Chapter Eleven: The Assembly
The assembly was rather dull. The principal invited outstanding graduates from the previous year and outstanding students from the current year to give speeches. They droned on, reading from prepared scripts, followed by the principal’s own lengthy and tedious address. The only useful information for Lu Li was about the Character Evaluation. According to the committee, the Character Evaluation Books for the graduating class would be distributed by the end of the year, allowing students to choose their universities based on their assigned rank. In his past life, Lu Li had received a mid-rank evaluation. He still remembered the comments: “Intelligent but lacking discipline, superficial, unrefined. Suitable for upper-rank if from a wealthy family, lower-rank if from a poor family. Therefore, assigned mid-rank. Strive for improvement.”
It wasn’t too bad. Most of his classmates had also received mid-rank evaluations, with only a few receiving upper-rank.
Lu Li glanced at the stage, at Chu Jingyi sitting among the student representatives. Silly Goose looked serious and composed, her upbringing in a wealthy family evident, her small, oval face and delicate lips making her look adorable. Undoubtedly, she would receive an upper-rank evaluation this time too. He wondered which level. He then looked at An Baili. Little Country Bumpkin looked bored, her back hunched as she counted ants. He shook his head inwardly. Baili, Baili, pay attention.
Afterwards, the school distributed preference forms. Chuanhai No. 1 High School would contact universities based on these forms, paving the way for students with promising prospects. As a prestigious school, their resources far surpassed those of ordinary high schools.
The biggest difference between the second and third years was the students’ attitudes. After the assembly, the usually carefree students were suddenly discussing their evaluations, university applications, and future plans, their steps hurried, as if driven by some great purpose. Lu Li also felt a sense of urgency, not for himself, but for An Baili. He didn’t want her working at a milk tea shop near Mulan University…
Silly Goose rushed down from the stage, practically bouncing towards him like a little deer. “How was it? I spent so long preparing my speech! Even my dad said it was well-written!” It was well-written, but no one was really paying attention. Lu Li smiled, taking her hand. “Eloquent words, youthful beauty, a fitting match for this young generation.” He’d quoted a line from her speech, both complimenting her writing and showing that he’d been listening.
Chu Jingyi’s heart fluttered. The serious matters she’d been contemplating on stage vanished, replaced by a desire to cling to Lu Li and act cute. But Wen Hupo and An Baili were watching, so she simply bit her lip, her hands clasped behind her back. She wished she could graduate soon, become an adult, so she could spend all her time with Lu Li. Thinking about the future, she asked, “When are you going to buy a house?”
The sudden change of topic caught Lu Li off guard. “Why are you asking about buying a house?”
“If you have a house, I can visit you more often. My mom always insists on sending someone to accompany me to the low-rent district; she thinks it’s unsafe.”
She wants to be closer to him. Lu Li understood; Silly Goose was so easy to read. He really should consider buying a house. Perhaps he could do it at the end of the year, when Sister Yameng returned?
As they walked and talked, Chu Jingyi mentioned that she had also put Mulan University on her preference form, already dreaming about university life. She suddenly turned to the quiet Wen Hupo. “Hupo, are you applying to Mulan University too?”
“Yes.”
“When are you moving out?” Silly Goose was still fixated on this issue. Only on this matter did she display the stubbornness of a class president. She was willing to share Lu Li with An Baili, but no one else. A young girl’s love was pure, passionate, and uncompromising. She had been dwelling on this for a while, but Lu Li hadn’t realized it.
Lu Li stepped in to defuse the situation. “Hupo can move out after she sells her first painting. She doesn’t have a stable income right now…”
I’ll just buy it, then. Chu Jingyi thought. But these were Lu Li’s words, and she didn’t want to argue with him. She pouted. “Oh.” She felt a pang of sadness. He was always defending Wen Hupo. But she couldn’t bring herself to be angry with him… She glanced at An Baili, who didn’t seem to care about Wen Hupo staying with them. It seemed she had no allies.
Lu Li didn’t notice Silly Goose’s sulking, perhaps because she was always so good-natured, like a soft, pliable rice ball.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted ahead. A group of freshmen had gathered, arguing loudly. Lu Li wasn’t one for crowds, so he led the girls back to the classroom, taking a detour. It wasn’t until later that afternoon that he learned about the incident involving the first-year students, an incident that directly concerned him.
