Chapter 39: The October Exam and an Unwanted Interruption

The October exam results had been released, revealing a marked improvement in our class’s overall performance compared to September.

Within the classroom, their homeroom teacher, Zheng Yuxin, stood at the lectern, summarizing the previous month’s progress during the class meeting.

For the students, the previous month’s exams proved a far more pressing concern than the recent market brawl or the now-concluded serial murder case.

“This month, our school will administer a unified examination. I trust you will all redouble your efforts, strive for even better results, and avoid bringing any shame upon the school.”

Zheng Yuxin’s words, however, failed to penetrate Mo Qiu’s awareness. Head bowed, her vacant, ‘dead-fish’ eyes, nearly obscured by her bangs, remained fixed on the test paper spread across her desk.

Her exam results aligned perfectly with her predictions; despite the escalating difficulty of each subsequent test, Mo Qiu’s scores consistently hovered at the same unremarkable level.

To her, there was no discernible difference between a monthly assessment or a unified examination; simply maintaining her steady, mid-tier performance sufficed.

Mo Qiu surreptitiously glanced across the classroom, where Bai Chen sat with the back of his hand pressed against his temple, his expression undeniably vexed.

Only prior to the exam, Mo Qiu had witnessed him and his friends boisterously boasting to one another, swearing this time they would achieve significant breakthroughs.

Now, with the results distributed, his fingers tapped a relentless rhythm against the desktop, their frequency rivaling that of a frantic woodpecker.

It appeared he had not only failed to improve but had, in fact, regressed.

The academic level Mo Qiu could effortlessly maintain proved a veritable cage for Bai Chen; not only was he unable to ascend, but even the slightest lapse in concentration threatened to send him plummeting.

“Mid-month, the school will be conducting a preparatory mock examination. I urge everyone to treat it with the seriousness it deserves.”

“Two exams in a single month?”

“My heavens, we haven’t even reached our final year of high school yet!”

“I thought I was a student, but it seems I was merely born to suffer.”

A chorus of lamentations immediately filled the classroom, and it took several sharp claps against the blackboard from Zheng Yuxin to finally quell the uproar.

“You’re all tired, and so are we, but this is the reality of learning. If you don’t embrace hardship now, then later…”

The class meeting had originally included several more agenda items, but Zheng Yuxin spent an inordinate amount of time lecturing on ‘the importance of learning,’ only managing to rush through the remaining content in the frantic final five minutes before dismissal.

With the class meeting concluded, lunchtime officially began, a moment Mo Qiu had been keenly anticipating.

The instant the dismissal bell chimed, most students launched a frenzied charge towards the cafeteria. Yet, a handful lingered in the classroom, still dissecting their recent exam results. Bai Chen numbered among them.

“Old Bai, Teacher Zheng has been on staff for less than five years, yet she’s already developed the nagging habits of a fifty-year veteran.”

“She’s not so bad.”

“What’s ‘not so bad’ about it? Nagging women are the absolute worst to deal with, always making a mountain out of a molehill. My last girlfriend used to call me in the dead of night over the most trivial matters; I simply couldn’t tolerate her anymore.”

Bai Chen paid little heed to his companion’s complaints; it required no great insight to discern the true subject of his friend’s discourse.

The allure exuded by a young teacher remained undeniably potent for a group of adolescent boys. Zheng Yuxin’s age was particularly felicitous; her youthful freshness had yet to completely fade, while a captivating hint of mature grace was already perceptible.

Were it not for the considerable age gap, and the inconvenient truth that Old Zhu currently had a girlfriend, Bai Chen would wager his last coin that his friend would already be clumsily, yet enthusiastically, pursuing her.

Alas, the immensely popular young teacher was hardly Bai Chen’s type. His true affections lay with—

“Hello, might you move aside for a moment?”

Bai Chen and Old Zhu simultaneously turned their heads, their eyes widening in unison.

There she was: eyes utterly devoid of highlight!

Indeed, compared to the vivacious Zheng Yuxin, this presence resonated far more with Bai Chen’s sensibilities; her mere appearance rendered him utterly incapable of averting his gaze.

