Chapter 374: Art Student

The bell rang.

The two in the office were still laughing, showing no sign of restraint.

A teacher passed by, clutching his lesson plan, heading to class.

"Liu Laoshi, what's the good news?"

"Oh, nothing much." Liu Laoshi steadied himself, then turned sternly to Jiang Nian, "Are you getting carried away because you improved two hundred points?"

The teacher's face instantly darkened, losing all curiosity. But seeing the other man didn't seem to be lying, he reluctantly offered two hollow congratulations.

"Liu Laoshi really knows how to guide students—still improving even after topping the Olympiad."

"Ah, it's science." Liu Laoshi added humbly.

The teacher's expression cracked under the sight, laughed it off, and left.

Liu Laoshi was naturally pleased—after all, a student's achievement was his own. After smiling at the praise for his teaching, the office fell quiet.

"Teacher, I should get back to class." Jiang Nian calculated: the last period Friday noon should be biology.

It was Qing Bao's class—he had to go.

"Alright, there might be an award ceremony for Motivational Star tonight." Liu Laoshi reminded him, "Room 608 in the administration building, first evening self-study."

"Oh." Jiang Nian felt nothing.

He remembered Liu Laoshi would give him an extra meal card with a month's credit—he wasn't sure if it still counted, but didn't ask.

Hearing this, Liu Laoshi paused, then spoke.

"The awardees are all students who improved quickly in their classes—some have rather obsessive personalities. Don't get into conflicts with them."

Jiang Nian: "????"

"Teacher, do you really think I like getting into conflicts with people?"

Liu Laoshi glanced at him. "Hard to say."

Jiang Nian had nothing to say about Liu Laoshi's stereotype seal. He stood, waved his hand, and left the office directly.

In the office.

Liu Laoshi scrolled his phone for a while longer, chuckled, picked up his keys, and stepped out. On the way downstairs, he lit a cigarette with extreme self-satisfaction.

This year was truly stroke of luck—he'd found two treasures.

So this year, is there a chance to become head of the Chinese department? No… even leap straight to assistant director.

The best student at Zhennan High isn't necessarily in Class Zero.

Thinking of his rival, Teacher Wei Ku, next summer—watching him ascend, face twitching like ants crawling all over his skin.

Liu Laoshi felt utterly euphoric, blissful.

In the classroom.

Li Hua, while Qing Bao wandered to the back row, turned and whispered to Jiang Nian.

"What did Liu Laoshi want?"

"Nothing. Just won an award." Jiang Nian kept a straight face, "Said 616 points—eight more than 608."

"Holy shit!" Li Hua's expression changed instantly.

After a moment, he couldn't help asking like a clown.

"No way, don't mess with me. You can fool your bros, but don't fool yourself—did you really get it?"

Jiang Nian's lips curled upward—he became the Dragon King of the City.

"Hua, your vision is too narrow."

"What if I scored zero on English? Can you give back the award?" Li Hua felt ants crawling all over him, scratching his head.

"But how can 610 points win an award?"

"It's 616." Jiang Nian corrected, "I know you're heartbroken right now, but don't be heartbroken yet."

"What's the reasoning?" Li Hua asked.

"None. Just off the top of my head." Jiang Nian spread his hands, "Never had such a perfect start—cheer for me."

"You bastard!" Li Hua gritted his teeth.

But amid his sorrow, he thought of a way to bask in the reflected glory—to pretend to be Jiang Nian and show off a little.

In short: impress Yu Zhiyi.

Eh, it's an easy thing.

That guy—the Motivational Star who improved two hundred points? I know him well—we're bros, I've been crushing him at basketball all along.

Zhang Ningzhi also thought Jiang Nian was showing off, and covered her ears.

"I improved a lot too."

Hearing this, Jiang Nian nodded slightly.

Baby Zhizhi really did improve a lot.

No vulgar words escaped his lips—saving his life, and preserving his drink privileges.

After lunch dismissal.

Jiang Nian tested the waters—Qing Bao gave no sign of calling him to the office; she probably hadn't decided how to strategize yet.

Cross-disciplinary advice—terrifyingly potent.

Qing Bao was overly cautious—extremely capable, yet wouldn't act without absolute certainty.

Thus, Jiang Nian lost interest in continuing his problems.

Everyone needs rest.

Yesterday he finished two exam papers; he only recovered after a morning's break. After dismissal, he'd eat directly, then return to finish one more.

Yes, his method for improving scores was the sea of problems.

Master Jiang moves mountains.

Belowstairs.

Jiang Nian was hurrying to the cafeteria when someone called out to him in the crowd.

