Chapter 2, Do not trouble her

The last shot just now was the final one of this round. The contest for the ball was intense, and Li Zhixing momentarily lost control, causing the ball to fly out like an arrow released from a bow, nearly hitting Tang Mi

Tang Mi could not bear to see Ding Xiaoxiao in despair, so he encouraged her to transform her love into motivation, to study diligently, and to stand on the same starting line as Ye Yichao, as he might then come to like her

Tang Mi let out a soft "Oh"

Wang Cheng said: "To be honest, they are quite deserving. One is a snow beauty, and the other is a handsome genius, making people envious to the core"

Yan Xiaodong said: "You are very calm, did you know it long ago?"

Tang Mi finally wiped her hair and prepared to go to bed, but the bed next to her suddenly vibrated. Classmate Guan Wei, as agile as a rabbit, jumped down from her bed and opened the door to the corridor

Oh, just asking casually

Li Zhixing's expressionless face: "Please pay attention to the impact."

It is like this, she does not like Li Zhixing. She still likes you

This is not the first time he has asked this question; just like every previous time, Tang Mi casually replied: "I just happen to know."

Upon hearing this, the girls in the class laughed in unison. Gossip and curiosity are inherent traits of human nature. Initially, they were somewhat curious about what Ye Yichao had said to Tang Mi, and were all ears, ready to obtain first-hand gossip. However, Ye Yichao, being Ye Yichao, was always preoccupied with mathematics.

It is said that one is at a disadvantage when accepting favors from others, and one becomes soft-hearted when receiving help. Unconsciously, taking care of Ding Xiaoxiao has become a certain responsibility for Tang Mi. Ding Xiaoxiao comes from a well-off family and has grown up like a treasured child of her parents, which has led to her somewhat spoiled personality, particularly enjoying when others cater to her.

"Oh, Li Zhixing, this can't be a rumor, can it!"

They probably wouldn't be this excited when they meet their idol

He He Shusen is quite famous in Xuan Zhong, possessing two very striking characteristics. One is his athletic achievements; he has an extraordinary athletic ability, excelling in both football and basketball, with his greatest strength being in short-distance running. After several years of training, he can complete the 100 meters in under 11 seconds. The other characteristic is his family's wealth. It is said that his family owns a shipyard. The students at Xuan Zhong are not unfamiliar with affluence, yet none of those who have visited his home were not astonished by its opulence.

She is a person with little leisure life, and any hobby seems too costly for her. The only thing she can take pride in is her relatively good physical fitness and athletic ability

Indeed! He is actually at the gym

But you recognized me as soon as you entered the first year of high school

He spends most of his time studying mathematics, leaving him with little time to watch games

The two individuals were so engrossed in their discussion about mathematics that they were completely oblivious to their surroundings. It was only when they finally found a clue to the solution that they came back to their senses. At that moment, a male student entered the classroom with a smile, interrupting their conversation

Is Tang Mi on good terms with him? Did he specifically come to the gym to find her?

Unable to withstand her soft-spoken pleas, Tang Mi could only reply, "Alright, let me think about it."

It is nothing

Since then, almost every weekend, one of Ding Xiaoxiao's parents would come to Xuanzhou to visit their daughter, and whenever there was an opportunity, they would insist on inviting Tang Mi to join them for a meal. If they brought a week's worth of fruit for Ding Xiaoxiao, they would certainly bring a portion for Tang Mi as well

Ye Yichao, unable to bear the disturbance, could only helplessly say: "You are indeed troublesome, I really do not like you"

Therefore, the senior year of high school was of no importance to him. Thus, he could carelessly rush into the classroom of the experimental class and discuss gossip without any concern for the impact.

As the two approached the main gate, Tang Mi suddenly felt a rush of wind behind her. She turned her head sharply and just in time saw a basketball flying towards her and Ye Yichao. She slightly tilted her body, made a gentle jump, and skillfully caught the basketball that was tracing a parabolic arc. With a flick of her wrist, she threw the basketball back towards the boy.

The host encouraged him to continue speaking in an encouraging tone

I just finished grading papers for the teacher, and by the time I was done, the fourth period had already started. Ye Yichao explained: "I was just wandering around the campus and happened to see you all playing volleyball, it was very exciting, so I couldn't leave.

Before returning to the classroom, Tang Mi first went to the washbasin to wash her face, and after tidying her shoulder-length hair, she returned to the classroom. In her first year of high school, she had long hair, usually tied in a ponytail; in her second year, for the sake of convenience, she cut off her long hair with a pair of scissors and has kept it short ever since. While having short hair mostly brings convenience, there are exceptions, particularly during sports, when the short hair at her temples sticks to her skin due to sweat, clinging to her ears, which is quite uncomfortable

Li Zhixing, do you and Tang Mi have some kind of familial relationship

Wang Wei shook his head: "I don't know about that, after all, Ye Yichao is not from our class."

