Chapter 50: Han Zuo
Chen Manbai vented all her grievances about class monitor You Lexuan in one go—abusing power behind the scenes, pointless comparisons, frequently snitching on classmates to make their lives difficult... Each accusation left Cai Zhi feeling increasingly awkward.
After all, You Lexuan had been appointed class monitor by him, and besides, the school nurse and Han Zuo were also present.
Family scandals shouldn't be aired in public.
"Come on, let's take this outside! Don't disturb the patient's rest." Cai Zhi pulled Chen Manbai and the others out of the room.
Han Zuo was about to follow when the school nurse stopped him.
"Hey, student."
"Yeah?"
"Go to the convenience store and get a functional drink—something like Red Bull."
Han Zuo hesitated. "Where's the convenience store?"
"Aren't you from Yangshan High?"
"I'm from Hongshang."
"Fine, I'll go. You stay here and keep an eye on things."
"..."
Before Han Zuo could respond, the nurse had already hurried out, closing the door behind her.
Now, the room held only the two of them.
Ruan Yu stared at the door. Noticing this, Han Zuo quickly stepped over and reopened it.
"It's a bit stuffy in here," he said, lingering by the doorway, glancing outside before looking back at Ruan Yu, grasping for conversation.
"Yeah, a little." Ruan Yu rubbed the tip of her nose.
Han Zuo scanned the room and opened the window as well.
A gust of wind rushed in, making the medicine shelves sway slightly.
Outside, Chen Manbai and the others were talking in the hallway. Their voices were muffled, indistinct, but the lively tone suggested both sides were engaged in a spirited discussion.
"Thank you for today," Ruan Yu said.
"No problem." Han Zuo took a few steps toward her, hooked a chair with his foot, and sat down facing her. "You really okay?"
"I'm fine."
"You look pale."
"Really, I'm fine."
Han Zuo cleared his throat lightly, then fell silent again.
They sat across from each other, the air between them awkward.
Ruan Yu studied him discreetly.
The boy had a short, neat buzz cut, his features sharp and handsome—worthy of his reputation as the "school heartthrob." In terms of looks alone, he could easily rival Teng Yi.
There really were too many good-looking people in this world.
"You're Ruan Yu, right?" Han Zuo suddenly remembered something.
"Yeah."
"I'm Han Zuo. My uncle talks about you a lot at home."
"Your uncle?" Ruan Yu was momentarily confused.
"Your homeroom teacher, Chen Tian, is my uncle."
Ruan Yu froze.
No wonder they had seemed so familiar on the field earlier—they were related. Which meant she had just lied to his uncle right in front of him.
"Um..."
"Don't worry, I'll keep your secret." Han Zuo smiled, as if reading her thoughts. "My uncle isn't always the best judge of character. But he really likes you. He’s always praising you at home—saying how smart and hardworking you are, and how I should learn from you because I’m so dumb."
"Well, you are pretty dumb."
"Huh?"
"If I were you, I’d take this chance to show my uncle what this so-called 'perfect role model' is really like."
Han Zuo processed her words.
"You must really dislike me," Ruan Yu said, watching him. "When I was a kid, I hated nothing more than the girl next door my dad kept praising."
"So... is it too late for me to go snitch now?" he asked, dead serious."You've already missed the best time to come clean. You should have exposed my lie the moment you realized I was lying. Now, we're already in the same boat."
Han Zuo burst into laughter.
With his hearty laughter, the awkward atmosphere lingering in the infirmary finally dissipated completely.
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