Chapter 514: Ying Chanxi Secretly Gives Li Luo Extra Tutoring

June 10, Monday.

Li Luo and the other two got up early and went for a morning run, then returned to their normal study routine.

Xu Youyu, by contrast, slept until she naturally woke up, no longer worried about oversleeping, able to enjoy this relaxed state for two or three full months during her post-exam summer vacation.

Around ten in the morning, Xu Youyu slowly got out of bed, went to the bathroom, then returned to bed for a nap.

Near noon, she ordered takeout on her phone, and only got up when she heard the delivery rider knocking at the door.

After a quick lunch, she returned to her bedroom, sat at her desk, turned on her computer, logged into QQ, and immediately saw in her class group a post uploading the official answer keys for each subject of the college entrance exam.

Xu Youyu opened it, compared it roughly with her own memories, got a general sense of her score, and finally relaxed.

She performed normally, no major issues.

With that, Xu Youyu was completely at ease; she stretched her neck in front of the computer, opened a document, and typed a few large characters.

"Spiritual Qi Revival."

Then came a few personal reflections.

Such as "Characteristics of Spiritual Qi Revival," "Government Response and Strategy," "Discoveries and Choices by Civilians," "Specific Major Events," "Timeline Organization," and so on.

Xu Youyu first built a preliminary framework for her imagined world of "Spiritual Qi Revival" based on her earlier ideas.

On that foundation, she began imagining what kind of protagonist would play a role in such a world.

But she wasn't in a hurry; after writing for just over two hours, she stood up, stretched, changed into casual clothes, and called her father.

Soon after, Xu Rongsheng drove down to the building, picked up Xu Youyu, and took her to enroll in driving school.

"Besides getting your driver's license, what else are you planning this summer?" Xu Rongsheng asked from the driver's seat.

"Hmm… I'll also be preparing my new book," Xu Youyu replied, hesitating slightly—still uneasy about her father knowing she wrote Online Novels.

"Oh?" Xu Rongsheng was intrigued. "What genre this time?"

"Cultivation in the real world," Xu Youyu said, deciding a simpler term would be easier for her father to understand than "Spiritual Qi Revival."

"Why not keep writing urban entertainment?"

"Cough… I got tired of it, wanted a change," Xu Youyu said awkwardly.

Though she truly was tired of the genre, her decision to write about Spiritual Qi Revival—discussed earlier with Li Luo—was now purely to avoid embarrassment.

After all, if she wrote about entertainment, she couldn't avoid writing about women, and romantic subplots were inevitable seasoning.

But with Spiritual Qi Revival, while a female lead might still appear, such cloying plotlines would take up far less space.

Moreover, according to her vision, this time she wanted to portray a couple whose affection was calm and quiet, like immortals in harmony.

Though she didn't yet know exactly what the male and female leads would be like, she felt an inexplicable longing for such a state, and her creative urge was sparked.

"Oh, by the way," Xu Youyu changed the subject, not wanting to talk too much about her new book, "this summer there's also the Wenxue Group's author salon—it's an annual event."

"When?" Xu Rongsheng asked.

"Probably early July," Xu Youyu recalled, unsure of the exact date the editor had given. "But that's not what I wanted to say."

"Then what?"

"Remember when we traveled to Qiongzhou City?" Xu Youyu grinned. "This summer, we could go on another trip together, and invite Ying Chanxi and Zhu Sheng's parents too."

"Oh," Xu Rongsheng remembered. "That's right. So what are you suggesting?"

"This year's author salon is in Yuzhong City," Xu Youyu said enthusiastically. "We've never been there before—why not all go together?"

"That's no problem," Xu Rongsheng nodded. "Your mother and I are free all summer—just coordinate with your schedule."

"It's settled then," Xu Youyu nodded happily. "Ask Ying Chanxi and Zhu Sheng to check with their parents."

After finishing the conversation, Xu Rongsheng drove Xu Youyu to the driving school entrance.

The instructor here knew someone he knew; the process was simple—after submitting her personal information, they immediately took her for a physical exam and completed enrollment.

