Understood with a Glare

Li Zheng did not hurry to leave school after he escaped from the demonic clutches of Discipline Mistress Sun.

He wanted to experiment a little further regarding relaxation. He wanted to at least experience all of the relaxation activities he could engage in within the school.

He started to brainstorm.

"What would I be doing if there was a sudden long holiday without any stress?" he thought.

"If it was up to me, I would probably read a few books that I did not have the time and patience to read before.

"Yes, reading, a mode of relaxation adopted by many.

"Even better, it can improve the score of my essays.

"Two birds with one stone.

"Perfect."

As a high school that boasted its quality of education, there was a library in Cherry Lake High School.

Even though the library was not large, it did hold most mainstream publications and popular novels.

Li Zheng did not dawdle. He seized the opportunity and returned to the main block, then followed the corridor eastward, directly toward the library.

The school library was a refurbished classroom. Half the room was occupied by shelves, while benches took up the other half. There were racks on the empty walls containing all the magazines and newspapers.

"Good, it's very quiet," he thought.

He looked toward the only other person in the library as he got out his student card.

It was a girl. She was reading a magazine that looked to be "Science Fiction World."

At this moment, the girl seemed to have caught a whiff of something. She slowly lowered her magazine a little and revealed a gaze that was not to be trifled with.

"Lin Yujing!" he thought.

"It's her again!"

"Hm…" Lin Yujing covered her face with the magazine in a hurry and pulled back her head.

Li Zheng was a little embarrassed.

He was not deliberately tailing her.

Li Zheng thought, "Isn't this too coincidental?

"Why is she around, no matter where I go?

"Why haven't I bumped into her like this in the past?"

Suddenly, Li Zheng stared at Lin Yujing.

"I have only cared about my studies in the past and did not engage in any other superfluous activities," Li Zheng thought.

"But today, all I want to do is relax.

"Also, I will always bump into Lin Yujing whenever I come to an ideal spot for relaxation.

"What does this mean?

"It means that I have stepped onto the right track.

"A person who's good with their studies should relax like that.

"In fact, it can be said that I am not as good as Lin Yujing in my studies because I do not prioritize rest and study overly hard.

"Lin Yujing must be feeling angry and frustrated because her study technique has been discovered.

"I am rather ashamed. It took too long for me to be enlightened."

Li Zheng rubbed his palms together as he walked toward the rack of magazines after he handed over his student card. He started to browse through the magazines.

[Relaxation activity detected: Reading.]

[Energy recovery rate: 1.6. Daily limit of 40 minutes.]

[The efficiency cannot be increased.]

Li Zheng forced a smile. Even though the rate of recovery was less than what he expected, it was still acceptable.

The next question was which magazine to read.

He deliberated, "Magazines like 'Popular Photography' and 'Traveler' cultivate one's tastes.

"Magazines like 'Bosom Friend' and 'Story China' not only cultivate one's tastes but also boost essay writing skills.

"Isn't it obvious?"

Just as he was about to pick out a copy of "Bosom Friend," Li Zheng saw the September issue of "Science Fiction World."

He involuntarily turned around to look at Lin Yujing.

She was holding the newest October issue of "Science Fiction World."

Li Zheng thought, "It looks like she reads every issue.

"Strange, very strange.

"Why would a girl like science fiction?

"Don't girls like sentimental teenage literature?"

Li Zheng had already noticed through various incidents that Lin Yujing never did anything casually. Everything she did was in preparation for her studies.

It was not an accident that she chose "Science Fiction World."

Li Zheng arrived at another epiphany.

He thought, "Not only do science fiction novels contain much science-related information, but they can also expand the imagination and widen ideas.

"Isn't this the most important thing when it comes to solving difficult questions?

"Furthermore, science fiction novels can also boost essay writing skills.

"What's more terrifying is that science fiction novels are not mere novels. They cover topics like math, physics, chemistry, history, geography, politics, and even philosophy, sociology, and psychology.

"This information can be used even after she enters a university or steps into society.

"Lin Yujing, you little intelligent imp!

"It's no wonder that the last big question on tests always pulls our scores apart."

Li Zheng pulled out the September issue of "Science Fiction World" without thinking and impatiently sat down in a seat close to the door. He flipped open the magazine and started to read.

Bam!

Lin Yujing suddenly slammed her magazine onto the table.

She glared at Li Zheng with a spiteful gaze. It was as though her last bit of territory had been polluted.

Li Zheng felt a little guilty.

He thought, "Both meditating at the pavilion and the choice of the magazine were study techniques that Lin Yujing might have spent a long time to discover.

"As for me, I spied these techniques and used them as my own. I do feel embarrassed.

"Yes, I can't just take advantage of Lin Yujing.

"I should compensate her with something of value."

Li Zheng put down his magazine in a hurry and took out his test paper from his backpack.

"I have a simpler way of solving the last question here," he said. Li Zheng grabbed his test paper. He felt a little heartache at revealing his discovery but decisively unfolded the paper. "Come, let me teach you. Just this once."

"Ah!" Lin Yujing grabbed her head in despair. She leaped up and grabbed her bag, then bolted out the door.

Li Zheng sighed a moment later.

"It looks like she still feels that her losses are greater and does not want to accept this compensation," he thought.

"She could, at the very least, come and take a look at my answer before she decides whether or not to accept it.

"It can't be helped. Women are very emotional.

"And being emotional is not good for studying."

Li Zheng could not help but look toward the October issue of "Science Fiction World" that Lin Yujing left behind.

"Look, look," he thought.

"Another loss for her?"

Li Zheng stood up in a hurry. He jogged over to Lin Yujing's spot and swiped the magazine.

The old librarian at the door of the library suddenly asked, "Kid, do you two know each other?"

"We're from the same class." Li Zheng returned to his seat with the two magazines in hand.

"She did not take her student card." The old man put on his glasses and read the card Lin Yujing left behind in detail, "Class 2-4, Lin Yujing… Is Class 2-4 still led by Chunmei?"

"Yes, Mrs. Hu Chunmei," Li Zheng said as he nodded.

"She's still taking classes?" The old man probed, "Is she done with her surgery?"

"Surgery?"

"Oh… It's nothing…" The old man waved his hand in a hurry, "Please take her student card along with you when you leave."

"No, thank you. Let her come collect it herself." Li Zheng shook his head as he said, "It's not like it would be lost if the card was placed here."

"Hehe." The old man took off his glasses and smiled as he waved the student card. "Kid, these years are the only few where you can be together with so many girls your age every day. I can't return to those years even if I wanted to. Don't blame me for not giving you a chance."

Li Zheng froze. He looked toward the old man cautiously.

The old man had a thin face and a lush head of silver hair. He looked like an old academic.

Li Zheng thought to himself, "He sounds self-righteous.

"But the words he spoke and the thoughts he has...

"Are too evil.

"I should not start chatting with a person like that, in case he corrupts my heart and brain."

Li Zheng did not comment and continued to read his book.

"Hey, have a chat with me. I sit here all day long, and there are not many other people." The old man picked up Li Zheng's student card and only caught a clear glimpse after squinting and holding the card further away from his face. "Li Zheng… Hm, the name fits the person…"

Li Zheng did not speak.

The old man asked, as despicable as always, "Oh Li Zheng, aside from studying, what do you guys do on a normal day?"

Li Zheng did not speak.