Class 8’s biggest worry right now isn’t Guo Kunnan, but the insignificant Zhang Chi.

The table where he sat attracted even more attention than Jiang Ning’s.

Zhang Chi felt like their table was a zoo, and the students eating around them were like tourists, constantly casting curious glances.

"Wow, I’ve heard about you guys for a long time, never thought we’d actually get to eat at the same table!" said Niu Ying from Class 9, her large lips moving as she spoke.

The round-faced Hong Yuanyuan said warmly, "Wang Yanyan, I saw your outfit post on the forum, you’re so professional!"

"And Jiaojiao, I heard you got a new manicure," Hong Yuanyuan said enviously.

Pang Jiao, hearing this, placed her hands on the table.

Zhang Chi’s heart twitched violently, damn, what kind of hands are these? The hooves were covered in black hair, with several colorful nail pieces at the tips.

"Jiaojiao, your nails are amazing, the foundation is so perfect, they suit you so well!"

Pang Jiao covered her mouth and laughed softly, while Zhang Chi was nearly overwhelmed.

’Damn, the pig feet rice vendor at the entrance must know how good your "foundation" is!’

Pang Jiao gathered a heap of insincere compliments.

Hong Yuanyuan asked again, "Jiaojiao, what color clothes do you think would suit me?"

Pang Jiao: "Black, black makes you look slimmer."

Oh NO, this was a failed class diplomacy, Hong Yuanyuan’s multiple chins seemed to decrease by one layer as her smile faded.

Only Wang Yanyan remained clear-minded, easily seeing through Hong Yuanyuan’s intentions.

Wang Yanyan warmly called out, "Sister!"

Hong Yuanyuan: "Huh?"

"Sister, although black slims you down, I think you’re already slim enough, no need to deliberately pursue being overly skinny, you can boldly wear more white!"

Wang Yanyan didn’t forget to save face for her sister, "Jiaojiao suggested black so you’d look even more beautiful, but I think you’re already lovely, no need to deliberately pursue beauty now!"

Once she said this, everyone at the table except Zhang Chi was overjoyed.

The larger girls started roaring with laughter, "Hohoho!"

"Hohohohohohoho!"

Their massive laughter resonated in a chorus, creating a resonance effect, leaving Zhang Chi with a head full of "hohoho!"

Half the cafeteria students turned their eyes over.

At the neighboring table, Duan Shigang gaped at the source of the "hohoho," thinking that Zhang Chi resembled a small foam board in a sea of giant waves, adrift and unsteady.

Liu Chuandao gave a thumbs up, "He’s a true warrior!"

Yes, even so, Zhang Chi still managed to finish his dinner.

There was no choice, the cafeteria dinner was of great quality, though it cost only 4 yuan, thanks to the cafeteria subsidy provided by Evergreen Liquid, it included fried chicken legs, a dish and a half with some meat, one vegetable dish, plus a variety of soups and porridges.

Zhang Chi truly had experienced poverty and hunger, so he didn’t want to waste any food.

Yet when he stepped out of the cafeteria and gazed at the sky, he still felt incredibly frustrated.

Yesterday he heard that Gong Jin was gathering names for small dining tables, and he plucked up the courage to privately ask how much his spot would sell for.

Gong Jin had said, "Ten thousand."

Zhang Chi was thrilled, thinking that the spendthrift Gong Jin wanted to buy it, but Gong Jin said, "Even if you gave me ten thousand, I wouldn’t go."

Zhang Chi felt so dejected.

He walked across campus, through the bustling crowd, spotting a frail student reciting English vocabulary with single-minded focus.

’Looks like Chen Qian, but it’s not.’

Zhang Chi stepped forward and greeted him, "Hello, why are you reciting here?"

The frail student replied, "Hello, senior! Because I think memorizing words in a noisy place helps me focus better!"

Zhang Chi patted his shoulder, "I know an even noisier place, if you can study there, you’ll definitely become stronger!"

He pulled out the small dining table pass, "Tomorrow’s breakfast costs 4 yuan per serving, I’ll sell it to you for 3!"

