Xia Yaojin felt that she might have truly gone a bit too far.
It all started three days ago.
At the time, she was in the library reviewing materials for the semi-finals when she happened to see a notice posted on the bulletin board: “Registration for the National College English Competition ends in 3 days.”
The English competition offered a first prize purse of 20,000 yuan.
Xia Yaojin rubbed her chin.
The original owner’s English level was actually quite good after all, she was a student who had managed to get into Beijing’s A University. As for Xia herself, a “hexagonal warrior” (all rounder). English was her greatest strength among strengths. In her previous life, she had passed the TEM-8 (Test for English Majors) in her freshman year, scored a perfect 120 on the TOEFL, an 8.5 on the IELTS, and had even been a champion in international English debating competitions.
“Might as well, since I’m free anyway,” she murmured to herself, scanning the QR code with her phone to sign up.
Then, things spiraled out of control.
【Trending Post Sequel】: The Foreign Languages Department Joins the Roast: May the ‘King of Involution’ from Economics Please Spare Us!
LZ (Foreign Langs – Just Want to Graduate): I’m a senior in the Foreign Languages Department. Today, our department held a pre-competition pep rally. When the professor handed out the preliminary results, the entire room went silent.
1st Place: Xia Yaojin, Freshman, Economics & Management – Perfect Score.
The senior girl in our department who already passed the TEM-8 came in 2nd, trailing by a full 15 points.
15 points! Do you know what that means? Our professor said Xia Yaojin’s essay could be used as a textbook model, and he couldn’t find a single flaw in her translation section. I just want to ask, is the Economics Department trying to steal English from us too?!
1L (Physics – Don’t Want to Fail): Welcome to the Victim Support Alliance. We have psychological counseling services ready for you.
2L (Chemistry – Please Have Mercy): Brother from Foreign Langs, I feel you. You’ll get used to it.
3L (Math – Already Given Up): @LZ, that’s nothing. She got a perfect score in the Math Competition prelims. Our professors mention her every single day.
4L (Biology – Shaking in Fear): So that makes seven competitions now? Six sciences and one liberal arts? Does she actually sleep?
5L (Economics – Innocent Bystander): Uh… our department is also confused. Xia Yaojin took four foreign language electives this semester: French, Japanese, German, and Russian. On last week’s quizzes, she ranked first in all four.
6L (Foreign Langs – Just Want to Graduate): WHAT?! She’s learning four other languages?!
7L (French Elective Victim): I’m a French major taking the elective with her. Last week, she gave a ten minute presentation in French. Her accent was as standard as a local Parisian, even our professor was stunned.
8L (Japanese Dept Passerby): In Japanese class, she told a joke in a Kansai dialect. Only the Japanese guest lecturer understood it and laughed for five minutes straight.
9L (German Dept in Despair): For her German term paper, she submitted a literature review on quantum mechanics written in German, citing thirty German references. Our professor read it all day and finally said, “This article is ready for publication.”
10L (Russian Dept Given Up): She took first place in the Russian recitation contest. The judge, a visiting scholar from Russia, asked if she had studied abroad in Moscow.
11L (LZ): So… exactly how many languages does she know?
12 (Anonymous): Inside scoop: Her roommate says she’s self-studying Arabic and Spanish because “she’s free anyway.”
13L (Physics – Don’t Want to Fail): I suddenly feel balanced. Turns out she’s not just targeting the sciences.
14L (All-University Victim Association): We welcome all departments crushed by Xia Yaojin to report here. We provide group therapy and a “How to Face a Genius Classmate” peer support group.
15L (History – Just Eating Popcorn): Am I the only one wondering how her brain is wired?
16L (Medical School – Wanting to Dissect): Upvoting the above +1. Our professor has applied three times to give her a brain scan to “study the neural structure of a super learner.”
17L (Xia Yaojin’s Roommate): I’m her roommate. I can testify, she really goes to bed at 11:00 PM sharp and wakes up at 6:00 AM. Her routine is terrifyingly disciplined. When she studies, she’s incredibly focused; she can sit in the library for an entire afternoon without being distracted by anything.
18L (Psychology Dept – Analyzing): Based on behavioral analysis, Xia Yaojin likely possesses extraordinary information processing and memory. Her learning efficiency is several times that of an average person. But this requires further observation…
19L (LZ): So what do we do now? The English semi-finals are next week. Are we just going to watch her take first place again?
20L (Foreign Langs Department Belle): Actually… I went to see her yesterday.
21L (Popcorn Eaters): !!! Spill the tea!
22L (Foreign Langs Department Belle): I wanted to ask her for English learning tips, since the gap was just too big. She spent two hours patiently explaining everything to me, from vocabulary memorization to grammar comprehension, and even shared her notes.
