Qiao Shao: “?”
He had no idea why Lou Xiao cussed out He Shen.
But it didn’t matter, ribbing between friends was perfectly normal.
Lou Xiao didn’t know how to feel, and he couldn’t bear to look at Qiao Shao anymore.
This child’s going to be eaten for sure.
Lao He had said that he wasn’t a beast, but this…
This was worse than a beast.
There was no one left in the examination room. Qiao Shao gave He Shen another push. “You’re not going to eat lunch either?”
He Shen didn’t care either way but he was concerned about his little seatmate’s growth. He turned slightly. “Eat.”
Qiao Shao flicked his forehead. “Then hurry up.”
“En.” He Shen took his hand and put it on his arm.
In fact, Qiao Shao’s foot was already pretty much healed up, and walking on his own was not a problem. But He Shen has been lending his arm for support for half a month already and both of them had grown accustomed to it.
Lou Xiao, beside them, felt like a third wheel and left with a cigarette in hand.
There was no longer any need to remind or warn them of anything. Looking at their lovey-dovey manner, they were definitely mutually consenting parties.
During noon break He Shen went to 516 to catch up on a sleep.
Chen Su whispered to Qiao Shao, “How did you do in the morning exams?”
When he asked, Qiao Shao stiffened.
Chen Su noticed and said, “It’s okay, that’s done now. Don’t let it affect your performance on the English exam in the afternoon.”
“En,” Qiao Shao said vaguely, “It’s very good, they were all very common questions.”
At noon, Qiao Shao lay in bed for half an hour.
The familiar music kept coming into his ears, but he couldn’t completely relax.
When everyone was asleep, Qiao Shao touched his earphones…He hesitated for a full minute, and in the end, he still couldn’t bring himself to take them off.Qiao Shao breathed a sigh and closed his eyes.
The English exam was that afternoon. This was Qiao Shao’s best subject. Even if he was behind by half a year, it wouldn’t affect his performance on this subject.
When the listening portion came, he filled in the answer easily, and was confident that he wouldn’t go wrong.
Because he had energy to spare, while the audio was still being played, he hurriedly did the next few questions.
Once the listening portion was over and everything was calm and quiet. Qiao Shao could only do his best to hold his pen tightly so that his hands wouldn’t shake.
General Science was scheduled during the evening.
After all the exams, the students were free to leave. They could go home and spend Saturday and Sunday playing to their heart’s content.
The test-takers in the sixteenth examination room were very relaxed. In any case, they were just going to get nine and a half questions out of ten wrong. Better to just think about what they’d do during the weekend.
The teacher who had been supervising the whole day was also a bit tired and it took a bit of effort to silence the whisperings in the room.
The teacher was furious and stood up and admonished them sharply.
The students stopped for a while, but soon made the whispers started up again.
The teacher looked helplessly at this group of students. Their minds were all on the weekend already and she couldn’t control the class anymore. She decided to step down from the podium and walk around the classroom.
“Behave yourselves!” From time to time, she would knock on a student’s desk.
The students all quieted down. Only the clacking of the teacher’s heels could be heard in the entire room.
The proctor didn’t wear high heels, but the heels of her leather shoes were a bit pointed and the sound it made as it hit against the hard floor was very clear.
This is a huge deterrent to the students and they didn’t dare act rashly.
To Qiao Shao, though, it was a life-saver.
He had blanked out before but now he could finally remember some things.
He decided to make the best use of his time. He gave up on the physics questions, and quickly filled out more familiar questions in biology and chemistry…
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
When the bell rang, the proctor’s legs were nearly cramped from patrolling around, “Okay, Okay, time’s up. Hurry and hand in your papers. You’ve already answered everything that you could. Don’t force it anymore. Just make sure to listen in class next time and do your best at the end of term exams.”
Ktf qjqfgr kfgf tjcvfv lc jcv Hljb Vtjb’r tfjga kjr mbwqifafis fwqas.
Lf Vtfc aegcfv ab ibbx ja tlw. “Ktf fzjw’r olclrtfv. Gbc’a atlcx jybea la jcswbgf.”
Hljb Vtjb ibbxfv yjmx jcv uijgfv ja tlw. “Vbggs, P’w cba jr ecrtjxjyif jr sbe jgf.”