Yan Xiaodong said steadily: "It cannot be considered well hidden; I knew about it when I was in the first year of high school"

Everyone nodded in understanding

Yan Xiaodong said: "I can see it. In fact, she has been very obvious about it, don't you remember? When she learned that Li Zhixing was going to the United States as an exchange student for a year, her eyes were all red from crying"

Tang Mi was well aware of this and casually replied, "It's not too bad."

Ding Xiaoxiao was still playing on her phone, while Tang Mi quietly organized her desk using the faint light from the phone.

Hello, Senior Ye Yichao

In the Xuanzhong school, students in the experimental class aim for top-tier universities, while half of the students in the parallel class can also gain admission to a first-tier university. However, there remains a subtle hierarchy between the experimental and parallel classes. For instance, students from the parallel class rarely attend the experimental class, with He Shusen being a notable exception

He Shusen has a loud voice, and half of the classroom can hear him—fortunately, the next class is physical education, and a majority of the students left the classroom early like rabbits as soon as the bell rang. The gossiping parties, Ding Xiaoxiao and Guan Wei, were also not in the classroom; otherwise, it would have been quite awkward.

Seeing the knowing expressions of her roommates, Guan Wei realized that she had misspoken

Li Zhixing looked down at her and said: "Before I went to school in Xuanzhou from Yanjing, perhaps when I was even younger."

"Having listened halfway," Tang Mi said, "I do not dislike Li Zhixing; I simply feel indifferent."

Tang Mi felt somewhat perplexed

What happened

Guan Wei watched the two leave, then turned to Ding Xiaoxiao, picking up the ball and throwing it into Yan Xiaodong's hands

Most of the students in Class 1 of the third year are attending physical education class, leaving the classroom empty, which is quite suitable for discussing mathematics

Tang Mi helplessly supported his forehead

Li Zhixing's expression darkened as he forcefully swatted away the arm that was blocking Tang Mi's path, impatiently saying: "Go back to your class, we are about to attend physical education class"

Yan Xiaodong asked: "Did you not ask him how he bought it today?"

Yan Xiaodong attempted to mediate, letting out a dry "ha" sound, signaling to Ding Xiaoxiao with his eyes and gesturing: "Alright, alright, I actually think you don't need to be so infatuated with a boy."

Beside her, Ding Xiaoxiao quickly wiped the sweat from her face and nervously tugged at a corner of Tang Mi's shirt, saying, "Please help me tell him later that I do not like Li Zhixing."

He left his seat and turned to exit the classroom

In order to take care of their daughter, ever since Ding Xiaoxiao was admitted to Xuan Zhong, her parents purchased an apartment next to Xuan Zhong.

"Well, indeed..." Xu Lu chuckled, "Guan Wei really is something; she doesn't show it at all in her usual demeanor, she hides it quite well."

What exactly does it refer to

Does he still need to attend classes since he has been directly admitted? He probably just came over to hang out. Lu Mingyuan laughed, saying, "He knows more than the teachers do."

The CD of Avril Lavigne that my idol gave me

Li Zhixing smiled and said, "Is there such a thing?"

Seeing Tang Mi's figure disappear at the door, Li Zhixing cast a warning glance at He Shusen

She is afraid that you might misunderstand...

Tang Mi hesitantly said, "Isn't there a rumor circulating throughout the entire grade that she likes Li Zhixing?"

One of my classmates, with whom I participated in the school's mathematics Olympiad class and later attended a winter camp together, is very calm and has a unique way of thinking. She always finds alternative ways to solve problems, and I have gained a lot from our discussions. He said, "I have always been someone who thinks independently to solve problems, and I feel quite satisfied after finding a solution, but she often points out different perspectives for solving problems that I had not considered before"

"It was mentioned by the teacher in passing," Lu Ming said. "I had asked Tang Mi about it before, and she said no, but then I thought about it, and the teacher wouldn't lie, would she?"

Ye Yichao's presence was too strong, and Tang Mi naturally noticed him immediately, giving him a slight nod.

Indeed, there have been results; at the very least, Ye Yichao has come to know her

Tang Mi let out a helpless "oh"

After laughing, Lu Mingyuan took a breath and looked at Li Zhixing, asking with a smile: "By the way, why are you so concerned about Tang Mi?"

Indeed, there is none

Ye Yichao showed no concern: "What does this matter have to do with me?"

Guan Wei was thin-skinned. When she heard her classmate Zhao Yue from the neighboring dormitory ask her if she liked Li Zhixing, her face turned pale, devoid of any color. For a moment, she didn't know whether to deny or admit it—yet her uncertain expression had already confirmed that the rumors were not unfounded. Thus, the rumor received further validation.

