Chapter 37

The moonlight was like water. The clear wind swayed the tree shadows.

The evenings of May were already a bit hot. Fortunately there was wind blowing in gusts that relieved some of the restlessness.

Ge Yuan quieted his heart to look at books. Occasionally when his eyes ached from looking he stood up and walked a bit. Raising his head he looked toward that classroom upstairs with the light on. Looking and looking he could not help curling the corners of his lips.

Thinking of that person in the classroom his whole body was filled with motivation.

He worked hard here. She also seriously studied in the classroom. Truly good.

All around was a stretch of deep darkness. The light of the flashlight in his hand dispersed some of the darkness and also made the moonlight in the sky become dim. He seemed to be completely enveloped by darkness with only a few chi of brightness.

Yet such darkness did not make him feel afraid.

Even if he was a person walking alone in the darkness as long as there was light in his heart he could chase it for a lifetime.

—

Ye Wanqing’s mood was very good.

Extremely excellent!

Most children in their teens had very pure temperaments. She treated people with sincerity and what she received in return was also pure sincerity.

Last night she seriously made a mathematics study plan for a whole evening. Tonight she won a stretch of good reviews. She herself also received quite a few politics, history and geography knowledge-point materials that were clear and orderly—all without the least discount.

Every person had their own study methods and study habits. Therefore the notes each person made had subtle differences. This also had benefits—they could cross-reference and learn from one another.

Ye Wanqing was very planned. She first began sorting notes from politics. With several notebooks mutually referenced then compared with the books her study efficiency improved by more than double.

According to this speed she felt she could summarize the politics, history and geography knowledge points in half a month then begin assault memorization.

Different from Ye Wanqing sorting knowledge points most of the others wanted to improve mathematics and English results. Therefore from time to time they needed to ask Ye Wanqing questions.

Yet Ye Wanqing was studying. They could not disturb well. Yet not disturbing their questions also could not get answers. They could only be dryly anxious. After studying like this for one hour Zhou Zhao could not help proposing it.

“Do you all think this works?” Ye Wanqing thought of a solution. “We every day from 6 in the evening go to evening self-study until 9 in the evening—altogether three hours. If you have questions that need asking we use the last half hour specially to solve these questions. You first put the difficult questions to the side. In the last half hour we concentrate and assault.”

“This way the same question types we can overcome together, avoiding the time waste of repeated explanations. Second, listening to the questions others propose can also check for omissions and fill gaps for oneself, reviewing the old to know the new.”

“Okay ah. I approve!” Jiang Lili was the first to nod. “This way we also need not be embarrassed to call you.”

“This is very not bad.” Zhou Zhao nodded.

The others also had no opinions and felt this was very good.

Ye Wanqing spoke correctly. If there was one question that everyone could not do then explaining together was the most time-saving. If there was one question only one person proposed those who could not do it listening together could also check for omissions and fill gaps. Those who could do it perhaps could also discover one more problem-solving idea.

In short only benefits no drawbacks.

The matter was simply decided like this. Receiving confirmation everyone again began reviewing on their own. Ye Wanqing also continued sorting politics knowledge points. Everyone was very quiet and did not disturb one another yet the study atmosphere was extremely thick.

Only Zhou Zhao who proposed this matter looked at Ye Wanqing a couple more times and secretly admired in his heart.

Previously he had a bit of prejudice toward Ye Wanqing. He felt pretty girls were not necessarily sincerely passionate about studying and perhaps only came to No. 3 Middle School to muddle a diploma. Later seeing Ye Wanqing confront Yi Yuan the two of them he again felt this girl had a straightforward temperament—still not bad.

This monthly exam Ye Wanqing’s up-and-down results made his mood also follow up and down. Yet the party herself was extremely calm, making him develop a few points of curiosity toward Ye Wanqing.