Lf Vtfc cbalmfv atja tf kjr j ilaaif vbkc, jcv vfilyfgjafis afjrfv tlw. “Ktlr lr ktja’r mjiifv rfio-mbcolvfcmf.”
Qiao Shao had a smile in his eyes, and said to him, “I think you mean arrogance.”
“En, ‘to-may-to’ ‘to-mah-to’,” He Shen saw that he had regained his spirit, and asked, “You’re going home this weekend?”
Qiao Shao didn’t want to go home, but he if he didn’t go home again, he was afraid his dad would kill his way through just to drag him home.
Things would turn ugly by then.
“If not,” Qiao Shao said, “should I still freeload off you for food and a place to sleep?”
“You won’t just be getting a place to sleep,” He Shen corrected him. “You’d also be getting the coax to sleep service.”
Qiao Shao remembered his lullaby and goosebumps rose on his skin. “No thanks, I might just get nightmares.”
He Shen thought of the child who pulled his clothes that night and refused to let go. He asked again, “Are you sure?”
Qiao Shao said firmly, “I’m sure. No, thank you!”
He Shen blinked. “This is a coax to sleep full range service, you know. You won’t reconsider?”
Qiao Shao didn’t know whether to cry or to laugh, but he now felt more relaxed. He said, “If you were a girl, I might reconsider.”
He Shen pretended to be scandalized. “My, Qiao Shao tongxue, just what are you thinking?”
Qiao Shao, who had the tables turned on him, blushed a little: “…”
He hadn’t managed to say anything back when He Shen suddenly approached him. His deep voice whispered to his ear. “Won’t I do?”
Qiao Shao’s heart missed half a beat.
He pushed him away and didn’t dare face him. “Okay, I’m go back to the dormitory to pack. I’ll see you on Monday.”
He Shen didn’t force him. “En, see you on Monday.”
Qiao Shao came out of the examination room and calmed down after feeling the cold wind blowing.
What the hell!
Qiao Shao pressed down against his chest. It kind of felt like this heart was jumping about.
Bzzzt……
His phone vibrated.
Qiao Shao took it out, it was a WeChat message.
Without Friday: “Let me know when you get home, muah! (╯3╰).”
Qiao Shao: “…”
What ‘muah’!?
Qiao Shao walked a long way away before taking a taxi home.
When he got home and saw the brightly-lit house, the corners of his mouth couldn’t help rising.
Aunt Wu came out to greet him and took his hand, saying, “Oh, Xiao Shao, you’ve worked so hard for this half month! Have you gotten thinner? Are you tired? What are they feeding you at that school …”
Qiao Shao felt warm in his heart. He said, “I’m alright, I think I even got a bit fatter.”
“How is that possible!” Aunt Wu knew his situation too well. “Come now, let’s get in the house. I have soup that’s been boiling away for the whole day. Let’s get you a bowl of that first…”
Qiao Shao laughed and said, “I alredy had dinner …”
Entering the room, he saw that Yang Xiaolong, Qiao Ruan and Qiao Zongming were all there.
Qiao Shao said hilariously: “Grandpa, granddad, dad …”
There were all here. It was like they thought he’d been gone twenty years and finally came back after a bitter struggle, so the whole family was waiting to welcome him.
Yang Xiaolong took his hand and said, “You’re finally home. How’s school? They’re not mistreating you, are they?”
Grandpa kept firing question after question and Qiao Shao could barely get a word in.
Qiao Ruan didn’t say a word, but beside him, there was already a pile of gift boxes. This fashion industry godfather liked to show his love through concrete actions.
It took half an hour for Qiao Shao to reassure his grandpa and granddad.
Qiao Zongmin said, “I told you, you didn’t have to come. He’s all grown up now and he was just gone for two weeks. What did you think might happen to him?”
The moment he spoke, he was bombarded within an inch of his life.
Of course, Qiao Shao was very grateful to his dad. Comrade Da Qiao trying to redirect some of their firepower on to himself.
Later, Qiao Shao weighed himself and it turns out he gained a whole pound. This good news completely placated the two elderly people.
Grandpa and granddad were sent away and the father and son sat down and talked for a while.
Qiao Zongmin tried to sound him out. “Dr. Zhang will be free tomorrow. Would you like to go see him?”
