Zhang Jianjun had a slight impression of Chen Yuan.

And this impression was deepened by the other party's repeated provocations.

To the point that when he thought of Eleventh High, besides He Hongtao, it was that kid named Chen Yuan.

Zhang Jianjun had been watching his progress during this period.

The fact that Shi Yi considered him a good friend, that the two kids from First High had a deep friendship with him, and that someone dared to have a romantic relationship with him under the strict rules of Fourth High gradually led Zhang Jianjun to develop a subtle, almost magical view of this kid…

This Chen Yuan seemed to have some kind of sorcery that could deeply attract people.

For example, He Hongtao, when he mentioned Chen Yuan, sounded like he was talking about his own son, with a kind of intimacy and pride that was truly cloying.

It was understandable for the principal to love his student.

All principals had that.

For example, he had Shi Yi, Fei Limin had Liu Yiyang, and Ji Wenxing had Liu Chengxi, Zhou Wusheng, and others, but all of those were normal teacher-student relationships, except for He Hongtao…

It felt a little too much, a little sickeningly sweet.

He was even smiling as he took photos with a group of kids at a time like that.

After everyone finished chatting, they all went their separate ways.

Because He Hongtao and Zhang Jianjun's cars were parked close together, they left together.

After all, it was just dissatisfaction in their hearts, and as friends and acquaintances, they wouldn't have any real conflicts.

"Since this unified exam will draw a more accurate line," He Hongtao said with a smile, "the number of people from Fourth High and First High who get into Huaqing and Ji Bei is getting closer and closer. Will it be even this time?"

"Not likely."

As a science student, Zhang Jianjun was very rational. Based on his assessment of the trends over the past few years, he said, "At the earliest, it will be even in Shi Yi's year."

Currently, the situation between the two schools was that Fourth High was stronger than First High in terms of top scores. The probability of producing top scorers was about 5.5 to 4.5, with Fourth High producing slightly more top scorers than First High.

However, the number of students admitted to Huaqing and Ji Da (including both liberal arts and sciences) was just over fifty for Fourth High and close to sixty for First High, a difference of about four to six people.

However, Fourth High was still catching up.

In the earliest days, in the year that Zhang Jianjun took over, First High had about fifty-five students admitted, while Fourth High had just over twenty.

Therefore, Zhang Jianjun deserved to be called the strongest principal in Xia Hai in the last hundred years.

Once he brought Fourth High to be the best in the city and the best in the province, he would basically have achieved fame and could enter politics with glory.

Honestly, he was still a little hesitant to go into politics right now.

After all, he hadn't yet turned Fourth High into the best. It would be a bit of a pity if he didn't achieve that glory, like not completing a great work, or basically completing ninety-five percent of it and handing over the last five percent to someone else, allowing them to take the credit. That would be uncomfortable.

"I hope you surpass us soon," He Hongtao said.

"What, aren't we competitors in the same district?" Zhang Jianjun also joked.

Although he didn't like Eleventh High forcing themselves to be his equal, it was, after all, a running joke, and it was interesting to bring it up.

"Haha, we can't compete at all."

He Hongtao waved his hand and said, "I only hope that Fourth High surpasses First High soon. Then Fourth High's student recruitment will be city-wide, attracting the best students. This way, the number of people in Haijing District who apply to Fourth High will decrease, and Eleventh High's student recruitment will be even better."

"That's true," Zhang Jianjun said, relieved after realizing what the other party was up to. "First High is good now in terms of student recruitment. Also, everyone thinks that First High has a higher number of students admitted to Huaqing and Ji Da, and the school spirit is more relaxed, so they all apply there."

"But we all know," He Hongtao nodded in agreement, "that with a difference of about one level in the quality of students, Fourth High's rate of cultivating successful students is much higher."

"…It's okay, it's okay," Hearing He Hongtao's words, Zhang Jianjun suddenly felt that this person was really intelligent.

*You little rascal, you understand education.*

Everyone thought that First High was only slightly better than Fourth High, and that the Fourth High model was nothing more than a ruthless exam factory, but they didn't acknowledge that Fourth High helped many mediocre students achieve their dream of attending a 985 university.

It also allowed those smart students to reach the top.

More importantly, it guaranteed the lowest baseline.

No matter what, the students who came in would surpass 84% of the people in Haidong.

Because the rate of students entering Tier 1 universities in Haidong was only 16%.

"Eleventh High is currently using the Fourth High model, and the effect is immediate," He Hongtao said, looking at Zhang Jianjun without any concealment. "This shows that this set of teaching methods is applicable to prestigious schools and middle-tier provincial key schools. Even to all schools."

