Chapter 42 Indirect Declaration of Affection

time he saw him.In a night patrol mission over the South China Sea in 2008, Xue Yiyang, responsible for final aircraft checks before takeoff, was unfortunately drawn into the fighter jet's engine dur...Chapter 42: Indirect Declaration of Affection

Su Licheng's adjustment to Deputy Director of the Fourth Engineering Division of Dayong Construction Group happened a week after Su Cang's mid-term exams. This was a double blessing, especially as it was another big surprise following Zeng Ke's shop being designated for municipal procurement.

"Ah, Sister Zeng, your Old Su is doing well now! The personnel appointment has come through—congratulations!" Wang Xiaocui from the finance department greeted Zeng Ke cheerfully in the yard as she was heading to her storefront at lunchtime. However, there was a hint of sourness in her tone.

"We can't say that yet. Don't think being a deputy director is anything special; our Old Su is just running errands. How could he compare with your Xiao Yazhong who has the ability to secure projects outside Our Old Su's job isn't so great!" Zeng Ke, holding homemade dishes from home, was about to go to their shop with Su Cang when she encountered Wang Xiaocui and explained with a smile.

Wang Xiaocui felt somewhat better after hearing this. After all, her husband Xiao Yazhong usually got along well with several leaders in the company through social engagements. Who would have thought that with just one personnel adjustment from headquarters, everything changed overnight She was bothered by the idea of Su Licheng's promotion, which left many people at the unit surprised and disapproving.

"No, your Old Su has been working for a few years and will accumulate some experience. My Old Xiao might have more outside engagements and earn more money, but he works just as hard! He hasn't managed to get any official position no matter how hard he tries, unlike your Old Su..."

Hearing Zeng Ke mention her husband's ability to secure projects, Wang Xiaocui felt a bit proud. She didn’t like being entangled in discussions about others' promotions, so she glanced at Zeng Ke and changed the topic, "This dress looks nice on you. Where did you buy it I'll take a look next time. It might be a bit outdated in style, but it still looks good and is suitable for everyday wear. Otherwise, check out my last purchase—it cost over 600 yuan—but it got dirty while eating outside once, which broke my heart!"

Her implication was that Zeng Ke’s dress was just a common style, not one of the expensive items she would feel hesitant to part with.

"That specialty store on the commercial street, the brand is called... Arsona, right" Zeng Ke looked at Su Cen uncertainly. Su Cen nodded; this piece of clothing was bought based on his recommendation.

"Arsona!" Wang Xiaocui, who frequently shopped, naturally knew about this place. In Xihaicheng City's commercial street, it was a unique brand said to be from Hong Kong with a strong local style and fashion sense ahead of its time in Xihaicheng City, but the expensive prices were beyond the reach of ordinary wage-earners. At that time when clothes from such brands cost only around one or two hundred dollars each, many people dared not enter the store.

After whistling in admiration a few times, Wang Xiaocui didn’t dare to ask about the price either and went back home after talking briefly with Su Cen. Holding her dissatisfaction inside, she complained to her husband, "Su Licheng is smarter than all of you. He doesn't spend money on banquets or gifts, yet he effortlessly got the deputy director position. Now look at Zeng Ke; she's casually wearing Arsona clothes. Do you know what Arsona is I have been reluctant to enter that store during several shopping trips! What do you amount to with your meager achievements!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yaxin sneered inwardly. "Deputy director Hmph, I wonder if he can hold onto his position for long! This unit could collapse at any moment due to Zhao Chengrong's issues; the company is facing financial difficulties and unrecovered project funds. Yesterday when Mao Director and I were drinking together, you know what he said: 'If we don't get the Xiahai Plaza contract, it's all over!' The plaza’s contract has already been awarded, everyone in Xihaicheng knows that the fourth engineering department is a mess; Tang Jianjun wants to clean things up, but I think he will ultimately be trapped here!"

...

The release of the mid-term exam rankings made the class situation clear and direct.

Wang Xuebing’s former position as acting class president was revoked; Tang Wu became the official class president, with Wang Xuebing becoming vice president. The plump girl Lu Hua, who ranked fifth in the class academically, took on the role of Communist Youth League branch secretary. More than half of the top ten students were assigned various small roles within the class.

However, Su Cen, one of the top ten students, was an exception. Nevertheless, this did not affect his rising status; it was characteristic of Shizhong High's internal environment that outstanding academic performance easily garnered respect and warmth despite frequent competition among students.

Due to the interconnectedness of First High, some people have known each other since kindergarten and have been classmates through elementary, middle, and high school. Therefore, every class's top ten students this semester have become subjects of conversation. Naturally, there are sighs and admiration for the established strong students, while newcomers also catch everyone’s attention.

"I heard that Ma Dan is first in her class, ranking tenth overall! Her homeroom teacher treats her like a precious gem. Who would've thought she scored lower than me when we were desk mates back in eighth grade This little brat has transformed since entering ninth grade; just look at how thick her glasses have gotten—now that's something to marvel at... Speaking of which, Shen Lu from Class 1, known as the four-eyed girl, now wears contact lenses. She looks pretty innocent wearing them. It’s quite a sensation in Class 1; everyone wonders if she has a boyfriend!"

"Really Who is her boyfriend Doesn't she fear being caught by their teachers..."

After the solemn atmosphere following final exams, such flights of fancy and gossip started circulating during class breaks once again.

Su Cen also became an object of interest for students from other classes. He hadn’t attended First High before coming to this branch campus, so he didn't know whether it was unusual or commonplace in the school for people to inquire about him like this.

After holding Tang Wu's hand, Su Cen felt that her gaze towards him wasn't as cold as before. A soft feeling crept into his heart, much like the wispy clouds under the clear sky of First High.

On this day when they were returning to class after second recess break, Su Cen sensed something was amiss.

The student population at First High being so large meant that each grade couldn't fit on one floor. Typically, students from a particular grade would be spread across two different floors. The fifth floor housed Class 2, 5, and 7, while the fourth floor had Class 1, 3, 4, and 6. By the time of second recess break, Su Cen usually played basketball for a bit before rushing up to class, but several girls standing on the fourth-floor landing reacted differently upon seeing him approach.

"You must be Su Cian, right." A tall girl walked up to Su Cian. She was quite good-looking and seemed to be from Class 1, Grade 11—quite a character in her grade.

Su Cian looked at the girl and nodded.

"You see, our classmate Xiaolu and some friends made a bet, saying whether they dare to confess their feelings to you right here. The time is undetermined, but when it happens, would you mind helping them Sorry for causing any trouble!" The woman then pointed at several girls standing beside her. One of the girls with braids blushed deeply and bowed towards Su Cian, murmuring, "Please help us."

Upon returning to his classroom, Su Cian thought about this whole situation and couldn't help but chuckle. Was there really such a bet

About three parts reality and seven parts fiction.

The bet might be real, but the underlying purpose of indirect confession was what mattered most.

These girls were clever to inform him beforehand, seemingly making the situation less abrupt afterwards. In fact, they didn't ask him to pretend to agree either; whether this would turn out to be genuine depended on the future.

The high school girls of this era might be reserved, but their cunning thoughts weren't any less. dismissal time. However, due to Principal Ding Juntu's personal oversight of the first-year class, there was no early dismissal even for PE class.But for the students taking these classes, it wasn’t...