When studying with a group of big shots, Wu Wenxin always felt a little uneasy, afraid of disrupting the learning atmosphere, so from beginning to end, she pretended to be very smooth and did not actively seek help from others.

However, Zhou Fu didn't care about this at all. No matter what problems she had, as long as she didn't understand them, she would throw them out to everyone and keep at it until she understood, making her very good at utilizing these super-genius one-on-one resources.

So, she was also a little eager to try...

Although the difficulty of high school mathematics in Australia was acceptable, there were distinctions based on the level of the school and the state, and there was also a trend of going from simple to difficult, progressing gradually according to the grade level.

But Fourth High was too perverted, finishing all the knowledge points in a year and a half.

This caused Wu Wenxin…

…great difficulty.

And the thought of soon entering Fourth High, the most competitive school in Haidong Province, made her a little nervous.

"Yating, how do you do this question?"

So, Wu Wenxin pushed "Wu San," a basic tutoring material for high school students in China, in front of Shen Yating and asked very humbly.

At this time, Shi Yi was stunned for a moment and looked over. Then he returned to his review, but his eyes kept paying attention to that side.

"Like this, you decompose this formula first and then look at it." Shen Yating wrote fluently on the draft paper, and her speaking speed was also very fast when explaining the question.

"...Oh, I understand." Wu Wenxin nodded.

"Do you understand?" Shen Yating confirmed.

"Yes, I know." Wu Wenxin showed a smile.

Then, Shen Yating continued to write her questions with her head down.

But Wu Wenxin actually...

…didn't understand at all.

How could it be like this, like this, and then like this?

Like that, then like that, and then didn't understand at all at that place.

To put it bluntly, every word Shen Yating said was like heavenly script to her.

It seemed that she still had to find another one-on-one tutor to make up for the lessons, otherwise, this level would give the special-grade teachers of Fourth High a heart attack...

But it would be fine if it really came to that, after all, she had rich experience with heart attacks and could perform the most correct first aid.

Forget it, let's skip this question and write something else.

Uh... the next question seems even more difficult than this one.

While Wu Wenxin was racking her brains, she saw Xia Xinyu looking at Chen Yuan, asking for advice on a question. He whispered a few words and wrote something on the draft paper. Xia Xinyu's eyes lit up, and she suddenly looked enlightened, looking at Chen Yuan with a face that said, 'So smart, my dear.' Chen Yuan just smiled lightly and continued to do the question...

A little sweet, and also a little enviable.

Although Chen Yuan was very powerful, Xia Xinyu was also very smart. The gap between the two was not big, so in this case, they could complement each other.

Unlike herself, who didn't seem to have any special talents.

Although she studied abroad in Australia and her English was naturally very good, she found that her level of doing problems was the worst here.

In this atmosphere, she gradually began to think wildly.

What attracted Chen Yuan to Xia Xinyu was her gentleness, her beauty, her intelligence, and her virtuousness.

What attracted Liu Chengxi to Shen Yating was the strength of the first female science student in Xia Hai, and some 'go forward bravely' love.

As for herself, it seemed that she didn't have any special talents for Shi Yi. The only connection was the relationship of 'childhood sweethearts'.

Am I just a vase...

…and even as a vase, I'm not as good-looking as Xia Xinyu.

With this kind of mood, Wu Wenxin muddled through the afternoon until the study group ended today's great review.

"Then everyone, goodbye." Shen Yating, grabbing Liu Chengxi's arm, took the initiative to say hello, and even gave Wu Wenxin, a newcomer, an extra wave.

Then, the two of them left.

"Shi Yi, Wenxin, goodbye." Xia Xinyu, packing up some Swiss rolls, also greeted the two of them on behalf of the Xin Yuan duo.

Just like that, the group separated at an intersection.

"They're all very friendly people..."

Thinking of their special care, Wu Wenxin really felt the gentleness of Shi Yi's friends.

She always thought that the friendships of domestic students were relatively reserved.

But the people she met today were all very generous.

Yes, it's pretty good.

"Yes, it is." Shi Yi nodded.

The two of them walked toward the bus station like this.

During this time, Wu Wenxin sensed that Shi Yi seemed to have something on his mind.

So, while waiting for the bus at the bus station, she asked with concern, "Is there something unhappy?"

"It's not unhappy, it's..." Shi Yi hesitated.

