Chapter 3｜Hello，Class 2 of the Senior Year

During adolescence, curiosity is at its peak. 

Just after the school opening ceremony, a post appeared on the forum of the First High School: "Seeking a story between Xu Zhiyi and the new transfer student! Urgent!!!" According to Yin's speech, the spectators took out their magnifying glasses, piecing together the story in their minds while seeking authenticity through imagination. Among them were the students of Class 2 of the senior year, at the forefront of the gossip. 

The playground emptied, with Zhiyi's seat still vacant. Many took the opportunity to approach Hai, trying to uncover the truth. Even though Hai had been best friends with Zhiyi at school, he was puzzled and unable to provide any insights. 

It wasn't until the next class bell rang that Zhiyi entered the classroom, wearing a subtle smile on his lips. 

This was an English class, but the class teacher, Mr Wang, didn't have any teaching materials or notebooks in hand, only the new transfer student behind him - Meng Yin. 

"Let's swap this English class with tomorrow's class, and let's change the seating arrangement in a while," Mr Wang announced. 

The last class on Thursday afternoons was reserved for class activities to help students relax. After these words, Mr Wang smiled and gestured for Yin to come to the front of the classroom. "This is our new transfer student, Meng Yin. You should all have met her at the opening ceremony," Mr Wang introduced. 

Yin blushed slightly, her heart beating a bit faster. Forty pairs of eyes were fixed on Yin, as Hai raised his hand and asked, "Meng Yin, how long have you known Zhiyi?" 

The words had just left his mouth when a harsh scraping sound echoed as the chair and floor made contact. 

As seating behind Hai's desk, Zhiyi playfully kicked the leg of his chair, while twirling a pen in one hand and a faint smile playing on his lips. The attention of the class momentarily diverted, Mr Wang opted to observe as a bystander. 

Hai reached behind him with his right hand, sternly handed Zhiyi a finger gesture of 'FUCK'. Zhiyi's kick was not lacking in strength, and one could almost wonder if this person had eyes on their feet. Half of Zhiyi's foot rested on the chair, while the other half was planted squarely on his tailbone without any hesitation. The impact on his rapidly maturing tailbone sent a chilling shiver down his spine.

Yin furrowed her brows slightly, mirroring the turmoil in her current state of mind. The three questions posed on the platform were meant to boldly intimidate Zhiyi, but she was starting to feel some regret. Despite her aversion to gossip, she had inadvertently stirred up some herself. 

"Is it important?" Yin sighed inwardly before responding. 

Is it important? Of course it is important! Could it be more significant? bystanders thought it in their hearts.

Hai, a straightforward individual, never expected such a response to the question and took on Yin's inquiry, replying, "It is indeed important! You are now part of our class!" 

Subsequently, welcoming applause is full of the classroom.

Meng Yin was taken aback this time. Suddenly, warmth filled his heart. They were not gossiping; everyone was just curious and welcoming. 

As the applause gradually subsided, Yin relaxed his brows and responded to everyone's curiosity and welcome. "Hello, everyone, I am Meng Yin, a newcomer in Class 2 of Grade 12. Like everyone here, I am also a classmate of Xu Zhiyi." 

Her gaze swept past and briefly met Zhiyi's before turning away.

After becoming a member of Class Two, the next step is to change seats. 

Yin walked to the wall behind the classroom door, leaned against it, and gazed down at the moving shoes. When she saw Mr Wang in the office earlier, he had explained to her the seat "rotation system" at school. The seating arrangement consists of single desks in a single row, with a "dual-rotation system" based on academic performance. This system dictates that the order of selecting seats follows the order of class rankings. For instance, if this time the seat selection is based on grades from top to bottom, the next time it will run in reverse.

Yin was still pondering the "dual-rotation system" that Mr Wang had mentioned to her when Zhiyi had already stood next to her, accompanied by Hai.

"Why are you standing here?" Yin asked. "Aren't you the third on grades?"

"Ask where you'd like to sit."

Yin looked at Zhyi with a hint of "Are you stupid?"

"I'll leave it up to fate."Having not taken the exam and being placed last, she had no say in the choice of seating this time.

Zhiyi acknowledged this and prepared to return to the front.

Before leaving, he pointed to Hai beside them and said to Meng Yin, "This is Nie Hai, the guy who just asked you if we knew that idiot."

Hai, who found an opening to speak, introduced himself to Yin, "Hello, Meng Yin, I'm Ne Hai. Please excuse my interruption in the classroom earlier." 

Yin raised an eyebrow, smiled, and replied, "No worries, I was just a bit nervous on the first day." 

Hai couldn't help but think, "You were so calm during the opening ceremony, yet nervous now?" He reached back to touch his tailbone.

At the same time, Zhiyi entered the classroom and started choosing a seat. 

Yin saw him walk to his original seat and sit down, three rows, six seats. 

Hai observed Zhiyi's seating choice, then sneakily glanced at Yin, tentatively asking, "Yin, do you know why he sits in the third row, the sixth seat?" 

A look of disbelief crossed Yin's face as she clearly had no clue. Hai sighed like a disappointed family member, "Bro Zhiyi has been sitting there for three years, refusing to move no matter what treasures might be hidden in that seat." 

Yin was surprised, "Three years? And you never asked him to move?" 

"Of course I did! He just said he's too lazy to change seats. Also, let me tell you..." Hai was about to continue but was interrupted by Mr Wang calling at the classroom door, "Next, Nie Hai."

The number of people outside the door is decreasing, and the available seats in the classroom are becoming limited.

There is only one seat left in the classroom.

In the fourth row, fourth seat, at the right diagonal from Zhiyi.

As time ticked away, Mr Wang returned to the classroom and announced, "Next Wednesday's English class will involve group presentations, and the group topics will be announced tomorrow." The bell signalling the end of class rang, amidst scattered sighs and moans from the students below.