Qiao Shao said, “No need, I’ve been fine recently.”
Qiao Zongmin gauged his manner and appearance and said, “If you don’t think it’s necessary, then that’s fine.”
Qiao Shao was relieved, “En.”
Qiao Zongmin asked again, “I heard that today was the monthly exam?”
Qiao Shao looked up at him and said miserably, “If I fail the exam, will you make me stop studying in East High?”
Qiao Zongmin froze.
Qiao Shao looked at him anxiously. “Dad, give me a second chance. I just got there. I haven’t had time to adjust yet. It only makes sense that I don’t get a good score …”
Qiao Zongmin smiled. He patted his son’s head and said, “As long as you want to do it, Dad will do everything to support you.”
Qiao Shao reminded him, “Even if my scores are really bad?”
Qiao Zongmin said, “It doesn’t matter even if you came in last.”
Qiao Shao drooped. “I feel like you’re jinxing me …”
It’s highly likely though that this jinx will come true.
What Qiao Zongmin was more concerned about was: “The tests took the entire day?”
Qiao Shao nodded weakly.
Qiao Zongmin: “You were able to hold out for the entire day?”
“Well …” Qiao Shao said, “the last subject was scheduled this evening.”
Qiao Zongmin was radiant with joy. “That’s pretty good, this is great!”
Qiao Shao couldn’t laugh. He lay on the sofa and felt that his father’s requirements were really too low.
The weekend passed by.
Boarding students were required to return to school in advance.
Qiao Shao packed up his things Sunday night and was going back to school.
Qiao Zongmin still tried to let him take his son to school. Qiao Shao said that right now he was the child of a poor man. The only way this could work was if he drove an electric vehicle.
Qiao Zongmin immediately said, “I have electric cars too.”
Qiao Shao rolled his eyes. “A Tesla?” As soon as the Eagle-wing doors open, the students would all turn and cast curious looks.
Qiao Zongmin complained, “The model S is very inconspicuous.”
Oh, the nearly one million yuan worth electric sports car that grandpa wanted to give to He Shen as a first-time meeting gift.
Qiao Shao said in earnest, “The electric vehicle I meant has two wheels, and the market price …” Young master Xiao didn’t know either, but he gave it a really low figure, “is around ten or twenty thousand. That kind of electric vehicle.”
This was something Qiao Zongmin really didn’t have.
And even if they bought it, he wouldn’t be able to drive it. It would be way more comfortable to just take a taxi.
Qiao Shao felt a different atmosphere when he returned to school.
Two days have passed, and the monthly test results have definitely come out. Most people probably already knew their scores.
Qiao Shao calmly went up to the fifth floor, and called out a greeting when he saw Chen Su.
Chen Su looked at him worriedly. “Qiao Shao …”
Qiao Shao was well aware of the situation. Chen Su was a member of the academic committee, and he had probably reviewed the test papers.
“Are the results out?” Qiao Shao asked, pretending to be relaxed.
Chen Su nodded.
Qiao Shao didn’t ask about himself, he first asked about Chen Su. “What, are you the first in our year level?”
There should be no suspense, Chen Su was smart and hardworking!
Chen Su shook his head and said, “As long as He Shen’s taking the exam, there’s no way I can be first.”
Qiao Shao froze.
“I think your grade is …” Chen Su was more worried about Qiao Shao, and said tactfully, “There may be a problem, but don’t worry, let’s wait and see the test paper …”
Qiao Shao interrupted him, “What does your getting first place and He Shen have anything to do with each other? It’s impossible for him to take your first place, right?”
How can his seatmate who even sleeps in the exam room ever affect whether Chen Su gets first place or not?
It was Chen Su’s turn to be dumbfounded. “You haven’t seen the score list?”
Qiao Shao was bewildered. “Where can I see it?”
Chen Su took out his mobile phone and said, “Hasn’t your dad been added to the class group yet?”
Qiao Shao: “…”
He was added there, but the number Qiao Shao used was just some random mobile number he’d bought for his dad…
He didn’t even know where he’d tossed that mobile phone. Qiao Shao didn’t ever expect to look at it.
Chen Su opened a picture, enlarged it and handed it to Qiao Shao.
Qiao Sha stared at it and thought he was going blind.