"What's wrong? Are you being polite with me?" Wu Wenxin smiled.

"If it were like before, I really wouldn't be polite with you."

"Ah? Have you changed?" Wu Wenxin looked surprised.

"It's you who's changed."

Shi Yi turned to look at her and said.

"I've changed?" Wu Wenxin didn't quite understand and said with a smile, "Besides getting a little prettier and having longer hair, what else has changed?"

"Your mind is heavier."

"Does that mean I'm scheming..." Wu Wenxin's tone became weaker and weaker.

Shi Yi smiled, then shook his head: "If it was when you were a kid, you wouldn't go to others if you didn't understand something, couldn't put together building blocks, or couldn't beat a game."

"..." Wu Wenxin was stunned for a moment, and it took a while for her to react, and then she was amused: "What's wrong? You're not happy that I didn't ask you questions?"

"Judging by your tone, there seems to be a reason..."

"That's right." Wu Wenxin said very confidently, "You are going to win the top score, so you can't be affected in your studies. So, I went to Shen Yating to ask."

"And then affect her studies?"

"But, just asking a question shouldn't affect it, right..."

"Since it doesn't affect it, why didn't you ask me?"

Shi Yi's set of logically rigorous rebuttals made Wu Wenxin suddenly feel like she was unreasonable. After being stunned for a while, she said, "Anyway, I can't affect you. Absolutely not."

She said it very seriously, and her tone was very firm, as if this was a pre-determined matter.

"So, Xin, has changed after all."

"No change." Wu Wenxin immediately retorted, "There's no change at all, my feelings for you haven't changed, Wu Wenxin as a person hasn't changed, the only slight change may be... that I'm a little more mature."

The mature her knew that she couldn't be childish anymore.

She couldn't use sharp outbursts to sway Shi Yi's emotions.

Even less could she be capricious and jealous, making Shi Yi come over to '哄' her with garlands and crowns. (哄 hǒng: coax)

Shi Yi was no longer just her intimate partner, but also a top student that many people were looking forward to and who could respond to their expectations.

She didn't want to be an unstable factor.

Her persistence made Shi Yi silent.

After a while, the bus came.

Because they lived in different places, Wu Wenxin was the one getting on the bus now, while Shi Yi needed to continue waiting.

And at the moment the bus stopped, Shi Yi mentioned, "We also suddenly stopped talking for those two years because of 'maturity', right."

"..." As if hit by a bullet, Wu Wenxin was stunned and speechless.

"The bus is here, get on, bye." Shi Yi said with a smile.

Then, Wu Wenxin shook her head, suddenly with tears in her eyes, and reluctantly said, "I'm not getting on, I'm not getting on the bus..."

"If you don't get on this one, you'll have to wait more than ten minutes..."

"I'm not getting on, I'm just not getting on." Wu Wenxin bit her lip, looking like she was about to cry, and was about to act willful.

But she held back.

She didn't want to waste Shi Yi's precious time because of some of her small emotions.

She understood some of the implications when she heard Shi Yi say that the principal would have the teachers pay more attention to her.

It shouldn't be Shi Yi's intention, but that of the very powerful principal, Zhang Jianjun. He was saying—Wu Wenxin, I don't know who you are. Letting you into the school is entirely to take care of Shi Yi's feelings, so you must not affect my top student.

"I was thinking, after you enter the school, you won't take the initiative to find me. Or, you'll avoid me." Shi Yi suddenly said.

"..." Wu Wenxin looked at him and explained, "But, I'll look for you outside of school."

"So, I guessed right?"

"..." Wu Wenxin was almost crying from being questioned. She clearly didn't want to interfere with Shi Yi, but he was frequently disturbing her dao heart (道心 dào xīn: literally "the heart of the Way," often used to describe one's mental state and resolve in cultivation).

So, she simply said, "Then are we not going to be like this? Are we going to be like Shen Yating and Liu Chengxi, or like Xin Yuan, open and aboveboard?"

"Yes, open and aboveboard."

"..." Hearing this, Wu Wenxin didn't react.

How can we be open and aboveboard?

"I know some of your concerns." Shi Yi said frankly, "But, I'm not that easily influenced. Whether it's asking questions, or asking me to eat together, playing badminton during school club activity classes, or even sitting together during spring outings, it's all okay."

