"You!" Jiang Xiaoliang was seething with anger. He gritted his teeth and said, "Don't go too far."
"Then beat me in academics." Xiao Han glanced at Jiang Xiaoliang and said, "A defeated soldier has no right to speak bravely. Move quickly, or I'll get Li Dapang to help you!"
"Who... who's calling me!" Li Dapang sprang to his feet, his face filled with confusion and drool still hanging from the corner of his mouth.
Ha ha...
The whole class burst into laughter.
"Fine, you're ruthless!" Jiang Xiaoliang gnashed his teeth and said, "I'll move!"
Having said that, Jiang Xiaoliang moved his desk towards the front of the classroom, angrily. In the end, he placed his desk beside the platform, parallel to it.
"I didn't expect Xiao Han to be so handsome!"
"Tsk tsk, so impressive, to think he managed to rank second in our age group. If only he could be my boyfriend."
The girls in the back rows whispered quietly.
"Dream on," Yang Xiaoyan snorted softly and said, "Guys like Xiao Han aren't someone you can chase after."
Yang Xiaoyan had more or less perceived the extraordinary relationship between Chen Zihan and Xiao Han.
"Alright, now let's distribute the test papers!" Liu Jinmei smiled.
She wholeheartedly welcomed competition among the students in her class. As for their bets, that was none of her concern. However, a man of his word cannot chase after the horses that have been unleashed.
Test papers in hand, Xiao Han scored full marks. Chen Zihan got one hundred and forty-five points. She missed two multiple-choice questions.
"Ah, how could I have gotten these wrong?" Chen Zihan tapped her forehead with her pen.
"That's because you were careless and rash." Xiao Han laughed and said, "Silly girl, those two questions involved two knowledge points. If you analyze it from this angle, you'll quickly find that the initial data is misleading. The real core is located at the back..."
Xiao Han seriously explained to Chen Zihan.
Chen Zihan was somewhat stunned.
"What's the matter?" Xiao Han asked in confusion, "Didn't you understand?"
"No..." Chen Zihan shook her head and said, "I... I just realized your way of explaining is very similar to that top-notch teacher from Hanmen."
Xiao Han's heart suddenly lurched.
"Nonsense." Xiao Han hurriedly shook his head and said, "I've watched that teacher's teaching videos. He is a nationally renowned top-notch teacher, a mysterious person, obviously an incredible teacher. I can't compare to him!"
Upon further reflection, Chen Zihan thought it made sense. If it was Hanmen's top-notch teacher taking the test, he might have scored full marks.
"Maybe I'm just overthinking." Chen Zihan giggled.
Liu Jinmei began the lesson, and the students listened attentively.
At lunch break, Xiao Han was about to sling his backpack over his shoulder and find Li Dapang.
"Xiao Han, come to my office," Liu Jinmei collected the papers.
"Yes!" Xiao Han nodded.
Chen Zihan glanced at Xiao Han and whispered, "I'll wait for you at the playground!"
"Okay." Xiao Han smiled.
Upon entering the office, many teachers were waiting for Xiao Han. Each of them looked at him with unusual gazes, as if assessing a rare animal. Liu Jinmei placed the test papers on the table.
"Xiao Han, we've noticed you're a particularly excellent student in this exam!" Liu Jinmei looked at Xiao Han earnestly and said, "Therefore, we teachers have high expectations for you. Do you understand?"
"I..." Xiao Han said, feeling awkward, "Teacher, this exam result was just a fluke. Besides, I've practiced several of those questions on Huanggang's mock exams. Maybe next time I won't score as high."
"No!" Liu Jinmei waved her hand and said, "I never believe high scores are a matter of luck. These days, you study day after day until two in the morning, and you've worn out more than ten pen nibs. These are results you've earned with sweat. So, there's no need for modesty."
"Teacher, I..." Xiao Han was at a loss for words.
"Listen to me, work hard." Liu Jinmei spoke with solemn authority, "You are a very talented child. Your talent surpasses that of Chen Zihan and Jiang Xiaoliang. With college entrance exams looming, we, the teachers of your grade, hope you can secure the top science score in the province."
"That... that's too difficult, isn't it?" Xiao Han wore an expression of difficulty, yet he felt calm inside.
Although obtaining the top science score in the province seemed challenging, there was still more than half a year until the college entrance exams. Given time, Xiao Han was confident he could achieve it.
"It's not difficult." Liu Jinmei shook her head and said, "Your ability to rise to second place in the grade within a month is already a testament to your talent, strength, and flair. Xiao Han, do you want to change your family's circumstances? Do you want to alleviate the pressure on your mother? Do you want to fiercely retaliate against those who have insulted and attacked you?"
"I!" The fire within Xiao Han was suddenly ignited.
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The poverty of his family background made Xiao Han even more aware of the hardships of life; his mother's pressure and pain were constantly causing him anguish and struggle; as for those who bullied him, Xiao Han naturally wanted to give them a harsh slap in the face.
