The Assassin's Enemy Lover

142 Holding hands under the desk

Li Ran was a little bit confused. What could be going on between them except friendship? Yes, he was jealous that Yi Chen would ditch him often to hang out with Zi Han but he also had the chance to spend time with Hela hence he didn’t dwell on it. But other than hanging out and one tutoring the other, what else was there?

“They are friends,” he replied while pushing his arm forward as bait but Hela didn’t take a bite.

Instead, she looked at him and said, “Aren’t you jealous?” in a low shrewd voice like a sinister spirit.

Li Ran’s eyes narrowed and with a slight tilt of his head he said, “Nooooo.... why would I be jealous.”

Hela chuckled as she leaned closer while responding, “Aww little Ran Ran. It’s okay to be jealous. I will keep you company from now on.”

Li Ran, “????”

Was it that easy to get her attention? From now on he should push Yi Chen to spend time with Zi Han so he could reap the unexpected benefits. What he didn’t realize was this was all Hela’s design. She didn’t mind pulling this third wheel away from the pair so she can see more sweet moments.

Zi Han who had no idea that he was being set up was celebrating his first attempt of the day. When analyzed his repairs didn’t look so bad.

Unfortunately for him, Professor Quinn who happened to be late for class was the one who had a final say.

.....

Today he seemed to be in a horrible mood. That’s because he had found out that they intended to cut the curriculum or at least speed it up to make up for training.

This was the reason why he was late. He had almost fought with a drill sergeant who called his profession a mechanic. That was the most disrespectful thing one could call a mech master.

Thus when he saw Zi Han’s gleeful expression like he had won the lottery, he couldn’t help but walk over. He wasn’t resigned to the judgment. If they speed up the curriculum then wouldn’t this scum at mech repair get away with it?

The standards and difficulty of the mech repair exam would have to be lowered to increase the pass rate so they could move along to full-time training.

He decided to push this student to improve his grade exponentially. At least then he wouldn’t feel bad for advancing him. Maybe this class could save his life one day.

“Ahem.... let me see,” said the professor stretching out his hand to see the elbow joint Zi Han had performed repairs on.

Shorty who was now forced to sit with Hela’s deskmate raised his head to take a look while crossing his fingers. He knew how nervous Zi Han was about this class.

“At least it doesn’t look like he butchered it,” whispered Shannon before tilting to the side to take a closer look.

“Yep, but it doesn’t look pretty,” replied Shaun staring at the ugly-looking elbow joint that wouldn’t make it through quality inspection in a mech factory.

“It doesn’t matter. In battle who would care if it’s ugly or not. As long as it can do the job and doesn’t fail in the middle of the battlefield it won’t matter,” replied Shorty only for Professor Quinn to raise his head and glare at them.

Their whispers instantly died down and the professor finished his assessment.

The nervous Zi Han clenched his fist underneath the table while thinking that if he fails he would quit joining the military and run away with his mother to join the Bloodgarde.

Yes, his grandfather might get angry but he would soon get over it.... well, at least he thought Zi Feiji would.

“Well....,” said the professor causing Zi Han’s muscles to tense up. The suspense was killing him. He really wanted to know what Professor Quinn was thinking but this old man was deliberately dragging his words making him nervous.

Zi Han suddenly felt a hand grabbing his from underneath the workbench. He was about to smack Yi Chen’s hand away when he heard a high-pitched squeak like that of a mouse coming from across the laboratory.

It seemed the vice class president got a little excitable for some reason and yelped by mistake. Zi Han slapped that hand of his while staring at Hela who was averting her gaze blankly staring at the wall like the squeak just now had nothing to do with her.

Zi Han brushed it off and stared at Professor Quinn with an impatient look in his eyes.

Yi Chen tried again and this time he whispered, “I am trying to support you.”

Zi Han shoved his hand away while speaking through his teeth, “Shut up,” before showing a sweet smile at Professor Quinn creeping out this old man.

“It’s a good thing you aren’t pursuing a career in mech design otherwise you would never pass the entrance exam... It’s not pretty but it will do the job. Congratulations Cadet Han you get to stay,” he said and an unconcealed joy appeared on Zi Han’s face.

He was so happy that he was even willing to forgive Yi Chen for tearing his shark plushy. If it weren’t for Yi Chen he would be stuck in class two with no friends or familiar faces. Well, there was one familiar face but I don’t think he was ready to see her that soon.

Professor Quinn’s expression suddenly turned grim with a malicious smile as he said, “But if you fail my exam we will get to do this all over again next year. Do you want to see this face again?”

Zi Han’s eyes widened as he shook his head. Nope, one semester was enough. He didn’t want to have any more contact with Professor Quinn ever again.

Professor Quinn straightened his back as he placed the elbow joint in front of Zi Han. “Great then don’t slack off Cadet Han,” he said before walking away. Zi Han heaved a deep sigh while patting his chest.

“That man is terrifying,” he whispered only to find Yi Chen staring at him blankly. “What?” he asked.

“Don’t I get a bonus for helping you exceed your goal? You wanted a pass but I helped you get ten percent more than what you initially expected,” said Yi Chen with a straight face like he was speaking facts.

“Says the guy who tore up my little shark,” retorted Zi Han.

Yi Chen, “.....”

He honestly didn’t think Zi Han would bring up this matter. Talk about shooting oneself in the foot.