Chapter 69 I'll take you to find him
The midterm exams at No. 2 Middle School are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.
After the science exam on Thursday afternoon, the entire senior high school building instantly erupted in excitement and noise.
"Whoosh, the exams are finally over!" Jiang Deyu rushed into the classroom excitedly, shoving the crumpled exam paper into his desk. Before he could even catch his breath, he eagerly shouted to Ji Jingyu, "Brother Ji, now that the exams are over, can I go to your place to play some video games today?"
To prevent Jiang Deyu from becoming addicted to games and losing his ambition, the game console that Jiang Sui gave him was kept in Ji Jingyu's bedroom.
They all came to him to get the answers.
If their answer matched Ji Jingyu's, they couldn't help but cheer with joy; otherwise, they would be dejected and blush with embarrassment.
Clearly, in their eyes, Ji Jingyu's answer was the standard answer.
"Ji Ge's test papers used to be so clean, like they were just handed out, but these past few exams he's filled them up so much."
After each exam, they would ask Ji Jingyu for the answers, but unfortunately, the academic genius was too advanced. He would skip the steps for the big questions whenever possible, and for the multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank questions, he didn't even bother with scratch paper. It seemed that he knew the answers just by glancing at them.
Unlike now, test papers are filled with writing, even more perfect than perfect answer sheets, and can be directly posted on the bulletin board for exhibition.
"That's right. Now the answers are so obvious that I can't even lie to myself that I did well before the results come out."
"Sigh, based on Brother Ji's answers, I failed the test again this time."
"You say that every time."
"Shut up, or Daddy will beat you up."
"roll!"
...
Hearing the whispers of her classmates, Yu Xiaocheng's lips curled up slightly. She thought to herself, "What else could it be for? To make it easier for Jiang Sui to see."
Jiang Deyu's words were drowned out by the excited crowd. He squeezed his way to Ji Jingyu's side, his expression indescribable. "Tsk, I say, you guys really know how to make yourselves suffer. The exam is over, what's the point of checking the answers now? It won't give you a few more points."
Qiu Le held his exam paper and wailed, "Brother Jiang, I wish I could be as carefree as you, but unfortunately my mom's rolling pin is unyielding!"
Tong Xia pointed out, "Your brother Jiang isn't carefree at all; he's developed an indestructible body through years of being beaten up."
He concluded with a laugh, "I've taken a beating."
Jiang Deyu laughed and cursed, "Get lost."
The crowd gradually dispersed, and the noise finally subsided.
Ji Jingyu's test papers eventually returned to Jiang Sui's hands.
It was originally prepared for her too.
Watching Jiang Sui read through the test papers from beginning to end, Yu Xiaocheng asked her with great interest, "How did you do on the test?"
Jiang Sui didn't mince words, "I did very well on the test. I'm sure Hao-ge will be the first to praise me at the parent-teacher conference."
"Wow, Jiang Sui is amazing."
Jiang Sui accepted Xiaocheng's praise without question.
She glanced at Ji Jingyu, her eyes sparkling with laughter, "That's right, don't you even know who taught me?"
Ji Jingyu's lips curled up slightly.
His expression may seem indifferent, but those who know him well know that it means he is in a very good mood at the moment.
Upon hearing Jiang Sui's words, Jiang Deyu immediately dropped his nonchalant expression and stared blankly at the test paper that Jiang Sui had placed on the desk.
Hard work alone is far from enough.
You also need to be quick-witted and able to apply what you've learned to other situations.
Ji Jingyu was strict with Jiang Sui, but Jiang Sui, a young lady from a wealthy family, was happy to be managed by him.
Jiang Deyu remembered one time when they were outside, Jiang Sui suddenly took out a small notebook from her bag, on which she wrote down the questions she didn't know.
Seeing this, Ji Jingyu said nothing, but naturally took the paper and pen and led Jiang Sui to the shade of a tree on the side.
His voice was calm and clear as he explained the problem, and the formulas and steps he used were neatly written next to the problem, making them easy to read.
Ji Jingyu and Jiang Sui were very close together. The fine specks of light filtered through the dense branches fell onto the white paper, and even their clothes were covered with gold dust.
Jiang Deyu, who witnessed this scene, was greatly puzzled. How could someone be out having fun and still be thinking about doing homework?!
He thought of himself.
Actually, based on his grades, he shouldn't have been able to get into No. 2 Middle School.
In the end, it was only through his father's beatings and Ji Jingyu's "devilish training" that he achieved his best results in the high school entrance exam during his three years of junior high school, barely making it into the No. 2 High School.
Unfortunately, high school is different from junior high school. Although he worked hard to get into No. 2 High School, Jiang Deyu really struggled to keep up. Even with Ji Jingyu giving him extra tutoring after class, he still couldn't understand many of the knowledge points. Besides, he really couldn't concentrate on his studies.
