For example, Xia Zelin would always swagger to the center, without any misgivings.
In stark contrast to this bathroom bully are those who sneak around in the corner of the urinals, habitually tilting their bodies at a sixty-degree angle, hiding as if they can't face anyone. Lu Haoran is like that.
There are even some particularly insecure clever ones who patiently wait until the last half-minute before the class bell rings, then sprint to the bathroom, and quickly sprint back.
Because at this time the bathroom has the fewest people and usually, the private stalls are available, so they don't need to face any strange looks from others.
There are even more peculiar ones who have to hold it in for several classes, going to the bathroom only when it becomes unbearable, supposedly finding it quite refreshing.
There's no such oddball in Su Zelin's class, otherwise, he would kindly advise them that such behavior can easily lead to uremia.
...
The afternoon classes ended.
Because Qin Shiqing helped with fetching hot water, Su Zelin had to wait for her to leave together.
Without making Su Zelin wait for long, Qin Shiqing stood up with her lunch box.
Although he got a portion of stir-fried pork belly from her at noon, the two ounces of rice in that meal definitely weren't enough for Su Zelin, so he must be hungry by now.
Walking along the school path, Su Zelin, Qin Shiqing, and Tang Yan walked side by side, while Lu Haoran followed slightly behind, as he never dared to walk alongside a girl in front of so many people, feeling somewhat restrained.
Noticing this, Su Zelin frowned, directly pulling him up to stand beside Tang Yan: "Haoran, what are you afraid of? Tang Yan is Xiaoyanzi, not a cat. She won't eat you, will she?"
The little cutie waved frantically, stammering, "I-I-I didn't mean it that way."
"Su Zelin, what does this have to do with me? Why drag me into it again!"
Tang Yan raised her eyebrows angrily.
"Dear daughter, is this how you speak to your father?"
Su Zelin used his trump card.
Tang Yan's commanding presence immediately vanished, and she pouted in annoyance.
She regretted making that bet with Su Zelin, fearing it would be endless.
Arranged next to Tang Yan, Lu Haoran didn't dare to get too close, nor too far, or Tang Yan might think he was avoiding her.
Occasionally, people passed by on the school path, and seeing two boys walking with two girls, especially with a goddess like Qin Shiqing, they couldn't help but take another look.
Lu Haoran became even more shy, lowering his head with a flushed face, seeming awkward like a bashful maiden.
Seeing this, Su Zelin couldn't help but chuckle to himself.
Haoran is good in every way—mild-tempered, patient, loyal. In his past life, when his father severed ties with him and Qin Shiqing went abroad, Haoran stayed by his side during the hardest times.
Just one word, and he would drop everything to come over, drink with him, and listen to his confessions.
But his biggest flaw was being too shy.
As far as Su Zelin knew, Lu Haoran had a bit of a crush on Tang Yan, and Tang Yan didn't have a bad impression of him. But after graduation, Lu Haoran didn't dare to pursue her actively, and in the end, they never got together. Until Tang Yan got married, and once, when Lu Haoran drank too much, he talked about it to him, filled with regret.
Su Zelin could tell he cared a lot about it.
If hurting Qin Shiqing was the pain of his life, then not daring to pursue Tang Yan was Lu Haoran's lifelong regret.
Having been reborn, he had the chance to make up for his regrets; Su Zelin also planned to be a "matchmaker" to help his good buddy, secretly trying to bring him and Tang Yan together to see if this good thing could happen.
Arriving at the cafeteria entrance, the hot water station was not far off; Su Zelin handed his space cup to Qin Shiqing and headed straight inside.
Once he left, Lu Haoran panicked.
Was he supposed to go with Qin Shiqing and Tang Yan to get water?
Forget it; he'd get food with Zelin first and fetch water later.
Left alone, following the two girls, Lu Haoran definitely didn't have the courage. As he was about to catch up with Su Zelin, Tang Yan snatched his space cup: "Forget it, Lu Haoran, I'll help you get it!"
"Ah, th-thank you, sorry for the trouble!"
