Chapter 205: Taking the Heat
Back then, the harder Gu Qinghuan had struggled with her studies, the more satisfying it felt now.
She had a clear understanding of her own abilities. Her grades weren’t outstanding, but as long as she put in effort, she would see results.
Not to mention she had top-tier academic genius Su Lin tutoring her. With focused effort, achieving this score was only a matter of course.
Although among the three main subjects she could only tie with Wei Xiao in Chinese—her Math and English were still a bit weaker—it didn’t matter! She was determined to stomp right on Wei Xiao’s sore spot.
Maintaining her smile, Gu Qinghuan asked, “So how are you choosing your subjects, Wei Xiao?”
This time, not only did Wei Xiao’s expression stiffen—he couldn’t even open his mouth.
Subject selection? Could he say that he was also planning to choose Physics, Chemistry, and Politics?
The moment he said that, Gu Qinghuan would definitely follow up by asking his total score in those three subjects.
Was he supposed to admit that he scored lower than her? Absolutely impossible!
After barely suppressing the frustration in his chest, Wei Xiao forced a polite smile. “I just returned to the country, so I’m not too familiar with how subject selection works here. I was planning to wait for these results and ask someone to help analyze them before deciding.”
Gu Qinghuan let out an “oh,” then spoke earnestly, “Then you should decide soon. After midterms, subject selection will be finalized. You need to consider not only what you’re good at, but also your future major.”
Wei Xiao wanted to say—did he really not understand something so basic? But thinking of those extra 12 points she had over him, he swallowed his words again.
Feeling thoroughly embarrassed, Wei Xiao no longer just didn’t want to have lunch with Gu Qinghuan—he didn’t even want to see her face again today.
Once he left, Bao Qingsong, who had been turned away pretending to chat with someone behind him, finally turned back and gave Gu Qinghuan a thumbs-up. “As expected of the class monitor!”
Gu Qinghuan put her hands on her hips. “As expected of me!”
This monthly exam, Class Three had used their actual results to completely wipe away the negative impressions left by the previous final exam.
Their class ranking rose from fifth place back to third, and their average score was now very close to second place.
Yu Xin achieved second place in the entire grade this time, finally surpassing Lu Jian, who had long held that position. However, the gap between them was very small—the competition was intense.
Jiang Chuchu’s score dropped slightly, but that was normal. Like Gu Qinghuan, she had focused only on History, Biology, and Politics.
“I already talked with my brother and my dad,” Jiang Chuchu said calmly. “After I enter university, my dad will start teaching me the group’s business. By my junior year internship, I’ll join the company.”
Qin Yue burst into tears. “No way! Why aren’t you slacking off with me?!”
Jiang Chuchu scoffed. “Who wants to slack off? I’m going to be a CEO!”
Seeing her serious expression, Qin Yue thought for a moment and asked, “Then what about your brother?”
“He’s focused on starting his own business. When he heard I wanted to take over the family company, he was overjoyed. He even said he’d transfer his shares to me once I’m an adult.” Jiang Chuchu shrugged.
That said, she had no intention of accepting. Her family would give her shares anyway—her brother should keep his for himself.
With the monthly exam successfully concluded, Chen Zelin was very satisfied with his students’ performance. Still, remembering the “lesson” from last semester’s final exam, he added a reminder:
“Keep it up.”
No more sudden drops! Your grades can’t look like an ECG chart! I can’t handle it!
Class Three: obedient.
Considering Yu Xin’s current situation, Su Lin suggested changing tutoring to once a week, fixed on Thursday after school.
“You’ve already made up for your previous weak areas. Compared to my tutoring, focusing your time on self-study would be more suitable now. There are fewer difficult points, so it’s better to consolidate them and address questions once a week,” Su Lin said.
This was also to cultivate independent learning. Having a top-tier tutor was great, but relying on her for everything could lead to laziness.
With weekly sessions, they had more time to think things through—sometimes they might even figure things out themselves.
Yu Xin agreed and relayed Su Lin’s suggestion to the others, who all approved.
As a result, Gu Qinghuan’s daily routine suddenly became much more relaxed.
No exam pressure, less intense revision, and tutoring reduced to once a week.
Sanda training returned to twice a week, but she and Yu Yuan had already adapted to Song Yi’s teaching intensity, so it wasn’t too exhausting.
However—
While Gu Qinghuan relaxed, Wei Xiao became the one being targeted.
“What the hell is wrong with that girl!” Wei Xiao gulped down a mouthful of beer, then leaned back into the sofa of the bar booth, letting out a long breath.
This was a bar recently opened by a wealthy second-generation acquaintance and his friends. Business was decent.
That rich kid was trying to curry favor with Wei Xiao—not necessarily to gain anything, but just having Wei Xiao show up here to drink was enough to deter troublemakers.
Since the new year, Wei Yan had already signed contracts with three or four companies and invested capital.
From the looks of it, he was focusing on the eldercare industry—investing in medical device manufacturing and innovative product development.
Next, he planned to leverage policy support to build eldercare institutions of different tiers. It was a very steady strategy.
Because of this, Wei Yan had built good relations with official channels recently, and many families were eager to benefit from associating with the Wei family.
Hearing Wei Xiao’s complaint, several rich kids immediately chimed in, “Who made Brother Wei unhappy?”
Wei Xiao waved his hand, not explaining.
Who else could it be besides Gu Qinghuan?
To her credit, she had stopped asking about his Physics-Chemistry-Politics score, only asking for his overall rank.
After learning it, she even praised him politely—“good grades,” “quick to adapt,” things like that.
But only those few sentences! After that, she completely lost interest in his results.
He subtly hinted that she could ask him for help with any questions.
Unexpectedly, Gu Qinghuan refused immediately: “No need, I can ask Su Lin.”
The name of the overwhelmingly dominant top student shut him up completely.
He tried other methods to get closer to her.
Inviting her out on the weekend—she said her family was strict and she couldn’t go out alone with boys.
He tried to spark her curiosity by describing how fun those places were.
But she didn’t even blink: “Wei Xiao, you seem very experienced. Can you tell me more in detail?”
So he had no choice but to rack his brain explaining everything. By the time he finished, his throat was dry—and she simply smiled in satisfaction:
“Just hearing about it is already interesting. You explained it really well, Wei Xiao.”
Don’t just listen—come with me! he roared inwardly.
As for giving gifts? Even more impossible.
She simply wouldn’t accept anything valuable. Even if he removed brands and labels, she would still return them.
“The fact that I don’t know what it is makes it even less appropriate to accept it casually. You’re already helping me as my assistant—I’ve already benefited. How can I accept gifts too?” she said.
If he hinted that he just wanted to make her happy, she would immediately respond, “There are many ways to be happy,” and then drag him off to do chores.
How did she even know the school security guards?!
She even borrowed an electric tricycle from them to transport things for the student union.
Wasn’t she the student council president’s secretary? Did Xia He know his secretary was this unrestrained?!
Wei Xiao sat in the back of the tricycle, his butt nearly going numb from the bumps, while also helping carry things—
An experience like this, once in a lifetime was already more than enough.
At this point, Wei Xiao was starting to doubt himself.
Back abroad, girls had accepted his advances so easily. Had his charm declined?
No. Absolutely not his problem.
It was Gu Qinghuan who had a problem.
Was her brain made of wood or something?!