Jiang Deyu knew very well that his academic ability was limited. Let alone getting into the same university as Ji Jingyu, even getting into the same city would be extremely difficult for him.
But Jiang Sui is different from him.
During the first monthly exam, Jiang Sui was in the same exam room as him. Now she has already returned to the teaching building to take the exam, and is getting closer and closer to Ji Jingyu's exam room.
He once mocked Jiang Suibai for having the face of a smart academic genius, but he never expected that Jiang Suibai was really smart. Once he put his mind to the right thing, his grades improved by leaps and bounds.
Jiang Deyu had never realized so clearly that Jiang Sui seemed to be able to walk towards a very, very distant future with Ji Jingyu.
—
The midterm exam results came out quickly; all the results for each subject were released one after another on Saturday morning.
Just as Jiang Sui had predicted, she did quite well on the exam this time.
Do you think it's too late for me to transfer classes now?
What sounded puzzling to others, Ji Jingyu immediately understood: "Want to go to Class Four?"
"Hmm." Jiang Sui pursed her lips and lowered her eyes. "I just want my mom to know that my dad didn't raise me into a good-for-nothing."
Jiang Sui still feels somewhat bothered when she recalls the phone call Su Yinian made to Jiang Yunzhao.
In Jiang Sui's heart, Jiang Yunzhao is the best father in the world.
If she were in Class 4, then Mom could really praise Dad at this parent-teacher conference.
Ji Jingyu asked casually, "Will you come back after going to Class Four?"
Jiang Sui tilted her head and looked at the other person, "Come back after the parent-teacher meeting. It's your fault for being in Class Two."
During the few seconds of silence from Ji Jingyu, she smiled, her eyes filled with bright laughter, "Just kidding, I'm not going to Class Four."
Not to mention the complicated transfer procedures, if she really went to Class 4 for no reason, it would definitely cause Su Yinian some unnecessary trouble.
Ji Jingyu's gaze returned to the exam paper in front of her. She loosened her grip on the pen and after a long while, she whispered, "I know."
Jiang Sui wasn't about to let him off the hook. "Were you startled? Did you think I was really going to Class Four?"
Ji Jingyu's brow twitched almost imperceptibly. Just as he was about to speak, he was interrupted by Tong Xia, who rushed in from outside in a hurry. "Holy crap, guess what I just saw?"
Jiang Deyu was getting frustrated with his homework when this shout woke him up completely. He pushed the workbook aside and said irritably, "Stop beating around the bush, just tell me."
"Police." Tong Xia took a deep breath. "In the principal's office."
He went to the administration building to find Qin Lin to get the test paper he was going to go over in the next class, but Qin Lin was not in his office. Instead, he could hear some noise coming from the principal's office, which was a few rooms away.
Tong Xia stood at the door of the principal's office and saw two policemen sitting on the sofa where the principal entertained guests through the crack in the door.
"Why are the police looking for the principal?"
Tong Xia shook her head. "I didn't hear the specifics of what was said. I only heard the principal say that the school would definitely cooperate."
Yu Xiaocheng guessed: "I guess they're going to hold some kind of safety lecture again. These kinds of events are held several times every year."
“It doesn’t seem like it.” Tong Xia disagreed with Yu Xiaocheng’s opinion. “When the police were being escorted out, the principal and Lao Qin both looked quite grim. I have a feeling that something big is about to happen at our school.”
"That means someone from our school committed a crime and went to jail. It can't be that the police officers just came to chat with the principal out of boredom."
"Someone's there?" Tong Xia frowned and lowered his voice. "A student or a teacher?"
Jiang Deyu shrugged. "How would I know? If you're so curious, why didn't you ask Lao Qin earlier?"
Tong Xia recalled Qin Lin's expression at the time and hurriedly shook her head, "I dare not ask him. I've been his class representative for so long, and I still see him with that expression when I turn around. It's too scary."
What was said unintentionally may have been taken to heart by the listener.
Upon hearing Jiang Deyu's words, Jiang Sui and Ji Jingyu exchanged a glance, but neither of them spoke.
—
After evening self-study, Jiang Deyu suggested, "Brother Ji, I want to eat Grandma Ji's noodles. Let's go to your house for a late-night snack."
"I don't think you want Grandma Ji's noodles. You probably did too badly on your test and are afraid of getting a beating when you get home, right?"
Jiang Sui revealed the truth in one sentence.
"Jiang Sui, if you don't speak, no one will think you're mute."
He shouted the word "brother" with the air of a winding mountain road.
Ji Jingyu lifted her eyelids and glanced at him, finally taking pity on him and humming in agreement.
"Thank you, Brother Ji!"
Jiang Deyu was thinking to himself that he should stay at the Ji family's house as long as possible, preferably until his father couldn't stay up any longer and fell asleep before going home.
He refused to believe that a high school boy like him, who could play games all night, could outlast his middle-aged father.
