Chapter 3System Update: The Heart’s Variable

After finishing the porridge, I headed back to the classroom. Most students were napping, but Julian was sitting there, staring into space. He looked annoyed. His brows were furrowed, only relaxing slightly when he saw me. He lowered his voice. "Where did you go?"

I told the truth. "I went to buy something."

His brow smoothed out more. He huffed lightly. "Where's the porridge and medicine?"

I looked at him. I really wanted to ask: You weren't sick, so why are you asking for it? But it felt unnecessary. Compared to the System’s rage, I felt calm. Because I just didn't care that much anymore. Julian isn't my friend. No matter how mean he is, I won't get angry. As long as he’s #1, I’ll keep following him to fix my grades. My reactions are slow. I don't process hurt quickly. The sadness from earlier had already blown away with the wind.

"I ate it," I said earnestly. "I'll buy it again next time you actually need it."

He looked stunned. His eyes darkened, and he looked like he wanted to say something, but stopped. As I walked past him, he said stiffly, "Stella, I want breakfast from Golden Lotus Dim Sum tomorrow."

Golden Lotus is a super popular spot. I’d have to wake up at 5 AM to queue. The System was grinding its teeth: [Stella, don't debase yourself! Let him starve! Buy him breakfast? I say pour boiling water on him! We don't need him, we'll become geniuses on our own!]

Me: "..." Me, a genius? I didn't want to crush the System's spirit, so I comforted it. "It's okay. I like Golden Lotus too. I can buy some for myself."

When I got to my desk, I saw the desk next to mine was dusty. I took out a wet wipe and cleaned it. Julian turned around, saw this, and sneered. "Doing useless things every day. No wonder you fail every exam. If you spent this time on two math problems, maybe you'd get a pity point."

I didn't understand why he was mad again. But I just gave a soft "Oh."

The System was furious: [He refuses to sit next to you, but gets mad when someone else does? He's just jealous because the other guy got scouted by a top university!]

I didn't use to have a desk mate. Liam, the transfer student, arrived this semester. He wore a mask, but his eyes were beautiful. On his first day, he smiled and asked if he could sit next to me. He was smart and gentle. He patiently explained questions and never called me stupid. But he seemed sickly. He always wore a mask, coughed often, and had a raspy voice. I did his cleaning duty once, and he brought me breakfast for a whole week. Liam Xubai. Even his name sounded nice.

Julian hated him. Every time he saw me talking to Liam, his face looked stormy. Finally, one day, he ordered me to stay away from Liam. I asked why. Julian said "no reason" and asked if I still wanted to study with him. I had to agree. I tossed and turned all night, not knowing how to tell Liam. It was the first friend I’d made in a long time. Luckily, I didn't have to be mean. Liam stopped coming to school after that day. The teacher said Liam had secured his college spot and was busy with other things. Liam was a genius on the same level as Julian. Maybe geniuses just naturally repel each other.

Julian looked at me, his tone cold but casual. "Stella, about you wanting to be my desk mate... I thought about it. As long as you don't annoy me, it's fine. When the rankings come out tomorrow, go tell the teacher to move you next to me."

I didn't speak. I felt much happier sitting next to Liam than Julian. But Liam wasn't coming back. Tomorrow, the results would come out, and Julian would still be #1. The college entrance exam (Gaokao) is coming. I have to get into college. I lowered my eyes and gave a soft "Mm."