Midterm Exam

The mental burden wasn't as heavy anymore, so Shen Qi allocated a small portion of his energy to improving his other subjects.

Tomorrow was the midterm exam, covering Chinese, Math, English, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Relying solely on Math wouldn't be enough.

Math, Physics, and Chemistry are interconnected. If I'm only good at Math, my grades in other science subjects won't improve, which isn't logical and could arouse suspicion. Shen Qi took out 300 scholar points and invested them in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.

"Deducting 100 scholar points. Host's Physics index has increased from Level 0 to Level 1."

"Deducting 100 scholar points. Host's Chemistry index has increased from Level 0 to Level 1."

"Deducting 100 scholar points. Host's Biology index has increased from Level 0 to Level 1."

Host: Shen Qi
Age: 17

1. Math Level 3 (0/5000)
2. Sports Level 1 (0/1000)
2. Physics Level 1 (0/1000)
2. Chemistry Level 1 (0/1000)
2. Biology Level 1 (0/1000)
3. Chinese Level 0 (0/100)
3. English Level 0 (0/100)
3. History Level 0 (0/100)
3. Geography Level 0 (0/100)
3. Politics Level 0 (0/100)

Remaining Scholar Points: 905

Shen Qi's subject rankings had changed. Math still held the top spot, while Physics, Chemistry, and Biology collectively rose to second place.

With over 900 scholar points remaining, he could have forcibly boosted Chinese and English to Level 1, but Shen Qi didn't. He had been diligently listening in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology classes recently, but had basically neglected Chinese and English.

One should be rigorous. Letting Math lead Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, allowing some science subjects to prosper first, and eventually achieving common prosperity – this was reasonable in the real world.

Chinese and English were another domain altogether; he'd deal with them later.

After finishing his evening study session in his bedroom, Shen Qi went to the living room to watch some English Premier League to relax.

It was ten o'clock at night, and neither of Shen Qi's parents had returned. They were quite busy.

His mother was on duty at the hospital tonight, and his father was probably out drinking and socializing again. It wasn't easy for them.

"Manchester United, hold on! We can win!"

Watching the live broadcast of the English Premier League, Shen Qi jumped up anxiously. He was a Manchester United fan, and they were being thrashed by Liverpool away from home.

Shen Qi was interested in sports. Among his default top ten subjects, the only one at Level 1 was Sports.

Just then, the front door opened, and Shen Zhishan returned home, reeking of alcohol.

"Shen Qi, what are you doing?" Shen Zhishan casually threw his suit jacket on the sofa, clearly displeased.

"Watching... watching the English Premier League," Shen Qi replied nervously.

"Oh, the Premier League." Shen Zhishan unbuckled his belt and flicked it a few times.

"Hey, Boss Shen, no domestic violence against minors, that's illegal!" Shen Qi quickly turned off the TV, trying to avoid getting hit.

"You have your midterm exams tomorrow, what are you watching the Premier League for? Your grades are so bad. If the son is bad, it's the father's fault. I haven't educated you well, so I must educate you properly today."

Flick, flick. Shen Zhishan flicked his belt a few more times. He had been a soldier, a civil servant, and now a boss. The military traits in his personality were hard to erase. If his son didn't listen, he had to be disciplined.

"Wait until after the midterm exams in a few days, then decide if you want to beat me, okay?" Shen Qi hadn't told his parents about his perfect score on the math test. He wanted to save a big surprise for them during the midterms. After all, a comprehensive exam like the midterms was much more prestigious than a pop quiz.

"What was your total score ranking in the final exam for the first semester of high school year two?"

"47th in the entire class."

"How many people are in your class?"

"48 people."

"You've got potential, second to last in the class. Shen Qi, I'm a reasonable person. If you can score within the top 40 in this midterm exam, not only will I not beat you, I'll reward you. Don't you want the latest mobile phone? Don't you want an Apple laptop? I'll buy them all for you. I want to see your progress, and progress and rewards are things you need to earn yourself."

"Dad, you mean it?"

"Nonsense, I, Shen Zhishan, always keep my word. But if your grades still don't improve, then don't bother with school. I'll talk to an old comrade and send you to the army for training. Troubled youths like you should be sent to the military for discipline."

"I don't want to join the army! I'm going to be the King of the Pirates... oh wait, I'm going to be the strongest scholar!" Shen Qi had no desire to join the army.

"Scholar? If you can become a scholar, I'll buy you whatever you want, I'll even get you a used tank." Shen Zhishan was a bit boastful after drinking.

"Dad, I've at least read some books. Smuggling weapons is a criminal offense... A used tank isn't a priority for me. For my 18th birthday, why don't you buy me a car? A Fit would be fine. Xu Rui can already drive, and their family car is a Fit. Of course, it's not as cool as your car; you drive a Mercedes-Benz after all."

"A Fit? If you can get first place in the class, I'll buy you a brand new Mercedes-Benz."

"Then I'll sign up for driving school this summer and start learning. By the time I turn 18 next year, I'll be able to get my license." Today's teenagers were exposed to cars from a young age. Shen Qi envied Xu Rui, who could drive. Xu Rui was 10 months older than him and had already gotten his license at 18.

"Hoo hoo..." The alcohol took effect on Shen Zhishan, and he lay down on the sofa and fell asleep.

"Hey, hey, Boss Shen, as soon as we mention the brand new Mercedes-Benz, you fall asleep. Is that really okay?" Shen Qi was speechless. His father was a man who rewarded and punished clearly, possessing the iron-blooded temperament of a soldier, with the only flaw being his love for bragging.

April 21st, Monday. Nangang Second High School's second year of senior high ushered in the midterm exams.

The subjects for the eight science classes were Chinese, Mathematics, English, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.

The subjects for the three arts classes were Chinese, Mathematics, English, History, Geography, and Politics.

The first exam to start was Chinese.

Shen Qi performed as usual, filling out the Chinese exam paper within the two-and-a-half-hour time limit.

Chinese is a subject set up based on the mother tongue of Chinese people. Unless one is illiterate, there's no such thing as knowing or not knowing it.

Shen Qi had not yet invested a single scholar point in his Chinese proficiency. He relied on his intuition to complete the paper. How many points he would get was up to fate.

The afternoon's subject was Mathematics, which was Shen Qi's strongest forte.

Solid Geometry, sinα, and tanβ were like child's play to Shen Qi; he could write the correct answers with his eyes closed.

In just 37 minutes, Shen Qi finished answering the Mathematics paper.

The allotted exam time was two hours.

Shen Qi submitted his paper more than an hour early. Zhang Wanbang was the proctor.

"This paper wasn't made by Teacher Zhang, was it? It's too easy, so basic I feel like calling the police," Shen Qi muttered softly after submitting his paper.

"Get out of the examination hall immediately and don't disturb other students!" Zhang Wanbang reprimanded him in a low voice. He had created most of the questions on this math paper and was the head of the second-year math group.

Shen Qi obeyed Zhang Wanbang very well and immediately got out of the examination hall.

Zhang Wanbang revealed a barely perceptible smile. Shen Qi's progress in mathematics was growing at a geometric rate; high school math problems were indeed too basic for him.

Tuesday, the morning exam was English, and the afternoon exam was Physics.

Wednesday, the morning exam was Chemistry, and the afternoon exam was Biology.

For these four subjects, Shen Qi honestly stayed until the bell rang for submission before leaving the examination hall. He wanted to show off but felt powerless; the gap between Level 0/1 and Level 2/3 combat was significant.