Chapter 137: School Begins
A new semester began, and for the senior students, the looming gaokao cast a long shadow, this time of year always filled with tension. Everyone hoped to achieve a high score, secure a place at their dream university, and embark on a new chapter in their lives.
But not everyone’s dreams came true.
Returning to school, Yu Linna immediately felt the heightened pressure, the atmosphere palpably more intense than last semester. This was the First Municipal High School, a prestigious institution where, academically, few could compete, except perhaps those from the Experimental High School.
“Linna! Linna! You’re back!”
Her cheerful deskmate, Fang Jiangning, greeted her first thing in the morning, seemingly unchanged after the holidays. The saying went, “Gain three pounds during the holidays,” but she hadn’t gained any weight. Huo Ningning, however, looked a bit rounder in the face.
“Ugh, I need to lose weight…” Huo Ningning grumbled, examining her face in a small mirror.
“Morning, Jiangning.”
“I heard we’re having a quiz right after the break, and then weekly tests from now on.”
“Wasn’t it always like this?”
“I miss my holiday life. I have zero motivation.”
After a relaxing break, Fang Jiangning felt a bit lazy. The pressure of senior year was intense; who wanted to torture themselves? But to achieve a good score on the gaokao, she had to endure.
It was only four months; after the exams, she planned to travel with her family.
But first, she had to ace those tests.
Fang Jiangning had made significant progress since entering senior year, her grades skyrocketing after becoming Yu Linna’s deskmate. If she studied hard this semester, she might even break into the top ten, perhaps even the top five, or even the top three.
Yu Linna, once again, became the center of attention, classmates often approaching her after class for help with their studies. Unable to refuse, she patiently answered their questions. The once aloof girl was now seen as approachable and helpful.
“Alright, class, before we begin, a few announcements. You’re all preparing for the gaokao, so we’ll have monthly mock exams at the city center testing facility. These mock exams will follow the gaokao format, using past papers, so please take them seriously. Also, the English listening test is coming up, so practice your listening and speaking skills.”
Their homeroom teacher, Li Lexuan, droned on, and though the students weren’t particularly interested, listening to her was preferable to tackling those dreaded test papers. They were all tired of this monotonous routine, longing for its end.
“That’s all. Now, I’ll hand out an English test. You have two periods to complete it.”
“Oh god, another test…”
“Please, no more…”
The groans echoed through the classroom.
Everyone’s faces fell; it was worse than swallowing a fly. Who liked tests? They were the bane of their existence.
Even Yu Linna, the top student, couldn’t help but feel a sense of dread. Though she could handle the material, tests were still a pain.
“Quiet! I want to see who slacked off during the holidays. If you fail, you can forget about staying in the advanced class.”
Their homeroom teacher’s voice was sharp, her gaze piercing, silencing any potential dissent. The students, resigned, picked up their pens and began working. She had spent twenty minutes talking, leaving them with less than two periods to complete the test. It was a tight squeeze.
Yu Linna was confident in her English abilities, but Huo Ningning, staring blankly at the letters, felt like giving up. A holiday of fun and food had resulted in weight gain and memory loss. She was doomed!
I’m so dead, she thought, tears welling up, but she persevered.
After the grueling test, the class was drained, looking like they were on the verge of collapse. Senior year was tough, their days filled with endless tests. Yu Linna, having missed many classes last semester due to her part-time jobs, hadn’t done as many practice tests as her classmates, yet she remained the top student. This semester, she couldn’t afford to miss any classes.
She had lunch with Fang Jiangning in the school cafeteria, then returned to the classroom for a short nap, waking up around two to review her notes and practice tests. Her days were full. Senior year life was simple, yet demanding, especially in the second semester, as the pressure mounted, even the most playful students becoming more serious.
“Linna, are you still planning to go to university?”
“Yes. I don’t know which university yet, but I want to go to a good one.”
“Haha, you used to say you weren’t going to university. What changed your mind?”
“Well… women are fickle, aren’t they?”
“Okay, okay, whatever you say.”
Fang Jiangning chuckled, not wanting to argue. This girl changed her mind more often than she changed her clothes.
Thanks to Yu Linna’s tutoring, Fang Jiangning’s grades had improved significantly, making her the most improved student in the class. And their close relationship was the envy of many. Countless students tried to get close to Yu Linna, only to be rebuffed, while Fang Jiangning had somehow become her closest friend.
“Want to grab some milk tea after school? My treat.”
“Sure.”
Their easy camaraderie, their laughter, was a sight that fueled envy.
“Ugh, why is Jiangning so close to Yu Linna? I want to pat her head too!”
“Exactly! Such a cute creature, and she’s all Jiangning’s! It’s not fair!”
“Ah, if only I could date Linna.”
“Boys, back off!”
Their relationship was a frequent topic of discussion, often mistaken for something more. Yu Linna’s aloofness, her reluctance to socialize, had led to her isolation, with Fang Jiangning as her only friend. Others couldn’t even hold a five-minute conversation with her.
Despite her desire for a low profile, Yu Linna’s beauty and mixed-race heritage attracted unwanted attention from boys, their attempts at flirting consistently ignored. She had no interest in them, no desire for a relationship with a boy.
“Phew, I’m exhausted…”
Fang Jiangning rubbed her hands, feeling mentally drained after a long day of classes. She still had to study at home tonight. She wondered when this would all end.
Yu Linna felt the same, mental exhaustion far more draining than physical exertion. But compared to her days of hunger and poverty, this was a vast improvement.
“Yu Linna, wait!”
As they were about to leave the school gate, a boy in a different school uniform stopped them. He had a center-parted hairstyle, was barely 170cm tall, and his appearance was average, neither handsome nor ugly. His face flushed, he held out a letter to Yu Linna.
“What’s this?”
“Open it and see.”
He grinned, his eyes full of anticipation.
Fang Jiangning knew what this was about.
Yu Linna, puzzled, opened the envelope as a small crowd gathered, mostly boys, glaring daggers at the boy.
As she read the letter, her face fell.
“From the moment I saw you, I knew you weren’t an ordinary girl. You’re like a packet of oatmeal, and I’m a pot of boiling water. I want to… steep you. I believe our combined heat could melt the North Pole… Ugh, who taught you to write such cheesy lines?”
Yu Linna couldn’t even finish reading the letter; it made her want to vomit. Why would he write such cringeworthy lines? It was disgusting.
Even if he wasn’t a scumbag, he was definitely a playboy.
“That’s how I feel, Yu Linna. I… I like you. I want to go out with you. I promise I’ll make you happy! I’ll take you on rides in my luxury car, buy you abalone every day, treat you like a princess!”
Yu Linna wanted to hide her face.
There were always delusional idiots who thought money could buy them a girl. Though she loved money, she had principles. She didn’t need his money.
“Sorry, not interested. Goodbye.”
Not wanting to waste her time, she turned to leave with Fang Jiangning. Associating with such an idiot would lower her IQ.
“Wait! Yu Linna, I really like you!”
“Get away from me! Don’t cling to my leg! It’s disgusting!”
“No! Please don’t reject me!”
“Help! Someone help!”
“Damn it! Which pervert dares to harass Yu Linna?! Get him!”
A group of boys swarmed the boy, beating him up, much to Yu Linna’s relief. She never wanted to interact with such an idiot again.
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