Chapter 89.4 – Extra: Sweet Youth (Part 6)

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　　However, things were different with Huo Rongshen……

　　Jiang Dai did not want to owe him anything, so she contemplated discussing the matter of repayment with Huo Rongshen on several occasions. She proposed various options, such as offering money and gifts or even assisting him with tasks within legal boundaries — anything that would allow her to express her gratitude.

　　Huo Rongshen answered slowly, “I’ll think about it and give you an answer after school.”

　　As evening approached and the school emptied, Jiang Dai sat patiently at her desk, waiting for him. However, he seemed to be dragging his feet.

　　As Jiang Dai’s patience wore thin, she could not help but feel annoyed. “Have you made up your mind already? If you haven’t, I can give you some suggestions. I mean, just look at you…… Your family isn’t lacking in wealth, so I doubt you want me to buy something for you. How about we do something instead? If there’s anything you need my help with, I promise to assist you wholeheartedly, without any obligations or debts!”.

　　Huo Rongshen packed his bag and slowly stood up. To Jiang Dai’s surprise, he smirked, “Well, there is something you can help me with.”

　　Perplexed, Jiang Dai questioned, “What is it?”

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　　Mbl uswdt xyd zlydle esod nzspl vs bla, bkp vbkd zkrp cawpble ytykdpv bla psqv lyazscl vlypkdtzu. “Kwpv cl xu tkazqaklde sclekldvzu.”

　　Fvyavzle, Kkydt Pyk rwpble bkx yoyu yde pzyxxle bla byde sd vbl elpj okvb y pbyar vbwe. “Ebyv vbl blzz yal usw pyukdt?!”

　　Zlv, dsv y akrrzl ekpvwacle Tws Ssdtpbld’p nswdvldydnl. “Mbkp kp y aliwlpv usw ralhkswpzu caswtbv wr yv vbl cypjlvcyzz nswav. R’hl nsdpkelale kv yde ellxle kv y tsse kely.”

　　Gzz sq y pweeld, Kkydt Pyk oyp pweeldzu pvawnj cu y plhlal blyeynbl, nywpkdt bla vs nzwvnb bla qsalblye kd rykd. “L-ds, oykv! Jynj vbld, R sdzu pyke vbspl vbkdtp…… vs xyjl usw nbydtl plyvp. R oyp fwpv wvvlakdt dsdpldpl vs rashsjl usw! Ps usw wdelapvyde? R oyp vaukdt vs prwa usw kdvs ynvksd!”

　　Tws Ssdtpbld dseele okvb y plakswp lmralppksd. “R wdelapvyde,” bl alrzkle.
　　Kkydt Pyk zlv swv y pktb sq alzklq, bla vldpksd lypkdt pzktbvzu. “Qzye vbyv usw es!”

　　“Zlyb, usw qlzz kd zshl okvb xl yv qkapv pktbv. Mbyv oyp obu usw kdvldvksdyzzu vlyple yde rashsjle xl ewakdt swa kdvlaynvksdp, yzz kd vbl bsrlp vbyv R oswze ryu xsal yvvldvksd, elhlzsr yd kdvlalpv kd usw, yde lhldvwyzzu pvyav eyvkdt usw. Fvweldv Kkydt, usw’hl ynbklhle uswa tsyzp.”

　　Gv vbyv fwdnvwal, Kkydt Pyk qlzv zkjl pbl oyp ycswv vs byhl y pvasjl yv vbl vldela ytl sq pkmvlld……

　　Fbl iwknjzu alvyzkyvle cu rkdnbkdt vbl pjkd clvolld bkp vbwxc yde qsalqkdtla. “Ls, usw xsvblaq…… Rv’p dsv zkjl vbyv! Eykv, fwpv zkpvld vs xu lmrzydyvksd!”

　　Huo Rongshen glanced at his wristwatch. “It’s getting late. My family has a dinner gathering tonight, so I can’t stay too long. If you have something to discuss, give me a call. Also, we can arrange another time for you to meet my family.”

　　Upon hearing that, Jiang Dai’s head was surrounded by several question marks.

……

　　Given Jiang Dai’s limited intellectual capacity, she could not quite comprehend how things had escalated to this point.

　　Not only that, but she also had difficulty fathoming why the entire school had somehow accepted her as Huo Rongshen’s girlfriend.

　　Although First High School did not actively promote early romantic relationships, it did not explicitly forbid them. Presently, Country A fosters a highly open and diverse cultural environment where students in their early teens enjoy complete freedom to engage in relationships with the opposite gender.

　　In addition, Huo Rongshen was an all-around academic genius……

　　Even the homeroom teacher would pat her on the shoulder and encourage her. “Now that you’re together with Student Huo, Jiang Dai, be sure to study hard and progress together. It’s fine to be in a relationship, but it’s more important to focus on your studies. You’re already in your second year of high school and will soon enter your final year. Moreover, the college entrance exams are also just around the corner……”

　　Jiang Dai swiftly darted away, leaving the lingering echoes of the homeroom teacher’s heartfelt advice trailing behind her.

……

　　The situation had escalated to a point where Jiang Dai felt it was beyond her control. 

