopped.

"Out with it, what did you mean by five wives this morning?" She stepped up two more stairs and looked down at Brother Chou Fan from above.

From Xu Qingfan's angle, he could hardly meet the girl's gaze directly, an overwhelming sight indeed!

Xu Qingfan swallowed and stepped up beside her to stand shoulder to shoulder.

"Ruan Wen, what do you think I meant by that?" The dog of a man propped his hand on her shoulder with a slick gesture.

Xiao Ruawen:!!!

[No way, how dare he!]

"I... how would I know what you mean... I'm telling you, Brother Fan, don't get any funny ideas!" Xiao Ruawen was tense, feigning composure.

Xu Qingfan removed his hand from her shoulder and sat down on the stairs.

Maybe because the stairs were a frequent haunt for couples, they were surprisingly free of dust.

Xiao Ruawen sneaked a glance at him but remained standing rigidly straight.

"Having five wives, of course, was just a joke with Aunt Zhang."

He began slowly, and Xiao Ruawen let out a slow breath.

"Brother Fan, I know you like all five of us, but marrying five wives really isn't possible. Don't indulge in vain fantasies!"

"Also, Xiao Xiao would never agree to it. Think about her father, Brother Fan; do you really want to become the type of person you yourself dislike?"

Xiao Ruawen finished what she wanted to say and waited in silence for Brother Chou Fan's response.

But after thirty seconds, then a minute passed, just when she was about to lose her patience, Xu Qingfan suddenly spoke.

"Ruan Wen."

"What?"

Xu Qingfan stood up again, inching closer to the girl until their faces were almost touching, like an army at the gates of a city.

"Ruan Wen, don't you like me?"

"Ah... What?"

...