Chapter 39

The rankings, aligned with the new class assignments, were released; the top thirty and bottom thirty students began heading to the Acceleration Class and the Foundation Class respectively.

“He Chen, you’ve gone too far.”

After learning of He Chen’s ranking, his desk mate Du Tiantian couldn’t help complaining: “I even asked you beforehand, and you kept saying one thing—but then you stunned everyone by getting straight into the Acceleration Class!”

“I didn’t expect to do this well either,” He Chen replied honestly.

Although he’d been practicing two sets of Wu Gong four times daily thanks to his Crane Calculation Turtle Longevity ability, his essence, energy, and spirit were rapidly improving, along with his mental agility and ease in studying.

But he truly hadn’t expected to leap directly from middle rank to the top thirty in the entire grade.

Still, to him, it meant little, so he didn’t take it seriously.

“Aren’t you going to report to the Acceleration Class?” Du Tiantian asked, a hint of envy in her voice.

Though they were good desk mates—even close brothers—it was still human nature to fear a brother’s suffering while dreading his sudden rise to glory.

“Why should I go?” He Chen asked with a smile.

“What?” Du Tiantian exclaimed. “You’re not planning to go?”

“I’ve officially claimed you as my desk mate!” He Chen said seriously.

Du Tiantian was momentarily moved, but still urged: “Don’t let your grudge against Li Tiegun make you throw away such a great opportunity.

The Acceleration Class is full of top students; studying together with constant competition creates a better atmosphere and helps you push harder toward Tsinghua or Peking University.

Even if you don’t get into Tsinghua or Peking, the minimum guarantee is a 985 university—this is a life-changing decision. Don’t let emotions cloud your judgment!”

“You overestimate her!” He Chen smiled, but his tone was firm: “I simply have no desire to go.”

His refusal stemmed not only from his indifference to conventional academic advancement—since his unknown abilities refreshed quarterly—but also from a touch of mockery toward Li Tiegun.

He’d made it clear from the start: “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” It wasn’t an empty threat.

But that motive was minor, far outweighed by his simple wish to stay seated beside Du Tiantian.

News that He Chen wouldn’t join the Acceleration Class immediately sparked uproar among his classmates.

Meanwhile, the officially confirmed Acceleration Class—Senior Three, Class One—had all its listed students present, and Li Tiegun, as homeroom teacher, had arrived early.

But her expression was grim.

Clearly, she’d learned He Chen had made it into her class, recalling their previous tense encounters and dreading the daily torment of having to endure him—how could she possibly be happy?

She scanned the room, but didn’t spot He Chen. She paused, then looked around: “Is everyone here?”

Though she spoke these words, her gaze fixed on Ruan Liuzheng.

“Teacher Li, He Chen isn’t here,” Ruan Liuzheng knew exactly what she meant, and could only answer reluctantly.

“This is ridiculous!” Li Tiegun’s mind flashed: “This kid isn’t throwing a tantrum, is he?” She snapped: “Classes have been assigned—still no report? Do you have any discipline at all? Ruan Liuzheng, go fetch him!”

“Yes!” Ruan Liuzheng had no choice but to rise and leave the classroom to find He Chen.

He Chen didn’t make things hard for his sworn sister—he came along with her—but carried no books. Facing all the curious stares, he calmly looked at Li Tiegun: “No need to send anyone else. I won’t be joining the Acceleration Class. I’m staying in my original class.”

“You’re still pouting, aren’t you?” Li Tiegun fixed He Chen with a sharp gaze. “Don’t you realize how immature this is? As your teacher, regardless of what happened before, I’ll treat you fairly and do my best to get you into a top university—that’s my promise! Don’t risk your future out of stubbornness!”

“I’m a person who takes things seriously—I’m sure you know that!” He Chen smiled. “So I’d never gamble with my future.

I genuinely don’t want to join the Acceleration Class.

It’s not because I think you’ll make things hard for me.

You overestimate yourself.

In every possible way.

To be blunt: the top students who can truly push for Tsinghua or Peking aren’t taught by teachers—they teach themselves.

You yourself admitted the Foundation Class has strong faculty. If I stay in the parallel class, there’s no problem at all.

So what’s the real point of this Acceleration Class, other than letting its homeroom teacher enjoy honors and bonuses she doesn’t deserve?

I don’t understand it. I don’t agree with it.

So I won’t join the Acceleration Class.

Let someone else take my seat.”

“That’s it!”

Without another word, he turned and walked calmly back to his own class, ignoring Li Tiegun’s livid face.

The joys and sorrows of the world are not shared.

Li Tiegun was furious—but someone else was overjoyed.

First was Wang Yidi, left behind in Senior Three, Class Two—the same girl He Chen had mentioned as coming from a wealthy family, a top student planning to take the arts entrance exam.

She had always hovered around rank thirty in the entire grade; this time she scored 31st, directly pushed out of the Acceleration Class by He Chen, and had been filled with grievance. Hearing the news, as a driven top student, she was ecstatic.

Fang Yi heard the news. Though he thought He Chen was showing off again, he still felt a quiet sigh of relief upon realizing He Chen had given up sharing a class with the goddess.

The girls in Senior Three, Class Seven erupted in cheers once they confirmed He Chen wouldn’t leave.

The happiest of all was the homeroom teacher of Senior Three, Class Seven.

He’d taught He Chen since sophomore year; unlike Li Tiegun, a senior teacher rooted in the third year, he moved up with his class.

Now, suddenly, a student who had surged into the top ranks and could challenge Tsinghua or Peking refused to leave his class—how could he not be thrilled?

He immediately beamed and told He Chen to sit down and pay attention, then added after class: “Go ask Li Tiegun for mercy.” His tone dripped with implication: “Respect the student’s own wishes! I’ll never let you down—I’ll nurture He Chen properly and never hinder his future! Believe me, focusing on just one top student gives me more time and energy…”

This made Li Tiegun, already in a foul mood, feel like a fishbone stuck in her throat—yet she had no reply.

Because the logic was sound: top students who can challenge Tsinghua or Peking truly rely on themselves. And the homeroom teacher’s mention of “one-on-one” tutoring did, in some ways, offer advantages over managing a group of elite students.

And what if things escalated? Other homeroom teachers might follow suit, demanding to dismantle her Acceleration Class and split her top students?

Deep down, she didn’t even want to deal with He Chen—better to avoid one rotten apple spoiling the whole barrel.

But being so subtly mocked—and with valid points she couldn’t refute—left her, a woman who always saw herself as a renowned Acceleration Class teacher, whose students’ parents should revere and obey her without question, utterly stifled.

During the break.

Someone came to find He Chen. Ignoring the hostile glares from the girls of Senior Three, Class Seven, Wang Yidi walked up confidently and called him out: “He Chen, thank you!”