Chapter 17: Swapped positions

The seating in Grade One, Class Two had already been arranged.

Because of Zhao Xixia’s sudden arrival, the class, which originally had an even number of students, now had an odd number.

This meant one student would not be able to share a desk.

Lin You unfortunately became this unlucky person.

Because Zhao Xixia had specifically requested Zhong Yuxiu as her deskmate.

“Classmate Lin You, would you be able to sit alone…”

The teacher was trying to reason with the boy.

“Teacher, Classmate Lin and I are not changing seats.”

Lin You was too meek. Before he could even respond to the adult’s question, Zhong Yuxiu, who was beside him, unhappily interjected.

“I… it’s no problem.”

Lin You looked at his deskmate, then glanced at Zhao Xixia standing not far away, and felt that the two girls were a good match.

Although deep down he really wanted to continue being Yuxiu’s deskmate, under the pressure from the teacher and the effect of his own inferiority complex, he agreed.

“Classmate Lin, how could you…”

Zhong Yuxiu exclaimed, feeling as if she had been stabbed in the back.

“…”

Lin You didn’t dare to look her in the eyes. He silently packed the books from his desk into his backpack.

He stood up, moving into the classroom aisle, and completely gave up the seat that had originally been his.

“Hey.”

Faced with the boy’s own inaction, Zhong Yuxiu was at a loss. She pressed her lips together in frustration, her foot under the desk lifting high onto its heel before stomping down hard.

“I want a brand new desk.”

As Zhao Xixia passed by Lin You, she pointed at the desk that had originally belonged to the boy and matter-of-factly made a new request.

“Alright, no problem.”

In front of the prominent Zhao Xixia, the teacher lost her professional composure, completely deferring to a little girl who wasn’t even as tall as her chest.

“Classmate Lin You, from now on you will sit in the last seat of the fourth group.”

The teacher personally moved the boy’s desk and chair to the most inconspicuous corner of the classroom.

“Mhm, mhm.”

Lin You was completely submissive, offering no objections.

Sitting alone was actually quite good. This way, no one would bother him.

But, why was there a sour feeling in his heart?

Lin You and Zhong Yuxiu’s time as deskmates had lasted for less than a single day.

When the brand-new desk was placed next to Yuxiu’s old one, Zhao Xixia finally took her seat.

Zhong Yuxiu was completely unwilling to accept this girl who had just barged in, but it was the teacher’s arrangement, and even Lin You had no objections.

In a terrible mood, she stared daggers at Zhao Xixia to express her displeasure.

“What’s with the attitude? You’re not happy to be my deskmate?”

Zhao Xixia was no pushover. Seeing Yuxiu’s unfriendliness, she immediately retorted.

“I already have a deskmate. There are so many people, why did you have to be my deskmate?”

Zhong Yuxiu usually had a quiet personality and rarely spoke with emotion, but today, she had gotten angry several times for the boy’s sake.

“I’m doing you a favor by letting you be my deskmate. You just don’t know what’s good for you, do you? Are you really that happy being deskmates with a red-faced freak?”

Zhao Xixia had developed an arrogant personality at a young age and was completely self-centered.

“Who needs you to do me a favor? Also, Classmate Lin is not a freak. If you say that again, I’ll go tattle to the head teacher.”

Zhong Yuxiu’s pretty face flushed with anger, and she wanted to smash her tender little fist right into Zhao Xixia’s face.

“Class, let’s continue the lesson.”

The teacher returned to the podium to teach, promptly interrupting their argument.

“Hmph.”

Both little girls let out a cold snort in unison.

The clash of these sworn rivals was slowly beginning.

Ring ring ring.
It was the school bell that the students loved most.

The students of Class Two beamed with joy, and even the absent-minded Lin You perked up.

School was out! He could finally go home and be with his grandmother!

After the teacher officially dismissed the class, the classroom aisle could barely contain the students who were eager to get home.

This time, Lin You didn’t wait for everyone to leave as he had in the morning.

Carrying his small backpack and with his head lowered, he also wanted to leave the classroom quickly.

“Hey, Classmate Lin.”

He had just stepped out of the classroom and onto the campus when a voice called out from behind him.

It was Zhong Yuxiu.

Lin You’s steps faltered for a moment, then he suddenly accelerated, as if trying to shake off the girl who was calling him.

“Didn’t you hear me call you?”

Fortunately, Zhong Yuxiu was more athletic than the boy. She chased after him in one breath and blocked his path.

“Is something wrong? I’m in a hurry to get home.”

Lin You guessed she was looking for him, probably about the seating change.

He didn’t want to change seats either, but what could he do? The teacher had already spoken.

“Hey, why are you like this? Don’t you want to be my deskmate either?”

As expected, Zhong Yuxiu was here about the deskmate issue.

She had hoped the boy would work with her to get their seats changed back.

Now, seeing Lin You acting as if it had nothing to do with him, she felt a chill in her heart.

“Classmate Zhong, we should just listen to the teacher’s arrangement.”

Lin You avoided her question, responding woodenly.

“Fine then. Then you can sit by the trash can in the classroom all by yourself from now on. I’m done with you.”

Zhong Yuxiu felt betrayed. She threw out one last sentence and left him with her angry back.

At the school gate.

Mother Zhong was holding the handlebars of her small electric scooter, waiting for her child to come out.

“Mom,”

The girl trotted over, calling out to her family member with a wronged tone.

“What’s wrong? Did you run into some trouble again?”

No one knew a daughter better than her mother. Mother Zhong could tell at a glance that her girl was upset about something; she wasn’t usually like this.

“My seat with Classmate Lin was changed. He only listens to the teacher and isn’t brave at all. I don’t know what to do anymore.”

Zhong Yuxiu had found her pillar of support and chattered on, telling her mom what had happened.

“You can’t blame him for this. He’s just a boy about your age, and the birthmark on his face makes him sensitive and fragile…”

Mother Zhong comforted her daughter from an adult’s perspective, helping her analyze Lin You’s situation.

“Mom, I want to cut my hair.”

Zhong Yuxiu sat on the back of the small electric scooter, hugging her mother’s waist. She listened quietly for a while, then spoke in a small voice.

“Hm? Why the sudden desire to cut your hair? Don’t you treat your hair like a treasure?”

Mother Zhong was surprised by her daughter’s idea.

“Because Classmate Lin is so annoying. He only wants to be friends with boys. If I cut my hair shorter, maybe I’ll succeed!”

Zhong Yuxiu was more sensible than her peers, but she hadn’t lost her due innocence and liveliness.

“No problem. Mom will take you to the salon to get it cut.”

After understanding the reason, Mother Zhong expressed her support.

Hair could always grow back, but if a boy was hurt, it might affect him for the rest of his life.

When Mother Zhong was a student, she had encountered similar situations, but she had chosen to be a bystander. She didn’t want her daughter to be like her.

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