Chapter 33: Scored First in the Grade

This monthly exam covered six subjects.

Shu Shu's grades——

Chinese, 150.

Math, 150.

English, 150.

Physics, 100.

Chemistry, 100.

Biology, 98.

Lao Liu held the report card; each time he read it, a clear intake of breath could be heard from all around.

Shu Shu scored a total of 748 points, a full forty points higher than the second-place student, Shi Jin from Class (1)!

Everyone looked toward Shu Shu sitting in the back row.

The gazes from dozens of eyes washed over her.

A long silence.

The silence lasted so long that even the person herself felt she should say something, and then Shu Shu blinked and said, "Oh, uh, I'm a bit weak in biology."

Silence can truly be deafening.

Everyone was going crazy inside.

A perfect score is 100, yet 98 is still called a weak subject?!!!

Oh right, there's another student in our class who ranked in the top 260 of the grade this monthly exam. Lao Liu raised his head, looked around, and said, "Student Zhao Heping."

Ah. Bo Luo Zai stood up, dazed, and stammered, "Um, during the exam I shared a testing room with Shu Shu; she sat next to me, and I, I copied her multiple-choice answers..."

Lao Liu obviously knew this score couldn't have come from troublemaker Bo Luo Zai; hearing this, he wasn't surprised at all and sighed, "All right, kid, own up, sit down, and don't let it happen again."

…

All the way until the end of class, Shu Lingchen remained in a dazed state.

Shu Shu: "See, I told you, getting first place in the grade is actually quite easy."

Shu Lingchen: ".........."

Well, you win some, lose some— the withdrawal threshold has doubled to 200,000.

Shu Lingchen didn't even have time to freak out over the withdrawal threshold jumping to 200,000; he incredulously asked, "Could it be that what schools taught before is exactly the same as what they teach now?!"

Of course not exactly the same.

Then why can you still score so— freakishly?

Shu Shu glanced at him: "You don't think I wake up this early and come to school just for fun, do you?"

To be honest, the feeling of drilling practice and cramming still makes Shu Shu a bit nostalgic, even though it's not very challenging.

By the way, how many points did you score?

After class, the monthly exam report card was posted on the bulletin board at the back of the classroom.

Shu Shu found Shu Lingchen's name——

Chinese: 22 points.

Math: 17 points.

English: 12 points.

Physics: 10 points.

Biology: 3 points.

Chemistry: 8 points.

Total: 72 points.

Shu Lingchen: ".........."

How is this possible?! he exclaimed, eyes wide: "I did this myself this time! How could I get so few points?!"

He was still hoping to earn a bonus by improving his score.

The result? Not only did he not improve, he actually got worse!

He took this exam so seriously, yet the outcome was even less reliable than if he had just guessed!

Shu Lingchen's confidence took a huge hit; he drooped his head like a miserable little lion.

Shu Shu reached out and comfortingly ruffled that messy head of hair.

Let's not even mention it— though the bedhead looks ugly, it feels nice to the touch, and she couldn't resist giving it a few more grabs.

Actually, from another perspective, being able to score this much is also a kind of talent.

.......... Shu Lingchen resentfully: "Thanks! I wasn't comforted at all!"

Shu Shu encouraged: "But you really have improved, look— your previous score was just a guess, but this time you did it yourself, and the progress is still significant."

Shu Lingchen remained unhappy.

Shu Shu comforted: "Everyone has times when they do poorly on a test."

Shu Lingchen lifted his head, pleading: "Have you ever scored in the single digits before?"

Oh, that hasn't happened. Shu Shu stroked her chin, recalling: "My worst score was ninety, and my worst rank was fourth place."

Shu Lingchen stared, dumbfounded, feeling as if several arrows had pierced his chest.

It felt even worse!

…

The monthly exam results came out, and the top rank in the grade was a student from the notoriously low-performing Class 12, causing the whole teachers' office to erupt.

The teachers were all curious about which school Shu Shu had attended before, given how surprisingly high her level was.

"This really isn't clear; the file doesn't mention it."

"One of the teachers mysteriously said, 'But I heard that the new library the principal announced at last Monday's meeting to be built next semester was donated by this student Shu Shu in her personal name.'"

"!!!"

"No wonder the information isn't disclosed; kids from big families like this often have their details kept private."

"I originally thought Shu Shu was still in sophomore year after turning eighteen because of poor grades leading to a repeat, but I didn't expect her grades to be this good!"

"Such a good student should be in my Class 1 Yi Ban," said the Yi Ban homeroom teacher, feeling eager: "I'll go talk to the director later and have Shu Shu transferred to Class 1 Yi Ban tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, the Class 2 homeroom teacher immediately became unhappy: "Oh, shouldn't she come to my Class 2? Huang Laoshi, your Class 1 Yi Ban already has Shi Jin from Jing Shi, so this time Shu Shu should be placed in my Class 2."

"Ah, Teacher Shi, that's not right; can't my Class 3 take her? In this month's exam, my Class 3 had several students who ranked second in the grade in individual subjects."

The three top-class teachers then began to debate openly, as if no one else were present.

Beside them, Class 12 homeroom Teacher Lao Liu weakly raised his hand and said: "No, is nobody considering my feelings?"

"Oh, Lao Liu, don't butt in; Shu Shu doesn't even have a quiet, good learning environment in your Class 12. When I previously covered a class for you, the gossip in your ears never stopped."

Lao Liu choked.

He wanted to argue, but it was the truth.

"Although I know it's hard to retain a student as outstanding as Shu Shu, I still want to fight for her: 'Shu Shu also achieved first place in the grade in my class, showing that such excellent students are unaffected by environmental factors.'"

"Then came the rebuttal: 'If there's already a good environment available, why would one choose to stay in a bad one?'"

Lao Liu was so angry he couldn't speak.

The homeroom teachers of the three top classes acted quickly, and by lunchtime they had found the grade director.

The grade director said: "Changing classes requires first obtaining the student's consent."

Homeroom Teacher Huang Laoshi of Class 1 Yi Ban confidently said: "Shu Shu will surely agree without even thinking."

…

Before the lunch break, Shu Shu was summoned to the teachers' office.

Upon hearing about changing classes, she politely refused: "I won't change classes; I'm fine staying in Class 12."

She also has to keep an eye on Shu Lingchen, that little fool.

The moment Shu Shu finished speaking, Lao Liu's eyes lit up!

The homeroom teachers of Classes 1, 2, and 3 were all startled; after much persuasion, Shu Shu still remained unmoved.

"I think Class 12 is great; the classmates, the atmosphere—everything I like."

Upon hearing this, Lao Liu was moved to tears; instantly, his gaze toward the homeroom teachers of the three top classes was one of triumphant pride, his back straightening.

He was almost tearing up looking at Shu Shu, and he promised: "Shu Shu, you can come to me for any matter! If that little bastard Shu Lingchen dares to disturb your studies, I'll definitely take care of him!"

"Shu Shu: 'Teacher, you're too polite. If Shu Lingchen dares to cause you trouble, I'll take care of him myself before you even need to act.'"

Lao Liu was stunned, and didn't recover until Shu Shu returned to the classroom.

He scratched his head.

How come something feels off?

…

In the blink of an eye, it was Friday again.

Eight o'clock in the evening.

Shu Shu simply packed her belongings.

Shu Lingchen saw this and asked curiously: "Mom, where are you going?"

"Jing Shi, I have something to attend to."

—"The recruitment event for that international orchestra starts on Saturday, and she wants to go see whether her daughter is there."