As Jiang Deyu passed the third floor, he ran as fast as he could, afraid that his father would catch him red-handed and execute him on the spot.
Grandma Ji watched the children beam with joy. If they hadn't only wanted noodles, she would have loved to cook them a Manchu Han Imperial Feast right then and there.
"We're out of green vegetables, can someone go upstairs and get me some?"
They usually eat vegetables grown by Grandma Ji herself.
Jiang Deyu raised his hand without hesitation, "I'll go."
"I'll go instead."
Xia Fan shoved Jiang Deyu away and walked out of the Ji family home before Jiang Deyu could say anything more.
Jiang Sui stared thoughtfully at Xia Fan's back. "Fanfan seems to be in a bad mood. She hasn't said much all day."
"Did he have a fight with Gu Ci?" Jiang Deyu scratched his head, then immediately dismissed the guess. "That's not right. How could Gu Ci possibly have a fight with Xia Fan?"
Jiang Sui was a little worried, so she handed the tadpoles in her arms to Ji Jingyu, saying, "I'll go up and take a look."
A while later, Ji Jingyu's WeChat rang.
It was a message from Jiang Sui: "Brother Ji, I left the vegetables at the stairwell. Fanfan's in a bad mood, I'll keep her company for a while."
[Fish]: Okay, you guys take your time chatting.
It was clear that Jiang Sui had picked the vegetables in a hurry, and several bunches of small greens were planted haphazardly in the basket. Ji Jingyu picked up the basket from the ground, turned around, and walked downstairs without disturbing Jiang Sui and Xia Fan.
As soon as Jiang Sui arrived, she saw Xia Fan standing dejectedly by Grandma Ji's vegetable garden, lost in thought, not even noticing her approaching.
"Fanfan."
Xia Fan turned to look at Jiang Sui as if startled; her eyes were slightly red, as if she had just been crying.
Upon seeing this, Jiang Sui immediately became anxious, "What's wrong with you?"
Since Jiang Sui met Xia Fan, she had always been cheerful, and this was the first time she had seen her show such a sad expression.
"nothing."
"Why are you crying if nothing's wrong?" Jiang Sui didn't believe her explanation at all. "Did Gu Ci make you angry?"
After thinking it over, Jiang Sui still felt that Gu Ci was the most suspicious.
“It wasn’t him,” Xia Fan said, choking back tears. “I just didn’t do well on this exam, and I’m feeling a little sad.”
Ever since Gu resigned from university, Xia Fan secretly vowed to herself that she would definitely get into Jiangcheng University, but her midterm exam results were like a bucket of cold water poured on her.
Xia Fan felt that the distance between her and Gu Ci seemed to be growing further and further apart.
Jiang Sui gently patted Xia Fan's back and softly comforted her, "One exam doesn't mean anything, Fanfan, don't be sad."
Xia Fan understood the reasoning, but even though she understood, she still couldn't help feeling sad when she saw her ranking drop.
Jiang Sui wasn't good at comforting people; she would repeat the same few words over and over, with little effect.
She thought for a moment and asked, "Is Gu Ci coming back this week?"
If she remembered correctly, Gu Ci hadn't been back for a while. If he came back this week, she could leave the task of making Xia Fan happy to him, since he was more adept at handling such matters.
“He’s not coming back.” Xia Fan shook his head, his voice low. “He’s busy with Jiangda’s anniversary celebration this week.”
Jiang Sui realized that Xia Fan wanted to see Gu Ci.
"Missing Gu Ci?"
After a few seconds of silence, Xia Fan nodded.
She was in a bad mood partly because she didn't do well on the exam, but Gu Ci was also partly to blame.
They grew up together and were inseparable since childhood, but since Gu Ci left for university, Xia Fan felt that her life had undergone earth-shattering changes.
Even though Gu Ci contacts her every day, it's still different between communicating through a screen and face-to-face.
"I really miss him."
"Um."
"Let's go then." Jiang Sui patted Xia Fan's shoulder and half-pushed her downstairs.
Xia Fan was bewildered by her actions, and after taking a few steps, she belatedly asked Jiang Sui, "Where are we going?"
"I'll take you to see Gu Ci."
"ah?"
Jiang Sui stopped in her tracks. "Before Gu Ci left, he repeatedly told me and Brother Ji to take good care of you. If he finds out that you've been hiding away and crying all by yourself, he'll definitely come after me and Brother Ji."
Xia Fan was taken aback. "How come I didn't know about this?"
"He found us behind your back, of course you didn't know."
Thinking back to what Gu Ci said, Jiang Sui was still a little angry, but to be fair, Gu Ci really understood Xia Fan and knew that she was prone to getting stuck on things and being emotional at times, so he gave them a heads-up in advance.
"Anyway, Jiangcheng isn't too far away, I'll take you to find him."
Jiang Sui made the final decision and pulled Xia Fan along as they continued towards the stairwell.
Author's note: Happy Labor Day, everyone! [heart emoji]
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