Chapter 36

The spacious classroom suddenly became harmonious.
Everyone’s gaze was fixed on the test papers in front of them, but their ears were perked up, all directed toward a certain spot in the classroom.
“How about it? Do you understand what I’m saying!?”
“…”
“Actually, what you did is also correct. Just keep doing it this way!”
“……”
Lu Zhen, from head to toe, was completely covered in rejection.
His thin lips were tightly pressed, his brow furrowed, and he kept as much distance as possible from Gu Qiuzhe.
...Don’t. Touch. Me.
In front of him and slightly to the side, Chu Yin lowered her head to work on her problems, her expression calm and detached, but a trace of regret suddenly surfaced in her heart.
What a pity the script only described Gu Qiuzhe’s one-sided teaching toward Lu Zhen. If only that dog-like man Lu Zhen had taken the initiative as well, it could have turned into a scene of mutual affection! Sigh!
After dutifully explaining the problem, Gu Qiuzhe himself found it strange.
Although losing to a man’s shameful competitive spirit and publicly contending with Lu Zhen felt childish even to him, just a moment ago, he had been full of confrontation, and the next, he couldn’t help but become gentle.
...What’s going on?
Gu Qiuzhe was indeed known for his gentleness, but that gentleness had never been directed at Lu Zhen, of course, he had never intended to do so in the first place.
But inexplicably, as soon as the words left his mouth, they automatically became incredibly affectionate.
Had he already matured to this extent...?
The entire class silently lowered their heads, pretending that their hearts were devoted solely to studying.
In another group, Han Chuying looked at this suddenly bromantic scene with great satisfaction.
Let the stinky men play with each other, and let my sister shine on her own!
Yay!
And so, for the next two hours, Chu Yin finally got her wish, to quietly finish her problems in peace.
After the two little roosters engaged in a friendly interaction, they finally quieted down like well-behaved chickens and didn’t bother her again until the end of the class.
So good
…
This experience-sharing and teaching session served as a dividing line, marking the final phase of the winter camp.
Everything learned during this period would appear in the final assessment questions. After individual interviews, the results of the proficiency test, final assessment, and interview would be combined to produce a ranking. The top fifteen would qualify to participate in this year’s Hope Cup competition.
Ultimately, the gold, silver, and bronze medals would be contested in the competition.
Ding! A large-scale learning task is here! Pass the final assessment and obtain [Hope Cup Qualification]. Difficulty level: three and a half stars. Upon completion, you will receive the [Edit Single Sentence] permission!
Chu Yin waited for a while but found no follow-up. Suddenly, she felt something was off: “Wait, why is there no special reward? And why is the difficulty level lower than the proficiency test?”
Study System: ...Don’t you know why it’s lower?!
Isn’t it because a certain host buffed herself up and made herself too! strong!
As a result, the entire system had adjusted its evaluation of her abilities. In the previous proficiency test, the top five were still at a difficulty level of four stars or above, but the host had effortlessly secured third place. Therefore, this time, the task's difficulty coefficient was directly lowered.
"And because you're too strong, the system has determined that this task is relatively easy for you, so there won't be any special reward cards this time!"
"Additionally, a friendly reminder: you still have two item cards in your host account! Remember to use them before they expire!"
Chu Yin: "..."
This stingy chicken!!!
Although she hadn't used any of her item cards, you could never have too many of such good things!
"You're getting stingier by the day."
Study System: "The wind is so strong, the signal is bad, can't hear you, "
Chu Yin: "What signal do you even need?!"
But she knew that obtaining the competition qualification wasn't particularly difficult for her.
There were ten spots for the competition qualification, and she was still in a stable position. After finishing the questions, she could even spare some time to tutor Han Chuying.
Han Chuying had no ambition for the qualification, but she was incredibly enthusiastic and motivated!
One-on-one! Tutoring!
Who else could enjoy such treatment, getting to admire Chu Yin's flawless, high-definition beauty up close and experiencing her super-strong, crystal-clear logical reasoning?!
After spending so many days together, Han Chuying felt that her friendship with Chu Yin had progressed to a certain extent! By the time the next semester started, she would probably become the envy of many. Ahhh, this winter camp was absolutely the right decision!
Over the next few days, the teaching content was wrapped up in a frantic rush, and everyone continued to absorb knowledge at a whirlwind pace.
After the initial period of adjustment, the campers had fully adapted to this mode and were naturally making rapid progress.
Among them, Chu Yin didn't have the strongest foundation, but her rate of improvement was undoubtedly the fastest.
