A Paranoid Alpha Childhood Friend is Acting Spoiled Again - Chapter 21

No matter the age, the person who puts on a brave front is usually the one who ends up crying the loudest.

After receiving Nuo Fanxi’s “sincere” apology, Tang Mo finally—and reluctantly—forgave that “bad thing.” The first thing she did upon arriving home was eat dinner, and then she immediately set to work on her test papers. With a whole night ahead, there was no way she wouldn’t finish.

However, Tang Mo forgot one thing: the only paper she hadn’t touched yet was the one she had abandoned from the start, left to gather dust in her backpack—Physics.

Tang Mo: “…”

As a student capable of achieving excellent grades in the humanities, Tang Mo’s grades in the sciences were like a roller coaster; you never knew where they would land, but they were certainly never at the peak. Among Chemistry, Biology, and Physics, her Physics scores were particularly catastrophic—so bad they could only be described as “eyesores.”

In the past, Bai Xiaozhu had hired several top-tier Physics PhD candidates to tutor her. After going through three different teachers, they all reached the same consensus: “Madame Bai, your daughter is quite good at the humanities. When she grows up, she can follow in your footsteps in financial management, business, or running a company. There’s no need to torture her with the sciences; those subjects are doing their best just to be readable to her.”

In other words: Your daughter is not cut out for science.

Since then, Bai Xiaozhu had completely given up. She no longer forced Tang Mo to excel in the sciences; as long as she could maintain a mediocre level and stop “riding the roller coaster,” she would thank the heavens.

Now, looking at the Physics paper, Tang Mo had a headache. She had absolutely no desire to write. It felt as if every problem on the page knew her, but she didn’t recognize a single one of them.

Consequently, after a night of frantic writing, Tang Mo was ultimately defeated by Physics—she only managed to finish the first page.

The next day, Monday morning, Tang Mo arrived at class early. She took out the test paper and placed it on her desk, wedging her pen between her nose and upper lip while staring blankly at the blackboard, lost in thought.

Her seatmate, Liao Ling, was an Omega who got along well with Tang Mo. They shared good food and fun things together. Today, Liao Ling also happened to arrive quite early. Seeing the Physics paper on Tang Mo’s desk, she understood the situation immediately.

“Momo… don’t tell me you didn’t finish either?”

As she spoke, Liao Ling reached out to flip through Tang Mo’s paper.

Sure enough, the back was completely empty—cleaner than the floor they walked on.

“Momo, you’ve changed.”

Tang Mo took the pen off her lip. Seeing Liao Ling’s reaction, she felt a spark of hope. “Lingling, did you finish? Let me… ‘reference’ it?”

Liao Ling burst out laughing. “Momo, what are you thinking? Me, finished? If I actually finished it, would I be at school this early?”

“Ah, you didn’t finish either?”

“Eldest Miss, does my face look like the face of someone who finishes Physics?”

“Then if you didn’t finish, why did you say I’ve changed? I’m always like this with science homework!”

“In the past, you at least managed three pages. Today you only did two. If that’s not ‘changing,’ I don’t know what is.”

Tang Mo was too embarrassed to admit that the reason she usually finished two pages was because she did them with Nuo Fanxi. If she got stuck, she’d just let Nuo Fanxi teach her. But last night, she had been in a huff and refused to work with her, stubbornly trying to do it alone—and thus, she only knew how to do one page.

Liao Ling suddenly had a bright idea. She leaned in and whispered, “Momo, how about… when the Vice Class Monitor arrives, we ask her to let us copy her paper? She’s so good at science, she definitely finished it. Plus, you two are close. If you ask to borrow it, she’ll definitely lend it to you first!”

Nuo Fanxi was the Vice Class Monitor. Because of her excellent grades—always ranking in the top three of the class—she had quickly become “Teacher’s Pet #2” (the Monitor was #1). Combined with her outgoing personality and great social skills, she got along with everyone and was well-loved by the class.

But most importantly, Nuo Fanxi was always the fastest person to complete assignments. Her answers were like they were printed—whoosh, one sheet every half hour. Who wouldn’t love a Vice Monitor who finished homework that fast?

Now it was Tang Mo’s turn to feel guilty.

If she asked Nuo Fanxi for the paper, wouldn’t that be the same as surrendering?

