Mark Me, Okay? - Chapter 27

“Thank you for the reminder, Teacher Qin.” Qin Qing’s words were tactfully spoken.

Cao Nannan gritted her teeth but couldn’t say anything more.

Qin Qing gave a slight nod, turned, and walked to the front podium to sit down.

She glanced around the room, uncapped her pen, and began writing her lesson plan. The teaching workload at A City No. 1 High School was heavy, especially for core subject teachers.

This was why Yue Qiu always called Qin Qing a workaholic.

—Seizing every spare moment to write lesson plans? If that wasn’t workaholic behavior, what was?

Cao Nannan had initially been secretly delighted about being assigned to the same exam hall as Qin Qing.

But now,

That delight had evaporated, leaving only awkwardness behind.

She felt like sitting on pins and needles.

Cao Nannan couldn’t decide whether to sit or stand, so she awkwardly remained seated at the back of the classroom, watching Qin Qing write her lesson plan.

Time had been so kind to Qin Qing… Back when they were students, Qin Qing had been voted the most beautiful omega teacher by their graduating class. Even after six years, she remained just as stunning.

It seemed time had left no trace on her face.

Rumor had it… she had remained single all these years.

Was she waiting for someone?

Lost in thought, Cao Nannan suddenly found herself imagining Qin Qing standing beside Yue Qiu. They looked so compatible, so…

Perfect together.

Yue Qiu sat bored at the back of the classroom, propping her head up. Proctoring exams was so dull—she was starting to feel sleepy.

If only she were proctoring with Teacher Qin again. Whenever she got drowsy, Qin Qing would always smile at her. And seeing Qin Qing’s smile would instantly wake her up.

Teacher Yue sighed helplessly, still resting her chin in her hand.

This was all Cao Nannan’s fault. All the fault of Class 7’s monitor.

At this thought, she straightened up and glanced at Wu Zhi sitting in front of her.

Hmm?

Yue Qiu narrowed her eyes. This brat’s eyes were practically glued to the girl sitting next to him. What was he doing?

She cleared her throat and reminded them, “Students, focus on your own papers.”

They were all in the same exam hall, so their abilities were roughly equal. It wasn’t like he could copy from the girl just because she was cute, right?

Wu Zhi turned to look at her. Yue Qiu raised an eyebrow, and he quickly turned back, chastened.

Chinese exams hardly revealed anyone’s true academic level. When the bell rang signaling the end of the test, Yue Qiu stood up and began collecting papers from the back rows.

Qin Qing also rose to her feet and announced clearly, “Pass your papers forward from the last row.”

Cao Nannan quickly stood up as well.

Hearing the bell, Qi Xiangxing suddenly realized the exams were finally over.

After handing in her paper, Luan Li was already waiting at the entrance of Qi Xiangxing’s exam hall.

“Luan Li?” Qin Qing, holding a stack of papers, couldn’t help but find it amusing when she saw Luan Li peering in through the front door. “Here to see Qi Xiangxing?”

Luan Li’s expression remained unchanged, but the tips of her ears turned slightly red. “…Yes.”

“She’s inside. Go ahead.” Qin Qing had never been particularly concerned with her students’ romantic lives. When she came across students dating, she would simply smile and let it pass.

While packing up her pens, Qi Xiangxing looked up and saw Luan Li. Her face lit up with a smile as she waved enthusiastically. “Lili!”

By now, the exam hall was empty. Luan Li walked in carrying Qi Xiangxing’s backpack without mentioning the exam at all. “Let’s go eat?”

Qi Xiangxing nodded, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Luan Li. “Okay!”

Luan Li’s homemade lunches came to an end when her parents returned. Although Qi Xiangxing was disappointed about no longer enjoying her girlfriend’s lovingly prepared meals, she couldn’t bear to see Luan Li work so hard every day. Thus began their daily restaurant visits.

On their way to the cafeteria, they overheard some classmates chatting.

“Hey, have you guys heard? Wu Zhi, the class monitor of Class 7, got caught with a phone before entering the exam hall!”

“No way! Seriously?”

“Damn! You’re kidding, right?”

“It’s true! I saw it with my own eyes! This guy was insane—he strapped the phone to his calf! We were in the same exam room, and today they randomly inspected our room. They found it during the second check!”

“Holy sh1t? Didn’t the school administrators come too?”

“Yeah! Director Wen spotted it immediately. If it weren’t for Director Zhao letting him go back to take the test, this guy would’ve gotten a zero for Chinese today.”

“Unbelievable. Didn’t he make that bet with Qi Xiangxing? Was cheating even worth it? But… I thought their bet had nothing to do with Wu Zhi’s grades?”

One of the students sneered and said disdainfully, “Hmph, probably just scared of looking bad if his scores were way worse than Qi Xiangxing’s.”

The group laughed mockingly. This was exactly the kind of thing Wu Zhi would do.

Everyone had heard of Wu Zhi’s reputation—his name suited him, being both ignorant and arrogant. But no one expected him to bring a phone into the exam hall today—

Leaving aside the bet, didn’t this idiot know there were signal jammers during exams?

Unexpected, yet somehow not surprising.

After mocking Wu Zhi for a bit, the students moved on to other topics.

