Chapter 95

Chapter 95: Major Cleaning

The arrival of the remedial classes for eighth graders meant less time for the three of them to be together.

Especially in the evenings, Mei Fang couldn’t possibly go to Xia Yuan’s house at nine o’clock to help her with her homework and study. That would just be ridiculous.

Moreover, even if Xia Yuan’s parents didn’t say anything, Mei Fang’s own parents would have objections.

This also indicated that Xia Yuan had fewer opportunities to gain super energy from Ah Fang.

Therefore, Xia Yuan decided to seize this last chance brought by the remedial classes and crazily gather super energy from Ah Fang.

“Okay… I think we’ve hugged enough today, right?”

“Not nearly enough…”

Xia Yuan hugged Mei Fang and whined, “I won’t be able to hug Ah Fang for a long time after this…”

“There’s still more than a month until mid-term exams! And even if I don’t come here at night, can’t we hug on weekends?”

“Now Sundays are for remedial classes too, and only for one day.”

Xia Yuan suddenly lifted her head, “Right, Ah Fang, let me tell you, our homeroom teacher is really overbearing. She said Xiaoxue can’t participate in the weekend remedial class.”

Mei Fang was immediately flustered when he heard this, “Is it because of that summer homework thing? It’s been so long…”

“It’s not just because of that… She always targets Xiaoxue, always mentioning her no matter what. If Xiaoxue’s grades drop, she never stops talking about it. Xiaoxue has a strong personality and doesn’t want to bow down to the homeroom teacher. She told me it’s fine if she doesn’t attend the remedial class; she’ll just study on her own.”

“Having such a troublesome homeroom teacher is indeed annoying…”

“Yeah! I don’t know how to help Xiaoxue properly.”

“Pengxue also said she will study independently. Anyway, since you two are desk partners, you can help each other more often.”

Mei Fang patted Xia Yuan’s head, “Even if the teacher is detestable, there’s no need to risk your future to prove a point. I think Pengxue’s current mindset is good. She should study on her own. If she feels she can’t handle it and it affects her normal studies, then she can consider complaining to the homeroom teacher or transferring classes. That would be faster.”

“Transfer classes? Come to think of it, I should talk to my mom about transferring too. I really hate our homeroom teacher and the atmosphere of our class where everyone is obsessed with solving problems. But I’m afraid the new environment might be worse, and I may not be able to transfer to your class…”

Mei Fang patiently listened to Xia Yuan’s complaints, but given the current situation, he saw no way to intervene.

“Just follow your instincts to help Pengxue. Don’t worry about other issues. Ah You and I will definitely continue to support you.”

“Mmm… Knowing Ah Fang is here, I feel reassured!”

Xia Yuan hugged Mei Fang tighter, and Mei Fang struggled to pull away.

Pengxue’s relationship with their homeroom teacher Huang Lian deteriorated further, following the same trajectory as Mei Fang’s past memories.

The only difference was that Pengxue did not make friends with any delinquent teenagers; she spent most of her time with Xia Yuan. Pengxue introduced Xia Yuan to some new things, but Xia Yuan also kept Pengxue from crossing boundaries.

Thus, under Xia Yuan’s influence, Pengxue could still be considered a decent student. Even if Teacher Huang wanted to target Pengxue, she might not find an opportunity to do so.

Let’s hope nothing goes wrong…

Every Friday afternoon, the last class was major cleaning, a rare free activity time for students who were not responsible for cleaning.

However, the grade always had a hygiene competition, checking each class’s cleanliness and announcing criticism for unhygienic classes.

Class 8 was always a model class in terms of academics, so they naturally paid close attention to hygiene. As soon as class ended, Teacher Huang organized everyone to put up their chairs and arrange desks, allowing the cleaning duty students to start early.

This week’s cleaning duty was assigned to Xia Yuan and Pengxue’s group. Their group had more girls than boys, making it harder for them to do heavy tasks like mopping the floor. Mei Fang, having nothing else to do after class, saw Xia Yuan wiping windows in the corridor and offered to help, but Xia Yuan dismissed him rudely.

“A boy from another class coming to help me clean is inappropriate. I’ve done a lot of chores at your house too. I’m not a spoiled princess…”

“Oh, that’s not what I meant. I thought if you finish quickly, Ah You and I can go eat the new beef noodle place in the cafeteria together.”