A girl with streaked hair waved at Jiang Nian, her down jacket open, revealing a full, gray sweater.

"Jiang Nian!! It really is you!"

"Han Xiao?" Jiang Nian recognized his high school desk mate at once, "Sis, didn't you drop out?"

"Drop out your head!" Han Xiao was stunned by his outrageous remark, "I switched to art—you totally don't remember me!"

"An art student, huh." Jiang Nian gave a knowing look, "Why's there still a strand of green hair on your head? Got cheated on by your ex?"

,

Hearing such a stereotype-laden remark, Han Xiao thought, This bastard hasn't changed a bit, and began to flirt with Jiang Nian.

"Oh stop it, I don't have a boyfriend."

As she spoke, Jiang Nian couldn't help but notice something trembling.

"Oh stop it, I don't have a boyfriend." Jiang Nian mimicked her in a high-pitched voice, "Then you're doing pretty badly, huh?" "Go to hell! Stop your stereotypes!" Han Xiao shoved him, "I just got back from training—how've you been?"

"Fine." Jiang Nian, thinking of the cafeteria meal, cut her off, "Alright, art student, I'm going to eat."

"I'm coming with you." Han Xiao flashed a seductive, devilish smile, grabbed his arm, "Let's go."

His hand immediately sank into something soft, the texture astonishing.

"Hey, you're already hitting on me the moment we meet?" Jiang Nian yanked his hand free, "Art students eat at the cafeteria too?"

"That's it, you've had it!" Han Xiao snapped.

In the end, she dragged Jiang Nian out of campus, found a random little eatery, and they sat down to catch up.

"Want some alcohol?"

"No, I'm afraid you'll get drunk and start acting slutty." Jiang Nian remarked sharply, ("I've got this feeling your desires have spiked since you came back.")

Crack!

Han Xiao cracked her knuckles, glaring at him through gritted teeth.

"You look at me like that?"

"Hmm... I-I was just joking." Jiang Nian rubbed his chin, "I heard a new hotel opened on Health Road."

"Great!" Han Xiao flashed her obsessive grin again.

"Hey, you damn it—that's just your true nature." Jiang Nian pointed at her, "Where'd you train? Abroad? Japan or Korea?"

In truth, little Han used to be just an average-looking girl. Aside from her figure, she had only her flirtatious personality.

Now, little Han had evolved into a mainstream-American-style beauty. For some middle and high school boys, Han Xiao—with her beauty and figure—could make them hum softly in the dead of night.

But unfortunately, they knew each other too well.

So even after a long separation, the moment they met today, the more Jiang Nian acted like a jerk, the more Han Xiao flirted—pure positive feedback.

In short, neither of them had learned anything good.

Back in freshman year, they were desk mates. It was like thunder meeting fire, dragging each other's grades straight into the abyss.

They did everything in class except listen.

Later, Jiang Nian took a liking to Zhou Yuting. Han Xiao scored two hundred points, got beaten by her family, and was sent off to study art.

The Rocket Team disbanded.

Looking back, their relationship had truly been good.

Back then, someone wanted to court Zhou Yuting. Han Xiao casually told Jiang Nian—and added a sarcastic jab.

"Ye Chen is really handsome."

Jiang Nian sneered dismissively and made an outrageous remark.

"What an idiot—if that guy's so hot, then since I'm this handsome, couldn't I just... blah blah blah... with Ye Chen's mom?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Han Xiao turned to stone.

"Huh?"

After her worldview shattered, Han Xiao suddenly realized something and asked back,

"You... don't like classmates, do you..."

"I'll say it again," Jiang Nian said calmly, "If in this world, being handsome decides everything..."

"Then since I'm this handsome, wouldn't it be perfectly reasonable and legal for me to... blah blah blah...?"

Han Xiao was stunned again by his outrageous remark, stammering,

"You... are you angry?"

"No," Jiang Nian said calmly, "I shouldn't have told you this. After school, I'll tell them—"

"Don't... still tell me. I don't mind." Han Xiao grabbed Jiang Nian's arm, "I was your desk mate after all..."

Back then, he was still sensitive and impulsive.

Now, the world had changed completely.

While waiting for the food, Han Xiao glanced at him, then looked away, fixing her gaze on the bright yellow tea on the table.

"Hey, how's it going with Zhou Yuting?"

"Nothing much, we had a falling out." Jiang Nian looked up, unwilling to say more. "Anyway, we're not really connected anymore, just ordinary classmates."

"Nothing. We broke up." Jiang Nian lifted his eyes, unwilling to elaborate, "We're just ordinary classmates now."

