Until someone nudged him under the desk.
It was a dark and skinny boy, with an unremarkable appearance and a simple, honest face, the kind you could randomly throw a stone on the street and hit several of the same type.
His high school deskmate, best friend Lu Haoran.
Their bromance ran deep, and they had a tacit understanding.
Seeing Lu Haoran secretly extend three fingers, Su Zelin immediately got it.
Third paragraph!
On the desk was a crumpled sheet of questions, and Su Zelin had just fallen asleep on it.
Quickly finding the third paragraph of the reading comprehension, clearing his throat, Su Zelin started reading smoothly.
"Some people are pessimistic when they think about the future. They say that, a hundred years from now, we will have used up most of the earth's resources..."
After reading, he casually translated: "This passage means: 'Some people are pessimistic when thinking about the future, they say that in a hundred years, we will have used up most of the earth's resources...'"
Before his rebirth, Su Zelin's business had reached overseas, forcing him to learn exceptionally fluent English, achieving an 8.0 level in IELTS.
High school English, in his eyes, was almost elementary level.
Listening to Su Zelin finish the interpretation made Lisa slightly stunned.
This reading comprehension was a bit deep, with a lot of obscure words, yet it didn't stump this boy.
His translation was perfect, and what surprised the female English teacher even more was Su Zelin's American accent, extremely standard, with natural intonation, almost comparable to some Americans she had encountered before.
This was not a standard high school level!
As she knew, this boy was just a slacker in class, with sloppy studying habits, though he was smart with a knack for English, his grades in it were only slightly above average.
Intending to punish this student, her goal was unmet, and the female teacher felt a bit embarrassed.
At this time, Su Zelin spoke again: "Teacher Lisa, with the college entrance exams approaching, I've been extremely anxious, physically and mentally exhausted, and I couldn't help but fall asleep just now, I'm really sorry!"
He completed the dialogue in English, finding an excuse for himself while also giving the female teacher a way out.
Lisa was even more shocked.
This boy spoke fluently, even being able to use vocabulary and syntax not covered in high school English textbooks!
Others listened, scratching their heads in confusion, unknowingly impressed.
After a brief moment, Lisa snapped back to reality, clearing her throat.
"On the eve of college entrance exams, it's normal for many people to feel anxious, and to have poor sleep quality at night. I hope Su Zelin can relax and adjust his schedule!"
With Su Zelin showing such an astonishing level, she could no longer be difficult and instead smoothly stepped down.
"Thank you for your concern, Teacher Lisa, I will work hard to overcome this!"
As Su Zelin sat back down, Lu Haoran gave him a thumbs up.
This kid never seemed to put in effort, lazing around most days, yet his English was still this good; the brains of a smart person are indeed unique!
"Haozi, thanks!"
Su Zelin nodded slightly at him.
"Well, Zelin, there's just over a month until the college exams, maybe you shouldn't read novels with a flashlight under the quilt at night?"
Lu Haoran hesitated, lowering his voice to offer a kind suggestion.
Su Zelin stayed up last night with a flashlight under the covers reading an urban novel, the kind where ellipses outnumber actual words.
Lu Haoran believed this was the culprit for his deskmate sleeping in class.
Su Zelin nodded, though absent-mindedly.
Hmm, the eve of college entrance exams, just over a month left?
This timeframe should be the early summer of 2000!
Su Zelin quickly made a judgment.
Looking up at the countdown to the exams next to the blackboard, 35 days were left.
Then it was correct!
Before his rebirth, he had been the president of a big company in Shenghai, now he returned to the liberation period overnight. However, Su Zelin was not bothered, instead filled with joy and excitement.
For him, certain people and things were more important than money!
No matter how rich you are, you cannot fill many regrets.
Now I have the opportunity to make amends!
"Ring...Ring..."
As the school bell rang, everyone stood up.
"Class is over. Boys and girls, see you next time!"
"Goodbye, teacher!"
The female teacher had just stepped out of the classroom when the girl in front turned her head.
This was a delicate face capable of displaying both joy and anger, with an evenly shaped, plump oval face with smooth lines. A pair of bright eyes adorned it, clear and pure as the clear sky of a summer day. Her two braided pigtails fell over her round shoulders, paired with thin bangs, her fresh and cleansed hairstyle outlined a faintly literary style, possessing the beauty unique to this era, "As clear as lotus emerging from water, naturally without embellishments."
"Su Zelin, did you really have insomnia last night?"
The girl's cherry lips slightly parted, her voice sweet and gentle, as soft as jade, like a breeze sweeping through the scorching summer, instantly calming down rapidly beating hearts filled with unease.
Su Zelin gazed at the girl, his eyes complex.
Qin Shiqing, his neighbor and childhood friend.
Before his rebirth, he had wronged this girl, leaving her battered and bruised.
Moreover, unable to face his old neighbor, his father Su broke off relations with his son in anger, never reconciling.
This was something Su Zelin regretted for life!
Since the heavens gave me a second chance, I, Su, swear I will never wrong Qin Shiqing again this life!
Su Zelin thought to himself.
Yet, being unwavering in loyalty, never wavering, was as difficult as climbing to the heavens.
Su Zelin was inherently someone who craved novelty, yearning for freedom, unrestrained and rebellious temperament almost ingrained in his bones.
To be with one woman for life, that was absolutely impossible.
In his previous life, Su Zelin had dated Qin Shiqing for a while, he also hoped to change himself and manage the relationship well.
However, that state left him at a loss, coupled with too many temptations around him, like delicious fish jumping around a greedy cat, it was too difficult not to stray, he eventually let his childhood friend down.
My nature won't fundamentally change because of a rebirth, trying again might once again end with me losing control and repeating the same mistakes.
But, to not wrong Qin Shiqing, there are other ways.
And that is to let her stay away from me, the jerk!
Su Zelin quickly came up with a plan.
With just over a month until the college entrance exams, he somewhat remembered some of the questions from his previous life.
As long as he casually hints a bit before the exam, with Qin Shiqing's grades, getting into Tsinghua or Peking is pretty much guaranteed.
By then, I'll be in the south while she'll be in the north, each minding our own business, with no more entanglements, naturally, I won't wrong her anymore!
But, before that, I should enjoy this period thoroughly, keeping it in my heart as the most beautiful memory of graduation season!
...