Chapter 5: So Your Name Is Chen Fan?

The next morning, Chen Fan arrived at school brimming with determination.

As soon as he entered the classroom, he saw Su Ruochu sitting at her desk.

“Class monitor, good morning!” Chen Fan greeted her with a smile. Su Ruochu’s face flushed red, and she quickly lowered her head.

Ah, my wife is wonderful in every way except for this one thing—she’s far too shy. Even in their previous life, after they had confirmed their relationship, Su Ruochu remained a very bashful and traditional girl.

Chen Fan recalled the first time he finally “lured” Su Ruochu to a hotel, only for himself, in a moment of foolishness, to suggest trying something new. The result? She kicked him off the bed in a flash, and refused to let him touch her for the entire night.

Comrades, these are hard-earned lessons soaked in blood and tears.

Chen Fan silently warned himself. He must learn from his mistakes and keep pushing forward. Wooing a girl is strenuous work; there’s no room for impatience.

At that moment, Su Ruochu quietly handed him a shopping bag.

“What’s this?”

Chen Fan opened it and found his school uniform inside. Pulling it out, he immediately grinned.

“You even washed it for me?”

He quickly put it on and took a deep sniff.

“It smells great. What brand of detergent did you use?”

“My wife… I mean, my deskmate is quite skilled,” Su Ruochu said, her cheeks flushing as she turned away.

“If you say anything more, I’ll ask the teacher to change our seats.”

“Don’t, don’t…” Chen Fan quickly surrendered. “I promise I won’t say another word!”

Throughout the entire morning, Su Ruochu noticed Chen Fan truly refrained from “bothering” her. Whether in class or during breaks, he was always immersed in flipping through his textbooks, occasionally jotting down notes or doodling. He didn’t even pay attention to the teacher’s lecture, lost in his own world.

Curious, Su Ruochu sneaked a glance and saw that he was marking key points in the text.

“What is he doing?” she wondered. “Is he really trying to work hard now? Isn’t it a bit too late?”

On the third time she peeked, Chen Fan suddenly looked up and grinned at her. Su Ruochu startled like a frightened rabbit, quickly withdrawing her gaze, her heart pounding fiercely.

Chen Fan smiled but didn’t disturb her. Instead, he bent his head and continued reading.

To be honest, he had no special system, no golden finger in this reincarnation. His only advantage was having taken the college entrance exam once before.

He had gone through all those exam questions.

Though many years had passed and most of the questions had faded from memory, some crucial big problems remained engraved in his mind. After all, those questions had tortured him mercilessly back then, many left unanswered during the exam.

For instance, Chen Fan clearly remembered the last six math problems worth 70 points. He knew which three had driven countless test-takers to frustration and tears.

He knew exactly which article was chosen for this year’s Chinese reading comprehension.

He knew the essay prompt, which asked students to discuss different perspectives on problems and solutions based on four symbolic images.

He even knew the topics for this year’s English reading comprehension and essay, as well as the integrated science test...

With this knowledge, plus his current academic level, he was confident he could score 553 points if he gave it his all.

At noon, after school, his close friend Guo Shuai came over.

“Fan bro, want to go eat out?”

Chen Fan shook his head. “You go ahead. I’ll eat at the cafeteria.”

“What’s so good about the cafeteria? I’ll treat you to a feast outside.”

Chen Fan immediately stood up.

“Let’s go!”

“Wow! So straightforward, huh?”

Chen Fan laughed. “You big spender, if I don’t take advantage of you, who else?”

Guo Shuai laughed along, slinging an arm around Chen Fan’s neck.

“Don’t worry, even if I have to treat you until the college entrance exam, I can afford it.”

Chen Fan was touched. “You’re a true brother. Can you just lend me twenty thousand?”

“Damn, why don’t you just sell me for cash?”

The two laughed as they left the classroom.

With the college entrance exam looming, school inspections had noticeably relaxed. When leaving the campus, as long as students showed their ID cards, teachers usually turned a blind eye and let them pass.

The restaurant across the school gate was bustling; arriving late meant a long wait.

Chen Fan and Guo Shuai stood there holding their trays, glumly staring at the crowded room.

“Maybe we should pack it and eat in the classroom,” Chen Fan suggested.

“No way! Look!” Guo Shuai excitedly tugged Chen Fan through the crowd.

From a distance, Chen Fan spotted Su Ruochu eating.

Guo Shuai grinned as he approached.

“Two beauties, fancy sharing a table?”

Su Ruochu was eating with Li Na, a close classmate, and when she saw Chen Fan, her expression became a bit uneasy.

Li Na smiled and said, “Can’t find a seat? Sit with us.”

She got up, picked up her tray, and joined Su Ruochu.

“Thanks, thanks.”

Guo Shuai quickly pulled Chen Fan to sit down.

Chen Fan buried his head in his meal, while Li Na kept sneaking glances at him.

Chen Fan couldn’t help but look up.

“Is there something on my face?”

“Hehe! No!” Li Na smiled brightly, staring at him.

“Chen Fan, why did you kiss Su Ruochu yesterday?”

As soon as she said this, Guo Shuai spit out his rice in surprise, while Su Ruochu’s face turned crimson as she gently pushed her friend.

Chen Fan remained calm and unflustered.

“Well... it was actually a misunderstanding. I was having a nightmare—I was getting married and taking my wife.”

His words made Li Na laugh.

“So you took our class monitor as your wife?”

Chen Fan glanced at Su Ruochu and quickly shook his head.

“That’s your idea, not mine.”

Li Na pressed on. “Then tell me, do you like Su Ruochu?”

“Yes!” Chen Fan nodded without hesitation.

Her question stunned Li Na, and Su Ruochu blushed again and stood up.

“I’m done eating. I’m heading back.”

“Hey, Ruochu, don’t go! I haven’t finished asking,” Li Na called anxiously, getting up and chasing after her.

Before leaving, she teased Chen Fan, “For one jar of chocolate candy, I’ll tell you a secret about Su Ruochu. Remember, it must be chocolate.”

Watching Li Na chase after Su Ruochu with a mischievous grin, Chen Fan shook his head.

My wife’s secrets—do you really need to tell me?

Seeing Guo Shuai still staring intently outside, Chen Fan tapped the table.

“What are you looking at?”

Guo Shuai smiled sheepishly.

“Fan bro, what do you think of Li Na’s looks?”

Chen Fan blinked.

“You like Li Na?”

Hadn’t he noticed?

In his previous life, he didn’t recall Guo Shuai ever pursuing Li Na.

Guo Shuai chuckled awkwardly.

“Li Na’s not especially beautiful, but don’t you think she’s really pretty when she smiles?”

“Especially when she smiles—it reminds me a lot of my ex-girlfriend.”

Chen Fan was surprised. “You have an ex?”

“Of course. My ex is Li Bingbing.”

Damn! That was a needless question.

Chen Fan lowered his head and continued eating.

“And what do you think of Li Na?”

“Hmm, not bad... I support you chasing her!”

Chen Fan mumbled while eating.

Guo Shuai was thrilled.

“With just that, lunch is on me today.”

Chen Fan immediately raised his hand.

“Miss, two more chicken legs, please!”

...

After lunch, Guo Shuai headed to the kitchen restroom.

Chen Fan stood alone by the roadside, his mind racing through the exam questions.

Just then, a group of young men pushed open the restaurant’s glass door and barged inside.

“Who knows Chen Fan from Senior Class 7?”

“Who’s looking for me?” Chen Fan called out, puzzled.

The group turned and stepped out; one with a wild afro sneered at Chen Fan.

“Are you the Chen Fan we’re looking for?”