Chapter 39

This time when the test papers were handed out, Ye Wanqing was once again, by unspoken agreement among the teachers, left until last for every single subject.

Chinese: 112.

In the Chinese class the teacher did not make any special show of emotion. When she read Ye Wanqing’s score the gloom on her face was less than last time; a few parts of satisfaction had appeared instead. After all, this time Ye Wanqing had made very few mistakes on the classical poetry fill-in-the-blanks and had only two points deducted.

Just like before, the math teacher walked in carrying a gust of wind—simply because Ye Wanqing had once again scored full marks. Although this child never listened in math class, she had the ability, and he could understand that now.

English naturally went without saying. Ye Wanqing’s performance remained excellent. Although she did not reach the same high scores as Chinese and math, she still got 92.

After Ye Wanqing’s emergency assault on politics, history and geography and two rounds of review, the effect was very good. Last monthly exam the scores had been either in the thirties or forties; this time at least every subject had crossed the passing line.

Chinese, math and English: Ye Wanqing’s scores were respectively 112, 120 and 92.

Politics, history and geography: her scores were respectively 70, 65 and 66.

Total: 525.

A number that was not particularly auspicious, yet an extremely high score.

Ye Wanqing was very satisfied with this result. The other classmates in the class, however, were stunned. You had to know that before Ye Wanqing came to the school, the highest score in their class had never exceeded five hundred. Yet Ye Wanqing’s second monthly exam score was actually 525!

If she were given another month of review time, what level could she reach?!

The liberal-arts classmates did not dare think about it; even the teachers did not dare think about it.

Without the least surprise, Ye Wanqing was first in the class.

Third Middle only had two senior classes. Ye Wanqing was therefore also first in the whole school…… and she had reached this level after only two exams.

Referring to previous years’ admission cut-off scores, as long as Ye Wanqing performed normally in the college entrance exam, a good university was already locked in.

Once again those people who had previously felt that Ye Wanqing was too pretty and bright, that entering school must mean romance first and study second, that even if she studied it was only to muddle through a high-school graduation certificate, felt as if their faces had been slapped hard several times—fiery and painful.

Who said that looking pretty meant you could not have a good brain?

Ye Wanqing could!

Just like Ye Wanqing’s subject teachers, the principal of Third Middle was also delighted beyond measure when he learned the news.

How could he not be happy?

After all, Ye Wanqing had been specially admitted by him. Although at the time he had only done it to give Old Zhong face and had never expected this girl’s scores to be this good, it was still his achievement, wasn’t it?

For this reason the principal of Third Middle specially carried wine to drink two cups with Old Zhong to express thanks.

After finishing that round of drinks he specially went to First Middle to find an old acquaintance—also the principal of First Middle whom he had competed against for many years without ever winning once—and sincerely thanked First Middle for shutting Ye Wanqing out, giving their Third Middle the benevolent act of a top-scholar talent.

First Middle principal: “……”

So angry, yet still had to keep smiling.

The moment the Third Middle principal left, the First Middle principal slammed the table. “Who was Ye Wanqing’s homeroom teacher? Who was it that refused Ye Wanqing at the time?! Call that person over for me! Immediately! Right now!”

—

Ye Wanqing’s scores once again changed everyone’s impression of her. Previously the attitude toward the “iceberg beauty” had been respectful distance; now it was more admiration.

Why did she not like to smile?

She had to study!

Why did she not like talking with people?

She had to study!

Why did she not date, even refusing the talented students from the science class?

Still because she had to study!

Especially after learning that every member of the evening self-study group had improved their scores—math and English in particular rising by several tens of points on average—quite a few people boldly sought out Ye Wanqing and requested to join the evening self-study ranks.

Among these people there were even some from the neighboring science class; Chen Yuming was included as well.

Ye Wanqing felt a bit troubled.

If it were according to her own wishes, maintaining the status quo would be best. Yet school was a public place; she could not forcefully refuse others from coming to evening self-study at school either……

But once too many people joined, it would inevitably affect the study efficiency of the eight-person group. She herself also disliked a noisy environment.

Although she did not mind helping others, she was not that public-spirited either. At this time when every minute and second counted, her own time was already not enough, yet she would still spend large amounts of time answering questions and clearing up confusion for others.