She was overwhelmed by love, writing love letters to Ye Yichao, sending him text messages to express her feelings, and inviting him out on weekends. She even joined the math Olympiad class for Ye Yichao, just to have more opportunities to be close to him. However, she did not stay in the math Olympiad class for long; the courses were too difficult for her to keep up with, and no matter how Tang Mi tutored her, it was of little help—she had no choice but to leave the math Olympiad class in disappointment

Oh, it is Ye Yichao

It has reached the level of IMO, approximately like this

Xiao Xiao flaunted the gift that Li Zhixing gave her, which made Guan Wei very angry. Xu Lu explained, "It was only when she got angry that we realized Guan Wei actually likes Li Zhixing."

In fact, he did not directly mention Tang Mi's name, but it was clear that he was referring to her. He stated that he had a very good opponent and companion in his mathematics studies, who helped him improve, and he was very grateful to her

He believes that the most interesting thing in the world is mathematics, and that everything else besides mathematics is a waste of time. He holds the same view towards Ding Xiaoxiao—he is not interested in her beautiful and lovely appearance, and even finds it troublesome to engage in conversation with her

Ye Yichao is not merely a bookworm who knows only mathematics; he has a pleasant personality and interacts with others in a perfectly normal manner, certainly not the type of genius who is unapproachable. However, he is different from the average boy. While other boys are enthusiastic about discussing popular music, football stars, blockbuster movies, and attractive girls, he shows little interest in these topics. This does not mean that he is unaware of such popular information; when necessary, he can engage in conversations about trending subjects with remarkable insights. Yet, deep down, he perceives these forms of entertainment as a waste of time

Yan Xiaodong climbed onto the bed and did not forget to ask her: "Tang Mi, won't you make some comments? Before Guan Wei returns."

Let's take a break, I am exhausted

Even the two onlookers, no matter how dull they may be, understand that the situation has escalated significantly

No, I cannot understand.

When he rushed to her side, he slowed his pace, walked alongside her, and said: "The matter concerning He Shusen was not my intention"

She was also frightened by this spotlight-like gaze

Li Zhixing stated: "American high schools place great importance on physical education. To put it this way, physical education classes are the main subjects."

As a renowned genius and academic prodigy of Xuanzhou Experimental Middle School, Ye Yichao's fame has become as dazzling as the sun after the International Mathematical Olympiad, and he has become the idol of all the girls—one must understand that being a bookworm is one thing, but Ye Yichao is another. During the summer vacation, major newspapers across the province extensively reported and promoted his achievements, and his speech as a student representative at the beginning of the school year further highlighted his high popularity at Xuanzhou.

I see, it has indeed been quite a hardship

Xu Lu lay on the bed reading a book and said, "Xiao Xiao, you should keep a low profile, don't attract hatred."

After returning to the dormitory from evening study sessions, the students in the dormitory eagerly discuss Li Zhixing and his various matters. After all, dormitory conversations always revolve around boys, and Dormitory 302 is no exception

Yan Xiaodong said: "He doesn't need to attend classes anymore."

He chased after the direction in which Tang Mi had left

"Who is jealous of you!" Guan Wei's face turned red with anger

Tang Mi had not engaged with Olympiad mathematics problems for a while, and for a moment struggled to keep up with Ye Yichao's thought process. However, the foundational knowledge remained intact. After reviewing the relevant materials prepared by Ye Yichao, Tang Mi had some ideas and began discussing problem-solving methods with him.

Hmm?

Yan Xiaodong asked with a smile, "Why didn't you attend class?"

She does not believe at all what would happen if Ye Yichao knew about this matter. To exaggerate a bit, whether Ye Yichao even remembers her is a question, but Ding Xiaoxiao does not think so

The ball was steadily caught by Li Zhixing, and a boy in the class thanked her from a distance: "Thank you, Tang Mi."

As a result, she received a flurry of likes and comments. Most of Ding Xiaoxiao's friends on Weibo are classmates from school—she has gained quite a few followers due to frequently posting selfies on Weibo. Young and beautiful girls are always well-liked.

Their relationship is not that bad. Wang Wei from the same group took a few big gulps of mineral water and said, "We participate in the competition class together, compete together, and attend the winter camp for mathematics Olympiad together, and during the winter camp, we spend day and night together..."

He patted Li Zhixing's shoulder with great enthusiasm and said with a smile, "I heard about it! It is said that Ding Xiaoxiao and Guan Wei both confessed their feelings for you at the same time! I also heard that they almost got into a fight over you!"

Tang Mi let out a sound of acknowledgment and stood up from the desk

Xu Lu was a bit surprised: "Why is Ye Yichao here now? Isn't he supposed to be in class?"

I don't know, but what happened

Tang Mi walked faster than him, stopped at the corner of the stairs upon hearing these words, raised her face, and met his gaze directly: "What do you mean by celebrating?"

"Hmm," Lu Mingyuan said, "I have attended the competition class with them. You haven't heard their usual conversations; the topics are solely about mathematics. I believe their relationship is not quite what it seems."