She was already incredibly hardworking, and her ability to understand and apply knowledge was continuously improving in real time. In the last few classes, her reaction speed even surpassed that of Wang Lei, the top-ranked camper in the entire camp, leaving a deep impression on many teachers.
These competition teachers all loved promising students, and of course, they didn't hold any bias against Chu Yin because of her exceptionally striking appearance. After the daily routine tutoring sessions ended, sometimes Chu Yin would stay in the classroom to continue studying, and some teachers were even willing to stay behind voluntarily to give her some one-on-one tutoring.
Chu Yin, of course, welcomed this opportunity and seized the chance to ask the teachers about a few lingering questions from the day.
Outside the classroom, an academic advisor looked at the tall, aloof young man in front of him and said, "Young Master Lu, Teacher Jiang is quite knowledgeable about the models discussed today. She's currently tutoring that girl from your school. If you're willing, you could join them and listen in."
Lu Zhen glanced into the classroom.
The girl sat in the middle of the lecture hall, surrounded by empty seats, her figure appearing small. The fading sunset spilled over her shoulders, her profile blurred within the halo of light. But Lu Zhen knew her expression must be serious and focused right now.
Just as it had been countless times over the past days, whenever he quietly observed her.
"No," Lu Zhen said softly.
Let her study in peace.
Don't disturb her.
...
Finally, the camp participants faced the ultimate final assessment.
The evaluation format remained test-based. After completing an extremely difficult exam, they immediately proceeded to individual interviews. After a whole day of chaotic hustle, the journey truly came to an end.
Han Chuying stumbled out of the interview room and collapsed exhausted on a bench outside, saying to Chu Yin beside her, "It's finally over, damn, I can't believe I made it through! I don't even care if I qualify for the competition anymore!"
Chu Yin stood, exhaling softly as she looked up at the vast sky.
There was no need to think about the results now. The knowledge she had gained over this period settled heavily somewhere inside her, bringing a sense of solidity and peace.
This journey was something she had never experienced in her past life, something utterly impossible for her back then.
Everything could change, everything could be lost. Only knowledge truly belonged to her. Once learned and remembered, it would stay with her, becoming a lifelong asset.
Chu Yin thought that the knowledge she had acquired in her previous life did owe some credit to Lu Zhen, objectively speaking.
But everything she possessed in this life, she had only herself to thank for it.
Study System popped up in her mind: "And me."
Chu Yin smiled. "That's true too."
The system and her cheat abilities were indeed major motivators for her studies.
The final evaluation results would be announced at tomorrow's closing ceremony. Today, everyone could finally relax.
This was their last night in the dormitory. Instead of burning the midnight oil studying, they could leisurely pack their belongings and prepare to return home.
Song Zhaolin, ever vigilant about their schedule, sent a flurry of restless WeChat messages:
[Sister Yin! It's over, right?! Wanna hang out!!!]
[There's lots of fun stuff here! Even if you're not interested in me, there's Brother Zhen!]
[Hot guy! Online entertainment! Free of charge, yo!]
Chu Yin replied unhurriedly: [Be careful, or I'll screenshot this and expose you.]
Song Zhaolin instantly backed down: [Dad!!!!! Spare me! [Terrified][Terrified][Terrified]]
Chu Yin: [I don't have a dumb son like you.]
She hadn't even added Lu Zhen as a contact.
Chu Yin shook her head, Song Zhaolin was truly the most foolish person she had ever met.
Meanwhile, in a hotel room, Song Zhaolin put down his phone and sighed dramatically. "Ah, can't get her to come out. Really can't."
Lu Zhen sat in a leather chair nearby, one long leg crossed over the other, propping his temple with a hand, his expression unreadable.
"What did you say to her?"
Song Zhaolin replied somewhat guiltily, "Nothing, nothing."
Lu Zhen lifted his eyelids. "Let me see."
Song Zhaolin clutched his phone to his chest. "Better not!"
Half a minute later.
Lu Zhen looked down at the chat history on Song Zhaolin's phone.
The idiot had spammed many messages, while "ndcy" had only replied once, to threaten him.
It was spoken in Chu Yin’s usual detached tone, and Lu Zhen could even picture the subtle expression on her face on the other side of the screen.
After a long pause, Lu Zhen tossed the phone back to Song Zhaolin.
Then, unable to resist, he opened the friend request he had sent.
That little bookworm said to send a screenshot…?
Well, then add me already.
…
In the girls’ dormitory.
Han Chuying sat cross-legged on her bed, tidying up her headphone cables, small pillows, and some crumpled paper balls. She sighed, “Now that we’re leaving, I actually feel a little reluctant.”
