Boss, I have an idea.

After breakfast, Xu Lin and Ji Yun headed to school together. To avoid suspicion, they entered separately, half a minute apart.

However, the moment Xu Lin stepped into the classroom, he sensed an unusual tension in the air. The homeroom teacher had arrived early and was already present.

“What’s going on?” Xu Lin asked as he sat down, glancing at his two visibly nervous friends.

“It’s nothing to do with you. The homeroom teacher is checking homework today.”

“I didn’t do it either.”

“What?” Li Bin looked at him in disbelief. Although they often hung out together online, Xu Lin had always been diligent about his homework.

“Look.” Xu Lin showed his notebook and test papers, which were mostly blank.

As the subject representatives came forward, it was a nightmare for those who hadn’t done their homework.

To be honest, by high school, homework checks were rare. Teachers didn’t care much; after all, if you really wanted to get into college, you’d naturally pay attention in class and complete your assignments. So this sudden inspection left quite a few students looking crestfallen. In the end, the homeroom teacher called the subject reps over to summarize the results.

Finally, the teacher read out a few names, asking them to come to his office after class. The first few names didn’t surprise anyone, but the last two were unexpectedly Xu Lin and Ji Yun, both of whom had good grades.

After class, the students whose names were called headed to the office. Xu Lin and Ji Yun walked at the back, unconsciously drawing closer as they walked.

“You didn’t do the homework?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“No reason.”

“Xu Lin, do you know why I turned down the others?”

“Because you want to focus on studying now.”

“Exactly, so please study hard!” Ji Yun said with a hint of anger, then strode ahead, entering the office first.

What was she talking about? Xu Lin was momentarily puzzled, but didn’t think too much and followed her inside.

There were few people in the office at this hour; many teachers had gone to the cafeteria for lunch, but the homeroom teacher was still there, busy with some paperwork. When he saw them come in, he put down his pen and had them stand aside, talking to each one in turn.

So, seven or eight students were lectured one by one. After about ten minutes, only Xu Lin and Ji Yun remained.

“What do you have to say for yourself, Xu Lin?”

Unlike his stern tone with the others, the teacher seemed remarkably calm with Xu Lin—though perhaps not entirely at ease.

Ji Yun glanced at Xu Lin, thinking he would admit his mistake, but his next words left her completely stunned.

“I think I can get good grades even without doing homework. I want to pursue my own methods of extracurricular study.”

“Oh? Not doing homework—that’s a first.” The teacher was momentarily taken aback but then, surprisingly, smiled.

“Teacher, I’d like to make a deal with you. I won’t do the homework, but I guarantee I’ll rank in the top fifty in the school in the October monthly exam.”

“If I don’t, I’ll make up all the homework from the past two weeks and have my parents called in for a talk!”

Xu Lin spoke with conviction, meeting the teacher’s gaze without a hint of fear.

The teacher stared at him for a few seconds, then took a deep breath.

“You’ve been in my class since the start of school, always so quiet, and now you’ve learned to be glib!”

“Well, people have to grow up eventually. So, do you agree?”

“It’s not up to me alone; you’ll have to get the other teachers to agree too. After all, I’m just the math teacher.”

“As long as you agree, that’s enough!” Xu Lin broke into a broad grin.

“Your grades are your own business. No matter how much we teachers say, it’s up to you. If you really make it into the top fifty, I’ll back you up—just this once!”

“Yes, I promise to do my best!”

Seeing the teacher truly agree, Xu Lin finally breathed a sigh of relief. Though he had appeared calm, he had genuinely feared the teacher would simply call his parents in. But he really didn’t want to do homework! He’d decided on this last night; since the teacher wanted to talk, he’d just bite the bullet.

This was one of the wishes he’d never fulfilled back then—now, finally, he’d done it. But he absolutely had to get into the top fifty, or all his words would be for nothing.

“Ji Yun.”

The teacher called her name, snapping her out of her daze. She couldn’t believe the teacher had actually agreed to such an outlandish proposal.

“There’s another matter I wanted to discuss—about Zhang Kang yesterday. His parents came in and begged the school not to expel or suspend him, hoping to resolve things privately. You’re not children anymore; what do you think should be done? Should we notify your parents, especially you, Ji Yun?”

“Teacher, I don’t care about compensation. I want Zhang Kang to apologize to us—especially to Xu Lin and Zhuo Yan. And the school should issue a formal reprimand. As for suspension, I don’t mind either way.”

Ji Yun thought for a moment, then replied, glancing at Xu Lin. He immediately echoed, “Me too.”

“Alright, I’ll discuss it with the school.”

“Is that all? We still need to go to the cafeteria, so we’ll head out, Teacher.”

“I’m not finished yet.”

“Yes?”

“Weren’t you two having breakfast together this morning?”

“Ahem!” Xu Lin coughed abruptly, nearly choking on his own saliva. How unlucky to have been spotted by the teacher!

“Yes, we ran into each other on the way and ate outside,” Ji Yun replied calmly this time. “Teacher, surely you don’t think we’re dating, do you? You know I’ve turned down more than a dozen suitors since the start of high school. I just want to focus on my studies.”

“Yes, I believe you. I’m not an inflexible person, after all. Still, it’s almost senior year—dating really will distract you. Once the college entrance exam is over, what you do is your own business.”

With a sip of tea and a hint of amusement in his eyes, the teacher waved them off.

“Go take a break. I’ll discuss your homework situation with the other teachers.”

“Thank you, Teacher!” Xu Lin bowed deeply.

Once outside, Ji Yun gave him a playful punch on the shoulder.

“See? I told you not to eat buns. Good thing it was only the teacher who saw us. If a student had, who knows what wild rumors would be flying around by now.”

“But you don’t date, so rumors wouldn’t really affect you. No one would believe them anyway.”

“Hmph! You’re really bold, though—are you really planning not to do any homework?”

“Yeah. I made up my mind when you messaged me yesterday.”

“Are you sure you can make the top fifty?”

“Yes.”

“So confident?”

“Yes. Were you angry when you came in just now?”

“No.”

“Oh, so I was wrong? I thought you were upset because you thought I wasn’t trying hard enough, that I wouldn’t be able to get into college with you.”

“I wasn’t!” Miss Ji finally lost her composure, her face flushing bright red. She quickened her pace and disappeared around the corner.

[Ji Yun’s affection +3, currently 23]

It seems the road ahead is still long. But perhaps I’ve just remembered another wish—to get into the same university as you, and to walk a little farther down life’s path together.