Seeing the title of the English essay, Wen ZhiChu suddenly seemed to understand the Class 1 English teacher’s fury. What kind of contest was this? It’s clearly a competition of familial backgrounds.
However, in Wen ZhiChu’s memories, Qin JiaShu’s family was also very prominent. His family’s company was an international enterprise. His mother’s side was in politics and his grandfather was even an extremely well-known and respected leader.
If he wanted to, he could have also obtained this award using his family connections, but Qin JiaShu didn’t do that. Instead, he competed with his own strength.
[System: What is ‘underhanded tactics’?]
Wen ZhiChu explained: “Cheating, in other words.”
[System: Is cheating that despicable?]
Seeing Skycat Genie’s confusion, Wen ZhiChu explained it another way: “It’s equivalent to stealing money from me.”
Skycat Genie: !
[System: To even steal from a beggar, isn’t that utterly devoid of all morals?!]
Wen ZhiChu: ……
Right now, Class 1’s English teacher seemed just like an old-fashioned ceiling fan; he paced around the English department nonstop, furious.
“What kind of fucked up thing did they host!”
“Li-laoshi, calm down. Although JiaShu didn’t get first place, this doesn’t affect his guaranteed admission to college. This reward is pretty important but for Qin JiaShu, it’s only the icing on the cake. Not having it won’t cause any trouble. After all, that child is already so outstanding. The guaranteed admission is definitely nothing to fret about.”
“Is my anger over whether or not he’s guaranteed an admission to college? I’m angry because what should have belonged to my student was stolen away from him. Do you know what stolen means?! Crooks! Unscrupulous!”
Li-laoshi was so angry his neck bulged. Red faced, his voice was so loud it was comparable to a screeching chicken.
“But the matter has already been settled. Nothing can be changed at this point. Let’s focus on thinking about how to tell this to Qin JiaShu.”
Li-laoshi sat down in his office chair and sighed.
After the English department gradually quieted down, Class 11’s teacher finally diverted attention to clarify main points for Wen ZhiChu.
“Take a good look at it when you get back.” Saying this, she tapped on the main concepts: “Do you know how to read it?”
Wen ZhiChu: “With… my eyes.”
“……” That seemed to be the same principle. The English teacher emphasized: “Spend some more time memorizing vocabs everyday.”
Saying this, she waved her hand dismissively: “Alright, you’re done here. You can head back.”
After Wen ZhiChu returned to his class, the mechanical voice inside his head asked.
[System: You humans are so strange. Using deceit even in a contest, why?]
As Wen ZhiChu jotted down English vocabs, he explained: “Because the reward of this English essay contest is related to a guaranteed admission to college. As a result, there are people who want to obtain it by any means possible.]
[System: Is a guaranteed admission that important?]
Wen ZhiChu said: “Actually, it’s really not that important to me.”
[System: Why?]
“Because I’m not the one getting that guaranteed admission.”
“……”
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.
Nfgs ubbv.
Coafg atf fnfclcu rfio-raevs abvjs, atf cfza akb vjsr kfgf atf kffxfcv. Qfc ItlJte wfwbglhfv Scuilrt nbmjyr lcrlvf tlr tbwf obg akb vjsr. Ktf ubji kjr 200 kbgvr, atf ogelalbc bo tlr gfreia kjr 20 kbgvr.
Qlat ygbkr oeggbkfv alutais, Qfc ItlJte ibbxfv ja atf Scuilrt nbmjyr, ilqr qegrfv jr lo tf kfgf atlcxlcu vffqis.
[System: You have stopped here for 5 minutes already.]
Wen ZhiChu sighed: “I can recognize every English letter, but when placed together, they become extremely unfamiliar.”
[System: Please summarize more concisely.]
Wen ZhiChu: “I don’t know it.”
[……]
After that, he had no choice but to flip through the book again helplessly. English might be a hurdle that he’ll never pass in his life.
The two-day weekend flew by. It was once again a bright and early Monday morning.
Not long after Qin JiaShu walked into the classroom, someone walked over from the side.
Jiang Yu stood next to him: “Qin JiaShu, the English teacher told me to call you for a visit to the English department.”
Qin JiaShu said: “Okay.”
Then he got up and they went to the English department together.
As soon as they entered the English office, they saw the Class 1’s English teacher who was sitting next to the Dean.
Li-laoshi: “You’re here, Qin JiaShu, Jiang Yu. You two find a place to sit. There is something I have to tell you guys.”
