shae: Thank you, Ari, for the kofi! The goal has been reached! Enjoy, everyone~
The midterm exam was approaching.
The academic atmosphere at No. 1 High School had always been strong—on average, students got into top-tier universities like 985[mfn]T/N: Project 985: Announced in 1998 (hence “98” and “5” from May), it aimed to promote the development of world-class universities in China. Only a select number of elite universities were chosen, like Tsinghua University and Peking University.[/mfn] and 211[mfn]T/N: Project 211: Launched in the 1990s, it aimed to strengthen about 100 higher education institutions and key disciplines for the 21st century. The name comes from “21st century” and “approximately 100 universities.”[/mfn] universities. Even the lowest-performing student last year was admitted to a well-ranked first-tier university. Achieving such results took more than just talent—it also required time and hard work.
Even without the pressure of upcoming exams, students would study on their own until the school cut off the electricity at night. Rumor had it that before last year’s college entrance exam, several dorms got into fights over the only public restroom that still had lights on at night.
After announcing the date and the schedule for the midterm exams, Ding Jianhui added, “As usual, I’ll set a goal for everyone. Just like before, do your best—it’s not a strict requirement. The difficulty of the test will be about the same as last semester’s final. As your teacher, I hope the class average can go up by at least 1.5 points this time.”
Ding Jianhui: “Whether or not we reach the goal this time, I’ll take everyone out for fun after the exam. How about a party? One of my friends opened a party venue a couple of months ago—it’s a big chance for everyone to loosen up a bit.”
Ding Jianhui was a great person and a good teacher. He didn’t put pressure on his students and was even willing to take them out to relax. Although he didn’t make the class average a strict requirement, his approach of giving a little leeway actually encouraged the students even more.
The pressure in senior year was already intense—from your own, your classmates’, and your family’s expectations. Everyone was pushing themselves to the limit. As soon as these words were spoken, the classroom erupted in an uproar.
“Sure!”
“After what Old Ding just said, we have to study hard for this!”
“Right! We can’t let Old Ding down and fail his trust in us!”
“Of course! I haven’t left the school gate in two months. Old Ding, I love you! Sending hearts!”
For Class 1, going through a round of revision and raising the average score by 1.5 points wasn’t a big challenge. The hard part was dealing with the only student that held everyone back.
Jiang Zhihuo had originally been feeling drowsy from not getting enough sleep the night before, but in an instant, he felt a chill run through his body. He looked up and discovered that everyone’s burning gaze was on him.
Jiang Zhihuo: “…”
The drowsiness disappeared immediately.
After class, the class representatives for each subject gathered around Jiang Zhihuo’s desk, eyeing him intently.
Jiang Zhihuo crossed his arms, and he asked with a wary expression, “What do you want?”
The class representative pulled a stack of exam papers from behind and solemnly said, “We’re giving you makeup lessons, Huo-ge!”
Jiang Zhihuo: “!!!”
From behind, Chang Luo carefully explained to Jiang Zhihuo, “Raising the average score by 1.5 points isn’t much. As long as everyone maintains a similar level as last time, it’s fine. But we also have to consider unexpected situations, like being in bad condition or feeling unwell or not being clear-headed. It’s perfectly normal for someone to perform poorly. We need to even out the highs and lows.”
He already spoke slowly, and with such a long-winded explanation, it almost felt like he was chanting a scripture. “Someone like you, Huo-ge, probably scored around 120 in total for the three subjects—Chinese, Math, and English—last semester, right? With a bit more effort, we can easily raise the score by more than 1.5 points. It could be even 5.1 points, don’t you think?”
The class representatives stepped forward, narrowing the circle around him. Each of them had a fierce look in their eyes, watching him closely. “Isn’t that right, Huo-ge?”
Jiang Zhihuo: “…”
*
Zong Bei usually stayed after the class to chat with Jiang Zhihuo for a bit. However, before he even reached the door, he heard a loud ‘bang’ as the door slammed against the wall, and a figure dashed out through the back door like a wind.
A group of people chased after him.
“Huo-ge, you must memorize ‘The Joyful Wanderer’ by today. This one is a must for the exam!”
“How can you not do a question that is guaranteed to earn points?”
“You have to memorize the gravity formula! Whether you write it correctly or incorrectly, you will get one point on the exam!”
“Huo-ge, don’t run! Come back and study!”
“Exactly, just stop for a moment; I promise I won’t do anything to you!”
Jiang Zhihuo didn’t look back. “I don’t believe you for a second. I suspect you guys only want to chase me around for fun!”
The class representatives were all intellectual types, and they weren’t as fast as Jiang Zhihuo. In the time it took to turn a corner, he had already disappeared from sight.
Jiang Zhihuo sat alone on the stairs of the empty classroom, a look of contemplation on his face.
If they speak properly, what score is there that he can’t achieve?!
What makeup lessons?!
Blame himself for playing the role of a failure so perfectly, to the point where even when he promises to study properly this time, not dragging down the average score, no one believes him.
Jiang Zhihuo covered his face.
“Knock.”
A knock on the door echoed in his ears, only once, and it sounded particularly distant.
Jiang Zhihuo opened the door and pulled Yan Mu inside, locking the door behind him as well. “Ah, damn it. Old Ding said we’re going to have a party after the exam and set a goal to raise the average score.Currently, everyone’s coming to give me abrupt makeup lessons!”
Yan Mu: “Asking for trouble.”
Jiang Zhihuo: “…”
Yan Mu said it plainly, and for a moment, Jiang Zhihuo couldn’t tell whether he was mocking his makeup lessons as a failure student or if he had already seen through his act entirely.
The conversation couldn’t go any further, so Jiang Zhihuo simply stopped responding. Instead, he wrapped an arm around Yan Mu’s neck and pressed his lips to his.
Their kisses had become a routine—so familiar that they needed no preparation. However, once they dragged on to ten minutes, it always reached the point where self-control started to slip.
He did, and so did Yan Mu.
They had been standing upright at first, but later, one was pulled in by the waist.
After so many kisses, they already knew exactly how to make it more comfortable for both of them.
Jiang Zhihuo only felt a faint burning sensation wherever he was touched—every reaction, wanted or not, came rushing in.
“What’s going on in there?” Suddenly, the voice of the Chinese class representative came from outside the door.
Jiang Zhihuo: “!!!”
Did they chase him all the way here for makeup lessons?!
“Today it’s ‘The Joyful Wanderer,’ tomorrow it’s ‘The Lament.’ I’ve got my side covered; what about you?”
“Teach the questions that are guaranteed to earn points first. How will you arrange the rest?”
“I’m not sure; I’ll ask later. By the way, is Huo-ge really hiding here? There doesn’t seem to be anyone around?”
“How about…” The Chinese class representative suggested, “Knock on the door?”
The author has something to say:
Sorry, sorry, ughhh, I’m not really in a good mood today—stuck on the writing, just can’t get any out. I stared at my computer for ages and only managed these few words. Please give me another chance TAT (Kneeling)
I started reading this a few hours ago and caught up to the updates just now, just to get 5 updates! THIS IS THE BEST THANK YOU TO THE UPLOADER