After scheduling her upcoming Theory Test (Subject One) class, Xu Youyu was driven back to Bihai Lanting by Xu Rongsheng.

…

In the following days, Xu Youyu diligently studied for Subject One at driving school and practiced online with learning apps.

With her top-of-grade academic ability, Subject One was easy—five days later she registered for the exam, passed smoothly, and booked Subject Two.

This part proved slightly harder for her.

It was her first time driving, and with little physical training, she lacked good body control.

Nervousness led to mistakes.

So by June 22, when the high school freshmen and Gao Er students at Fuyi High School began their final exams, she had only just grasped the basics—still far from passing Subject Two.

Amid this summer routine, after the first day of final exams ended, Cui Suling and Xu Rongsheng came to Bihai Lanting, nervously preparing to check their daughter's college entrance exam results.

Li Luo and the others had to go to school for exams and couldn't stay at Bihai Lanting to get the news immediately.

But after the morning exam ended, Li Luo immediately returned to his classroom, secretly pulled out his phone from his desk drawer, and glanced at it.

Seeing the message from Xu Youyu, he smiled.

"How did Senior Xu do?" Ying Chanxi, sitting in front, knew Li Luo had received a message from Xu Youyu and turned back curiously.

"721 points," Li Luo smiled. "Forty-third in the province."

Honestly, this score was already outstanding for Fuyi High School.

The top liberal arts score of 733 came from Zhenhai High School, the elite school in Yuhang City.

Xu Youyu was only twelve points behind—still living up to her title as top student in her grade at Fuyi.

After all, if you counted all provincial key high schools in Qianjiang Province, Fuyi High might not even rank in the top ten.

Under such fierce competition, securing forty-third in the entire province was truly impressive.

Moreover, among the province's top 100, Xu Youyu was likely one of the few who would refuse Tsinghua or Peking University to choose Qianjiang University instead.

She had not disappointed Li Luo's blessing before the exam.

【SleepEarlyGrowTaller】: It's not that I couldn't get into Tsinghua or Peking—just that Qianjiang University is closer to home, more convenient for commuting (smiley. jpg)

【Chongran】: (thumbs up. jpg)

The two exchanged a look of perfect understanding, then Xu Youyu replied.

【SleepEarlyGrowTall】: Then do your best in the final exams—try to beat Xi Xi once?

【Chongran】: I'll do my best, but no promises.

Li Luo also really wanted to try beating Ying Chanxi once in the exams.

But Ying Chanxi was just too much of a bug in this area; Li Luo felt that even if she went to Xuejun or Zhenhai, she could still compete for top rank in the grade.

Li Luo ranked fourth in the grade in this semester's midterms again; he hadn't slackened this time and felt he still had room to climb, but beating Ying Chanxi was still difficult.

……

As time reached July 1st, the final exam results were released—and the outcome was exactly as Li Luo had expected.

"Still four points short," Li Luo muttered, glancing at the grade-wide ranking list and sighing helplessly.

Ying Chanxi turned to look at him and laughed: "Hey, your score is getting closer to mine now, and isn't this the first time you've gotten second in the grade?"

"I'd seen a similar solution to the last math problem before—I barely narrowed the gap," Li Luo shook his head. "Next time, I won't be so lucky."

"It's really just the reading comprehension and essay scores in Chinese and English that cost you," Ying Chanxi said. "If I'd been a bit less lucky, you might've passed me."

"Can you two stop being so modest here?" Xu Yinghuan said, squinting from beside them. "I was actually happy to crack the top 160 this time, and then I come over and hear you two bragging to each other!"

"You'll get used to it," Qiao Xinyan chuckled, covering her mouth. "But Li Luo's progress is really fast—he used to hover around tenth or eleventh with me, and now I can't even catch up while he's already second."

"Xi Xi gives Li Luo private tutoring at home," Yan Zhusheng whispered.

"Really?" Zhao Rongjun's eyes widened in surprise. "What's the secret?"

"What secret?" Ying Chanxi widened her eyes.

But Yan Zhusheng nodded: "There is! I've often seen Xi Xi dragging Li Luo into her room, doing who-knows-what."