No way. Absolutely not.

She had just managed to regain some ground last night. If she opened her mouth to Nuo Fanxi today, that “bad thing” would definitely mock her to death.

That simply could not happen!

“C-can we borrow another classmate’s paper? Why does it have to be Nuo Fanxi’s? Borrowing is borrowing—Lingling, why don’t you think about borrowing from someone else? Why do you insist on hers? Is her paper made of your favorite meat buns? Does it smell that good?”

Liao Ling replied, “Student Tang Mo, you’re wrong there. Sure, borrowing is borrowing, but the Vice Monitor is the best in our class at science. Her answers are 99% correct; you won’t step on any landmines. Think about it: remember when Little Fatty and the others borrowed the Chemistry paper from the Language Representative? They both ended up being punished with a week of cleaning the classroom. Do you want to be punished for a week, too?”

Of course I don’t!

Punishing me to clean the classroom…

However… but!

I really, really, really don’t want to see Nuo Fanxi’s mocking face. She is so, so, so punchable!

“Momo, the Vice Monitor is here!”

Liao Ling’s confidence surged. Since they were familiar, she usually only asked for help when needed; otherwise, they hung out with their own respective friends.

A moment later, other students filed into the classroom. A few minutes after that, Nuo Fanxi arrived with the main crowd.

After entering junior high, much of the childishness had faded from Nuo Fanxi’s face. She had the air of a “big sister”—very stylish at first glance.

But Tang Mo was too embarrassed to greet her. She stuffed her Physics paper back into her desk and slumped over, lost in thought.

Liao Ling nudged her. “Momo, she’s here!”

Tang Mo snapped out of it, sat up straight, and took a quick peek. Nuo Fanxi was taking off her backpack. Sensing Tang Mo’s gaze, Nuo Fanxi deliberately turned back to look at her.

“…”

Tang Mo immediately turned into an ostrich, burying her head in her arms on the desk. She chanted internally: She can’t see me, she can’t see me. That bad thing Nuo Fanxi can’t see me.

Nuo Fanxi didn’t know what she was doing and felt a bit puzzled. She didn’t overthink it and continued organizing her desk, taking out the textbooks for the day and stuffing her bag into the drawer to save space.

“Momo, what are you doing?” Liao Ling slapped her shoulder. “The Vice Monitor is here, go borrow the paper!”

Tang Mo bolted upright. “Why am I the one borrowing it? Lingling, why don’t you go?!”

“Why would I go? I’m not that close with her! You’re the closest person to her in the whole class. If I go, she definitely won’t lend it to me. Of course you have to be the one!”

“W-what do you mean ‘of course’? If you want to copy it, you should be the one to ask!”

“But I’m not familiar with her!”

“But you’re the one who wants to copy!”

Liao Ling, worried about being overheard, leaned in closer. “Momo, the third period is Physics. If we don’t move fast, we’re going to be cleaning the classroom. Are you sure you want a week of chores?”

Tang Mo was instantly cornered.

She didn’t want the chores, but she didn’t want to ask that “bad thing” for the paper either. She’d surely be mocked for being stupid in front of everyone.

“I… I’m not going.” Tang Mo tugged at Liao Ling’s sleeve and whispered, “Lingling, you go. She’ll definitely lend it to you.”

Tang Mo knew Nuo Fanxi best. It didn’t matter if you weren’t close; as long as you were sincere, had a good attitude, and weren’t being weirdly sarcastic, Nuo Fanxi would always agree without hesitation.

“But I’m not close with her. I’ve only said a few words to her because of you. If I go, she’ll think I’m an idiot.”

“She won’t!”

“…Really?”

“Really!”

Liao Ling seemed to have an idea. Her eyes narrowed and she clapped her hands together. “Fine. I know what to say.”

Tang Mo was confused and about to ask more, but Liao Ling was already heading toward Nuo Fanxi’s seat.

“V-Vice Monitor.”

Nuo Fanxi had just opened her Language textbook to a page of ancient poetry. Hearing her name, she looked up. “What’s up?”

Liao Ling felt a bit awkward. Although many students copied each other’s work to avoid punishment, most only borrowed from people they knew well. This was Liao Ling’s first time borrowing from someone she wasn’t close with—and it was the Vice Monitor, to boot. Her tongue felt tied.