Chu Yin sat below, organizing her books. “Yeah.”
The studious girl across the room rarely initiated conversations, but this time she chimed in, “Me too.”
Hearing this, Chu Yin looked up and smiled. “If fate allows, we’ll meet again.”
Han Chuying, being naturally sociable, immediately said enthusiastically, “Being assigned to the same dorm is fate! Let’s exchange WeChat contacts, it’ll make our time together worthwhile!”
The studious girl revealed a shy, earnest smile and glanced at them. “Okay.”
They added each other on WeChat and chatted for a while.
Before lights-out, the studious girl looked at Chu Yin and said seriously, “You’re really beautiful. You’re the first person I’ve ever met who’s this beautiful and yet so hardworking.”
At their school, pretty girls usually only cared about their appearance and the boys around them. For them, a pretty face was like a pass, they didn’t need to study hard to get by easily at school.
But this girl named Chu Yin was different.
None of the so-called “class beauties” or “school beauties” could compare to her in looks. Yet her level of diligence even made the studious girl feel pressured. Over the past few days, she had managed to keep up only by competing with Chu Yin.
Hearing these words, Chu Yin was momentarily taken aback.
She raised her hand and touched the tip of her nose, thinking a little sheepishly that, in her previous life during high school, she had probably been exactly the kind of girl the studious girl described, someone who disliked studying, preferred dressing up, was beautiful yet unruly, and lived for the attention of others.
And because of that, she had attracted the wrong kind of people.
So, in this life, she had already become this kind of person in others’ eyes.
Chu Yin really, really liked this change.
She smiled lightly, her peach-blossom eyes sparkling with mischief and beauty. “Maybe… it’s because I’m older.”
…
The next day, the closing ceremony was held as scheduled. It was a bright, sunny day.
The atmosphere grew somewhat tense when the rankings were announced. The organizers added a bit of flair by revealing the results starting from tenth place and moving upward. Each student whose name was called let out a cry of delight, and the surrounding classmates applauded in congratulations.
After hearing that the eighth place wasn't her either, Han Chuying gave up and settled into being a carefree slacker on the sidelines.
Although Chu Yin had given her extra coaching, as a top student herself, Han Chuying had a very clear understanding of her own abilities. At best, she could only rank eighth here, anything higher was absolutely impossible.
So now she started focusing on others' results.
The female top student sitting next to her looked tense, her fists clenched tightly.
Han Chuying patted her fist and whispered, "Don't worry, you can do it."
The top student nodded stiffly.
Seventh place, not her. Sixth place, still not her. Her face grew paler and paler. Just then, Chu Yin suddenly reached over Han Chuying and lightly tapped the top student's fist.
"Open your hand," Chu Yin said.
The top student instinctively spread her palm.
Chu Yin placed a small mint candy in her hand. "It'll be your turn soon."
The top student looked up abruptly, just as the teacher announced the fifth-place winner: her name!
She couldn't contain her excitement as she stood up, her face flushing red. This ranking was even better than she had expected!
Beside her, Chu Yin chuckled softly and began clapping, genuinely happy for her.
In between them, Han Chuying also clapped, but with a dazed expression.
...So charming, so charming, so charming!
Unintentional charm is the deadliest, ahhh, telling someone to open their hand and giving them candy?!
If Chu Yin wanted, wouldn't everyone at Quiwen Private High School School, regardless of gender, fall for her?! Ahhhh, !
When the fourth place was announced, Chu Yin straightened up slightly. Starting from this rank, it could be her. But soon, the teacher called another student's name.
The only top contenders left whose names hadn't been announced were Wang Lei, Chu Yin, and Lu Zhen.
Everyone's attention was fixed on these three, and even Gu Qiuzhe showed a look of interest. Because, barring any surprises, this year's Hope Cup medals would be contested among them.
A flicker of nervousness actually stirred in Chu Yin's heart.
Would she improve a little? Or remain in third place as before?
If she were third, then that damn guy would have surpassed her?!
Chu Yin reflected on her efforts over the past few days and silently wished in her heart: Second place, second place, second place.
The teacher, aware of the suspense, smiled and drew out the announcement: "Well then, the final third-place winner is, "
"Student Lu Zhen, congratulations!"
Chu Yin's eyes widened in shock.
She had won again!!
The joy of victory swept through her heart. Though she didn't move recklessly, a smile crept from the corners of her lips to her eyes.
Lu Zhen didn't care about the ranking. He stood up, went on stage to receive his award, and remained expressionless even when facing the camera.
