Chapter 3 Begging You

Alex was awakened by the sound of Dana''s high heels. When he looked up, he met her gaze and shuddered.

Then Dana leisurely walked around him and stepped onto the podium: "Some students, don''t treat the classroom as your bedroom. You think you''re sleeping through time, but you''re actually sleeping through your youth."

The "some students" who had been called out twice in one day rubbed his eyes and propped his chin up to sit up.

"You young people need to be more energetic, don''t be so lifeless all the time. How can you have so much sleep to catch up on? Is it because there aren''t enough problems to solve?"

Dana turned on the multimedia, inserted a USB drive: "The school has organized a fall outing this year. We''ll first talk about the precautions in this class, and the outing time will be announced after class."

"Class president, hand out the safety agreements."

The previously lifeless group instantly exploded, and the entire classroom erupted in cheers.

Their school organized a fall outing every year, but it was always scheduled shortly after the start of the school year when the heat hadn''t yet dissipated. Although it was called a fall outing, it was actually a hike, and hiking up and down the mountain could be exhausting. Therefore, Alex wasn''t very excited.

"Teacher, where are we going for the fall outing this year?" someone asked, and then a group of people chimed in.

Dana teased, "Well, it''s definitely not hiking."

She opened the courseware, symbolically took a panoramic photo from the back of the classroom, posted it in the parents'' group, and then closed the courseware: "Alright, let''s continue with the lesson. Everyone, take out your textbooks. Last time, we learned the second classical Chinese text in the first required course."

Alex lowered his head and rummaged through his desk for his textbook.

Then he took out a tattered book and placed it on the desk, zoning out.

"Turn to page forty-five." Dana tapped on his desk.

—

On the day of the fall outing, the sun was shining brightly, and the sky was clear. The southern heat at this time could randomly cause a few students to faint from the heat. Despite this, most of the class was still cheerful.

Dana watched them all get on the bus before she finally sat in the front passenger seat with peace of mind, holding a small megaphone and shouting: "This time, we''re going to Scenic Mountain. When we arrive, everyone should line up and follow me closely. Don''t get lost! The outing will last for one day, and the school has already booked a hotel. Rooms will be allocated in an orderly manner, with two people per room."

"There will be some small activities on the mountain. We are all one team, so we need to work together and help each other. Alright, let''s recite the slogan again!"

The power of the megaphone was immense, and Dana''s last sentence was particularly enthusiastic, making Alex''s ears hurt.

"Work together, move forward bravely! Sophomore Class Four, ride the waves!"

Dana received a satisfactory response, smiled, and nodded before sitting back down.

Alex watched the rapidly retreating scenery outside the window, while Zayne, sitting next to him, played games on his phone.

The sounds of battle from the mobile game occasionally reached his ears, and when Zayne cursed for the fourth time, Alex couldn''t take it anymore.

"Move." Alex stood up, signaling for Zayne, who was sitting on the outside, to make way.

"Where are you going, Alex?" Zayne put down his phone in confusion but still moved his legs to make way.

Alex squeezed out of the small space Zayne had made: "Switch seats, you''re too noisy."

"No way—damn, who the hell has the guts to kill me first!"

Alex rolled his eyes and looked around, finding only one empty seat.

The only empty seat was next to Leonard, with a backpack on the seat in the last row. He quickly made a decision between the two seats and chose Leonard.

At least it would be quiet.

He walked to the back row and looked down at Leonard: "Is this your bag? Move it."

Leonard picked up the bag and placed it on the floor: "Sit down."

After sitting down, Alex quickly closed his eyes, silently chanting "out of sight, out of mind."

The road was a bit bumpy, and the journey was long. Surprisingly, Alex fell asleep in such an environment, his head sliding onto Leonard''s shoulder, sleeping soundly.

Leonard kept staring at him, not moving even though his shoulder went numb. He noticed that every time the bus bumped, the eyelashes of the person on his shoulder would flutter slightly.

Sunlight streamed in through the rear window, turning Alex''s hair a light tea color. At this moment, he seemed much softer than when he was awake.

The bus was noisy, with people chatting and playing on their phones. No one noticed Leonard gently brushing aside the hair covering Alex''s eyes. The movement was incredibly gentle, like treating a lover with tender affection.

—

Alex yawned as he got off the bus, and Zayne immediately stuck to him like glue.

Then he asked Zayne a question: "How did I fall asleep?"

"?"

Zayne looked at him in surprise: "Are you out of your mind? I was busy fighting enemies the whole time, I didn''t have time to notice you—but it seemed like you were sleeping on the class president''s shoulder."

Alex regretted asking the question. He turned and glanced at the crowd, locking eyes with Leonard.

