Chapter 18: The Third Monthly Exam Is Coming!

Because of Li Mingyang, plus his own relationship with Luo Yuan, with Li Mingyang and Luo Yuan as the link, the relationship between the two families is now quite good, especially between the two mothers.

Sometimes they even make plans to go out together for square dancing, or to go grocery shopping, etc.

Little things like eating together happen even more often, and of course, it's mostly Luo Yuan's mother taking the initiative to invite.

After all, in Luo Yuan's mother's view, her son being able to change like this is all thanks to Li Mingyang.

And everyone can see how fast Li Mingyang's grades have improved recently; there's no way Luo Yuan could compare.

In order to have Li Mingyang spend more time with their son, so that their son can get a good score in the upcoming college entrance exam not far away.

Luo Yuan's mother has also been using every means lately; at least her attitude toward Li Mingyang can't be called just the usual enthusiasm for a son's friend.

Even sometimes she unconsciously feels that Luo Yuan's mother has a somewhat ingratiating attitude.

"Jeez, you kid, why didn't you say earlier? If I'd known, I would have packed up before class ended; now I've wasted all this time for nothing."

Li Mingyang truly admires Luo Yuan's mother's cooking skills, and even sincerely wonders why, with such talent, she would bother to work a regular job.

If she just opened a restaurant, her income would definitely be incomparable to what she has now, and the business would be absolutely booming!

So after hearing Luo Yuan's words, Li Mingyang's hand movements paused; he even stopped packing up his things and rushed straight out of the classroom.

He left only a reverberating sentence in the air:

"Hurry up! Later the braised pork trotters will get cold and won't be as fragrant."

And when he saw Li Mingyang sweep through the classroom like a gust of wind, leaving only a distant figure behind, Luo Yuan also suddenly panicked.

"Holy shit! Kid, slow down a bit, remember to leave me a few braised pork trotters."

"Every time my mom cooks, I almost never get any braised pork trotters; this is my mom's cooking! Slow down, wait for me."

Under Li Mingyang's lead, the two unconsciously started a speed race, each afraid of falling behind and missing a bite.

Of course, this is just a joke between them; by now, who doesn't know their tastes and appetites?

Take this time, for example, it's Luo Yuan's family cooking; aside from anything else, there's definitely a big pot of braised pork trotters, more than enough.

But fighting over it makes it taste even better, right?

Moreover, the competitive drive between men... how to put it? This thing is truly something magical!

……

"To be honest, I'm really grateful that our little Yuan has made a friend like Mingyang!"

Li Mingyang and Luo Yuan were like a tornado; after a brief pause they swept back home, quickly cleaned up the dishes on the table, and then left again just as fast.

Senior high students are just like that; basically every minute they're either cramming to study or on their way to cram.

Standing upstairs watching the two boys' receding backs, Luo Yuan's mother couldn't help but sigh from the heart.

"What are you talking about? I see your little Yuan is also quite well-behaved! Although he used to be a bit playful, at least he doesn't cause trouble outside."

"I think I should be the one saying this; if it weren't for your little Yuan, I wouldn't know what kind of state my son is in now."

"After all, my son used to be a trouble‑maker, but now he's finally straightened out, even risen above it! Both kids are well‑behaved and know to study."

Everyone says it takes many to lift a bridal sedan; Luo Yuan's mother said that, but Li Mingyang's mother would surely not just accept it outright.

One should still be modest and say a couple of humble words; otherwise, even if it's true, others would feel uncomfortable hearing it, right?

"Haha, Aunt Wang, you're being too modest; I know Mingyang's kid well—how could he be a troublemaker?"

"Now I just hope these two little guys can keep up their current study drive; at least until the college entrance exam."

"Strive to get into a better university!"

……

"Old Li, come help me look at this problem; I just can't figure it out."

Hearing this, after this period his ears were practically growing calluses; Li Mingyang let out a somewhat helpless sigh:

"I say you old brat, you've latched onto me, right? Why ask anyone else? Why do you always come to me with every question?"

"Besides, don't the reference books have answers in the back? Can't you study them yourself?"

Hearing that, Luo Yuan gave a heedless hehe smile, basically just being thick‑skinned:

"I'm not just looking at you studying physics lately; I wanted to follow along and learn too, main idea being mutual progress."

"Besides, with you, a big shot, right here, why would I still study the reference answers? I'm not going to waste a free tutor—I'm not stupid."

"Hurry up, hurry up! I really think this problem is quite challenging."

"In two days it's the third monthly exam; we really have to give it our all this round—no need to be as extreme as you, but at least we should astonish everyone."

"Aim to get this exam's score into the top 20, so we can have something to show when we go home, right?"

"The key is, my mom promised that if I get into the top 20 this exam, she'll give me 500 yuan in pocket money."

"Don't say I'm not loyal enough as a brother; once the funds come in, I'll treat everyone to the cafeteria during break exercises for the next week—how about that?"