0048: Grades and the New Teacher

When they reached the school gate, Chu Fengyi casually dropped them off and continued driving inside. Normally, students who arrive late have to register, but this time they walked right in. It was just after morning self-study, the time when students flock to the cafeteria, so the schoolyard was crowded. Blending in with the throng, they drifted toward their classroom.

No sooner had they entered than a crowd surrounded them, bombarding them with questions—where had they been, why had they arrived together, and so on. Seeing Ji Yun looking a bit tired, Zhuo Yan let out a sharp shout, dragged Ji Yun out of the throng, and Xu Lin couldn't help but be glad Ji Yun had such a good friend.

Xu Lin himself was beset by several buddies who interrogated him for quite a while. In the end, he could only say that he and Ji Yun had met on the road, Ji Yun had fallen off her bike and broken it, so they took it to be repaired and then went to the clinic for some ointment. Everyone could smell the medicine on them, so at last, the crowd lost interest and dispersed.

Some of the boys even seemed relieved, and Xu Lin was relieved as well; just moments ago, their eyes had glinted with predatory intent, as if they wanted to tear him apart. If he ever ended up dating Ji Yun, quite a few would probably go home and cry themselves to sleep, but such is youth.

"Xu Lin, the results are about to come out. Are you nervous?" Zhuo Yan had heard from Ji Yun about his bet with the homeroom teacher. She thought Xu Lin was a bit too confident—not doing homework, relying only on class time, and yet hoping to move up in rank. It sounded unrealistic.

But that morning, during self-study, she saw the teacher studying a table—the results must already be out, so she was eager to see if Xu Lin could pull it off.

"Not nervous. I think I’ve got it," he said. He had already estimated his score—at least 20 to 30 points higher than last time.

First period was math with the homeroom teacher, and everyone felt anxious. The teacher's stern expression and heavy footsteps seemed to weigh on their hearts.

"Good morning, class."

...

"Why is the class so quiet today? Let’s put aside the results for now—first, I have an announcement."

"As you know, in the second and third years, PE classes become fewer and fewer, and many students' physical fitness declines as they sit all day."

The students muttered in disdain and frustration—wasn’t it the school itself that had canceled PE?

"So, the school plans to reinstate PE classes, along with morning exercises every day, to help balance your health."

"Awesome!"

From the back, Zeng Hao shouted, and the teacher immediately shot him a glare. The lively atmosphere quickly settled down again.

"PE will be scheduled every Friday and Saturday, with four classes together. The school has invited a highly professional instructor."

"She will help you correct your posture and improve your fitness, including sitting, standing, and running. She also excels at martial arts. Anyone interested can sign up."

Martial arts!?

Interest was piqued at once—boys and girls alike. After all, after watching so many TV dramas, actually learning martial arts would be both cool and handy for self-defense.

But the teacher quickly added, "However, this instructor has high standards for students learning martial arts, so before you sign up, make sure you’re up to it."

"Now, it's time for your results. I’ll start by handing out the math papers. Sun Da Lei, come help distribute them."

The math papers were quickly handed out. Xu Lin saw a bold red 137 at the score section—two points higher than last time.

"Our math results this time are decent. Still, eleven students failed—if you know who you are, I won’t name names. Today, pay attention during review!"

"Tonight, I’ll give those eleven another paper. If you still don’t pass, come see me for a chat."

"This time, our class's top math score is 144—Ji Yun! She’s also third in the entire grade. Let’s give her a round of applause!"

"Second and third place are Sun Da Lei and Zhuo Yan, with 140 and 139. Apart from the top three, I want to praise Xu Lin."

"He moved from tenth place last time to fourth in math, with 137 points. His overall rank jumped from about 100th in the grade to 45th!"

"Everyone should learn from Xu Lin and keep working hard. Xu Lin, keep it up!"

The teacher glanced at him, and Xu Lin nodded, beaming with genuine joy—finally, no more homework!

Next came the overall scores for the class. The teacher continued the tradition of public humiliation, reading out names from last place upward.

Although many students didn’t care much about studying, being singled out as the worst still felt uncomfortable.

Of course, discomfort wouldn’t stop them from ignoring the teacher—good grades? All they wanted was a diploma.

When the teacher got to the top five again, Xu Lin was praised once more, making him a bit embarrassed.

The morning classes soon ended. Li Bin and Ma Zhiyu, surprisingly, didn’t call him after school—they just headed out.

"Hey, wait up!"

"Xu Lin, you've betrayed our friendship!"

"Yeah, we agreed to fight for the top twenty or thirty, and now you’ve shot up to the top fifteen, and then straight into the top fifty. No love left."

"Let’s help you get back to gold rank."

"Really?" Li Bin's eyes lit up. "Brother, you’re forgiven."

"Hey, Li Bin, how can you... Xu Lin, you owe me platinum!"

"Get lost, I can’t even get platinum myself!"

"By the way, Xu Lin, you don’t do homework, so how are your grades so good? Extra tutoring?"

"No, I study on my own, but Ji Yun helped me with English."

"So you and Ji Yun are actually a thing now?"

"No." Xu Lin glanced sideways at Ji Yun, who was chatting with a group of girls as she walked downstairs. She really got along with everyone.

"Isn’t she just looking for someone who won't interfere with her studies, and you fit the bill now?" Ma Zhiyu rested his arm on Xu Lin’s shoulder, smelling strongly of cigarettes. Xu Lin frowned instinctively.

"Maybe her idea of 'good at studying' means first in the whole school."

"First in the school? Aren’t all the top ten in the grade girls?"

Xu Lin realized for the first time—yes, in No. 3 High, it was peculiar; whether in first, second, or third year, the top ten were all girls.

"Hey, let me tell you something," Li Bin leaned in, lowering his voice.

"What’s up? Why so secretive?"

"During third period, I got called to the office. On the way back, I passed the director’s office and saw the new PE teacher!"

"What’s she like? Buff?"

"No, she’s a woman, not very tall, with golden hair, but I didn’t see her face."

"Can a teacher have dyed hair?" Ma Zhiyu looked skeptical.

"Really. You’ll see on Friday!"

"How do you know she’s a teacher? Could be a parent."

"But I heard something about PE class..."

"Let’s bet—if you’re wrong, you treat us to spicy chicken at Gan Guo Ju. If you’re right, we treat you."

"Xu Lin, whose side are you on?" Li Bin looked at him.

"Yours, of course."

"Good, just wait to lose!"

Before he could finish, the roar of an engine sounded. A sleek red Maserati rolled over from the parking area, stopping nearby. Curious students cast glances their way, but kept their distance, wary of accidentally scratching the car.

The window rolled down. Chu Fengyi tossed her golden hair and leaned out.

"Xu Lin, need a ride home?"

The crowd instantly focused their attention on him, and Xu Lin felt a surge of pressure. Chu Fengyi, you really know how to stir up trouble!