Chapter Thirty-Nine: A Love That Seems to Be [Second Update—Please Recommend!]

Throughout the entire morning, the students of Class Twenty-One found themselves swept up in an irrepressible wave of excitement. For those who bore the mark of “underachievers,” Zhang Wenhao’s arrival struck a deep chord within their hearts. They understood what he said: status and dignity can never be granted by others—they must be earned through one’s own efforts.

During the four classes that morning, not a single student was absent, nor did anyone let their mind wander. Even though their chains of knowledge had broken in many places, they still hoped that in these final hours, they could make their own effort, even if it meant raising their exam scores by a single point—it would still be their own achievement.

This phenomenon, to varying degrees, unfolded in every classroom throughout Jiangcheng No. 1 High. In an instant, the school’s atmosphere changed dramatically. Those who had never tried began to make an effort; those who had always worked hard pushed themselves even further.

To most teachers, this seemed nothing short of miraculous. But to Su Ruoran, she attributed it to Zhang Wenhao’s personal charisma. She was gratified to see the profound transformation in him—when he stood at the lectern and spoke with confidence, the force of his conviction was enough to inspire everyone present. This self-assurance, which he had almost lacked only days before, now seemed innate and effortless.

That afternoon, after school, the cafeteria was alive with greetings wherever Zhang Wenhao went. Both acquaintances and strangers alike called out to him warmly, some even giving him a thumbs-up. Zhang Wenhao responded naturally, smiling and nodding to each one. He felt that from this day forward, a new and indescribable sense of responsibility had settled upon him—not only must he excel for himself, but he must also serve as a role model for others. If he could bring a spark of positivity to those around him, he would gladly embrace being the center of attention.

Li Nan sat beside him, animatedly sharing his plans: to read more, memorize his humanities textbooks, and strive to gain admission to a college. Zhang Wenhao wasn’t sure how long Li Nan’s ambition would last, but he was happy that his friend had found the resolve.

Just then, someone suddenly sat down across from them. Zhang Wenhao looked up—it was Su Ruoran.

Before either spoke, they exchanged a smile. Li Nan immediately rose and said to Zhang Wenhao, “This food isn’t to my taste. I think I’ll eat outside instead.”

With that, Li Nan turned and left, paying no heed to the untouched dinner sitting on the table.

Wenhao called after him, “You spent the whole time chatting, didn’t even eat—how do you know it’s bad?”

Li Nan waved without looking back, “Forget it! Just looking at it, I know it’s terrible. I’ll go eat some Lanzhou cuisine outside.”

Zhang Wenhao shook his head and smiled, knowing full well that Li Nan, seeing Su Ruoran sit across from him, was creating an opportunity for them to be alone together.

This was what made a good friend; he could immediately discern what was most beneficial for his companion and act without hesitation.

Zhang Wenhao smiled and nodded to Su Ruoran, who finally spoke first, her face apologetic. “I truly am sorry for what happened. Because of me, you suffered so much.”

“Not at all,” Zhang Wenhao replied calmly. “You shouldn’t take everything upon yourself—it’s exhausting.”

Su Ruoran shook her head gently, lowering her voice. “It really did start because of me. If it weren’t for me, Chen Chong wouldn’t have come after you twice. And what I regret most is that I couldn’t help you.”

Zhang Wenhao smiled, picked up a piece of sweet and sour pork from his tray, chewed it, and his eyes lit up. “The sweet and sour pork tastes pretty nice today!”

He glanced at Su Ruoran’s tray and shook his head. “You really don’t have an eye for good food. The cafeteria’s potato and beef stew is the worst.”

With that, Zhang Wenhao naturally picked up another piece of sweet and sour pork and placed it on Su Ruoran’s tray. “Try it—it’s really good.”

Su Ruoran pressed her lips into a smile. Clever as she was, she understood perfectly the true meaning behind Zhang Wenhao’s gesture.

She picked up the piece of sweet and sour pork, took a small bite, chewed, and said with mild reproach, “Liar! How could you call this tasty? It’s all starch—I’d say it’s more like sweet and sour starch than pork.”

Zhang Wenhao pursed his lips, “Still, it’s much better than your potato-stewed potatoes.”

“Nonsense,” Su Ruoran laughed. “There are several pieces of beef in here, you know. No starch at all. Try it.” She selected a neat square of beef from her tray and handed it to Zhang Wenhao.

He popped it into his mouth, smacked his lips, and declared, “The beef tastes just like potatoes—a failure among failures.”

Su Ruoran laughed in spite of herself, her gaze lingering on Zhang Wenhao. His movements and expressions were so natural, utterly free of artifice, and his banter made her feel an unexpected sense of closeness.

“Oh, right,” Zhang Wenhao said, “the mock exam is coming up again, isn’t it? Don’t forget our agreement—I owe you a meal after the exam.”

Su Ruoran smiled. “I’ve been ready for your meal for ages. Looks like scoring 110 in English won’t be a problem for you.”

Zhang Wenhao asked, “What would you like to eat?”

“Anything,” Su Ruoran replied with a smile. “Whatever you choose, I’ll eat. Just make sure it’s affordable—I’m not picky, so don’t even think of treating me to some fancy feast.”

Zhang Wenhao feigned a troubled look. “Ah, then I’ll really have to think—what’s both economical and delicious?”

Su Ruoran smiled slightly. “I won’t help you with this one. You’ll have to figure it out yourself. If you really can’t think of anything, you could always cook it yourself.”

Zhang Wenhao’s eyes sparkled. He smiled and nodded, while a new idea quietly took shape in his mind.

In the bustling cafeteria, with over a thousand people dining, the table where Zhang Wenhao and Su Ruoran sat drew many curious glances. One was the universally acknowledged school beauty and talented scholar, pursued by countless admirers yet solitary and ethereal; the other was the recently renowned heroic figure of the school. Their close conversation and the act of offering each other food left everyone astonished.

If two students behaved in such a manner, most would assume they were romantically involved. But since the girl was none other than Su Ruoran—the school’s most popular student—many boys simply couldn’t accept it. Though they were grateful to Zhang Wenhao for giving them courage and dignity, that didn’t mean they were at peace with him winning the heart of their idol.

For the girls, Zhang Wenhao’s uniqueness and commanding presence were equally captivating. After this morning, many found themselves drawn to this remarkable young man; they, too, disliked seeing their newfound interest involved with the most alluring woman in the school. With such a pairing, who else could hope for a chance?

Yet the facts were plain to see: the school’s most beloved girl and its most famous boy were entwined together. Still, no one was willing to believe they were truly in a relationship based on a few intimate gestures. Thus, the students of No. 1 High gave their situation a definition that could go either way: suspected romance.

Very soon, news of their alleged relationship spread like wildfire across the campus. The two protagonists, however, remained unfazed by the rumors. But one person was furious—the homeroom teacher of Class Three, Ma Qianyong!