Tonight contacting again he discovered Ye Wanqing was not only a pretty and intelligent girl—her temperament was actually also extremely good. As long as speaking of studying she was completely different from the ordinarily cold-as-frost appearance. Matters were all arranged in perfect order……

Exactly how many faces did she have?

As a boy Zhou Zhao could not clearly think through this question and felt this question was even harder to do than the final additional big question of mathematics. Yet what he could determine was: this was a classmate worth deeply associating with.

—

At nine in the evening the tin alarm clock Ye Wanqing placed on the desk rang.

She pressed off the alarm, finished explaining the last question for everyone, slightly moved her cervical spine a bit, stretched a lazy waist then asked, “Do you still have questions? If not then tonight we first go home so the family people do not worry.”

“None.”

“Go back. Time is already too late. Tomorrow continue!”

“Classmate Ye, today truly hard on you. Thank you.”

“Tomorrow continue! We will definitely test into university!”

“Hahaha……”

The others also one after another stood up and laughing and talking began packing things—especially lively.

This one evening of evening self-study for them all had harvests. Their moods naturally were extremely good. Previously when studying every single one was very serious. Now instead they became lively. The young people one after another were full of vitality.

“Then see you tomorrow.” Ye Wanqing also smiled.

Jiang Lili quickly packed her things and linked arms with her. “Go. We’ll go down together.”

To save electricity the school only turned on the lights of this classroom. The lights in the corridor and stairwell were not turned on. They could only themselves shine flashlights a bit.

And for girls the pitch-black night was a huge challenge. Must two people link arms hand-in-hand to resist the terror of the black night.

Recalling previously Ge Yue with a face full of fear saying childish words about monsters eating people at night then looking at the trembling and fearful Jiang Lili Ye Wanqing could not help laughing. “Alright.”

The boys also knew girls were timid. Zhou Zhao volunteered to go turn off the lights and was the last to walk out of the classroom, carefully locking the classroom door well.

Jiang Wen and another boy then carried Ye Wanqing’s electric fan downstairs. After all placing it in the classroom still feared losing it. The electric fan Ye Wanqing definitely needed to take back.

Eight people together walked down the stairwell, lively speaking—also not that afraid.

Walking out of the teaching building Ye Wanqing at one glance saw Ge Yuan waiting downstairs.

“Brother Yuan!” Ye Wanqing happily waved a hand. If not for Jiang Lili holding her arm too tightly she would already have run toward her family’s tall man.

“Valuing beauty over friends oh!” Jiang Lili complained in a small voice.

The others also could not help successively teasing. “Classmate Ye, unexpected that you are also this lively. Seeing the person in your heart are you very happy?”

“Your fiancé is truly good—handsome appearance and considerate to the details. No wonder you look down on other people of our school.”

“You truly have good fortune.”

“That Chen Yuming of the neighboring class said to be some talented scholar—simply not as handsome and elegant as your fiancé.”

“Still bought you an electric fan—truly impressive!”

“……”

The electric fan Ge Yuan brought greatly relieved the dryness and heat of the night. Several people counted as benefiting from Ye Wanqing’s light.

The electric fan was a fresh novelty everyone had never seen and still extremely practical. At this time few families could afford electric fans. In this small county town of Qingshui County this electric fan perhaps was still the first one in the county town.

With this electric fan continuously blowing several people studying here were more comfortable than at home. Receiving benefits from the person they all held great good feelings toward the Ge Yuan who sent the electric fan. Moreover previously those chilled melons and fruits were also delicious ah!

Good person ah!

Therefore although teasing was teasing in the speech there was also no lack of praising Ge Yuan capable and impressive.

Ye Wanqing originally was not of a pretentious temperament. The reason she maintained a low profile at school was because she did not have that much time to socialize and spent all the time on studying—thus giving people an illusion that she was an iceberg beauty with a cold and arrogant temperament.

Now hearing her own tall man being praised she not only did not stop it and also had no intention of falsely being modest a couple sentences. Instead she slightly raised her chin and became proud.