　　Even the guys from Huo Rongshen’s basketball team would collectively address her as “sister-in-law.”

　　Fueled with rage, Jiang Dai was on the verge of exploding. Unable to tolerate it any longer, she stormed into the boys’ locker room, finding it empty except for Huo Rongshen, who was calmly changing clothes and tidying up after his shower, taking his time.

　　After locking the door behind her, she charged toward him with rage. “What more do you want from me, Huo Rongshen? When will you finally let me be?”

　　With only long pants on, the young man smirked, “Let you be?”

　　Jiang Dai gave him a good kick and refuted, “Stop pretending! You made the whole school think I’m your girlfriend, but we’re not even in that kind of relationship! Huo Rongshen, you—” Her words were abruptly cut off as he covered her mouth, muffling her protests.

　　The incessant chatter from the girl’s lips was abruptly silenced as he leaned in and sealed her mouth.

　　Jiang Dai found herself pressed against the storage cabinet behind her, utterly devoid of the strength to resist. Her mind could not even conjure a thought of defiance, let alone a response.

　　Soon after, she…… surrendered.

　　Overwhelmed by his kiss, Jiang Dai’s head spun, her thoughts jumbled and disoriented……

　　After what felt like an eternity, he finally released her from the kiss.

　　In a split second, her face flushed with a deep red hue. Her gaze transitioned from dazed to indignant, though it took her a while to fully regain her composure.

　　Jiang Dai glared at him and snapped, “Do you have a death wish, Huo Rongshen? Did I ever agree to be your girlfriend?”

　　Yet, Huo Rongshen’s reasoning was logical and clear. “It was you who confessed to me on the basketball court in front of all the students,” he stated. “You even claimed that it was fate to have such a handsome deskmate. So, wouldn’t it be a tremendous waste for you to reject me now?”

　　Jiang Dai faltered, “…… That doesn’t count.”
　　Huo Rongshen countered, “But weren’t those words spoken by you?”
　　Jiang Dai stammered, “Yes…… Even though they were…… but……”

　　Huo Rongshen continued, “And what about last time? When I helped you dispel those rumors, you promised to repay me in any way as long as they weren’t illegal. Were those words not spoken by you?”

　　Jiang Dai remained silent, feeling utterly defeated. ‘I’m dead. ┏┛Grave┗┓…(((m-__-)m’ she mused. 

　　Choked by Huo Rongshen’s words, Jiang Dai huddled in the corner of the storage cabinet, alternating between biting her lip and pouting. She was a mix of frustration and sorrow, feeling both indignant and deeply hurt.

　　It was not so much that she was pissed at Huo Rongshen, but rather, she was reflecting on herself. Having lived for over a decade, was she really so much less intelligent than this guy who was around her age???

　　How low was her IQ that he could easily find ways to hold something against her? The more Jiang Dai thought about it, the angrier she became. Before long, her eyes started to turn slightly red from the frustration.

　　Noticing the pinkish hue on the young woman’s teary eyes and slightly swollen lips, Huo Rongshen could not help but realize that it was probably due to the moments they spent kissing and him sucking on her lips.

　　Feeling a twinge of compassion and unaware that she was peeved with herself, Huo Rongshen reached out and gently stroked her hair. 

　　He proposed in a gentle tone, “How about this? Let’s make an agreement. If you can meet the conditions within a short period, I’ll agree to break up with you.”

　　Jiang Dai’s eyes lit up, completely oblivious to the fact that she had fallen even deeper into his trap. “What are the conditions? Tell me!”
　　Huo Rongshen revealed, “You’ll have to work hard, then. If you can raise your rank by 20 spots in class or 500 across the grade during the midterm exams, I’ll agree to break up with you.”

　　Upon hearing his condition, Jiang Dai was absolutely astounded. “Twenty spots?! Our class has only thirty-eight students and two have transferred elsewhere, so that leaves us with only thirty six! If I have to rank up by twenty spots, that means I’ve to reach the top fifteen! Are you trying to kill me?!”

　　Despite being only seventeen years old, the young man was wise beyond his years. He inquired calmly, “Do you still remember who ranked fifteen in the last monthly exam?”
　　Jiang Dai pondered for a moment. “I think it was Chen Ying?”

　　Huo Rongshen rebutted, “Then, are you less intelligent than Chen Ying?”
　　Sure enough, Jiang Dai erupted in rage. “Who are you calling dumb?!”

　　Even so, Huo Rongshen remained unfazed. “Since you’re not, then what’s the problem with surpassing her?”
　　Jiang Dai fell silent, unable to find a retort.

　　She racked her brain and was consumed by a myriad of conflicting emotions and agonizing thoughts. “I can study diligently and improve my grades, but it’s simply impossible to improve by twenty spots for the midterm exams. It defies all reason and logic. Our class is in the renowned science stream filled with exceptional students, and I’ve consistently occupied the last rank with little to no progress. It’s a considerable feat to even improve by five to eight ranks!”

　　Huo Rongshen gently patted the girl’s head once again. “Since improving your rank may not be possible, I can give you some more time. Let’s set the goal for the final exams since it’s almost three months away.”