Chapter 28

That afternoon, Yu Na sent her homework to Xiao Chen and asked, "Is Qiao Rui coming to class tomorrow?" Xiao Chen texted right back, "Yes."

Early the next morning, Yu Na went to the classroom hugging her books. From afar, she saw Qiao Rui being helped up the stairs by a student from another class.

After helping him up, the student said hello to Yu Na then went back to his own classroom.

Yu Na walked over to Qiao Rui and asked, "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, it won't affect the sports meet," Qiao Rui patted his chest, "With me here, our class has to come in first place."

"... "

The homework Qiao Rui turned in received unanimous praise from all the teachers. Especially math and physics. He scored 100% correct on both.

During class, the teachers lavished praise on Qiao Rui, "Although Qiao Rui was sick at home, he completed his homework very well. You can see he put in a lot of effort. You all should learn from him."

After a round of applause, Qiao Rui bootlicked, "It's all thanks to teacher."

Yu Na happened to overhear this while passing by Class 3 and scoffed.

She thought: He's really not worth it for his sister.

During self-study session in the afternoon, the teachers were all at a meeting discussing the upcoming sports meet. Students who wanted to sign up should let their class sports committee member know.

The teachers also mentioned that parents were welcome to come observe the sports meet, which would take place next Thursday and Friday. The notice about the sports meet should be shared with the parents' group chat.

Yu Na was on duty to supervise evening self-study today. Every student who did not ask for leave was present.

Five minutes after the start of evening self-study, Yu Na finally sauntered in carrying her laptop and forms. The previously noisy classroom instantly quieted down when she entered.

Yu Na went to the podium and said, "The school is holding a sports meet next Thursday and Friday. Students who want to sign up should let the sports committee members know."

As she spoke, she passed the forms to Qiao Rui. The classroom erupted again─

"Teacher, does everyone have to sign up?"

"Teacher, is there a reward for coming in first place?"

"Teacher, can participating students be exempt from homework to have more time to train?"

"Teacher..."

All kinds of bizarre questions kept coming.

Yu Na rapped on the podium desk, "Quiet, we can chat after class."

The classroom below instantly fell silent.

Yu Na said, "I suggest everyone who can participate sign up. It's good exercise anyway, ranking doesn't matter. As for homework─" She raised a meaningful eyebrow, "You still have to complete assignments as required."

"... "

After self-study started, the students below worked on their assignments and occasionally some would come up to ask Yu Na questions.

Once Yu Na was done with what she had to do, she opened up her laptop. She logged into WeChat on the web version and shared the notice about the sports meet in the parents' group chat, then added, "For this sports meet, the school welcomes parents to come observe. If parents have time, please come cheer on the children."

Soon there were responses from the parents' group.

【Can parents go directly?】 【Yes】 【Received, thanks Teacher Yu [handshake emoji]】 【Should we contact you in advance if we are going?】

Yu Na responded to each of the parents. Her attention, however, was on "Brother Qiao Rui".

Just as the group chat was lively, Xiao Chen's message popped up abruptly again. This time there was no "1" in response, just a regular "Received".

So would he come to the sports meet?

Yu Na's heart skipped a beat at the thought. But then she figured he's probably very busy with work, and it wasn't a weekend, so likely not.

She didn't get her hopes up.

After the end of evening self-study, the students streamed out of the classroom in groups. Yu Na finished up the last bits of work and closed her laptop.

She saw Qiao Rui still dawdling in the last row showing no intention of leaving.

She asked, "Why haven't you left yet?"

Qiao Rui leaned back against his chair. "I'm waiting for you to help me of course."

Yu Na: ???

She thought inwardly: Am I your teacher or your caretaker?

But he was injured, and she was partly responsible.

Yu Na gently said, "Oh alright..."

She helped Qiao Rui up and the two went downstairs together.

Qiao Rui gave her a look without any student deference and said, "Sometimes I feel you don't seem like a teacher at all."

"... " Yu Na asked: "Why?"

"You look pretty easy to bully."

"Just you," Yu Na gave him a sideways glare, "Can't you treat me like your head teacher?"

Qiao Rui coldly snorted and instinctively shook his leg. His intention was that it was because he had protected her.

Yu Na: "......"

Her tone softened a little as she switched topics: "Right, you should sit out the sports meet."

"Why?" "With you like this, how can you participate?"

"I'll be better by next week. If I as the sports committee member don't participate, how will our class save face?"

The two kept chatting as they made their way downstairs.

The school gate was incredibly lively with students everywhere.

Xiao Chen had parked his car near the school gate and was waiting. Seeing Yu Na's figure, he was startled.

He hadn't expected she would be the one helping Qiao Rui down.

He didn't know what Qiao Rui said to make Yu Na laugh nonstop. She had even playfully patted his shoulder.

Sitting in the driver's seat, Xiao Chen gazed out at that scene and suddenly recalled Yu Na at home explaining the English exam paper to Qiao Rui.

Xiao Chen deeply exhaled, then got out of the car and walked over.

He was driving a different car today.

Seeing him, Yu Na's heart thumped. Qiao Rui hadn't said Xiao Chen was picking him up, so she had planned to call him a cab.

Her eyes were restless, never settling on Xiao Chen. She couldn't conceal her nervousness as she supported Qiao Rui to stand before him.

Xiao Chen opened the rear door and helped Qiao Rui get in. Then he asked Yu Na, "Can I give you a ride home?"

Yu Na really wanted to get in, but—she hesitated looking back at the groups of students behind her.

Ultimately, she still shook her head: "No need, I can get home myself."

"......"

Xiao Chen got back into the car and scolded, "Aren't you ashamed making the teacher support you."

"That was just happenstance. So now you're feeling jealous?"

Xiao Chen: "Scram."

As he started driving he added, "I'll wait at the North Gate for you tomorrow."

"No!" Qiao Rui slapped his own leg. "Walking downstairs and just two steps from the main gate is much closer for me. Going out the North Gate means I have to make a detour!"

"Weren't you embarrassed to make the teacher help you down?"

"Teacher Yu won't be there tomorrow. The math teacher is supervising evening study. No way would I ask her, she's so fierce."

Before Xiao Chen could respond, Qiao Rui suddenly came to a realization, "Oh wait—Teacher Yu's office is right downstairs from the North Gate. Don't tell me you—"

Xiao Chen: "Looking to be smacked?"

Qiao Rui had a knowing look: "Go on, keep pretending. You know best what your own intentions are."

"Scram."

...After her shower, Yu Na flopped onto her bed feeling bored and idly scrolled through WeChat Moments with her phone.

Her mind wasn't really on her phone though.

So Xiao Chen drives every day to pick up Qiao Rui?

She's on duty to supervise evening study the day after tomorrow.

Would he come then too?

Yu Na exited Moments and opened her chat with Xiao Chen.

She hesitantly typed: 【Do you come pick up Qiao Rui every day?】Staring at this sentence for a long time but not daring to hit send.

She scrolled up through their chat history. Since re-adding each other, they hadn't chatted idly at all. Every sentence was about critical matters.

If she were to ask this out of the blue, wouldn't it give away what was on her mind?

If he realized she still liked him, wouldn't he deliberately keep his distance again?

"......"

Thinking of this, Yu Na deleted that sentence again. But she left the chat window open.

Yu Na angrily thrashed her legs around and flopped onto her stomach, pillowing her chin on a cushion.

*Sigh*

I miss him.

Just then, endless yearning came accompanied by a brilliant new idea.

Yu Na had a flash of inspiration and found a topic that was perfectly suited for chatting with him.