Forced to Love (GL) - Chapter 6

All exams at Seventh High School are arranged based on the previous test’s ranking, with students divided into different exam rooms accordingly. Given Lingxi’s current ranking, she was naturally assigned to one of the lower-ranking rooms, while Shen Sui was seated in the first exam room on the fifth floor, the farthest from her.

The school building was constructed in the shape of an open book, meaning two buildings were connected at the ends, with floors on both sides facing each other.

Before the final subject’s exam, Lingxi stood by the corridor, unconsciously looking up in the direction of Shen Sui’s exam room. At that moment, she recalled a time in the darkness when she had also gazed forward from afar, using the power of the deity to perceive the outside world.

The corridors of both buildings were crowded with students, some occasionally standing by the railing like Lingxi, looking across to relax.

From the first floor, she looked up at the fifth floor, standing there for an unknown amount of time without moving. Gradually, a few others followed suit, joining her in looking toward the fifth floor.

Suddenly, the preparatory bell for the exam rang—
**”Ring, ring, ring—”**

The students scattered back to their exam rooms. Just as Lingxi was about to turn and leave, she unexpectedly saw Shen Sui.

Shen Sui appeared at the corridor of the first exam room on the fifth floor, seemingly looking at her. However, as always, her face showed little emotion, not even a hint of surprise at seeing Lingxi.

A glimmer of light flickered in Lingxi’s eyes. She lowered her head slightly before looking back at Shen Sui with unwavering focus.

Shen Sui quietly observed her. The golden sunlight from the bright blue sky shone on her face from the side, outlining the features of a girl who still carried traces of innocence yet had an inexplicable resilience. Her posture was straight, unwavering. When this scene fell into Shen Sui’s eyes, it was as if a splash of vibrant color had been added to the pure white world in her mind. The grip on her pen unconsciously tightened.

It was only a brief moment of eye contact before they both returned to their respective exam rooms. Later, when Lingxi sat down and received her exam paper, she unexpectedly felt a sense of reassurance—a feeling akin to the comfort she had when the deity was by her side, doing the same things with her. This feeling surprised her.

As the bell signaling the end of the exam rang, students handed in their papers and gradually left the classrooms. Monthly exams were usually scheduled on Thursdays and Fridays, meaning that after the exams ended on Friday afternoon, students didn’t have to attend evening self-study and could take a short break.

Lingxi grabbed her backpack and headed out. The school building and its surroundings were packed with students. She looked around but didn’t see Shen Sui, so she decided to go against the flow of the crowd, heading toward the stairwell where Shen Sui was most likely to exit. She climbed to the fifth floor.

In front of Class Three’s door, a few students lingered. Lingxi craned her neck to look inside, searching among the group of top students who were hunched over their desks, diligently solving problems and studying. Finally, she spotted Shen Sui.

Shen Sui was wearing earphones, listening to music while calmly packing her belongings. In the bustling classroom, she seemed to stand out in contrast. Stray strands of hair were casually tucked behind her ears, textbooks were neatly stacked in the drawer, and after a moment, she pulled out a few workbooks and placed them into her bag. Her actions were smooth and unhurried.

“Excuse me, could you call Shen Sui from your class for me?” Lingxi stopped a girl who was leaving the classroom.

“Sure.” The girl glanced at Lingxi before turning back inside and calling out, “Shen Sui, class representative, someone’s looking for you.”

Hearing her name, Shen Sui looked up toward the doorway. Lingxi met her gaze and pressed her lips together slightly.

For a brief moment, Lingxi saw a faint light flicker in Shen Sui’s eyes.

As they walked out together, Shen Sui asked, “How did the exam go? Did you reach your goal?”

“I did.”

Shen Sui seemed a little surprised by her confidence and tilted her head slightly to look at her.

“It’s because you’ve been such a dedicated tutor, Shen Sui.” Lingxi looked at her, her eyes clear and sincere.

A ripple seemed to spread through Shen Sui’s usually calm gaze. After a brief pause, she said softly, “Keep up the good work.”

“I will.” Lingxi nodded.

They found a quiet spot outside the school, where there was a small stone table and a few stone stools, shaded by tall, ancient trees.

Following their planned schedule, Shen Sui continued tutoring Lingxi. Over time, she realized that Lingxi’s true abilities were not reflected in her low ranking.

Lingxi was perceptive and thoughtful. Sometimes, she even came up with alternative solutions beyond what Shen Sui taught her. She diligently completed every private assignment Shen Sui gave her, often jotting down multiple ideas beside the problems to discuss later. These small details continued to surprise Shen Sui.

The tutoring sessions had evolved from reviewing basic concepts to covering regular coursework, and even beyond.

As Shen Sui was thinking, the person beside her was already writing furiously. A full page of scratch paper was used up, and when she finished the final number, she turned to Shen Sui.

“Shen Sui, I’m done.”

“Mm.”

Shen Sui checked her watch. Lingxi’s problem-solving speed had improved significantly, and her process had become smoother. Going through her answers, she found that Lingxi was now maintaining near-perfect accuracy.

“Not bad.” Shen Sui marked the last problem with a red check, feeling a rare sense of satisfaction.

Lingxi shifted slightly.

It was the first time **Shen Sui** had praised her.

“Looks like the ten sets of physics and math papers I prepared won’t be needed anymore,” Shen Sui remarked calmly, capping her pen.

“I can still do them.”

“Even after reaching your goal?” Shen Sui looked at her, unreadable.

“Yes,” Lingxi said firmly. “I don’t want to waste your efforts.”

Shen Sui was momentarily speechless. After a pause, she lowered her gaze, hiding the emotions in her eyes, and put away her pen. “Then let’s try a more challenging set.”

“Okay.”

Lingxi took the workbook from Shen Sui and placed it in her bag. They slowly walked home together. Even when they reached the fork in the road, Lingxi continued following Shen Sui.

“This is where we split,” Shen Sui reminded.

“Okay.”

Shen Sui took a step forward, but Lingxi followed.

Shen Sui glanced at her. Lingxi immediately stopped, standing upright. The moment Shen Sui stepped forward again, Lingxi followed once more.

“Did you move?” Shen Sui finally asked.

“No.”

“Then why are you following me?”

“It’s getting dark. I don’t feel at ease letting you walk alone.” Lingxi’s voice lowered slightly.

“And you don’t care about yourself?”

Lingxi straightened her back and said word by word, “Shen Sui is important.”

Shen Sui narrowed her eyes at her. After a while, she seemed to have nothing to say. She simply resumed walking, and Lingxi quickly followed.

The sky darkened, but streetlights illuminated their path. As they passed a music store, Shen Sui’s steps slowed.

Lingxi noticed and also slowed down. She followed her gaze to the store and recalled seeing her wearing earphones earlier. “Do you like musical instruments, Shen Sui?”

“I do, but I can’t play any.” There was a hint of regret in her voice.

“What’s your favorite instrument?”

“The flute.”

Shen Sui’s voice was quiet, but to Lingxi, it was like a sudden downpour drenching her completely. She turned sharply to look at Shen Sui.

“What’s wrong?” Shen Sui noticed her intense gaze and snapped out of her thoughts.

“Nothing. The flute is nice.” Lingxi shook her head.

“Mm.”

At the entrance of Shen Sui’s apartment complex, they parted ways.

Before Shen Sui could leave, Lingxi called out, “I can play the flute. If you want to learn, I can teach you.”