Chapter 107: The Principal’s Rebuke

Seeing this, Zhang Shen couldn’t help but ask proactively, “This… is for me?”

Wang Ying merely smiled faintly and replied, “It’s for you! Teacher Hao has finished class, and since you wouldn’t be able to do the later problems, just use mine for now!”

Zhang Shen didn’t understand why Wang Ying’s disposition had suddenly become so open, but faced with his deskmate’s generous offer, he was naturally very pleased.

“Thank you very much!”

Zhang Shen’s words of gratitude made Wang Ying feel a bit embarrassed.

“Actually, I’ve come to terms with that matter. Matters of the heart are meant to be mutual. Since we’re not destined, let’s just be good deskmates, what do you say?”

Listening to Wang Ying’s words, Zhang Shen found it rather incredible—how could this girl suddenly have such an open mind?

“So you’ve really let it go?”

Wang Ying no longer hesitated and answered directly, “Yes, I’ve thought it through. I actually have Meng Ran to thank. If he hadn’t been praising you in my ear every day, I wouldn’t have forgotten about that matter so quickly.”

Hearing Meng Ran’s candid assessment of himself from Wang Ying’s mouth eased much of Zhang Shen’s misunderstanding. He had thought that this awkward situation would at least last until graduation, but unexpectedly, thanks to Meng Ran, Wang Ying and he were able to reconcile so quickly.

As one of the parties involved, Zhang Shen had initially thought Meng Ran mentioning him in front of Wang Ying was unnecessary, but to his surprise, it was Meng Ran who truly drove the progress of the entire matter. Suddenly, Meng Ran’s image and his earlier “unwise” actions now seemed to Zhang Shen to be shrewd and well-calculated.

Seeing Zhang Shen staring at her somewhat foolishly, Wang Ying quickly said, “You should look at it! I’m going to rest my eyes for a bit; I haven’t had a good, peaceful sleep these past few days because of all the review materials.”

With that, Wang Ying lay her head on the desk, leaving Zhang Shen beside her to ponder alone. Could it be that Wang Ying had been studying all this time, not out dating Meng Ran?

At that moment, a flood of questions about Wang Ying swirled through Zhang Shen’s mind, but seeing her already dozing, he had no choice but to approach Meng Ran.

“Fatty, be honest. Where have you been these past few days?”

Meng Ran looked puzzled and replied, “What’s up?”

“Look at Wang Ying—she can even fall asleep during these few minutes, and you don’t seem to care. Your nighttime stamina is a bit too strong, isn’t it?”

In truth, this was just Zhang Shen’s way of provoking him. Deep down, he knew that although Meng Ran was a bit impulsive, Wang Ying was still somewhat conservative. Even if their relationship was progressing quickly, nothing like that would have happened. Besides, with Meng Ran’s personality, if such things had occurred, he would have been bragging about it back at the dorm long ago.

“Nothing like that, Brother Zhang. Don’t say silly things!”

Seeing Meng Ran didn’t take the bait, Zhang Shen pressed further, “Then explain the situation to me now.”

Seeing Zhang Shen pressing him, Meng Ran responded immediately, “Do you think I want to see her like this? Little Ying still wants to find a good job after graduation. You know her family situation well enough. That’s why we go out to study every night. Brother Zhang, I’m telling you the truth. Don’t think that us coming back late every night means we’re up to something—we’re really just studying.”

Listening to Meng Ran’s explanation, Zhang Shen realized that although this guy was a bit of a flirt, he was quite sincere, especially given how devoted he had been regarding the matter involving Wang Ying and himself.

Now understanding the full story, Zhang Shen patted Meng Ran on the shoulder and said, “Then you two better work hard!”

Unexpectedly, Meng Ran laughed after hearing Zhang Shen’s encouragement.

“Brother Zhang, don’t joke around. How can a 30-point guy like you encourage someone who scored 90?”

He waved the test paper in his hand.

“Damn, you actually scored higher than me!”

Upon hearing this, Meng Ran smiled playfully and said, “Brother Zhang, haven’t you heard the saying ‘a man and woman working together makes the work lighter’?”

Zhang Shen felt this fatty was about to start joking again, so he simply ignored him.

Just as Zhang Shen was about to return to his seat, a voice came from behind him near the door.

“Zhang Shen, step outside!”

By the voice alone, Zhang Shen guessed it was Teacher Hao Lei, and he followed the sound.

“What is it, Teacher Hao?”

The cold expression on Teacher Hao’s face exuded a chilling aura.

“The principal wants to see you!”

Zhang Shen never expected that his 30-point test paper had even caused a stir with Chen Rong. It seemed his results truly concerned many people.

When he arrived at the principal’s office, Hao Lei politely knocked twice, and only after hearing the “Come in” did she open the door.

“Principal, Zhang Shen is here.”

Following Hao Lei inside, Zhang Shen saw Chen Rong sitting above, surveying him, and beside Chen Rong stood a familiar face—Wei Xiaorong.

“Zhang Shen, how did your grades get so poor this time? Although we all recognize your superb medical skills, a school diploma isn’t judged solely on practical ability. We honestly can’t commend grades like these!”

Zhang Shen knew this was the start of another round of criticism.

“Director Wei, what do you think?”

Wei Xiaorong reluctantly took the baton Chen Rong passed her.

“Principal Chen, I believe this is Zhang Shen’s first time taking this kind of exam, so he may still be unaccustomed. You just said it yourself—everyone acknowledges his medical skills. So, I don’t think this is a big problem. Given time, I believe Zhang Shen will give us a satisfactory answer.”

In truth, the conversation between Chen Rong and Wei Xiaorong had been arranged before Zhang Shen entered. Their goal was to awaken Zhang Shen’s awareness. After all, in Wei Xiaorong’s eyes, Zhang Shen was also her benefactor, and she wanted to help him as much as possible.

“Zhang Shen, since Director Wei has already spoken up for you, as principal, I won’t say much more. The rest is up to you to think about carefully.”

Though Zhang Shen wasn’t aware this performance had been rehearsed in advance, seeing Wei Xiaorong’s earnest defense made him somewhat grateful.

“Principal, I promise to give you and Director Wei a big surprise before graduation!”

Both Chen Rong and Wei Xiaorong looked confidently forward to this promise.

“Good, then we’ll await your good news.”

After speaking, Chen Rong exchanged a glance with Wei Xiaorong, then turned to Hao Lei.

“Teacher Hao, please keep a close eye on Zhang Shen’s studies these days.”

“Yes, Principal!”

Hao Lei accepted Chen Rong’s instructions without hesitation.