Chapter 53: No Early Romance

As the high school entrance examination drew closer, the pressure of the impending admissions test grew increasingly palpable, and everyone was preparing with nervous intensity.

Shi Zhaodi, burdened by low spirits, threw herself even more diligently into her studies as a way to distract her mind.

It was precisely amidst this tense atmosphere that a sensitive issue erupted.

Puppy love had always been a recurring theme in the background of a student's growing years. However, to guarantee high matriculation rates, it was strictly forbidden in the final year of junior high.

Therefore, even when there were whispers and rumors, everything was kept strictly under wraps; no one dared to date openly. Otherwise, a summons to the teachers' office for reprimands and counsel was inevitable every now and then.

Shi Zhaodi had never really felt concerned about such matters. After all, from childhood onwards, she had always been the quintessential model student in the eyes of her teachers. Not to mention puppy love, she had never even arrived late or left early.

Consequently, as far as Shi Zhaodi was concerned, such disciplinary lectures would never fall upon her shoulders.

It was not until recently, when Qian Duoduo mentioned something to her, that she was taken aback.

"Zhaodi, are you and Zou Kai together?" Qian Duoduo leaned in mysteriously and asked during lunch one day.

"We share a desk!" Shi Zhaodi replied, looking at Qian Duoduo in bewilderment.

"I don't mean that! I mean, are the two of you dating?" Qian Duoduo explained.

"Dating what?" Shi Zhaodi still didn't understand, staring blankly at Duoduo.

"Duh, dating each other, of course!" Qian Duoduo glared at Shi Zhaodi.

Shi Zhaodi took a moment to process this. Looking at Qian Duoduo, she suddenly burst out laughing a moment later and asked, "Who told you that?"

"You two aren't an item?" Qian Duoduo looked somewhat dazed.

"Of course not! How could we possibly be?"

"But it's all over the school!"

"What is?"

"That the two of you are together."

"Ah? How come I had no idea?"

"That just shows how oblivious you are!"

"He and I haven't done anything. Why would people say that?"

"Aren't you two together all the time? Some classmates even saw you holding hands while shopping!"

"Impossible!" Shi Zhaodi retorted immediately.

"I found it a bit strange myself. If it were anyone else, I might have believed it, but when it comes to you, I honestly had my doubts. Still, the rumors going around the school are extremely vivid and detailed. They've probably reached the teachers' ears by now, and who knows, you might get called in for a talk any day now. Just keep an eye out," Qian Duoduo warned.

Shi Zhaodi nodded.

She thought to herself how truly overwhelming the events of recent times had been, pressing down on her until she could barely breathe.

Yet, Shi Zhaodi had not expected her head teacher to summon her for a talk quite so soon.

At first, the head teacher spoke in rather veiled terms, mentioning that the entrance exams were right around the corner, that everyone's studies were at a critical stage, and that she was a top student in the class, a key focus for the grade level's advancement, as well as the class monitor. Both the school and the teachers had pinned great hopes on her, so she needed to live up to expectations and strive for an exceptional result.