"But, I'm afraid people will say you're having a puppy love..." Wu Wenxin lowered her head and said softly.

"The Wenxin of childhood didn't care about such things." Shi Yi smiled, "So, Xin has still changed."

"What if someone really says something..."

"Then let them say it."

Shi Yi looked at Wu Wenxin, rarely deviating from his humility, ignoring the rules, and uttering a statement that violated due process: "Even if we really are having a puppy love, there won't be any punishment."

"..."

This domineering speech made Wu Wenxin realize that Shi Yi was 'bad' much more than he looked.

He always knew the extent of his privileges.

"When you went to find Principal Zhang, did you know you would definitely succeed?" Wu Wenxin asked.

"I thought the process might be tortuous, but the result should be good." Shi Yi answered truthfully.

"I feel..."

Wu Wenxin looked into Shi Yi's eyes and lowered her head a little shyly: "I've been protected by you since I was little. Will you ever get annoyed with me, such a useless person..."

"That day, I volunteered to deliver the string beans."

"Eh?"

Wu Wenxin was stunned, revealing an expression of not quite understanding. Then, like being hit in the head by a boomerang, "You mean, you deliberately went to find me?"

Although saying this was embarrassing...

But in order to build up a little confidence for Wenxin, he still decided to be honest...

That was a summer day.

Shi Yi was looking at ducks from the building in his home.

At this time, a car stopped downstairs in the building next door.

He heard that there was a girl next door who was the same age as him and would be returning to the countryside for the first time this year.

So, he was very curious about what kind of person she would be.

Then, a...

…Ultraman?

A girl wearing a Geed Ultraman mask got out of the car from the second row. (Geed Ultraman 捷德奥特曼 Jié dé Àotèmàn)

Her mother asked her to take off the mask, and she dodged nimbly, cleverly avoiding it.

And the grandfather, sitting at the door, wanted to see what his granddaughter looked like, so he also reached out to take off her mask.

Then, the girl suddenly folded her hands at a 90-degree angle and gave her grandfather a Zepellion Ray, then quickly ran into the house... (Zepellion Ray 哉佩利敖光线 Zāi pèi lì áo guāngxiàn)

Seeing this scene, Shi Yi, who was usually not smiling, was amused.

Seriously, Geed Ultraman doesn't use the Zepellion Ray...

But this girl is quite cute.

……

"No, I want to explain."

Hearing Shi Yi recall this history, Wu Wenxin quickly defended, "I wasn't offending my grandfather at the time. It was because I had measles and didn't want to have my mask taken off, it was too ugly... It's really not being unfilial."

"Yes, I know."

From the sharp outburst when he met her, he could see that this child had very strong appearance anxiety and idol baggage.

"Okay... then I understand."

Since it had already been said to this extent, Wu Wenxin's psychological burden was not so heavy, and she was no longer cautious, walking on thin ice. After self-releasing, she apologized to Shi Yi: "Next time I have questions, I will only ask you. Wu Wenxin, won't change."

"Okay." Shi Yi nodded, very satisfied.

"Then can you tell me..."

Wu Wenxin's cheeks flushed slightly, and she asked weakly, "What were you thinking when I went to Shen Yating to ask questions?"

To this, Shi Yi said somewhat awkwardly, "Slightly, a little embarrassed."

"Embarrassed?" Wu Wenxin revealed an expression of not quite understanding.

Embarrassed, is it because I'm not like Xinyu?

Being stared at, Shi Yi, perhaps because he was in front of Wenxin, spoke with a humble tone but said rare arrogant words: "I was wondering, why would Wenxin go far afield, after all, there shouldn't be many people in Xia Hai who are better than me at doing problems, right?"

…………

Chen Yuan felt that Sunday's study was very effective.

Although he didn't need to ask anyone for questions, being with everyone could effectively avoid a problem—摸心语大腿 (mō xīnyǔ dàtuǐ: groping Xinyu's thighs, a euphemism for unwanted sexual advances).

When studying with everyone, he could also feel a sense of urgency.

That is, in the case where everyone is progressing, he must surpass these monsters.

It can only be said that the small Eleventh High is no longer worthy of being his arena.

Ah no, I said it too soon, I said it too soon.

Sun Bai is also a player at Liu Chengxi's level, not to be underestimated.

So after returning, Chen Yuan also studied until the evening.