But after returning to his seat, Lu Zhen tilted his head slightly and caught sight of the slight puffiness of Chu Yin's cheeks when she smiled.
Suddenly, he felt like smiling too.
Chu Yin, fully satisfied, waited for the teacher to announce her name next.
"The second-place winner is also one of our popular contestants! Everyone is very familiar with this name," the teacher blinked and read out: "So the second-place winner is, Student Wang Lei!"
The audience erupted in surprise, the top contender was second?!
Han Chuying froze for a moment, then suddenly grabbed Chu Yin's arm excitedly: "Yin Yin! You're first! First place!"
Chu Yin was also stunned.
She knew she had improved a great deal, but she never expected to actually reach the number one spot.
"Now, does everyone know who the first-place winner is?, That's right! It's Chu Yin from Quiwen Private High School! Let's give her a round of applause!!"
As soon as the words fell, thunderous applause erupted throughout the auditorium.
Chu Yin took a deep breath, stood up, and walked toward the podium under the gaze of countless people.
Taking the first-place completion certificate from the teacher, Chu Yin turned around to face the cameras and the many admiring faces, revealing a genuine, blossoming smile.
Gaining knowledge truly felt amazing.
Ding, Congratulations, host, on completing the task and obtaining the [Hope Cup Qualification], rewarded with the [Edit a Single Sentence] permission!
Knowledge changes destiny, learning can overcome everything! Host, you're truly amazing!
Gu Qiuzhe stood in the corner, applauding with a smile. Only now did he realize that Chu Yin's competition results could even surpass his.
Lu Zhen slightly lifted his chin, his gaze fixed on the smiling girl, the corners of his lips curling upward.
So amazing, so amazing.
…
With that, Chu Yin's winter camp journey came to a perfect conclusion.
Quiwen Private High School School secured two competition spots in this winter camp, which was an outstanding achievement for the school.
Her brother had already learned about her first-place result through Gu Qiuzhe and bombarded her with messages on WeChat, making Chu Yin feel as if she had returned triumphantly from a victorious battle.
But her mood was genuinely great.
Han Chuying was going to stay with relatives in B Province for a couple of days, so she couldn't return with Chu Yin. Chu Yin didn't mind, she had come alone anyway and was perfectly fine with it.
Thinking this, Chu Yin took a taxi to the airport. As soon as she entered the terminal, she spotted three familiar faces.
"..."
Lu Zhen, Gu Qiuzhe, and Song Zhaolin were all looking at her.
Chu Yin: "...Hi."
What a coincidence.
Coincidence, my foot, coincidence your ass!
Chu Yin silently dragged her luggage to check in, with the three of them lining up behind her. It seemed they were all on the same flight, probably all in business class.
Song Zhaolin started chattering enthusiastically, "Sis, Sister Yin, do you want to sit with me?"
Chu Yin smiled gently: "Shut up."
She walked up to the check-in counter, handed her ID to the flight attendant, and asked for a window seat.
Gu Qiuzhe stepped up behind her, first helping her lift her suitcase onto the conveyor belt, then waved his phone with a smile. "Xiao Yin, your brother told me to take care of you on the way back. So, do you want to sit with me?"
The check-in staff member, faced with such a handsome face, could barely breathe and almost wanted to agree on the girl’s behalf.
But before the girl could respond, another breathtakingly handsome yet icy face suddenly appeared behind her.
Staff member: "!!!"
Lu Zhen glanced down at Chu Yin, then cast a cold, impatient look at Gu Qiuzhe. "You’re sitting with me."
Gu Qiuzhe: "?"
Chu Yin: "?"
Staff member: "?"
Did I misunderstand something???
Ten minutes later, everyone had their boarding passes.
Chu Yin was seated alone, Song Zhaolin was also seated alone, while Lu Zhen and Gu Qiuzhe were seated together.
Chu Yin said sincerely, "You two really get along well."
As expected of two people who’ve undergone the teachings of love! Chu Yin thought with satisfaction.
Lu Zhen: "..."
Gu Qiuzhe: "..."
After boarding, the business class cabin was relatively empty. Although they weren’t seated together, they weren’t far apart.
Gu Qiuzhe turned sideways and looked at Chu Yin. "Xiao Yin, have you not been checking your phone? Accept my friend request?"
Beside him, the cold-faced young master Lu suddenly shifted his posture.
So it wasn’t just him who hadn’t been added.
"Oh... I forgot," Chu Yin cursed inwardly.