What happened

Although she did not utter a word, the intent behind her actions was still very clear

Tang Mi was taken aback. Generally speaking, if the fourth period in the morning is physical education class, the PE teacher would usually end the class a few minutes early, allowing the students to go directly from the playground to the cafeteria to avoid the peak time of dismissal at twelve o'clock. During this time, no one in the class returned to the classroom, so the two of them were completely unaware of the time and truly did not realize how quickly it had passed

Isn't that the malicious woman? Is she sitting in front of you?

Ye Yichao said: "I believe that having a good companion, or rather a rival, is very important"

In the television studio, Ye Yichao, like every successful person, remained calm and composed. After routinely expressing gratitude to his parents and teachers for their guidance, the host smiled and asked, "What do you think has left the deepest impression on you during your mathematics learning process?"

Haven't you eaten yet?" Li Zhixing glanced at the two and asked Tang Mi

The girls were all very surprised

"Really?" Ye Yichao asked Tang Mi, "Have I delayed your meal?"

She looked up and saw a certain prominent figure from their school leaning against the railing of the stands, smiling and applauding at them

"Is Li Zhixing paying attention to you?" Yan Xiaodong, sitting on the upper bunk, adjusted his glasses and made a comment like a famous detective, "Isn't that simple? You often post information about Avril Lavigne on your Weibo, he noticed it, so he specifically brought you a gift back."

"Is it really like this?" Li Zhixing pondered, while Lu Mingyuan beside him asked, "By the way, how did Ye Yichao end up in the gym?"

I dare not. " He sighed, " Tang Mi can only be admired from a distance; getting any closer would result in freezing to death.

Whatever. As long as she doesn't bother me

However, classmate He Shusen need not worry about the future and the college entrance examination, as it is said that he has already taken the SAT. According to rumors, after graduating from high school, he will go abroad to study.

After getting to know each other, she confessed her feelings to Ye Yichao once again

Hurry up and speak!

Therefore, everything that Ding Xiaoxiao has done is no different from seeking fish up a tree

I have a great fondness for mathematics and am willing to dedicate all my time to studying it. However, there are not many people who share this passion for mathematics. At this point, even the host couldn't help but laugh. Therefore, throughout my life, I have had very few companions; occasionally, there would be one or two, but they all chose different paths from mine. It was only after entering high school that I realized that while being a lone wolf has its own advantages, having companions is also a form of happiness

Xu Lu commented: "Tang Mi is just different from you"

Ye Yichao supported himself on one arm on the stage, leaping down from the runway with a stylish posture, which surprisingly elicited screams from the young girls

He Shusen's triumphant and exuberant appearance caught Tang Mi's eye, causing her to pause and take a step back to the desk. Without saying a word, she gathered the pencil case and textbooks into the desk's compartment. Once the surface of the desk was completely clean, she took out a small lock from the compartment and locked the desk.

As long as Ye Yichao has not yet found a girl he likes, Ding Xiaoxiao believes that she still has hope

In the gym, there were also first and second-year students playing volleyball. Upon hearing the name "Ye Yichao" called out by the senior students in their third year, everyone looked up and began to whisper among themselves. Some were even more excited, such as the group of first-year girls next to Tang Mi on the volleyball court, who directly dropped the ball and waved at him enthusiastically

Ding Xiaoxiao emphasized her words, speaking slowly and deliberately: "This is my favorite signed CD by Avril Lavigne! It's something that money can't buy! He must have put in a lot of effort to obtain it, right"

Unfortunately, it is different in the country. The girls all prefer someone like Ye Yichao, the academic genius

... ...

Tang Mi and Ding Xiaoxiao both entered Xuanzhou Experimental Middle School from Jiatai County, a neighboring county of Xuanzhou City, which makes them fellow townsfolk

With the absence of the opposition figure Guan Wei, Ding Xiaoxiao's tone has become much calmer and less targeted. She mumbles: "Ah, Li Zhixing is my idol, why can't I be infatuated?"

Li Zhixing patted his shoulder and encouraged him: "Yes. You must be very popular in America, and there must be plenty of girls who like you"

Yes

Tang Mi understood very well that liking Li Zhixing was a perfectly normal thing. A handsome, tall, and academically excellent boy would attract the affection of girls everywhere. However, Guan Wei came from an ordinary family; both of her parents were average people, which would inevitably make her less appealing in the eyes of Li Zhixing and his family

Indeed, I just played basketball, and my clothes are all wet. Lu Mingyuan suddenly realized, "By the way, why don't you go back right after class—"

Three pairs of eyes in the room were staring at her intently

Most high school girls are usually not skilled at playing volleyball; during physical education classes, volleyball is mostly played for fun, and the level of seriousness is quite different from that of their studies. However, Tang Mi is different; she believes that sports, like academics, deserve to be taken seriously. Two years later, her athletic ability is considered the strongest in her class and ranks among the top in the entire grade.

Li Zhixing said in a deep voice: "Tang Mi, setting aside the relationship of aunt and uncle, have we ever had any grievances in the past?"

He didn't explain in detail, just said he went to the book signing event.