"The strength of Ningcheng's education in recent years is also because of Hai High. And Hai High is just a Fourth High in another city," Zhang Jianjun said.

"It's worth it to make students suffer a little and wear down their humanity, if it can benefit their future development," He Hongtao said his outrageous theory.

Zhang Jianjun, however, was unwilling to agree with his words.

It wasn't that the viewpoint was wrong.

"Principal He, it doesn't seem like you've worn down the humanity of your students?" Zhang Jianjun asked before getting into his car.

"What do you mean? Eleventh High's school spirit is very strict," He Hongtao didn't understand.

"Strictness is from top to bottom, treating everyone equally, not just managing the poor students," Zhang Jianjun said bluntly, thinking of this. "How could you let students perform that kind of program at the New Year's Eve party?"

"You're talking about those two little phoenixes… pure friendship, pure friendship."

"Still pure friendship? That girl is a student from our Fourth High, and she even skipped class to go over there," Zhang Jianjun said seriously.

"…"

*Hiss…*

*Didn't you say you only had a slight impression?*

*Jianjun, you're lying here.*

"…"

*Wait, wouldn't saying that show that I know Chen Yuan, and know a lot about him?*

*That would contradict my previous answer.*

The two fell into a brief silence.

In the end, the good-natured He Hongtao broke the awkwardness: "Those two kids are indeed dating. But they didn't date at school and it didn't affect their studies, so Principal Zhang, don't worry too much about it. Has that girl's grades dropped?"

"…Not sure."

*There you go again, you're not sure.*

"Good students will influence each other, and Chen Yuan, who has the potential to strive for the top scorer, certainly won't lead your student astray."

After He Hongtao finished comforting him, Zhang Jianjun was stunned for a moment.

*Did he just say 'top scorer'?*

*No, you're talking about your student being able to get the top score in front of the principal of Fourth High?*

*That's outrageous.*

Even if there were students like Liu Yiyang at other schools who could have been the top scorer in previous years, Fei Limin only felt sorry for them for encountering Shi Yi, the best student from the strongest Fourth High.

Chen Yuan wasn't even the best in Eleventh High, yet he was already discussing the qualifications for being the top scorer?

"It's still early, it's hard to tell,"

Zhang Jianjun didn't want to continue the conversation, but he couldn't help but respond because the other party dared to say such a thing: "Let's wait and see the results of the unified exam."

Zhang Jianjun's implication was clear.

Rapid progress at the beginning didn't necessarily mean a strong upper limit.

Moreover, the test papers Chen Yuan had done previously weren't very valuable. It wouldn't be too late to talk about it after the unified exam and grading came out.

"Principal Zhang's students who can get into Huaqing and Ji Bei are all called *youzi* (pomelos)," He Hongtao continued, as if he hadn't understood the hint, "I hope Chen Yuan can become a *youzi* this time."

"Continuing to improve is possible, but becoming a *youzi* is unlikely."

Then, Zhang Jianjun rudely denied it immediately. After speaking, he seriously analyzed and said, "Starting from the summer vacation, at most five months, going from 500 points to those two universities, there is basically no precedent for this. Even if he hadn't studied at all before."

*Impossible, absolutely impossible.*

The improvement in scores was not a directly proportional curve, but a far-fetched positive correlation.

In fact, this positive correlation wouldn't even exist.

Because after reaching a certain level, scores would fluctuate.

Chen Yuan's current score was already very high.

Going higher would definitely be a bottleneck.

It was impossible to maintain the same trend as before.

If it really was like that, then he wouldn't be human, he would be a monster.

"Principal Zhang, don't be so arbitrary."

However, He Hongtao was very insistent. Even though the other party had analyzed it rationally to this point, he still said with great confidence, "Chen Yuan was originally a smart kid, and now he's also very focused on studying. What's so difficult about realizing his talent?"

In reality, it was difficult.

He Hongtao didn't think that Chen Yuan could achieve that level either.

However, he also wanted to see how far the miracle could go.

"No, no, teaching is about rules," Zhang Jianjun shook his head and denied, "Fourth High has never had a student like this."

"Then let's make a bet."

Since the other party was so confident, He Hongtao simply said, "If Chen Yuan doesn't become a *youzi* this time, I'll lose and treat you to dinner."

"Alright," Zhang Jianjun didn't mind and agreed directly, complaining, "I see, you just want to find an excuse to treat me to dinner."

"Then what will you do if you lose?"

"Treat you to dinner."

"No need," He Hongtao waved his hand to refuse, then held out one finger and said with a smile, "I have a small request."

"Tell me," Zhang Jianjun said calmly.

He Hongtao needed to give Chen Yuan an excellent learning environment, which was why he transferred Xiao Yang to their class.

