What middle-school classmates, what pointers…
All nonsense.
We're all foxes who've lived a thousand years—stop pretending to be saints.
As guys, we all know their real goal.
Still, these two boys—one as fat as a pig, the other looking like a Car-Crash Scene—everyone's curious who gave them the guts.
Li Sitong looked at her former classmates, a little too embarrassed to refuse outright.
Xia Yingluo's pretty face also flushed, wondering if rejecting them so openly in front of everyone would be too direct.
Both girls turned to Ye Chen for help.
Ye Chen set the three backpacks on the back seats and smiled at the two boys.
"Sorry, these two are already booked by me."
…Hearing Ye Chen, Li Sitong and Xia Yingluo's cheeks burned red as ripe apples.
What kind of talk is that?
What does he mean, 'booked'?
They're not merchandise.
But since Ye Chen was rescuing them, they pretended not to hear.
"Who are you?"
"Yeah, what's it to you?"
Zhao Kai and Wu Bin frowned.
They'd sensed Li Sitong and Xia Yingluo were about to agree—then this guy jumped in to spoil things.
"Me?"
Ye Chen pointed to himself and smiled faintly.
"Allow me to introduce myself—Ye Chen. The three of us are in the same study group. Teacher Wang asked me to keep an eye on them, afraid boys from other classes might date them and hurt their grades."
Hearing this, Xu Liang and Sun Tao's mouths twitched.
Does this guy have any shame? When did Teacher Wang ever say that?
And the one usually dating them is you, okay?
Zhao Kai and Wu Bin exchanged a look, hostility filling their eyes as they stared at Ye Chen.
A gleam flashed in Wu Bin's eyes as he shook his chubby round face.
"Si Tong, you're top-three this exam and scored full marks in math. My math is terrible—help me review, for old classmates' sake?"
The guy was playing the sympathy card.
Zhao Kai chimed in, "Student Yingluo, Ye Chen is already first in the Whole School. I need you more—my English is awful. Help me with English, will you? I believe a caring classmate like you won't refuse, right?"
These two boys had skin as thick as city walls.
You say we can't date? Fine—we're not dating, we're just improving grades.
Hearing their excuse, the other boys secretly admired their shamelessness.
These two could really spin it.
Now that they wanted mutual tutoring, what could anyone say?
Ye Chen's lips curled.
Admittedly, these two had some tricks.
Too bad they'd run into Ye Chen.
Ye Chen asked calmly, "Then why did you two join the Sprint Class?"
Zhao Kai sneered, "To raise our scores, obviously."
Wu Bin mocked, "Have you studied yourself stupid? You dare ask such a dumb question?"
Laughter rippled through the Classroom.
Everyone thought Ye Chen's question childish.
Unfazed, Ye Chen continued, "Then why do you believe joining the Sprint Class will raise your scores?"
"Brain-dead? You dare ask such retarded questions?" Zhao Kai's tone was thick with ridicule.
"The teachers here are from Provincial Key Middle School—honestly, I think you've fried your brain."
"Right, even grade-schoolers know the answer, and you still ask."
The duo worked in perfect rhythm—one speaking, the other chiming in like a comedy sidekick.
Low chuckles filled the room.
Mockery painted Zhao Kai and Wu Bin's faces.
Kid, you're still too green to mess with us.
Everyone stared at Ye Chen, eager to watch him make a fool of himself.
After all, Ye Chen had ranked first twice—many were itching to see him taken down a peg.
Watching a genius get roasted was pure joy.
Li Sitong and Xia Yingluo furrowed their brows.
Confusion flickered in their eyes.
They knew Ye Chen was smart—why ask such a simple question?
"Ye Chen, let's go back to our seats," Xia Yingluo whispered, tugging his sleeve.
Li Sitong finally snapped, "Wu Bin, enough. One more word and even our middle-school ties are gone."
Seeing both girls trying to shield him, Ye Chen smiled slightly.
"Silly girls, don't worry."
With that, he turned back to Zhao Kai and Wu Bin.
"You two misread me. I asked only to see whether you understood such a basic truth."
Hearing his far-fetched explanation, the class erupted in boos.
Clearly they thought Ye Chen was just saving face.
Zhao Kai snorted, "Don't you find your excuse downright idiotic?"
Yet Ye Chen wasn't annoyed: "Just now you said the lecturers are the best from Provincial Key Middle School, right?"
"Of course." Zhao Kai nodded.
Ye Chen smiled: "If even those teachers can't teach you, what makes you think Li Sitong and Xia Yingluo can? Next time you try to hit on girls, use your brains."
"Besides, we're all in Senior Year of High School—time is precious. No one owes you free tutoring, let alone strangers. Think about whether what I said makes sense."
…The Classroom fell dead silent.
"You…"
Zhao Kai and Wu Bin were struck speechless.
They wanted to retort, yet Ye Chen's logic was airtight—no flaw to seize.
Ye Chen added, "Moreover, birds of a feather flock together. With beauties like them, of course they belong with a handsome guy like me."
"As for you two… heh."
"All right, I've said my piece. Underline the key points and mull them over."
"I…"
Countless alpacas galloped through their minds; acne-covered faces burned with rage.
Ye Chen chuckled and said to Li Sitong and Xia Yingluo, "Done—let's get ready for class."
"Mm."
"Mm."
The two girls nodded obediently and, under envious stares, followed Ye Chen to their seats—one on each side.
"Hiss—"
"Hiss—"
"Hiss—"
Gasps swept the Classroom.
Worthy of first in the Whole School—so sharp, so airtight, flawless.
After hearing his counter, the other students secretly admired him.
Clearly, being top of the school wasn't just talk.
Not a single dirty word, yet he left the two boys without a comeback.
Best of all, he still slipped in a final jab.
Absolutely awesome.
A big shot is a big shot.
Ignoring the onlookers, Ye Chen cheerfully wiped the desks for the girls with tissues.
Talk Reason? Heh—you're still too green!