Chapter 5 The school belle explains the lesson.

Zhou Wen couldn't shake the feeling that his fate had begun to shift the moment he came into possession of that peculiar pair of underwear.

The limping old man who sold it to him was likely far from ordinary.

But to confirm his suspicions, he would need to meet the old man again.

Turning back to his books, Zhou Wen reminded himself that he had a mountain of neglected lessons to catch up on.

Time slipped by quietly, and before he knew it, Zhou Wen had dozed off, his head resting on the open math textbook, surrounded by sheets of scribbled notes.

Xu Hui tiptoed into the room, her heart aching at the sight of her son asleep at his desk. She gently draped a blanket over his shoulders, turned off the desk lamp, and the room was plunged into darkness.

"Xiaowen must’ve fallen asleep while studying. He never used to be like this," she whispered from the bed.

"You were worried when he didn’t study, now you’re worried because he does," Zhou Guangrui chuckled softly.

"He’s not your child. I’m just afraid he’s been through something..." she murmured.

"I just hope he makes it into university. That way, we’ll finally have an answer for his real parents."

A long sigh followed, and the room fell silent once more.

The next day at school, Zhou Wen was a changed man. No more playing with his phone, no more daydreaming. He was fully engaged, eyes fixed on the teacher, taking in every word.

From time to time, his gaze would drift toward a familiar silhouette in the front row.

Su Qin—the campus belle.

She had once seemed like a distant dream, far beyond his reach. But now, with his newfound power, Zhou Wen dared to hope he might draw closer.

Time in class flew by, and even the teacher noticed Zhou Wen’s rare focus.

His transformation was impossible to ignore. A student once notorious for disrupting class was now listening intently, completely immersed.

Su Qin occasionally glanced over her shoulder, casting curious looks at the boy behind her. Her expression unreadable.

Lesson after lesson, Zhou Wen remained focused.

All eyes were on him, waiting for him to break character—but he didn’t.

The classroom buzzed with astonishment.

“Am I seeing things, or is Zhou Wen actually paying attention in class?” Wang Chi exclaimed from the front.

“It’s real. He’s taking notes and everything!”

Shock rippled through the students. Zhou Wen—the class clown—was now a model student.

Hui Yuming leaned in with a playful smirk. “Zhou Wen, you’ve changed. You’re actually studying.”

He prodded Zhou Wen’s face like he was searching for signs of possession.

“Give it up,” Zhou Wen said seriously. “After unlocking my meridians a few days ago, my brain has become much sharper. It’d be a waste not to use it.”

“Yeah, right,” Hui Yuming scoffed. “Let’s see how long that lasts.”

Zhou Wen simply smiled, saying nothing. Once, that might have been true. But not now—not after last night. His resolve was firm. He would study—for his parents, for himself. And with the magic of those enchanted boxers, everything had become easier.

In the days that followed, Zhou Wen was punctual, diligent, and unwilling to leave even after night study ended.

His deskmate, Chen Wan’er, thought she was dreaming.

Li Dan had purposely seated her next to Zhou Wen to help him study. But instead of helping him, she’d nearly been dragged down with him.

She had given up long ago—until Zhou Wen turned things around on his own.

“You’re seriously studying now?” she asked, bewildered.

“Absolutely,” Zhou Wen nodded with conviction.

Chen Wan’er gave him a long look, then glanced at Su Qin in the front row. “You’re not studying just to get close to Su Qin, are you?”

She sighed. “You’re dreaming if you think you stand a chance. Half the school’s in love with her—guys who are better looking, smarter, richer. You’re way out of your league.”

Zhou Wen was speechless.

The classroom had emptied out, but Zhou Wen still sat in the last row, working through a physics exam paper. He had made real progress.

A familiar scent caught his attention. He looked up to find Su Qin standing beside him.

“Zhou Wen, are you really taking your studies seriously now?” she asked, half in disbelief.

“I am,” he replied with a faint smile, his heart racing. “I’ve been a fool. It’s time I started working hard. I want to get into a top university.”

Su Qin recalled the words she’d once said to him. Perhaps he’d actually taken them to heart. His transformation hadn’t gone unnoticed.

After a moment of thought, she said, “That’s good. If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can ask me.”

With that, she returned to her seat, not wanting him to overthink her offer. She simply felt it was a good thing when someone decided to turn their life around.

Zhou Wen didn’t even get the chance to respond.

But her words echoed in his mind—it was a golden opportunity to get closer to the campus belle.

In the following days, Zhou Wen began approaching Su Qin with questions more frequently, which drew the ire of many in the class.

To get close to Su Qin was every boy’s dream, but her aloofness made her nearly untouchable.

“Zhou Wen’s been going to Su Qin for help every day. Disgusting. He’s not even worthy,” Wang Chi grumbled in the hallway.

“Wait, who’s been asking Su Qin for help?” asked a blond-haired student nearby, frowning.

“Zhou Wen. Bottom of our class. Suddenly glued to her side lately,” Wang Chi muttered, jealousy thick in his voice.

Why Zhou Wen? Why not him?

“Su Qin? Actually talking to him?” the blond-haired boy narrowed his eyes.

“Exactly,” Wang Chi hissed.

The blond boy sneered. “Let’s go. I need a smoke.”

In the restroom, the air was thick with cigarette smoke as a crowd of boys gathered.

“Hey, Yu Ge!” Blondie grinned as he passed a cigarette to a figure in the center of the group.

It was Chen Yu, a buzz-cut senior from Class 6. Unlike most, he wore casual clothes, flaunting his disdain for the uniform.

His father’s businesses spanned multiple counties. Spoiled, rich, arrogant—Chen Yu was king of the underworld cliques in Yiming High.

“Didn’t you say you quit smoking, Blondie?” Chen Yu asked, amused.

Blondie laughed. “I was kidding! Like I could actually quit.”

Chen Yu smirked, but Blondie leaned in, suddenly serious.

“Yu Ge, I nearly forgot—something you’ll want to know. Heard from a Class 5 guy: some student named Zhou Wen has been getting real chummy with Su Qin lately.”

“What?” Chen Yu’s smile vanished.

Everyone in the school knew Chen Yu was after Su Qin. For Zhou Wen to get close to her—it was unacceptable.

Blondie continued, “Apparently, he’s been asking her for help with his studies—every day.”

Chen Yu’s face darkened.

Su Qin—helping Zhou Wen? The same Su Qin who exuded elegance and dignity? She was leagues above the average pretty girl, and that aura had captivated every hormonal boy around.

For Chen Yu, Su Qin had become a conquest. What began as affection had twisted into obsession and pride.

She had rejected him time and again, but he never gave up—and anyone who dared approach her usually paid the price.

Cracking his neck, Chen Yu sneered. “So someone thinks they can ignore me?”

“What should we do, Yu Ge?” the group chimed in.

Flicking his cigarette into the toilet, Chen Yu said coldly, “Bring him to the sports field. I’ll teach him a lesson.”

“Got it!” they replied in unison.

Meanwhile, Zhou Wen was oblivious to what was brewing.

After the first evening study session, Wang Chi approached him. “Hey, come to the field for a sec—I’ve got something to ask.”

The moment Zhou Wen arrived, he was surrounded.

These weren’t just classmates—they were trouble.

If this had been the old Zhou Wen, his knees would’ve buckled. But now, empowered and confident, he faced them without fear.

The sight of Chen Yu clarified everything.