Chapter 109: The Examination

After Zhou Jingchen returned, Han Su and the other two moved in to live with him. Every day, they followed him to Yu Qian’s house to share meals, do homework, and play games.

These days of close contact made them understand even more why Zhou Jingchen liked Yu Qian, and they felt all the more that finding Yu Qian was a great gain for Zhou Jingchen.

Time flew by quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was already the end of the term.

Although the teachers at No. 1 High School knew that Zhou Jingchen was an excellent student, they couldn’t help but worry. This was evident in how he was called on to answer questions in every class, so frequently that even Yiting, who was usually calm, would twitch at the sight.

Yu Qian faced the same pressure.

Lin Su had been playing games too much recently and had fallen behind in her studies. The teachers had given up on her for not listening, but they still held onto hope for the diligent students like Chen Jiu and Yu Qian.

As teachers of the advanced class, it would be a disgrace if their students couldn’t even outperform those in the regular class.

On the night before the exam, Yu Qian took Zhou Jingchen out to see a movie.

Zhou Jingchen was fully armed with a hat and mask.

Director Xu’s film had wrapped shooting and entered post-production, with promotion underway. As a member of the crew, Zhou Jingchen shared the news of the wrap, and Yunbo’s management team quickly pushed their boss’s update to trending status, resulting in even more people recognizing Zhou Jingchen.

At school, he was often surrounded by fans asking for photos and autographs.

“Do you think you’ll be okay for the exam tomorrow?” After the movie, the two walked slowly home holding hands.

“Well, I used to be a top student. One failure doesn’t turn me into a slacker,” Zhou Jingchen said with a light laugh, though he appreciated the concern from his little sweetheart.

“But I’m a bit nervous,” Yu Qian murmured, lowering her head.

“Hm?”

“I was sort of a slacker before.”

“And then?”

“In elementary school, it was fine because the problems were simple and I could keep up, but the knowledge in middle and high school was different. In my past life, I was always weak in some subjects. Now, even though I’m trying hard, I still don’t know if I’ll make it.”

Zhou Jingchen stroked her hair, comforting her gently: “Sweetheart, you have to understand one thing—heaven is fair. If you put in the effort, you will surely reap rewards. Don’t belittle yourself; you’re doing very well.”

...

They reached home quietly, and Yu Qian hugged him: “Ah Chen, even if it’s just for Mom and Dad and you, I will become better.”

“I believe in you. Go rest well, and don’t overthink it.” He hugged her back, his voice tender and intoxicating.

“Mm, good night.”

“Good night.” After a pause, he added, “Sweetheart, I love you.”

During the following three days of exams, Yu Qian realized that her hard work was paying off.

Although she was still weaker in some subjects, at least she no longer lost points where she shouldn’t have.

And the points she did lose were on advanced questions beyond the grade level.

After the exams, Yu Qian slept soundly, then immediately logged into the Little Hollow World.

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I’ve finished my exams. Now I can play games with you all!”

“What exams?” Nüwa was momentarily surprised.

“Final exams.”

“So that’s why you haven’t been online for so long—because of exams?”

“The exams lasted only three days, but before that, I was studying hard.”

At that moment, Su Dongpo passed by, holding paper and pen, and overheard the word “exam.” Tilting his head, he asked, “Exams? Imperial exams?”

Yu Qian replied, “No, just tests for our school.”

“Hm? Not imperial exams but still so long?”

Su Dongpo was puzzled. Back in their days, imperial exams lasted three or four days, but school tests were only a short while.

“Nowadays school exams are different. Before, you tested poetry and essays, but now poetry and essays are only a small part of one subject; there are many other subjects too.”

After hearing this, Su Dongpo thought for a moment: “Wait here, I’ll call the others over so you can explain this modern exam to us in detail.”

Watching him run off quickly, Yu Qian felt exasperated, suspecting that their understanding of the exam was just a prelude to causing more trouble for the Red Boy and the others.

Thinking of this, Yu Qian couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for these celestial children.