Winning the first prize
In the second week after Ge Ouchen left Class 4 of Grade 11, the intensity of Jin Can's "after-school training" suddenly increased.
The three transfer students seemed determined to pour out all the knowledge they had ever learned, bombarding her with it in a devilish manner over the course of a week.
Chao Ningning went all out.
Don't waste time on these trivial details.
She tapped a test paper with a red pen, her tone leaving no room for argument.
"First, memorize these core reaction equations and master their variations and applications. That should get you at least 80% of the exam score. The remaining 20% is where the difference in scores will be made, and we'll tackle that last."
Her tone was domineering, much like that of a strict teacher.
Zhou Yu then began to push the "sea of questions" strategy to its extreme.
Stacks of test papers, error notebooks, mock exams, and collections of past exam questions covered the table. She seemed to want to help Jin Can complete a knowledge sweep in the limited time available.
"Time it right, finish it," she ordered coldly.
Shi Yanxi no longer just pursues "happy education," but has begun to increase pressure.
She required Jin Can to complete one 20-minute "cat fishing" question, 30 points of reading comprehension, and memorize writing materials for Chinese and English every day.
Jin Can's brain was repeatedly reshaped under high pressure, and even the plot of his dreams every night was that he was trapped in the Kingdom of Elements and could only escape by balancing the chemical equations.
It's painful, but it works.
The strict time constraints and high volume of questions honed Jin Can's test-taking skills to a gleaming level.
While Lin Xiaoxiao went to the restroom, Jin Can tentatively asked the three of them what had happened that caused the intensity of their studies to suddenly change this week.
"The chances of passing the midterm exam are too low," Zhou Yu said softly, resting his chin on his hand.
"Ge Ouchen's favorability rating has even dropped. All that effort for getting up early every day to block him on the road, you little brat!" Shi Yanxi complained loudly.
"Get your mind back on track. What you should be doing right now is focusing on your studies!" Chao Ningning seemed to have been truly captivated by the strict old teacher.
Jin Can's face was full of question marks, but the three of them didn't continue talking.
Under the extreme training of both ice and fire, she underwent a remarkable transformation at a speed visible to the naked eye.
bite--!
[Host has leveled up to LV4]
She has now graduated from her preparatory year of academic failure and become a "hard-working student"!
[The hard-working type: Their grades aren't top-tier, but they have a serious attitude and maintain a mid-level performance through hard work.]
The live chat exploded with comments: 【Oh, the science popularizer is back!】
While training Jin Can, the three coaches did not seem to forget their real target: Ge Ouchen, who was preparing for the competition.
Their methods of helping Ge Ouchen have also been upgraded; they are now ubiquitous, omnipresent, and extremely aggressive, leaving no room for anyone to maneuver.
As always, Chao Ningning would stop Ge Ouchen whenever she had a spare moment after class. Every time the five of them finished studying and were about to leave, she wouldn't leave with the group, but would go straight to find Ge Ouchen.
The two seemed to be discussing something in a particularly lively atmosphere.
Shi Yanxi took out more questions and materials, covered with colorful and dense annotation strips, and quietly slipped them to Ge Ouchen.
Sometimes, when Jin Can went to school in the morning, he would bump into Ge Ouchen downstairs at her house. It was really... unbelievable.
Zhou Yu doesn't talk much, but her actions are the most direct.
She went far beyond simply delivering breakfast; she had thoroughly figured out Ge Ouchen's daily routine and was providing him with a nutritionally balanced, brain-boosting "competition-specific meal" every day.
Ultimately, it just tastes so much better than the food in the school cafeteria.
Sometimes there's even a cup of milk tea with an anonymous message on the cup: "You'll know all the answers on the exam."
...The three of them also told him about Jin Can's recent review progress.
[It's like the assistant to the president reporting to the CEO and assigning administrative tasks, haha.]
[Ge Ouchen, you're really eating well!]
Not only will there be bullet comments, but the newly upgraded LV4 system will also provide prompts for their actions one by one.
bite--!
[Detected character 'Chao Ningning' has activated the 'Academic Support' skill against the target. Threat level: ★★★★★]
[Detected character 'Shi Yanxi' activates 'Logistics Support' skill towards target. Threat level: ★★★★★]
[The character 'Zhou Yu' has been detected using the 'Love Feeding' skill on the target. Threat level: ★★★★★]
That's awesome! It's a full five-star threat level!
Honestly, Jin Can was somewhat impressed by the three of them's perseverance as he listened to the series of notification sounds.
Ge Ouchen, you're practically the center of attention!
She also wants to enjoy this VIP-level treatment!
However, as Jin Can stared at the improvements on the system panel, his heart felt like a whole jar of Shanxi aged vinegar had been overturned, so sour it was almost steaming.
The three of you, you say you'll help me with my studies, but actually your minds are all on Dog Bro!
Everyone was vying to curry favor with Ge Ouchen!