"That's right," Liu Jinmei said with a smile, handing Xiao Han a card, "This is a library card from LJ City Library, it's a gift from the teachers to you."
"Thank you!" Xiao Han nodded hurriedly.
"There's more!" Liu Jinmei handed Xiao Han a kraft paper envelope, saying, "Here is three thousand yuan, also something the teachers pooled together as a gesture of our regard. Take it and buy books, test papers, study materials. We know your family's situation, and that your mother is under great pressure... so, don't refuse!"
Nothing warms the heart more.
Tears welled up in Xiao Han's eyes on the spot. To be honest, Xiao Han wasn't short on money right now, as the Hanmen Training Class had already brought in nearly a hundred thousand yuan for him. Moreover, Xiao Han didn't place much importance on money; he was not after this kind of material life, but rather the joy that comes with success.
However, a library card and three thousand yuan were enough to show the expectations and hopes that Liu Jinmei and the others had for him.
"Teacher Liu, thank you, thank all of you!" Holding the library card and kraft paper envelope, Xiao Han bowed deeply to all the teachers present.
Teachers are great, teachers are glorious and majestic; each teacher is like a candle, burning themselves to light the way for others. Although Liu Jinmei was strict, even severe, her intentions were good; she hoped that every child could take the right path and step onto a brilliant road in life.
"Silly child," the English teacher came over and said with a smile, "As long as you can achieve excellent results in the college entrance examination battle, we will be completely satisfied."
"I promise, I will try my hardest," Xiao Han looked earnestly at each teacher.
"Good, go back now," the teachers said with a smile. "We believe you can do it!"
......
After leaving the grade group office, Xiao Han felt a heavy weight on his heart.
Actually, Liu Jinmei was the teacher Xiao Han hated and disliked the most. Because she used to find various ways and means to humiliate him, though it was tough love, she never showed any mercy. Now, he finally felt the motherly love from Liu Jinmei. This love was neither lighter nor less than that given by his mother.
Therefore, Xiao Han felt very repressed all the way.
On the sports field, most of the students had left.
Chen Zihan was waiting for him on the sports field, pushing that pink Yamaha electric bike.
Dressed in a sky-blue long skirt and a white T-shirt, with her hair tied in a ponytail, she was dazzlingly beautiful under the sunlight, like an exceptionally beautiful flower, attracting the glances and turned heads of passing students...
Chen Zihan, the school beauty of Linjiang No.1 Middle School, was the goddess in the hearts of many men. Unfortunately, this flower was thorny. The pursuits of many boys were ruthlessly snuffed out by her. The mountain of love letters and flowers she received were unceremoniously tossed into the trash. As for chocolates, they naturally went to Yang Xiaoyan and her group of girls to share.
"Xiao Han, what's wrong?" Chen Zihan noticed Xiao Han's mood was off and asked urgently, "Did a teacher scold you? Are the teachers doubting your grades too?"
Xiao Han's eyes were red; he hurried over and hugged Chen Zihan tightly.
"Ah!" Chen Zihan exclaimed.
However, she quietly leaned against Xiao Han's chest, her hands slowly wrapping around him. Her head gently rested on Xiao Han's chest, where she could clearly hear the strong and steady beating of his heart.
Chen Zihan was a girl with conservative inner feelings. With her personality, it would be impossible for her to hug and cuddle Xiao Han in school. But today, she clearly spotted something extraordinary about Xiao Han. She didn't struggle or resist, but instead, involuntarily fell into her gentle trap.
Fortunately, there weren't many people on the sports field, or else it would have started a bloody storm.
"The kids have grown up."
"Yeah, nowadays kids are so precocious."
Liu Jinmei and a few teachers stood on the fifth floor corridor, watching the embrace between Xiao Han and Chen Zihan.
"Should we let them be like this?" the old physics teacher said with an angry expression on his face.
"Elder Chen, we have to believe in the pure friendship between the kids!" Liu Jinmei said with a smile. "As long as it can help improve their study results, why should we interfere? Over-intervention might bring negative effects on them, don't you think?"
"I..." the old teacher furrowed his brow.
"This time, Xiao Han's results are there for all to see. As for Chen Zihan..." Liu Jinmei said with a smile, "Though her score has dropped, her ranking has increased."
"Right, right, right!" Several teachers nodded in agreement.
"Fine, we need to keep a close watch on their grades!" the old teacher said with a wave of his hand, walking away in annoyance, muttering, "This is corrupting public morals!"
......
"Xiao Han, what's wrong?" Chen Zihan held him.
"It's nothing, just let me hold you for a while!" Xiao Han said softly.
And so, the two of them held each other, for a good few minutes, like a pair of inseparable lovers.
Chen Zihan felt a bit shy inside, as this was her first time making such a bold and unrestrained move on campus. This was unimaginable for the former her. Yet, she did it, and she quietly leaned against Xiao Han's arms.
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