“You don’t have to wait for me. Just go ahead and eat.”

Xia Yuan took out her Cardcaptor Sakura card key for the meal card, “How about this? You guys eat first and bring back a portion for me and Xiaoxue. We should be done cleaning by then.”

“Sure thing.”

She then went back to the classroom to ask Pengxue, who was sweeping, “Do you want to eat beef noodles tonight? Ah Fang said he can bring us some.”

“Yes, yes!”

Pengxue darted out of the classroom, quickly handing her meal card to Mei Fang with respect.

“Please add extra scallions, cilantro, and chili oil. I’m a super cool girl with a heavy taste!”

“Really troublesome…”

Although Mei Fang felt that Pengxue had been quite stressed lately based on Xia Yuan’s complaints, she seemed much stronger than he expected. At least on the surface, she appeared calm and carefree.

Just as Mei Fang finished talking to Pengxue and was about to buy food, a giant figure appeared behind Pengxue and Xia Yuan. Her sharp voice broke the harmonious atmosphere.

“Pengxue, why aren’t you cleaning properly? What are you doing dilly-dallying?”

Teacher Huang, the homeroom teacher of Class 8, radiated an intimidating presence unique to her. Mei Fang’s past memories made him recall the fear he once felt from this woman. However, Pengxue clearly wasn’t intimidated. She stood with her hands on her hips, defiantly saying, “Teacher Huang, I’ve already finished inside. Now I need to clean the corridor.”

“Finished? Are you sure? Still arguing with me? Get inside and sweep again properly! Dressing up all pretty every day, who knows which hooligan you’re showing off to… If you put half as much effort into studying as you do into dressing up, you wouldn’t have performed so poorly on your last exam.”

“I have my limits. I’m satisfied with myself. I don’t need the teacher to worry about me.”

“I don’t worry? I’m your homeroom teacher. Who will worry about you if I don’t?”

Teacher Huang pointed at Pengxue’s face, criticizing her, “I’m telling you, every time I see your bangs, I get sick. Cut your hair short this weekend and get rid of those bangs. How can you see the blackboard with them so long? If you don’t fix it, either don’t come to my class or call your parents. I want to see what reason you have.”

“My parents are working outside and don’t have time.”

Pengxue, usually cheerful, was truly upset by Teacher Huang’s words. She looked away, holding the broom, her tone icy.

“Then call your grandparents! I don’t believe you have no guardian.”

Teacher Huang suddenly turned to Xia Yuan, who was wiping the wall tiles,

“Xia Yuan, listen carefully. You’re the same. Don’t think you’re safe just because your grades are okay. If you keep hanging around Pengxue and don’t set clear boundaries, you’ll become the next Pengxue. Do you understand?”

Xia Yuan lowered her head, neither nodding nor shaking her head, but she clenched her fists tightly, wringing out the mop until the water was almost squeezed dry.

“Xia Yuan, what’s going on? Did you hear me?”

Before Teacher Huang could continue lecturing, a loud splash was heard from the neighboring Class 9. A bucket of dirty water spilled, flowing towards her feet. Teacher Huang dodged hastily.

“What are you doing? Can’t you clean properly?”

“Oh, I’m really sorry, Teacher Huang!”

Mei Fang, borrowing a bucket from Zhang Ming, scratched his head and apologized, “I slipped just now. Did I get your shoes dirty?”

Teacher Huang looked at the stains on her leather shoes and grew furious.

“Look at what you’ve done! Class 9 is always so lazy about cleaning. I really need to talk to Li Shibing from your class.”

“No, please don’t, Teacher Huang!” Mei Fang suddenly acted scared, “Our old Li is very strict. If he finds out, I’ll have to clean our class for a whole month. Please show mercy, show mercy.”

Mei Fang’s playful and slick manner, even with a strict teacher like Teacher Huang, made her find his words amusing, and she lost her temper.

“Alright, alright. Hurry up and clean. Be more careful next time.”

“Thank you, Teacher Huang!”

Mei Fang hurried to the restroom to refill Zhang Ming’s bucket.

When Teacher Huang turned back to lecture the two, she couldn’t find Pengxue anywhere. Only Xia Yuan was still earnestly wiping the tiles. Feeling uncomfortable with her dirty shoes, Teacher Huang rushed home to change.

(End of Chapter 95)