Chapter 75: Heart Racing

He Shi followed the direction of the glance. The empty seat was right in front of Xie Xu. Just as he wished! That classmate really had a knack for picking the perfect time to take a leave. He agreed readily, “Alright.”

He Shi went over and sat in Yan Yi’s seat. The desk was bare, with nothing except a single math textbook tucked inside the desk compartment. This wasn’t even a math class. He Shi glanced at the podium, then at his new seatmate.

Quiet, gentle, and adorable.

Since he had no particular interest in the lesson, he thought he might as well chat with his cute seatmate. Leaning his head on one hand, he turned sideways to Chen Ziyi, “Hello, seatmate.”

Chen Ziyi was startled for a moment before realizing he was talking to her. She instinctively lifted her eyes to look at He Shi.

Right, Yan Yi was on leave, so her temporary seatmate was He Shi.

“Hmm? Is there something you need?”

“What’s your name, seatmate?”

Chen Ziyi was about to answer when the Chinese teacher began explaining the meaning of the classical text. The teacher spoke quickly, and if she didn’t take notes, she would fall behind. Hastily, Chen Ziyi grabbed her pen and started jotting things down, not forgetting to say to He Shi, “Hold on, He Shi. Let me take some notes first.”

...

This quiet and pretty seatmate seemed to be just like her appearance—a model student?

Well, he shouldn’t let himself distract others from their studies.

So, after He Shi muttered an “Oh,” he waited patiently for Chen Ziyi to finish her notes.

He didn’t know how much time passed before Chen Ziyi finally set down her pen and turned to him, “Right, what did you ask me earlier?”

He Shi was lost in thought and didn’t hear her.

Chen Ziyi waved her hand in front of his eyes, and only then did he snap back to reality. “What is it?”

Chen Ziyi chuckled softly, “I mean, what did you ask me just now?”

“Oh.” He Shi ruffled his hair, embarrassed by his own absent-mindedness. “I wanted to know your name.”

Chen Ziyi’s lips curved slightly as she responded slowly and clearly, “Chen Ziyi.”

Afraid he might not know which Chen Ziyi she meant, she deliberately flipped open her Chinese textbook to the front page. In neat, elegant handwriting, her name was written there.

She slid it over to him and explained, “These are the three characters.”

He Shi glanced at the handwriting, then looked up at Chen Ziyi.

Her delicate eyebrows seemed meticulously shaped, her long lashes fluttered like tiny brushes, and those beautiful, luminescent eyes seemed to shine with an unusual light.

He Shi’s heart suddenly raced.

Realizing where his thoughts were wandering, he quickly turned away, took a deep breath, and after a moment, faced Chen Ziyi again, feigning calmness, “Your name sounds lovely.”

Chen Ziyi wasn’t focused on his compliment. She knitted her graceful brows and asked, “What was with you just now? Are you feeling unwell?”

“No, not at all!” he denied hastily. “Nothing happened to me.”

He insisted he was fine, and Chen Ziyi didn’t press further.

After class, the Chinese teacher instructed the students to bring the new desks and chairs into the classroom.

“Class president, arrange a seat for this student, please. I’m heading back to the office,” the teacher said.

Xie Xu replied, “Alright.”

Once the teacher left, He Shi turned his attention to Xie Xu, “Yi Qi, could I borrow Xu-ge for five minutes?”

Lu Yi Qi looked nervous, “Go ahead, do whatever you need!”

She quickly vacated her seat and took a spot beside Chen Ziyi.

Seeing her move, He Shi spoke, “Xu-ge~”

“Are you out of your mind?”