Chapter 57
Note: not proofreaded
Zhen Yuanbai naturally didn’t know what others were thinking. He and Shi Bufan’s relationship had improved rapidly during this winter vacation. Even if they hadn’t seen each other for a while, the moment they saw each other, the emotions inside them exploded.
As expected, Shi Bufan was lying to him. The zipper wasn’t broken and he easily pulled it up for him. Ye Lian turned around and felt a bit helpless after looking at Shi Bufan’s enjoying expression. Ming Mai seemed as though he couldn’t deal with the dog food and walked out of the classroom. Qiu Jing rubbed his eyes, a bit confused for two seconds before he snorted, feeling complicated.
“How was it broken?” Zhen Yuanbai rolled his eyes at Shi Bufan and said, “Stop being slow. Hurry up.”
After he said that, he walked ahead.
The moment they left, the class erupted into discussion in the next second.
“What happened to them during the winter vacation?”
“When did our class monitor become so brazen?”
“Something must be wrong with my eyes. Song Mo, you have the best relationship with the class monitor. Did he and Shi Bufan become sworn brothers?”
“Why would anyone become sworn brothers during this era? Something must be wrong. Shi Bufan liked Zhen Yuanbai in the past, so does he have any bad ideas up his sleeves?”
“I think that Shi Bufan’s practically done repaying his benefactor.” Someone mentioned, “I promise you guys that before this semester is done, Shi Bufan will break off relations with Zhen Yuanbai. Do you guys believe me?”
…
Everyone officially welcomed the new semester through a series of conjectures. The stores that have been empty and quiet for the entire winter vacation all opened again, and everywhere became lively and noisy.
There were no words to describe Zhen Yuanbai’s devotion to learning and Shi Bufan’s behavior was quite shocking as well. He actively participated in class and learned with Zhen Yuanbai, taking his notes. In the evening, he and Zhen Yuanbai worked on practice exams together.
Under everyone’s gazes, Shi Bufan was like an unexpected winner from the monthly exam in this new semester. He improved from a ranking in the 300s to rank 99. The record of the people within the top 100 weren’t that easy to beat, so the principal even specially pulled up the surveillance from the exam room and watched it repeatedly before confirming that Shi Bufan had obtained his rank with his own hard work.
Ji Yanping was extremely shocked as well.
The forum where people were discussing whether Shi Bufan could score 2nd or not became the hot topic of discussion. Right now, there were suddenly a lot of people who supported Shi Bufan, but still a lot of people opposed him as well.
Anonymous user: Sorry. I really underestimated our Brother Shi. I deeply admire the speed of his improvement!
Anonymous user: I believe in him now. He’s serious about scoring 2nd.
Anonymous user: Unoffendable’s grades have soared rapidly and he became the top student. What’s going on behind the scenes of his injury? School Magazine Department, why don’t you guys hold an interview?
Anonymous user: You guys are still on the forums? I heard that the group chat for the top 100 students have exploded! The person who got squeezed out of the rankings is doing their best to study and snatch that rank back!
Anonymous user: We don’t understand the world of top students. Even if I get squeezed out of the top 100, I’m not scared either.
…
A beggar can never be bankrupt. This situation exists between the students. Those with good grades only want to become better and they won’t allow themselves to be beaten.
After Shi Bufan’s grades came out, Zhen Yuanbai was the happiest obviously. He happily turned around to high five Shi Bufan and said happily, “You’re in the top 40 in our class now!”
Shi Bufan originally didn’t feel much about it, but after seeing how happy Zhen Yuanbai was, his heart suddenly pounded rapidly. He subconsciously nodded and said, “I’ll make you prouder of me.”
Influenced by Shi Bufan, Zhen Yuanbai felt as if he had a lot of power and strength. Look. He was able to help a student who was in the last place of the grade and help him score into the top 100! This was the most admirable thing he had ever done!
The second day, people had blocked Zhen Yuanbai from entering the convenience store by his house. He originally planned on buying some snacks after school was over when he saw a few tall and sturdy young men in front of him, and he felt a buzz in his head.
Ever since he met Shi Bufan, he hadn’t encountered this situation before. Although he didn’t have an eidetic memory, he had a profound memory of some people, just like the rude and terrible Shi Bufan from before, and the person in front of him now… the person who was about to smash his head with a brick, but was caught by Shi Bufan and he was forced to call himself Brother Congming. He was one of Shengsan High School’s leaders.
Zhen Yuanbai tried his best to stay calm, but the fear uncontrollably seeped through his mind as he was traumatized by the past bullying. He pinched his fingers and told himself that he was in front of his house. If anything happens, he could call for someone, so he asked, “Is there a matter?”
The leader grinned and said fiercely, “I finally get to see you now. Why don’t we go out and chat?”
Zhen Yuanbai glanced at the cashier and said, “Can’t you say whatever you have to say here?”
“We’re not going far, just by the door. Look at how tiny the space is here. We can’t do what we need to do.”
“…” Do what? Zhen Yuanbai was quite terrified as the leader reached over to pull him. Zhen Yuanbai held in his breath and slowly walked out of the convenience store with them. The leader was about to say something to him when he suddenly saw a flash zooming past him.
Zhen Yuanbai’s adrenaline erupted and the moment he left the convenience store, he ran off to his neighborhood, not even looking back once.
The leader stood there, bearing the lonely cold wind as he glanced at his friends.
Zhen Yuanbai ran home and chugged a cup of water, feeling thirsty. He then sat on the sofa and reluctantly calmed down, sending Shi Bufan a message. “What’s with the people from Shengsan High School? Why did they stop me in front of a convenience store?”