She said: “There are no shortcuts to language learning; it’s just a lot of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. But if you find a method that fits you, your efficiency will improve greatly.” Then she looked at my study plan and gave me a few suggestions. I tried them today, and my vocab memorization efficiency tripled.
23L (Physics – Don’t Want to Fail): Wait, so she’s actually… a nice person?
24L (Foreign Langs Department Belle): Very nice. She’s just a… very pure learner. She’s interested in knowledge itself, not in showing off or competing. I asked her why she joins so many competitions, and she said: “Because it’s fun, and there’s prize money.”
25L (Chemistry – Please Have Mercy): “Because it’s fun, and there’s prize money.” I respect that reason.
26L (Math – Already Given Up): Suddenly I feel like we were a bit mean with all that roasting…
27L (Foreign Langs Department Belle): She also said that if students from other departments want to exchange study methods, she’s happy to share. She said: “Knowledge shouldn’t be a monopoly; everyone should have the chance to learn.”
28L (LZ): …I apologize. I apologize for my narrow mindedness.
29L (Economics – Innocent Bystander): Our department is organizing a “Xia Yaojin Study Method Sharing Session.” It’s this weekend in the Economics Building Auditorium. Everyone is welcome.
30L (Physics – Don’t Want to Fail): I’m going!
31L (Chemistry – Please Have Mercy): +1
32L (All-University Victim Association): This association is officially renamed the “Xia Yaojin Study Method Research Society.” Everyone is welcome to join.
Xia Yaojin had no idea that the tide of opinion on the forum had completely turned. She was currently facing a more troublesome problem.
“Student Xia, these are the follow-up documents for the ‘YaWen Scholarship.’ I need your signature.”
In the student union office, a girl in formal attire pushed a stack of papers toward her. The girl wore a Student Union Vice President badge, her smile as precise as if it had been measured with a ruler.
Xia Yaojin took the documents and scanned them quickly. Most were standard confirmation forms, but one page made her frown.
“What’s this?” She pointed to a section. “‘Scholarship recipients are required to regularly attend exchange activities organized by the sponsor and submit progress reports’?”
“Oh, that’s a new clause added this year,” the Vice President’s smile remained unchanged. “Zhu Yawen mentioned that she hopes the scholarship is more than just financial aid; she wants to establish a long-term mentorship. She will personally guide the recipients and help them plan their future development.”
Mentorship? Guidance?
Alarm bells rang in Xia Yaojin’s head. In the original novel, Zhu Yawen was definitely not the “helpful senior” type.
“Is this clause mandatory?” she asked.
“Theoretically… yes.” The Vice President’s smile dimmed slightly. “Student Xia, this is a 50,000 yuan scholarship, and there’s potential for more funding later. Many students would kill for this opportunity.”
Xia Yaojin fell silent.
She needed the money, that was a fact. The savings left by the original owner plus her previous part time income were only enough for basic living. While competitions could earn her money, the payouts took time, and she still had to pay for next semester’s tuition.
50,000 yuan was enough for her to study peacefully for a whole year without worrying about survival.
“Can I think about it?” she asked.
“Of course, but please give me an answer by Friday.” The Vice President stood up. “Zhu Yawen thinks highly of you. I hope you don’t disappoint her.”
Don’t disappoint her. The words were said casually, but Xia Yaojin heard the underlying pressure.
Leaving the office, Xia Yaojin walked along the tree lined campus path, her mind a mess. The sunlight filtered through the leaves, creating dappled patterns. The campus looked peaceful and beautiful, but she knew an undercurrent was beginning to surge.
“Student Xia Yaojin?”
Another voice stopped her. This time it was a boy, tall, thin, wearing glasses, and clutching a stack of books.
“I’m Zhang Ming from the Computer Science Department. We met in the competition prep class.” The boy was a bit shy. “Uh… I saw the code you wrote. I have a few questions I’d like to ask, if that’s okay?”
Xia Yaojin nodded. “Sure.”
The two sat down on a roadside bench. Zhang Ming opened his laptop and pointed to a block of code on the screen. “Here, you used an algorithmic optimization I’ve never seen before. Can you explain the logic?”
Xia Yaojin glanced at it, it was an improved sorting algorithm she had written last week.
“It’s a variant based on the divide and conquer principle, combining the advantages of Quick Sort and Merge Sort,” she began to explain, her voice calm and clear. “Look here, I added a dynamic threshold. When the sub-array length is smaller than this threshold, it switches to Insertion Sort. This reduces the overhead of recursion…”
Zhang Ming’s eyes lit up as he nodded repeatedly. “I see! Why didn’t I think of that?”
“The key to algorithm design is understanding the essence of the problem, not just memorizing templates,” Xia Yaojin said. “First, ask yourself: What are the constraints? What properties must the optimal solution satisfy? Then, think from first principles.”