So you're using the tactic of feigning one move while secretly making another, right?
"You guys go ahead and try to build up my favorability, I love studying! I want to study!"
Jin Can remained defiant on the surface, but inside she was incredibly jealous. She couldn't quite put her finger on whether it was jealousy of Ge Ouchen's good treatment, a sense of loss that her "best buddy" had been snatched away, or the feeling that the other three had neglected her.
Perhaps she has some of these emotions.
Ironically, this very emotion became her fuel for studying, making her even more motivated than before.
On Saturday night, Jin Can had just finished his day's study plan and was so tired that he collapsed on the bed like a dead dog. He was planning to continue his "early to bed and early to rise" 24-hour plan the next day and use his skills to memorize some more essay templates and materials as well as two classical Chinese texts.
Ge Ouchen's voice call popped up unexpectedly.
Jin Can's heart skipped a beat, and he swiped to answer the call.
"Hello?"
There was no immediate sound from the other end of the phone, only a series of shallow, seemingly suppressed breaths.
"Brother Gou? What's wrong?" Jin Can was a little worried. The competition was tomorrow, and he was calling at this hour. Had something happened?
“...Golden.”
Finally, the boy's clear, cool voice rang out, but Jin Can wondered if it was just her imagination, but she felt that there was a hint of grievance in his voice that he didn't usually have... and a tiny bit of... softness?
"Yes, I'm here."
"The training team's instructors gave us our last mock exam today, and I didn't do well."
Ge Ouchen's voice was low, like a puppy whining.
"For the last big question, I came up with a solution, but it turned out to be wrong. After looking at the answer explanation, I found that it used a more ingenious method."
ah--?
Jin Can was stunned.
Is this still the same Ge Ouchen she knew, the one who was all-powerful and always calm and collected?
He actually called me to complain because he got a question wrong?
However, I don't understand your complaints. (Shrugs and laughing-crying emoji)
[Warning! Warning! The target is using the skill "Playing the Fool" on the host! This skill is extremely rare, with only one instance in all 365 timelines! Host, please increase your defenses and proceed with caution!]
Forehead……
What a show-off! If Jin Can could enjoy the same treatment as his brother, he'd be able to walk all over campus in no time!
"oh?"
Jin Can deliberately used a lazy, sour tone to say, "It's just a question, what's the big deal? You're the academic genius of our grade, it's normal to make a mistake once in a while."
There was silence on the other end of the phone.
Jin Can could almost picture him frowning slightly, and her smile deepened as she continued to "add fuel to the fire":
"Besides, don't you have so many 'helpful wives' around you? There are those who give you study tips, those who have heated discussions with you, and one who feeds you loving meals every day... Don't they cheer you on?"
Every sentence was tinged with bitterness.
"I'm not lying, am I? Look how attentive he is to you." Jin Can's jealousy was practically overflowing from the receiver, and his voice even cracked as he spoke.
“You…” Ge Ouchen’s voice finally carried a hint of annoyance, “So you knew all along…”
Do you know everything?
Does he really think he's the emperor?
Given her status as the "official wife," shouldn't she also have some magnanimity and turn a blind eye to some things?
"Hmph, with their blessings, your competition tomorrow will definitely be a breeze, you'll be a shoo-in! Do you really need a noob like me to give you advice?"
"Goodnight and goodbye!" Jin Can was about to hang up.
"That's not how it is!" Ge Ouchen's voice suddenly rose, carrying a hint of urgency that he himself didn't realize.
"I need to explain."
"At first I thought those meals were brought to me by your mother, but I only found out yesterday when my classmates teased me that they were all sent by Zhou Yu."
"Shi Yanxi gave me a lot of error notebooks, and the content was very targeted, almost all of which were areas I was not good at. I also found it incredible that she could understand them so thoroughly."
"Chao Ningning quietly told me a lot of inside stories about the competition, from the background of the question setters to the scope of the questions, and the trends over the past ten years. She was so detailed that I was amazed. To be honest, even our training camp teachers didn't know as much as she did. At first, I thought she was just making things up, but the more I listened, the more reliable she seemed. The content of the chat wasn't really related to the competition questions, but these topics were too sensitive, so I didn't dare to say anything carelessly, for fear of causing unnecessary trouble."
He paused, his voice low: "But they are theirs. I will only call you."
That short sentence soothed all the bitterness in Jin Can's heart.
Jin Can felt a lump in his throat, but couldn't help laughing.
"Hmph, that's because you only have my contact information."
He said that, but what he really thought was: Oh yeah, when he encountered a problem, he was the one who called.
The female lead is so easy to please!
The feeling of youth is wonderful!
Hehe! Jin Can also thought he was really easy to fool!
All of Jin Can's unhappiness vanished, replaced by an indescribable impulse.
She jumped out of bed and said into the phone, "Don't move, wait for me!"
After saying that, she hung up the phone without waiting for Ge Ouchen's reaction.
