Chapter 2: Heaven rewards diligence—effort brings progress!

Upon hearing Li Mingyang's words, Luo Yuan merely shook his head indifferently:

"What's the point of saying it's not too late? We're already in senior year—what difference would effort make? Could we really get into a good college?"

"With this time, wouldn't it be nicer to read more novels?"

"If you want to work hard, you do it yourself—I've read novels, you keep at it."

After saying that, Luo Yuan half-heartedly gave a cheering gesture to show his support for Li Mingyang's study efforts.

Of course, whether there's any sincerity in that is hard to say.

After all, they've been bad friends for three years of high school, talking as if they don't know each other; in Luo Yuan's view, Li Mingyang must have gotten some stimulus that made him act impulsively.

"Studying? Hah! At most three days—if Li Mingyang can keep up today's study zeal, I, Luo Yuan, will do a handstand and eat two catties!"

Thinking this, Luo Yuan felt even more at ease and leisurely continued reading his novel.

As for the summer homework…… Li Mingyang isn't doing it, so neither am I!

Even if the teacher catches us, isn't there still my bad friend keeping me company? As long as I'm not alone, Luo Yuan says he's completely fine.

Regarding this good-for-nothing bad friend of his, Li Mingyang also had nothing he could do.

Since the other side doesn't want to study, Li Mingyang naturally has no reason or obligation to force them to study; put bluntly, they're just friends.

He's not the other's parent, and he might even ruin their relationship for nothing.

Picking up the math materials before him, Li Mingyang sincerely felt fortunate that, upon returning from his transmigration, his high school memories had become clearer.

Unlike in his past life when he was over thirty, he couldn't even be sure of understanding middle school math, let alone high school math.

But……

But that feeling of relief lasted less than three minutes before Li Mingyang quickly realized that, even though he had clear memories from that period, he……

could barely understand this high school math!

"What? You're saying I'm a poor student? My first-year college entrance exam math score was only 61? No problem—I'll just study!"

In the blink of an eye, the morning's three classes, including early self-study, passed; as a poor student sitting in the back of the classroom, Li Mingyang had his own advantage.

That is, no teacher would bother him—whether he was studying from a book or openly playing on his phone, the teacher likely wouldn't even glance at him.

So, without realizing it, Li Mingyang had already studied three lessons' worth of math.

He wasn't sure if it was because of his transmigration enhancing his brain, but Li Mingyang felt his study efficiency was pretty good.

He had no trouble absorbing the material, and the freshly learned knowledge points were exceptionally clear in his memory.

"Come on, Dai Mao, let's hustle to the cafeteria."

As soon as the bell rang to end class, Li Mingyang eagerly grabbed Luo Yuan, ready to dash to the cafeteria.

Now it's the big break, and everyone is supposed to do the break exercises, but as honorable poor students, Li Mingyang and Luo Yuan don't have that habit.

Moreover, the cafeteria food at this time is genuinely good, especially the snack area on the third floor!

Since sophomore year, the two have unfailingly rushed to the cafeteria every big break.

As for the break exercises? The two said, "What's that?" They were completely unfamiliar……

"Boss, two braised duck legs……"

"Boss, six pumpkin cakes……"

"Boss, one hand-held pancake……"

Upon arriving at the third-floor cafeteria, Li Mingyang, like a starving ghost reborn, swept up many of the snacks here, piling a heaping mound in front of himself.

Seeing this, Luo Yuan couldn't help but stare agape: "I remember you ate breakfast—how can you eat all this?"

"Maybe studying burns more nutrients? I feel I could eat an entire cow right now."

While saying that, Li Mingyang couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief—in just those two minutes he'd already spent over thirty dollars.

Fortunately, he still had plenty of savings in his little stash; if he remembered correctly, this was the money he'd set aside for a new phone and a PSP.

Altogether it amounted to a solid three thousand, at least enough to keep him fed for a while.

And upon hearing Li Mingyang's words, Luo Yuan also stared dumbfounded for a moment: "No way, you're actually serious about studying?"

He thought Li Mingyang's enthusiasm would last only three minutes, but now it seems otherwise.

This morning he had observed, and that guy was truly studying hard—he was really into it.

This made Luo Yuan feel a vague sense of urgency, as if his bad friend were about to betray the revolutionary camp—what was going on?

"What else then? To be honest, I still really want to get into a good university."

"This vacation I've seen plenty of people around me graduate from vocational colleges and then struggle horribly—life is tight, and I don't want to live like that."

Looking at his bad friend before him, Li Mingyang spoke earnestly, wishing he could give him a hand if possible.

After all, that guy ought to be his only sincere friend from high school!

"So I'm genuinely suggesting that, if you can, you start studying too—I'm not saying how much progress you'll make, but at least let us avoid ending up in a vocational college!"

"After all, with our current grades, you should know the most we can hope for is a vocational college level!"

"Fine, I'll think about it."

After hearing Li Mingyang's words, Luo Yuan was indeed thoughtful, seeming somewhat inclined.

All that can be said is that boys this age are like that—they won't listen to their parents, but they will actually take to heart and ponder a friend's advice.

……

In the blink of an eye, it was time for the last class, and school would end soon at twelve.

Just as Li Mingyang was about to finish his morning study session, a clear electronic tone sounded:

"Detected that the host has persisted in studying for over five hours; Heaven's Way Rewards Diligence System activated, detected that the host is studying mathematics, automatically binding the Math Template."

"Current mathematics level LV0 (49%)..."

Hearing this sound, Li Mingyang widened his eyes in surprise, having originally thought he had no golden finger.

After all, he had tried calling his system more than once that morning, yet still got no response.

Just when I had resigned myself, and was already studying diligently, the system actually appeared!

But... Heaven Rewards Diligence? Studying hard will bring progress? And bound Math Template? Could it be that I'm actually a learning system?