Xue Jiao's voice was cold yet calm: "Because I ranked first in the grade, your daughter couldn't accept it. She made a disgraceful scene in class, got scolded by the homeroom teacher, and her grades have dropped to eleventh in class. The crying is probably from embarrassment."
"..."
For a moment, silence fell not just on the other end of the line, but on this side as well.
Xue Jiao didn't speak loudly, but every word was crystal clear. Even when saying something that could be taken as mocking, her tone remained matter-of-fact, completely devoid of emotion—which made it sound all the more... truthful.
After a pause, heavy breathing came from the other end.
Xue Jiao continued in the same flat tone: "So you shouldn't be calling me. You should talk to your own daughter. Cheng Mingjiao has psychological issues. Teacher Ying was right—staring at my grades won't improve hers. My suggestion is that she focus her mind on studying."
With that, she hung up.
Placing Li Sitong's phone back on the table, she turned around to find everyone staring at her in shock.
Xue Jiao blinked, then touched her cheek in confusion—
"What's wrong?"
Cheng Mingze, standing closest to her, couldn't help but smile as he reached out to pat her head.
"Nothing... you're adorable!"
Xue Jiao looked even more bewildered.
Huh?
"Hahahaha! Jiao Jiao, come on, let's get some late-night snacks. Our Jiao Jiao is amazing—first in the grade again!" Cheng Shuo laughed heartily, seeming even happier about Gu Xue Jiao's achievement than when Cheng Mingze ranked first.
Li Sitong smiled gently, saying with satisfaction: "Both Mingze and Jiao Jiao are outstanding. Our two children are truly remarkable! Jiao Jiao, you must keep following your brother's example and keep learning from him."
Xue Jiao: "..."
She was learning from Cheng Mingze?!
Cheng Mingze grinned: "Jiao Jiao is very impressive."
With that, he walked toward the auntie bringing out their late-night snacks.
Watching his retreating figure, a mischievous glint flashed in Xue Jiao's eyes as she followed closely behind him step by step.
When Cheng Mingze stopped at the dining table, Xue Jiao—too focused on his back to slow down—had to brake abruptly, bumping into him.
"Ow—" She rubbed her head.
Cheng Mingze turned, puzzled: "Why were you right behind me? Sit down and eat."
Still holding her head, Xue Jiao turned with an innocent expression: "Following closely in your footsteps."
"............"
Cheng Mingze couldn't hold back a snort of laughter, sighing helplessly—
"Naughty."
——
After a light late-night snack, Xue Jiao washed up and did a couple problems with her hair still damp before finally climbing into bed. She picked up her phone from the nightstand and checked it.
[Lin Zhihua: How were your results?]
For some reason, Xue Jiao suddenly felt a surge of pride. Her fingers tapped out a reply—
[Not bad, still first place.]
In his Beijing office, Lin Zhihua chuckled softly, the vast quiet space suddenly coming alive.
[Well done!]
A moment later, he asked—
[Finished washing up and going to sleep?]
[—Mhm!]
[Did you dry your hair?]
These five words made Xue Jiao pause slightly. She awkwardly touched her still-damp hair.
This Lin Zhihua... did he have some kind of clairvoyance?
This was the third time he'd caught her going to bed with wet hair!
Xue Jiao could only reply sheepishly—
[Um...]Lin Zhihua frowned slightly. This girl... so young yet doesn't even know how to take care of her own health...
He knew she just wanted to save time, often carelessly drying her hair for two minutes or not drying it at all before diving into her studies. Then by the time she finished, it would be too late, and she'd go to bed with her hair still damp.
His fingers tapped as his tone turned serious—
[Go dry your hair immediately. It must be completely dry before you sleep!]
Xue Jiao replied—
[Oh... going now...]
Then she got up reluctantly to dry her hair.
——
While things were calm on Xue Jiao's side, Cheng Mingjiao's household was in an uproar.
After being hung up on, Liu Yazhen stared blankly at her phone, her eyes unfocused, her face completely expressionless.
After a long moment, she suddenly stood up.
"That wretched girl Gu Xue Jiao must be lying to me! Not wanting to admit she bullied Mingjiao, she claims Mingjiao is jealous because she didn't do well? I refuse to believe that freak of a girl could score higher than Mingjiao!"
Liu Yazhen fumed. In her memory, Gu Xue Jiao was still that girl with red hair and garish makeup. Every time she appeared in the same room with Mingjiao and Li Sitong, who brought Gu Xue Jiao along, Liu Yazhen felt particularly proud.
Her daughter was heaven's favored child, while that tagalong could only watch them with envy!
Liu Yazhen was probably the only one besides Cheng Mingjiao herself who firmly believed Xue Jiao's previous good results were entirely due to cheating.
"No, I need to ask Mingjiao! That wretched girl Gu Xue Jiao must be lying to me. So young and already knows how to deceive!"
With that, she stomped in her slippers straight to Cheng Mingjiao's room.
"Mingjiao!"
She called out and pushed the door open without waiting for a response.
Inside, Cheng Mingjiao was viciously stabbing her formerly favorite doll while muttering, "Why don't you just die, Gu Xue Jiao! Why don't you just die!"
Liu Yazhen paused, then walked over and grabbed her hand.
"Mingjiao, did you... not do well on this month's exams?"
Cheng Mingjiao stiffened slightly, her expression turning ugly.
