Soon, Su Kexi came into the classroom to give a quick rundown of the important points for the parents' meeting, then dismissed the students.
Except for the student representatives, no other students were allowed to linger in the classroom. Those without parents coming to the meeting could head back to the dorms to enjoy their holiday, while those with parents could go pick them up themselves. If they didn’t want to pick them up, there were student volunteers from their class waiting at the school gate to escort parents in.
Shen Nian and Xia Yanchun couldn’t go back to the dorms since they had to speak on the podium, so they decided to head to the school gate together. Li Shiyan tagged along, sparkling with energy.
The school gate was already packed with private cars—everything from ordinary vans and sedans to several luxury cars.
Every school always had a few wealthy kids, not to mention Cinnan No. 2 High School.
“Are your parents coming together?” Li Shiyan twirled her hair, standing on tiptoe at the gate, looking out. Not seeing her own parents, she quietly whispered to Xia Yanchun.
“More or less, yeah. After all, our hometowns are neighbors,” Xia Yanchun nodded.
“That’s so nice.”
“Not at all,” Xia Yanchun muttered. This girl was the type to sneak in by climbing over balconies to bother the girls—anyone else might not put up with Shen Nian.
“What are you two whispering about?” Shen Nian poked his head over.
“Nothing.”
Xia Yanchun wasn’t afraid of Shen Nian—she had only said it wasn’t nice, but hadn’t badmouthed him.
“Oh, I see my mom’s car!” Li Shiyan’s face suddenly lit up as she looked up and then dashed out.
Shen Nian followed her in that direction and spotted a Mercedes. He didn’t know the exact model but it looked pretty expensive.
This little girl really was a little rich girl.
The driver’s seat was occupied by a woman dressed in a stylish women’s blazer, wearing sunglasses, with a gentle expression and a confident aura—exactly the kind of look Shen Nian stereotypically associated with wealthy people.
Li Shiyan bounced happily in front of the woman, barely reaching her waist. They were chatting, and just by looking at Li Shiyan, it was clear she was very happy.
So cute.
This is the number one “killing machine” of Cinnan No. 2 High School. Dare you hold her gaze for ten seconds?
“Is your best friend’s family owned by a billionaire CEO or something?” Shen Nian nudged Xia Yanchun again.
“Ah, stop pushing me all the time,” Xia Yanchun complained. “Her family is definitely rich. In grades 10 and 11, when we went out a lot, it was mostly Shiyan treating me.”
“Damn, why didn’t you invite me?”
“You did invite me two or three times already.”
“Grade 12 doesn’t count. I’m talking about grades 10 and 11.”
Xia Yanchun was too lazy to respond.
Back in grades 10 and 11, Shen Nian clearly seemed to dislike her a lot. Why would she bother inviting him out then, only to get a cold shoulder?
Besides, back then, Shen Nian was “interested” in Lin Xiyuan.
Since Shen Nian had someone he “liked,” she definitely wouldn’t invite him out shopping to avoid misunderstandings.
“Uh, looks like my mom’s here,” Shen Nian squinted toward the gate, confirmed it was her, then leisurely walked over.
“Auntie, are you from our Class 11? The Class 11 students will go this way. We’ll show you the way.”
“Mm, thank you.”
Chen Minyue smiled and turned to Wen Zhining, saying, “The girls here are so warm and pretty.”
“The students at No. 2 High School are generally well-mannered,” Wen Zhining covered her mouth to chuckle, “Back when I came before, it was still Xiao Nian picking me up. I wonder why he’s not here this time.”
“Really? It’s my first time here. Usually, his sister handles things, and that brat Shen Nian never bothers to come pick me up.”
Lin Xiyuan’s ears perked up, and she raised an eyebrow at Chen Minyue. “Auntie, are you Shen Nian’s mom?”
“Yes, does Shen Nian ever talk to you? How’s he doing at school?”
“Hehe... Shen Nian’s doing great—tall and slim, good grades, really smart.”
“So good? Why didn’t I know about this?”
The more Chen Minyue listened, the more ridiculous it seemed. Is this really my kid?
Could it be that my Shen Nian is actually quite outstanding?
The Shen Nian described by his classmates didn’t match the one she knew at all. Which one was the real Shen Nian?
“Mom, Aunt Wen.” Shen Nian walked over and greeted Lin Xiyuan casually, “Busy, thanks.”
“No, no,” Lin Xiyuan smiled faintly. Seeing Xia Yanchun behind Shen Nian, she raised her eyebrows and nodded, “The class monitor is here too?”
“This is my mom.”
“Oh, since you’re here, no need for me to show you around. I’ll go wait for the other parents!”