Though not much time had passed since their last encounter, Bai Chen sensed a distinct shift in her aura.

Perhaps it was her hair, now tied back in a ponytail, lending her a more capable appearance, though the pervasive gloom on her face remained undiminished. From beneath her skirt hem, shapely legs encased in glossy black stockings emerged, gleaming with a subtle sheen.

Mo Qiu seemed to move without a sound, her sudden appearance behind him startling Old Zhu. Yet, he quickly composed himself, dutifully ceding his position.

It was clear, even without thinking, that Mo Qiu had come for Bai Chen; a test paper was clutched firmly in her hand.

“Bai Chen, what score did you achieve?”

The blunt, direct question caused Bai Chen’s lips to twitch. He scratched his head, clearly abashed to offer a reply.

“Was it very bad? Did you perhaps fail to pass?” Mo Qiu, seemingly oblivious to his discomfort, spoke again.

“No, not that, it’s merely that I didn’t perform particularly well.”

“I didn’t perform particularly well either,” Mo Qiu stated, waving her own test paper. “I was hoping to consult you on some academic matters.”

“Perhaps… perhaps you should seek assistance from someone else,” Bai Chen offered with a wry smile. “I’m hardly proficient in such things.”

“You are undoubtedly superior to me.”

“Alright, then, what was your score?”

Mo Qiu relayed her score without a moment’s hesitation, whereupon she witnessed Bai Chen’s pupils dilate as if struck by an earthquake.

Bai Chen immediately averted his gaze, mumbling, “She’s actually ten points higher than me.”

Upon hearing these words, Mo Qiu couldn’t help but furrow her brow. She knew he had performed poorly, but she hadn’t anticipated such a dismal outcome.

‘These questions were so straightforward; how did you manage to achieve such a result, even after exerting your utmost effort?’

‘For a dignified hero, a savior of the world, to be unable to contend with a mere examination would prove utterly disappointing to her.’

“Hey, hold on, you can ask me instead.”

Disliking the sight of his friend being cornered, Old Zhu suddenly interjected, offering Bai Chen a knowing glance that clearly conveyed: ‘I’ll take care of her for you.’

Old Zhu offered a gentlemanly smile. “You must recognize me, I presume? While I wouldn’t claim to be a top scholar, my position in the top ten of this class should certainly suffice to assist you.”

Having delivered his line, he gazed at the young woman expectantly, only to find, after a prolonged wait, no discernible reaction from her whatsoever.

Mo Qiu merely stared back, unblinking, her expression utterly devoid of change, as if she were a perfectly crafted doll.

Old Zhu swallowed audibly, a sheen of sweat breaking out on his brow. He found himself utterly unable to decipher her thoughts. Did she recognize him or not? A simple sound, anything, would be appreciated.

“Alright, alright, Old Zhu, go and brag to Libelle instead.”

Bai Chen shattered the awkward atmosphere, waving his friend towards the classroom door.

“But she still wishes to consult me…”

“There are no ‘buts.’ I am quite sufficient.”

Bai Chen, his patience worn thin, delivered a direct kick to his friend’s backside. He then slumped back into his seat, exhaling a sigh of relief.

For reasons unknown, witnessing Old Zhu adopt such a posture towards Mo Qiu had filled him with a peculiar mix of irritation and unease. Only after Old Zhu’s departure did a sense of calm finally settle upon him.

His gaze once more meeting the young woman’s, Bai Chen hastily cast about for a suitable topic of conversation, clearing his throat repeatedly before speaking:

“Since you place your trust in me, Mo Qiu, I shall respectfully comply.”

No sooner had the words left his lips than Mo Qiu, seemingly from thin air, produced a chair and set it on the floor. By the time Bai Chen processed this, she had already settled herself beside him, unfolding her test paper onto the desk.

‘Hold on, hold on, isn’t this a little too close?’

Bai Chen’s seat was flush against the wall, leaving him feeling like a cornered lab mouse, utterly without an escape route.

“S-so, where precisely are you encountering difficulties?”

“Here.”

“Oh, this particular question,” Bai Chen thought, relieved it was one he actually knew how to tackle. “Let me examine your steps. The correct approach to solving this should be…”

‘It’s so hot, and so cramped.’

