Chapter 22

By the time the score reached 140 points, summer vacation had arrived.
At the end of April, Qiu Li took the entrance exam for Yanwen Academy’s Gifted Class, and ranked first.
The entire city of Rongcheng was stunned.
No one had expected the Qiu family’s quiet, unacknowledged child to turn out to be a prodigy.
Yanwen’s Gifted Class was famous nationwide. Getting in was an achievement; ranking first was extraordinary.
Even Qiu Zhan had known his cousin was taking the exam but had dismissed it as a publicity stunt, a pathetic attempt at attention. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined Qiu Li would not only pass but take the top spot.
When he’d taken that exam years ago, he hadn’t even qualified.
Shock quickly turned to fury.
That bastard! Trying to steal the spotlight just because little Yan was praised as a painting genius? Now he wanted to outshine him academically too?
News of the “two young geniuses of the Qiu family” spread like wildfire, and for the first time, Qiu Chengyi, the family patriarch, was proud enough to bring Qiu Li home for dinner. As a reward, he even gave him a bank card. “Buy whatever you like.”
Qiu Zhan, already bitter from his own failure, only grew more resentful.
That dinner was a quiet battlefield, everyone smiling, everyone seething.
Qiu Li was used to it. In the past six months, he’d matured quickly. He simply ate quietly, focusing on finishing his food. He needed the nutrition to keep up with his workload.
As for his father’s sudden show of warmth, he didn’t let it get to his head.
After all, compared to the affection he’d waited years to receive and never got, the card in his hand was far more practical.
With it, he could buy Yan Xiao more marshmallows, more cakes, more things she liked.
After dinner, the driver took him home. Qiu Zhan followed him out to the courtyard.
Their father had left midway through the meal to handle an urgent business contract, so now it was just the two of them, and the driver, waiting by the car.
“You feeling proud of yourself?” Qiu Zhan’s voice was cool, edged with venom. Though it was already summer, the night air still carried a faint chill, much like his tone.
“What?” Qiu Li looked at him blankly.
Seeing him pretend to be innocent made Qiu Zhan’s temper flare instantly. “You’d better stay in line. Otherwise…”
Qiu Li tilted his head slightly, voice calm as ever. “Otherwise what?”
“You little bastard!” Qiu Zhan snapped, raising a fist and stepping forward.
Qiu Li lifted his hand.
Qiu Zhan thought he was about to fight back and lunged to grab his wrist,
“Camera.” Qiu Li said, pointing behind him. “It’s recording.”
Qiu Zhan froze.
Qiu Li climbed into the car. “I’m going home. Goodnight.”
After being humiliated again and again by a little brat, Qiu Zhan was practically shaking with fury. He glared at the car driving off, his face twisted with rage as he stood with his back to the security camera.
Feeling proud now, huh?
Just wait for school to start.
Yan Xiao, on the other hand, wasn’t the least bit surprised that Qiu Li had ranked first. A villain meant to rival the male lead, of course his IQ was top-tier.
Still, when she heard the news, she couldn’t help but sigh a little. People really were different. She had secretly tried taking the same gifted class exam herself. The score she got…well, that wasn’t important!
Most of Rongcheng’s wealthy children attended Yanwen Academy, though only a handful made it into the Gifted Class. The majority were in the regular program, with a smaller group in the international division.
Yan Xiao had already received her admission notice. Though the international and regular classes were in separate buildings, quite far apart, actually, they were still on the same campus. So there’d be plenty of chances to meet.
Hardly anyone knew that she would be entering elementary school after summer break. She had even warned her mother and aunt in secret, don’t tell anyone, especially don’t tell Qiu Li.
Chen Ziyi and Chen Zilu were convinced she was planning something mischievous, probably wanted to surprise Qiu Li, so they didn’t pry. The day before the family left for their vacation, Yan Xiao pestered her aunt to take her to Shengyi Garden again.
Her grandparents were in high spirits this year and had decided to escape the summer heat on an island for at least a month. Yan Xiao had to make an appearance first, build up her “presence,” leave a deep impression, or else by the time she got back, the points that used to rise steadily might just drift away without her.
When she showed up at the gate with her arms full of shopping bags, Chen Zilu teased lightly, “And how are you so sure he’s home? What if he went out to see his friends?”
“Impossible!” Yan Xiao rose on tiptoe to let the facial recognition scanner read her face. The iron gate swung open automatically, and she walked straight in without looking up. “He’s definitely home.”
He had no friends. There was no way he went out to meet classmates.
Chen Zilu easily caught the unspoken meaning. Glancing from the three huge bags of snacks and toys in her own hands to the oversized shopping bag her niece was clutching, so big it nearly covered her face, she raised an eyebrow. When did my niece become so generous?
The moment the gate opened, Qiu Li heard it and ran over to greet them.
“You’re here!”
Even Chen Zilu, who didn’t know him that well, could hear the joy and excitement in his voice.
Behind the giant bag blocking half her face, Yan Xiao pursed her lips. Here we go again.
The performance was getting more and more convincing. Once she was done farming points and went home, she really needed to suggest he become an actor. With skills like that, he could probably win a few golden trophies!
“I’m leaving tomorrow for vacation with my grandparents,” she said, poking her little head out from behind the bag. “I had some time today, so I brought you toys and snacks.”
The smile on Qiu Li’s face faltered slightly but quickly returned. He hurried to take the bags from her. “What did you buy? It’s so-”
He peeked inside, and stopped mid-sentence.
“Heehee,” Yan Xiao said, stretching her sore little arms. “Barbie dolls! I bought tons of outfits too. You like them, right? Look, so many styles, enough to keep you busy all summer!”
“…”
“And also,” she went on, ignoring his expression as she opened the bags in her aunt’s hands, displaying each item proudly, “board games, LEGO, a remote-control toy, chocolate, marshmallows, milk candy…here are cookies, I bought a ton! And cake!”
Every. Single. Thing. he didn’t like.
Qiu Li stared at the gifts filling the sofa and table, completely dazed.
He had never realized that gifts could be given like this.
Then he remembered the bank card his father had given him, untouched until now, and his eyes lit up.
[Ding, 150 points.]
Yan Xiao, still pulling out toys: “!” RMB really is power! Instant level-up!
Ten points in one go, she was floating, grinning so wide her cheeks hurt.
“When I come back, it’ll be time for school,” she said brightly, unable to hide her excitement. “We won’t be in the same building, so we won’t see each other as often. Think of these as early gifts. You have to miss me all the time, okay?”
Miss me, hate me, think of me, all the time! That way I can just lie back and earn points without lifting a finger!
A perfect dream.
But before the thought even settled, she saw Qiu Li purse his lips, his ears faintly red. “Okay.”
[Ding, 155 points.]
“!!!”
Reality was even more beautiful than dreams!

Author’s Note:
Xiao-xiao: RMB players are invincible!
Little Li-li: I’ve learned something new… (^▽^)