After lunch break, Lu Li bid farewell to Wen Hupo, who was still setting up the activity classroom, and hurried back to his classroom. He had barely sat down when Chu Jingyi and An Baili stormed in, their faces flushed with anger.
“I’m so furious! Does he think I’m some kind of prize to be won?” An Baili fumed.
Chu Jingyi, her face unusually stern, added, “These freshmen are going too far! This needs to be dealt with seriously.”
Lu Li, unaware that he was the cause of their anger, asked, “What happened? Who upset you?”
Seeing Lu Li, Silly Goose’s expression softened slightly. “Lu Li, listen, one of the freshmen, that Wen You, is deliberately provoking you!”
Lu Li raised an eyebrow. Is this what it means to be famous? Am I a celebrity now?
Silly Goose continued, “This morning, Wen You gathered a bunch of freshmen and made some kind of declaration, saying he wants to compete fairly with the seniors, that he’s willing to shed blood and tears for love, that he won’t back down even if the seniors use underhanded tactics!”
Lu Li was bewildered. This sounded exactly like the kind of nonsense he’d expect from the bored rich kids at Chuanhai No. 1 High School. “Wait, Jingyi, compete for what?”
“He said he wants to compete with you for An Baili.”
At her words, An Baili quickly explained, “Li, don’t misunderstand! I’ve never even met him before! This is all his own wishful thinking!” She was terrified that he might misunderstand, the mere thought sending shivers down her spine.
Lu Li blinked. “Misunderstand what, silly? Don’t overthink it. Wen You only saw Baili once, right? Where does he get this confidence?” Perhaps due to the recent shooting, Lu Li was more suspicious than usual. He doubted Wen You’s motives.
His calm reaction surprised Silly Goose. “Aren’t you angry?”
Lu Li smiled. “Why should I be angry? Baili and I, and you, Jingyi, we know where we stand. His grandstanding doesn’t affect us. Baili, you should focus on preparing for the winter camp. Don’t worry about this; I’ll talk to Wen You.”
Chapter Twelve: Wen You’s Resounding Victory
The commotion caused by Wen You was limited to the first-year students. For most of the second and third-year students, Lu Li being “challenged” wasn’t anything new. They didn’t believe a freshman like Wen You could actually steal any of the girls around him. However, the idealistic first-year students, still full of youthful passion, enthusiastically came up with slogans and strategies for Wen You, treating Lu Li as a common enemy.
In mid-September, after the monthly exams, An Baili once again achieved the eleventh-to-last position in her class. This deepened Lu Li’s frown. It wasn’t that Baili wasn’t trying; it was that her classmates were also improving. She had too much ground to cover, and while she could rely on her memory for humanities subjects, she often failed subjects that required logic and reasoning. Perhaps expecting logic and reason from her was too much to ask. He needed to take drastic measures…
During PE class, Lu Li took An Baili to a bench in the botanical garden and presented her with a list. “Baili, from today onwards, we’re implementing a reward system.”
An Baili looked at the list, her face puzzled. “Holding hands requires top twenty in the class, hugging requires top ten, kissing requires top two hundred in the grade, and… that requires top fifty in the grade? Li, what are you doing?” She pouted, her lips forming a perfect little “o.”
Lu Li deliberately kept a straight face. If he showed even a hint of a smile, she would cling to him like a koala. “Baili, until the College Entrance Examination, we have to focus on studying. I’ll be supervising you.”
“But I’m already trying my best…” An Baili’s voice was filled with grievance.
Lu Li’s heart softened, looking at her adorable face. He almost gave in, but he forced himself to remain firm. “I know you’re trying, but it’s not enough. I’ve asked Jingyi and Hupo to help. We’ll have study sessions every weekend, the three of us tutoring you.”
“I don’t want Hupo to teach me! Just Jingyi is enough!” An Baili protested.
“You and Jingyi are too close; she won’t be strict enough.”
Seeing his resolve, An Baili sighed. “So if I don’t get good grades, I can’t be close to you?”
Lu Li’s resolve crumbled slightly. He compromised. “Well, at least not until you meet the requirements. I won’t initiate anything.”
“Can I initiate?”