She rushed to her desk, opened her pencil case, and pulled out the black ballpoint pen that had accompanied her through three mathematical infinite flow comebacks from a pile of pens.
Then, she grabbed a coat, changed her shoes, and rushed out of the house like a gust of wind.
The night was slightly cool, and Jin Can jogged along, her heart pounding wildly in her chest.
She didn't know why she did it; she just felt that some words and some blessings had to be said in person to carry weight.
Ge Ouchen's house was just a few steps away from hers; the two lived in adjacent buildings.
When Jin Can stood panting in front of that familiar door and pressed the doorbell, his palms were sweating with nervousness.
The one who opened the door was Ge Ouchen.
He appeared to have just taken a shower, wearing loose loungewear, his short black hair still wet, with water dripping from the ends.
Upon seeing the person outside the door, Ge Ouchen's face instantly filled with astonishment.
"you……"
"Here you go!" Jin Can shoved the pen into his hand without saying a word.
Because she had run so fast, her voice was slightly out of breath, her cheeks were slightly flushed, and her eyes were fixed on Ge Ouchen.
The other person seemed shy, looked away, and examined the ordinary pen in their hand with some confusion.
"This is……?"
"This is my 'lucky charm'!"
Jin Can spoke innocently, her cheeks flushed with a pretty blush, and her eyes sparkled as if they were tinged with starlight in the night.
Ge Ouchen looked back at her and couldn't take his eyes off her anymore.
"I used this pen to pass my math pop quiz! Now, I'm sharing my good luck with you!"
Ge Ouchen's heart felt as if it were being gently grasped by a warm hand.
He looked at the girl who had come running breathlessly to him just to give him a pen, and all his restlessness and unease were quietly replaced by a burning emotion.
"Okay." He tightened his grip on the pen, his voice low and his movements solemn.
"Are you going to the school to meet up tomorrow?" she asked.
"Yes, the teachers will lead the group, and buses will take everyone to the exam venue."
"Then—good luck!" Jin Can looked at him, seemingly feeling that words were somewhat inadequate, so in a moment of impulsiveness, she made an even bolder move.
She imitated the most exciting rituals performed by protagonists before going into battle in shonen manga, raising her fist towards Ge Ouchen.
"I wish you..."
Her voice was clear and resonant, echoing in the quiet stairwell:
"Winning first place and returning in triumph!"
Ge Ouchen was taken aback at first, and then a very faint but very real smile appeared on his usually aloof and cold face, which was usually filled with "kingly disdain".
He slowly raised his fist, and in mid-air, it lightly touched her fist.
bite--!
The system notification sounded in Jin Can's mind, but there was no response.
It was as if some kind of contract had been reached at that moment.
“Mm,” Ge Ouchen replied.
"I am the man who will become the King of Mathematics."
After saying that, they both laughed.
Having done all this, Jin Can's courage seemed to have run out. He left with the words "I'm going back!" and turned to flee in panic.
Ge Ouchen stood at the door, watching her back, without moving for a long time.
She opened her hand, and the pen still carried the warmth of her palm, as if it possessed magical power.
"Ge Ouchen, who is that?" came Ge's mother's curious voice from the living room.
Ge Ouchen snapped out of his daze and closed the door.
"Golden".
"Oh my, it's my goddaughter, Jin Canbao! What time is it? I came all this way just to bring you a pen for the competition?"
Mr. Ge also poked his head out of the room, a knowing smile on his face, and said, "Is this a token of our love?"
Mother Ge beamed with joy: "Our rascal has grown up! You must keep this pen safe; it might become your family heirloom!"
Ge Ouchen's face flushed red from his ears to his neck.
He rarely showed such youthful embarrassment and shyness, and muttered, "Don't talk nonsense!"
After saying that, he quickly ran back to his room, shutting out his parents' teasing voices.
He leaned against the door, raised his hand to touch his burning cheeks, and felt a surge of heat in his heart as well.
He looked at the pen in his hand and recalled the passionate and endearing fist bump from earlier. All the pre-match anxiety transformed into boundless fighting spirit at that moment.
He walked to his desk, carefully placed the pen in the most conspicuous spot, and then picked up the thick, annotated competition problem set again.
I need to watch it again!
He has to go all out to achieve this goal of "winning the first place".
Meanwhile, Jin Can, who had run home, was still unable to calm down for a long time.
When they bumped fists, the warmth of his fist seemed to linger on her knuckles.
She felt full of energy.
We can't lose to him!
While he's striving for the competition, I need to become stronger too!
She sat back down at her desk, opened her notebook of mistakes from the past few days, and her eyes blazed with fighting spirit.
study!
Even if I don't sleep tonight, I'm going to work through all the wrong questions!
On this night, a boy and a girl, because of a silly promise, an ordinary pen, and a passionate fist bump, ignited the most intense flames of youth on their respective battlefields.
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