The homeroom teacher sat at the computer, inputting each student's score. The teacher made it so that they ranked the students after a test, even if it was a short one. This made it easier to see who was getting better and who was falling behind.
But HuMing's leap to first place in the class was astonishing.
Perhaps even Han ShuYi hadn't anticipated making such a basic mistake---miscalculating a simple math problem.
The teacher couldn't help but recall the contrast between Han ShuYi's shocked expression and HuMing's confident, almost triumphant demeanor. The difference between the two was as stark as heaven and earth.
Due to the changes in the scores, Han ShuYi ended up losing even the second place, dropping further down.
But to the homeroom teacher, this wasn't a big deal.
"Just a careless mistake, right? Be more careful next time!" he thought, humming a little tune while tapping away on his keyboard.
HuMing watched Han ShuYi's retreating figure with satisfaction, having witnessed when Han ShuYi's confidence broke.
It was as if he had toppled down from the lofty heights he once occupied.
Just a second ago, Han ShuYi had been looking down on him for placing second, but in the next moment, he himself couldn't even hold onto second place.The stark contrast felt like a slap across Han ShuYi's face, harsh and unrelenting.
Seeing Han ShuYi's expression, as if he had just swallowed shit, filled HuMing with immense satisfaction.
When the homeroom teacher announced his score, he was stunned momentarily.
He had clearly scored 140 points---how did it suddenly drop to 135?
It was precisely because of this that, as soon as he got his test paper, he quickly scanned through the mistakes, and sure enough, he found something wrong.
You could say that Han ShuYi brought this slap in the face upon himself this time.
Why make such a big deal out of it? No need to have such a big ego.
...
During the lunch break, Han ShuYi quickly exited the classroom as if he didn't want to stay any longer.
Meanwhile, HuMing went to the rooftop as promised, continuing his tutoring session with Ye QiuXue.
"I thought you had not noticed."
Seeing the 140 points on HuMing's test paper, Ye QiuXue was quite pleased. The fact that HuMing caught the mistake on the spot earned him another five points in her eyes; she kept the other five to prevent him from getting too cocky!
"President, what about my reward?"
"A reward?"
"Yeah, didn't you say you'd give one?"
"But this is just a small test..."
"You're not going back on your word, are you?" HuMing raised an eyebrow.
Ye QiuXue couldn't help but laugh at such a basic provocation. With her hands on her hips and a stern look, she said,
"Am I that kind of person? I'll take you out for a meal!"
"Thank you, boss! You're so generous! May you have a hundred and eight children!"
"You think I'm a pig? Die!"
On the rooftop, the young girl and boy passed the time with playful banter. The sparrows perched on the railing, their cheerful chirping adding a harmonious touch to the scene.
After school, Ye QiuXue kept her promise, and HuMing informed Han YunXi that he wouldn't be going home for dinner.
Though Han YunXi was curious, she eventually was sent away by HuMing's insistence.
What a joke! With the president's financial situation, if another person joined in, she'd probably end up hanging on steamed buns at school!
As for paying for Ye QiuXue? Absurd. If Ye QiuXue let him foot the bill, she'd probably be upset all day.
"Let's go!"
Ye QiuXue patted HuMing on the back and headed towards the school gate.
On the way, HuMing and Ye Qiuxue discussed what they would dine.
"President, what delicious food is in the treat?"
"Guess?"
"Can you guess if I guess or not??"
"Then don't guess."
Ye Qiuxue wasn't bored enough to engage in such tongue-twisters with HuMing.
"We're having a barbecue!"
"Barbecue!? President, are you really treating me to that? Aren't you afraid I'll eat you into poverty?"
"It's all-you-can-eat."
Ye QiuXue flashed HuMing a smile, but it was a very formulaic.
HuMing was momentarily stunned but quickly realized he had been foolishly blinded by traditional thinking!
What kind of meat is served at all-you-can-eat barbecues? It's all synthetic meat!
Someone who cooks as well as Ye QiuXue surely wouldn't deign to eat that sort of meat.
But then again, if they went for a traditional à la carte barbecue, it would be too expensive for Ye QiuXue.
An all-you-can-eat barbecue is probably the best she can manage.
Noticing HuMing's silence, Ye QiuXue started to feel a little worried.
Ye QiuXue knew that all-you-can-eat barbecues might not be the most delectable option, but her funds were limited.
Most of her scholarship money had been sent back home to be kept by her grandmother.
This barbecue was already the chunkiest expense she could afford!
Someone like HuMing, with his privileged background, would likely look down on such a choice...
Lost in her thoughts, she suddenly heard HuMing take a deep breath. His brow was furrowed, giving him a look of deep contemplation.
Ye QiuXue's heart skipped a beat, and she anxiously asked,
"What... what's wrong?"
"I was just wondering what sauces to try with the barbecue, cumin, salt, chili powder, or pepper? Which one do you think tastes the best?"
Ye QiuXue stared at HuMing blankly, then burst into laughter.
"Seriously? Just try a bit of each!"
"The meat sizzling on the grill makes my mouth water just thinking about it! By the way, President, don't overeat!"
"Why not?"
"Because you'll get fat easily!"
"I'm not fat!"
"How much do you weigh?"
"Not telling you!"
Ye QiuXue shot HuMing a sidelong glance, but her smile never faded. Her inner unease slowly dissipated with HuMing's voice.
...
"ShuYi said he wouldn't be home for dinner today. This is our chance!"
Lu GuiFang stood in a corner, watching as a young girl and boy walked side by side not far ahead. Beside her, Zhao Wei clutched a red bag filled with a generous amount of apples.
"I'm telling you, when you see HuMing later, could you be a little more pleasant? With what you did last time, do you really think he will accept you? It's going to be tough!"
Zhao Wei genuinely felt his wife had overstepped last time.
In front of all the students, his wife had declared that HuMing was not his biological son---only Han ShuYi was. Anyone would find that hard to take!
But Lu GuiFang shot a glare at her husband, snorted coldly, and said,
"He dares! If he doesn't accept me, I'll go to his school and make a scene, saying he's completely lost his conscience and won't even recognize his own parents!"
"Isn't what you did last time embarrassing enough?"
"You don't understand a thing! ShuYi said there is legal protection in this matter! I don't care what others say as long as he returns!" Lu GuiFang muttered to herself. "As long as he returns, there won't be any trouble from ShuYi's side!"
Zhao Wei really felt his wife had lost her senses.
No matter how close Han ShuYi was, he was still someone else's son!
No matter how bad HuMing was, he was still their own son!
Why couldn't she understand?"
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