"Oh..." Han Xiao fell quiet upon hearing this.

Only after the boss brought the food did the atmosphere return to normal.

Han Xiao picked out a few details of her current situation and shared some updates—accidentally stumbling onto a breakthrough path.

【121】 "I'm aiming for Guizhou University—dance department."

"Not bad, prestigious university." Jiang Nian rubbed his chin. "So you're gonna enter the entertainment industry? Sounds pretty scandalous."

"I can't take you anymore! Can you drop your stereotypes!" Han Xiao gave up. "Why would I enter the entertainment industry? My family..."

At that moment, Jiang Nian tilted his head and let out a giant question mark.

"What's wrong with your family?"

"Nothing. My family's fine." Han Xiao waved his hand vaguely. "One person eats full, the whole family isn't hungry."

"Oh, I thought your family was strict." Jiang Nian didn't think much of it. "If you enter the entertainment industry, send me photos."

"Fuck off! I'm not going!" Han Xiao felt exhausted talking to him. He sighed. "What about you? Have you decided which junior college to apply to?"

Jiang Nian: "????"

Junior college produced a Bao Qingtian.

Then I have to give you a sharp critique, art student.

"Wait, what kind of bullshit discrimination is this?" Jiang Nian picked up a chopstick. "You're charging for 211, and I'm plummeting to junior college?"

"I'm just making a reasonable guess based on our past scores," Han Xiao said. "Have you decided what job to look for after junior college?"

"Security guard," Jiang Nian put down his chopsticks. "I'll stand guard at your neighborhood gate and salute you when you come in."

"Why are you getting angry?" Han Xiao looked hurt.

"I'll hit you twice and see if you still act crazy." Jiang Nian took a small sip of tea. "Do you know how many points I scored this time?"

"350."

,

"616. That was my last mock exam score." Jiang Nian's lips curled up. "I got promoted. I'm going to the Olympiad. You're wishing here?"

"Too lazy to talk to you. You're not worthy to hear." Jiang Nian lost all energy. "Just go ask around—you'll find out."

"I'm the Motivational Star now. I have to go collect my award tonight. Maybe in a few days, you'll see my name on the notice board."

Han Xiao laughed for a while, then suddenly spoke again.

"Hey, can you add me back?"

"Didn't you delete me?" Jiang Nian looked puzzled, but wasn't angry. "I thought you wanted to cut ties completely?"

"Didn't my mom force me?"

"Your mom forced you?"

Han Xiao: "... Don't curse anymore. Big brother, please add me back."

"Maybe later." Jiang Nian didn't press further. He waved his hand. "It's done. Let's eat first. We'll talk later."

Hearing this, Han Xiao's smile turned slightly awkward.

This guy really holds grudges. Forgiveness and letting bygones be bygones could happen to anyone—but never to him.

But this also proves he cares.

If it were me, I wouldn't forgive easily either. After all, mutual deletion is such a childish thing.

Madie, your bond is betrayal.

This time, the wound of betrayal will never heal.

After dinner, Han Xiao didn't return to school.

"I took the afternoon off. No class. Hey... you're going to that award ceremony tonight, right? I'm coming too."

Jiang Nian gave a blank look. "Why would an art student go?"

"I scored over five hundred! Don't look down on me!" Han Xiao clenched his fists. "An art student's life is still a life!"

"Vienna Arts..." Jiang Nian opened his mouth but stopped.

Han Xiao:

Finally, Jiang Nian turned and left.

For him, running into Han Xiao was just a minor detour. They hadn't seen each other in a long time, but he had no intention of deep catching up.

His exam paper wasn't finished yet.

Back at school, he walked upstairs as if he knew the way by heart.

Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays—Chen Yunyun's hair-washing days. The classroom held only a few familiar figures, as always bent over their desks solving problems.

Jiang Nian sat down and pulled out his exam paper.

Solving problems made him feel grounded—even somewhat delighted. Small progress built confidence for the exam.

After all, he'd still have to face the Gaokao. No trick could replace real ability.

Near lunch break, he put down his pen.

He briefly checked his system panel, scanning from the skills section to the item section, and noticed 【Lucky Draw】

Still on cooldown.

He estimated he could use 【Lucky Draw】 again next Monday. "What are you thinking about?" Chen Yunyun walked in through the classroom door. Seeing him lost in thought, she sat backward on the desk in front of him.

Her hair spilled down, a few strands falling across his exam paper.

"Hey, don't wet my exam paper." Jiang Nian closed his system panel and idly pinched the soft flesh of her arm.

"Stingy." Chen Yunyun immediately stopped giggling.