Lu Haoran's face turned red again, feeling it wasn't enough, he added, "Thank you!"
"You're really silly!"
Tang Yan found his silly look exasperating and amusing.
Su Zelin was thick-skinned like a city wall, with a glib tongue, yet his best friend, Lu Haoran, was a dull and honest guy who would blush for half a day just talking to a girl.
It's a mystery how these two with such opposite personalities got along.
Lu Haoran dared not look at Tang Yan, keeping his head down as he walked into the cafeteria, his heart pounding wildly.
In the short walk from the classroom to the canteen, he experienced two firsts.
The first time walking side by side with a girl, the first time a girl fetched water for him.
Lu Haoran was so thrilled he nearly cried.
Thinking of Tang Yan's "you're really silly," he felt troubled.
Did I say something wrong earlier?
Maybe I shouldn't have shown off my English since my grades aren't that good; it must have made Tang Yan dislike me.
"A simple thank you would have been fine, trying to be trendy, I'm really stupid. No wonder Tang Yan called me silly!"
The more Lu Haoran thought, the more annoyed he became, slapping his face with a "slap."
Lost in thought, he quickly caught up with his desk mate.
"Where's your cup?"
Su Zelin glanced at him and quickly noticed something.
"Tang Yan is, is getting water for me."
Lu Haoran was a bit guilty.
"Oh, impressive young man, you've got potential!"
Su Zelin patted him on the shoulder.
"You didn't make a bet with Tang Yan, maybe she likes you!"
Just a casual remark, but it made Lu Haoran jump like a mouse with its tail stepped on.
"Shhh, Zelin, you mustn't say that, she's just being nice!"
"Haha, I'm joking. Why are you so nervous? Do you like Tang Yan?"
"N-no, not at all!"
Lu Haoran quickly denied it.
"Okay, then I'll tell Tang Yan that you don't like her later!"
"No, no, that's not what I meant!"
"Alright, I'm just teasing you!"
Su Zelin laughed.
Haoran, this guy, is really interesting.
Maybe he hasn't realized anything yet.
Just as they sat down with their food, Qin Shiqing and Tang Yan arrived.
The line for the girls was shorter, so they were quick, and although they fetched water before getting food, they took the same amount of time.
The two girls sat across from them, placing the filled space cups in front of each boy.
Su Zelin didn't say much, while Lu Haoran repeatedly thanked them, not daring to flaunt his English this time.
This time, it was different from noon.
At the four-person table, Su Zelin and Lu Haoran sat on one side, Qin Shiqing and Tang Yan on the other.
Lu Haoran was still uncomfortable, feeling like he was sitting on pins and needles.
The others, however, were quite at ease, with Tang Yan's attention quickly drawn to the towering pile of food in Su Zelin's lunch box.
"Is that two meat dishes and two vegetable dishes?"
"Yep!"
Tang Yan was speechless.
She'd only heard of other people's kids before.
It was her first time seeing someone else's portion size.
Compared to lunch when Su Zelin divided his meal in two, the visual impact now was far more striking.
A glance at the meal of the same two-meat, two-vegetable order beside him, and it's like a hill and a valley, forming a sharp contrast.
No wonder Lu Haoran is so skinny; there's a reason for it.
"Haoran, come, let's share the difficulties and the blessings!"
Su Zelin still grabbed his lunch box to share with his desk mate.
"No need, no need, I can't eat that much!"
Lu Haoran quickly waved his hand.
In front of Tang Yan, he felt a bit embarrassed.
Su Zelin didn't care, insisting on sharing a third with him.
Then Su Zelin also passed some lean meat to Qin Shiqing: "Just returning the favor, don't say I'm taking advantage of you!"
Not far from the cafeteria, a pair of eyes almost exploded with flames.
Yes, it was the stalking madman Zhao Mingxuan again.
The bespectacled guy inexplicably felt the light green on his head turning deep green, with the small grassland developing into a large prairie.
A clear sky, bright sun and moon, how can such a rogue exist in this world!
Where is justice, where is the law?
...