Before evening self-study, Qin Tian and Xia Nuannuan jogged on the track and field as usual.
With Qin Tian's current physical fitness, this kind of exercise didn't hold much significance anymore.
Xia Nuannuan had also lost weight and no longer needed to rely on it for fat loss.
However, for both of them, it had already become a good habit they were willing to stick to long-term.
After their run, the two of them still went to the campus supermarket, bought two bottles of water and a few snacks, and then returned to the classroom.
From a distance, they saw Zhang Peng arguing with a girl at the back door of the classroom, with the school beauty Su Yan standing beside him.
That's right, the girl arguing with Zhang Peng was none other than his lifelong rival, Tian Jiajia.
A few days ago, after the exam results came out, Su Yan, Tian Jiajia, and another close friend had visited Class 10 again to congratulate Qin Tian and Xia Nuannuan on their exam success.
Xia Nuannuan had gone out to chat with them for a while and had also become friends with Su Yan's two close friends.
Afterward, the three girls would occasionally visit their class, and it seemed only these two had come today.
Every time they came, Tian Jiajia and Zhang Peng would meet and engage in verbal sparring like a bickering couple, with Zhang Peng losing more often than winning.
"Su Yan, Tian Jiajia!"
Xia Nuannuan called out.
The two girls, hearing the sound, immediately looked towards her.
"Hmph, I'm too lazy to talk nonsense with you. Hurry up and go inside, don't be an eyesore here."
Tian Jiajia waved Zhang Peng away with a look of disdain.
"You can't control me. This is our class's classroom. Brother just wants to stand here, so what?"
Zhang Peng grinned with a cheeky smile.
Tian Jiajia rolled her eyes at him and looked at the approaching Qin Tian to complain, "Male God, come and control this jerk quickly. We just arrived, and he came out to pick a fight."
"Nonsense, Tian Ge, don't listen to her babbling. I was just about to go pee, and I couldn't even be bothered to look at her. She suddenly started speaking sarcastically and disgustingly."
Zhang Peng immediately retorted.
"Zhang Peng, you're talking out of your ass. Who can be more disgusting than you?"
"You're the most disgusting!"
"You're the most disgusting, get lost!"
"Alright, alright, you two, stop arguing here. Our class monitor is going to lose her temper!"
Qin Tian said with a wry smile, trying to mediate.
Both of them snorted simultaneously, turned their heads away, and acted as if they didn't want to talk anymore.
Qin Tian scratched his head with a bitter smile.
He really didn't want to get involved in the grudges between these two.
Xia Nuannuan also exchanged a look with Su Yan, both wearing helpless expressions.
"Male God, Xia Nuannuan, where did you guys go? Your faces are flushed, and you're covered in sweat?"
Tian Jiajia looked at them meaningfully and asked with a playful smile.
Xia Nuannuan's pretty face blushed, and she explained somewhat flusteredly, "We just went for a run on the track and field. We go every day before evening self-study."
She had become quite familiar with Tian Jiajia's personality by now.
From time to time, she would tease her and Qin Tian, which always made her feel very embarrassed, but there was nothing she could do about it.
As for Tian Jiajia's address to Qin Tian, she didn't pay much attention to it.
Tian Jiajia was a fan and called many of her favorite male idol stars in the current entertainment industry "Male God."
Xia Nuannuan knew that she had a good impression of Qin Tian, but it was completely different from her own feelings for him, so there was no threat.
Besides, she found Tian Jiajia's lively and cheerful personality quite interesting.
"Just running? Nothing else?"
Tian Jiajia showed a skeptical expression and said with a smile, "Many couples at our school sneak off to meet at the track and field or in the woods. I've seen it several times, holding hands, and even like this..."
She pouted and made a kissing gesture.
"It really was just running!"
Xia Nuannuan stamped her foot shyly.
Qin Tian, standing by, remained calm and composed. Instead, he raised his right hand, rubbed his chin, and appeared to be deep in thought.
"Hehe... Nuannuan, your Qin Tian is starting to think dirty thoughts."
Tian Jiajia nudged Qin Tian with her chin.
Xia Nuannuan turned her head to look at Qin Tian, her face turning even redder. She clenched her fist and punched him.
"Ahem... What, what are you talking about?"
Qin Tian pretended to be oblivious with a serious expression.
"Alright, Jiajia, stop teasing her,"
Su Yan said to Tian Jiajia.
Tian Jiajia nodded with a smile and didn't say anything more.
"Someone, I don't know what they're thinking all day long,"
Zhang Peng suddenly mocked.
"Hm?"
Tian Jiajia's eyes immediately flared with anger, and she said unhappily, "What business is it of yours?"
"Heh!"
"Uncle Zhang, we young people are having a conversation, what are you still doing here? Hurry up and go sit and rest!"
"Heh!"
"What else can you do besides 'heh'?"
"That's better than some people."
"Stop, stop, stop!"
Xia Nuannuan raised her hand and made a stop gesture, preventing the two from continuing their bickering. She then turned to Su Yan and asked, "Why are you here now? Is there something going on?"
"Yes, we almost forgot."
Su Yan nodded and said seriously, "We saw the two girls sitting in front of you leaving the school. Are they your friends?"
"Hm?"
Xia Nuannuan's expression turned serious, and she immediately pressed, "What's going on?"
"We don't know the situation. They left with another girl. We saw that their expressions weren't very good, so we were worried there might be a problem and came to tell you."
Tian Jiajia quickly replied.
Zhang Peng, standing at the door, peeked into the classroom and looked at Qin Tian, saying, "Cui Ying and Qiu Man are not in the classroom."
"What about Xu Ying?"
Qin Tian asked with a frown.
Zhang Peng turned and looked again, then shook his head with a grim expression.
Xia Nuannuan looked at Qin Tian with astonishment, her pretty face immediately showing anxiety.
"How about this, Zhang Peng and I will go out to look for them. You girls go back to the classroom!"
Qin Tian said to the three girls.
Su Yan and Tian Jiajia realized the atmosphere was not right and nodded in agreement.
"No, I'm going with you."
Xia Nuannuan refused.
"Nuannuan, the bell for evening self-study will ring soon. You should stay in the classroom and tell the class monitor for us."
Qin Tian persuaded her.
"No!"
Xia Nuannuan still shook her head in refusal, her gaze fixed on him with determination, and said solemnly, "They are my friends, and I want to go with you!"
Qin Tian scratched his head with a conflicted expression and nodded helplessly, "Alright, Zhang Peng, go tell the class monitor, and then hurry up and follow us."
"Okay!"
Zhang Peng nodded, turned, and walked into the classroom without a word.
"Let's go!"
Qin Tian said to Xia Nuannuan.
Xia Nuannuan nodded repeatedly and followed him downstairs.
"Nuannuan, we're coming with you too,"
Tian Jiajia called out loudly.
"No need, you guys go back to the classroom!"
Xia Nuannuan turned and said.
Tian Jiajia looked at Su Yan for her opinion.
Su Yan thought for a moment and said, "Listen to her, let's go back to the classroom. We don't know what's really going on. Even if something happens, we might not be able to help if we go. With Qin Tian and the others there, it should be fine."