Liu Yazhen understood immediately!
Her daughter really hadn't done well this time!
Then...
"That wretched girl Gu Xue Jiao really came in first?!"
Liu Yazhen's voice rose sharply, her face full of disbelief.
Cheng Mingjiao remained silent, but her expression grew even darker.
It was true...
For a moment, Liu Yazhen felt defeated, but then her anger flared: "Cheng Mingjiao! What's wrong with you?! Your grades were so good, steadily improving before—how could this happen?!"
Cheng Mingjiao lowered her head without speaking.
"Why are you hanging your head?! Speak! Why, in the same classroom with the same teachers, with your far better foundation, could you still lose to her?!"
Liu Yazhen's fury seemed about to ignite as she glared at her daughter.
"You ask me, but who should I ask?! How does that bitch Gu Xue Jiao deserve first place?! She spends all her time clinging to Yi Tianyu—how could she possibly score so well?! I won't accept this!" Cheng Mingjiao exploded, her voice rising in anger.
In the past, it was always Gu Xue Jiao being scolded by Li Sitong in front of her, with the admonition—"You should learn from Mingjiao."
Gu Xue Jiao was supposed to envy Cheng Mingjiao—how dare she become better than her?"Is it about whether you accept it or not? What's been going on with you these past two months?! Your grades have plummeted! Meanwhile, Gu Xue Jiao has not only gotten close to the Yi family boy but also steadily risen to first place! Look at what you've been doing?" Liu Yazhen's finger jabbed at her forehead, her tone full of disappointment.
Her gaze shifted to the doll in Cheng Mingjiao's grip, now torn and ragged from being poked repeatedly, fueling her anger further. "Cheng Mingjiao! Have you lost your mind? I told you to focus on studying at school, not obsess over Gu Xue Jiao all day and neglect your studies!"
"I can't stand her!" Cheng Mingjiao suddenly burst into tears, clinging to Liu Yazhen and sobbing uncontrollably.
After all, this was the daughter she had doted on for so many years. Seeing her cry like this extinguished half of Liu Yazhen's anger.
She stroked Mingjiao's head, softening her voice. "Gu Xue Jiao used to be immature, but look at her now—completely devoted to her studies. If her grades are real, she must have put in a lot of effort. If you don’t want a mediocre life, you need outstanding achievements. Since you don’t have a head for business, academics are your only path."
Mingjiao remained silent, clearly still fuming.
"Mom only wants what's best for you. Focus on your studies. If you really can't stand Gu Xue Jiao, I'll help you deal with her!"
"Really?"
Liu Yazhen said firmly, "Really!"
——
If Xue Jiao's first-place ranking in the midterms had been a coincidence, this time it proved her true capability.
Yin Fang treated Gu Xue Jiao exceptionally well, and even the subject teachers showed her extra care. Strangely, Cheng Mingjiao had also quieted down, fading into the background.
Xue Jiao's life had suddenly become peaceful.
She poured all her energy into studying, preparing for the upcoming final exams.
Not just Xue Jiao—even the rowdiest students in the experimental class had started buckling down. The finals… meant some would be cut from the class.
"Gu Xue Jiao…" The boy beside her called out gloomily.
Xue Jiao turned her head, puzzled. "Hmm?"
"We won’t be desk mates for much longer…"
"Why?" She froze slightly.
Yi Tianyu buried his face in his arms on the desk, not wanting her to see the sadness in his eyes.
"My grades are terrible. There's no way I'll stay in Class One."
Xue Jiao tightened her grip on her pen, fingers stiffening.
Though Yi Tianyu wasn’t academically strong—in fact, he was quite mischievous—he had always looked out for her during their half-year as desk mates. He’d even helped her out of a few tight spots.
The thought of getting a new desk mate…
She looked at him seriously. "I think there’s still time to catch up."
"Huh?"
"When does your basketball tournament start?"
"March…"
After considering her schedule, she said, "Starting today, cut back on basketball. Pay attention in class. I’ll go over problems and key points with you during breaks and before and after school. On weekends, you’ll need to put in extra time too."
Yi Tianyu was stunned for a moment before slumping back down.
"It’s no use. The cutoff is the top 100 in the grade. I only have a month left—it’s impossible."
Xue Jiao pulled him upright. The winter air was frigid, her fingers icy, yet they seemed to burn Yi Tianyu where they touched.
Thump-thump-thump—
His heartbeat raced, ears turning red.Xue Jiao remained steadfast, slightly tilting her head up to meet his gaze directly as she spoke earnestly—
"I've never believed in 'too late.' If you want to do something, you absolutely cannot give up just because it seems too late. Heaven hasn't sentenced you to death yet—how can you surrender first?"
She paused briefly. "Breaking into the top hundred in your grade isn't an insurmountable task. A month isn't too short—as long as you truly dedicate yourself, it will never be too late. I didn't believe I could rank first in Qizhong either, but human potential far exceeds what we imagine."
Yi Tianyu stared at her, his heartbeat silent.
He had never known the purpose of his efforts before, so he simply didn't want to try. But today, it seemed he understood...
His efforts were meant to close the distance between him and this extraordinary girl standing before him.
Yi Tianyu nodded lightly and heard her voice, laced with a smile—
"Then, Yi Tianyu, start striving—to stay in Class One."
"—Okay." His breath hitched slightly.
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