Come in 195
Posted on July 08, 2025 ยท 0 mins read
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Chapter 195

When Zinnia returned home, Yannis was already there, dinner ready. Heโ€™d prepared three dishes and a soup.

โ€œYannis, whatโ€™s wrong?โ€ Zinnia asked during dinner, frowning in confusion as he kept stealing glances at her. She finally put down her fork. โ€œWhat is it?โ€

She wondered, โ€œWhy is he staring? It makes me nervous. But I donโ€™t think Iโ€™ve done anything wrong!โ€

โ€œZinnia, isnโ€™t there anything you need to tell me?โ€ Yannis asked, his hands folded on the table, his eyes fixed on her.

โ€œAbout what?โ€ she asked hesitantly, blinking in genuine puzzlement.

โ€œI heard you just had exams,โ€ Yannis said.

โ€œWell, yeah,โ€ Zinnia replied, quickly pulling back her hand from a dish. Feeling guilty, she continued eating her bread. She thought, โ€œDid he find out I ranked last? Itโ€™s embarrassing enough that Mom knew. How did he find out, too?โ€

โ€œSo, Zinnia, isnโ€™t there anything you want to tell me?โ€ Yannis asked again. Seeing her avoid the dishes, he grew suspicious and helped her serve herself.

โ€œWell, I donโ€™t think so,โ€ she replied hesitantly, staring at a buffalo wing but too nervous to eat it. She continued eating her bread.

โ€œReally? Nothing at all?โ€ Yannis asked slowly. Her avoidance of the wing made her seem even more guilty.

Zinnia felt like she was sitting on thorns. โ€œWell, Yannis, I donโ€™t think thereโ€™s anything I need to tell you.โ€

She thought worriedly, โ€œI only secretly ate some candy and chocolate last night. Did he discover it?โ€

โ€œZinnia, why do you look so guilty? Did you do something behind my back?โ€ Yannis pressed, his suspicion growing. He straightened his back and squinted at her. Her nervousness made it hard for him not to suspect her.

โ€œYannis, I just secretly ate some candy and chocolate last night. Thatโ€™s all,โ€ Zinnia finally confessed, her head down, her voice barely a whisper.

โ€œSo you ate snacks at night?โ€ Yannis gave her a sidelong glance.

โ€œYou didnโ€™t know that?โ€ Zinnia looked up, surprised.

โ€œI know it now,โ€ Yannis replied, his face expressionless.

โ€œYannis, you tricked me!โ€ Zinnia said resentfully.

โ€œI didnโ€™t. You told me yourself,โ€ Yannis said, refusing to take the blame. He thought, โ€˜If I admit it, sheโ€™ll think Iโ€™m always setting her up.โ€™

Yannis hadnโ€™t expected her confession. Heโ€™d only wanted to ask about her grades. What a twist.

โ€œSo why did you keep asking if I have something to tell you?โ€ Zinnia asked.

Chapter 195

Zinnia felt defeated. She wondered, โ€œIf he didnโ€™t catch me snacking, why did he keep pressing this?โ€

โ€œDidnโ€™t you have exams lately?โ€ Yannis sighed, seeing her confusion.

โ€œYeah,โ€ Zinnia replied, glancing at his face.

She thought, โ€œSo he wants to know my grades. But why doesnโ€™t he ask directly? Why does it feel like Iโ€™m the one who needs to confess?โ€

โ€œSo, how did you do, Zinnia?โ€ Yannis asked.

โ€œJustโ€ฆ you knowโ€ฆ average,โ€ Zinnia mumbled, lowering her head guiltily.

โ€œReally? Just average? Do you have your report card? Let me take a look,โ€ Yannis said.

He watched as she almost buried her face in her plate.

โ€œYannis, thereโ€™s really nothing worth seeing. Can we just skip it?โ€ Zinnia muttered, trying to negotiate.

โ€œYouโ€™re a senior now, Zinnia. I need to keep an eye on your studies so I can help you plan for the future,โ€ Yannis explained.

He hadnโ€™t planned to insist, but her guilty look piqued his curiosity.

โ€œYannis, I didnโ€™t do well. Letโ€™s just not look, okay?โ€ Zinnia pleaded.

She thought of her terrible scores and her embarrassment. She didnโ€™t want him to laugh.

โ€œItโ€™s okay if you didnโ€™t do well. Let me take a look and help you analyze it. Maybe we can figure out what path suits you best. Life isnโ€™t just about studying, but we should find the right path for us,โ€ Yannis reassured her.

โ€œYannis, youโ€™re not some old-fashioned guy, are you?โ€ Zinnia asked.

Seeing his insistence, Zinnia sighed.

Yannis thought, โ€˜How did this turn into a debate about me being old-fashioned? Iโ€™m only twenty-four.โ€™

โ€œZinnia, I am indeed older than you, but Iโ€™m only twenty-four. Thatโ€™s hardly old,โ€ Yannis said.

He felt young, after all.

โ€œFine. Here,โ€ Zinnia pulled out her crumpled report card.

Her resignation only increased his curiosity. He took the card and slowly unfolded it.

Zinnia avoided his gaze. He wondered what kind of grades could make her this embarrassed.

Yannis thought, โ€˜If my guess is right, and Zinnia was raised by Nathan, her grades wouldnโ€™t be that bad.โ€™

After checking the scores, he was speechless. If this were a school with departmental teaching, Zinnia could get into a decent liberal arts college with those scores. But Evershine High was different. It emphasized all-around development. Every student was a top contender from their region; this workload was normal. Even those who fell behind could catch up with extra help. But Zinniaโ€™s scores were exceptionally low, even for him, a former top student whoโ€™d skipped three grades.

Chapter 195

There were students with worse grades; some families bought their way in. However, in Yannisโ€™s circle, such poor grades were unusual.

Yannis studied the report card, noting her weaknesses in science, especially physics and chemistry.

โ€œGo ahead and laugh if you want,โ€ Zinnia said, watching him silently.

โ€œWhy would I laugh? This proves how hard youโ€™ve been working,โ€ Yannis replied, his face free of mockery.

โ€œI ranked last,โ€ Zinnia mumbled, turning away.

โ€œYouโ€™re outstanding in reading and writing, as well as language. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. You havenโ€™t studied at this school for long. Itโ€™s normal to need some time to catch up,โ€ Yannis said gently.


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