Chen Su said, “He Shen got full marks on mathematics and general sciences. It seems that he didn’t answer one of the questions for Chinese Language, so five points were deducted. I don’t know what the problem was for English. He only got 130 points, but even so, his score is still 23 points higher than mine.”
First place, He Shen, total score: 725.
Second place, Chen Xu, total score: 702.
Qiao Shao pointed at the familiar and yet incomparably unfamiliar name, and stuttered, “He, He, He Shen? That He Shen? The one from our class, He Shen?
Chen Su realized that he might have misunderstood something. “Well, his grades have always been very good, and he entered East High with the highest high school entrance exam scores in the city.”
Young Master Qiao was petrified with shock.
Meanwhile, He Shen, was with their teacher. He frowned as he looked at Qiao Shao’s test papers.
Old Tang sighed. “I know he studies very seriously but I don’t know why he tested so badly …”
He Shen looked at the papers one by one, from language to mathematics to English and general sciences.
This roundish and slightly child-like handwriting was definitely Qiao Shao’s.
His test paper was neat and he’s written his answers conscientiously.
But these scores…
The author has something to say:
cough…
The god of learning is online.
———————>>>>
Translator’s notes: In case it wasn’t very clear, it was the silence that got to Qiao Shao while he was taking the exams.
I feel sorry for Qiao Shao, there are too many misunderstandings here. I hope baby will quickly accept that He Shen is a learning god
Tysm for update 💖
The truth shall set you free!
The dog food is A+, but Qiao Shao-
I’m sad that he failed orz. Maybe one of the reasons why was because the silence is a thing he couldn’t really handle? Like maybe, it relates to his past trauma or something. So even if he knew some of the answers, his mind blanked because it’s too quiet. My heart went out to him when he tried not to tremble, after the audio stopped orz. I hope he does better on the next exams.
Thanks for the chapter. 🙂
its just the plain difference between people. some learn quickly others slower. to be honest, i think Qiao Shao is not lucky to be rich. he is so smothered between his grandparents and dads authority that he never has the chance to grow. Looking forward to his developement now that he has He Shen.
If he gets last place even with classmates that don’t even bother studying, it feels like…something isn’t right, isn’t it? And the fact that he gets kind of worked up by the silence feels concerning. From what I gathered up above, he can’t answer the test properly if it’s completely quiet orz. That’s why he tried to answer a few more questions when the audio during the English exam was playing. When it stopped, he held his pen tightly to keep his hands from shaking. It’s implied that even He Shen himself believe that even if Qiao Shao isn’t first place material, Qiao Shao’s still average, so he was surprised by Qiao Shao’s score orz.
Maybe I’m just overthinking this or something, but even if Qiao Shao was coddled by his family and all that, the amount of effort he expended could n’t be denied.
I just hope for Qiao Shao background orz. This fic is getting a bit deeper with every chapter lmao. It’s not just all dog food and comedic misunderstandings anymore.
I agree with Xifeng. While I do agree that QS might not be as fast a learner as others, he does try his best and he is known to do well in English, which shows he is good at some academics. So, with the many hints given from this chapter and from previous ones, I believe that the trauma is holding him back. Especially with how his dad asked him if he was “able to hold out for the entire day,” which means his dad knows about his PTSD-like symptoms.
+2
And, sorry for the double post , but to answer your first question: No, hard word does not always make up for deficiencies. Sometimes it makes things worse.What will help him, is a balanced life. I think He Shen will take care of that. 😉
But I really disagree with your second reply orz. It feels like you’re disregarding Qiao Shao’s hard work. Like. In almost every chapter, you can see how the author mentions how hard he’s studying orz. He really wants this. He’s working hard to understand the material as much as he could. Although, what you said about do apply in some select situations, it doesn’t in this one.
In studying, although how fast you pick up the topic matters, hard work counts for more. The amount of time you work hard on the subject counts for more. There are aberrants like He Shen who doesn’t have to study and still get the best grades, but it isn’t like that for everyone. Usually if you’re below average and you try really hard, you’ll get at most, an average score. You wouldn’t magically be first just because you tried. You’re making up for your deficiency after all, by studying more on the subject than anyone else.