Lin Xiyuan hurried back to the school gate. If other students didn’t come with their parents, the four of them really wouldn’t be able to handle the crowd.
“That girl just now was pretty nice. Do you get along with her at school?”
“Pretty well, hehe. Mom, later we’re going to buy winter clothes.”
“Sounds good, it’s been a while since we went shopping together.”
Xia Yanchun’s side was chatting away happily, while Shen Nian was being peppered with questions from Chen Minyue—whether he’d been bullied, if he still had any pocket money left, and finally, the most important topic for any student: his grades.
“Mom, are you done yet? Didn’t they post the report cards in the parent group?”
“Nope. If they had, why would I be asking you?”
Although Shen Nian was also in the parent group chat, he hadn’t really paid attention to whether Su Kexi had shared the grades.
“Ahem, anyway, you did pretty well. You’ll see soon enough.”
“That little brat’s quite the show-off. If you didn’t do well, I’d really support your dad—fall behind and you’re getting a spanking!” Chen Minyue said, half-joking, half-serious.
She wasn’t the gentle and refined Aunt Wen; a mother was never soft on her own son.
When little Yanchun messed up, she’d just smile and say it was okay. When her own son Shen Nian made a mistake, she’d smile and give him a spanking.
She couldn’t bring herself to go easy on other people’s kids.
That night, Shen Nian wrote an essay titled “The Chinese Original Family” and got a million likes on Xiaohongshu.
When they arrived at the classroom, Chen Minyue noticed Shen Nian and Xia Yanchun were sitting just across the aisle from each other, both grinning happily.
Those two kids really got along well.
Parents gradually arrived, and Su Kexi also showed up right on time at the podium, a little bee pinned to her waist—looking very professional. She went on to talk about the class rules and then reported on the academic situation, chatting on and on for quite a while.
Students weren’t allowed into the classroom; the hallway was packed with them. When Shen Nian led his mom into the classroom, he cleverly swiped the bottled water from Ma Mingfan’s desk. He had eaten too many steamed buns for breakfast and was feeling a bit parched.
“Hey, want some? It’s from the classroom, unopened,” he whispered, poking Xia Yanchun’s arm with his index finger as he leaned on the balcony.
“Mm-hmm.” Xia Yanchun took the bottle; she had a speech coming up—a thousand-word script—and the water would help soothe her throat.
The water tasted a bit sweet. After taking a few sips, Xia Yanchun screwed the cap back on and held the bottle in her hand.
Shen Nian reached out, “Give it back.”
“You… you want to drink?” Xia Yanchun muttered, surprised that he was asking for water she had already opened. She thought Shen Nian wasn’t going to drink it.
There was no way she could hand him a bottle she’d already touched in front of so many people—if anyone saw, they’d definitely tease them.
“I thought you didn’t want it. Go grab yourself another bottle.”
Shen Nian wiped sweat off his forehead, “Girl, you’re unstoppable, even snatching water. I was only planning to let you have a sip.”
“You keep nagging about the water—come here.”
Xia Yanchun tugged on Shen Nian’s shirt and ran to the nearest stairwell junction, handing the bottle back to him. “I really have to hand it to you.”
Shen Nian looked innocent. “I’m thirsty. Haven’t had any water all morning. Otherwise, you could’ve gotten one for me.”
“If you’re thirsty, why didn’t you drink earlier?”
“I was just about to. I thought of you first since I had water. And now you blame me? Looks like I was wrong about you. We’re done, buddy.”
“Alright, alright, just drink quickly. You’ve got to recite your speech soon.”
Shen Nian, feeling frustrated, twisted open the bottle cap, ready to gulp down the water, but Xia Yanchun pressed his hand down gently.
“Wait a sec…”
“What now?”
Xia Yanchun said nothing. She stepped closer, lightly wiping the bottle’s mouth with the back of her hand, then rubbed off a small water spot on her hand, whispering, “Now it’s okay to drink.”
“If it’s not imported water, how can it become domestic?”
“Stop talking and drink!” Xia Yanchun gave him a shy glare.
“…”
She watched him tilt his head back, lips around the bottle’s mouth, taking three or four big sips, draining most of the water. Her feelings were complicated—she silently scolded him for being a blockhead but couldn’t help stealing a glance at his throat moving up and down.
When the bottle was almost empty, she shyly looked away and hurried back into the classroom.
Wait, why did she run away?
Shen Nian was puzzled but followed toward the classroom, the empty bottle in his hand standing out.
Passing by the office, he saw Yan Yuzhu typing at her keyboard and took a detour inside.
“Hello, Teacher Yan,” Shen Nian greeted politely.
