Chapter 20: Three Benefits (Please Follow)

"Let me introduce myself—I’m Yan Hong!"

Yan Hong wrote her name on the blackboard.

"I was the homeroom teacher of Class 3, teaching Chinese, and now I’m also the homeroom teacher of the Elite Class."

"Over the next year, we’ll spend it together—I hope you all have a pleasant year."

"Clap! Clap! Clap!!"

Jiang Tao led the applause, and the classroom erupted in clapping.

After speaking, Yan Hong turned on the projector.

"The Elite Class gathers the top 50 students from our No. 2 High School."

"You have access to the best teaching staff—each subject is taught by the top instructors."

"To ensure your academic performance improves steadily."

"In addition, as Elite Class students, you all enjoy three special benefits."

"First, private martial arts rooms—Teacher Zhang has already told you: only the top thirty in grade rank qualify."

"Second, meals: all students eating in the cafeteria will receive a 20% discount on nutritious meals."

"Third, the grade scholarship: only the top fifty in grade rank are eligible."

"Ranks 50 to 35: 10,000 Xia National Currency!"

"Ranks 34 to 20: 20,000 Xia National Currency!"

"Ranks 19 to 11: 30,000 Xia National Currency!"

"Ranks 10 to 4: 50,000 Xia National Currency each!"

"Top three: 100,000 Xia National Currency each!"

"You heard correctly—the scholarship has been significantly increased from last year. You’ll receive it at lunch today."

A table appeared on the screen, clearly listing the three benefits and their scholarship amounts.

As soon as Yan Hong finished speaking, murmurs broke out in the classroom.

"The scholarship went up? I’m 31st—I’ll get 20,000! That’s a huge sum!"

"Qi Ge, I’ll get 30,000—this school really knows how to spend money!"

Jiang Tao’s expression grew excited.

Lin Qi’s heart burned with heat; his mind raced, frantically calculating.

In the Elite Class, the perks were indeed impressive: 20% off meals, each nutritious meal costing 100 yuan, saving 20 yuan per meal, 40 yuan per day.

That’s 280 yuan saved per week—enough to buy two boxes of Qi-Blood Capsules. He was effectively earning extra.

Then there was the scholarship: he ranked 45th, and still got 10,000 yuan.

That’s equivalent to five sessions of his part-time training partner job—enough to buy more resources.

"But don’t get too excited yet."

"Entering the Elite Class doesn’t mean you’re safe."

As everyone cheered, Yan Hong doused them with cold water, her expression serious as she scanned the room.

"In three weeks, the Tianhai City High School Joint Monthly Exam—anyone who drops below rank 50 will be removed from the Elite Class, replaced by another student."

"All your benefits will be revoked."

Many faces grew grim—especially those ranked 30th and below, particularly those around 40th, who were most vulnerable to being overtaken.

Yang Lei lost his former confidence; anxiety and tension crept onto his face.

In Class 3, he was top ten—but in the Elite Class, he was at the very bottom.

"And for those of you ahead, your goal is to climb higher—not just surpass your classmates."

"You must compete for higher ranks among all senior students in Tianhai City."

After speaking, Yan Hong’s gaze swept over the top ten in class, especially the top three: Qi Yue Lin, Yu Jing, and Li Zhou.

Even those in the top thirty now felt uneasy.

Especially the top ten geniuses—among No. 2 High School, they were the pinnacle—but across all of Tianhai City, that wasn’t guaranteed.

Everyone now felt a strong drive to improve.

In moments, the entire class had raised their intensity.

"Good. As a martial artist, you must have a fighting spirit."

Yan Hong nodded in satisfaction.

"Dismissed. If you want to apply for the Genius Loan, come with me for the application form."

Jiang Tao exhaled and said, "Qi Ge, this is your chance—grab it."

Lin Qi nodded. Xu Wen, a familiar face, joined them; the two followed Yan Hong out of the classroom.

As head of the senior Chinese department, Yan Hong had her own private office.

The office was a modest five or six square meters. After sitting down, she pulled two forms from a black drawer and handed them out.

"Fill these out!"

Lin Qi and Xu Wen sat on the sofa and began filling in the forms.

"You two aren’t new to this application form."

"Both of you failed last time—but now that you’re in the Elite Class, your chances of getting the Genius Loan are much higher."

Lin Qi and Xu Wen looked up simultaneously, exchanging glances. Lin Qi hadn’t expected the same fate from his classmate.

"The Genius Loan is specifically for students from low-income families."

"Your family incomes have been verified—no issues. Now it all comes down to your grades."

"Lin Qi, Xu Wen—your talent isn’t lacking, just your resources."

"Xu Wen, you moved from rank 70 to 50—a jump of twenty places."

"Lin Qi, you’re even more impressive: from rank 101 straight to 45—a leap of fifty-six places. That’s extraordinary—even rare in our school’s history."

Yan Hong sighed in admiration. Xu Wen looked up again, astonished, at Lin Qi.

Lin Qi stood calmly and submitted his form.

"No matter how fast I improved, I’m still rank 45—nothing worth boasting about."

"Excellent!"

!

Yan Hong nodded approvingly, then added:

"Entering senior year, the Genius Loan process accelerates. It’ll take at most half a month, as little as one week, to be approved."

"Understood!"

Soon, Lin Qi and Xu Wen left the office. In the hallway, neither spoke—but Lin Qi felt they already knew each other.

Meanwhile, in the office.

Yan Hong stared at the forms, muttering to herself:

"Xu Wen’s talent is solid—Third-Class Genius Loan is no problem."

"But Lin Qi is strange—I feel his talent might be even better. Is this slow-burn potential or a fleeting flash?"

"Over the past year, Lin Qi’s progress has been obvious. Maybe he deserves a Second-Class Genius Loan?"

Thinking this, she opened her computer, typed, and sent a file to someone.

…

Principal’s Office

"Ding!"

Jiang Zhiguang, a burly man, hadn’t even sipped his tea when a file appeared on the projector.

After a quick sip, he clicked to open two application forms.

"Genius Loan applications?"

"Xu Wen and Lin Qi."

Jiang Zhiguang scanned the documents quickly, then paused at one line: "Recommend applying for Second-Class Genius Loan!"

"Recommend?"

He smiled, muttering to himself:

"What’s this ‘recommend’? If you qualify for Second-Class, you apply for Second-Class. Whether you get it is one thing—whether you apply is another."

"Not just Lin Qi—Xu Wen applies too."

He altered the forms and resent them.

"Huh～"

After finishing, Jiang Zhiguang exhaled, stroking a brown potted plant on his desk—still just soil inside.

"When will No. 2 High School finally get a genius who awakens a special ability?"

"Even without one—just a high enough talent would do."

"…"

…

Tianhai No. 2 High School Cafeteria, Second Floor

"Ding!"

"Payment of 80 yuan confirmed!"

At the serving window, Lin Qi swiped his student card, picked up his tray, and found a seat.

"Sure enough, it's discounted—used to be 100 yuan per serving, now it's only 80 yuan."

Lin Qi smiled with satisfaction; a meal was like earning 20 yuan.

"Big Brother Qi, after eating, come sleep in my martial arts room."

"You should also come train in my martial arts room from now on—it's spacious, and Teacher Old says the school allows it," Jiang Tao suggested across from him.

"Fine!"

Lin Qi did not refuse.

"Ding!"

His phone vibrated, the screen lit up, and Lin Qi picked up his antique smartphone.

It was a text message.

【Your Industrial and Commercial Bank account xxx received 10,000.00 yuan on September 8 at 12:02. Balance: 13,445.12 yuan.】

"The scholarship has arrived!"

……

(End of Chapter)