Q: How do you become instantly famous in a new class?
A: Sit on the class leader’s lap during a blackout and let everyone witness it in the light.
At first, Xie Ruan didn’t realize what had happened. Relieved to have avoided a painful fall, he took a shaky breath, calming his racing heart—only to have a bright flashlight suddenly shine down from above.
As a phone dropped with a loud clatter, Xie Ruan’s mind snapped back to full awareness, and he finally took stock of his situation—
He was sitting on Bo Jin’s lap, Bo Jin’s arm wrapped tightly around his waist. They were pressed together, closer than a couple in the throes of romance.
Xie Ruan’s mind went blank, and he froze. After a moment of paralysis, he scrambled off Bo Jin’s lap, quickly retreating to his own seat, cheeks burning red. He couldn’t even bring himself to lift his head.
What kind of absurd situation was this?!
The classroom was unnervingly silent, like a paused movie, with even breathing seeming to cease.
Silence was Class One’s theme tonight.
Having walked in with his phone flashlight on, Sun Haoxiang had unwittingly become the brightest object in the classroom, ensuring that everyone had a perfect view of the entire scene.
Eyes widened in shock, and silent gasps filled the room.
It seemed the rumors online weren’t completely baseless. There was definitely something going on between Bo Jin and Xie Ruan—solid evidence at last!
Suddenly, the students in Class One looked at Xie Ruan with newfound familiarity.
Was he just a regular transfer student? No, he was practically sister-in-law now!
Speaking of which, the older brother’s wife is called “sister-in-law,” and the class leader’s wife is called “class sister-in-law,” right…?
As they say, nothing stops gossip—not silence, not darkness. Class One students nudged each other’s arms, tugged at sleeves, sharing glances in silent, mutual understanding.
This was the scene when Sun Fuan, the homeroom teacher, pushed open the door and entered the room.
He walked up to the podium and shone his flashlight on the students, noting with satisfaction that everyone was seated quietly, without moving around or goofing off. “Not bad at all. I walked all the way from the office, and our class has the best discipline!”
The students tried to stifle their laughter, faces turning red.
Someone finally cracked and let out a snicker, triggering a chain reaction as laughter erupted across the room.
Confused, Teacher Sun looked around, unable to understand what was so funny. Though tempted to reprimand them, he figured it was rare for his students to have a chance to unwind, given the academic pressures, so he let them enjoy the moment.
With his permission, the students laughed even louder.
Xie Ruan kept his head down, caught between embarrassment and irritation, his cheeks burning. Hearing Bo Jin laughing too, he kicked him under the table and muttered through gritted teeth, “Is it that funny?”
With Sun Fuan’s flashlight so strong, Bo Jin, sitting close to the front, could easily see Xie Ruan’s flushed face and tried to hold back his amusement. “I wasn’t laughing at you.”
Xie Ruan gave him a skeptical side-eye. “Then what are you laughing at?”
“Well, it’s not every day someone practically throws themselves into my arms,” Bo Jin said nonchalantly, raising a workbook to block Sun Fuan’s view. “I’m just inexperienced in these matters. Couldn’t quite keep my cool—sorry for the embarrassment.”
Xie Ruan narrowed his eyes. “Bo Jin, are you asking to die?”
The hostility in his eyes suggested he wasn’t taking it lightly.
Sensing he should stop, Bo Jin nodded, dropping his teasing tone. “Just kidding, don’t overthink it. They’re not laughing at you.”
Xie Ruan knew his classmates had no ill intentions, but that didn’t stop the embarrassment from simmering.
Why did the blackout have to happen at that exact moment? Just two seconds later, and it would’ve been fine. He pursed his lips and angrily tossed his books aside.
Bo Jin watched him, amused yet sympathetic. Xie Ruan’s only flaw was his sense of pride. Normally indifferent to others, Bo Jin decided to make an exception and soothe his unfortunate deskmate.
“Don’t take it so hard; it’s just sitting on someone’s lap—no big deal. They’re just too easily surprised.”
Still fuming from the ordeal, Xie Ruan muttered, “Can you stop saying that phrase?”
Bo Jin paused, then, with an accommodating nod, rephrased, “Alright, we just shared a brief, indescribable moment. Very normal. They’re just too inexperienced.”
Xie Ruan: “???”
“Here’s a thought,” Bo Jin continued without realizing how his suggestion might sound. “If you sat on my lap every day, you’d get used to it, and they’d get over it too.”
Xie Ruan, through gritted teeth, said, “Oh, thank you so much?”
“You’re welcome,” Bo Jin replied, completely serious. “Great responsibility lies with those willing to put up with deskmates.”
Xie Ruan: “…”
Meanwhile, Sun Fuan was still addressing the class: “Just wait a little longer, don’t worry; the school is repairing the electrical circuit and should have the lights back on soon.”