“First Principles Thinking…” Zhang Ming murmured, lost in thought. “Like the fundamental laws of physics?”
“Exactly. Every discipline has its own ‘First Principles.’ Once you find them, learning becomes twice as effective with half the effort.”
The two discussed for another half hour until Zhang Ming’s phone chimed.
“Ah, I almost forgot. I have class this afternoon!” He hurriedly packed his things. “Student Xia, thank you so much! You explain things more clearly than our professors!”
“You’re welcome,” Xia Yaojin smiled. “Feel free to find me if you have any more questions.”
After Zhang Ming left, Xia Yaojin sat on the bench, watching the students pass by. She suddenly felt that this kind of campus life was actually quite beautiful.
If not for the potential trouble lurking beneath the surface.
She took out her phone, opened her banking app, and stared at the 50,000 yuan balance, sinking into contemplation.
To sign, or not to sign?
If she signed, it meant establishing a closer connection with Zhu Yawen, which would likely drag her into the novel’s main plotline.
If she didn’t sign, she would have to return the 50,000 yuan and go back to living a tight, frugal life. Moreover, she might offend Zhu Yawen, a reborn female lead. Who knew what she was capable of?
“Student Xia?”
Someone was calling her again.
What was with today?
Xia Yaojin looked up and saw someone completely unexpected.
Gu Mingyuan.
The novel’s male lead, Zhu Yawen’s “official match,” and the scumbag who would torment her a thousand times over only to be forgiven in the end.
Currently, Gu Mingyuan was dressed in designer casual wear, his hair meticulously styled, wearing that characteristic, nonchalant smirk common to wealthy heirs.
He was followed by a few lackeys, clearly one of those overbearing campus cliques.
“I’ve heard of you,” Gu Mingyuan said, sizing her up with a scrutinizing gaze. “Xia Yaojin from the Economics and Management Department. You’ve become quite famous lately.”
Xia Yaojin stood up, looking at him calmly. “Does Student Gu have business with me?”
“Nothing major,” Gu Mingyuan smiled, though the expression lacked warmth. “I just wanted to see what was so special about the person who managed to get Yawen to personally award them a scholarship.”
He emphasized the word “personally.”
Xia Yaojin’s heart sank. It seemed Gu Mingyuan already knew about the scholarship, and he seemed… unhappy about it?
In the novel, Gu Mingyuan possessed an extreme sense of possessiveness over Zhu Yawen. Even though he flirted around constantly, he didn’t allow Zhu Yawen to pay attention to anyone else.
This double standard permeated the entire story.
“I am just an ordinary student,” Xia Yaojin said. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going.”
“What’s the rush?” Gu Mingyuan blocked her path. “I heard you entered seven competitions? Quite impressive. But for a girl, why study so much? You’re just going to get married in the end anyway.”
This comment made Xia Yaojin’s brows furrow.
“Learning is for oneself, not for marriage,” she said coldly.
“Oh, you’ve got some spirit,” Gu Mingyuan laughed, but his eyes remained cold. “I’m giving you a warning: stay away from Yawen. She’s kind-hearted and easily exploited by certain people. But I’m different. I have sharp eyes.”
It was a threat. A blatant, naked threat.
Looking at the self-righteous man before her, Xia Yaojin suddenly felt that the Zhu Yawen in the novel must have been blind.
What was there to be attached to in a person like this?
“Student Gu,” she spoke slowly, “Student Zhu Yawen and I are merely fellow alumni. As for the scholarship, it was awarded through a school selection process; I simply applied according to the regulations. If you have any doubts, you can take them up with the relevant departments.”
With that, she turned to leave.
“Stop right there!” Gu Mingyuan’s voice turned icy. “Did I say you could leave?”
His lackeys surrounded her.
Xia Yaojin stopped and turned back to Gu Mingyuan. “Student Gu, this is a school. What exactly are you trying to do?”
“I just want to remind you to know your place.” Gu Mingyuan stepped up to her and lowered his voice. “There are some people you shouldn’t be in contact with. Take the money, study quietly, and don’t get any ideas you shouldn’t have.”
Xia Yaojin suddenly laughed.
It wasn’t a laugh of fear or flattery, but one of pure absurdity.
“Gu Mingyuan,” she called him by his full name, “do you realize how ridiculous you look right now?”
Gu Mingyuan’s expression shifted.
“What do you think you are? A campus bully? Or a knight guarding a princess?” Xia Yaojin’s tone carried unshielded mockery. “In reality, you’re just a spoiled brat using your family background to bully classmates. Who Zhu Yawen chooses to notice or give a scholarship to is her freedom. You have no right to dictate her choices.”