This was a difficult problem. After serious thought Ye Wanqing came up with a solution that was not really a solution and discussed it with Jiang Lili and the others.

“Quite a few classmates want to come to school for evening self-study, but I prefer a quieter environment, so…… if it is convenient for you all, how about we move the evening self-study to my home from now on? If it is not convenient for you, then from now on we will just study separately at home, and every morning we will arrive at school half an hour early so I can explain the difficult problems you encountered while reviewing the previous evening.”

“As for the other classmates, I have no way to take care of them one by one. I can only post the detailed problem-solving approaches from the questions we discuss every day on the back wall of the classroom and let everyone look at them themselves.”

Actually Ye Wanqing felt the second method was best. That way the other seven people would not have to run back and forth in the evening, Jiang Lili would not have to trouble her family to pick her up, and everyone would save trouble.

Yet contrary to Ye Wanqing’s expectations, Jiang Lili and the others all chose the first plan.

“Go to your house.”

“Studying together is more energetic. I’m not used to studying alone at home anymore.”

“Still together. I still want to continue freeloading the fan!”

The weather was getting hotter and hotter; the fan was truly a good thing. Everyone said it was hard to go from luxury back to frugality. Without a fan the daytime heat was unbearable; they all felt evening study efficiency was higher.

Jiang Lili was even more pleased with herself. “My family doesn’t think I’m trouble at all! I’m the only girl in my family and especially treasured, hehe.”

“……”

“Then alright.” Ye Wanqing smiled and nodded.

She was not a coy person. She directly posted the math review plan she had made earlier and a letter on the back wall of the classroom. First she expressed apology to the other classmates who wanted to join the study group, then indicated that from now on every day she would post the question types discussed by the study group on the back wall of the classroom.

Some people were happy about this. Originally they had not held any hope; they never expected Ye Wanqing would selflessly share the review plan. It was simply an unexpected joy. They specially prepared a notebook, intending to record those question types useful to themselves.

Yet some people were rather dissatisfied, feeling Ye Wanqing was putting on airs.

Everyone was supporting her because they thought highly of her, yet she was unwilling to answer questions for everyone. Saying something about giving the classroom over for everyone to evening self-study—wasn’t that just being afraid of being disturbed? Selfish!

Thinking that taking out a few scraps of paper would make them feel grateful? Impossible!

Toward these remarks Ye Wanqing’s heart was like still water; she simply had no mood to waste time on them. Those who thanked her, she did her utmost. Those who did not thank her, she could not be bothered to manage.

In the previous life she had already understood one principle: if the three views were different, they were not suitable to be friends.

—

The news that Ye Wanqing had scored well seriously affected the mood of the entire Ye family.

Ever since the matter of Ye Wanqing sending Wang Jiabao into the public security bureau, the Ye family had been very unwelcome at the bus station.

Ye Xiangdang was still alright. Men’s circles were not as meticulous as women’s. Even if they had some thoughts in their hearts, on the surface things could still pass; no one would deliberately make things difficult for him.

Liu Lizhen was different.

She was originally a housewife with no job, idle at home all day. The housework she did was only average; every time she still needed Ye Xiangdang to come back and lend a hand. Only her excellent sewing skills allowed her to take private work making clothes and pants for people from time to time.

However, ever since Ye Wanqing had been forced out of the Ye family, many people openly and secretly said she was not kind, and no one came to her to make clothes anymore.

Simply could not stand it!

At this time tailors were not many, yet it was not to the point of being unable to find one. Who truly lacked that one tailor? No matter how good Liu Lizhen’s skill was, if the character was bad, no one would look for her.

Liu Lizhen not only had fewer jobs; even the acquaintances who used to visit her became fewer. This time she carried the vegetable basket walking on the road and bumped into quite a few people who actively greeted her; her heart was still happy at first.

Result……

“Liu Lizhen, your eldest girl has promise ah! Heard she tested first in the grade at Third Middle, and math was even full marks!”

“A good university is locked in. When the time comes will you hold a banquet for her? Remember to call us to eat wine ah.”

“My son is reading senior year at First Middle. Heard the First Middle principal cursed the homeroom teacher who refused your eldest girl until dog blood covered his head, and even decided to personally lead people to invite your eldest girl to study at First Middle!”

