He Yao had no ideal school.
After the last incident, she didn't even want to go to school anymore.
If it weren't for her mother's embarrassment, her constant nagging, and the fact that she was too young to work, she might have already left this city.
But this was her private matter, and she wouldn't tell Zhan Jingrui. At worst, she would just ignore him.
Seeing He Yao's silence, the air quieted for two seconds before her deskmate picked up the conversation.
"Yes, yes, of course, there's an ideal school."
"My dream school is South City Aviation University. You know, I've always been obsessed with becoming a pilot..."
"Then why are you studying like this?"
Zhan Jingrui glanced at his deskmate expressionlessly, mocking him.
"If you can use connections, do it. If not, go home and dream about it. Otherwise, with your grades, getting into that school is a pipe dream."
His words were harsh, but his deskmate didn't seem to care, grinning shamelessly.
"You said it's a dream, right? It's always okay to dream. Hehe, I know I'm far from it, but that's because I didn't try before. Now that you're here."
"A few cheap figurines, and you expect me to get you admitted to university?"
"It's not just a few. If you tutor me and He Yao every day from now on, I'll give you half of my living expenses as a token of my filial piety."
Talking about money with Zhan Jingrui was like talking about crops with a farmer; he simply didn't care.
Half of his living expenses was a drop in the bucket to Zhan Jingrui.
"Stop the nonsense. Since you both don't understand and don't want to learn, I won't waste my time..."
He started to get up, but his deskmate quickly pulled him back.
"Don't, I didn't say I don't want to learn. I do! Even if I'm a hopeless case, at least try to carve me. Give up if it really doesn't work out."
"The main thing is that I don't care about myself. I just bragged to He Yao's mom, and she can't be let down. Think of it as an act of charity, please, please help."
His plea was sincere, while He Yao, who truly needed help, sat as upright as ever, refusing to utter a single soft word.
However, this was good. Zhan Jingrui disliked people who talked too much.
Her silence suited him perfectly.
Since neither of them understood, he had to start from the first lesson.
This time, he was much more humane, pausing after a couple of sentences to look at them. Once they both nodded, he would continue.
Two hours later, Zhan Jingrui's throat was dry. He assigned them homework, packed his things, and got up.
"I'll check tomorrow. If the homework isn't finished or isn't up to par, I won't come the day after."
The next day, he went to the ward at the usual time. Both of them respectfully submitted their homework.
Zhan Jingrui glanced at it. They weren't too stupid; He Yao had completed it all.
But his deskmate...
He started making excuses again: "Yesterday was too busy, I didn't have time to write. You know, the teacher assigned so much in class, and I still had to take care of her, deal with my mom at home, and do the extra homework you assigned. I couldn't manage it all..."
As if he usually did his homework. Zhan Jingrui couldn't be bothered.
His deskmate's family was in the clothing business, well-known in Sucheng. He didn't need a diploma to prove himself; he was born at the finish line.
Zhan Jingrui knew many people like him and understood their mindset. Instead, those like him who treated learning as a livelihood became the odd ones out.
Actually, he knew his deskmate didn't need him as a teacher, but for some reason, he agreed.
If He Yao was willing to learn, he would continue teaching.
It went on like this for several days: teaching one day, checking homework the next. A week passed in the blink of an eye.
On Saturday afternoon after class, he went to the ward again. To his surprise, there was a group of people in the room.
It was the class monitor, along with the study committee member and two other female classmates, visiting He Yao. They were talking with He Yao's mother.
The class monitor was a typical example of someone from a good family, with a cheerful personality, a proper appearance, and good grades – well-loved by elders and teachers.
But in Zhan Jingrui's eyes, being so well-rounded at such a young age seemed too slick, and he didn't like it.
They were chatting with He Yao's mother about something, a circle of chatter.
He Yao remained her usual self, sitting expressionlessly on the hospital bed. Suddenly, she looked up and saw Zhan Jingrui.
Their eyes met across the floating heads. For a moment, whether it was an illusion or not, he thought he saw a flicker of light in He Yao's eyes.
As usual, Zhan Jingrui knocked on the door, and everyone turned to see him.
The class monitor and the other students seemed delighted and came over to greet him. He Yao's mother took the opportunity to tell everyone that she was going back for a while and would return later, telling them to have fun and bringing them delicious food.
Once they left, Zhan Jingrui took out pre-prepared test papers from his bag and handed them to He Yao and her deskmate for a weekly summary test.
The two bent their heads to write. The class monitor didn't leave with the other two girls; she kept looking at Zhan Jingrui and couldn't help but strike up a conversation.
"I didn't expect you to be so enthusiastic, coming to tutor He Yao after school. You must be tired."
Zhan Jingrui didn't know whose behalf she was expressing gratitude on, so he gave her a confused but indifferent look and said nothing.
The class monitor met his gaze, looking a bit shy and excited.
"Before you came, I heard Xu Zheng say you were going to help him get into South City Aviation University. South City has been developing better and better these past few years, and I also want to go to South City... Zhan Jingrui, which university do you plan to apply to in the future?"
They are doing their test, is it appropriate for you to be talking endlessly?
Zhan Jingrui didn't say it aloud. He looked out the window and said faintly,
"Haven't thought about it yet."
The class monitor continued without reading the room: "It is indeed early, but with your grades, you can easily get into any university, perhaps even get a direct recommendation..."
Zhan Jingrui still didn't speak. His casual demeanor made it obvious to anyone that he didn't want to socialize, but having been classmates for so long, this was the only opportunity he had to talk to him, and being able to say this much was already very pleasing.
The class monitor was persistent. Suddenly, she put down her bag and unzipped it.
"Since you have some free time now, there's a math problem I didn't understand today. Could you possibly..."
Zhan Jingrui was getting impatient. He frowned slightly and looked at her with a cold expression.
"They are taking a test. If you don't understand, ask your teacher when you get back."
The class monitor's face instantly flushed red. Her movements paused. The girls next to her nudged her a couple of times. She then slowly smiled again.
"Oh, indeed. They are writing test papers, and my talking so much might disturb them. Let's leave it at that for today. We'll be going back now."
"He Yao, I wish you a speedy recovery. We'll come to see you again when we have time."
He Yao looked up, looked at her seriously, and nodded, "Okay. Thank you."
"You're welcome. Please tell your aunt that we're leaving now. Goodbye."
"Goodbye, Xu Zheng. Goodbye, Zhan Jingrui."
He Yao and Xu Zheng waved goodbye politely, but Zhan Jingrui did not move.