Returning to Parents' Seventeen
Chapter 86 Xu Chuning Took an Extra Glance

Chapter 86: Chapter 86 Xu Chuning Took an Extra Glance

Can’t help but say, Shen Sinian really hit the nail on the head.

After thinking it over, Yu Gaoyi felt that his words made a lot of sense. Why didn’t his parents pressure him earlier? They had to wait until just before the exams, leaving him no time to cram.

Noticing Yu Gaoyi’s gloomy expression, Shen Sinian chuckled softly and patted him on the shoulder, "Hang in there, if you take it seriously, you might do better than the last time."

Yu Gaoyi glanced at him and lowered his eyelids, "I know myself pretty well."

Shen Sinian: "If it’s too late this time, there’s always next time."

Yu Gaoyi sighed softly, "Right now, that’s indeed the only way to console myself."

Shen Sinian: "..."

On the day before the exam, everyone was busy cramming.

Even those who usually didn’t pay attention in class were focusing. Trying to cram at the last minute is slightly better than not trying at all.

The bell rang for the end of the class, and Deng Xitong said blankly, "Is it time to leave school already?"

Xu Chuning glanced sideways at her, "Don’t want to go?"

Deng Xitong touched her nose and honestly said, "It’s not that I don’t want to go, but I can’t bear to see today pass."

Today will be over, and tomorrow will be the exam.

Xu Chuning smiled, "It’s just a final exam, take it easy."

Deng Xitong pouted softly and whispered, "I sort of regret not paying attention in class."

Xu Chuning didn’t know how to respond to that, as everyone’s desire to learn varies. Moreover, Deng Xitong wasn’t exactly inattentive; she just strongly resisted some subjects. She didn’t want to learn them and couldn’t absorb the material.

But for subjects she liked, she did quite well.

As Xu Chuning thought about how to comfort her, Deng Xitong turned her head, "Maybe I should go to the cafe and study for a bit?"

She pointed, "I still don’t quite get a few types of math problems."

Xu Chuning thought for a moment, then turned to Shen Sinian: "Are you free this afternoon?"

Shen Sinian looked at the two, "Yeah, what do you need?"

Xu Chuning: "Could you give Xitong a quick tutoring session?"

She knew Shen Sinian was a good student and many of his problem-solving approaches were ones Xu Chuning hadn’t come across.

Shen Sinian: "No problem."

He packed up his desk, "Shall we head out now?"

The three of them packed up and left, walking under the teaching building, they also ran into Cheng Mingyin and Yu Gaoyi. Hearing Shen Sinian was going to tutor Deng Xitong, Cheng Mingyin and Yu Gaoyi tentatively raised their hands, "Can two more join?"

Shen Sinian: "Then we might need to go to the milk tea shop next to the cafe."

"Sure," Yu Gaoyi said righteously, "Let’s go to the milk tea shop. I’ll treat everyone to milk tea, and we can discuss our studies while drinking."

Shen Sinian looked towards Xu Chuning.

Xu Chuning: "If the shop isn’t busy, I’ll come over."

Everyone agreed and headed to the school entrance.

Walking to the entrance, Shen Yubai and Ban Shu were talking with someone by the side. Both were in the school uniform, white T-shirts paired with dark trousers, tall and scruffy but sleek, the evening breeze of summer tousling their hair, and the sunset’s halo on their heads accentuating their already striking and clear-cut features.

Unconsciously, Xu Chuning took another look.

Sensing her gaze, the person who was casually conversing looked over, paused for a second upon seeing their group, then looked away.

Both hadn’t interacted much since their last unpleasant parting at the school entrance. Even if they met, they would just glance at each other from a distance.

Mingzhi Middle School was huge in itself, with the International and Regular classes’ buildings separate, and even the cafeteria had a clear social stratum.

It wasn’t easy to access the second-floor cafeteria, Xu Chuning had no money, so she never thought of eating there. The first floor cafeteria was where she often went, and for Shen Yubai and the others, the communal meals there were hardly to their taste.

So, unless he felt particularly impulsive, the two barely crossed paths at school.

The only bridge between the two was Shen Sinian.

But recently, Shen Sinian knew Xu Chuning was busy reviewing, so when he met Shen Yubai to discuss matters, he wouldn’t pester Xu Chuning to accompany him.

Originally, Xu Chuning thought that this time they would pass by each other as naturally as before.

What she didn’t expect was, after the student talking to Ban Shu turned to leave, Ban Shu turned his head and saw a few people, greeting them warmly, "Sinian, what are you guys planning to do?"

Ban Shu was surprised, "Not going home after school?"

Shen Sinian answered, "We are going to the milk tea shop for a study session."

Ban Shu raised an eyebrow, "Exam tomorrow, and you’re studying today?"

Yu Gaoyi said, "Brother Shu, haven’t you heard of the saying ’cramming at the last minute’?"

Ban Shu was speechless.

He had heard of it but had never done it himself.

After a few seconds of silence, Ban Shu responded with an "Oh," and asked Xu Chuning, "Are you tutoring them?"

He knew Xu Chuning was the top student in their grade.

Xu Chuning replied, "Shen Sinian is tutoring them."

Hearing this, Ban Shu became interested, "Can I come listen?"

Shen Sinian glanced at him, "Brother Shu, we are from the humanities class."

Implied meaning: What is a science class student like you joining for?

Ban Shu replied, "I’m free anyway."

He asked Shen Yubai for his opinion, "Brother Yu, are you going? There’s nothing to do if we go back."

Tomorrow was the exam, Pei Shao had been busy with something recently and wasn’t playing games with them. They couldn’t gather everyone, and going back would also feel boring.

Shen Yubai glanced at the person who turned their head away and spoke softly with a slight move of his lips, "Whatever."

Ban Shu raised his eyebrows, understanding him well, and said, "Let’s go then."

In an instant, the group of five became seven.

The store wasn’t busy yet. Knowing they were heading to the milk tea shop across the street for a study session, You Shuzhen asked Xu Chuning, "Will they have dinner in the store?"

Xu Chuning replied, "I’m not sure, I’ll ask later."

You Shuzhen nodded, "Okay."

Seeing Xu Chuning placing her backpack in the store with no intention of going out, she paused for a moment, "Ningning."

Xu Chuning was about to prepare dinner when she heard her call and turned around to reply, "Mom, what is it?"

You Shuzhen looked at her, "Aren’t you going over to where Sinian and the others are?"

Xu Chuning let out an "Ah," "They are having Shen Sinian teach, I don’t need any tutoring, I’m not going."

Hearing this, You Shuzhen sighed, "Mom knows you have good academic performance and don’t need tutoring, but you should socialize more."

Xu Chuning frowned, "I’m not antisocial."

She felt she was quite sociable, and her circle of friends was growing.

You Shuzhen clarified, "Mom didn’t mean that."

She exclaimed, slightly anxious, "What I mean is, the store isn’t busy, you don’t need to stay here to help. Your classmates are studying at the milk tea shop across the street, you should go and join them. Even if you’re not studying, just chat with everyone."

You Shuzhen didn’t want to confine Xu Chuning at home or in the small store. She hoped Xu Chuning would hang out with her classmates more, interact with new things and people. She’s never been the type of parent to restrict her child, and she fully supported Xu Chuning going out to have fun and mingle with classmates.

Xu Chuning started, "I don’t want to today—"

She hadn’t finished her sentence when she saw the person carrying two cups of milk tea enter the store.

"Xiao Shen," You Shuzhen reacted first, "Why did you come over?"

Shen Yubai glanced at Xu Chuning and turned his head to answer You Yuzhen’s question, "Aunt You, I came to bring you guys milk tea."