In the end, the teacher gently said, “Next time, be more careful with your cleaning duties. But Pei Chen already explained to me that he didn’t notify the group last week, so your mistake is somewhat understandable.”
Liang Zhiyi was momentarily stunned, her heart warming. She quickly shook her head, “It’s not the class monitor’s fault; it’s entirely my own responsibility.”
Why does he always take the blame upon himself…
“Alright, let’s consider the matter settled. But since the cleaning wasn’t up to standard and the class lost points, there will be a corresponding punishment.”
The teacher told her that she needed to stay one evening this week to clean the year supervisor’s office as a form of punishment.
Hearing this, Liang Zhiyi secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She had been worried she might have to write a self-reflection essay. She smiled and said, “Okay, Ab—”
The word “Abbot” almost slipped out, but she quickly corrected herself, “Mr. Fang.”
The homeroom teacher looked up at her with a slight frown, “Alright, you can go back now.”
“Got it.”
She happily walked out of the office.
With the cleaning issue fully resolved, time passed quickly, and soon it was Friday.
In the morning, the homeroom teacher came to the class to announce the dates for the school sports meet, which was set for the following Monday and would last for two days.
The sports meet was originally scheduled to take place before the National Day holiday, but due to rain during those days, it had been postponed.
However, the list of athletes had already been finalized, and they had been training, so the event wasn’t a surprise.
After confirming the list of support staff, the responsibility for purchasing related supplies was given to Zhiyi, the class’s life committee member.
While the teacher spoke at the front of the class, Liang Zhiyi lay on her desk, twirling a pen, and whispered to Pei Chen, “Pei Chen, why didn’t you sign up for the sports meet?”
Pei Chen looked down at his book, “Take a guess.”
She rolled her eyes, “I’m not guessing.”
He turned his head to glance at her, “Then why didn’t you sign up?”
She raised an eyebrow, smiling, “Since it concerns the class’s honor, I’d rather not risk sabotaging it.”
However, Liang Zhiyi wasn’t bad at sports. She had participated in the sports day during her first year of high school but found it exhausting, so she really didn’t want to participate this year.
During the morning break, Liang Zhiyi went to find Ji Fei’er. Zhi Mian was there too, and she asked if Liang Zhiyi wanted to go shopping at the supermarket for sports day supplies together on Sunday night. Liang Zhiyi agreed and then secretly asked, “Will Pei Chen be going too?”
Zhi Mian seemed to understand something and winked at her. “As the class representative, I think the class monitor must participate in this activity.”
Liang Zhiyi smiled.
Hehe, Zhi Mian really knows how to read minds.
So, at noon, Zhi Mian efficiently replied to Liang Zhiyi, saying that she had asked Pei Chen, and he agreed to come along.
Liang Zhiyi was especially happy.
In the afternoon, after the second class, it was time for PE, which was like starting the weekend early.
After running, the teacher let everyone choose their activities freely. Liang Zhiyi and Ji Fei’er, following their usual routine, went to get their badminton rackets, planning to play for a while.
When they arrived at the badminton court, it was already crowded. Liang Zhiyi noticed Pei Chen and Xuan Xia, who were also holding rackets, walking over.
The two boys came up to them, and Liang Zhiyi greeted them. Xuan Xia said, “There aren’t many courts left; let’s play together?”
Liang Zhiyi smiled, “Sure.”
She looked at Pei Chen, noticing that he didn’t show much expression but didn’t voice any objections either, which she took as his consent.
At this moment, a female voice called out from the side, “Pei Chen.”
Turning to look, Sang Xunling and a few other girls had walked over and were now standing in front of them. “Are you guys going to play basketball too?”
“Yes.”
Sang Xunling looked conflicted. “We want to play too, but it seems like there’s only one court left…”
Xuan Xia suggested, “Hey, what’s the point of playing separately? How about we have a match instead?”
He proposed a doubles match and asked Liang Zhiyi for her opinion. She replied, “I have no problem with that.”
“How about you guys?” Xuan Xia asked Sang Xunling and her friends.
Sang Xunling glanced at Liang Zhiyi and reluctantly agreed. Pei Chen didn’t object either, and since Xuan Xia loved organizing, he called over a few nearby classmates, making the scene lively in no time.
The match rules were set with free team formation, and to give everyone a chance to play, each match would be decided by eleven points.
The first to take the court were Xuan Xia and Pei Chen. Xuan Xia said to the others, “Pei Chen and I are too strong to be on the same team; otherwise, you’d all say we’re bullying you. Come on, come on, who wants to team up with Pei Chen? Sign up on the spot!”
Everyone looked around, smiling, but no one raised their hand immediately. A few friends nudged Sang Xunling, saying, “Lingling, you should go!”
The girl blushed and hesitated, but before she could decide, a female voice rang out from not far away: “I want to team up with Pei Chen.”
Sang Xunling turned her head and saw Liang Zhiyi stand up. The girl had jet-black hair, red lips, bright eyes, and a stunning presence.
Sang Xunling stared at her intently, clenching her palms.
Liang Zhiyi’s declaration stirred up a storm, and the crowd was shocked by how openly and firmly she chose Pei Chen, igniting the atmosphere with loud cheers and teasing.
