Chu Ruoxi was displeased when she saw those classmates mocking Jiang Fan.
She addressed Liu Zhi, who had once served as the class study representative!
"Liu Zhi, you scored over 600 on every mock exam before. How come you only got 498 on the college entrance exam?"
At Chu Ruoxi's words, Liu Zhi went from laughing heartily to looking utterly miserable.
He had been so nervous during the college entrance exam that he had underperformed and scored only 498. He had cried for several days over it.
Now that Chu Ruoxi had brought it up, sadness welled up inside him again. But he did not want to lose his composure in front of the beautiful school belle, so he explained!
"I... I just didn't do well that time!"
A friend beside him also spoke up for him. "Right, Liu Zhi might have underperformed this time, but he still scored nearly 500. That's a whole 200 points higher than Jiang Fan!"
Hearing his friend's words, Liu Zhi immediately felt much better!
"No matter how you slice it, I'm much better than Jiang Fan!"
Seeing that they still dared to compare themselves to Jiang Fan, Chu Ruoxi grew even angrier and said sarcastically!
"When we first started our senior year, you ranked first in our class. But a year later, you got 498, and I got 708. Let me do the math. That's a whole 210 points between us. Wow, that's so much! There must be at least several million examinees between us! How come the longer you muddle along, the closer you get to the bottom? Oh, how worrying..."
Chu Ruoxi really was skilled at tearing people down. Her words made Liu Zhi's face alternate between red and white, and he wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into!
Seeing his contorted expression, Chu Ruoxi felt a secret thrill of satisfaction. Hmph, try stirring up trouble again, and I'll tear you down until you question your entire life!
Jiang Fan, too, knew these words had come from Chu Ruoxi, but she seemed like an entirely different person from her lively, adorable self.
He also knew Chu Ruoxi was speaking up for him. Seeing Liu Zhi's somewhat withdrawn expression, he could not help wanting to laugh.
Normally, he could not be bothered with such things, but watching Chu Ruoxi mock other people was quite entertaining!
Afraid this might leave a psychological scar on Liu Zhi, Teacher Wang hurried to speak up for him. "Liu Zhi is planning to repeat the year. I'm sure that as long as he relaxes, scoring over 700 next year won't be a problem!"
Teacher Wang's words instantly restored some of Liu Zhi's confidence. "Don't worry, Teacher Wang. I'll definitely place first in the whole school on next year's college entrance exam!"
"Good. I believe in you!" Teacher Wang patted Liu Zhi on the shoulder, gratified!
"Teacher, Jiang Fan and I are going to walk around the school some more, so we'll leave you to it!"
Chu Ruoxi could not be bothered looking at Liu Zhi and his friends' faces. After saying goodbye to Teacher Wang, she took Jiang Fan's hand and left!
Teacher Wang and the classmates stared at one another, wide-eyed.
What was going on?
Chu Ruoxi had taken Jiang Fan's hand of her own accord.
The same thought surfaced in all their minds.
Could Chu Ruoxi be dating Jiang Fan?
But on second thought, that seemed impossible, didn't it?
Chu Ruoxi had been accepted into Huaqing University, while Jiang Fan could only get into Sandong Lanxiang Technical School. After graduation, the gap between them would be enormous! Calling it one in heaven and the other on earth would be no exaggeration!
But judging by how Chu Ruoxi had defended Jiang Fan just now, it really was possible. Otherwise, how could the normally gentle school belle have said such things?
Actually, judging solely by their looks, they were a handsome boy and a beautiful girl who suited each other quite well. Academically, however, the gap between them was far too great!
The classmates then exchanged glances before all turning to Teacher Wang!
"Teacher Wang, could they be dating?" one classmate asked!
Another classmate beside him immediately dismissed the idea. "Absolutely not. Chu Ruoxi is our school belle, and she's a top student too. Jiang Fan is just a loser and an academic dud. How could that happen!"
Another classmate agreed. "You're right. School Belle Chu has always been kindhearted. She must pity Jiang Fan for being mentally deficient, so she simply wants to help him!"
"Yes, that's possible!"
Teacher Wang listened to their analysis, then glanced again at Chu Ruoxi and Jiang Fan as they walked into the distance.
In principle, they had already graduated, and he no longer had the right to interfere with his students' romantic relationships. But Chu Ruoxi was the finest student he had ever taught, and he did not want her ruined at the hands of a useless good-for-nothing. Whether they were dating or not, he decided he should still inform Chu Ruoxi's parents about this!
Meanwhile!
Happiness Residential Complex had been sealed off. Residents were allowed in, but no one was allowed out!
The old, infirm gatekeeper at the complex's main entrance was gone, replaced by special police officers armed with loaded guns!
Everyone entering had to undergo strict verification and could only enter once they were confirmed to be residents.
And not a single person was allowed out!
The residents had never seen such a massive operation in their lives, and private discussions immediately erupted!
"With all this commotion, could they have discovered some terrorists in our complex?"
"Tch, what are you thinking? If they'd found terrorists, would they still let us into the complex? They would've evacuated everyone long ago! Based on my years of experience, I'd say some big shot's identity has probably been exposed!"
"You know, that's very possible. So there's been a big shot living in our complex all along. How come we never knew? If we knew who it was and got on good terms with him, he might be able to lend us a hand someday!"
"..."
All the residents knew now was that the big shot was in Building 3. They knew nothing more specific!
Dozens of fully armed special police officers were now stationed below Building 3, and its residents could only stay at home. They were not even allowed to leave their apartment block!
In Building 5, which stood in front of Building 3, many residents were leaning curiously at their windows to watch what was happening over there, then using their phones to report live updates in the residents' WeChat group!
The Happiness Residential Complex homeowners' WeChat group had 302 members. Usually, only a few active members came out to chat while everyone else stayed silent, but today was different. Their WeChat group was bustling.
In just half an hour, the WeChat group had received over ten thousand messages!
After spending the whole day shopping at the mall, Jiang Jingguo was utterly exhausted. Carrying clothing bags of all sizes, he heard his phone ringing nonstop and irritably switched it straight to silent!
Li Guiqin's haul today could certainly be called abundant. She normally had no time to shop, so she had seized this opportunity to indulge herself thoroughly. She had bought more than ten pieces of clothing!
When they reached the entrance to the complex, the sight before them gave them a fright. Their complex had been completely sealed off, and more than ten fully armed special police officers stood in a row, holding submachine guns.
Li Guiqin was so frightened that she hardly dared go in.
Just then, Old Zhang from the complex's property management spotted them and excitedly told an officer beside him!
"That's them! They're Jiang Fan's parents!"
The officer then waved his hand, and several special police officers immediately surrounded them!
Li Guiqin's and Jiang Jingguo's hearts lurched. They exchanged a glance, and a thought surfaced in their minds.
Something terrible had happened to their son!