Have Your Own Rhythm

The focus returned to Lin Mo.

Li Yan clearly didn't have much patience left. He frowned, his tone carrying a bit of condescending admonishment.

"Student Lin Mo, although the students in Class 8 are not bad, the overall atmosphere... is still too undisciplined.

The Rocket Class gathers the students with the best grades in the whole school. The environment there is much more suitable for a top talent like you."

This belittling comparison made the smile on Lin Mo's lips fade.

He raised his eyes and calmly looked at Li Yan.

"Director Li, I think you have it backwards."

"Huh?" Li Yan was taken aback.

But Lin Mo smiled and retorted.

"The strong can always change their environment; only the weak are changed by it."

Lin Mo's voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear and resounding.

"Besides, watching a few classmates in my class make progress little by little under my guidance brings a sense of accomplishment that is much more interesting than getting first place myself."

At this point, Lin Mo waved his hand, his expression showing a hint of impatience.

"So, let's just settle it like this. I quite like Class 8."

It was an irrefutable decisiveness, a strong stance meant to end the conversation.

Just as he finished speaking, the bell ending the evening self-study session rang perfectly across the campus.

Li Yan opened his mouth, but all his words of persuasion were choked back. In the end, he could only wear a face full of astonishment and say nothing.

Chen Xiaoya immediately stepped in to smooth things over.

"Since Student Lin Mo doesn't want to change classes, he will stay in Class 8. I will go talk to the principal."

This sentence was directed at Li Yan, serving as a reminder to him.

Li Yan sighed, then turned and left with Chen Xiaoya.

The moment Lin Mo returned to the classroom, the entirety of Class 8 was like a lit wok of oil, instantly boiling over!

"Master Mo is awesome!"

"Long live Master Mo!"

Hao Qiang, who sat by the window, was so excited that he stood right up. He cleared his throat and, imitating Lin Mo's tone, recited loudly with a rhythmic cadence:

"The strong can always change their environment, while the weak are changed by it!"

As soon as he finished, the classmate next to him immediately followed up, roaring with a face full of worship: "Such a domineering aura, how terrifying!"

The whole class burst into roaring laughter.

Lin Mo smiled and returned to his seat. "School's over. Get ready for the final exams. Whether you are strong or weak is up to you."

"In order to stay in Class 8! We will definitely study hard!"

--System: I announce that in 2021, the Rocket Class will be canceled!--

June 30th.

The bell marking the end of the last exam sounded like a triumphant song of freedom.

From noon today until the closing ceremony next week, a whole week would be a carnival belonging entirely to the students themselves.

No homework, no pressure, only money and energy to be spent freely.

In the classroom, the air had long been ignited by restless emotions.

Everyone was acting like they had springs under their butts, just waiting for homeroom teacher Chen Xiaoya to give the order so they could immediately catapult out of this room.

"Pulling an all-nighter at the internet cafe tonight, five of us sitting together, let's go!"

"Let's go to karaoke! My throat is getting calluses from holding it in; I'd be doing myself a disservice if I don't yell all night!"

"I'm hitting the pool hall for three days and three nights first, nobody stop me!"

Amidst the boiling voices, Chen Xiaoya walked in and patted the podium. The volume in the classroom instantly dropped by eight degrees, but that excitement just couldn't be suppressed.

"Alright, I know your minds have already flown away, so I won't delay everyone's vacation."

Even though Chen Xiaoya said this, she still activated her half-hour precautions chanting mode, making the students below scratch their hearts and livers in impatience.

Students from the next class were already rushing out of the teaching building in twos and threes, and waves of cheers came from downstairs.

"It's hot in summer, don't go playing in the river by yourselves. If you want to swim, go to a proper swimming pool..."

"Teacher!"

Su Mingzhao really couldn't hold it in anymore and shouted at the top of his lungs, "The closing ceremony hasn't even started yet. You can repeat these words next week, just let us go first!"

Chen Xiaoya shot him a glaring look, but she wasn't really angry. Instead, she was amused by his anxiousness and gave a light snort.

She also knew that no one could listen right now.

"Alright, school's out!"

These few words were like a spell breaking a seal.

"Awooo—!"

The entire Class 8 exploded into an uproar. A few boys in the back row with their backpacks on shot out like fired cannonballs, disappearing in an instant.

Some unhurriedly packed up their textbooks, enjoying this campus time, while others hurriedly prepared to rush back to the dorms to pack their luggage.

Lin Mo unhurriedly put his things into his backpack one by one. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of a figure leaning against the doorframe of the classroom.

It was agreed that he would go to Xie Yuling's house for lunch today.

"Are you going home with Xie Yuling today too?"

Jiang Yunlu beside him suddenly spoke up. Her gaze crossed over Lin Mo and landed on Xie Yuling at the door, carrying a trace of inquiry.

"Yeah, Auntie Zheng told me to leave after having a meal." Lin Mo zipped up his backpack.

On days without classes, he naturally had to go home, but since the landlady auntie invited him, he still had to go.

Hearing this, Jiang Yunlu actually breathed a sigh of relief. She looked thoughtfully at Xie Yuling and didn't say anything more.

At this time, Chu Miaomiao, who hadn't moved at all, leaned over. Her small face was full of anticipation; she was clearly also waiting for Lin Mo.

"You're going too?" Knowing that Chu Miaomiao often stayed at Xie Yuling's house, Jiang Yunlu asked.

Chu Miaomiao nodded vigorously.

"Yep! My mom doesn't have time to pick me up, so I'm also going to Yuling's house to mooch a meal!"

That made perfect sense.

So that was it.

That bit of inexplicable emotion in Jiang Yunlu's heart completely dissipated, and she even wanted to laugh a little at her own tension just now.

She also wanted to tag along and join the fun, but on second thought, she felt it wasn't necessary.

She should have her own rhythm.

The provincial competition was imminent, and every minute and every second should be spent where it counted most. Shining in her own field was what made one truly outstanding.

Having figured this out, she instead felt a wave of relief. She picked up her things and walked gracefully toward the door.

When passing the doorway, Jiang Yunlu even gave a meaningful nod to a bewildered Xie Yuling, and then walked straight away.

This completely confused Xie Yuling.

Until Lin Mo and Chu Miaomiao came out of the classroom, she was still staring blankly at Jiang Yunlu's retreating back.

"What were you guys talking about just now? Why did she nod at me when she came out?" Xie Yuling always spoke her mind in front of acquaintances.

"Maybe... she was greeting you?" Lin Mo casually replied.

"Don't know, let's go home and eat!" Chu Miaomiao was unusually excited.

"Old Mo! Wait a minute!"

Quicker than words could tell, Fang Jun darted out from the other end of the corridor like a large macaque, hooking his arm around An Yuexin's neck, and slammed on the brakes right in front of the three of them.

"We're liberated! Are you going mountain climbing tonight? All-night camping and watching the sunrise, a full package arrangement!"

Seeing his excited appearance, Lin Mo waved his hand directly, finding it somewhat amusing.

"Let's pass on tonight. At the very least, let everyone go home and catch their breath first."

He paused for a moment before suggesting a more foolproof plan. "Why don't you send a message in the class group chat? Set a time for two or three days from now and start a sign-up list for whoever wants to go. That way, everyone gets a chance to rest up first and make proper preparations."

"Ha, you really do have a good head on your shoulders!" Fang Jun slapped his thigh in agreement. "Alright, we'll go with your plan!"