“Yes. I also feel my eyesight is super good. So early I already monopolized such a good man. Hahaha.” In her voice was smiling meaning and also no lack of playfulness—completely different from her ordinary appearance.

Completely not expecting Ye Wanqing actually to have this reaction—thinking she would shyly stomp feet or modestly wave hands saying “he’s just average”—the classmates uniformly froze.

After a good while it was still Classmate Jiang Lili who leisurely spoke everyone’s heart. “Wanqing, you ordinarily are not like this……”

Ye Wanqing pretended tension. “……Ai, carelessly exposed.”

A group of people again “hahaha” laughed open.

While several people laughed and spoke Ge Yuan quietly stood to the side and only used doting and mild gazes to look at Ye Wanqing.

That gaze was direct and enthusiastic. Looking at it Jiang Lili and several people all became embarrassed to dawdle long. Always felt the atmosphere here alone formed a small world and was not suitable for them to continue staying.

“We’ll first leave. Goodbye ah.”

“Goodbye.”

Several people accompanied each other out of the school gate. The boys could go home themselves. Jiang Lili also saw the family people waiting outside the school gate. Before separating several people again could not help emotionally commenting a couple sentences on Ye Wanqing and Ge Yuan’s feelings.

Right now they did not know how to describe their present selves. Several decades later if they still remembered this stretch of past events they should be able to find a relatively accurate description: pitiful single dogs stuffed full of dog food.

—

“I’ll also go back.”

Ye Wanqing linked her family’s tall man’s hand yet did not pull him.

She surprisedly looked back. She only saw Ge Yuan’s pair of eyes in the thin night color brighter than the stars in the sky. Deep and silent he looked at her. Inside his body it seemed there was a volcano erupting and surging. Even his breathing was stained with that temperature.

“Brother Yuan……”

“Want to kiss you!” Ge Yuan’s voice carried a bit of huskiness and was extremely firm. “Must twelve times!”

Ye Wanqing: “……”

She still wanted to ask why it was twelve times. Her body was already pushed backward by the man. Her back pressed against the slightly cool wall. Her lip petals had already been precisely kissed by the man.

Behind was the slightly cool wall. In front was the man with a scalding body. Ye Wanqing slightly raised her head and allowed the man to kiss.

Sensing the man’s scalding breath spraying on the skin, sensing the short stubble on his chin pricking her cheeks and the side of her neck she was both shy and felt a kind of obscure stimulation.

This was at school……

After a good while Ge Yuan only released the restraint on her. Pityingly he stroked her cheeks. Lowering his head he deeply panted two breaths in the crook of her neck. “Go.”

“Mm……”

Ye Wanqing was kissed until her whole face was completely red and muddle-headedly nodded.

Walking out of the shadows the moment the wind blew she only felt the temperature on her face slightly retreated a tiny bit.

The night was quiet and without people. The two of them did not have as many concerns as in the daytime. Ge Yuan with one hand pulled Ye Wanqing’s small hand. With the other hand he lightly and easily lifted the electric fan.

The electric fans of this time were made of iron. Just that one base alone was afraid to have more than ten jin. Previously Jiang Wen and another boy two people could only lift it. Ge Yuan with one hand lifted the heavy electric fan.

Ye Wanqing could not help teasing him. “Brother Yuan, you’re so impressive!”

“Where impressive?” The voice still a bit husky. Ge Yuan looked over with eyes carrying satisfied smiling meaning.

“You look. Your left hand is leading me of around a hundred jin. Your right hand is lifting an electric fan of several tens of jin. Is this not impressive? Strongman!”

Ge Yuan: “……” Nonsense.

While joking Ye Wanqing looked toward Ge Yuan. Her eyes suddenly were attracted by a certain place on his body. She lightly coughed once. “There’s still one place also pretty impressive.”

“Mm?”

“Brother Yuan, don’t you feel the pants are a bit tight?”

