Thanks to Ansheng's crucial vote, Miaomiao naturally won the election for class monitor.
For the rest of the class committee positions, Ansheng simply glanced over them and voted at random, wanting to get it out of the way to avoid another tie that would single him out again.
What surprised Ansheng somewhat was that their homeroom teacher, Teacher Huacai, seemed completely inexperienced in handling student arguments. When she was up on the stage earlier, she had looked as though she was about to cry.
Perhaps it was because she was too young and struggled to command respect from the students. After all, the teacher looked like a young woman who had graduated not long ago...
While Ansheng was letting his mind wander, Miaomiao, having returned to her seat, was experiencing a turmoil of emotions.
*Classmate Ansheng... why did he still vote for me even after I was so harsh to him and misunderstood him?*
Miaomiao's eyelashes trembled slightly, and she couldn't help turning around to steal another glance at Ansheng, who was spacing out in the corner.
*This boy... why do I always feel like there's something strange about him?*
...No matter what, I have to find a chance to apologize to him, Miaomiao thought, her gaze resolute.
At the end of the second class,
Miaomiao was just about to turn around and call out to Ansheng.
"An—"
She looked back, but Ansheng was already nowhere to be seen.
Miaomiao was stunned. When did this guy vanish without a trace? It had only been a few seconds since the class ended!
Hesitating for a moment, Miaomiao comforted herself. *It's fine... there are still more chances, it's only morning.*
—As a result, Miaomiao didn't catch sight of Ansheng during any of the breaks for the entire morning.
*What is wrong with this guy?!*
Miaomiao was completely baffled by this defies-logic boy. It was now lunchtime, yet neither the cafeteria nor the classroom had any trace of Ansheng.
*Then this afternoon! There's still a chance this afternoon!*
At the end of the first class of the afternoon,
Miaomiao fell fast asleep because she was too sleepy.
A few minutes before the end of the final class,
Miaomiao remorsefully rubbed her sleek long hair, feeling an overwhelming sense of self-reproach.
*How did I fall asleep... school is about to let out!*
Miaomiao took out her pocket mirror and held it up. The mirror reflected the figure of Ansheng spacing out behind her.
*Judging by how he acts, he'll probably run away even faster once school ends... My only option is to intercept him beforehand!*
Gritting her teeth, Miaomiao cast a quick glance at the teacher on the stage, lowered her head, tore off a piece of paper, and wrote: [Wait for me after school.]
Seizing the right moment, she stretched out her left hand and slyly placed it right on Ansheng's desk.
Miaomiao let out a sigh of relief, feeling a faint, involuntary sense of triumph.
*This time I'll definitely be able to stop him...*
*Wait, stopping him is one thing... what on earth am I supposed to say to him?!*
At that thought, the corners of Miaomiao's mouth gradually stiffened.
At this very moment, AnshengAlthough students were allowed to bring cell phones, they couldn't openly play with them in the classroom—getting caught meant confiscation.
Fortunately, Ansheng was fast on his feet. As soon as class ended, he ran straight up to the rooftop. Even if it was just for a few short minutes, he was going to dedicate that time to the manga saved on his phone.
Speaking of which, he should go buy some bread ahead of time next day. Otherwise, spending the entire lunch break reading manga on the rooftop left him feeling a bit hungry today...
"Hmm?"
Ansheng suddenly noticed Miaomiao handing him a... small note?
After reading what was written on it, Ansheng felt completely baffled. He looked at the girl in front of him, whose back was exceptionally graceful, full of inner confusion.
Wait for Miaomiao to do what?
—
Ring, ring...
The pleasant end-of-class bell rang. Ansheng snapped back to reality and got ready to stand up, feeling immensely cheerful.
It was a good time to go check out what delicious snacks the tuck shop had!
With his hands in his pockets and softly whistling a tune, Ansheng had just stood up and taken two steps when a somewhat nervous voice called out his name.
"Pl... please wait a moment, Ansheng!"
"Hmm?"
Ansheng stopped in his tracks, turned around in confusion, and saw that the person who called out to him was none other than Miaomiao.
Oh right, she seemed to have asked him to wait a bit earlier... he had completely forgotten.
At that moment, she was awkwardly crossing her arms, her gaze glancing sideways, though she kept sneaking peeks back at him.
Her delicate face was slightly flushed, completely stripped of the cold image she had when they first met, looking every bit like a shy young maiden.
Ansheng tilted his head and asked, "What is it? Looking to cause trouble for me?"
Instead, Miaomiao was taken aback. She bit her lip and blushed as she said, "No... it's not like that!"
The apology was right on the tip of her tongue, but it got stuck in her throat, leaving her momentarily speechless.
After waiting for nearly a minute and seeing that she remained silent—fidgeting with her fingers one moment and tucking her hair behind her ear the next—Ansheng glanced around. Most of the students in the classroom had already left.
"Can you hurry up, Miaomiao? I'm in a rush."
Ansheng urged impatiently, completely unable to figure this girl out.
Miaomiao took a deep breath, her eyes suddenly shifting from shy to immensely serious.
"Ansheng... right, righ—"
"What do you mean, right or wrong?"