Having taught for over two decades, he instinctively encouraged studying even in adversity. “Though it’s dark, it’s not impossible to study. You could review today’s content mentally or jot down any confusion to address once the lights come back on.”
His words were met with groans from the students.
“Oh come on, studying during a blackout?”
“Teacher, can we end night study early today?”
“Yeah, yeah, we could go back to the dorms and study! Just sitting here is a waste of time.”
“Back to the dorms to study?” Sun Fuan took a sip from his thermos, sitting firmly in his chair like an immovable anchor, and gave a cold laugh. “As if I don’t know you all? Sit tight and wait for the director’s notification.”
Sun Haoxiang and a few others had only flipped the circuit breaker; they hadn’t damaged the school’s power supply. With a little effort, it could be fixed easily.
As time ticked by, the power could come back on at any moment. Sun Haoxiang couldn’t sit still any longer—if he didn’t act soon, tonight’s efforts would be wasted.
He gave He Mingjie a look, then, taking advantage of the moment when Sun Fuan tilted his head back to drink, he hunched down and quietly slipped to the back door, pulling it open and darting out like a whirlwind.
With someone leading the charge, the rest followed naturally. By the time Sun Fuan noticed, the Class One students were already like wild horses breaking free, bolting out of the room with no chance of being held back.
Xie Ruan was watching the scene with great interest when, out of nowhere, someone grabbed his wrist and pulled him up.
“What are you standing there for? Run!” Bo Jin’s laughing voice sounded beside his ear. Xie Ruan froze, but before he could react, Bo Jin was already dragging him along.
“Hey, you there! I saw you!”
“Hey, you guys—get back here!”
Sun Fuan’s frustrated voice trailed off behind them, while the corridor filled with other students sprinting out, cheers and laughter filling the air, nearly lifting the roof.
Laughter was infectious, and while Xie Ruan started off being pulled by Bo Jin, soon he was running alongside him. He wasn’t thinking about unfinished assignments or where he was heading; he just ran forward, letting all his worries be carried away by the wind.
It had rained a few days ago, so the air was cool and damp, refreshing against his face. Stopping in the middle of the field, Xie Ruan bent over, hands on his knees, gasping for breath, but his eyes were bright.
“Tired?” Bo Jin helped him up and led him forward at a slower pace.
They were surrounded by classmates, chattering excitedly. Normally, Xie Ruan would have pushed him away at once. But now, maybe because that burst of energy had drained him, he didn’t want to move a muscle. But he wouldn’t admit it, saying, “Who’s tired? I’m just giving you a chance to play class leader.”
Bo Jin looked down at the tiny beads of sweat on his nose and smiled. “Alright, thank you.”
What was with this guy being so agreeable today?
Xie Ruan was so used to being teased that it almost felt strange to get the upper hand for once. He raised his eyes, wondering if Bo Jin was plotting something, only to meet his gaze directly.
The two of them held each other’s gaze for a few seconds, then, inexplicably, they both burst out laughing.
Bo Jin put an arm around his shoulder and asked softly, “Feel like getting a late night snack?”
“Sure.”
Usually as fierce as a little lion, Xie Ruan was rarely this compliant. Bo Jin, unable to resist, reached out and ruffled his hair. “Then let’s go.”
Xie Ruan shot him a glare but didn’t move or push his hand away. “Where? The cafeteria?”
Looking at the crowd ahead, he frowned. “Too many people; we probably won’t make it through.”
“No worries.” Bo Jin waved his phone, his eyes glinting with a touch of amusement. “Sun Haoxiang and the others went ahead to grab seats. What do you want? I’ll let them know.”
Xie Ruan thought for a moment and replied, “Sweet rice dumplings in rice wine.”
“Anything else?” Bo Jin typed in a few words but didn’t send it, waiting for him to add more.
All Xie Ruan wanted tonight was a bowl of sweet soup; he shook his head. “That’s it.”
“Just that?” Bo Jin chuckled, nodding. “Alright, I’ll let them know.”
Xie Ruan smiled, about to thank him, when he suddenly stopped, remembering something. “I forgot my phone.”
To keep himself from using his phone during study sessions, Xie Ruan always kept it in his backpack, never taking it out unless absolutely necessary. Frustrated, he ran a hand through his hair. “You go on ahead; I’ll go back and get it.”
“What do you need a phone for?” Bo Jin pulled him back with a sigh. “If Teacher Sun catches you, he’ll lecture you till the lights come back on.”
Xie Ruan paled at the thought. “What should I do, then?”
“Right here.” Bo Jin held up the backpack he’d been carrying for him. “I got it covered.”
The streetlights on the field ran on a different circuit, so they still shone brightly. The light softened Bo Jin’s face, making him look warmer than usual.
Feeling an unexpected shyness, Xie Ruan looked away and kicked a pebble on the ground. “Um, thanks.”
“Why so formal?” Bo Jin laughed, hooking an arm around his shoulder. “Let’s go!”