Nuo Fanxi didn’t think anything was wrong and asked friendly, “Student Liao, is there something I can help with?”

Liao Ling looked around to make sure no one was passing by and stammered, “Vice Monitor, could you… could you lend me your Physics paper to ‘reference’?”

Nuo Fanxi was about to say that someone had already borrowed it, but recalling how Tang Mo had been acting weirdly earlier, she had a sudden thought and beckoned Liao Ling closer.

Liao Ling immediately leaned in.

“Are you the one borrowing it?”

“Is… is there a problem, Vice Monitor?”

“Are you sure you’re the one who wants to borrow it?”

“Of course… oh, no, no, no! It’s not me, it’s Momo! Tang Mo wants to borrow it!”

Nuo Fanxi asked, “Then why didn’t she come ask me herself?”

Oh, I get it, Nuo Fanxi thought. Tang Mo is definitely too embarrassed to see me because of what happened yesterday.

“Are you sure she wants to borrow it?”

“I’m positive! Vice Monitor, wait a sec! Momo! Come here for a second, the Vice Monitor wants to see you!”

Tang Mo, who had been peeking through the gaps in her arms, felt a surge of guilt like a thief being caught. She hadn’t expected her “stupid” seatmate to sell her out so easily!

“Momo, the Vice Monitor is calling you! Hurry up, don’t dawdle! There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Show some of our ‘homework-copying spirit’—bowing down for a few measly points!”

Tang Mo was dragged over to Nuo Fanxi.

Now Tang Mo was genuinely embarrassed. She had talked so big last night about never borrowing the “bad thing’s” work, and yet here she was the next day. That brat Nuo Fanxi must be laughing at me in her head right now!

But to her surprise, Nuo Fanxi wasn’t being punchable today. Before Tang Mo could even speak, Nuo Fanxi pulled out her Physics paper.

“Here, Student Liao. You two can reference it together. If there’s anything you don’t understand, feel free to ask me.”

???

That’s it?

Just like that?

No teasing me for being stupid?

Something was wrong. Very wrong. Knowing that “bad thing” Nuo Fanxi, when things were too normal, there was usually a catch.

“Vice Monitor! I haven’t finished mine either, and you didn’t even try to save your adorable seatmate first? My heart is broken! I want to copy too, Vice Monitor! You can’t abandon your cutest seatmate! Sob sob…“

The person speaking was Nuo Fanxi’s seatmate, Chu Tongtong—a chubby-cheeked Beta girl. Her personality clicked perfectly with Nuo Fanxi’s; both were warm and outgoing. However, Chu Tongtong was much kinder and didn’t bully Tang Mo for being slow.

Tang Mo had a good impression of Chu Tongtong and often went out to play or shop with her like a friend.

“No way, Momo borrowed it first!” Liao Ling clutched the Physics paper like a treasure. “Tongtong, do you know what ‘first come, first served’ means? This is it!”

Chu Tongtong felt it was unfair and immediately protested, “Is this a matter of ‘first come, first served’? If it were, I’m the Vice Monitor’s seatmate! It should obviously go to me first, right, Vice Monitor?”

Nuo Fanxi looked thoughtful. She was definitely not going to tell Chu Tongtong why she agreed to lend it to Liao Ling first; that would ruin the fun.

“Wait, wait, wait. Stop arguing, my ears hurt,” Nuo Fanxi said. “There are still two periods before Physics. After we get back from morning exercises, Student Liao can copy first, and once she’s done, she can give it to you.”

The good thing about science papers was that there wasn’t much writing—just numbers. You could finish copying in twenty minutes. Plus, you didn’t have to copy everything; as long as the page wasn’t blank, the teacher would just assume the problem was too hard for you and move on.

“Fine then. Good thing it’s not a humanities paper, or I’d be crying.”

Liao Ling added, “If it were a humanities paper, not only would you be finished, but the whole class would be finished. We’d be scolded by the teacher and forced to stand in the hallway like monkeys in a zoo for the neighboring classes to see. Right, Momo?”

Tang Mo was distracted. She felt that Nuo Fanxi’s easy agreement was suspicious. She hadn’t even teased her! There had to be a ghost behind this.

Wrong. Very wrong.