Surrounding students began to look over, whispering among themselves.
Gu Mingyuan’s face turned livid. “You…”
“‘You’ what?” Xia Yaojin interrupted. “I’m going to the library to study. I don’t have time to play these childish games with you. Please move out of the way.”
She walked straight past Gu Mingyuan, and for some reason, the lackeys didn’t dare stop her.
After a few steps, Xia Yaojin turned back and added, “Oh, one more thing. If you truly care about Zhu Yawen, you should respect her choices instead of threatening people like a control freak. This will only push her further away.”
Gu Mingyuan stood rooted to the spot, fists clenched, eyes burning with rage.
Xia Yaojin, meanwhile, had already walked off.
It wasn’t until she reached the library entrance that Xia Yaojin breathed a sigh of relief.
She had actually been very nervous. After all, Gu Mingyuan was the novel’s male lead, according to the tropes, people like him usually had “protagonist halos,” and crossing them was asking for trouble.
But to endure his arrogance in silence?
Impossible.
In her previous life, she had worked herself to the bone specifically so she could have the power to choose, to never have to bow her head to anyone.
She wasn’t going to change that in this life.
Pushing open the library doors, the familiar scent of books washed over her. She found a seat by the window, opened her book, and was soon immersed in her studies.
She didn’t notice that in the corner of the second floor reading area, Zhu Yawen was sitting with a book in her hand, her eyes fixed on her.
Zhu Yawen had seen the entire scene.
A faint smile played at the corners of her mouth.
“Interesting,” she whispered to herself. “Daring to talk back to Gu Mingyuan like that… she has quite the nerve.”
A girl next to her, her best friend, Ji Minmin followed her gaze. “That’s Xia Yaojin? She looks pretty ordinary.”
“Ordinary?” Zhu Yawen smiled. “Minmin, your eyes have failed you. This person is anything but ordinary.”
“She’s just a bit better at studying, isn’t she?” Ji Minmin said dismissively. “Yawen, why are you so interested in her? You even gave her a scholarship.”
Zhu Yawen didn’t answer. She just watched Xia Yaojin quietly.
The sunlight filtered through the window, casting a golden halo over Xia Yaojin. She was focused on her book, occasionally scribbling in her notebook, completely oblivious to the outside world.
That focus, that purity, reminded Zhu Yawen of her past self, before she had been destroyed by Gu Mingyuan. She, too, had once loved learning and life with that same passion.
But in this life, she couldn’t go back.
Her hands were stained, her heart had grown cold, she could no longer feel that pure joy for knowledge itself the way Xia Yaojin did.
“Perhaps,” Zhu Yawen said softly, “I just want to see how far someone can go when they aren’t bound by the plot.”
“Plot? What plot?” Ji Minmin was confused.
“Nothing.” Zhu Yawen withdrew her gaze. “Minmin, do something for me.”
“Tell me.”
“Look into whether Xia Yaojin has run into any difficulties lately financial, academic, or otherwise.” Zhu Yawen paused. “Don’t let her know it’s me.”
“You want to help her again?” Ji Minmin frowned. “Yawen, you’ve been far too concerned with her lately. As for Gu Mingyuan…”
“Gu Mingyuan?” Zhu Yawen sneered. “I already know about him threatening her today. Pass a message to him for me: if he dares touch Xia Yaojin again, I will make him regret it.”
Ji Minmin’s eyes widened. “Yawen, you…”
“Just do it.” Zhu Yawen’s tone left no room for argument.
Ji Minmin opened her mouth to speak, but finally just nodded. “Alright.”
Zhu Yawen looked back at Xia Yaojin with a complex expression. She didn’t quite know why she was doing this.
Perhaps it was because Xia Yaojin showed her another possibility, a way of living for oneself, unchained by emotions and unmanipulated by fate.
Or perhaps, she simply didn’t want Gu Mingyuan to destroy someone so special.
Just as he had destroyed her in her previous life.
“Xia Yaojin,” Zhu Yawen said, her voice so low only she could hear, “this time, I will protect you.”
A light breeze drifted through the window, flipping the pages of a book.
Xia Yaojin looked up and rubbed her eyes, suddenly feeling as if someone was watching her. She looked around, but everything seemed normal.
“Must be my imagination,” she muttered, shaking her head and returning to her work.
Zhu Yawen had already stood up to leave, the click of her heels echoing through the quiet library, growing fainter and fainter.
The semi-finals were drawing closer.
What Xia Yaojin didn’t know was that she wasn’t just fighting in the examination hall, she was about to face a much more complex battlefield of gazes and schemes from all sides.
But for now, she just wanted to finish this chapter in peace.
Outside, the sun was setting, painting the horizon in a brilliant, fiery orange.
A new day was about to begin.