Shi Bufan was confused.
What the heck.
Brother Shi who just made it into top 100 threw the goal of learning in the back of his mind. He didn’t go to school the morning after, but instead went to Shengsan High School and took a stroll. Although not everyone knew his reputation, there were many people who recognized him. Don’t mention that he had a red scarf around him wherever he went, so he became more recognizable.
“Um, hey student, stop where you’re going.” Shi Bufan stopped a person and the boy’s terrified expression was extremely like his little classmate. He softened his look and said, “Send Yan Hao a message for me.”
The boy was confused.
“Have him come look for me in the forest after school today.” Shi Bufan said this and after that, he was worried that he might be stood up, so his expression became fierce. “If you don’t send the message, I’ll come look for you tomorrow too.”
The boy was extremely bewildered.
Zhen Yuanbai dodged Shengsan High School’s leader yesterday and he immediately rushed to the classroom after Zhen Youxiu brought him to school this morning. Shi Bufan didn’t return until the morning session was over. The moment Zhen Yuanbai saw him, it felt as though he had seen a familiar face somewhere foreign. He immediately became excited and his eyes followed Shi Bufan as he sat down. Shi Bufan comforted, “Don’t worry. I asked him what he wanted.”
Song Mo kept his ears in this conversation and after Zhen Yuanbai turned around, he secretly asked, “What’s the matter? Someone is causing you trouble?”
Zhen Yuanbai said sadly, “The leader within Shengsan High School.”
“Yan Hao?!” Song Mo shivered and said, “Shi, Shi Bufan is going to stand up for you?”
Zhen Yuanbai nodded firmly.
Song Mo suddenly revealed a strange expression and couldn’t explain his feelings easily.
After school was over, Zhen Yuanbai nervously followed Shi Bufan. He felt that Yan Hao came looking for him because of Shi Bufan. He knew that Shi Bufan, this bad boy, would cause trouble for him. He was scared that if they didn’t resolve the issue today, Yan Hao might come looking for him tomorrow again.
He was fortunate yesterday since he ran off before Yan Hao could react. Next time, Yan Hao will make sure to stop him and not give him a chance to run off.
When the group of people arrived at the destination, not long later, Yan Hao walked over with a few of his friends. He smiled when he saw Shi Bufan and said, “Brother Shi, long time no see.”
Shi Bufan stood up with a gloomy look on his face saying, “What’s with this smile? Why did you go and look for him yesterday?”
Yan Hao glanced at Zhen Yuanbai and smiled brightly, making the scalp of Zhen Yuanbai’s head go numb. He subconsciously hid behind Shi Bufan, feeling as though Yan Hao’s widened mouth was like that one of a crocodile that could swallow him at any time.
Yan Hao was confused as to why Zhen Yuanbai was scared of him, so he asked, “Brother Congming, why are you hiding from me?”
Shi Bufan’s face turned darker and he straightened Yan Hao’s head, saying, “One minute. Tell me why you’re looking for him.”
Zhen Yuanbai held in his breath and kept his ears in the conversation. Yan Hao was stunned for a second before he quickly said, “Brother Shi, did you misunderstand? I just wanted him to tutor me.”
Qiu Jing who was preparing for a fight said, “What?”
They all thought as if they had heard wrong. “You, you are looking for our class monitor to tutor you?”
Ming Mai said, “Didn’t you want to beat him up?”
“Ah.” Yan Hao smiled and said, “Our principal specially held a meeting and complimented Brother Shi, and then reprimanded me. Then, he had the teacher in charge talk to me. I was thinking that… becoming a good student seems cool. Brother Shi is amazing. Even people from Shengsan High School know about you.”
Shi Bufan withdrew his hand and sneered, “You also want to turn over a new leaf and become a good student?”
“Not just me.” Yan Hao immediately pointed at his friends behind and said, “We all want to turn over new leaves and amaze everyone!”
Ye Lian snorted and said, “You want to amaze the world? Hahaha. If you want to surprise the world, why don’t you guys set up a table in school and oink like pigs? You’ll surprise the world for sure!”
Yan Hao’s face darkened and he said, “How can you look down upon people?”
Zhen Yuanbai looked over to see Shi Bufan laughing strangely. He suddenly reached over and pinched him, and Shi Bufan’s smile faded. “Why did you pinch me?”
“Why are you guys mocking him?”
“Isn’t it worth mocking him?” Ming Mai said incredulously, “Look at him from head to toe. Does he seem like someone who can amaze the world with a single feat?”
“No matter what.” When Zhen Yuanbai heard that he just wanted to learn, he let down his guard. “It’s a good thing that people want to learn. Since Shi Bufan can get good grades, so can you guys.”
He turned around to look at Yan Hao and then said properly, “I believe you guys can.”
“As long as you tutor us…”
“He doesn’t have time to tutor you guys.” Shi Bufan pulled Zhen Yuanbai behind him and said, “Go and find a tutor yourself.”
“Teacher Zhen.” Yan Hao said sincerely, “I don’t believe in any tutors, and I only believe in you. After all, Brother Shi used to get 0s on his tests. However, you were able to help him score that well, so I definitely can as well.”
Zhen Yuanbai said hesitatingly, “What are your grades?”
Yan Hao immediately patted his chest and said, “Since middle school, I’ve never scored below 20!”
His friend added on, “My Brother Yan never scored last place.”
“Right, he always scores second to last place.”