“You truly have good fortune ah. Who knows, your eldest girl might even test a county top scholar for you!”

“Congratulations congratulations, your family is about to produce a university student.”

“……”

At the beginning, having been cold-shouldered for too long, Liu Lizhen could still maintain a forced smile. Slowly discovering that these people had all come over to watch the show, openly saying congratulations yet their eyes full of schadenfreude, hearts unknown how they were laughing at the Ye family, her mood immediately became extremely foul.

When more people came over to speak with her she directly threw face at them, rolled her eyes white and stepped past the person, too lazy to exchange even one sentence.

Returning home Liu Lizhen set the vegetable basket on the ground and in her anger first gulped a stomachful of cold water to lower the fire.

“What is it this time?” Ye Xiangdang, who had returned earlier, had already finished making the simple lunch. Seeing her return with an angry expression he could not help frowning.

“Still that dead girl Ye Wanqing!” Liu Lizhen sat on the chair with a dark face. “Don’t know how she suddenly opened her mind. Before every exam was so poor, now she can actually test first in the grade…… Old Ye, do you think she might have cheated?”

“First in the grade by cheating—whose paper would she copy?”

Liu Lizhen choked once. “Maybe she copied from the book?”

“Can math be copied from a book?”

“You heard about it too?” Liu Lizhen widened her eyes, then in the next moment became angry again. “That girl truly made me lose face to death! If she had opened her mind earlier we wouldn’t have had to make her drop out and work on the buses! If she had always honestly attended class, how would the job-succession matter have blown up? Truly doesn’t know how to behave!”

“……” Ye Xiangdang was silent for a moment then slowly said, “This matter can’t keep being deadlocked like this. You go talk properly with the eldest girl again and have her come back to live at home. Not talking about anything else, we raised her for eighteen years after all. Even if she doesn’t plan to acknowledge us as parents anymore, her testing into university is a good thing. One promotion banquet I will hold for her.”

Liu Lizhen immediately became anxious. “Holding a promotion banquet—how much money would that cost! Our family doesn’t have that many savings. Even if we did…… those have to be kept as Mingzhu’s dowry!”

“I told you to go, so go. What’s all this nonsense?” Ye Xiangdang sighed once and explained, “The eldest girl doesn’t lack money in her hands. As long as we as parents put in the heart, would she still haggle with you over the money side?”

Liu Lizhen suddenly understood and only then reluctantly nodded. “Alright, then I’ll go look again. But last time that girl didn’t know how to behave and didn’t give me any face at all. This time I think you shouldn’t hold any hope either.”

Ye Xiangdang’s brows furrowed even tighter and in his heart he heavily sighed once.

It seemed the matter of Ye Mingzhu wanting to study was something he had to take seriously. There was no such thing as Ye Wanqing being able to test into university while his own biological daughter, after serious effort, could not?

Liu Lizhen, however, said resentfully, “That girl might not even test in! How many people perform abnormally in the college entrance exam? With her ability, she can be the county top scholar? I spit!”

Right—this matter must absolutely not let Mingzhu know! The bus-station job was so good even a top scholar wouldn’t be traded for it!

—

Ye Wanqing, whose heart held only study, did not welcome the “reconciliation” Liu Lizhen. First she waited for the previous homeroom teacher Teacher Qin and Chinese teacher Teacher Zhao from when she studied at First Middle.

In the evening while Ye Wanqing and Jiang Lili and the others were studying in the main room, Teacher Qin and Teacher Zhao carried emergency lamps and came to the door.

At this time materials were still not abundant. The small clever flashlights less than half a chi were already very rare; ordinary households only had the bulky emergency lamps that weighed several jin when carried in the hand.

Teacher Qin and Teacher Zhao walked into the courtyard and at a glance saw the main room brightly lit. Two square tables were placed side by side in the main room; nine people including Ye Wanqing were studying seriously.

Even though outside the cicadas were noisy, the study atmosphere inside the main room was extremely rich and quiet.

One electric fan stood in the corner blowing; the whole room was cool and clear. On a low stool to the side there was even a plate of cut fruit…… what immortal days were these?