Hearing this, Ying Chanxi's cheeks flushed red, and she stammered.

She was just asking Li Luo about MV shooting techniques!

Zhusheng really shouldn't make up such nonsense!

"Cough," Li Luo tapped her forehead lightly. "Say less, Zhusheng." He changed the subject and led them back to the classroom.

After returning to their seats, Li Luo asked the two girls: "What did Uncle Ying and Aunt Yuan say?"

"My dad says it's still uncertain, but he'll come over for dinner tonight—he says he'll confirm the plans today," Ying Chanxi said.

Yan Zhusheng nodded too: "My mom said the same."

"Alright, then we wait until after school."

Today was the last day of this semester at Fuyi High.

After the ranking list was posted in the morning and the final exams ended, the school announced dismissal at noon.

Only the third-year students had to return tomorrow morning for the graduation ceremony.

Li Luo and the others returned home and rested in the afternoon.

As evening approached, Ying Zhicheng and Yuan Wanqing arrived one after another at Bihai Lanting and began chatting with Li Guohong and Xu Rongsheng on the living room sofa.

Li Luo hadn't seen them in a while.

He'd met Ying Zhicheng once before, when signing the film and TV rights contract for "A Little Happiness."

After that, Ying Zhicheng entrusted the operation of the "A Little Happiness" production team to trusted subordinates, and with Li Luo's involvement, he had no intention of meddling.

As for Yuan Wanqing, since their last meeting during the New Year, they hadn't seen each other again.

Since appearing on the Spring Festival stage on New Year's Eve, Yuan Wanqing had become a household name among domestic singers and was now at the peak of her popularity.

Although Huayue Film and Television had long shifted toward film and TV productions, its former influence in music still lingered.

Old connections, nearly forgotten, were reactivated—and Huayue's music department regained attention.

In a way, although Ying Zhicheng's achievements in film and TV had been average, he had cultivated Yuan Wanqing into a cash cow in the music industry.

To give Ying Zhicheng more leverage in the company, Yuan Wanqing hadn't rested at all during this period, flying nonstop across the country for appearances.

Yuan Wanqing had appeared on nearly every major and minor variety show.

Add to that her preparations for her first-ever concert, and she was now so busy she didn't even have time to touch the ground with her heels.

When she heard Li Luo and the others planned a summer trip, Ying Zhicheng thought hard and, feeling sorry for Yuan Wanqing's exhaustion, decided to adjust the schedule so she could take a break.

"The writer's salon is on the 9th and 10th," Li Luo told Ying Zhicheng. "I was thinking we go on the 8th, spend a week in Chongqing, and return on the 15th."

"We won't have that much time," Ying Zhicheng said. "Since you're busy on the 9th and 10th, we'll arrive in Chongqing on the 11th."

"There's also a show invitation for Wanqing there on the 14th."

"After the show, your trip ends on the 15th—perfect timing."

For Yuan Wanqing right now, freeing up three days was already a major vacation.

With the schedules of the two busy people, Ying Zhicheng and Yuan Wanqing, confirmed, the summer travel plan for Li Luo's group of ten people across four families was finally settled.

Li Luo also received a clear message from his editor.

【Qianzhou】: The chief editor will discuss a Platinum contract with you during the salon. Can you bring a lawyer you know along to chat too?

【Chongran】: Are you planning to finalize the contract during the salon?

【Qianzhou】: Not necessarily, but we want to confirm your intent first—your performance this year makes Platinum almost certain.

【Qianzhou】: Confirming your intent early also helps prevent other sites from poaching you.

Qianzhou explained it clearly enough.

Li Luo smiled when he saw the message.

He understood the saying: it's easier to rest in the shade of a big tree.

But there was no need to say it too plainly.

【Chongran】: True—lately, quite a few other sites have been messaging me.

【Qianzhou】: What is this feeling of being NTR?

After exchanging a few playful remarks, Li Luo said no more.

【Chongran】: I'll bring a lawyer over; we can discuss the details with the chief editor then.

(End of Chapter)