Quickly tell me, both of them look quite good, what would it be like if they fought? It must be very exciting

How to say?

On the way back to the classroom from the gym, Tang Mi hesitated several times and asked Ye, "Do you know about Ding Xiaoxiao's situation?"

Ye Yichao answered once: "I do not have a girl I like"

She quietly clutched Tang Mi and cried out: "What should I do? What if the news reaches Ye Yichao? What if Ye Yichao thinks I have fallen for someone else?"

As soon as she finished speaking, the bathroom door swung open with a "whoosh," and Tang Mi emerged from the bathroom, drying her hair.

What did he say

I will strive to make you like me

Over time, Tang Mi also came to recognize that Ding Xiaoxiao had her merits. Although she was somewhat spoiled, her heart was very kind, and she would do her utmost to help others. When the school organized a donation for the earthquake disaster area, she rarely saved and scrimped, donating all her pocket money, which was also the largest contribution among the students. It is worth noting that, in terms of family background alone, her family was by no means the wealthiest among the students.

I understand, you need not explain

Two days later, the entire senior class knew that "Ding Xiaoxiao and Guan Wei liked Li Zhixing". Initially, the students in dormitory 302 were unaware of the origin of the rumor, but after Yan Xiaodong's analysis, they finally realized that it was likely caused by the night talk from two days ago

Li Zhixing is an outstanding student with balanced development in various subjects, but he is not particularly exceptional in mathematics and has never participated in any math competition classes, which lends some credibility to Lu Mingyuan's doubts

Li Zhixing does not like to frown. For many things in the world, he can always find a solution, but when it comes to talking to Tang Mi, he is always left speechless.

As the two conversed and walked side by side, Yan Xiaodong felt a sense of emotion: "Tsk tsk, look at Ye Yichao's silhouette, his entire demeanor exudes the essence of a carefree wanderer..."

Ding Xiaoxiao said: "Indeed! It is truly hard to tell."

Tang Mi had no time to pay attention to them, glanced at the two, and turned to leave the classroom for the playground

Yan Xiaodong is indeed an expert observer, truly impressive

Ye Yichao casually said, "What do you know?"

Ye Yichao also smiled and waved to the junior female students, resembling a leader inspecting government affairs

What exactly is Tang Mi made of? With top-notch grades and unbeatable athleticism, he is truly extraordinary—Yan Xiaodong thought to himself, when suddenly he heard sparse applause coming from the stands

Yan Xiaodong shook his head: "You cannot say that. You all know Tang Mi's family situation. Moreover, you are not unaware that she dislikes Li Zhixing—"

Li Zhixing is convinced that she truly does not care about her own attitude. In her view, like attracts like, and she has long since nailed him to the pillar of "scoundrel"

Your classmate is indeed outstanding, has he been selected for the IMO training team

Dozens of densely written draft papers were flipped over, resembling a celestial script, featuring the handwriting of Ye Yichao as well as that of Tang Mi, intermingled together, indicating the fervor of their recent discussion

Li Zhixing strode out of the school gate. Outside the school gate was a tree-lined street several hundred meters long, flanked by small shops. Buses did not pass through this shaded street, with only two bus stops located at either end of the street. Li Zhixing walked to the end of the street and hailed a taxi to go home

Do not deceive me, for my information is quite well-informed

But who is Ye Yichao

After Guan Wei finished shouting this sentence, she threw down the towel used for drying her hair, quickly climbed onto the bed, and with a "sizzle" sound, pulled down the mosquito net

Li Zhixing, seemingly lost in thought, set down the manuscript paper, returned to his seat, and stared at Tang Mi's desk, slightly furrowing his brows. His expression caught Lu Mingyuan's attention—having shared a desk with Li Zhixing for a week, Lu Mingyuan had become somewhat familiar with him. He thought that perhaps they could engage in some ordinary conversation.

He Shusen does not have malicious intentions; he is merely acting impulsively.

If you love to talk, then go ahead and talk, let's see if he agrees with you

"No need to be polite." Ye Yichao completely ignored her, snatching the pen from her hand, "Let's go together."

Tang Mi vaguely felt that he was apologizing, but the apology was so stiff and arrogant, which was indeed characteristic of the Li family

Xuanzhou Experimental Middle School is located on the southeastern side of Xuanzhou City, covering an area of over 200 acres. The campus is equipped with teaching buildings, laboratories, a library, a cafeteria, a sports and arts center, and athletic fields. Although the school may not compare to some larger schools located in the suburbs, it still boasts a first-class environment. Descending from the third-year teaching building and passing through a shaded area, one arrives at the playground.

It's nothing. I was already going to the cafeteria late.

He Shusen took a swift step to Tang Mi's side and extended his arm to block her. He was wearing a short-sleeved shirt, and his muscular arms were crossed in front of him.

I am always very calm

Ding Xiaoxiao pouted and said: "Can anyone compare to Tang Mi? She is not really interested in anything."

