On Sunday morning, Sixth Middle School in Huihe City was not the least bit lazy just because it was the weekend. As the first rays of dawn slipped through the classroom windows, Class 1 of the senior year was already full of students bent over their books. Above the blackboard, the red numbers on the Gaokao countdown clock quietly changed, silently urging every dreamer onward.
The morning's cultural classes passed without incident, yet every moment was steeped in the tense rhythm unique to senior year. The math teacher worked through a complex, challenging calculus problem on the blackboard, chalk dust drifting down; the Chinese teacher carefully analyzed the scoring points for the Classical Chinese reading section, speaking with steady authority; and the English teacher played a listening exercise, standard pronunciation echoing from every corner of the classroom.
Chen Mo continued studying according to the efficient routine he had worked out for himself. When he came across material he had already mastered through the System, he skimmed the textbook and notes, filling in gaps and reinforcing his memory. When the teacher explained new difficult points or common mistakes, he listened attentively, head raised, his pen flying across his notebook as he recorded the key ideas. Every so often, he paused, brow furrowed slightly, to digest the information he had just received.
On the System Panel, his proficiency in each subject slowly climbed at a visible pace. These seemingly tiny gains were like tireless mountaineers, accumulating step by step until they would eventually add up to the strength to conquer the Gaokao.
During the ten-minute break, a subtle change quietly broke the usual calm. Zhao Peng, who had always chatted and laughed with the "top-student clique" at the front of the room, now stood up naturally, crossed the aisle between the desks, and wandered over to the back, stopping beside Chen Mo and Zhang Shun with a hearty smile.
"Brother Mo, I played Martial Era a couple more times yesterday and unlocked a new map called 'Secret Realm Trial.' The boss in there has a crazy high Qi and Blood Value, but the cultivation technique fragments it drops are super useful!" Zhao Peng spoke with the enthusiasm of a boy who loved games. His tone was casual, and there was no trace of forced ingratiation.
At first, Zhang Shun was a little ill at ease. After all, Zhao Peng had always been a prominent figure in class. His family was well-off, and he ranked near the top in both martial arts and cultural subjects. He had never had much to do with ordinary students like them at the back of the room. But Zhao Peng had a natural warmth that put people at ease. His eyes were sincere when he spoke, and he had none of the airs of a spoiled rich kid. Once the conversation got going, he even volunteered embarrassing stories about himself playing games. Before long, he and Zhang Shun were chatting about basketball—Zhang Shun made time every week to shoot hoops on the school court—and the latest action anime. The more they talked, the more they hit it off.
Zhang Yuxi, seated beside Chen Mo, was initially surprised by Zhao Peng's change, but she soon joined in too. Zhao Peng clearly knew how to get along with people. With the thoughtful Zhang Yuxi, he avoided noisy games or basketball and instead shared amusing stories from school or occasionally asked her about a humanities topic. Given the Zhao Family's resources, he could easily have hired top tutors, but he kept his manner humble and his tone earnest, making Zhang Yuxi more than happy to help.
Thanks to Zhao Peng's social skills and willingness to fit in, his joining the group had not created the slightest awkwardness in what had once been a trio. The new topics and perspectives he brought actually made the breaks livelier and more fun. Zhang Shun and Zhang Yuxi were happy about it too. They could talk as equals with one of the top students in class—a rich kid and a Martial Arts Second Generation—and rather than feeling pressured, they felt pretty proud. They were all the more willing to welcome Zhao Peng sincerely.
Zhao Peng seemed to enjoy this uncomplicated friendship between classmates, and sometimes he even brought them "inside information" as a subtle way of returning the favor.
"Hey, have you heard? After the final exams, the city's holding the Third Year Martial Arts Elite Exchange Competition!" Zhao Peng said one break, lowering his voice mysteriously, excitement shining in his eyes. "My dad heard about it from the Martial Arts Association. The top finishers will not only get generous prize money but also bonus points on their Gaokao files. It's like getting a Specialty Student buff!"
"Seriously?" Zhang Shun's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly asked, "How much prize money?"
"They haven't announced the exact amount, but I heard the champion gets at least a hundred thousand yuan!" Zhao Peng held up a finger, his tone enticing. "More importantly, admissions staff from several Key Martial Arts Universities will be watching discreetly. If you perform well, you might even get an Early Admission Intent Letter. They could make an exception and admit you even if your Gaokao score wasn't high enough!"
"That's amazing!" Zhang Yuxi exclaimed, covering her mouth in surprise. "But the requirements must be pretty high, right?"
"Of course." Zhao Peng nodded, his tone turning more serious. "I heard you need a Qi and Blood Value of at least 80 to sign up, or an especially impressive performance in the school's martial arts tests. Otherwise, you won't even qualify."
Chen Mo, seated nearby, felt a stir in his heart. A martial arts competition? Generous prize money? Attention from university admissions staff? It was practically a tailor-made opportunity for him! He could test the results of his recent training and gain combat experience, compete for valuable prize money—which he could use to buy more Qi and Blood Capsules or even improve his family's living conditions—and strengthen his Gaokao prospects, all at once. He'd have to work harder and raise his Qi and Blood Value before registration opened next month, so he could make sure he qualified.
When the lunch bell rang, the hungry students surged toward the Cafeteria like floodwaters bursting through a dam. The corridors instantly filled with hurried footsteps and chatter. Chen Mo gathered his books and notes, then stood up, ready to go with Zhang Shun and Zhang Yuxi for the same old, filling Cafeteria meal: one meat dish, one vegetable dish, and as much rice as they wanted. The food was nothing special, but it quickly replenished their energy and kept them going through the afternoon classes.
"Brother Mo, wait!" Just then, Zhao Peng hurried over from the front and grabbed Chen Mo by the arm, a mysterious smile on his face.
"Hm? What's up?" Chen Mo stopped and looked at him in confusion.
Zhao Peng leaned closer and lowered his voice with a grin. "Don't bother fighting the crowds at the Cafeteria today. My family's driver is bringing lunch over, and I asked him to bring an extra portion. Let's find somewhere quiet to eat together. We can talk about that math problem from this morning too. I still can't figure out two of the steps, and I want to hear how you'd approach it."
Chen Mo froze, then quickly waved his hands and declined. "You really don't have to. I'd be putting you and your parents to too much trouble. I can just eat at the Cafeteria; it's convenient enough. We can talk about that problem during the afternoon break."
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