Ge Yuan: “……”

Reacting Ge Yuan’s gaze rapidly looked downward once. Instantly the temperature on his face soared crazily. Raising his head he could not help gritting his teeth and lowly shouting, “Ye! Wan! Qing!”

“Ah……”

“Can you be a bit more reserved? You…… aren’t you afraid I’ll handle you right here?!” He was super fierce—very scary!

“This is not particularly good?” Ye Wanqing very seriously became shy once. “Actually this person feels the wedding night is still better. Kissing a bit here is fine yet still cannot go too far out of bounds.”

Ge Yuan: “……”

Endure……

Endure his grandpa’s!

He—he truly had no temper!

So angry he could not stand it. He secretly blocked the electric fan in front of himself so as not to continue being teased.

After kissing the person he was a bit agitated. Thinking the night color was dense and the two of them were walking by moonlight there was also no need to worry the light was too bright and exposed. Moreover both his hands needed to be used for proper matters…… Who knew—who knew this little woman actually……

Actually stared at that place of his!

Anger-killing!

However even if Ge Yuan was angry he also did not shake off Ye Wanqing’s hand. Who told him he simply could not bear to. It was just that the walking steps quickened, like an angrily charging large wolf dog.

Ye Wanqing quickly walked two steps to catch up with his pace. Pressing her lips she also did not dare laugh out loud anymore.

Ai—if she truly provoked her family’s Brother Yuan into fire that also would not do.

—

Returning home Ye Wanqing only then discovered Ge Yuan these two days had tidied the courtyard a bit. He did not do anything else—just by the wall in the small courtyard separately opened a small single room specially used for bathing.

This counted as specially made for her because she loved cleanliness. Every time bathing she needed to use two buckets of water. Carrying water into the room to finish washing then carrying the waste water out—back and forth needed quite a bit of effort and also delayed time.

Yet with this bathing room it was different. At least it could save half the time and was also easier.

The bathing room was not considered large—only able to let one person turn around inside. The four walls were all brick-built. The canopy directly embedded a slanted aluminum sheet on top—clean and flat.

The bathing ground was also paved with blue bricks and also made a water outlet. This way the washed waste water need not be received in the bath basin and could directly be poured onto the ground.

Ye Wanqing comfortably took a bath and returned to the room.

The electric fan was placed not far from her desk. The moment she approached she sensed a stretch of cool wind. Yet the black-faced large wolf dog who lifted the electric fan in was also not seen. Most likely after putting down the electric fan he hid outside……

Ye Wanqing could not help laughing out loud. She pulled the chair and sat down in front of the desk.

Entering study state her attitude instantly became upright.

Wanting to sort out the knowledge points of the three subjects of politics, history and geography—this was truly not a small project. Saying half a month to finish sorting she also was not certain whether she could achieve it.

Perhaps she needed to think of other methods?

—

The next day arriving at school Ye Wanqing taking advantage of the students coming to school still not many put down the schoolbag and went to the teachers’ office.

After coming out of the office the expression on her face was much more relaxed.

Her mathematics basically need not be studied anymore. With more than twenty years of teaching experience if she could not guarantee high scores she truly should crash her head and die.

English level although not considered very good used to participate in the college entrance examination should also be about enough.

For her what currently needed to be grasped as quickly as possible were the three subjects of politics, history and geography. And this was also the place easiest to increase scoring points. Therefore she discussed a bit with the two teachers. In the future for mathematics class and English class she wanted to slightly “slack off” a bit and use them to sort the politics, history and geography knowledge points.

Of course the teachers were not easy to persuade.

Ye Wanqing also used one morning self-study period of time to rapidly finish one mathematics test paper and one English test paper and moreover received not-bad scores. Only then did she obtain permission.

Starting from this day Ye Wanqing on mathematics class and English class low-key sorted the politics, history and geography knowledge points. Jiang Lili and Jiang Wen seeing it asked one or two sentences. Whether other people noticed Ye Wanqing also did not put it in her heart.