This is the case for Qiao Shao. He’s below average since, as you’ve mentioned, he’s new to the school environment. He’s not quick on picking up things and he knows that. So he tries to make up for it by studying hard. However, he still failed. Why? We don’t know yet but I’m going to vote because of his past trauma because of all the hints the author has given in this chapter.
I really get what you’re trying to say though. That having He Shen would balance him out. Since that was what it was advertised in the plot summary orz. But it kind of rubs me the wrong way when it feels like you’re putting them into boxes. He Shen’s smart, Qiao Shao’s dumb. He Shen’s poor, Qiao Shao’s rich. They cover each other’s deficiencies. Tada. It doesn’t work like that orz.
Or at least I hope it doesn’t work like that or I’ll be quite disappointed lmao because I’m getting attached to characters orz.
My long replies doesn’t mean I’m fighting or anything. I just love discussions lmao and the channel in DC for this novel isn’t that active orz.
I really love discussing novels I love so pardon me if I come off as aggressive orz.
Ohh. That’s an interesting perspective. I get it now. I’m skeptical but l et’s just see in the next chapters after.
Just reading this for the first time so I am MONTHS late to the conversation.
But QS seemed to be having a panic attack during his test.
I mean, maybe things will be revealed to be different but I have had panic attacks during test and it sounded like what was being described to me.
And his previous school with the PE optional, no tests, just like horseback riding and whatever sportslike activities. I totally went to one of those for a year in high school. It was like a stay active but don’t stress yourself atmosphere. I didn’t get to do those fun activities but they existed.
However, I do agree with Arix. His family isn’t really doing a great job helping him build up the coping skills he needs in order to acheive the results he wants in the fact of his PTSD. They obviously have the resources to get him help but they have coddled him.
He Sheng is doing a better job helping him find balance mentally. Hopefully it pays off in the long run.
I am many years too late, but hard work does not make up for deficiencies. I am a living example. When I was in high school, biology was my worst subject. No matter how i studied. No matter if i got private tutors. I did anything and everything i could think of (and that i could afford), and i always got bad results in biology. So yeah, hard work doesn’t always mean you’ll get good results. There are just some subjects that you just cannot understand.
However, i would agree that the silence got to him. Maybe if he could take the test while wearing headphones it would help.
This is…peculiar. Waiting for continuation. Thank you for the update💛
Thx for the ch (≧▽≦)/
So QS is last in class? xD His father jinxed it lol
Ahh poor baby Qiao 🥺🥺
Thanks for the chapter ❤
Our Baby Shao~ hugs its okay~
Thanks for the chapter~ ( ^ ♡ ^ )/
Qiao Shao laughed and said, “I <s>alredy</s> already had dinner …”
The plot thickens!
Thanks for the translation =D
It seems like our Qiao Shao doesn’t do well with silence, I really hope his trauma will be resolved soon. It’s still such a pity since there are so many solutions for now, in my school with a state like that he probably could do the test with headphones/ private room with music.
Thanks for the chapter <3
Poor Qiao Shao.
I can’t say anything else because I never experienced such a thing during school time…
Thank goodness, I can pass all of it quietly.
Thanks for the update ❤️
Wonder how his mom died since he seems like someone experiencing a tauma. Is he afraid of silence?
I am sure that he can do better if there would be some noise in the classroom, but not as good as He Shen.
I really wanna know what happened to little Qiao Shao???
Thank you for the chapter!!😍😍😍
“Okay, I’m go back to the dormitory to pack. I’ll see you on Monday.”
Going💗🙆♀️
Poor Qiao Shao, his mind doesn’t retain much information
I feel like Qiao Shao has some sort of trauma relating to silence and his mother somehow.
its interesting to read a character that has a trauma of silence when i always see characters who craves silence.
Poor baby
Ah, so it’s not just silence at bedtime… my poor baby boy!
It seems like there is a reason for his family to be so concerned for him beyond their doting and lavish natures. Baby has some psychological factors to work with so the family completely has no expectations other than for his wellbeing.
Oh no! Hopefully he gets help for his trauma – he’s trying his best 🥺
Thanks for the chapter 💕
Aw I feel bad for Qiao Shao. Everyone has their own way of learning; I hope he knows that
Thanks for translation 🥰
Thank you for the chapter!
patpat qiao shao