Forced into a romantic relationship

Chapter 234 New Event Missions
"I have something to tell you."

After finishing her bread and drinking some hot water, Ouyang Lianyu finally got down to business.

This was hardly a good opening... Upon hearing this, Han Zhou, who had just leaned back in his chair, straightened up and immediately stood up to decline, saying, "Professor Ouyang, as I just said, I'm completely bad at computers, so perhaps you could..."

"Don't be so nervous, this has nothing to do with whether you're good at computers or not."

Ouyang Lianyu glanced at him helplessly, picked up her water glass and took a sip. In the process, she accidentally bumped into the ballpoint pen on the table, which fell to the ground with a "thud".

Han Zhou readily picked up the pen and tossed the bread wrapper that the other person had just thrown into the trash can. His expression was serious as he said, "If it's manual labor, I'm willing to help, but I definitely can't handle anything heavy. Look at my skinny arms and legs..."

"It's not physical labor either." Ouyang Lianyu found it amusing and rubbed her forehead, saying, "Can't you think of it in a positive light?"

Han Zhou thought for a moment and asked in bewilderment, "Could it be that they're going to appoint me as a class monitor?"

"How could that be? You're dreaming." Ouyang Lianyu said, both amused and exasperated. "I gave you a chance before, but you weren't willing. Now, even if you want to be a class leader, it won't be that easy."

"So what exactly do you want from me?"

Han Zhou couldn't guess what was going on, but he remained vigilant. Normal things could be discussed via text message or phone call, but since Ouyang Lianyu had specifically called him to her office, it meant that this matter was not simple.

It was rare to see this guy so nervous, so Ouyang Lianyu deliberately kept him in suspense, a gentle smile appearing on her face: "You must have heard about your class organizing a social event, right?"

"I've heard of it, but I don't know the specifics..." Han Zhou asked, puzzled. "Professor Ouyang, you're not planning to have me in charge of organizing this, are you?"

Ouyang Lianyu didn't answer, but continued to ask, "University social events are very interesting activities. How about it, are you interested in participating?"

"No."

Han Zhou vaguely guessed what the other party meant, and quickly said seriously, "Teacher, you know that I am always devoted to studying and have no interest in anything other than studying. Socializing will only interfere with my studies."

"I see. It's not common to see students who are so eager to learn these days."

Ouyang Lianyu nodded approvingly, not calling him out on his lie, "It just so happens that my class is currently short of a class representative, and I've always felt that we should find a student who loves learning to take on the role..."

"Teacher is wise. It's just a pity that I haven't been as fond of studying since I started university, unlike my roommate Chen Long who is never lazy."

Han Zhou looked ashamed. "As for the social event, it's not that I don't want to participate, but I've been socially awkward since I was a child and I don't dare to participate in large group activities."

"Socially anxious?" Ouyang Lianyu laughed in exasperation. "When did you become socially anxious?"

She hadn't forgotten the time this guy mocked her when they first met. Seeing him spouting nonsense, she sighed helplessly, "Didn't you just promise that night that you wouldn't lie to your teacher?"

"It's not deception, what I mean is..."

"Fine, I'll just accept my social anxiety."

Ouyang Lianyu interrupted Han Zhou, adjusted her glasses, and said seriously, "However, university is a place to cultivate comprehensive qualities. I personally believe that social skills are more important than academics in many situations. Since you are socially awkward, you should practice more."

Han Zhou's expression froze. What he had intended as an excuse had turned out to be a self-inflicted wound.

He opened his mouth, but Ouyang Lianyu didn't give him a chance to speak, saying in a resolute tone, "So you must attend this social gathering. That's what I'm entrusting you with. You don't need to worry about anything else. Just be there on time."

it is as expected……

Han Zhou felt a headache coming on. After hesitating for a moment, he asked, "All I have to do is participate... does that mean I just have to go through the motions?"

If that's all there is to it, then it's not unacceptable to him.

"What does it mean to go through the motions?"

Ouyang Lianyu glanced at the student helplessly and said earnestly, "A social event is a rare opportunity to make new friends. You'd better take it seriously. It's easy to make friends at school, but it won't be easy to find close friends after you enter the workforce."

"Okay... I understand. Although I have social anxiety, I'm willing to follow the teacher's instructions."

Han Zhou could tell that Ouyang Lianyu was genuinely thinking of him, so his attitude became more serious, no longer as perfunctory as before. He first stated his position, and then asked the question that had been troubling him the most.

"But Teacher Ouyang, it's just a social gathering. I'm probably not the only student in the class who doesn't want to go. Why do you insist on calling me out?"

He always felt that the other party was targeting him.

Ouyang Lianyu seemed to have anticipated his question and smiled, "You haven't been checking your class's group chat much lately, have you?"

"I haven't been looking at it much, what's wrong?"