Bai Chen found himself utterly unaware of his own words. Though his gaze was ostensibly fixed on the test paper, his attention continually drifted to the young woman seated beside him.

Her slender shoulder pressed him almost flush against the wall, while the delicate fragrance emanating from her lingered intoxicatingly at his nostrils.

Even more unnervingly, Mo Qiu had been steadily staring at Bai Chen’s face since she had first sat down.

‘Why are you looking at me? Look at the paper! Weren’t you here to seek guidance?’

Bai Chen found it an arduous task to prevent his gaze from drifting back to her lifeless eyes. Yet, precisely at that moment, Mo Qiu chose to speak, her voice clear and melodious.

“Bai Chen, you’re perspiring quite heavily.”

“It’s merely a little warm. Perhaps, Mo Qiu, if you were to move outwards…” Bai Chen couldn’t discern whether the moisture on his face was his own sweat or her warm breath.

Before he could finish his sentence, she squeezed even closer, not neglecting to offer an explanation for her actions:

“I’m helping you dissipate some of your body heat.”

‘No, what kind of logic is that?’

Bai Chen stared, dumbfounded, but Mo Qiu maintained her usual impassive expression.

“Is something amiss?”

Reflected within her dim, jewel-like eyes was Bai Chen’s own face, a sight he was rapidly becoming engrossed in. These eyes, no matter how many times he beheld them, filled him with an overwhelming fondness.

If he and Mo Qiu were the sole inhabitants remaining in this world, he would willingly gaze into those lifeless eyes for an eternity.

Noticing the flush that now colored his cheeks, Mo Qiu sensed her opportunity to advance had arrived. While maintaining unwavering eye contact, she subtly placed her hand upon his.

She distinctly felt Bai Chen’s body tremble beneath her touch, yet Mo Qiu made no move to withdraw.

The classroom was now deserted. While the timing might have been a tad premature, if it served her overarching plan, she found herself entirely unconcerned with the location.

“Mo Qiu…?” Bai Chen finally snapped back to reality, his gaze drawn to her rosy lips, and he swallowed hard. His blood felt as though it were boiling, and his breathing grew ragged.

It was at this precise moment that a flurry of hurried footsteps abruptly intruded upon the classroom’s silence.

“That scoundrel Zhu, who on earth tells his girlfriend to do his bidding?”

The girl who had interrupted them froze upon witnessing the scene, her face instantly paling as she felt a surge of murderous intent emanating from a certain individual.

Bai Chen quickly stood up, feigning complete normalcy. “I believe you’re… Libelle from the next class, correct?”

She was also Old Zhu’s girlfriend. He had often heard Old Zhu boast about her, but only upon seeing her in person did he confirm her lively and adorable nature; her twin ponytails always bounced with enthusiasm.

“Ah, yes, yes, that’s right. So there were still people in the classroom at this hour!” Libelle forced a smile, inadvertently meeting Mo Qiu’s chilling gaze once more. “I just came to grab something; don’t worry, I’ll be quick.”

Libelle fumbled through Old Zhu’s drawer with extreme haste, accidentally knocking all his textbooks onto the floor. She didn’t even pause to tidy them, snatching what she needed and bolting out of the classroom.

‘Annoying nuisance, good thing you ran fast.’

Mo Qiu did not temper her murderous intent until Libelle had fully departed.

“It’s already this late; I’m going to eat first.”

Bai Chen spoke first, already running as he spoke.

“We’ll continue when I get back.”

Mo Qiu’s hand had only just begun to lift when he fled the classroom, forcing her to lower it.

‘Is he deliberately avoiding me?’

Once the seed of suspicion was planted, it quickly took root and began to sprout. Mo Qiu started to reflect on her recent actions, wondering if she had perhaps gone too far.

‘That shouldn’t be right. I’ve been following the plan perfectly; he should be quite pleased with me.’

“Hmm? What’s this?”

Mo Qiu looked down. Lying on the path where Libelle had fled was a book with a pink cover.

The cover depicted a pair of lovers locked in an embrace, and the title, in a distinctly girlish font, read: ‘Miss Demon Falls in Love with Me’.