After the two people sat down, Li-laoshi took out the honorary certificates and reward medals that were placed in the drawer. Before he spoke, he pressed his lips together briefly.
The other class’s honorary certificates and reward medals have already been passed into the hands of the respective English teachers. Only the ones for his own class remained in his hands now.
He had brought the certifications back last Friday. However, afraid of affecting the students’ good mood over the weekend, he didn’t say anything on that day and delayed all the way until Monday to call them over.
Seeing that he seemed to be having trouble starting his speech, the Dean took the items and placed them directly in front of the students: “The results of the Provincial English essay contest are out. Both of you did very well.”
Qin JiaShu and Jiang Yu reached out and took them.
Looking at the bright red binding of the certificate, Qin JiaShu reached out and opened it. His gaze froze for a second.
Li-laoshi had been paying close attention to any expression change on Qin JiaShu’s face; however, the other didn’t really display any emotions outwardly. He looked very calm, but it can also be described as very quiet.
Looking at his 2nd place award, Jiang Yu thought, Qin JiaShu should have gotten 1st place.
Although he was Class 1’s leader, there was still a small gap between them in terms of grades.
When he turned his head and looked over, however, he saw that the words on Qin JiaShu’s certificate were exactly the same as his own.
Qin JiaShu also got 2nd place!
Jiang Yu was surprised for a second and glanced skeptically towards Li-laoshi. Before the other said anything, the person next to him spoke up first.
“Who’s first place?” Qin JiaShu’s gaze was dull and ordinary, without any expression on his face. When he asked about this first place winner, there was no hint of displeasure, only curiosity.
Li-laoshi felt somewhat surprised: “Someone from the neighboring District 6 high school.”
Qin JiaShu nodded to express that he heard the answer and then stood up: “Teacher, if there’s nothing else, I will be leaving.”
Li-laoshi looked at him and pressed his lips together: “JiaShu, is there nothing you want to say?”
“Nothing.” He looked down at the certification in his hand, voice calm and smooth: “I am very satisfied with this rank. Not receiving first place should have been because my skill was inferior somewhere in comparison. I will just try harder next time.”
Li-laoshi felt as if condiment bottles overturned and spilled inside his heart. In the end, he didn’t end up telling Qin JiaShu about the underhand tactics behind the scenes.
If he didn’t say it, Qin JiaShu might believe his skill was inferior and continue to strive hard.
If he said it, the student might feel that hard work and perseverance were useless, that money and prestige can be used to solve everything.
Li-laoshi gritted his teeth and chose the former.
Before the two people left, the Dean said: “Bring your English essays to the intercom room in a bit, you two. During the flag raising ceremony today, they will be read out loud as exemplary works.”
Saying this, he asked for the two people’s input: “Do you want to read it yourself on stage or have the student announcer read it?”
Qin JiaShu: “Let them read it.”
Jiang Yu also expressed to have someone else read it.
After the second class in the morning, the students walked out of the school building one after another and assembled on the field.
Wen ZhiChu stood amidst the ranks of Class 11 and watched solemnly at the raising of the red flag. After the flag raising ceremony, the Dean went on stage to speak.
“Last month, the province conducted a competition of outstanding English essays. Students from our school signed up for the competition and achieved very impressive results. Amongst these results, 2nd year, Class 1, Qin JiaShu obtained 2nd place, Jiang Yu obtained 2nd place, 2nd year Class 5……”
As the Dean recited the names, the students stepped onto the stage in sequential order and stood under the national flag, in front of the speaker podium. After the instruction, the student announcer got on stage and started to recite the top 3 English essays of the school.
Standing below the stage, Wen ZhiChu couldn’t understand anything.
[System: Why does the protagonist look so peeved.]
Wen ZhiChu: “Perhaps the protagonist also doesn’t like people reading his essay out loud in public.”
[……]
Due to Skycat Genie’s inquiry, Wen ZhiChu focused his gaze onto Qin JiaShu the entire time.
Outwardly, the other didn’t seem any different than usual. However, Wen ZhiChu felt like he seemed angry, no, not seemed. Qin JiaShu was clearly furious right now.
Qin JiaShu’s left hand, which was by his side, was clenched into a fist. Because the distance was too far away, Wen ZhiChu couldn’t see too many details, but the other’s aura was clearly different than before.
If it were before, Qin JiaShu definitely would have stepped forward with his head high and chest proud. Although his standing posture right now was also very straight and upright, his eyes looked downward.
Just as Wen ZhiChu pondered over this, a voice suddenly jumped out inside his head.