She felt reporting to the two teachers was enough yet did not expect she actually was reported in one complaint to Class Teacher Zeng.

Teacher Zeng at the beginning did not have a particularly good impression of Ye Wanqing and felt she was just a flower-flower butterfly. Entering school definitely was not with heart studying. Yet Ye Wanqing’s performance this stretch of time was here. She knew she herself had wrongly blamed the person.

Ye Wanqing this time being reported Teacher Zeng also knew the truth. Although calling the person to the office it was not blaming her but letting her not therefore influence studying.

Ye Wanqing expressed thanks. Walking out of the office yet her face turned cold.

She most disliked people who behind the scenes played dirty tricks. Unfortunately right now she had no time to waste on those demons and monsters. Otherwise according to her temper she would definitely counterattack a bit to vent anger.

However being too lazy to spend time finding the person who struck black hands did not mean Ye Wanqing wanted to conceal this matter and cover for the person who played tricks.

When Jiang Lili curiously asked her what matter the class teacher called her for she simply spoke the matter.

“What?” Jiang Lili widened her eyes. “Actually someone reported for this matter? You looking at whatever book in class the teachers already agreed. That person meddling for what. Also did not influence others! People who behind the scenes scheme against others are all not good things!”

Saying this Jiang Lili glared toward Yi Yuan’s direction. Clearly she suspected Yi Yuan was the one stirring trouble behind.

Ye Wanqing in the class only had direct conflict with Yi Yuan. Yi Yuan indeed was the most possible to report black.

With Jiang Lili’s loud voice the class people almost all knew what happened. And Jiang Lili glaring toward Yi Yuan—Yi Yuan also instantly stood up from the chair.

“Jiang Lili, you glaring at me means what?”

“Perhaps it’s you who finds Wanqing unpleasant to the eye. Do you not admit?” Jiang Lili snorted once.

“I did not!” Yi Yuan was so angry she could not stand it. “If I am the person who reported then this lifetime I cannot test into university!”

Jiang Lili: “Heh……”

Ye Wanqing comfortingly patted Jiang Lili’s arm. “Should not be her.”

“How do you know?” Jiang Lili pouted. “Wanqing, why are you still speaking for her?”

Ye Wanqing: “I feel with her IQ she should not think of the idea of harming people behind the scenes.”

Yi Yuan originally moved and wanting to say something—as a result upon hearing these words her expression instantly stiffened a bit and fiercely glared at Ye Wanqing once.

Not speaking again Ye Wanqing’s pair of clear cold almond eyes swept a circle in the classroom. She discovered most classmates were curious mixed with a few points of doubt and guessing expressions. Seeing her look over they also did not dodge her gaze.

Yet when her line of sight swept to a corner a short and small-statured boy suddenly turned away his gaze. His expression was a bit unnatural……

Ye Wanqing’s almond eyes narrowed a bit.

Oh…… this was a bit interesting.

—

Being reported black was only a small interlude. Although Ye Wanqing was unhappy she also did not want to put the cart before the horse and spend time on this matter.

From Jiang Lili’s mouth she learned that short and small man was called Wang Zhen. Results not bad. When taking exams he never fell out of the top three of the class. Before Ye Wanqing came he was the outstanding one of the three subjects of Chinese, mathematics and foreign language. Especially mathematics and English—almost every time the highest score.

Ye Wanqing by guessing guessed this person was jealous.

Not being envied by people is mediocrity. She was too lazy to find people trouble yet did not expect the suspect actually automatically found her.

At this time the evening self-study group of eight had already conducted one week of activities. The participants’ mathematics results and English results obtained not small progress. The coursework completion situation was praised by the mathematics teacher and English teacher several times.

Wang Zhen finding her was wanting to join evening self-study and also let Ye Wanqing explain questions a bit.

Ye Wanqing hehe.

Slanting a glance at him she simply refused. “Not good.”