Han Zhou looked puzzled. Recently, the class group chat had been filled with discussions about social events, and the atmosphere was quite lively. He wasn't interested in this, so he hadn't paid much attention.

"This social gathering was organized by your class's current class monitor, Tang Wenshuang. What do you think was her motivation for attracting students from other classes to participate?" Ouyang Lianyu gave a rather mysterious hint.

What other premise could there be? Isn't it just college students "going on blind dates"?

Han Zhou muttered to himself, then tentatively asked, "'A rabbit doesn't eat the grass near its burrow,' and 'Don't let the good stuff go to outsiders' fields'?"

These are the two sentences he has heard most often in the dormitory these past two days.

"What a mess..."

Ouyang Lianyu paused for two seconds, then shook her head. "Never mind, ask Tang Wenshuang for the details. I heard she consulted you... Anyway, although I only found out about this afterward, I've already agreed. Don't forget to attend."

Did you consult me?
Han Zhou was completely confused, but since Teacher Ouyang had already put it that way, he couldn't very well say he was unwilling. He said, "Then I'll go ask later. By the way, what date is the social event? It shouldn't interfere with my leave of absence, right?"

"Don't think too much about it, it won't delay anything." Ouyang Lianyu gave him a charmingly disdainful look, then thought for a moment and said, "It seems to be the 22nd of this month."

"Number 22... I understand. Is there anything else?"

"If you're willing to help the teacher, there are still things that can be done."

"goodbye teacher."

Han Zhou fled the office as if escaping, leaving Ouyang Lianyu shaking her head and chuckling softly.

He walked slowly and leisurely, and just as he reached the elevator door, he saw Gu Zheng looking sullen.

"Guzheng? What are you doing here?"

"Han Zhou?"

Seeing Han Zhou, Gu Zheng's sullen expression finally softened, and she asked in return, "I was about to ask you the same thing, what are you doing here?"

Han Zhou sighed: "Teacher Ouyang asked me to come."

"Why did she call you over? What bad thing have you done this time?" Gu Zheng looked at him suspiciously.

Han Zhou laughed: "It's only been a few days since I returned to school, how could I have time to do bad things? Can't you think of me in a positive light?"

The elevator doors opened, and the two stepped inside together. He scrutinized the girl's expression and guessed, "You weren't called here by the counselor either, were you? Did you start a fight in class?"

"You're the one who hits people!" Gu Zheng punched him unhappily. "You said you wanted to think positively, but you think so badly of me."

Han Zhou let the weak punches hit him and laughed, "What's wrong? Feeling bad?" "Not really..." Gu Zheng pouted and said with dissatisfaction, "The counselor just called me to the office and insisted that I attend some kind of social event. It's so annoying."

Han Zhou was taken aback: "Did he tell you the reason?"

"Yes, they said it was to make me contribute to the class, and many people only planned to participate in the social event because of me."

So that's how it was...

Han Zhou recalled how Chen Zheng and Chen Long excitedly surrounded him when he first returned to school, and a guess formed in his mind. He then frowned and said, "If they're going to use you as a figurehead, shouldn't they have asked for your opinion beforehand? How could your counselor force you to go?"

"Actually, we did consult..."

Gu Zheng turned her head away somewhat guiltily. "The class monitor did mention this to me a while ago... but she put it rather tactfully, and I thought it was a bit long-winded, so I didn't listen much before agreeing."

Han Zhou was taken aback. He suddenly remembered that Tang Wenshuang had also sent him a message before he and Mo Yixia climbed the snow mountain to ask what was going on. At that time, he had agreed without reading the message carefully.

So that's what happened?
As for the pressure from the two counselors, it's likely not actually to get them to contribute to the class, but rather because Ouyang Lianyu knew they both needed to participate in the social event, so she orchestrated this whole thing, fearing one of them might not attend...

Teacher Ouyang, are you trying to play matchmaker?

"What's wrong?" Seeing Han Zhou's frustrated and complicated expression, Gu Zheng immediately looked at him with concern. "Are you in a bad mood too?"

"It wasn't good at first," Han Zhou sighed, then smiled. "But it's much better now."

"why?"

"Just like you, I was forced by Teacher Ouyang to participate in this social event. I was initially reluctant, but now that I know you're going too, I don't have anything to worry about."

Gu Zheng was taken aback.

It wasn't just because she learned that Han Zhou was also being forced to participate in the social event, but also because of what the other party had just said.

"You...you mean...you're happy just because I'm here?"

She looked away and asked, somewhat embarrassed.

"Of course." Han Zhou smiled.

Gu Zheng's cheeks flushed slightly as she realized that her initially bad mood had unknowingly brightened the moment she heard that Han Zhou was also going to participate in the social event.