With just one look, Alex quickly averted his gaze as if he had been electrocuted.

Dana tapped the megaphone, cleared her throat, and shouted, "This fall outing activity is divided into this afternoon and tomorrow morning, totaling one day. Everyone, line up and follow me closely. Next, we''re heading to the first scenic spot!"

The chaotic crowd quickly formed a long line, with constant chatter and a lively atmosphere.

Then he saw Leonard walking towards him.

Damn, can''t shake him off.

Leonard had just reached the middle of the line when a pair of hands grabbed him, followed by a sweet voice: "Desk mate, can you stand in front of me?"

Lucas smiled with dimples, his tone almost coquettish.

Leonard stopped and silently stood among the girls, who started chatting with him.

"Class president, how do you manage to study so well?"

"Class president, you''re amazing, always coming in first every year."

"Class president, can you teach me sometime?"

But Leonard, like a Buddha with no desires, didn''t respond to any of them.

Alex turned his face away in pain.

The group followed Dana, hiking for half an hour before reaching the so-called first scenic spot, a temple. Besides their group of students, there were many tourists gathered, making it as lively as a market.

"This is the famous Scenic Temple. In a moment, everyone can form groups and explore freely. You can pray for blessings or offer incense. We''ll meet back here in an hour. I''ll be sitting here, so don''t wander off! Be sure to gather on time! Do you hear me?" Dana''s voice was as loud as ever, like a dedicated tour guide.

The group dispersed, forming small clusters. Dana sat on a wooden bench, rubbing her ankle. Alex glanced over and noticed that their teacher was still wearing high heels even while hiking.

Zayne grabbed his arm, beaming: "Alex, let''s go pray for love!"

"Pray for what?" He shook off Zayne''s hand and walked straight towards the wooden bench. He preferred staying still over moving.

Dana was a bit surprised: "Alex, why are you sitting here? Go move around and get some exercise. You should be more energetic while you''re young."

"No."

Just as he said this, Leonard started walking towards where he was sitting. His eyelid twitched, and he shouted at Zayne''s back: "Zayne! Wait, I''ll go with you to pray for love!"

"You brat, what are you talking about!" Dana was exasperated, but seeing Alex run off still brought a smile to her face.

"Leonard, you should form a group too. I know you like quiet, but you should interact more with your classmates. You''ll find that your high school life will be more fulfilling."

Leonard nodded: "Okay, teacher."

Then he walked over to Alex.

Alex stared at the person in front of him and threatened, "If you keep following me, I''ll call the police."

"Is it illegal to build camaraderie with classmates?" Leonard asked.

Zayne ignored the tension between them and approached Leonard: "Class president, are you alone? Join us, it''s good to have company."

"Shut up!" Alex snapped like a cat with its fur standing on end.

Zayne quickly pulled him aside and whispered, "Alex, you guys have been at odds for years. It''s time to let it go. As the saying goes, ''Lay down the butcher''s knife and become a Buddha on the spot.'' If people don''t mess with me, I won''t mess with them..."

"Get to the point." Alex interrupted coldly.

"I was late the other day and he marked me down. If I lose more points, I''ll have to go home and reflect. You know how my mom is..."

So he wanted to cozy up to Leonard.

Alex nodded slightly, indicating his consent, and then whispered, "Then find a way to keep him away from me."

"Got it."

Once inside the temple, there were fewer tourists, and it was quieter, with the air filled with the scent of incense. Alex threw ten dollars into the donation box, then clasped his hands together and bowed to the statue.

Zayne followed suit, throwing money into the donation box and bowing.

Leonard stood aside, watching, then asked Alex, "Are you praying for love?"

Alex replied with a cold face, "No, I''m praying for Buddha to take you away."

"......"

—

Soon it was time to gather. Most students lined up obediently, waiting for Dana''s instructions. Dana raised the megaphone: "Boys and girls will be divided into two groups. We''ll draw lots to decide who shares a room. Once rooms are assigned, try not to visit other rooms and disrupt order."

Dana somehow got a lottery box, placed it on the wooden bench, and began explaining the rules: "The slips in the box are numbered from one to fifty-four, matching the number of students in our class. I prepared two sets. Those who draw the same number will share a room tonight. Line up to draw!"

As luck would have it, Alex and Leonard drew the same number.

When Leonard walked over holding the slip with "19" on it, Alex was in full resistance mode. He couldn''t believe such a coincidence and quickly raised his hand to complain to Dana: "Teacher, I have an objection!"

Dana dismissed him immediately: "Keep it to yourself! Why is it that no one else has a problem but you?"

Alex fumed silently, kicking the stones at his feet in frustration.