I didn't memorize a single math formula.
When filling in the blanks in classical Chinese poems, no matter what the preceding line was, he only had one line in his mind: "A branch of red apricot blossoms extends beyond the wall."
As for English, he knows the abbreviations ABCD, but when people put them in different combinations, he just wants to curse, "What the hell is this?"
"Ah—! Damn!"
Song Lang slammed his forehead on the table with a "thud," startling Meng Fanxing awake.
"What's wrong?" Meng Fanxing smacked her lips a few times. She had just had a good dream, and her drool had soaked a small patch of the test paper under her arm.
Song Lang remained motionless, pretending to be a corpse, utterly dejected.
He used to be carefree, and he didn't care about his poor grades. But today he was particularly concerned, because the gap between him and Shen Zhifei was not something he could bridge in a few days.
He is unworthy of Shen Zhifei, both in terms of inner qualities and outward appearance.
What's even more frustrating is that there's no concept of "matching" or "not matching" between them.
"It's not too late to start building a solid foundation in your first year of high school."
Shen Zhifei patted his shoulder reassuringly, but Song Lang suddenly stood up and avoided his hand.
"I'm going out for some fresh air, you guys continue."
Meng Fanxing was completely bewildered. Before she could even finish calling out "Dalang," Song Lang pushed open the door and left without looking back, saying, "Don't follow me. I'll be alone for a while."
"What... what happened to him?" Meng Fanxing was completely offline, as if a lot of terrible things had happened while she was sleeping.
"It's okay, you'll understand once you figure it out." Shen Zhifei took Song Lang's two test papers, looked at them, then folded them up and put them in his schoolbag before continuing to tutor Meng Fanxing.
Song Lang wandered aimlessly on the street for a long time, ate dinner alone outside, and didn't go home until almost 9 p.m.
Shen Lingyu asked, "Where did you go? Feifei came back from Meng Fanxing's house a long time ago."
"Oh, I... went to play ball with my classmates," Song Lang said, changing his shoes and heading straight to his room. "I'm sleepy, going to bed now. Goodnight, beautiful."
"Wait a minute," Shen Lingyu came over and pulled him to the kitchen doorway, whispering, "What's going on between you and Feifei?"
Song Lang's heart tightened, and a layer of cold sweat instantly broke out on his back.
His entire face was so tense and stiff, like a wooden doll.
"W-what's going on? What could I possibly have to do with him? We have nothing going on!" Song Lang's tongue was numb, and he almost bit his teeth.
"Still saying you didn't? What are you so guilty about?"
Shen Lingyu punched his chest lightly and said in a low voice, "Don't blame your mother for being nosy and biased. You two are both in your adolescence now, and I can understand that you are sensitive. But Feifei is younger than you, and you know about his background. You see, the older he gets, the less he likes to talk. He prefers to keep everything to himself. As his older brother, you should be more accommodating to him and take good care of him."
"..." Song Lang sighed deeply, "Mom, can you please get to the point first next time?"
“You brat, everything I said is important,” Shen Lingyu said.
"Okay, okay, I understand. Can I go to sleep now?" Song Lang walked past her toward his room, head drooping and ears hanging low, looking listless.
Shen Lingyu, still worried, reminded her, "Don't take what I said to heart."
"Okay, goodnight, beautiful."
Song Lang slammed the door shut. Shen Zhifei, lying in the darkness in the next room, remained silent for a long time before taking out the cell phone that was under his pillow and pressing the power button.
The fluorescent light shone on his face, revealing a touch of gentleness amidst the cool color.
He clicked on those two lines, and even though it was just gibberish that Song Lang had randomly typed, he stared at it for a long time.
Shen Zhifei was certain that Song Lang had feelings for him; one person's physical reaction to another cannot lie.
He could sense Song Lang's inner turmoil, just as he had felt it himself back then.
All he can do now is wait patiently and shamelessly entice.
Slender fingers flew across the screen quickly, and a few seconds later, a faint ringing could be heard from the next room.
Before Song Lang could block the number from earlier in the day, he picked up his phone and saw that it was indeed that guy again.
Honey, I hope you'll say those swear words again in a different place and with a different tone in the future.
Song Lang initially wanted to delete and block him directly, but then he changed his mind and exited the delete contact interface, replying: Aren't you tired? Is it fun to bother me all day long?
With a "ding," the unknown number replied.
This isn't harassment, it's a loving greeting; I miss you.
Song Lang cursed under his breath, threw his phone aside, and went to wash up. When he came back, he lay in bed for a long time but couldn't fall asleep. He picked up his phone and saw that the number had sent him several text messages a quarter of an hour earlier.
Looking at my face in the mirror, I always imagine you shaving your stubble with a razor. Your chin is slightly tilted back, so sexy, like you're begging for a kiss. I'll hug you from behind, pin you against the wall and kiss you passionately, all the way to the showerhead, to the glass, and finally we'll both fall onto the bed.
Then I'll bite your ear and tell you how many times I missed you that day.
Right now, in your heart, whose face do I look like? Does reading this message remind you of someone? Who is that person who makes you think of them?
What would you think of me? A pervert or a madman? Actually, I'm just a fool talking to myself, madly in love with you.
【Good night.】
Song Lang frowned more and more as he read the message. After hesitating for a long time, he finally sent a reply to the number.
"What's wrong with you? You were being provocative for a bit and then suddenly turned melancholic?"