“Why?” Not expecting actually receiving this answer Wang Zhen’s gaze was a bit dissatisfied. “Why can Zhou Zhao and Chen Tian them join yet me joining is not okay?”

“Oh…… because last time being reported black I suddenly felt life is impermanent and world affairs difficult. Toward everything heart cold and discouraged. Unwilling to accept new little companions again. If you still want other reasons then perhaps it is I find you unpleasant and am not willing to lead you to play.”

“What did I do that made you find me unpleasant?”

Ye Wanqing thought a bit. “Too ugly?”

“……” Wang Zhen was so angry he clenched fists. “Then I’ll tell the teacher I also want to go to evening self-study. You always have no way to drive me away!”

“You go ah! At worst our several people change to another classroom for evening self-study. Also does not delay anything. It’s just…… hope some people have a bit of self-awareness and don’t stick like dog-skin plaster!”

“You……” Wang Zhen was so angry he could not stand it. One face red then white, white then red. In the end with a black face he turned and left.

Jiang Lili and them the moment he left praised with a “wah” once. “Wanqing, you’re so fierce oh—so ruthless oh!”

Ye Wanqing raised her brows a bit. “Toward enemies must be ruthless like the autumn wind sweeping fallen leaves.”

Jiang Lili: “……”

Guessing a bit of something she fiercely glared at Wang Zhen once and decided to tell the other several evening self-study little companions once. Everyone no one pay attention to this Wang Zhen and not explain questions for him!

Right—Wanqing herself did not want to worry. She could worry a bit more and in the future guard against this Wang Zhen making trouble!

—

After damaging Wang Zhen a stretch Ye Wanqing simply happily turned the page on this matter.

She according to her own study progress walked forward. In short few days the results were gratifying. Not only did she smoothly comb clear the politics knowledge points she also began sorting history knowledge points.

Jiang Lili was a very cute girl. Seeing Ye Wanqing immersed in sorting the three subjects of politics, history and geography yet uniquely forgetting Chinese and thinking last time Ye Wanqing’s lost points mostly lost on ancient poetry she specially spent time copying all the ancient poetry on the textbooks for Ye Wanqing so she could conveniently recite.

Ye Wanqing rewarded Classmate Jiang Lili with one head-pat kill and incidentally promised after the college entrance examination to make her one delicious meal.

Jiang Lili had not tried Ye Wanqing’s cooking skill yet trusted her unprecedentedly and very much anticipated that meal more than one month later—happy beyond measure. As a result while she showed off and showed off unknown how under a group of people’s teasing it became Ye Wanqing treating the evening self-study group to a meal together.

Ye Wanqing also smilingly agreed.

Feeding one…… uh, feeding one person was also feeding. Feeding seven people was also feeding. Counting it as a post-exam gathering to relax a bit.

The people in the evening self-study group every one had not-bad character and also good study results. Not only were they human connections worth maintaining they were also good friends worth associating with.

It was just that this day Ye Wanqing and Jiang Lili linked arms walking downstairs yet did not at one glance see Ge Yuan who every day would wait not far from the stairwell entrance.

She was a bit strange. Jiang Lili yet suddenly pointed toward one direction.

“Wanqing, is that your partner? He…… seems to be holding a flashlight looking at a book?”

Ye Wanqing quickly turned her eyes and looked. She only saw at the edge of a flower bed very far from the stairwell entrance sat a tall and big young man.

That person sat slanted with his back toward them. One foot stepped on the edge of the flower bed. One hand held a book resting on the bent leg. One hand was raising a flashlight looking.

Perhaps looking too deeply or perhaps the distance too far he not only did not detect time passing for a time also did not discover Ye Wanqing them coming down from the stairwell entrance.

“Wanqing, your partner is also looking at books ah.” Jiang Lili had a little-beast-like intuition. Inexplicably felt at this moment Ye Wanqing’s emotions were a bit off yet could not help being curious. Cautiously she opened her mouth. “Why doesn’t he go into the classroom? The classroom is so comfortable.”