Seeing Teacher Qin and Teacher Zhao come to the door, a group of eyes all looked over.

Ye Wanqing put down the textbook in her hand and stood up. “Teacher Zhao, Teacher Qin.”

Although she had no good feelings toward Teacher Qin, she would not deliberately make things difficult for people either. Moreover she had come together with Teacher Zhao; Teacher Zhao was a good teacher. Even if only for Teacher Zhao’s face she would not put on a bad expression.

Having disturbed other people’s study, Teacher Zhao felt a bit embarrassed. “Classmate Ye, can we chat with you a bit?”

Coming over this trip today, Teacher Zhao had been forced onto the duck shelf. If it were not for the principal’s strong demand, merely with Teacher Qin asking him, he would never have made this trip at all.

First refusing a child’s desire to study, then seeing the person’s scores were good and eyeing the promotion rate and reputation—wasn’t this a joke?

“……Alright.” Ye Wanqing nodded.

She indicated for the others to continue looking at books and also told Ge Yuan not to worry, then said toward the two people, “If you don’t mind, let’s go sit under the tree and chat a bit. But right now study is very tense; the time I can delay is not much—at most ten minutes.”

“Alright.” Teacher Zhao smiled bitterly.

Teacher Qin’s face looked a bit unpleasant upon hearing this; she felt Ye Wanqing’s attitude could be called arrogant and that she must know why they had come to the door and was putting on airs. Yet thinking of something she also endured and did not say anything.

Ye Wanqing went to the kitchen and steeped two cups of clear tea, placing them in front of the two teachers.

The three of them sat on the stone stools under the tree.

The moment Teacher Qin sat down she urgently opened her mouth. “Classmate Ye, previously refusing you from studying at First Middle was one part testing your desire to study; another part was not wanting the other classmates who were studying normally to be disturbed…… Now that you have already proven yourself, our First Middle still very much welcomes you to continue coming back to study.”

“Only one month remains until the college entrance exam. The review materials First Middle can obtain are absolutely things Third Middle cannot obtain. You transfer to First Middle tomorrow; it will only be beneficial for you.”

Teacher Qin was full of confidence, feeling Ye Wanqing could not possibly refuse First Middle’s invitation. Only unfortunately she was about to be disappointed.

“I’m sorry, I don’t plan to change schools.” Ye Wanqing shook her head and said mildly, “I understand First Middle’s concerns at the time, but I am even more grateful to Third Middle for giving me this opportunity. If only one month remains until the college entrance exam, changing schools is not a good choice for me. I would not only have to re-adapt to the teachers but also re-adapt to the study environment, so…… very sorry, I don’t plan to change schools.”

Teacher Qin still wanted to persuade further. Ye Wanqing firmly interrupted her. “Teacher Qin, thank you and Teacher Zhao very much for making this trip, but I will not change my mind.”

Teacher Qin’s expression was a bit ugly. Teacher Zhao hurriedly came out to smooth things over. “This is also us not considering thoroughly. Since you are doing well at Third Middle, then continue working hard and prepare well for the exam. If you need First Middle’s materials I can also bring……”

“No!” Teacher Qin suddenly spoke out, sharply opposing. Seeing both Ye Wanqing’s and Teacher Zhao’s eyes looking at herself, her expression stiffened a bit. “First Middle’s materials cannot be leaked outside. Teacher Zhao, this behavior of yours is not right.”

Ye Wanqing lightly laughed. “I understand. Teacher Zhao need not make an exception for me; otherwise I would also feel I had let you down.”

She directly stood up. “We’ve chatted a while and said about enough. Ten minutes should be up……”

Teacher Zhao hurriedly nodded. “Then we won’t disturb any longer.”

He pulled Teacher Qin’s sleeve. Teacher Qin flung his hand away and with a bit of temper walked toward the gate, quickly disappearing from sight.

Ye Wanqing saw Teacher Zhao to the courtyard gate. He turned back with gratification and sighed to her.

“Back when you were in my class I could already see this little girl was smart; only I didn’t know why you would never properly take exams and every time deliberately scored poorly…… Now it’s good. You properly take the exams and grasp the opportunity of life!”

“I will. Thank you, teacher.” Ye Wanqing nodded with mixed feelings.