Being called out like this in front of everyone made it hard for her to refuse. She hadn’t accepted Lu Zhen’s friend request either, and if she only accepted Gu Qiuzhe’s now, it would seem strange and deliberate.
Lu Zhen was a tricky one, if you deliberately showed special rejection, he might just become more interested.
Reluctantly, Chu Yin said, "...I’ll add you after we land."
The flight was short, and just over two hours later, the plane touched down on the tarmac.
As they exited the airport, each of their families had sent someone to pick them up.
The Lu family staff bowed respectfully, opened the car door, and waited for their young master. The Gu family’s situation was similar nearby.
Chu Yin spotted her brother’s face and walked over with a smile.
Only Song Zhaolin wore an expression as if he were heading to a funeral.
Chu Yin finally met Song Zhaolin’s legendary older brother and was surprised to find him unexpectedly handsome. With a cool demeanor and steady gaze, he promptly hauled the long-wandering Song Zhaolin back into the car.
Chu Yin waved gleefully at the departing luxury car.
Chu Shi, having spotted Lu Zhen outside the airport, quickly whisked his sister away.
"Tired? Was it exhausting?" In the car, Chu Shi frowned as he looked at Chu Yin. "I feel like you’ve lost weight."
Chu Yin laughed. "It’s not that exaggerated. The food at H University was pretty good."
Chu Shi: "I sent you a bunch of WeChat messages earlier, and when you didn’t reply, I was scared you’d been kidnapped by some bad guy."
Chu Yin: "What bad guys?"
But his reminder made her realize she hadn’t turned her phone on yet. When she switched it on, a flood of WeChat messages popped up. After clearing all the red notification dots, she sighed and went to accept the two pending friend requests.
One was named GQZ, the other Z, their styles were strikingly similar.
...Seriously, you two aren’t actually a couple, are you??
The seeds of love in Chu Yin’s heart began to stir once again.
Meanwhile, in another speeding car, Lu Zhen lowered his gaze to his phone. Seeing the newly added chat window, a faint trace of pleasure flickered in his dark eyes.
[I have accepted your friend request. Now we can start chatting.]
A warmth spread quietly in Lu Zhen’s heart.
After a long while, his gaze lingered on the string of initials that was Chu Yin’s name, his eyelashes trembling slightly.
...
Song Zhaolin endured an entire afternoon of lecturing at home.
His brother lectured him, then his dad took over, and after his dad finished, his mom started in. Song Zhaolin was so fed up with the nagging that he felt like ending it all, and even began to reflect on just how much damage his own incessant chatter inflicted on others.
Finally, after surviving the ordeal, Song Zhaolin retreated to his room, wailing and complaining to his friends.
First, he poured out his grievances to Tan Ke, then he planned to do the same with Brother Zhen.
But as he scrolled through his chat list, he couldn’t find Lu Zhen’s username starting with “Z.”
After a long search, he finally located Lu Zhen by his profile picture and empty Moments.
Why’d you change your name??
rndd?
What does that mean??
Song Zhaolin momentarily forgot his original intention to vent and eagerly typed a message to Lu Zhen: [Brother Zhen, what does your WeChat name mean?]
Lu Zhen’s phone vibrated. He picked it up and glanced at the screen.
What did these four letters mean?
They were… feelings quietly sprouting in the shadows, a secret and obscure response.
Some emotions, gradually becoming harder to suppress, were tentatively reaching out like threads or wisps, dark and cautious, yet yearning to be known.
ndcy. Because someone wanted to be the dad.
If she really was that bold.
Then,
rndd. Let you be the dad.
Lu Zhen didn’t respond, so Song Zhaolin started guessing on his own.
[Endure nagging?]
[? Bro, are you subtly mocking me??]
[I know I talk a bit much, but aren’t I adorable? [pouty face]]
Lu Zhen: “...”
[No.]
Song Zhaolin: [Ohhh, okay then.]
[Then what is it? Raging Bull Peak?? Riling you up??]
Lu Zhen didn’t reply.
Song Zhaolin’s side gradually quieted down, as if he couldn’t figure it out.
Lu Zhen didn’t bother with it anymore.
But a few minutes later, Song Zhalin suddenly sent another WeChat message.
[I got it!!!!!!!!!!] , his tone was ecstatic.
Did he guess it?
Lu Zhen’s heart inexplicably tightened for a second.
…Would she know too?
Soon, a new message popped up:
[I know! It means, ]
[F*ck your little brother!!!]
Lu Zhen: “.........”
[Hahahahaha! So vulgar and violent!]
Lu Zhen ended the chat.