Halfway through the first semester of tenth grade, Suchen was assigned by the teacher to be Lika's sixty-second new deskmate. As Suchen walked toward Lika's seat, she seemed completely unaware of his approach.
Lika was flipping through her textbook, lost in her own world. Suchen noticed an exquisite hair accessory pinned in her hair. Her silver locks gleamed faintly under the Sun, and her crimson eyes radiated a chilling indifference.
She seemed completely unimpressed by Suchen coming close to her—like a thorny rose, sending a chill through the air yet making it impossible to look away.
When Suchen finally looked away from her, the classroom seemed to grow dead silent, leaving only the soft, clear sounds of the two of them.
Just then, Lika, who had been immersed in the sea of books, finally shifted her attention to Suchen. She gently closed the book in her hands.
Then, with an extremely graceful posture, she stood up from her seat and began to slowly walk in circles around Suchen. Every step looked so light, confident, and full of mystery.
When she finished her circuit, she stopped right in front of Suchen, locking her gaze firmly on his slightly youthful and tender face.
Lika curved the corners of her lips slightly, forming an inscrutable yet highly attractive smile, and said, "Oh? So you're the one about to become this young lady's new deskmate."
Her tone seemed to mingle a trace of curiosity and anticipation, but even more so, an excitement and eagerness for an unknown challenge.
Suchen looked at Lika and said, "Yes." Lika raised an eyebrow: "Mmhmm? You've got some nerve, actually daring to look this young lady in the eye." Suchen: "What's so scary about that?"
Lika stepped a little closer: "Or do you think this young lady is very pretty?" Suchen: "I feel like looking straight at you isn't very difficult at all."
Lika gave a light chuckle: "That's certainly interesting. I thought you'd be like all the rest." Suchen: "Those vulgar people."
Lika looked at Suchen with amused interest: "Vulgar? Why say that?" Suchen: "I wouldn't stoop to that." Lika: "Mmhmm? Looks like you've got some backbone after all."
Suchen crossed his arms and said, "You're pretty straightforward yourself." Lika: "Naturally. This young lady has always been this way." Suchen: "I feel like you still don't acknowledge me as your deskmate. What'll it take for you to accept me?"
Lika: "Accept you? Simple. As long as you can keep up with my questions, this young lady will accept you." Suchen: "What kind of questions?"
Lika leaned in close to Suchen and said, "Do you think I'm pretty?" Suchen said calmly, "Pretty." Lika wore a playful smile: "Oh? Just one word?"
Suchen: "Two words, fine." Lika: "You really are an interesting person. I like you." Suchen asked in confusion, "You like me?"
Lika: "Of course. Who else makes it this interesting?" Suchen: "So that means you accept me?" Lika: "That's right. From now on, you're my deskmate."
Suchen: "Then thanks for the acceptance." Lika: "Don't mention it, my dear deskmate. I'm so glad we can study and grow together. Your presence is like a bright beam of light, illuminating my isolated world. Starting today, let's work hard and make progress together."
There was truly no other way left. Deskmate after deskmate had come and gone, and the teacher had been called in by Lika's parents more than a hundred times over her behavior.
They were constantly being informed of all the various issues surrounding Lika. If things kept going like this, the only option left would likely be to transfer Lika to another school.
In truth, Lika knew very well in her heart that she came from a noble family, but she had no desire to deal with people who only knew how to offer empty flattery and smooth talk.
Suchen curved the corners of his mouth slightly, looking straight ahead with a firm, confident, and resolute gaze. He answered in a decisive tone: "No problem."
Lika couldn't help raising an eyebrow, seeming somewhat surprised by Suchen's crisp and straightforward reply, but she quickly recovered her composure and let out a somewhat provocative "Mmhmm?" before pursuing: "Could it be... you're really that confident in yourself?"
Faced with Lika's skepticism and challenge, Suchen didn't back down at all. He once again answered with absolute finality: "Of course!" as if declaring to her the immensely powerful conviction deep inside his heart.
Seeing this, Lika smiled softly, a flicker of appreciation flashing in her eyes, and then said softly: "Good. Since you're so confident, let's have a contest. I'd like to see just where this confidence of yours comes from."
Suchen looked at the girl before him, who was full of confidence and brimming with provocation, curled his lips slightly, and asked calmly, "What are we competing on?"
Seeing this, Lika raised an eyebrow, wearing a half-smile as she replied, "Let's compete on who is more excellent." She thought to herself that she was an honors student at the school and had never lost before.
Hearing this, Suchen did not shrink back, but instead asked with keen interest, "How shall we compete?"
Lika pondered for a moment, then proposed, "Why don't we compete on our studies and see who is better? After all, knowledge is power!" With that, she even blinked at Suchen.
Suchen nodded slightly to show his agreement: "Very well, I accept your challenge." He understood in his heart that this would be a fierce competition, but he wasn't afraid in the slightest, because he had enough confidence in his own strength.
Sunlight streamed through the windows into the classroom, illuminating two focused faces. Lika and Suchen sat facing each other, tackling advanced math problems from the previous year's tenth-grade class together. Pen tips danced across paper, thoughts collided in their minds, and time ticked away second by second.
Finally, both of them finished solving the problems and exchanged a smile. A flash of surprise crossed Lika's eyes: "Not bad, pretty smart." She hadn't expected this seemingly ordinary boy to keep pace with her.
Suchen smiled faintly, his tone resolute: "Since we're in high school, we definitely need some real skills to hold our ground in this fiercely competitive environment. I certainly don't want to be left in the dust by others."
Lika nodded in agreement. She knew Suchen wasn't just some bookworm who only knew how to rote-learn; he had his own unique study methods and insights. From him, Lika saw an indomitable spirit. Her arrogant tone gradually softened, making communication much easier.
Their understanding of each other deepened a notch, but Suchen knew he still needed to work hard. This laid the foundation for their eventual romance and destined them to weather the storms of life hand in hand.