[System: Villain’s mission. Startle the protagonist. Completing the mission will reward 100 yuan. The villain score will increase 4%. Failing the mission will deduct 100 yuan.]
Wen ZhiChu looked at the person on stage and swallowed his saliva. Provoking the other right now definitely won’t result in anything good.
After the recitation finished, the students were dismissed to spend their time freely.
Qin JiaShu was a very steady and well-composed person. To make the other feel startled was definitely no trivial matter. After all, he was still able to stand on the stage, smiling, despite ranking 2nd place due to underhand tactics; this was definitely no ordinary individual.
Somewhat troubled, Wen ZhiChu went to the store. Originally he planned to buy some pencils, but when he turned his head, he was greeted with the sight of something unexpected.
After being dismissed, Ji FengChang found Qin JiaShu. At this moment, the other was currently walking towards the school building. Ji FengChang stepped forth and threw an arm around his shoulder: “Dear old Qin, let’s go play ball.”
Qin JiaShu moved Ji FengChang’s hand away and spat out one word coldly: “No.”
Being bros for so many years, Ji FengChang could tell that Qin JiaShu wasn’t in a good mood, but it can’t be helped that his mouth didn’t know how to speak tactfully: “Enough already, isn’t it just 2nd place? What’s there to……”
Qin JiaShu turned his head and shot him a look. Ji FengChang instantly altered his words: “I have it deep inside my desk. You can get it yourself.”
Saying this, he ran off immediately.
Qin JiaShu returned to the classroom. At this moment, there was no one inside the classroom. He walked to Ji FengChang’s seat and reached into his desk cubby to take out a box of cigarettes. Then he walked out.
Clenching the box of cigarettes inside his hands tightly, he walked forward with large steps. He was discontent.
Very discontent.
With a very perfunctory excuse, Qin JiaShu asked for a leave of absence to all of his classes today and went to do who-knew-what. It wasn’t until the end of the evening self-study that he finally returned to pack his things.
Per usual, he was the last person to leave and responsible for shutting off the classroom light.
Outside Class 1, Wen ZhiChu was currently doggily and sneakily pacing near the doorway.
[System: Are you sure you can startle him?]
Wen ZhiChu: “Not sure.”
[System: Then why did you buy these?]
Wen ZhiChu: “It’s better to believe in its existence than to doubt its existence.”
Immediately afterwards, he heard the sound of footsteps from inside. Here he comes. Here he comes.
Right as that figure was about the walk out of Class 1’s doorway, swift as lightning, Wen ZhiChu charged forward like an arrow while making a pulling motion with his hand.
Bang!
Colorful ribbons instantly fluttered downward in the air. These colorful ribbons appeared so suddenly, plenty landed on Qin JiaShu as he stood in the middle of the doorway.
A party horn between his lips, Wen ZhiChu looked at Qin JiaShu’s face with an expression of anticipation.
However, Qin JiaShu only glanced at him, expression calm and composed.
“Skycat Genie?”
[System: Uh huh.]
“Say something.”
[System: He wasn’t startled. What do you want me to say?]
Wen ZhiChu was stunned, the party horn in his mouth instantly snapped straight as he exhaled.
With a “Pa—”, it smacked Qin JiaShu right in the face.
[System: Ding! Mission completed. The Villain’s score is 22%. Reward 100 yuan.]
I feel so bad for QJS but omg that last scene had me cracking up
Thanks for translating
Hhahahhahhaha and puff, bad mood is gone?? now he’s just annoyed
That was one strong exhale 😂
Thanks for the chapter!
Well that is one way to startle someone.
Trust chuchu to dispel the bad mood away 😂😂
Thank you for the update ❤️💯
Surprise? Lmao! Ty for the update 🤣❤️🤣❤️🤣
Thanks for the chapter! I can’t stop laughing 😂
I feel bad for QJS but at the same time I’m cackling.
Waiting to update again
I have lost my words 😂😂
Thank You for the new chapter ( ˘ ³˘)♥
LMAO I CAN’T. Thank you for the chapter!
I think the ml will misunderstand that mc is congratulating him for getting the 2nd prize and would (somehow??) Feel touched? Idk since his parents never concerned about his grades??
pffffft
hahahaha
celebrating 2nd place
it is so hard making money sigh….
thanks for the chapter!
why aren’t more people saying ‘well done’??? he still did good! QAQ
and hahahaha
So cute, I love Wen ZhiChu’s methods for completing these missions, he 100% could do it in the expected way, but he does it in a way thats so completely out of left field it’s kinda cute and hilarious.