This top scorer might be He Hongtao's only chance in his life.

If he missed Chen Yuan, he might not encounter such a student in Eleventh High for the next ten years.

Therefore, for his sake, no matter how much he invested, it wouldn't be an exaggeration.

Therefore, he said, "Students' test scores fluctuate. It doesn't necessarily mean that if the score is worse than the last time, it's because of being in a romantic relationship."

"Why don't you say it more clearly?"

Zhang Jianjun felt that He Hongtao had been building up to what he wanted to say for so long.

"I'll take good care of the little phoenix at our school and make him study hard."

With a joking tone, He Hongtao proposed, "Then, you should let go of the little phoenix at your home too."

The New Year's Eve party last time was really a bit too much, after all, it was challenging Fourth High's strict school spirit.

The reason why Xia Xinyu was okay might be because her grades weren't too affected.

But if her grades dropped one day, he was afraid that this strict Zhang Jianjun would be unreasonable…

"What do you mean by that…"

Zhang Jianjun made an expression of incomprehension, but seemed to understand.

*Does he want me to protect her?*

"Let them improve each other."

In response, He Hongtao's tone was quite gentle, like a doting parent: "Principal Zhang, don't scare that child."

…

Sunday night.

He Hongtao: This end-of-term exam is a city-wide unified exam.

Chen Yuan, who was holding back his pee and playing on his phone, received a message from He Hongtao.

*Huh, what's going on?*

*Does he need to specifically tell me about the city-wide unified exam?*

*But the city-wide unified exam starts from the second semester of the eleventh grade. Is Xia Hai this hardworking this year?*

If this was the case, then it was definitely not something the schools were calling for, but was led by the Xia Hai Municipal Education Bureau.

If so, the reason was very clear.

Eleventh High had its own benchmark, Fourth High.

Fourth High had its own nemesis, First High.

Xia Hai also had its own bond, which was Ningcheng.

It was probably to make the subsequent college entrance exam results look better.

Although rolling within the province was meaningless, after all, the lines were drawn within the provincial domain according to proportions.

However, competition between cities was still very fierce.

Chen Yuan: Got it, Principal He, I will do well on the exam.

He Hongtao: We principals were all talking about you today.

*Huh? What are they talking about me for?*

Chen Yuan suddenly imagined the scene of the sect masters of the major sects gathering, discussing the proud disciples and holy sons of each sect, and being amazed and proud of them.

It had to be said that this was the best part of Xianxia.

*So how are they talking about me?*

Chen Yuan: Ah? What did the leaders say?

He Hongtao: They were talking about the two little phoenixes from Eleventh High in the New Year's program.

*Damn it!*

*They're talking about that kind of thing!*

*Isn't my amazing record of improving more than a hundred points in a few months worth mentioning?*

This was like a sect gathering, where the sect masters were talking about the strength and potential of each sect, saying things like: "Shi Yi is a world-suppressing enemy. Liu Chengxi is a proud son of heaven, with a dignified appearance. Liu Yiyang is a pillar of the sect, the future of the sect."

Finally, when they talked about Chen Yuan…

*His Dao companion is quite beautiful.*

*Too offensive!*

Chen Yuan: Then the principal of Fourth High, Principal Zhang, also knows about Xia Xinyu…

He Hongtao: Do you think he wouldn't know?

*Sigh, I really harmed Yu Zi.*

He Hongtao: Of course, don't think too much about it, just study hard, Xia Xinyu won't be criticized.

"…"

Seeing this sentence, Chen Yuan was stunned for a moment.

Now that he couldn't hear his heart, he could only guess.

He Hongtao said not being expelled, but being criticized…

*How can he say clearly that she won't be criticized?*

In this regard, Chen Yuan could only think of one thing.

He Hongtao spoke up for Yu Zi.

*Definitely!*

*Otherwise, why would he suddenly say that?*

*He Bao, you really are…*

*When you get married, I'll seat you and Shi Yi at the same table, there will be Boston lobster, Swiss rolls for dessert after the meal, and two fireflies will be given to you after the banquet. The presentation will be maxed out!*

Chen Yuan: Then I'm relieved. I've been a little panicked ever since that video went viral.

He Hongtao probably wanted him to focus on studying and preparing for the exam, so he comforted him like this.

Therefore, what Chen Yuan could give back was to tell the other party that his heart had calmed down.

Coincidentally, after this week, he would be able to return to his body and study hard…

Just as Chen Yuan was about to go pee and then return to Shen Xiaoran's side.

He Hongtao, this guy, revealed his true colors.

He Hongtao: Study hard, kid. My reputation depends on you [Wong Choi (dog emoji)]

(End of chapter)