29 I need to talk to Sam alone

Throughout the morning, Sam maintained an excellent state of study!

In fact, Sam was not someone who typically enjoyed studying. 

However, he had no choice since he had promised Alice; he now had to pretend to be successfully hypnotized by her and cooperate to some extent.

With the exam approaching and faced with textbooks full of notes, Sam still didn't have much of an idea.

The exam system in this world was slightly different from his original world, featuring bimonthly tests. 

These tests were designed to timely capture the students' learning progress, allowing teachers to provide targeted guidance based on the test results. 

However, due to the school being the best high school in Kuhang, the difficulty of these exams was notably high.

The only consolation was that Sam's intelligence had improved, making his study efficiency much better than before. 

He could now understand many complex mathematical formulas that were previously incomprehensible. Although he was still far from being a top student, he was much better than before.

Sam spent the whole morning focusing on formulas, and his serious approach to studying caught the attention of some people, like Louis.

At lunchtime, Louis looked at Sam incredulously. "Bro, if you're facing any difficulties or have something on your mind, you must tell me. Don't keep it to yourself."

Sam looked at him strangely. "When did I have any problems?"

Louis looked at Sam with sorrow. "Then why are you so resigned to your fate? You've even started studying!"

This comment was confusing. What did studying have to do with resignation?

But Sam understood what Louis meant and stood up. "Stop talking nonsense. I've just adjusted my attitude and decided to focus on studying."

The two left the classroom together, descending the stairs with the crowded throng, heading to the cafeteria for lunch.

Louis was still baffled, talking non-stop on the way. "What do you mean by adjusting your attitude? You've never been this serious before, not even for a single class!"

It seemed that before Alexander's arrival in this world, Sam had been this kind of character – akin to Alexander, enjoying games and showing little interest in studies.

Of course, this was Sam's internal thought. 

He thought for a moment and then made up a suitable reason: "Well, you could say I've grown up. I've started to realize the importance of studying. My parents work so hard, and I've been wasting my youth and their efforts. Just thinking about this makes me feel there's no reason not to study hard."

Louis's eyes widened. "You say that, and now I feel the urge to go back and read a couple of books."

Sam laughed. "Don't just pretend for show. This is my own thing; it might not apply to you. Let's go have lunch."

The school's lunch was very rich. Sam got a pork chop rice with a few slices of salmon.

After getting their food, he and Louis found a spot to sit down and eat.

Louis, busy with his phone while eating, mumbled to Sam without chewing his food properly. "I sent a private message to my idol yesterday, supporting her debut song. She replied! She thanked me for my attention and said she would keep working hard!"

Sam calmly continued eating, his head lowered. 

"Could it be an automated AI response? Besides, these idol accounts are usually managed by their agencies. They hardly have time to reply to personal messages."

Louis, dismissive of Sam's skepticism, said: "Hmph, you're just jealous that I have contact with my idol, unlike you, who can only mingle with naive students without any ambition."

Sam just smiled.

"Then I wish you deeper contact with your idol soon, and become her knight in shining armor," Sam teased.

Louis shook his head. "Impossible, I couldn't abandon you. We are staunch singletons, remember? Huh?"

Louis suddenly stopped mid-sentence and lifted his head, as Sam looked at him, puzzled.

At that moment, a figure appeared beside their table.

Louis was almost incoherent. "An, Angel? Hi, hi there~"

Sam, taken aback, turned to see the proud girl who had appeared beside their table.

She stood there holding an exquisite lunch box, smiling at Sam.

This beautiful girl seemed almost intimidating when she smiled.

Angel didn't immediately converse with Sam but instead turned to Louis with a smile. "May I sit here, please?"

Louis, who had just proclaimed his singlehood and defiance to any beautiful girl, immediately stood up, even pulling Sam to do the same.

"Didn't you hear Angel speaking? Make room for her!"

Without hesitation, Sam got up from his seat.

However, Angel turned to Sam. "You, sit down."

Before Sam could respond, Louis eagerly turned to Angel. "Where should I sit then? Next to you, or..."

Angel's smile vanished, and she looked at Louis with a calm, even cold demeanor.

"You can leave now."

"Ah?" Louis's eyes widened, clearly not understanding.

Angel seemed impatient. "I need to talk to Sam alone. Do you need me to spell it out? We need some private space, got it?"

Clearly, Angel had little patience for other boys.

Louis was lost for words, and Sam sighed. He said to Louis, "Go find another spot. I'll come find you later."

Louis looked at Sam, puzzled. "What's going on with you two?"

Sam shook his head. "Nothing much, just some unresolved matters. Don't worry."

"You better not forget our singleton alliance pact, Sam!"

"Don't worry."

After Louis reluctantly left, Sam sat down.

Internally he thought: I never said I'd join any 'singleton alliance.' I'm neutral, never joining any camp.

Once Sam was seated, Angel slowly looked up at him.

"Your friend..."

She seemed hesitant.

Sam casually replied, "His name is Louis, quite an interesting guy."

Angel shook her head.

"Talks too much."