Then, the next day, officially ushered in the Xia Hai Hundred Sects Competition!

Chaozi (超子 chāo zi: Super Particles), add points!

No, where is my Chaozi?

It seems that it is another power that needs to be slowly probed to be discovered.

After getting out of bed, Chen Yuan prepared to brush his teeth. At this time, Yuzi was still in the toilet. So, he waited at the door for a while.

I studied a little too hard yesterday, until half-past eleven, and now I seem to be a little sleepy...

Thinking like this, Chen Yuan rubbed his temples with his fingers.

Then suddenly, sleepiness swept away in an instant, and his mind became very clear, as refreshing as if he could see a piece of azure sky in his brain.

What's going on?

The situation just now was definitely not accidental.

Nor was it a subjective change.

Could it be that my Chaozi is to sweep away sleepiness?

No no.

How could Chao-ye (超爷 chāo yé: Super Grandpa, referring to himself) be such an inconvenient thing.

The Chaozi in the first week certainly wouldn't be this bad.

Thinking like this, Chen Yuan moved his hands and feet again.

It seems to be quite strong...

In other words, this week's Chaozi is to instantly replenish physical strength?

This is good!

With this ability, Palworld Pals don't have to sleep and can keep working!

Good good good.

At this time, Yuzi opened the door. After seeing Chen Yuan, she yawned: "Morning, my dear."

"What's wrong, my dear? You look tired." Chen Yuan said.

"I didn't have it before, but this time I'm actually a little nervous because of the exam." Xia Xinyu said with a sigh, "I also lost a little sleep."

"Then I'll rub it for you."

"...Will rubbing this help?" Xia Xinyu guarded her chest warily.

"Tsk, do you think there's nothing in my head but sex?"

"It's not that, but the proportion of sex is indeed very large."

"Okay, I won't talk anymore, close your eyes."

"Okay..."

After Xia Xinyu closed her eyes, Chen Yuan, in order not to appear too powerful and monstrous, first dipped a little cold water on his fingers, and then rubbed Xia Xinyu's temples in a circular motion with gentle and precise techniques.

And Xia Xinyu, as if smeared with wind oil essence (风油精 fēng yóu jīng: medicated oil) without any irritating smell, immediately cleared her head...

"It feels comfortable." Xia Xinyu opened her eyes and said happily.

"Oh, is it so effective?" Chen Yuan also pretended to be stupid.

"Yeah, I feel much better now." Xia Xinyu nodded, sincerely thinking so.

It seems that this ability is quite effective.

In order to experiment again, Chen Yuan also rubbed Yuzi's temples, and then this guy...

…suddenly started spinning in place.

And the speed was so fast that only a blur could be seen!

Damn, giving you a boost of physical strength is just for you to spin around?

Yuzi's life is really boring.

Go out and do it (doi: slang for having sex).

Okay, I forgot you're a wooden construct and don't need to be full of energy.

But since I have this ability, I have indeed been strengthened...

When taking the exam, I can immediately pull myself back if I'm even a little sleepy or distracted!

This buff is a bit useful.

I can create perpetual motion Palworld Pals, hooray!

Just like that, Chen Yuan went to school.

And because he had already eaten with Yuzi on the way, he didn't go upstairs with Yuzi, Tang Jian, and the others when he went to the exam room.

However, he met a friend at the entrance of the third exam room...

Before Tang Siwen entered the door, a hand suddenly rested on her shoulder.

She turned around warily. Only after seeing that it was Chen Yuan did she lower her guard and reveal confusion.

However, Chen Yuan tilted his head and reminded her with gestures in the direction of his right hand.

"Ai..."

Tang Siwen rarely sighed lightly.

Then, she raised her head to look at Chen Yuan and reluctantly recited, "Mas, Master."

"Feeling good, good luck with the exam."

Chen Yuan smiled and gave an ok gesture, then said goodbye to Tang Siwen and headed to the first exam room.

The joke from last time has finally been played back properly!

Bao Bao Daren (包包大人 bāo bāo dàrén: a reference to a character known for fairness and strictness), you still want to run?

No way.

A real man avenges his grudges.

Just like that, he put his schoolbag on the table outside the exam room and walked into the classroom with a transparent stationery bag.

However, at the moment he stepped in, he felt the gazes of the big brothers in the first exam room, all focused on him alone…

(End of chapter)