Ansheng clicked his tongue, growing a bit impatient. Miaomiao choked on her words, her cheeks flushed slightly as she suddenly blurted out at the top of her lungs:
"Is there anything you need my help with!"
"?"
Ansheng was stunned. She hemmed and hawed for so long just for this one sentence?
Besides, why on earth would she say something like that?Miaomiao lightly bit her lower lip, ultimately still unable to utter those three simple words: I am sorry...
Ansheng furrowed his brow, feeling rather bewildered.
"Not at all, classmate Miao. If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving first."
Ansheng waved his hand and turned to leave.
Watching him already walking toward the door, Miaomiao couldn't help feeling somewhat nervous and instinctively blurted out at the top of her voice:
"I... I'll treat you to dinner!"
She originally thought he wouldn't refuse, but the next second Miaomiao was left frozen in place once again.
"Declined!"
Almost the moment Miaomiao finished speaking, Ansheng bolted out the door, leaving behind only a brisk and decisive silhouette.
Huh?
"W-Wait!"
Ansheng could no longer hear Miaomiao's flustered words; he had already dashed out of the school gates in a flash.
Miaomiao bit her pearly white teeth, a trace of anxiety surfacing on her gentle face.
This is terrible. What should I do if I haven't apologized to him yet? What should I do...
Give up?
No way! This was entirely her own fault; she had to apologize and make amends to him.
Glancing at the time, it was only just past four o'clock. The day was still young—she would ask him out for this afternoon!
Wait... she hadn't managed to get his contact information yet!
Even though he lived right next door to her... she felt it would be far too embarrassing to bring it up to his face like that...
After pondering for a moment, Miaomiao decided to seek help from a teacher.
Arriving at the staff office, Teacher Huacai was complaining to a colleague with a wronged expression:
"Kids these days are so scary. Just now I felt like a fight was about to break out, boo-hoo."
"Teacher Hua Chai is just too gentle, and your approachability is maxed out! You have to be a bit fiercer to keep the students in line!"
Huacai sniffled and responded blankly, "I-Is that so?"
Knock, knock, knock—
"Excuse me, is Teacher Hua Chai here?"
A crisp knock accompanied Miaomiao's voice.
Huacai started, hurriedly wiped her face, and put on a smile as she faced Miaomiao.
"Please come in, classmate Miao."
"Is there something you need?"
As for this classmate Miao, she had reviewed her student file—she was truly an exemplary student of both high moral character and academic excellence. Huacai had a favorable impression of her, especially since Miaomiao had already helped her with many things on the very first day.
Not to mention, the girl was such a great beauty!
Miaomiao hesitated for a moment, lowered her head, and asked softly:
"Um... Teacher Hua, do you happen to have classmate Ansheng's contact information?"
Huacai turned her head, her mouth slightly agape as she stared at Miaomiao. Her gaze contained a hint of surprise, as well as a trace of gossip.
A few seconds later, Huacai flashed a knowing smile at Miaomiao."Student Miaomiao, although the school doesn't strictly forbid students from dating, remember to keep up with your studies too~"
"N... no, it's not like that!"
Miaomiao's face drained of color before instantly flushing bright red. That was not what she meant at all!
Teacher Huacai stopped Miaomiao before she could explain further, wearing an "I understand, I totally understand" expression. The other teachers in the office also wore teasing smiles.
"I!..."
"I've sent you Ansheng's contact info~ Go for it~ The teacher definitely supports you!"
Completely dazed, Miaomiao found herself pushed out the door. Her phone vibrated; Teacher Huacai had already sent Ansheng's contact information, complete with a grinning sticker.
It seemed she had been thoroughly misunderstood...
Clenching her teeth, Miaomiao decided to drop the explanation for now. Anyway, she figured she should just ask Ansheng out first.
She swallowed hard. This was the first time she had ever added a boy's contact information... In the past, guys were always the ones chasing after her for hers.
Looking at Ansheng's anime girl profile picture, Miaomiao tapped to add him as a friend.
Meanwhile, Ansheng was completely engrossed in watching an anime when his phone vibrated.
"Who's looking for me?"
He muttered to himself. He didn't have any friends to speak of; the only contacts on his phone were relatives and family members, so his phone was usually dead silent.
He opened his phone to find a girl with a cute cat profile picture trying to add him.
"Must be spam or a scammer."
Without even thinking, Ansheng tapped reject and went back to watching his anime.
A few seconds later, his phone vibrated again.
Ansheng picked it up and saw it was the same girl trying to add him, only this time the verification message read: [I am Miaomiao].
"Miaomiao?"
Ansheng was taken aback. What could she possibly want with him?
Figuring that since she was the class monitor, it might be something related to the class, Ansheng finally accepted the request.
[Meet me at the noodle shop across from the school this afternoon. My treat, I'll be waiting.]
"Noodles?"
Ansheng felt it was completely inexplicable. Were these noodles really that mandatory?
Was this woman plotting something malicious?
After a moment of hesitation, he sent a message back.
[Do I have to?]
[You have to.]
Miaomiao replied almost instantly.
Ansheng put his phone away and let out a long sigh. "I really don't feel like making a trip out..."
Right on the computer screen in front of him, an anime he had been hoarding for a long time was playing.
One more episode... watching a little longer won't hurt, right?