Chapter 53: Our Class Has a Teaching Assistant

When lunchtime arrived, the former deputy class monitor brought two lunch boxes to her and said, “Here you go, your extra-large portion.”

“Thank you.” Zhong Yuxiu accepted them with both hands. “Why are there two lunch boxes? I thought it would all fit in one.”

“Is there even a lunch box that big?” The former deputy class monitor gave her a look that said it all.

“True enough.” Realizing, Zhong Yuxiu stood up, hugging the boxes. “You all carry on chatting. I’ll eat over there. Enjoy your meal, class monitor.”

The former deputy nodded. “Make sure to wash them clean when you’re done and return them to me. We borrowed them from the canteen and need to return them later.” There weren’t many people coming to register at noon, so stepping away for ten or fifteen minutes was no issue.

“Got it, got it.”

Zhong Yuxiu carried her lunch over to a pavilion opposite. Inside, there were stone tables and benches; in future generations, this would be the perfect spot for campus dates. Nowadays, though, everyone was busy with their studies, and dates were rare, though not unheard of.

“Comrade Tian, come out,” she called without looking up, sitting down and opening her lunch box.

The former deputy had been considerate enough to include two pairs of chopsticks; whether he’d guessed something or was just being cautious, she couldn’t say.

“Comrade Zhong.” Tian Shangguo emerged from his hiding spot. Ever since Zhong Yuxiu had gone to help, he’d stayed concealed, not showing himself.

“Come eat,” Zhong Yuxiu glanced back at him, a sly glint in her starry eyes. “I’d like you to try our university canteen’s food.”

Rice filled half the bottom of the box, with three or four dishes piled on top. There was no meat, not much oil or flavor, and it all looked rather dull; but when you’re hungry, any food looks delicious.

Tian Shangguo was taken aback. “This... this won’t do. I know how much you eat.” If he ate, what would Comrade Zhong have?

“It’s fine. I’ll eat less at lunch and have a feast tonight,” Zhong Yuxiu said with a gentle smile. “The canteen food really isn’t great, and since we can’t go back today, let’s make do. You can’t go a whole day without eating, can you? Come, let’s share.”

Tian Shangguo pressed his lips together. He was indeed hungry; with so much physical activity, his body needed fuel.

“Sit down. Honestly, I don’t like the canteen food at all. If I weren’t so hungry, I’d skip it. Making me eat two lunch boxes is really a challenge,” Zhong Yuxiu continued to coax.

Tian Shangguo stepped forward and sat opposite her. “Thank you, Comrade Zhong.”

“No need to thank me. You and Comrade Hao Nan protect me, rain or shine, and never complain.”

A faint smile flickered across Tian Shangguo’s face, gone in a moment. He ate quietly with Zhong Yuxiu, neither of them talkative. Zhong Yuxiu was famished and focused on her meal, and neither had the mind to speak.

Tian Shangguo ate quickly and finished first; Zhong Yuxiu set down her chopsticks, feeling revived.

“Now that I’m full, I’ve got my energy back.”

“Comrade Zhong, go on with your work. I’ll wash the boxes and return them to you.” He reached for the boxes, stacked them, and left at such speed that Zhong Yuxiu was slightly stunned. Indeed, the guards assigned to protect people were all quite capable.

Back at the registration desk for the first-year physics class, the former deputy pursed his lips. “Did you see the person who just left? Eating with Student Zhong. Should we ask about it?”

“Men shouldn’t gossip so much,” said Committee Member Xi, smiling.

Luo, the class monitor, didn’t care. Zhong was the youngest in the class, bright and level-headed. “I haven’t seen him before, but Comrade Zhong knew where he was. Best not to ask. That comrade’s bearing is unusual—upright posture, not an ordinary sort. Some things are better left unknown. Let’s just turn a blind eye.”

“Oh come on, what are you thinking? I’m just worried Student Zhong is young and might be taken advantage of!” The deputy rolled his eyes. “She’s a university student here, young and beautiful…”

“Don’t project the whole ‘sent-down youth’ thing here. Zhong isn’t naïve—she’s actually very clever.”

“Here she comes. Deputy, don’t say any more,” Xi interrupted as he saw Zhong Yuxiu returning.

Zhong Yuxiu walked back quickly; in truth, she’d heard their entire conversation. She had to admit, Luo’s age and experience gave him a broad view and open mind—that’s why the class respected him as monitor. Every student at this university had their own pride; none thought themselves lesser than anyone else. To stand out among dozens and earn the class’s respect took more than just ability—it required depth of character.

“So, what were you all talking about? Why did you stop suddenly?”

“N-nothing. Just commenting that not many came to register this morning. Maybe more will come this afternoon,” the deputy stammered, suddenly uneasy. Why did it feel like Zhong somehow knew what they’d been discussing? Surely not—she was too far away to have heard.

Xi smiled. “Did you get enough to eat, Zhong?”

“I did. The canteen food hasn’t changed—still the same old taste.”

“As long as you’re full. Wouldn’t want you going hungry.” The girl was adorable—clearly hadn’t suffered much in her life.

Zhong Yuxiu shook her head and sighed. “I’m terrified of going hungry—the feeling is unbearable.”

The three shook their heads and laughed, all tacitly changing the subject and not probing further.

“You don’t look like you’ve ever gone hungry—your family must be well-off,” someone remarked. Her clothes and food were good, and she lived off campus—not poor, surely.

“Monitor Luo, my family is fine now, but when I went to the countryside, it was miserable,” Zhong Yuxiu wrinkled her nose. “No point talking about it—just brings back bitter memories. So, are we just waiting here this afternoon? Nothing else to do?”

Luo shook his head, seeing she didn’t want to elaborate, and didn’t press her. The other two were equally tactful.

Tian Shangguo returned with the lunch boxes, nodded to the three class officers, then handed the boxes to Zhong Yuxiu. “Comrade Zhong, the lunch boxes are clean.”

“Thank you, you’ve worked hard.”

“It’s nothing,” he replied, handing them over before slipping away, unseen by the others.

The three exchanged glances—he was clearly no ordinary person. That kind of presence wasn’t common.

Zhong Yuxiu turned, radiant with laughter, and placed the boxes before the deputy. “Sorry to trouble you with another trip.”

“It’s nothing. Monitor Luo’s box needs to be returned too,” he said, stacking all three together.

Zhong Yuxiu didn’t explain; those who were smart knew what to do. Explaining too much only lowered yourself, and these three class officers had a sense of propriety.

“By the way, I heard from Professor Ding that our class has a new teaching assistant, but I haven’t seen them today,” Xi commented, breaking the calm.

“No idea, maybe they were held up by something,” the deputy said, shaking his head. “Monitor Luo, you arrived before us—know anything?”

Luo smiled lightly. “No, Professor Ding didn’t say who the assistant was. Maybe they’ve arrived and we just don’t know.”

“I hope the assistant is easy to get along with,” Xi said, smacking his lips. “If they’re as strict as Professor Ding, I’ll lose all hope in life.”

Zhong, Newly Appointed Teaching Assistant, Yuxiu: …