“…” Lu Li maintained his stern expression, trying to convey his seriousness. But An Baili, having been his wife for so long, knew him too well. Her pout quickly transformed into a mischievous grin. “So that’s a yes?”
She glanced around. They were alone. Her hand crept towards his crotch. “Li, don’t be so strict… I’ll study hard. You don’t need these rules and requirements, okay?”
Her touch reminded him of their early days of living together in his past life. They were always close, and when he was busy, Baili would play with his penis to entertain herself, sometimes even taking it into her mouth. She even liked to touch it while they slept. Love and sex were intertwined, and their long-lasting relationship was perhaps due in part to An Baili’s proactive nature. For someone as starved for affection as Baili, expressing her love like a puppy wagging its tail was perhaps her only way of communicating.
An Baili unzipped his pants and knelt before him. Lu Li was about to stop her—she was probably about to try something adventurous, and this was a public place, the botanical garden—he didn’t want anyone seeing his penis. Men also had a sense of modesty, just like how urinals in public restrooms were never fully occupied.
Before he could speak, a voice called out from behind them, “Senior Lu Li! Senior Lu Li!” It was a male voice.
Lu Li’s heart sank. In his panic, he did something ridiculous. He pushed An Baili’s head down, hiding her behind the bushes, so anyone approaching wouldn’t see her kneeling between his legs. He turned towards the voice and saw Wen You, the freshman, walking towards them. Fortunately, a cluster of bushes separated them, concealing An Baili.
“Senior Lu Li…” Wen You continued walking towards him, but Lu Li held up a hand. “Stop right there. You smell.” Wen You’s face darkened. “You don’t have to be so hostile, senior. Are you holding a grudge because of Senior An? If so, you’re more petty than I thought.”
“I am petty. Hiss…” Lu Li gasped. Little Country Bumpkin, her mischievous nature taking over, had taken his penis into her mouth, her tongue swirling around the tip.
Wen You said coldly, “Senior Lu, I’m here to formally declare war.” Lu Li’s head throbbed. Declare war? Does he really think Baili is an object to be fought over? A man with that attitude doesn’t deserve a girl’s affection. He didn’t want to engage with him, but he was also afraid of exposing An Baili. He definitely didn’t want Wen You to see his penis.
“Ah, yes, fine, I accept your declaration of war.” He just wanted to get rid of him.
An Baili sucked on his penis, making a soft, wet sound. Wen You, assuming it was an insect, ignored it. “Senior, you’re not taking this seriously. Do you not value Senior An?”
Lu Li felt a surge of irritation. “You’ve only met An Baili once. Where does this obsession come from?”
“Do you believe in love?” Wen You lowered his voice, adopting an affected tone. “I think this is love at first sight. Senior An is different from any other girl I’ve met. From the moment I saw her, I knew I had to pursue her, even if you stand in our way, senior.”
There was no reasoning with this immature kid. Lu Li was talking logic, while he was talking emotions. For kids like him, logic always took a backseat to feelings.
“I will marry Senior An, even if it’s the last thing I do!” he declared.
An Baili, hidden beneath him, was startled by his words. She bit down lightly on his penis, making him wince. He retaliated by thrusting his hips slightly, grinding against her mouth.
“Senior, what are you doing?”
“Just stretching my legs, heh.” Lu Li’s smile didn’t reach his eyes.
“I thought you were an interesting person, senior, someone worthy of Senior An’s affection. But it seems you’re just a scumbag who doesn’t care about her at all.” Wen You sneered. Well, he’s half-right.
“Mm-hmm,” Lu Li mumbled, nodding along. Just go away. With this kid distracting him, Baili’s playful nature had intensified. Her tongue moved faster, and he was struggling to contain himself.
“I recorded everything you said, senior. I’ll let Senior An hear it.” Wen You smiled triumphantly, as if he’d just proven his intellectual superiority. He was pleased to see the “pain” on Lu Li’s face. He laughed and walked away, planning to celebrate his “first great victory.”
After Wen You left, Lu Li suddenly pushed An Baili’s head down, thrusting his hips hard. He heard her muffled moans and felt a sudden emptiness.
A few minutes later, An Baili stood up, wiping her mouth, a triumphant glint in her eyes. “So? Can we get rid of that reward system now?” She seemed quite proud of herself.
Lu Li looked at her with an expression of profound contemplation and said two words: “No.”
Leave a Reply