The VIP Exam Concludes

The lively atmosphere continued for a long time.

Kanji Ike asked, puzzled:

"Hey, where's our hero, Yi Chen? How come he still isn't here?"

Hirata said kindly:

"He hasn't replied, so let's message him and tell him we're having a celebration."

So Hirata contacted Yi Chen.

Yi Chen answered the call reluctantly and said he understood.

Then Hirata looked around at the classmates who weren't there and contacted them all.

Before long, everyone who hadn't come began arriving at the Class D Conference Hall.

Everyone chatted and laughed, discussing their experiences in the exam and Yi Chen's outstanding performance.

When Yi Chen walked in calmly, applause and cheers erupted at once.

His classmates gathered around him, expressing their gratitude and admiration.

"Yi Chen, we really couldn't have done it without you this time!"

"Yeah, Yi Chen got our class more points again."

"Yi Chen, you're amazing."

Koenji made a grand entrance and strode over to Yi Chen, saying cheerfully:

"Hey, boy."

"You really are the funny boy I had my eye on."

"You shone just as brightly this time."

Yi Chen smiled and responded to everyone.

His classmates started cheering, saying they should throw a proper celebration.

Yi Chen gave a casual nod and told them not to mind him.

Everyone continued their enthusiastic discussion.

Not long afterward, Karuizawa also arrived at the conference hall with a calm expression.

Yi Chen wanted to go over and talk to Karuizawa about the situation.

But Karuizawa's friends hurried over to share in the excitement with her.

Yi Chen went to the window and looked at the aloof Ayanokoji and Horikita.

Ayanokoji said coolly:

"Why didn't you answer the question about Mercury too?"

Horikita also looked Yi Chen over curiously.

Yi Chen replied calmly:

"I just wanted the personal points."

Ayanokoji said coldly:

"You shouldn't be able to get the personal points from the Mercury Group, right?"

Yi Chen replied calmly:

"We're Class D. Everyone will definitely split them evenly, since not everyone got them."

Horikita folded her arms.

"That brings us one step closer to moving up a class."

Yi Chen gazed placidly at the sea.

Just then, Hirata came over, a smile on his face.

"Yi Chen, everyone's really happy. We should make this celebration a lively one."

Yi Chen nodded slightly in response, but his gaze still drifted toward Karuizawa from time to time.

After chatting with her friends for a while, Karuizawa seemed to sense something and glanced over at Yi Chen. Their eyes met, but she quickly looked away and continued talking to the people beside her. Her expression, however, had grown a little more complicated.

Meanwhile, in the Class C Conference Hall, Ryuen listened with a gloomy expression as his underlings reported how lively and happy Class D was.

Ryuen gave a cold snort.

"Hmph. They're certainly pleased with themselves. But Yi Chen, you really are a master tactician."

Back in Class D, after the classmates had chatted happily for a while,

they decided to hold a proper celebration at eight tomorrow evening.

Most of the classmates were in high spirits.

Only the four members of the Mercury Group seemed a little unhappy.

Before long, someone said it was late and they needed to go back and rest, then announced they were leaving.

Yi Chen took the opportunity to pass by Karuizawa and give her a meaningful look.

Karuizawa understood and went outside.

Without a word, Yi Chen led her to the elevator.

The two remained silent as they rode to the top deck.

Yi Chen finally spoke:

"Um, Karuizawa, did you see the message I sent you?"

Karuizawa nodded.

Yi Chen asked:

"Do you have any other thoughts?"

Karuizawa hesitated.

"Yi Chen, is the four million really true?"

Yi Chen nodded and replied calmly:

"Don't worry. Class C can afford it."

Karuizawa said worriedly:

"Four million is a huge amount of personal points. Aren't you afraid they'll retaliate against you?"

Yi Chen smiled knowingly.

"What does it matter? Are you worried about me?"

Karuizawa said nothing, only nodding slightly.

Yi Chen smiled.

"Didn't I tell you I'd protect you?"

Karuizawa lowered her head.

"That's not what I meant. What about you?"

Yi Chen thumped his chest.

"Don't worry. I'm pretty capable."

Karuizawa said:

"I think you should keep the four million points, Yi Chen. I'm fine with things as they are."

Yi Chen only smiled and said nothing.

Karuizawa glanced at Yi Chen, her face faintly flushed.

"What is it, Yi Chen?"

Yi Chen said calmly:

"That's the compensation they're giving you. How could I take it?"

Karuizawa bit her lip, her eyes full of indecision.

"But as long as you protect me, that's enough. You're the one who asked for the four million, and I'd feel bad taking it."

Yi Chen shook his head lightly and gazed calmly at Karuizawa.

"I told you, I just want someone I can trust completely."

Karuizawa felt a warmth spread through her heart, and her face reddened even more. For a moment, she didn't know how to respond. She simply stood there quietly as the sea breeze brushed through her hair...

Seeing that there was nothing more to say, Yi Chen finished what he had come to tell her and said he was leaving.

The next day.

Soft light fell gently over the cruise ship.

Aside from the members of the Mercury Group, who looked dejected and resentful,

the rest of Class D seemed like spirits freed from the exam's restraints, eager to throw themselves into the fun of their rare vacation.

In the morning, the cruise ship's pool area instantly became a sea of joy.

The clear pool water shimmered in the sunlight, while the students' laughter and playful shouts rose one after another.

They gathered in small groups, splashing each other and playing around, their laughter echoing through the air.

At noon, still buzzing with excitement, the students headed to the various shops and gift stores aboard the cruise ship.

There was everything from delicate, elegant handicrafts to creative little ornaments, and from fashionable accessories to beautifully packaged local treats.

The students spent some time carefully picking out pretty accessories from the shelves;

then they headed to a fancy restaurant to enjoy delicious food.

That evening, the Class D banquet hall was bustling with activity.

A grand celebration was in full swing.

The tables were covered with all kinds of snacks and drinks.

The students sat together, smiling and sharing their hard-won joy.

Their laughter and chatter echoed through the banquet hall for a long time.

The third day.

The students continued enjoying their cruise.

In the afternoon, the VIP Exam came to an end.

As expected, everyone in the Mercury Group answered correctly, and each member received 500,000 personal points.

Shiranami Chihiro received one million personal points.

Afterward, the school announced the exam results.

Class D had won.

After everyone reached a consensus, Hirata divided the personal points the class had earned in the exam equally.

But Koenji said he had no reason to share his points with anyone else.

Another argument broke out in class.

In the end, they decided to leave Koenji alone for the time being.

Class D received a total of 3.5 million personal points, averaging a little over 100,000 points per student.

The whole class cheered their victory.

Yi Chen, meanwhile, held his head and sighed.