Chapter 49: It was because she hadn't put in enough effort in her studies, and her own ability was insufficient

After everyone finished their meal and were full, someone suggested going to sing, and almost everyone in the class wanted to go.

Shen Li also chewed slowly and deliberately while eating, moving at a snail's pace; by the time everyone else had finished, she still had an uneaten shrimp in her bowl.

Zhang Zixin sat beside Shen Li, pointing her phone camera at herself to touch up her lipstick, and asked her offhandedly, "Are you going to sing in a bit?"

Shen Li finished eating, wiped her mouth, and took a sip of water: "I don't know how to sing, so I won't go."

She glanced at Shen Li and said, "Why not go? Anyway, this singing session is being deducted from the class fund. If you don't go, wouldn't that be a huge loss?"

"If you can't sing, you can go to eat! I'm planning to eat back the cost of the class fund; two hundred is still money."

She was silent for a moment, as if deep in thought, and finally said, "Then I'll go."

It was only a little past six-thirty now, and the dormitory closed at nine-thirty, so there was still time to hang out for a while.

The class fund was currently managed by Zhao Zhouyuan, who went to the front desk to settle the bill.

She also booked a deluxe KTV room on her phone, right upstairs in the commercial plaza, where the prices were moderate and not too high.

The consumer base for the mall here was mostly students, so it wasn't very expensive.

There happened to be a room that could accommodate about twenty people.

The others went ahead with Zhao Zhouyuan.

Shen Li went to use the restroom first.

By the time she returned, the room was empty, and she was the only one left.

The waiter was already clearing the table.

She took her bag and left.

As she walked out, she checked the group chat on her phone; they had already arrived.

The group chat had also posted the room number.

In the university town mall, there was a giant display screen.

As Shen Li walked out, she saw it at a glance; the screen was playing something.

It was footage of a reporter on a campus interviewing students about to face the college entrance exam.

The place was also one Shen Li knew all too well.

——Haishi Middle School.

She had spent three years there.

She still remembered this scene.

Back then, facing the college entrance exam, to relieve the students' stress, an activity was held before the exam where the entire senior class gathered together to play stress-relief games.

That day happened to coincide with a reporter coming to interview.

Reporter: "With the college entrance exam approaching, do you feel the study pressure is high? Are you nervous or anything? Facing this exam, do you have the confidence to achieve the best results?"

The other person: "I'm alright. After all, the college entrance exam is an unavoidable stage, so there's really nothing to be stressed about. Just treat it with a normal mindset. As for the results, I don't think getting into Qingbei should be a problem."

The reporter smiled: "It seems you are very confident! Confidence is a good thing. Then I wish you a bright future and an ideal score in advance."

"Now, let's interview the next student..."

When the camera turned.

It captured that lively and pretty face on screen, wearing a blue and white school uniform, the girl with her hair in a princess style, full of confident smiles, instantly grabbing everyone's attention.

"Next, let's interview this girl."

The reporter pointed the microphone at her, "This student, please introduce yourself."

Shen Zhaozhao faced the camera enthusiastically and generously, waving both hands: "Hello everyone, I'm from the senior science class of Haishi Middle School, my name is Shen Zhaozhao."

"Student Shen Zhaozhao, may I ask if you are confident about the question types for this year's exam?"

Shen Zhaozhao held the microphone and gave a sweet smile to the camera: "I'm sorry! I might not be able to answer that question, because... I have already been recommended for admission to Qingbei University."

The reporter looked at her in shock: "... I didn't expect you to be so amazing, congratulations."

"Then, do you have any regrets about these three years of high school?"

"Regrets? Hmm... I don't think so. If I had to say, I have an older sister... she didn't get this recommendation quota."

"But I hope... my sister won't be sad. With fourteen days left until the college entrance exam, I believe she will definitely be admitted to Qingbei University."

Reporter: "... Do you have anything you want to say to your sister?"

Shen Zhaozhao: "I want to tell my sister, sister... you need to adjust your mindset as soon as possible and prepare for the college entrance exam. I believe you will definitely achieve good results. Come on!"

"Is your sister here? I'd like to interview her..."

Shen Zhaozhao looked back, not knowing what she was looking for, "She... I don't know where she went."

Then she saw something not far away and waved, "Mom..."

The camera turned, and a dignified and properly dressed woman walked over.

Shen Zhaozhao introduced her to the reporter: "She is my mother, and also the dean of students at this school..."

Shen Li stared blankly at the interview on the screen, and the view in front of her suddenly began to blur.

A sharp pain, like being pricked by a needle, struck her chest again.

Shen Zhaozhao affectionately took her arm, "Let me introduce everyone, this is my mother."

Reporter: "... I heard from your daughter that she has an older sister who didn't get the opportunity for the recommendation quota."

"Do you have any words of encouragement you'd like to say to her?"

Shen Li looked at the person on the screen and heard those words clearly; the attitude was stiff, serious, and coldly unsmiling: "... Not getting this recommendation quota is because she didn't put in enough effort in her studies, and her own ability is insufficient."

"But it's just one opportunity for a quota; it doesn't represent anything."

"I hope she can put more focus on her studies and prepare well for the college entrance exam."

"Only if she studies well can her life be smooth, with fewer other distractions."

The reporter caught on: "It seems the older sister is still playful and couldn't get this recommendation quota."

"But the older sister shouldn't be discouraged either; there are still fourteen days, and there is still a chance to work hard."

"The older sister should also focus her mind and study hard."

Shen Li lowered her gaze, her body trembling uncontrollably, her fingertips digging hard into her palms. The moment she lowered her head, tears fell one after another.

Why... Mom...

I am your daughter, aren't I!

Not far away, Xie Qin and his group walked over.

Xu Zhouyuan saw it and mentioned it.

"Is that the Vice Class Monitor? She's standing there motionless, what's she doing? Her body is shaking so hard, she wouldn't be crying there, would she?"

"Hold this." Xie Qin handed the packed strawberry smoothie in his hand to Xu Zhouyuan.

He raised his hand to take it.

Then he saw Xie Qin walking toward Shen Li.

At this moment, the closer he got, the clearer he could hear.

The sound of soft sobbing was suppressed extremely low.

Her body was tense, holding back her emotions.

At this moment, quite a few passersby cast glances her way.

A boy wanted to go over to see, but before he could get close, he was scolded by a fierce voice.

Xie Qin: "Get lost!"