A Short-Lived Cannon Fodder Alpha Just Wants to Be a Salted Fish - Chapter 19

In mid-July, final exams arrived as scheduled.

The examination process was quite grueling; since grades would determine the class placements for the second year of high school, everyone was tense and apprehensive. However, this heavy atmosphere vanished the moment the final subject ended on the last day.

The exams were over, and freedom had arrived. What awaited the students next was a beautiful summer vacation. The low murmurs of students reciting texts in the hallways had now turned into chirping laughter.

Leaving the exam room, Wen Yuan met Chu Yihan at the door of Class 4. Chu Yihan asked with concern, “How do you feel you did?”

Wen Yuan replied with full confidence: “It’s in the bag…”

With an Academic God feeding her problems every day, face-to-face tutoring on weekends, and the bonus of high-accuracy question predictions, Wen Yuan felt that if she still failed, she should stop going to school and go to the hospital to get her brain checked instead.

“I think you’ll be fine too.” Chu Yihan also had great confidence in her. “You’re very smart; your foundation was just a bit weak.”

Wen Yuan gave a silly laugh. Previously, all the time she should have spent building that foundation had been used to research Jiang Huaiyu’s likes and dislikes. Whenever she suffered through cramming basic knowledge, she reflected on the original plot and felt that her past infatuation with Jiang Huaiyu was incredibly foolish.

As they neared the entrance of the Class 8 exam room, Shi Ran ran over, looking radiant. Hearing that Wen Yuan had performed well, she was even happier. “In that case, we should still be in the same class for senior year! Little Academic God, if you choose Liberal Arts, you could be in our class too, right? Why don’t you choose Liberal Arts!”

Chu Yihan smiled and said, “I am planning to choose the Liberal Arts track. I hope I can be in the same class as you guys next year.”

“Wow, that’s fantastic! With an Academic God by our side, good grades are guaranteed!” Shi Ran was still a bit surprised. “I really didn’t expect that someone who gets full marks in Science all the time would choose Liberal Arts.”

Wen Yuan arched an eyebrow slightly and stole a glance at her side; coincidentally, Chu Yihan’s gaze swept over at the same time. Their eyes met, and the corners of both their lips twitched upward almost imperceptibly.

“What’s so unexpected about it?” Wen Yuan chimed in. “Her Liberal Arts grades are excellent too.”

“True.” Shi Ran changed the subject. “By the way, after we get our report cards the day after tomorrow, don’t rush home. I’m treating you both to milk tea!”

Chu Yihan blinked, looking surprised and confused. Had she heard correctly? Was she being included as well?

Guessing what Chu Yihan was thinking, Wen Yuan leaned in and whispered an explanation: “Remember when you came to the gym to give me that notebook? Shi Ran asked if she could look at it too, so I told her she had to treat us to milk tea.”

Chu Yihan’s heart fluttered. She tilted her head close to Wen Yuan’s ear and whispered, “Was the time after the monthly exams also your doing?”

The warm breath brushed against Wen Yuan’s sensitive ear, sending an electric-like sensation through her. Wen Yuan stood up straight, rubbed her ear, and gave a low “Mm.”

Wen Yuan didn’t have to tell Chu Yihan about letting Shi Ran see the notes; she could have easily let Shi Ran only treat her. Yet, Wen Yuan never forgot her and always included her. Chu Yihan looked at Wen Yuan with watery, bright eyes, then lowered her head, her face blooming into a wide smile.

Shi Ran’s sharp ears caught a few snippets of their conversation. She complained to Chu Yihan, “This Little Bird is so bad, acting as a middleman and pocketing the profits!”

“Then next time, don’t go through a middleman like me.” Wen Yuan tilted her head toward Chu Yihan. “Here, contact the ‘supplier’ directly.”

Shi Ran considered it seriously. “I think that works.”

Wen Yuan turned to Chu Yihan, pretending to whisper but speaking at a normal volume: “See what a big customer I brought you? Charge her more for ‘tuition,’ and remember to treat me to milk tea.”

Chu Yihan’s eyes crinkled with laughter as she nodded cooperatively. “Okay…”

“Huh??” Shi Ran looked at the two of them and clicked her tongue. “One takes on the color of one’s company. The Little Academic God is being corrupted by you.”

Wen Yuan smiled and raised an eyebrow, glancing at the lively Chu Yihan. It does seem that way; the obedient little lamb is becoming quite playful.

After lounging at home for two days, the students were called back to school to collect their summer homework and report cards.

He Xun followed her usual routine, having students come to the office one by one to get their grades and hand in their track selection forms. As soon as Wen Yuan entered, He Xun said joyfully, “You’re a dark horse in our class! Huge progress—15th in the class, 194th in the grade. Very well done.”

Wen Yuan smiled and handed her form to He Xun, asking softly, “Teacher He, can I stay in Class 2 then?”

“Yes, those in the top 20 will stay in their original class,” He Xun said as she filed the form, then added, “Keep working hard in the second year. Try to reach a higher level in the midterms for me.”

Wen Yuan: “…” The first year just ended! Why are we already setting goals for the next year’s midterms! She wondered how many “Little Teacher Chu” sessions she would have to consume to reach that level.

Just as she was thinking of her, a familiar voice came from the door: “Reporting in.”

Wen Yuan turned her head and met Chu Yihan’s gaze. It wasn’t just her imagination; she felt the coldness in Chu Yihan’s eyes melt away instantly.

“Come in.” The Class 1 homeroom teacher beckoned Chu Yihan over and asked, “Have you really made up your mind about Liberal Arts? Have you discussed it with your family?”

Chu Yihan nodded.