Qi Xiangxing squeezed Luan Li’s hand, her beautiful eyes sparkling as she looked at her.

After a moment’s thought, Luan Li replied honestly, “I hadn’t heard about it, but I just saw Director Wen, and he didn’t look too happy.” That was an understatement—Director Wen’s face was already dark, but now it looked like charcoal.

“This guy…” Qi Xiangxing pursed her lips, wanting to say something bad about Wu Zhi, but her upbringing wouldn’t allow it.

Instead, she looked pitifully at Luan Li and asked, “Girlfriend, what if I don’t do well on this exam?”

Luan Li smiled, knowing that since Qi Xiangxing brought it up, she must already have some confidence. “Then I’ll just have to turn off the broadcast that day.”

Qi Xiangxing grinned and clenched her fist. “I won’t let Chairwoman Luan pull strings for me!”

Luan Li simply smiled.

Not only had Xingxing made significant progress recently, but even if she didn’t win, Luan Li had already copied the surveillance footage from the placement exam, which would prove Qi Xiangxing’s innocence.

When the time came, the whole school would know that Qi Xiangxing had been forced into this by Wu Zhi. Combined with Wu Zhi’s past behavior, it would be enough to make him universally despised.

And Xingxing wouldn’t have to apologize either.

How could she bear to see her Xingxing bullied? But… if Xingxing wanted to handle it herself, she’d let her. Even if things went south, Luan Li could clean up the mess afterward.

Of course she’d spoil her girlfriend.

At the small stir-fry restaurant near the school gate, Liu Baoshan vented angrily about today’s incident: “Damn it! He told me he wasn’t carrying any prohibited items, so I let him in. Who the hell knew the school administrators would come by again and find his phone!”

Other teachers tried to console him: “Teacher Liu, let it go. There’s no point arguing with a student who has behavioral issues.”

“Come on, everyone knows what kind of student he is.”

Liu Baoshan grew increasingly agitated: “Damn it! If Teacher Yue hadn’t checked again, I would’ve fallen for that little brat’s trick! The school administrators are reviewing surveillance footage—if they check my exam room, I’ll be the first one held accountable!”

Just then, Yue Qiu and Qin Qing walked in.

Spotting Yue Qiu, Liu Baoshan’s eyes lit up. He quickly waved them over to his table and continued: “Thank goodness Teacher Yue found Wu Zhi’s phone.”

Yue Qiu looked momentarily confused. She blinked and glanced at Qin Qing before realizing what Liu Baoshan was referring to.

Frowning, she said: “Regardless, he shouldn’t have brought a phone in.”

City A’s First High School had peculiar penalties for cheating—both students and teachers faced consequences. Though the latter received lighter punishments, no teacher wanted their name publicly criticized.

Liu Baoshan nodded and called out to the owner: “Boss! Three more sodas! Let me share a drink with Teachers Yue and Qin!”

Yue Qiu: “…”

Well, soda instead of alcohol then.

After lunch, most students chose to stay in their classrooms reviewing for the afternoon math exam. Qi Xiangxing and Luan Li were no exception, though their study spot was slightly different.

Yawning in the small attic, Qi Xiangxing murmured: “Let me finish this last problem.”

Luan Li poured her a glass of water: “You should nap at noon.”

Just as she spoke, someone knocked on the attic door. Luan Li frowned, unable to imagine who’d come looking for them at this hour.

Opening the door revealed Zeng Yu clutching a workbook, grinning foolishly: “Student Council President, can I ask you about a problem?”

Luan Li: “…”

Qi Xiangxing: “…”

Thus, their private world suddenly became a three-person tutoring session.

“Leave after we finish. We need to sleep,” Luan Li stated matter-of-factly.

Qi Xiangxing flushed crimson—What do you mean “we need to sleep”??? Sleep how?! People will get the wrong idea! This sounds so inappropriate!

Ironically, while Zeng Yu remained oblivious, it was Qi Xiangxing whose imagination ran wild.

“Got it! I’ll scram right after!” Zeng Yu cheerfully pointed to a problem.

Luan Li leaned in slightly, her gold-rimmed glasses (worn for the exam) glinting. Qi Xiangxing, now noticing how studious and attractive Luan looked with them, unconsciously licked her lips.

…How strange. She suddenly really wanted to kiss Lili.

Zeng Yu was so annoying, so annoying, SO ANNOYING.

When would he leave?

Resting her chin in her hands, Qi Xiangxing nodded sleepily. She’d been drowsy before Zeng Yu arrived—had he not interrupted, she’d already be cuddling Lili for a nap.

Hate hate HATE!

Qi Xiangxing had fallen asleep at the desk. In her drowsy state, she heard the door close softly, then felt Luan Lilifting her onto the sofa and tucking a small blanket around her.

Then came a gentle kiss pressed to the corner of her lips.

Qi Xiangxing struggled to open her eyes to see her, but she was simply too exhausted, so she just snuggled deeper into Lili’s embrace instead.

Lili smells so nice.

Lili’s pheromones are so intoxicating too.

I want Lili to kiss me while wearing glasses.

Ahhhh—wait no! Why am I getting more and more omega-like?!