He Yao had no ideal school.
After the last incident, she didn't even want to go to school anymore.
If it weren't for her mother's embarrassment and constant nagging, and the fact that she was too young to work, she might have already left this city.
But this was her private matter, and she wouldn't tell Zhan Jingrui. She could just ignore his questions.
Seeing He Yao remain silent, the air fell quiet for two seconds before her deskmate picked up the conversation.
"Yes, yes, of course I have an ideal school."
"My dream school is South City Aviation University. You know, I've always been obsessed with becoming a pilot..."
"Then why are you studying like this?"
Zhan Jingrui shot his deskmate a deadpan glance, mocking him.
"If you can get in through the back door, do so. If not, you can go home and dream about it. Otherwise, with your grades, getting into that university is like a fantasy."
His words were harsh, but his deskmate didn't care, grinning shamelessly.
"You said dreams, right? It's okay to dream. Hehe, I know I'm far from it, but that's because I never tried before. Now I have you."
"A few cheap figurines, and you expect me to guarantee you admission to university?"
"It's more than a few. If you tutor me and He Yao every day from now on, I'll give you half of my living expenses as a token of my filial piety."
Talking about money with Zhan Jingrui was like talking about crops with a farmer; he couldn't care less.
Half of his living expenses were a drop in the bucket for Zhan Jingrui.
"Stop the nonsense. Since neither of you understands, nor wants to learn, I won't waste any more time..."
He started to get up, but his deskmate quickly grabbed him.
"Don't, I didn't say I don't want to learn, I do! Even if I'm incorrigible, at least try to sculpt me before giving up.
"It's mainly that I don't care about myself. I just boasted to He Yao's mother, and she can't be let down. Think of it as a good deed, please help us, please."
He pleaded sincerely, while He Yao, the one who truly needed help, sat as upright as could be, refusing to utter a single soft word.
However, this was fine. Zhan Jingrui disliked people who talked too much.
Her silence suited him perfectly.
Since neither of them understood, he had to start from the first lesson.
This time, he was much more human, pausing after every few sentences to look at them. Once they both nodded, he continued.
Two hours passed. Zhan Jingrui's throat was dry. He assigned them homework and started packing up.
"I'll check it tomorrow. If the homework isn't finished or isn't up to par, I won't come the day after tomorrow."
The next day, he went to the ward at the usual time. Both of them dutifully submitted their homework.
Zhan Jingrui glanced at it. They weren't too stupid. He Yao had completed it all.
But his deskmate...
He found an excuse again: "I was too busy yesterday and didn't have time to write it. You know, the teacher assigned so much in class, and I had to take care of her, deal with my mother at home, and do your extra homework. I was overwhelmed..."
As if he ever did homework regularly, Zhan Jingrui couldn't be bothered.
His deskmate's family was in the clothing business and quite famous in Suzhou. He didn't need a diploma to prove himself; he was born on the starting line.
Zhan Jingrui knew many people like him and understood their mindset. Instead, he, who treated learning as his livelihood, had become an anomaly.
Actually, he knew his deskmate didn't need him as a teacher, but for some inexplicable reason, he agreed.
If He Yao was willing to learn, he would continue to teach.
It went on like this for several days: teaching one day, checking homework the next. A week passed in the blink of an eye.
On Saturday afternoon after class, he went to the ward again, only to find a group of people there.
It was the class monitor, along with the study committee member and two other female classmates, visiting He Yao and talking with her mother.
The class monitor was a typical example of someone from a good family, cheerful, decent-looking, and a good student, beloved by elders and teachers.
But in Zhan Jingrui's eyes, being so accommodating at such a young age seemed too slick, and he didn't like it.
They were chatting with He Yao's mother, a circle of chattering voices.
He Yao remained as she always was, sitting expressionlessly on the hospital bed. Suddenly, she looked up and saw Zhan Jingrui.
Their eyes met across the bobbing heads. For a moment, perhaps it was an illusion, but he thought he saw a flicker of light in He Yao's eyes.
As usual, Zhan Jingrui knocked on the door, and everyone turned to look at him.
The class monitor and the other students appeared delighted and came over to greet him. He Yao's mother took this opportunity to tell everyone that she was going back for a bit and would return later, encouraging them to have fun and bring them snacks.
Once they left, Zhan Jingrui took out pre-prepared test papers from his bag and handed them to He Yao and her deskmate for a weekly summary test.
The two bent their heads to write. The class monitor didn't leave with the other two girls; instead, she kept looking at Zhan Jingrui and couldn't help but strike up a conversation.
"I didn't expect you to be so enthusiastic, coming here after school to tutor He Yao. You must be working hard."
Zhan Jingrui didn't know whose behalf she was speaking from to express her gratitude. He gave her a confused but indifferent look and remained silent.
When the class monitor met his gaze, she seemed shy and excited.
"Before you came, I heard Xu Zheng say that you're going to guarantee him admission to South City Aviation University. South City has been developing better and better in recent years, and I happen to want to go to South City too... Zhan Jingrui, which university do you plan to apply to in the future?"
They are doing a test, is it appropriate for you to talk endlessly?
Zhan Jingrui didn't say it out loud. He looked out the window and said faintly,
"Haven't thought about it yet."
The class monitor continued obliviously, "It is indeed early, but with your grades, you can easily get into any university, perhaps even be directly recommended..."
Zhan Jingrui still didn't speak. His casual demeanor made it obvious he didn't want to socialize, but having been classmates for so long, this was the only chance he had to talk to him, and saying so much was already quite pleasing.
The class monitor persisted. Suddenly, she put down her backpack and unzipped it.
"Since you have some free time now, I didn't understand a math problem today. Could you possibly..."
Zhan Jingrui grew impatient, frowning slightly, and looked at her with a cold expression.
"They are taking a test. If you don't understand, ask your teacher when you get back."
The class monitor's face flushed instantly. Her actions paused. The girls next to her nudged her, and she slowly broke into a smile again.
"Oh, indeed. They are writing papers, and my talking so much might disturb them. Let's leave it at that for today. We'll be going now."
"He Yao, I wish you a speedy recovery. We'll visit again when we have time."
He Yao looked up, looked at her seriously, and nodded, "Okay. Thank you."
"You're welcome. Please tell your aunt that we're leaving now. Goodbye."
"Goodbye, Xu Zheng. Goodbye, Zhan Jingrui."
He Yao and Xu Zheng politely waved goodbye to them, but only Zhan Jingrui remained still.