Class 1’s average score had always been the highest because the students ranked 1st and 3rd in the grade were in their class. However, the 3rd-ranked student had decided to go abroad next semester, and the 1st-ranked Chu Yihan had chosen Liberal Arts. Having lost two star students, the Class 1 teacher was feeling a mix of emotions. She let out a long sigh and said helplessly, “As long as you’ve thought it through.”

“Exactly, learn more from Chu Yihan,” He Xun said with a beaming smile. “You’ll be in the same class from now on.”

In the same class. Wen Yuan’s heart stirred.

The Class 1 teacher mock-collapsed, covering her face and saying in a tearful voice, “Xiao He, that’s too much. Don’t rub salt in my wounds like that.” Laughter broke out in the office.

He Xun told Wen Yuan to head back to the classroom and call the next student. Before leaving, Wen Yuan turned to Chu Yihan and winked, flashing a peace sign with two fingers. Chu Yihan froze for a second, then bit her lip to hide her overwhelming joy, though the smile in her eyes spilled out from beneath her long lashes.

After the final class meeting and the distribution of summer homework, the school bell rang, and summer vacation officially began. Cheers erupted everywhere as students said their goodbyes and left school with light steps.

Shi Ran kept her promise and took Wen Yuan and Chu Yihan for milk tea. Since the Class 1 students hadn’t been released yet, Wen Yuan and Shi Ran stood in the hallway waiting for a while. When Chu Yihan finally came out, she apologized repeatedly.

Wen Yuan comforted her: “No need to apologize, it’s not like you stayed late on purpose. Your teacher is intense—even the distribution of summer homework can be a late lecture.”

“Our class never has late lectures,” Shi Ran said, knowing Chu Yihan would be in Class 2 next year. She raised an eyebrow. “When school starts, you’ll experience the happiness of leaving on time.”

Just as she spoke, the infamous “late-lecture demon”—the Class 1 English teacher, Qi Jin—stepped out of the classroom in her high heels. Wen Yuan watched as Qi Jin pointedly walked past them, feeling a bad premonition.

Qi Jin swept her gaze over the three of them, her red lips curving upward as she teased them on purpose: “When the new term starts, I’ll be teaching Class 2 English…”

The three girls stood petrified in the hallway.

The good mood ruined by Qi Jin could only be compensated with milk tea. Perhaps because everyone realized they wouldn’t be able to drink the shop’s tea during the holidays, the place was more crowded than usual. After waiting in line for a bit, Shi Ran spotted a vacant table and hurried Wen Yuan and Chu Yihan to claim it.

Wen Yuan shielded Chu Yihan as they walked to the table, letting her sit on the inside. The seat was against a wall covered in sticky notes of wishes and moods.

“By the way, you said if you helped me get into the top 20, I’d fulfill a request for you,” Wen Yuan said as she placed her bag on the adjacent chair to save a spot for Shi Ran. “What is the request?”

Chu Yihan hummed for a long moment, seemingly in thought. Wen Yuan sat up straight and held her breath, waiting for the answer.

After a while, Chu Yihan said, “I still haven’t thought of it.”

Wen Yuan’s shoulders slumped as she teased, “Is it that hard to think of? You aren’t plotting some evil plan to mess with me, are you?”

Chu Yihan blinked innocently. “Am I that kind of person?”

Wen Yuan took her time studying her; the other girl’s eyes were watery and held a hint of grievance. Wen Yuan’s heart softened. “No.”

At the confirmation, Chu Yihan’s lips curved into a very happy arc. Tch, she’s so easy to coax.

A fresh jasmine bracelet hung from a bottle on the table. Wen Yuan reached out and lightly tapped the small flower buds. “Then think faster, don’t keep me in suspense…”

Chu Yihan’s gaze locked onto her slender fingertips as she gave a long “Oh.”

“Thinking about what?” Shi Ran approached carefully, carrying a tray.

Wen Yuan stepped forward to help. “Thinking about what took you so long.”

“I’m here now, aren’t I? I took the liberty of changing our ‘two teas’ order into tea plus small mousses.” Shi Ran distributed the items. As she gave one to Wen Yuan, she asked, “Little Bird, what are you doing this summer? Going anywhere for a trip?”

Usually, Fang Jingbai would take Wen Yuan on a trip, but that was unlikely this year. Wen Yuan sighed heavily. “My mom is busy this year. I’ll probably be ‘traveling’ in PUBG and League of Legends.”

Shi Ran laughed. “Then work hard to reach Conqueror or 50 stars this season?”

“You really think too highly of me.” Wen Yuan glanced at Chu Yihan, who was quietly sipping her tea, and turned to ask her, “What are you doing for the summer?”

Suddenly being the focus, Chu Yihan was dazed for a moment. “Traveling, I guess.”

“Where to?” Shi Ran asked excitedly.

“I went to New Zealand last year,” Chu Yihan thought for a moment. “This year might be Bali.”

“Hehe, remember to bring us souvenirs…”

“Okay…”

To make room for others, the three didn’t stay long. They finished their cakes and prepared to head home. A girl who had been eyeing their table lunged forward. Wen Yuan, who hadn’t stood up yet, immediately identified her as an Alpha. She frowned and instinctively pulled Chu Yihan toward her.

Chu Yihan was tugged backward, stumbled, and landed right on Wen Yuan’s lap.

The chair had no back. By reflex, Wen Yuan propped one hand on the table to steady herself and wrapped her other arm around Chu Yihan’s waist.

So thin…

As Wen Yuan looked up, she was face-to-face with the lamb-patterned blocking patch on Chu Yihan’s neck. One corner of the patch was slightly curled. Wen Yuan pressed her tongue against the roof of her mouth and swallowed; her throat suddenly felt dry.

And her teeth felt a bit itchy.