She had not expected that some of the little tricks from when she was young had actually all been seen by Teacher Zhao. Perhaps precisely because of this Teacher Zhao had come to the door several times to persuade her to return to study, not wanting her to waste her own talent.

This was indeed a good teacher.

After watching Teacher Zhao walk a stretch of distance Ye Wanqing finally closed the courtyard gate.

She walked back into the main room. “Shua shua shua”—eight pairs of eyes all looked toward her.

Jiang Lili, representing everyone, asked out loud, “Wanqing, you didn’t agree to go to First Middle? Don’t leave ah, I can’t bear to part with you!”

Ye Wanqing smiled and shook her head. “I’m not leaving. Only one month left until the college entrance exam; what is there to toss about for nothing? Studying together with you all is happier.”

“That’s right!” Jiang Lili immediately laughed happily; the faces of the others were also in a relaxed state.

To speak honestly, no one wanted this study atmosphere to be broken.

After smiling and chatting a couple of sentences the several people quickly quieted down again and looked at books.

Ge Yuan had not spoken the whole time just now. In his heart he not only felt proud that Ye Wanqing was valued by First Middle; there was also an even stronger sense of urgency urging him to become even more outstanding so as to guarantee his own position.

His hand under the table grabbed Ye Wanqing’s left hand and forcefully pinched once. Ye Wanqing amusedly glanced at him once, did not indulge his little movement, pulled her hand out, and while she was at it pinched once on his leg.

“Sss!” Ge Yuan instantly sucked in a cold breath. The next second he raised one leg into a crossed position as if wanting to stay a bit farther from Ye Wanqing so as not to suffer the poison hand again.

Ye Wanqing looked at him in surprise and lowly asked, “That painful?”

This fellow—wasn’t he unafraid of pain? Besides she hadn’t used much force at all; she had only lightly pinched once ah.

Ge Yuan: “……”

Not pain—it was……

No—it was also pretty painful!

—

Following Teacher Qin and Teacher Zhao’s visit, the uninvited guest Liu Lizhen also made her powdered appearance the next evening.

However, having drawn experience from being disturbed the previous evening, this evening Ye Wanqing directly closed the courtyard gate. After knowing the person knocking outside was Liu Lizhen she did not even plan to open the door.

She had no interest in arguing with Liu Lizhen.

Liu Lizhen did slap the door for a while outside, cursing and muttering a bit noisily, yet was quickly jointly driven away by Fatty Wang’s mother and Aunt Plum Blossom who heard the news and rushed over.

Joking around—ever since becoming an employee of the Zhenwei little shop, Fatty Wang’s mother was extremely dedicated and responsible. Not only did she do the work within her duty especially well, even the lunches Ye Wanqing usually brought were made by her.

The more they interacted the more Fatty Wang’s mother felt Ye Wanqing was a pretty good little girl and also felt the Ge family was not that frightening…… Besides, she was still counting on being shop manager long-term!

Afterward Liu Lizhen came to the little courtyard two more times and even used a mother’s identity to find the school and meet Ye Wanqing once.

Yet Ye Wanqing’s attitude was oil and salt not entering; Liu Lizhen had no way to deal with her either…… Moreover, after meeting only once at the school Liu Lizhen could never again intercept Ye Wanqing.

The gatekeeper of Third Middle also had a temper. How could he keep letting “idle miscellaneous people” disturb the students inside the school? Saying she was a student’s mother—was there a mother like this who, upon seeing her daughter, treated her like an enemy?

—

Time passed like this. After Ye Wanqing reviewed politics, history and geography several rounds, without noticing she walked into July.

The sunlight was scorching; cicadas cried in waves.

In the final few days Ye Wanqing did not go to school again but asked for leave and reviewed the lessons at home by herself, systematically checking for omissions and filling gaps in every subject, working hard to have a clear idea in her heart.

These few days she also no longer stayed up late but maintained sufficient sleep, letting herself relax a little.

July 7th.

Early in the morning Ge Yuan already rode the bicycle and delivered Ye Wanqing to the examination venue. Handing the admission ticket and stationery bag into her hands, he could not help rubbing the top of her head once, looking even more nervous than she was.

“Add oil!”