Chapter 67

Chapter 67: A Stronger Ah Fang Energy

“Yuan, I heard you’ve become the class monitor! Congratulations!”

On their way home from school, Xia Yuan pulled Lin You Xi’s hand tightly after learning that she had become the class monitor.

“I was a bit scared to do it alone,” Lin You Xi said with an embarrassed smile. “Ah Fang and I chose together, and he became the group leader.”

“Oh… Is that so?”

Xia Yuan looked curiously at Mei Fang. “I didn’t expect you to do something like this. When we were in elementary school, you always complained about the trouble and didn’t want to be a class officer. How come when you started junior high, you changed your mind?”

“Well… This time it’s a bit special.”

“How so?”

“It’s because…”

Mei Fang knew that Xia Yuan disliked keeping secrets between friends, so he didn’t hide anything.

“So it’s to be in the same group as You Xi… I understand, I understand!”

Xia Yuan muttered, “Since you’re in the same group, why not sit next to each other? That would be a great opportunity.”

“It wouldn’t be good. If I sit next to Ah Fang, I can’t help but talk to him during class.”

“Hahaha, indeed!”

Xia Yuan strongly agreed. “Back when Ah Fang and I were desk partners…”

Mei Fang watched Xia Yuan with a forced smile, recounting past memories. Her voice sounded weary.

He knew there were hidden emotions affecting her and tried to change the subject.

“I heard quite a commotion in your class tonight. Were you rearranging seats and selecting new officers? Are you still the Chinese class representative?”

Unbeknownst to Mei Fang, Xia Yuan felt wronged.

“I’m a transfer student; I don’t have the qualifications to run for office…”

This girl…

She seemed unable to shake off the shadow of favoritism.

“Why do you keep thinking about that?”

Mei Fang patted Xia Yuan’s head. “It’s not right for you to be unhappy all the time.”

“Mmm…”

“You’re our best Yuan Yuan. Don’t let past events trouble you.”

Lin You Xi encouraged Xia Yuan. “As long as you study hard and get good grades, people won’t gossip. I bet no one knows you came in through backdoor connections, right?”

“My student number is last, how could they not know…”

Xia Yuan mumbled and then found another topic. “By the way, the math test last time was really tough. I only scored under 100 out of 120, while many of us got over 100. What did you two score?”

Lin You Xi and Mei Fang couldn’t respond. Mei Fang suggested, “Since it’s already late, let’s stop talking about studies.”

“Don’t be shy. Just tell me the truth. I can handle it!”

Lin You Xi and Mei Fang exchanged glances, and finally, Mei Fang told Xia Yuan their scores.

After hearing the scores, Xia Yuan was slightly stunned before forcing a smile.

“Wow, you two are truly amazing. No wonder you’re my childhood friends! I’m genuinely happy for you.”

She grabbed Mei Fang and Lin You Xi’s hands, holding them on either side, swinging them gently.

But both Mei Fang and Lin You Xi felt immense pressure.

Xia Yuan’s future didn’t exist in the original world. Her image in elementary school was always flawless.

But as time passed, her academic performance began to lag behind Lin You Xi and Mei Fang, even dropping significantly.

She worked so hard…

Was it a lack of direction or some other reason?

Mei Fang knew Xia Yuan was feeling very sad, but he didn’t know how to comfort her, so he stayed by her side.

During homework, Xia Yuan showed no unusual behavior. She still actively asked Mei Fang questions when she had doubts.

Mei Fang patiently explained each step to ensure Xia Yuan understood the problem thoroughly.

They studied until past ten at night, when Xia Yuan’s father, Xia Xun, knocked on the door to remind them.

“Mei Fang, your mom called. It’s late, so maybe stop studying for today?”

“Uncle Xia, wait a moment. Let me finish explaining this problem to Yuan Yuan first.”

But Xia Yuan stopped him.

“It’s okay. It’s already so late, Ah Fang, go home first… I’ll think it over by myself.”

Xia Yuan sniffled, quietly looking at her homework. “I still don’t understand this problem even though you’ve explained it many times. It’s my own fault, not yours.”

Her voice was already trembling. Mei Fang thought if he left now, Xia Yuan would be upset all night. So he looked up at Xia Xun and said, “Uncle Xia, I’ll stay a bit longer. Tell Mom to rest first.”

“Alright… Thank you.”

Xia Xun had always been heartbroken seeing his daughter work so hard yet receive no rewards.

In fact, he had already talked to his daughter, saying that it was fine if her grades weren’t great. As long as she was honest with herself.

Anyway, they had money. Even if she didn’t get into a good university, it didn’t matter. He could send her abroad for further education and bring her back with a degree. Wouldn’t that be better than struggling locally?

But Xia Yuan told him she didn’t want to fall behind her best friends, Lin You Xi and Mei Fang.

Xia Xun didn’t want to break his daughter’s cherished friendship, so he didn’t insist and continued to support her wishes.

“Go ahead and continue studying. I won’t disturb you…”

Xia Xun gently closed the door, letting Xia Yuan and Mei Fang continue their studies.

This time, they only took ten minutes to figure out the problem, and Xia Yuan’s frown finally eased.

“This combining like terms is actually simple. My brain is really stubborn! Hahaha.”

To Mei Fang, the problems in junior high math weren’t much harder than those in elementary school, but the knowledge base was broader. Rote memorization wasn’t enough anymore.

“Now, the main subjects in junior high are Chinese, Math, and English. Your issue is just a slight lag in math. Your Chinese and English aren’t bad! Especially English. I saw you scored over 110 on the last exam. You learned English when you were young, while many others have no foundation. By the next final exam, your ranking won’t be too far off. Trust me.”

“But my math isn’t just a little off. We’ll also have physics in eighth grade. I don’t understand these science topics, so I’ll definitely fall further behind…”

“Stop putting so much pressure on yourself. Do you hear me?”

Mei Fang gently pinched Xia Yuan’s cheek. “Seeing you like this makes Ah Fang and You Xi really worry about you. Our always cheerful Yuan Yuan, where has she gone?”

“Mmm…”

Xia Yuan rubbed her nose, puffed her cheeks, and stared at Mei Fang for a while before sighing. “If you say so, I’ll hold onto you and absorb Ah Fang energy.”

“Sure… Come here.”

Mei Fang smiled. “But hurry up. Dad might see us.”

“I know.”

Ever since the runaway incident, Xia Yuan and Mei Fang had developed a unique way to console each other—Xia Yuan would place her hands on Mei Fang’s shoulders and press her forehead against his chest.

Usually, this action was very effective, quickly calming Xia Yuan down.

But today seemed different.

Xia Yuan pressed her forehead against Mei Fang’s chest and suddenly started crying silently.

Mei Fang hurriedly helped her up. She rubbed her eyes, her voice filled with sorrow. “I feel… I need a stronger Ah Fang energy to get better.”

“Stronger?”

With teary eyes, Xia Yuan looked at the puzzled Mei Fang with her watery eyes.

“Can… Can I… hug you?”

“I want to hug you.”

Xia Yuan suddenly shook her head.

“No, um…”

“That’s what I mean.”

“I want… you to hug me, okay?”