Li Zhixing withdrew his gaze, jogged back to the center of the court, and casually patted a few times before throwing the ball back into the hoop

He Shusen, as a friend of Li Zhixing and one of the notable figures in the school, barged into the classroom of Class 1 of the third year on Friday morning during the break of the third period with a rather carefree attitude

Go home to change clothes

Li Zhixing thought that, judging by her expression, she would definitely not continue the conversation.

Among the five girls in the dormitory, Ding Xiaoxiao has the best family background—both of her parents are businesspeople. She has been raised in privilege since childhood, which inevitably makes her somewhat proud and resistant to negative information.

Li Zhixing turned his head to look at the class monitor and asked, "Why are you suddenly asking this?"

This statement shocked everyone in the dormitory: "How did you know that?"

Li Zhixing did not only bring you the CD; others received it as well said Guan Wei calmly

Xu Lu shouted from the other half of the court: "Tang Mi, can you not be so serious!"

The place where You Shusen is located is too noisy. Tang Mi frowned slightly, put the pen back in the pen case, closed the book, stood up, and prepared to go to the playground

So, everyone asked her in the replies who this legendary "Mr. Perfect" was.

Probably. Tang Mi smiled and didn't say anything more.

Ding Xiaoxiao narrowed her beautiful eyes and said, "Guan Wei, why do you always criticize me? You seem unhappy when Li Zhixing brings me gifts. Are you jealous of me?"

He Shusen's gaze swept across the class and landed on Tang Mi, who had turned around.

With just one sentence, it blocked all the words he had yet to utter. Li Zhixing furrowed his brows slightly.

Just now Ding Xiaoxiao and Guan Wei almost had a quarrel.

She sighed to herself, steeling her resolve, and said to Ye Yichao: "Alright, let's go back to the classroom"

The host sighed: "What a pity."

The temperature in the entire dormitory suddenly dropped by several degrees

Ye Yichao said: "But I do not like you"

He is indeed a very popular person, exceptionally considerate in his dealings with others. On the second day after returning to school, he brought many gifts for his close classmates—such as many stunning candies and notebooks. What delighted the classmates the most was that he even brought several signed CDs by Avril Lavigne to give to the students in the class, including Ding Xiaoxiao.

Tang Mi observed Ding Xiaoxiao's arduous journey in pursuing Ye Yichao, feeling a mix of admiration and helplessness. She believed that Ding Xiaoxiao's persistence in love was commendable to a certain extent, yet she also felt that one cannot force what others desire.

Ding Xiaoxiao held the CD like a treasure as she returned to her dormitory, took out her phone, and quickly snapped several photos. After carefully selecting for a long time, she chose one and promptly posted it on Weibo and her Moments.

Ding Xiaoxiao said this at the time. She gave a gift to Ye Yichao, but Ye Yichao refused to accept it and asked Tang Mi to deliver it instead, which also caused Tang Mi to suffer Ye Yichao's anger

He turned his gaze towards Tang Mi and said with a smile, "I never noticed before that you play volleyball really well"

Guan Wei responded coldly: "How would I know"

She was silent for a moment before slowly saying: "I feel that the path of liking Li Zhixing will be very difficult to walk."

It was not until she and Ye Yichao attended the winter camp in another province for a week that she gradually came to understand Ye Yichao

Ding Xiaoxiao's academic performance is commendable, but she is not particularly outstanding in the experimental class of the prestigious Xuanzhou Experimental Middle School in the province, especially in mathematics. Tang Mi spent a lot of time tutoring her studies and taking care of her in daily life, and as he became more involved, he even had to participate in her emotional life.

It seems you haven't played less basketball in the United States," said Yin Zhiyang, the sports committee member of our class and the standout athlete among the boys, panting. "Your athletic ability has not declined at all.

Yan Xiaodong, feeling guilty, said: "Did you hear what I just said?"

The interview did not last long, and the conversation is now coming to a close. Li Zhixing turned off the screen and fell into deep thought

What was originally just an ordinary night talk in the girls' dormitory ended up causing quite a stir

Li Zhixing was taken aback: "Are they in a romantic relationship?"

Li Zhixing was completely unmoved by these words, simply stating: "There is no such thing."

Although the students in the Xuan Zhong experimental class are all "top scholars," this does not mean that they are oblivious to the world outside. Quite a few of them enjoy Avril Lavigne, and Li Zhixing's gift resonates perfectly with the sentiments of his classmates

Could you please help me, Tang Mi? Can you tell him for me?

Li Zhixing did not turn back, nor did he respond to his deskmate's question; he simply waved his hand, and his figure quickly disappeared behind the door

"Isn't that so? I am so touched!" Ding Xiaoxiao sat cross-legged on the stool, happily replying to Weibo posts one by one, "By the way, Li Zhixing actually knows that Avril Lavigne is my favorite!"

At that time, he only said three words: "Who are you?"

Li Zhixing said bluntly: "When did your IQ drop to the point of listening to rumors?"