She finally managed to calm herself down, and as she smiled and was about to say something, she heard Han Zhou say with relief, "After all, with you as my fellow sufferer by my side, I'm not the only unlucky one."

He then burst into laughter.

Gu Zheng's expression darkened, and she punched him through gritted teeth.

"Who said I'm your buddy in misfortune!"

……

With the college entrance examination approaching, senior high school students spend their entire day in a busy schedule, including evening self-study sessions.

In order to achieve good results in the college entrance examination, both teachers and students are racing against time, wishing they could stretch every minute into two.

There are small tests every three days and big tests every five days. In addition to the weekly tests, teachers of each subject often organize in-class quizzes. Tests are conducted during the day, and evening self-study is used to explain the test papers.

This is the situation in Class 3 of Senior Three at this time. The homeroom teacher is using a projector to display the answers to the day's exam.

To improve efficiency, teachers usually don't spend time grading these small tests. They usually just announce the answers after the test and have students exchange papers to grade.

"Mo Yixia, you're amazing! You got all the multiple-choice questions right again."

Looking at the beautifully written exam paper in front of her, Zhang Meng couldn't help but whisper a compliment, her eyes full of envy.

I wish she could get such a good score someday.

"You've made progress too."

A cool, detached voice sounded beside me, its tone indifferent, "You got one less multiple-choice question wrong than last time."

Looking at the charming girl beside her, who was wearing a mask and a baseball cap but still couldn't hide her allure, Zhang Meng smiled wryly and said, "What kind of progress is this? I guessed two of them correctly. Actually, it's not as good as last time..."

"Exams are judged by scores, but luck is also a part of ability in terms of the outcome."

Mo Yixia finished grading the papers without looking up, then turned to look out the window.

The clouds are too thick tonight, so we can't see the moon.

"That's true, but I still want to understand the parts I don't understand..."

"You can ask me if you don't understand."

"Thank you."

A smile appeared on Zhang Meng's face.

Since returning from vacation, Mo Yixia has become unusually easy to talk to. Not only is she willing to teach her how to do her homework, but sometimes she will also discuss some strange questions with her. Although she can't answer them, since they can discuss these things, it should mean that Mo Yixia considers her a friend, right?
While I was thinking, the homeroom teacher on the stage suddenly said, "Everyone, listen to me tell you something while we go over the answers."

"In order to stimulate students' enthusiasm for learning, the school plans to organize a campus tour in the near future, scheduled for the Sunday after next, which is October 22nd."

Raising his hand to quell the growing restlessness among the crowd, he continued, "However, due to time constraints, we cannot visit universities that are too far away this time. We can only visit those that are nearby. Currently, the school has selected five universities: Anhui University of Finance and Economics, Anhui University of Technology, Anhui Normal University, Ming University, and Linyi University."

Zhang Meng noticed that when she heard the last sentence, Mo Yixia, who had been looking out the window with little interest, suddenly turned her head away.

The homeroom teacher continued, "Of course, although the school believes that with the efforts of this final period, everyone will eventually have the opportunity to be admitted to a top university like Linda, it is better to set a goal that is in line with your own abilities. Therefore, the number of places to visit each university this time is determined based on the ranking of this month's monthly exam. The higher the ranking, the better the university you can visit."

It's not that the school insists on prioritizing grades in this kind of thing, but there are thousands of students in the senior year of high school, and it's impossible to cram them all into one university for a visit.

The time for senior high school students is already very tight, and it is already a great favor that the school was able to organize such an activity. It is impossible to slow down the overall review progress of the grade by having them visit schools in different times and batches. That's why they chose to use rankings to determine which schools to visit, so as to let the students feel the competitive atmosphere of the college entrance examination in advance and stimulate their fighting spirit.

Perhaps worried that some students might feel anxious, the homeroom teacher reassured them: "I need to emphasize that neither the results of this monthly exam nor the university we are about to visit are temporary. They do not mean that this is the limit of your academic performance or your fate in the college entrance examination. You still have plenty of time to improve. In short, the purpose of this activity is to let you experience the university atmosphere in advance and relax. Please don't be anxious about it, understand?"

"understand!"

The students in the class cheered in unison, their tone quite excited. For senior high school students who have been under tremendous pressure for a long time, having a day to relax is already a great thing, and they don't have too many concerns.

The homeroom teacher smiled and said, "In addition, participation in this activity is not mandatory. The school will cover the round-trip transportation costs. Please remember to discuss this with your parents this weekend. Class monitor, please compile a list for me. Okay, that's about it. Everyone, please be quiet. If there are no problems, I will start going over the test papers."

"Teacher, I have a problem."

Just then, a hand was raised high.

The classroom suddenly fell silent, and all eyes were drawn to the girl wearing a mask and a baseball cap by the window.

What ranking do I need to get into if I want to visit Linyi University?

(End of this chapter)