C38 I will Change Seats with You

Bai Yiming chuckled and added, "Take this seriously—eating is of utmost importance!"

Upon hearing this once more, Yi Lanyou allowed herself a slight smile. Bai Yiming had always been a commendable teacher in her eyes. Throughout her three-year tenure in high school in her previous life, he had been her homeroom teacher. Despite the numerous times she had caused trouble and held her class back, Bai Yiming had never once reprimanded her, instead choosing to encourage her. When she was wrongfully accused of theft, with the so-called "irrefutable" evidence against her, and the school was on the verge of expelling her, Bai Yiming had pleaded with the principal to allow Yi Lanyou the opportunity to sit for the college entrance exams. Tragically, her performance was severely compromised when her breakfast was sabotaged, leaving her to fall short of Bai Yiming's expectations.

Bai Yiming was indeed a good teacher, and she had been foolish to believe Lin Xiaorou's insinuations that his kindness was due to the Yi family's bribes. She had always taken his goodwill for granted, never once reciprocating with a positive attitude. Reflecting on the past, she realized that Yi Haoen had shown little concern for her, and Fang Fang had wished for her to be expelled and ostracized. Bribing Bai Yiming was never a possibility.

Her naivety was to blame for it all.

Bai Yiming surveyed the students with a smile and said, "Currently, everyone has chosen their seats at random. While that's fine, it's not fair to those who arrive later. Let's all draw lots to decide our seating. Our class has 30 students, so you'll be paired up." He produced a square box from beneath the lectern. "Come on, line up and draw your fated number."

The class proceeded to draw their numbers in an orderly fashion. Yi Lanyou reached in and pulled out a slip of paper, but after a moment's hesitation, she selected a different one. The last time, she had ended up as Lin Xiaorou's desk mate; this time, she wanted to try her luck with a different outcome.

Once everyone had drawn their lot, Bai Yiming diligently noted each number's corresponding seat on the blackboard.

Yi Lanyou held the slip of paper and was surprised to discover she had been assigned the seat behind Lin Xiaorou. She had hoped to keep her distance from her. Approaching the seat behind Lin Xiaorou, Yi Lanyou had barely settled in when Lin Xiaorou turned around with a beaming smile and said, "What a coincidence, we're seated one in front of the other. Can we become good friends?"

Despite Yi Lanyou's urge to let out a roar and deliver a flurry of slaps, she restrained herself. Lifting her head, she replied icily, "You ignored your own deskmate to speak to me. Didn't you consider their feelings?"

Lin Xiaorou was taken aback. She had simply been eager to cozy up to Miss Yi, especially since fate had placed her right behind her. She hadn't expected to be rebuked by Miss Yi. It was only then that she noticed her deskmate's expression was indeed a bit awkward, prompting her to offer an apologetic smile.

Lin Xiaorou clenched her fists, resolving to seek another chance in the future. She couldn't believe there was anyone in the world who wouldn't like her; it was just her impatience that had led to this blunder.

Yi Lanyou watched Lin Xiaorou turn back around, a faint smirk crossing her face as she eyed Lin Xiaorou's back. Then, her gaze shifted to the second-to-last seat against the wall, sensing an opportunity to distance herself from Lin Xiaorou.

"Has everyone found their seats now?" Bai Yiming scanned the classroom.

At that moment, a girl in the second-to-last row by the wall raised her hand and said, "Teacher, I'd like to change seats."

All eyes turned to the girl and her deskmate. The girl glanced nervously at her deskmate, feeling intimidated by the boy's ominous aura. She was determined not to sit next to him, fearing he might be some kind of schoolyard psychopath.

The girl's deskmate clearly wasn't pleased with her request but remained silent. He gave the girl a brief look, then surveyed the other students before bowing his head.

"Why do you want to change seats?" Bai Yiming inquired.

She really didn't want to sit next to him, but she knew if she admitted that, Bai Yiming would certainly refuse to switch seats. Biting her lower lip, she explained, "I have severe myopia and astigmatism. From this seat, I can't see the blackboard clearly."

Bai Yiming appeared to be in a quandary.

"Teacher," Yi Lanyou interjected, raising her hand, "I'll swap with her. My vision is fine." Yi Lanyou's seat was in the center of the classroom, third row, a coveted spot that many envied. Yet, she was offering it up willingly.

Several classmates cast surprised and puzzled glances at Yi Lanyou. They would never have relinquished such a prime seat.

"Alright," Bai Yiming conceded with a nod, relieved that someone was willing to switch. He acknowledged Yi Lanyou, "What's your name?"

"I'm Yi Lanyou," she replied.

"Okay, you can go ahead and change seats now," Bai Yiming directed.

Yi Lanyou gathered her belongings and swapped seats with the girl.

Once seated, Yi Lanyou turned to the boy next to her and greeted, "Hello."

The boy glanced at Yi Lanyou and then deliberately ignored her greeting.

Yi Lanyou didn't let it bother her. She remembered him as always being rather sullen. In high school, there were two outcasts in their class: herself and the brooding Qiu Wu. While Yi Lanyou's isolation was a gradual process orchestrated by Lin Xiaorou, Qiu Wu seemed to intentionally distance himself from others. It was less that the class had shunned him and more that he had shunned the class.

Now seated farther away, Lin Xiaorou frowned in displeasure. How was she supposed to approach Yi Lanyou now? This was crucial for her future, and she wasn't about to give up easily.

On the first day of school, Bai Yiming didn't have to teach. Once he had finished with registration and seating arrangements, he found himself with nothing else to do and began chatting with the students. As the period neared its end, an announcement over the PA system called for the first-year homeroom teachers to attend a meeting on the third floor. The announcement was followed by the bell signaling the end of class.

Bai Yiming announced, "Class is dismissed, and you're free to move about. Once the bell rings again, please return to the classroom and take your seats. After the announcement, we'll head downstairs and form a line." He then turned his gaze to a particular seat. "You're Yi Lanyou, correct?"