It's nothing

Her serve is not particularly powerful, but the angle is tricky; none of the six girls on the opposing team managed to receive the ball, and it even caused Zhao Xin to trip and fall

Yin Zhiyang gestured with his lips towards the direction where Tang Mi and Ye Yichao had left, saying, "Did you not see how the girls were so excited to the point of being speechless when they saw Ye Yichao? During the summer vacation, whenever the news was broadcast, my sister would pester me every day for Ye Yichao's autograph! Li Zhixing, you have been away from school for a year; Xuan Zhong is no longer your domain. When it comes to charming figures, it is still Ye Tiancai!"

Can you understand?

He actually cares about her eating habits? Tang Mi glanced at Li Zhixing

Ding Xiaoxiao blinked and revealed a subtle smile, her voice growing louder: "So what if I like Li Zhixing? But I am different from someone; I dare to say it out loud!"

Ye Yichao asked her again: "Are you free now?"

Ye Yichao suddenly realized, and then took out his phone to check the time; it was already past 12:20

Hello, Li Zhixing, I am here to stand up for you

If it could be said that Guan Wei's face was only represented by a light red just now, it is now basically apple red, and her complexion is visibly turning redder at an accelerating pace

Oh, where are you going

Show me.

Fortunately, Ye Yichao did not mind her somewhat disheveled appearance. After she sat down, Ye Yichao immediately showed her the problem that had been puzzling him. This math problem, which had confused Ye Yichao, was quite interesting and also had a considerable level of difficulty; he had come across it on a certain mathematics forum abroad.

Shall we go together? I will treat you to a meal

Under the subtle atmosphere, everyone in the dormitory fell silent at the same time

Tang Mi was determined not to accept the kindness of others, yet Ding Xiaoxiao's mother was exceedingly warm-hearted. After declining three times, she ultimately had no choice but to accept the goodwill once.

The host asked him: "Who is the companion you are referring to?"

As Tang Mi descended the stairs, she heard the sound of footsteps behind her, dense and rhythmic like a drumbeat. Turning around, she saw Li Zhixing rushing down the stairs, taking two steps at a time.

As He Shusen excitedly rushed in with gossip, the few remaining students in the classroom were already glancing towards the back row. Upon hearing the term "vicious woman," they were even more astonished, for upon looking around, the only girl in the back row of the classroom was Tang Mi.

Her expression was indifferent, with a gaze as cold as ice and snow.

Tang Mi almost reflexively said: "No need."

In fact, this matter is somewhat challenging. It is not only the girls who are gossiping; even the boys are eagerly discussing this issue. Some have even gone directly to Classroom (1) to ask Li Zhixing whether it is true.

Generally, people in love tend to be somewhat self-centered and possess a negative level of intelligence

The physical education class for the third year of high school primarily focuses on physical exercise. After running a lap around the playground and engaging in some simple warm-up activities, the teacher, following the usual practice, took the students into the gymnasium, divided them into several groups, and began their respective activities. Most of the boys chose to play basketball, while the girls opted for volleyball. A few who were not particularly skilled at ball sports chose table tennis instead. The girls in the class were divided into two groups. Tang Mi took the volleyball from the teacher and gestured to everyone, lightly tiptoeing in the back, jumping up, and striking the first ball of the physical education class.

Yan Xiaodong was so exhausted that he could no longer stand and sat down on the ground. The other girls in the class were not much better off; except for Tang Mi, who remained calm and did not sweat profusely like the others, appearing very composed.

Yan Xiaodong advised her against doing so and elaborated extensively on the matter, but Ding Xiaoxiao naturally could not take it in

His straightforward answer left Tang Mi speechless, and she couldn't help but sigh inwardly—for Ding Xiaoxiao

He Shusen's face suddenly darkened: "Are you trying to guard against thieves?"

Tang Mi has a tall and slender figure, excellent jumping ability, and plays volleyball with great elegance and flair

Ding Xiaoxiao's parents are shrewd businesspeople with considerable assets in Jiatai County. While she was still arranging her bedding at the beginning of her first year in high school, her parents discovered during their conversation that Tang Mi was also from Jiatai. They noted her independent personality and outstanding academic performance, which immediately piqued their interest in Tang Mi. That very afternoon, they insisted on taking Tang Mi out for a meal and expressed their hope that she would take good care of Ding Xiaoxiao.

