Ding Xian thought for a long time before she remembered where that sentence came from.

To be honest, she had completely forgotten about it. If Ye Wanxian hadn't mentioned that day at the Ding Family house about the two of them sleeping in the same bed when they were kids, she would have almost forgotten who that handsome little boy originally was.

Although Zhou Siyue was sharp-tongued and sometimes loved to tease her, upon careful reflection, after spending some time together.

He had helped her quite a bit.

He treated her to movies, helped her change seats, helped her confront Song Ziqi, and now Jiang Chen didn't dare to say anything messy when he saw her.

Compared to his childhood promise, he had already done enough.

She also finally understood that his kindness to her was earned by her helping him wash his bedsheets when they were kids.

"N-no, it's fine." Ding Xian waved her hand, lowered her head, and said: "You go ahead with your work. I don't have any particular place I want to go."

Zhou Siyue looked at her and nodded slightly.

The owner brought up a plate of freshly sliced roast duck: "Here you go!"

The conversation finally ended.

Zhou Siyue sat up straight, his arm resting on the edge of the table.

Ding Xian had her head down, lost in thought. Zhou Siyue raised a hand and tapped on the table: "Eat."

Ding Xian took a deep breath, looked up, and flashed a big, sincere, and generous smile at the person opposite her: "Let's eat first."

The two simultaneously began eating, tackling the delicious roast duck on the table, eagerly awaiting consumption.

Zhou Siyue didn't have any young master's fussiness when eating, unlike Song Ziqi, that clean freak, who would even bring his own lunchbox to eat in the school cafeteria, and would wrap his chopsticks in a handkerchief to bring them along, absolutely refusing to use the cafeteria's trays.

Zhou Siyue had an eccentric personality; his unrestrained and flamboyant nature also carried a hint of amiability.

Halfway through their meal, they ran into Xu Ke.

Ding Xian had just finished rolling up a piece of roast duck and putting it in her mouth when she suddenly heard someone call her name: "Ding Xian."

Both turned their heads at the same time.

Standing at the doorway was a tall, slender boy, wearing a grey Polo shirt, faded jeans, and a pair of black sneakers. Compared to Zhou Siyue, who was in Senior One, his attire was more mature.

Zhou Siyue merely glanced and then withdrew his gaze; clearly, he had no interest in Xu Ke.

Ding Xian enthusiastically waved at him: "Senior."

Xu Ke lowered his head, said something to the person beside him, and walked over. His gaze lingered on Zhou Siyue for a moment before he smiled at Ding Xian: "What a coincidence?"

Ding Xian stood up, hesitating whether to introduce the two of them.

Strange, Zhou Siyue, who was so fond of making friends, showed no intention of greeting Xu Ke. Ding Xian awkwardly smiled at Xu Ke: "How about you sit over there, and we'll come chat at your table."

Xu Ke smiled gently: "Okay."

The two sat down at the neighboring table. Xu Ke then gave Zhou Siyue a meaningful glance and mouthed to Ding Xian: "Deskmates?"

Ding Xian nodded, blushing.

Xu Ke looked at her approvingly: "Not bad, things are progressing quickly."

Ding Xian explained softly: "No, no, no, it's not what you think. It's just a very ordinary outing to watch a movie and have a meal."

Xu Ke smiled even deeper: "How come I don't have such ordinary opposite-sex friends?"

Ding Xian was at a loss for words, knowing they weren't like that, yet feeling anxious and flustered: "It really isn't..."

Xu Ke smiled, no longer teasing her: "What's the rush? Even if it is, I'll help you keep it a secret from Aunt Ye. I know that boy." He lowered his voice and leaned closer to her: "Zhou Siyue, right?"

Ding Xian was startled: "How do you know him?"

Xu Ke shook his head and chuckled: "He's our math teacher's prize student. Our teacher personally coached him for all his competitions. He participated in math leagues in junior high and won many awards, a promising candidate for Tsinghua and Peking Universities."

'No wonder sometimes I see Senior Two and Senior Three test papers on his desk.'

'Sigh.'

"How did you end up being his deskmate?"

Ding Xian lowered her head, filled with endless regret. If she hadn't been late that day, none of these subsequent events would probably have happened: "It was a coincidence, and it'll change soon."

The young girl had her head down, her fluffy head drooping.

Xu Ke reached out and patted her head. Ding Xian suddenly looked up. Xu Ke was smiling at her: "Why so down? You're not bad either. You're so good at drawing. Oh, by the way, I brought the book. I was originally going to look for you at your house today, but it's perfect, I'll just give it to you directly."

As Xu Ke spoke, he pulled out a copy of Li Yang's crazy English from his bag and handed it to her, along with a cassette tape.

"This is for pronunciation training. You can take it home and listen. I don't need it, so I'll just give it to you."

Ding Xian: "How can I accept that? I'll return it to you after I've used it."

Xu Ke's financial situation wasn't great, and these books probably cost him a lot. How could Ding Xian dare to accept them?

Xu Ke's friend returned after ordering, and Ding Xian put away the books and went back to her original seat.

The roast duck on the plate was already gone.

Ding Xian watched Zhou Siyue slowly and methodically finish the last piece by himself. He truly hadn't left her a single piece.

'Whoever becomes your girlfriend will be cursed for eight lifetimes.'

On the way back, Ding Xian was still silently fuming about Zhou Siyue's brutal actions.

The two walked one behind the other on the sidewalk. This time, Ding Xian was hurrying ahead, while Young Master Zhou, having eaten his fill, leisurely walked behind with his hands in his pockets.

"Hey."

Ding Xian pretended not to hear and quickened her pace.

They were about to cross the road, but unfortunately, it was a red light. She could only stand on the sidewalk, holding her books, and wait.

Zhou Siyue, with his long limbs, caught up in a few strides. He stepped off the sidewalk and stood in front of Ding Xian, glancing at the book she held tightly against her chest, and chuckled disdainfully: "Li Yang's crazy English? He gave it to you?"

Ding Xian: "Mind your own business."

Zhou Siyue scoffed, lightly resting one foot on the curb of the sidewalk: "What are you mad about?"

'Right.'

'What was she mad about? It was just one roast duck.'

"Mad that I didn't save you any roast duck?" He laughed again: "You practically pounced on Xu Ke like he was your own father, leaving me on the side. I haven't even settled accounts with you yet."

Ding Xian was stunned for a moment: "How do you know he's Xu Ke?"

Zhou Siyue curled his lips mockingly: "In this school, would you know anyone else besides him?"

'You're the one with many friends.'

"You went to find Xu Ke that afternoon?"

Ding Xian nodded.

"Why didn't you tell me you wanted to learn spoken English? There's a living, breathing person sitting right next to you, yet you go seeking help from afar?"

"...The seats will change soon. We might not be deskmates anymore, and I can't rely on you for everything."

'The diagnostic test is next week. Who knows if your new deskmate after the test will be Zhang Cuicui, Li Yingying, or Wang Yanyan? Will you even remember me then?'

'One always sees the new beloved smile, but never hears the old one weep.'

The dark clouds finally dispersed, and the sky was clear as crystal, a magnificent blue.

Then the young man said lightly: "Idiot, it's just a diagnostic test. Wouldn't it be fine if we just scored the same then? Anyway, we don't have to take the test in different classes."