Thursday, 10th of November. Xinjiang High School.
Lin Yuan looked around the busy classroom, the morning bell had rung and his deskmate still wasn't there.
Teacher Wei Zhong had already arrived at some point. He glanced at the empty seat but he didn't pay much attention. Zhang Li often suffered from an overactive bladder, which is a common disease among high school students. However, most of the time he would go to the toilet during class, this time it seems he couldn't wait.
Hmmm, it is a bit concerning. Wei Zhong was worried that his precious student's symptoms may be worsening, so he decided to have a deep chat with Zhang Li at lunch.
It was not until ten minutes later that Teacher Wei realized something was wrong. He walked over to Lin Yuan and asked him if Zhang Li had arrived.
Lin Yuan shook his head seriously.
After scrutinising his face for a moment, Wei Zhong walked straight to the class monitor.
Zhang Yin stood up and whispered something to Teacher Wei, who nodded to show that he understood.
So, before continuing with the lesson, Teacher Wei Zhong stood at the podium and informed everyone that classmate Zhang Li was hospitalized and could not come to class in the morning. He hoped that all students could learn from this and take better care of themselves.
People were whispering amongst each other, some people were curious, others were worried.
At this moment Chen Shu couldn't help but speak up with a concerned voice, "But Teacher Wei he seemed fine yesterday! What happened?!"
Wei Zhong hadn't originally intended to say anything but seeing the genuine concern on Chen Su's face he was moved,"Yes, because he went home last night and had too much to eat at dinner so he had to go to the hospital for overeating! Everyone should pay attention and eat in moderation!"
Laughter erupted in the classroom.
Listening to everyone around her talking animatedly, Zhang Yin's face was dark.
Even Lin Yuan was smiling. The third year of high school was very stressful for most students, so someone like Zhang Li, who could always cause trouble, was a welcome change of pace. The lesson continued but the classroom had a very happy atmosphere.
It was not until lunch later that Zhang Li returned to school.
He looked inside the sparse classroom cautiously and was happy to discover that Zhang Yin wasn't there. Zhang Li heaved a sigh of relief and sneaked over to Lin Yuan who was reading at his desk.
"What are you reading?"
"You're back? You scared me."
Lin Yuan was a little startled to see the tall figure crouching down beside him. At this height Zhang Li's fluffy hair was even more prominent.
"If you're scared, at least change your expression." Zhang Li, seeing that he failed to render a shocked face this time, returned to his chair, slouching back lazily.
"Are you okay? The hospital…"
"It's okay, just a light accident, there won't be any scars. Were you worried? Haha, you know how I am Lin Yuan, I just can't help myself when I see someone in danger."
Lin Yuan was confused by his proud voice spouting nonsense, "What are you talking about? Teacher Wei said you were hospitalised for overeating."
"Huh? But I told Zhang Yin to tell everyone that I got injured rescuing a kid who climbed up a tree!"
What kids are climbing up trees these days? Can't you think of a better lie at least? Lin Yuan felt like complaining.
"Well I had expected that Zhang Yin would betray me, but I can't believe Teacher Wei would sell me out, I thought we were close!" Zhang Li felt that his whole world view was crumbling.
Lin Yuan recalled Wei Zhong's red face whenever he saw Zhang Li, and didn't understand how he got that impression. Still, Lin Yuan explained to him that Teacher Wei hadn't initially intended to betray him, but then Chen Shu had interfered.
"Dammit! That kid is really annoying!"
Zhang Li was mad for a moment but then his face turned weird and he started laughing creepily, "Hehehe, every single one of them, they really underestimate me don't they?!"
Listening to that disgusting laughter Lin Yuan was disturbed, "What's wrong with you?"
Zhang Li looked around the classroom again, and then leaned toward Lin Yuan, "Don't tell anyone, but I was actually sick because I got food poisoning from eating at one of the food vendors. I just lied to Zhang Yin."
"Why would you lie about that?" Lin Yuan didn't understand, "Isn't your lie more embarrassing?"
"You don't get it Lin Yuan." Zhang Li sighed, lamenting his simple minded friend, "If I told Zhang Yin the truth she would be watching me like a hawk during lunch, it's hard enough to sneak out as it is."
Zhang Li felt that he really was a genius. Everyone else was playing tic tac toe while he was performing 4 dimensional brain surgery.
"Oh by the way, I'll tell you which stall it was so you don't get food poisoning."
"Shouldn't we tell other people? What if more people get sick?"
"Lin Yuan! I didn't expect you to be so cruel! You can't destroy a person's livelihood like that because of one mistake." Zhang Li gave a very realistic performance, but seeing that Lin Yuan didn't seem to buy it, he added, "Actually, it wasn't that bad. I mainly got sick because I ate too much…"
You just want other people to get sick as well, right? Lin Yuan thought.
Lin Yuan had no choice but to note down the name of the stall, he would inform Teacher Wei after school that someone from another class had gotten sick from their food. After all, he was a good boy.
Zhang Li at the side glanced at Lin Yuan who was shaking his head. He couldn't help but think, it's probably fine right?
"..."
"I'll go tell Teacher Wei." Zhang Li sighed and got up with an aggrieved expression.