The frail student found him so enthusiastic, "Senior?"

Zhang Chi gazed upward, nostalgically saying, "Seeing you, I see my former self, I must help you!"

His sentiment and melancholy were undeniably genuine.

Thus, Zhang Chi sold a breakfast pass.

...

The first evening self-study session.

It was supposed to be a study session, but the homeroom teacher Shan Qingrong walked into the classroom, closing the door behind him.

"Classmates, let’s hold a class meeting to discuss a few things!"

The students immediately focused on Shan Qingrong, even Wu Xiao Qi, who was holding a basketball, behaved himself.

Shan Qingrong looked at Xue Yuantong, who was sleeping.

She was sleeping soundly, covered with a small blanket, only...

Xin Youling understood, carefully adjusting the blanket to cover Xue Yuantong more, to prevent her from catching cold.

Shan Qingrong’s furrowed brows relaxed.

In the metaphorical cage, Gong Jin thought, ’Is this reasonable?’

Even though he had grown up accustomed to being favored, he had never experienced such attentive care from a teacher.

Considering Xue Yuantong was asleep in the front row, Shan Qingrong lowered the volume of his speech.

Jiang Ning gestured to assure him that talking wouldn’t disturb Xue Yuantong, allowing Shan Qingrong to raise his voice.

"I have an announcement. First, about next month’s spring trip."

As soon as he said this, the class burst into discussion.

Shan Qingrong eased the commotion, saying, "Director Yan has secured an opportunity for us, personally going to the principal’s office saying, ’Last year was the first-year spring trip, this year should be for the second-year,’ and the principal agreed."

The students laughed, knowing he was joking.

Shan Qingrong added, "The specific destination will ultimately be decided by the school."

Zhang Chi raised his hand, "Is there a fee?"

Shan Qingrong replied, "I can’t guarantee right now, just wanted to inform everyone."

Zhang Chi, "If it’s too expensive I won’t go."

Shan Qingrong, poker-faced, "Even if there’s no fee, you don’t have to go."

Zhang Chi fell silent.

"The second matter is about the art and sports students. The school plans to open separate classes for art and sports students to better plan their learning progress. After this class, I’ll have some individual conversations with certain students."

Geng Lu, Zhang Chi, Liu Chuandao, and many students contemplating the art exams all had their expressions change.

Zhang Chi: "I plan to study sports, is it possible not to go?"

Geng Lu: "Right."

Shan Qingrong felt empathy, but he was merely a regular teacher.

"We’ll talk more individually in the next class. This is a decision made by the school, and if you join the newly formed class, your grades will surely improve."

Currently, Fourth Middle School is competing with other high schools, and the graduation rate is a priority.

Hearing this, many felt that Shan Qingrong leaned towards sending the art and sports students to the new classes, foreseeing another class reshuffle in Class 8.

Shan Qingrong continued, "You should know, in recent years, our school has provided targeted support to several township schools, and soon, Fourth Middle School will be bringing in outstanding students from township high schools, maybe some will join our class, so be mentally prepared."

Gong Jin felt a hint of relief, ’With new classmates coming, will I finally get out of trouble?’

Liu Chuandao: "New classmates?"

Could there be some pretty female classmates?

Shen Qing’e began pondering.

Their township middle school was one of those supported by Yu Zhou Fourth Middle School.

Could anyone familiar be coming?

Immediately, Shen Qing’e dismissed the thought, thinking it unlikely, with so many classes in the second year, it would be hard to end up together.

Before she could dwell on it further, Shan Qingrong announced, "Also, in April, there’s another big event, Yu Zhou Fourth Middle School is hosting the Three Cities High School Joint Sports Meet!"

"What’s a joint sports meet?"

"Is it a city-level league?" Dan Kaiquan clenched his fists, having quietly trained for a long time.

Shan Qingrong first looked at Jiang Ning, feeling somewhat reassured, before saying, "The finals will be held at Yu Zhou Fourth Middle School."