NOVPUBAfter the morning exercises ended, the students swarmed to the bulletin board next to the flag-raising platform. 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙥𝙪𝙗.𝒄𝙤𝙢
Xu Qingfan and his five friends were among the crowd because today was the day the results of the New Year’s performance preliminary list were announced.
"We made it!" Xu Qingfan squeezed out from the dense crowd, snapped his fingers, and said to the five girls anxiously waiting on the outer circle.
"What do you mean by that, did we make it to the next round?" Xiao Ruawen impatiently asked, his words making little sense initially.
"Brother Qing Fan, are we in the top six?"
"We scored 98.6, ranked first. Let’s go, it’s so hot, let’s buy some water from the shop." Xu Qingfan took the tissue Wu Lingyu handed him, wiped his sweat, and smiled.
"Yay!!!" The five girls cheered on the spot, attracting the attention of their fellow students.
But since they were the school’s sweethearts with their good looks, they had long been used to the covert glances from classmates, so they didn’t feel awkward.
Moreover, some bored onlookers had held a poll on the Licheng Middle School forum for the most beautiful flower freshman, and the five girls’ pictures were among the top, leading the sixth place by several times the votes.
Also, wherever Xu Qingfan appeared, the five girls followed. The comments section had no shortage of messages like, "Not envying couples or immortals, but envying Brother Fan every day."
"It’s not good for health to drink Coke after running, Brother Fan, let’s go back to the class and drink water," Wu Lingyu persuaded with a pleading tone.
Xia Xiaoxiao was not as patient, crossing her arms and saying, "You always want to drink soda; no wonder you’re not growing tall!"
The domineering girl exuded an icy elegance when angry, causing the adolescent boys gazing at her to swallow their saliva repeatedly. Some even walked into pillars because they weren’t watching the road.
[Just started middle school and already controlling me. What about marriage later?] Xu Qingfan thought rebelliously, unaware of his fortunate situation.
"Can’t I go to the shop and buy milk instead?" Although he originally wanted a carbonated drink, he still argued stubbornly under Xia Xiaoxiao’s gaze.
"That’s great news, Brother Fan! You drink milk and we’ll drink Coke!" Xiao Ruawen cheerfully pushed Xu Qingfan forward.
"Brother Qing Fan, I’ll drink milk with you so we can grow taller together!"
"I’ll drink too!" Zhang Yiyi said with a smile, as usual, looking at Xu Qingfan.
The picture capturing Zhang Yiyi turning to smile at Xu Qingfan became popular on the forum, and her healing smile won her numerous fans at school, making her the top choice in the most beautiful flower poll.
In the end, none of them had Coke. Leaving the shop, each held a carton of Yantang pure milk.
After inserting their straws, they raised the milk cartons overhead to block the sun and simultaneously shouted, "Cheers!"
They walked leisurely back to Class 7 (6), shoulder to shoulder, sipping their milk.
The bell for class rang, causing everyone to rush chaotically back to the teaching building.
The six of them exchanged smiles before joining the running crowd in the next moment.
When they ran back to class, the teacher hadn’t arrived yet, so they relaxed and casually walked to their seats through the back door.
"Another English class," Xu Qingfan said, checking the schedule. Just then, the homeroom teacher walked up to the podium with a book.
"Before class, I want to share some good news. Xu Qingfan’s group has advanced to the second round of their performance. Remember to cheer for our class during the New Year’s party. Class committee, discuss after class to buy some glow sticks for the event." She put down her lesson plan and patted the podium.
Because they practiced at home regularly, the class almost forgot about it until the teacher mentioned it. Everyone turned their curious gazes towards their group.
"Understood, Teacher!" Class president Zhang Jinsan stood up and said. When he sat down, he instinctively looked towards their group, his gaze lingering on Xia Xiaoxiao.
Xu Qingfan noticed his gaze, triggering many memories from his past life. He suddenly smiled.
This person had a crush on Xia Xiaoxiao in the past life, and because he had an early growth spurt, being 1.75 meters tall in the first year with the best grades among the boys, he arrogantly believed that Xia Xiaoxiao should be his girlfriend, thinking no one else in the class was worthy.
Xu Qingfan and Xia Xiaoxiao had been childhood sweethearts and naturally acted closer than usual boys after starting middle school. Zhang Jinsan even rallied the boys in the class to isolate him, but it didn’t work because many boys in the class didn’t like Zhang either.
When some delinquent upperclassmen harassed Xia Xiaoxiao, Zhang Jinsan only dared to watch from afar like a mouse in the sewer. Xu Qingfan found it amusing in his past life.
Now, because Qingfan had already removed his biggest support, Zhang Jinsan was evidently much more well-behaved and avoided them at school out of either insecurity or something else.
[Just adorable middle schoolers.] Xu Qingfan thought.
...
[Recently, the police in our city solved a major case of smuggling and selling drugs. The case involved millions, and there was a complete black market chain behind it. The arrest team, with local police cooperation, captured multiple suspects from various places, seizing massive quantities of illegal drugs like Seven Buddha Alkane, triazolam, and Midazolam.]
[All the suspects arrested in this case have been detained under the law, and the case is still under further investigation.]
During lunch, as usual, they sat around the coffee table eating while watching TV. The midday news was reporting the recent drug case led by Fang Xiaohai.
"Good thing Brother Fan, you’re smart! Didn’t expect to catch so many bad guys!" Xiao Ruawen said with lingering fear.
Fang Xiaohai had already treated them to a celebration feast yesterday. From the story, they learned it involved selling illegal drugs online, where criminals who bought "obedient water" shared their experiences and posted videos and photos for profit on shady websites.
The five girls gasped in shock, especially after hearing about drugs that could render someone unconscious with just a whiff. It was terrifying.
"Luckily, Brother Qing Fan was there!" Lin Wanning returned half-bitten broccoli to her bowl and gratefully stared at Xu Qingfan.
Zhang Yiyi and Wu Lingyu nodded in agreement. Xu Qingfan’s presence always made them feel safe.
Although Xia Xiaoxiao was reluctant to admit it, she also felt secure whenever Xu Qingfan was around.
"Looks like ’Hilarious Daily’ is getting a new episode," Xu Qingfan said with a smile.
"The anti-fraud episode was really good. Now there are no scam reward questions or fake doctors on TV. Brother Fan, you guys are amazing!"
"Of course!"
"Haha~ Cheers!"
