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Chapter 7 - Chapter 07: Hoping a Candy Will Last the Winter

The final two classes for the study god Chu River were not calm.

Integrating into the new body, her spiritual power was quickly repairing various unsatisfactory parts of her body, and she could clearly feel the increase in limb strength as she clenched her fist and extended her arm.

However, this also had a huge side effect.

——The energy consumption was too fast.

During the second big break, she hadn't even solved two major problems when her stomach let out a loud "gurgle".

Hungry.

The sound was quite loud, and Zhao Yue on the other side of the aisle paused her pen, a gentle smile rising on her cheeks as she casually pulled out a piece of chocolate from her drawer:

"Little He, don't be shy, it's just chocolate, who's going to miss this now? Just eat it, at least it'll curb your hunger."

Teenagers are at the peak of their growth, and even with a full stomach every day, they still can't resist the overwhelming hunger.

For the poor student Chu River, even with the little scholarship the school provided and the poverty allowance, 600 yuan, it wasn't enough for her to eat her fill.

But Zhao Yue's words were really a bit...

The original Chu River couldn't describe it, and she didn't want to take advantage of her classmate.

Especially since the person offering was Zhao Yue.

But the current Chu River just raised her eyebrows, her eyes lingered on the small piece of chocolate and she unceremoniously said:

"Who are you mocking?"

"Every break you bring out that one piece of chocolate—whose ant stomach is relying on this thing for winter survival!"

"I'm so damn hungry I could inhale two bowls in one go, do you think I need your chocolate?"

"If you've got the guts, bring me two pounds straight up!"

...

A circle of students around them paused their pens, unable to help glancing at the dramatically changing Chu River.

Previously, the Academic God was silent and withdrawn, and they hadn't realized that when a silent person is pushed hard by poverty and academics, what they say can be so interesting.

Chu River's thick dark eyebrows lifted higher, staring at Zhao Yue, and even with her strong mentality, Zhao Yue couldn't help but feel a moment of shame and awkwardness.

A moment later, laughter erupted from the surrounding students.

"Pfft..."

"Ha..."

"Haha..."

Honestly, from the incident itself, Chu River's words were overly blunt, clearly Zhao Yue was just being kind.

But the problem was, the way Chu River spoke was too straightforward, too confident, with even a few points of quirky logic.

It made their eyes involuntarily go back to the embarrassing and innocent little chocolate in Zhao Yue's palm, with a thought vaguely forming in their minds—

She's right, why does Zhao Yue always tell Chu River not to be shy but only ever gives one chocolate?

And it is indeed like that every time—isn't it really kind of embarrassing?

This is too stingy!

...

The two boys at the back, being brash, and now feeling a camaraderie after joking with the Academic God, exaggeratedly slapped the table:

"Yeah, Zhao Yue, if I were Chu River I wouldn't eat your chocolate either, it won't fill me up and I'd have to owe you—"

While talking, they rummaged through the drawer and pulled out several bags of stuff:

"Academic God General, we don't have two big bowls right now, but here's some new lime taro chips, super delicious!"

"And here's some scallion-flavored twists, and braised chicken feet!"

The two boys giggled as they offered all the snacks—

"If you deem us worthy, please accept them, General."

Chu River: ...

If not for years of military training making her face as tough as leather, she might have almost lost her composure and drooled.

In the Mountain and Sea Star Era, everyone's snacks are really plentiful!

And with these two boys being so tactful, even though that "General" was said in jest, it oddly sounded pleasing to Chu River.

She graciously lifted her chin, and with a well-pleased sweep of her arm, scooped up the entire pile of snacks.

"Alright, I'll give you this face."

Students nowadays have money on hand, and the two boys didn't mind these 10 or 8 yuan worth of snacks, instead, they cozied up even more.

"If you ask me, you just used to speak too little. If we knew you had such a personality, we would've been tighter! We could've been like iron pals!"

Chu River unabashedly tore open the lime taro chip packaging—the largest package.

But upon opening it, only a small portion was taro chips, leaving her quite distressed:

"Why do these businesses include air as a bonus? Can you not include freebies and just fill up the chips?"

"Can't do that."

One of the curly-haired boys in the back row sighed: "These chips are just the bonus!"

Chu River had already crunched down on a piece, silent for a while.

After a good long moment, she gave a sincere evaluation—

"Delicious."

The two boys looked at her fair and serious face, and a sudden parental-like pang of sorrow washed over them—

Heaven have mercy.

The Academic God has lived such a poor life all these years, hasn't even tried chips?

...

The three of them were engrossed in their own conversation, leaving Zhao Yue, who had just gone through a wave of ridicule but was quickly ignored, with a livid expression.

She clenched the chocolate in her palm and could feel it slightly melting inside, lowering her head with a vicious expression—

How ungrateful! Tonight...

But before she could fully succumb to a surrounding aura of hatred, she noticed her back-row companion, Gao Tiantian, who often laughed with her, was now shyly offering a handful of Golden Monkey milk candies:

"Chu River, there's a problem I can't solve, can you help me with it? I'll treat you to milk candy."

...

The Academic God was mostly silent and focused.

She was always pale, with focused eyes and a serious expression, as if she was constantly studying.

She neither joined discussions about celebrity gossip and everyday life nor complained about anything or anyone or any assignment.

Yet, despite the grades in any subject, whether hard or simple, she always outperformed everyone.

Even now, approaching college entrance exams, there remained a distance between everyone and her—

How could there not be a distance?

With such a ferocious intensity, speaking even a word more feels like blasphemy to her future.

But just now, Chu River's blunt words and actions seemed to have broken through this barrier.

As she accepted that handful of milk candies with delight and unhesitatingly ate one, the face of the girl seeking help showed not only surprise but deep joy and pride.

As if it was such a great achievement!

Even Gao Tiantian exuberantly said, "What else do you want to eat? We also have chocolate at home! I'll bring you two packs tomorrow!"

Next to her, Zhao Yue: ...

What are you proud of?!

And looking at the two girls who crowded over—

Damn! Are you all crazy?

...

By the end of the long break, Chu River not only stuffed her stomach with snacks but also arranged to go to the cafeteria with two girls at noon.

Meanwhile, Zhao Yue—her notebook was nearly torn apart.

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