This was a very enjoyable match. Twenty minutes later, the team to which Tang Mi belonged gained the upper hand and achieved final victory

Ding Xiaoxiao would naturally not be intimidated by these three words; she is very confident in herself and believes that she can win over Ye Yichao

Not long after the start of the first year of high school, Ding Xiaoxiao fell in love with Ye Yichao at first sight and took the initiative to confess her feelings to him

Tang Mi waved his hand and left the gymnasium side by side with Ye Yichao

At first, Tang Mi found it somewhat troublesome to get along with her. For instance, Ding Xiaoxiao was slow in her actions and very particular about her appearance, always spending at least three minutes in front of the mirror before leaving the dormitory, and only agreeing to go to class after Tang Mi urged her several times; furthermore, she enjoyed buying various beautiful clothes to bring to school and insisted that Tang Mi compliment her by saying "very nice" or "very pretty" before she would be satisfied

Li Zhixing smiled faintly, and within that smile, others could discern nothing at all

Tang Mi was just about to refuse when Ding Xiaoxiao tugged at her sleeve again. She turned around and saw the anticipation in Ding Xiaoxiao's big eyes

In response to this warm welcome, Ye Yichao shook his head with a smile, picked up the volleyball from the ground, and casually tossed it into the tennis basket

Do not trouble her anymore in the future

For a group of first-year high school girls who have just enrolled, they had only heard of the name before without ever seeing the person. Now, finally encountering the true embodiment of the 'handsome genius' is enough to inspire their admiration.

Ye Yichao remained very calm while speaking, only revealing a hint of melancholy at this moment: "She is very capable and could have been selected for the training team, but she had a high fever two days before the exam and did not perform well during the exam, so she was not selected."

How could they forget that when discussing Li Zhixing, they did not lock the door, and the dormitory door was ajar. The sound of that argument was not small, and it is not surprising that it was heard by the other girls in the dormitory and became the subject of gossip.

I believe it is not surprising that they are in a relationship. Yan Zhiyang continued, After all, among the entire Xuan Zhong, only Tang Mi can keep up with Ye Yichao's line of thought.

After watching the two leave, Lu Mingyuan walked over to Tang Mi's desk, picked up the verification paper on the table, and smiled as he waved to Li Zhixing: "Look, what did I just tell you."

In August, the provincial television station interviewed Ye Yichao for a talk show, during which Ye Yichao also mentioned Tang Mi

I would like to discuss a mathematics problem with you

However, after others raised their opinions, she reduced the strength of her serves, and both sides engaged in a back-and-forth exchange of volleyball.

Two years have passed, and the relationship between the two has not made any significant progress, remaining at the stage of "very troublesome"

Yan Xiaodong finally breathed a sigh of relief: "Oh, oh, Tang Mi, I apologize, the atmosphere in the dormitory was too awkward, we just mentioned you, hoping to ease the tension in the dormitory."

Haha, your face has turned red, do you perhaps have a liking for Li Zhixing

A group of people silently gazed at the sky—given the darkness of the dormitory, they could not see the sky and could only stare at their own mosquito nets, sighing.

Yin Zhiyang teased Wang Wei: "Look at your sour tone, do you still like Tang Mi?"

A group of boys burst into laughter

Tang Mi ignored him, casually tucked the keys into her school uniform pocket, and turned to leave

Yin Zhiyang smiled and said, "Is it really that good? Then I must be a top student in the United States!"

"It doesn't matter, not like you. " Yan Xiaodong rubbed his chin, "I don't care about him either, but I still happily discuss him with others, after all, he is the best boy in the entire grade. Your avoidance of such topics seems strange, which shows that you are deliberately trying to steer clear of anything related to him."

He Shusen looked at Li Zhixing like an alien and said, "What is wrong with you? Are you possessed?"

Li Zhixing returned and quickly re-entered the sight of all the students in the school

Sitting in the car, he took out his phone, put on his headphones, and tapped the screen. As expected, he found the video of the interview with Ye Yichao that Lu Mingyuan had mentioned, which was not long, only about ten minutes, presented as a sub-segment of a local news program

Hello, Tang Mi has left, who should we find to replace her

Li Zhixing fell silent for a moment: "If she says it is not, then it is not."

How much effort is exchanged for the two words "trouble"? Ding Xiaoxiao still did not lose hope and asked Ye Yichao: "So what kind of girl do you like? I will work hard for it!"

Guan Wei had just finished her shower and was drying her hands as she walked out of the bathroom when her phone rang. She glanced at her phone and lightly frowned: "It's just an Avril Lavigne CD, no need to make a fuss. Tang Mi, you should go take a shower."

What nonsense are you talking about

The weather in September is still very hot, making it essential to take a shower every day. Therefore, how to allocate time becomes a significant issue. Most students tend to shower during two time slots: one is the hour between dinner and evening study, and the other is the forty minutes from 9:20 PM to 10:00 PM after evening study. Tang Mi usually chooses to shower after evening study.

Another party involved, Ding Xiaoxiao, was also very shocked

No need

Ding Xiaoxiao mumbled: "I didn't ask you. Xiaodong, you have the best analytical skills, what do you think?"

No

The bell rang punctually at 10 o'clock, and the lights were extinguished accordingly

Lu Mingyuan said in surprise: "What? Have you been discussing until now? It's almost 12:30 now. We have all returned after having lunch."

Ding Xiaoxiao felt very wronged: "I really don't want to argue with her, but her attitude is just too poor."

Oh, that is also true