Chapter 490 335: Don't Expose Your Master

Xue Rui just smiled faintly, unconcerned. He knew exactly what was happening. It was just like how students with an athlete's certificate or a veteran's ID could be exempt from P.E. class.

The professor had discovered Lin Ruoxi's talent and naturally wouldn't let her waste time on such a basic course.

His earlier comment, "You don't need to come anymore," wasn't a punishment. It was a reward.

Teng Wenbo explained, "Lin Ruoxi's skill level already exceeds the scope of this course, so I've exempted her."

The classroom erupted in an uproar. 'So *that's* what "you don't need to come" meant?'

It was a complete departure from what they had guessed!

Lin Ruoxi pursed her lips. Of course, she understood what the professor meant. She shook her head. "I'm still going to come. I want to attend class with my boyfriend."

A student from Software Engineering Class 141 clutched his chest, feigning a look of heartbreak. "Sister Xi, stop flexing! My heart can't take it!"

Of course, Xue Rui also received his fair share of envious and resentful glares.

"Sigh, what can I do?" Xue Rui sighed. He wasn't humblebragging; he was genuinely exasperated.

Lin Ruoxi stuck to him like glue. She had even gone back on her promise to change majors and now seemed to wish she could have him tied to her side.

Teng Wenbo was also taken aback by Lin Ruoxi's words. He shook his head. "Suit yourself."

He originally had more to discuss with Lin Ruoxi, but since she was insisting on attending class, he was no longer in a rush. He wanted to see just how far her self-study had taken her.

After speaking, he glanced at Qian Huabiao. "You think I'm treating people differently?"

Qian Huabiao chuckled sheepishly. "Not at all. You were right, Professor. I deserved to have that point deducted!"

...

After the lecture, the students headed in groups toward the computer lab. Qian Huabiao, having mulled things over for a while, couldn't help but speak up.

"Old Xue, you knew all along, didn't you?"

He recalled how confident Xue Rui had looked, not the least bit worried for Lin Ruoxi. 'He must have known what was going on. And he even took his book back?'

'Wasn't he just setting me up?'

"Know what?" Xue Rui asked, a picture of innocence.

"You bastard, still playing dumb!"

Lin Ruoxi stepped in front of Xue Rui protectively. "Y-You're not allowed to curse at him."

"What did you just call me? Don't forget my position," Xue Rui said calmly, pulling Lin Ruoxi behind him.

It dawned on Qian Huabiao. 'Xue Rui is the class president!'

'Xue Rui had the authority to erase the demerits in the little notebook used for tracking participation grades.'

"Class President," Qian Huabiao said, his face instantly shifting into a fawning smile.

"Oh, the professor already took today's records. We can talk about it later," Xue Rui said with a smile.

A dark look crossed Qian Huabiao's face. 'So I just called him that for nothing.'

The group walked into the lab, and Lin Ruoxi once again picked a good station for Xue Rui. After a quick look around, she furtively pulled some snacks out of her bag.

She liked to snack while she worked, and it also gave her the chance to feed Xue Rui.

Her productivity was much higher when she was next to Xue Rui, which was another reason she insisted on attending class with him.

Teng Wenbo had arrived at the lab early. He walked over to Lin Ruoxi's station and stood beside her, silently watching her computer screen.

Lin Ruoxi turned her head and saw the professor watching her again. She tensed up. 'Is he here to bust me for eating snacks in class?'

She remembered clearly: the professor had just announced during the last class that eating was not allowed.

The intense stare was making Xue Rui's skin crawl. 'Being with Lin Ruoxi means I get the professor's attention by extension. How am I supposed to slack off like this?'

Seeing Lin Ruoxi's dazed look, Xue Rui pointed to the snacks on her desk, then secretly gestured toward Teng Wenbo under the desk.

Lin Ruoxi instantly understood. She held the bag of dried squid out to the professor. "Professor, would you like some?"

'Xue Rui wanted her to bribe the professor! As long as the professor ate some too, she could snack openly.'

Teng Wenbo smiled. 'This girl is actually pretty cute. Is she trying to bribe me?'

He plucked a strip of dried squid from the bag and asked, "Lin Ruoxi, what kind of projects have you worked on before?"

Lin Ruoxi paused for a moment, then opened her GitHub profile for the professor to see.

The more Teng Wenbo looked, the more astounded he became. 'Is this really a freshman?'

Lin Ruoxi's profile listed many popular, high-starred projects. While stars weren't a perfect measure of quality, they certainly indicated widespread recognition within the industry.

After a quick glance, he mentally gave Lin Ruoxi an extremely high appraisal.

"Who taught you all this? And what made you want to get into this field?" Teng Wenbo asked, his expression gentle.

"Um, my master taught me. My master is Xue—mmph..."

Lin Ruoxi was halfway through her sentence when Xue Rui suddenly clamped a hand over her mouth.

Xue Rui shot Teng Wenbo a sheepish smile.

'My dear girl,' he thought, 'it's fine to prop up my reputation in front of amateurs, but we're facing a balding programmer... a real pro!'

'If he asks a single technical question, my cover will be blown in three seconds flat!'

"A master can only open the door; the student must walk the path. I'm very proud of your achievements, but don't go telling everyone your master's name," Xue Rui whispered in her ear.

Lin Ruoxi couldn't help but be reminded of what the Bodhi Ancestor told Sun Wukong: "If you get into trouble in the future, don't you dare bring up my name..."

"Did I... get into trouble?" Lin Ruoxi asked meekly.

"You're about to!"