Pei Chen stood in the court, noticing the radiant smile on the girl’s face as she looked at him.
A flicker of surprise crossed his dark eyes, and his thin lips pressed into a line.
For the sake of fairness, they needed another girl to join Xuan Xia’s team. After some urging from the others, Sang Xunling reluctantly stepped forward.
Liang Zhiyi walked up to Pei Chen and smiled at him. “Class monitor, don’t worry, I won’t drag you down.”
Pei Chen glanced down at her. “You stand in front. Xuan Xia isn’t good at handling shots near the net; focus on targeting him.”
Liang Zhiyi couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re taking this seriously?”
“Don’t worry, he won’t go easy on me either.”
Across from them, Sang Xunling saw the close interaction between Liang Zhiyi and Pei Chen, and a trace of displeasure flickered across her face.
As the match began, Xuan Xia played well, and Liang Zhiyi not only kept up but also synchronized perfectly with Pei Chen.
When Pei Chen executed his first smash at the net, the crowd erupted in cheers: “Class monitor, you’re awesome!”
Liang Zhiyi turned to see him heading to the backcourt after the smash, sweat dripping from his sharp jawline, exuding an intense aura of masculinity.
It was completely different from his usual scholarly demeanor.
At that moment, her heart raced wildly like a deer caught off guard.
Oh no, she was falling for him even more…
Pulling herself out of her daze, she focused on the game, playing increasingly well. Sang Xunling, on the other hand, wasn’t having as much fun, as she was completely outplayed by Liang Zhiyi.
When Liang Zhiyi returned her shot for the third time, Sang Xunling felt humiliated, her nose stinging. She looked at Liang Zhiyi, who was celebrating with Pei Chen, and joked bitterly, “Zhiyi, you can’t target me like this…”
Sang Xunling looked visibly upset, hoping Pei Chen would speak up for her, but the boy remained silent. Liang Zhiyi innocently blinked at her and said, “Sorry, but you’re my opponent, so of course I’m going to target you.”
“…”
How can she be so sly!
In the end, Liang Zhiyi and Pei Chen naturally won the match.
Though it was just a fun game, everyone was in high spirits despite the outcome, except for Sang Xunling.
The game continued until the bell rang, and only then did everyone realize the class period had flown by.
As everyone dispersed from the court, Ji Fei’er needed to go to the restroom, so Liang Zhiyi walked alone to the equipment room to put away the racket.
At that moment, Pei Chen and Xuan Xia had just arrived at the equipment room. Xuan Xia glanced at Pei Chen with a grin and said, “You and Liang Zhiyi played really well together today. I’m curious—when did you two get so in sync?”
Pei Chen was drinking water, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. After a few seconds, he stopped and shot Xuan Xia a cold glance, without saying a word.
Xuan Xia put the badminton racket away and leaned against a nearby shelf, watching him. “Don’t play dumb. Are you seriously telling me you haven’t noticed by now?”
“Noticed what?”
Xuan Xia replied excitedly, “Liang Zhiyi likes you!”
Pei Chen’s gaze faltered slightly.
“Let me break it down for you,” Xuan Xia continued. “Think about it—she wanted to be your deskmate at the beginning of the school year, then there was that incident during the National Day holiday, and today she outright said she wanted to be on your team. Isn’t that a sign she has feelings for you?”
Xuan Xia spoke with such conviction, “I’ve mentioned this to you before, haven’t I? Liang Zhiyi acts differently around you. As the saying goes, when someone likes you, they can’t hide it. If she doesn’t like you, I’ll give you my head to use as a soccer ball!”
Upon hearing this, Pei Chen’s eyes darkened, as if deep in thought. Xuan Xia was about to say more when a voice suddenly came from the entrance of the equipment room:
“What are you saying about me, so passionately?”
Xuan Xia turned around and saw Liang Zhiyi standing at the door.
The girl had a faint smile on her lips, looking straight at them.
Xuan Xia: !!!
Caught off guard, Xuan Xia awkwardly rubbed his head and stammered, “Uh, I didn’t say anything!”
Suppressing a laugh, Xuan Xia quickly moved toward the door, clearing his throat. “Don’t get the wrong idea, I didn’t say anything, really…”
Before he could finish his sentence, Xuan Xia had already disappeared.
The equipment room was left with just the two of them.
Pei Chen’s expression tightened when he saw her. He set down the racket and, without a word, turned to leave, but Liang Zhiyi quickly stepped in front of him, blocking his way.
The girl looked up at him, her voice playful, “I heard everything you guys just said.”
After a few moments of silence, Pei Chen averted his gaze and spoke in a low voice, “Xuan Xia was just talking nonsense. Don’t take it seriously.”
Liang Zhiyi suddenly smiled. “Who said he was talking nonsense?”
Pei Chen looked at her, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes as Liang Zhiyi took a step closer, her brows slightly raised.
“How long are you going to keep pretending?”
She lifted her gaze to meet his, her eyes bright like stars, and in a voice as alluring as a fox’s, she whispered in his ear:
“Pei Chen, haven’t you realized that I like you?”