The noise between classes felt like an explosion. Boys were chasing each other down the hallway, shouting, while girls were giggling, their voices overlapping with the buzzing sound of the ceiling fan. The classroom was packed with chaos. Lin Chen, head down, was organizing his math notes, drawing bold red lines under "common mistakes in function range," when suddenly, a strong shove hit his desk—clash!
Textbooks, notebooks, pencil cases scattered all over the floor, and his math practice book was firmly stomped on by a white sneaker. Black and gray shoeprints stained the yellowing pages, almost blinding him with their harshness. Lin Chen shot his head up and locked eyes with Zhao Kai's provocation.
Zhao Kai stood in front of his desk, hands on his hips, the zipper of his school uniform halfway down, showing a skull-logo T-shirt underneath, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Well, well, if it isn't our 'newest top student'," he sneered. "Wearing a pair of busted-up sneakers but trying to act all hardworking. You really think solving a few problems is enough to turn things around? Wake up, you're just dreaming!"
A few boys behind Zhao Kai immediately started heckling, and one kicked Lin Chen's notebook across the floor. "Exactly! He used to sleep through class, and now he's copying Su Wanqing's notes and pretending to be a good student. Disgusting!"
The other students in the hallway heard the noise and gathered around. Some stood on tiptoes to get a better look; others covered their mouths, laughing. The sunlight that had poured into the classroom was suddenly blocked by dark clouds, and the air grew thick and stifling, like a plastic sheet had been pulled over the room.
Lin Chen's fists clenched, the joints of his fingers turning white as his nails nearly dug into his palms. His mind flashed to his past life—when he couldn't take Zhao Kai's provocation and finally punched him, which led to a major school disciplinary action. His mother had to take time off to apologize, red-eyed and pleading with the teachers. Later, when he started his business, he impulsively signed a disastrous contract under Zhao Kai's influence, which resulted in the collapse of his company. This time, he couldn't fall for the same impulse!
He took a deep breath, forcing down the bitter taste rising in his throat, and bent down to pick up his books. When his fingers brushed the practice book that had been stomped on, he hesitated for a second, then gently wiped away the shoeprint. He stacked the scattered textbooks neatly, every motion full of restraint.
Zhao Kai, seeing him not fight back, pushed further, deliberately placing his foot in Lin Chen's way, his shoe nearly touching Lin Chen's hand. "What's the matter? Got scared? You were so loud in class earlier. Now you're too afraid to say anything?"
Lin Chen's back stiffened for a moment. He raised his eyes to Zhao Kai, his gaze as cold as ice, but he didn't say a word. Instead, he sidestepped Zhao Kai's foot and continued picking up his books. He knew that going toe-to-toe with Zhao Kai would only make him more smug. He needed to wait for the right moment, an opportunity that would completely silence Zhao Kai and make him think twice about ever provoking him again.
Just then, a gentle figure crouched down beside him. Lin Chen froze for a moment, then turned to find Su Wanqing, kneeling next to him. Her black hair fell in front of her face, blocking the view of the students gathering around. With careful hands, she began picking up his scattered notes, organizing them page by page, lightly brushing off the dust, her movements as gentle as handling precious items.
"Don't pay attention to them," she said softly, her voice clear but low. "They're just a bunch of uncultured people, not worth your anger."
She handed the notes back to him, her voice almost a whisper, but it carried a firm warmth. "You worked so hard on these notes. Don't let them mess them up." As she passed the notes to him, her fingers accidentally brushed the back of his hand. The warmth of her touch was electric, like a current running through him. Su Wanqing's cheeks flushed bright red, and she quickly pulled her hand back, pretending to pick up an eraser she had dropped.
Lin Chen took the notes from her, feeling as if a warm current had wrapped around his heart. The anger and frustration from moments ago seemed to melt away. He looked at Su Wanqing's blushing face and watched as she carefully picked up the stamped practice book and wiped it clean with a tissue, as if the book were fragile and precious.
Suddenly, Lin Chen had an overwhelming thought: This time, he would protect his mother, and he would protect Su Wanqing. He would never let her suffer even the slightest grievance because of him, and he would never let her miss out on the love she deserved like she did in his past life.
"Thank you," Lin Chen said, his voice rough, but full of a resolve he hadn't felt before.
Su Wanqing looked up at him, giving him a small, concerned smile. "No need to thank me. We're desk partners, right? If they bully you again, don't just sit there. Either tell the teacher, or... or I'll step in and handle it for you!"
She made a small fist and shook it, like a little bunny mustering the courage to stand up for herself. The sight was both adorable and earnest.
Zhao Kai, watching their interaction, fumed with rage. Just as he was about to open his mouth to hurl insults, the class bell rang suddenly with its sharp chime. He shot Lin Chen one last venomous glare. "You better watch out, this isn't over," he spat, before kicking the desk in frustration and returning to his seat.
The surrounding students dispersed, and the classroom returned to normal. Only the sound of Teacher Li entering with his lesson plan broke the silence.
Lin Chen placed the neatly organized books on his desk and absently traced the notes Su Wanqing had picked up for him. The pages still held the warmth of her fingertips. In his heart, he swore: Zhao Kai, you stomped on my books and mocked me today, but I'll remember this. This time, I won't be weak like in my past life. I won't let you bully me or anyone I care about again. One day, I'll make you apologize in front of the whole class and show you who the real "comeback kid" is!
Su Wanqing, seeing the resolve in his eyes, knew he had made up his mind. She didn't say anything more, but quietly pushed her own math practice book toward him, writing in the margin, "If you don't get it, look here." Her handwriting was elegant and thoughtful.
Lin Chen smiled at her, warmth flooding his chest, and looked up at her with gratitude.
Teacher Li began the next lesson, and Lin Chen listened with extra attention, quickly jotting down every detail, even the tips and tricks for solving problems. He knew that his patience now would pay off in a bigger explosion later. He would raise his grades, slap Zhao Kai in the face with his success, and protect the people he cared about. This time, the tragedy of his past life wouldn't repeat itself. One step at a time, he would make Zhao Kai pay, with interest.
Outside, the clouds slowly parted, and sunlight streamed back into the classroom, casting warm patches of light across the desks. Lin Chen looked at Su Wanqing, diligently listening to the lecture, her notes as neat as ever. A sense of confidence filled his chest. The road to success wouldn't be easy, but with Su Wanqing's support and his own determination, this life would be more fulfilling, more triumphant than his last!