“Hmm? Shen Nian, do you need something?”
“Hehe, I have a small favor to ask. Last time, you helped me find ten copies of the monthly exam papers, right? Like last time, but this time I want midterm papers from other schools…”
“Sure.” Yan Yuzhu smiled warmly. She always treated Shen Nian with the best attitude.
A student who seriously followed the teacher’s study plan—no teacher could dislike that.
“I’ll organize them by the weekend and send them to you.”
“Teacher, you’re the best, really.”
Yan Yuzhu chuckled softly, pulled open a drawer, and grabbed two loose bottles of Wangzai milk from the pile. "You said you'd treat me to milk tea after you passed the exam, but since the milk tea teacher isn’t treating, Wangzai milk will have to do. Drink as much as you want."
“?”
Wangzai milk, all you want?
Teacher, are you trying to fatten me up to death?
Startled by the Wangzai milk bishop, Shen Nian stood at attention and declared, “Teacher, I will always be loyal to you!”
Yan Yuzhu was very pleased. She hadn’t seen Shen Nian drinking O’pao lately, so it seemed he really was loyal.
Shen Nian casually tossed some trash away and pocketed the two bottles of Wangzai milk before making a quick getaway.
The Genius Retirement Home is a great place—once you’re in, there’s free Wangzai milk to drink.
After circling the hallway, Shen Nian didn’t see Xia Yanchun around and realized that Xia Yanchun was already inside the classroom reciting his speech.
Xia Yanchun was the class representative and something of a dark horse in the class. Though their speeches differed in content, the core message was the same—just different stories conveying the same theme.
The thousand-plus-word script was read quickly. Xia Yanchun jogged out of the hallway and flipped his hair back with a sigh, “Phew...”
“Hm? You’ve given so many speeches and you’re still nervous?” Shen Nian raised an eyebrow.
“A little bit.”
“Here.” Shen Nian waved the bottle of Wangzai milk in his hand.
“Did you go to the office? What were you doing?”
“Went to ask Teacher Yan for some test papers. Wadashi, there’s another open-book exam coming up soon. I’m aiming to beat you on the first big test.”
Shen Nian grinned like he was joking, but Xia Yanchun knew he was dead serious.
“Keep dreaming.”
“Bet on it, gotta bet!”
“No way.”
“Chicken.”
Xia Yanchun poked Shen Nian’s shoulder hard enough to make him sway. “I don’t even bet when I’m completely crushing you because I can’t be bothered with you. Same now, got it?”
Shen Nian clicked his tongue. “Fine, no bet. But why’re you poking me?”
“Because I don’t like you.”
“...”
“It’s your turn to give the speech. The teacher’s calling you.”
Shen Nian gave a heavy “Oh” and took his script, entering the classroom through the front door.
Xia Yanchun stood by the window with his hands behind his back, quietly watching Shen Nian’s performance.
Shen Nian was usually cocky and annoying; Xia Yanchun wanted to see him embarrassed, to see him flustered and helpless—after all, he was always teasing her like that.
Unfortunately, Shen Nian was calmer than expected, even a bit expressive and engaging.
Seeing Shen Nian take the stage, Chen Minyue was over the moon.
“Oh my, my son is actually a dark horse, a model student, a progress ambassador?”
So proud.
Chen Minyue was so excited she kept exchanging meaningful glances with Wen Zhining, their eyes practically speaking volumes.
The parent-teacher meeting ended at eleven o’clock.
As soon as she came out, Chen Minyue found Shen Nian and showered him with praise.
“Good boy, you actually scored 680 points! That’s amazing.”
Shen Nian shrugged, “Isn’t it just about using your hands?”
“Show-off, may lightning strike you.”
“Hey, sis, what do you mean by that?”
“I’m not talking about you, don’t take it personally.”
“Don’t talk nonsense, or I’ll punch you flying!”
“Auntie, he’s going to hit me!”
“?”
The innate charm of 666 was activated.
Amid all the noise and bustle, Shen Nian took his mom on a tour around the school and finally brought her to the convenience store, where he bought her a bottle of iced black tea for four yuan fifty.
“Mom, do you know how much this bottle costs? Five yuan! Five yuan! No wonder my living expenses run out so fast.”
“Spend freely, my boy, spend freely. Next month, I’ll give you an extra hundred!” Chen Minyue smiled so brightly her mouth wouldn’t close.
Six hundred and eighty-eight points!
The wheat got soaked by a sudden downpour during harvest and couldn’t be collected in time. This score was enough to save her.
If she got this score on the college entrance exam, she’d treat Shen Nian like an emperor—if he wanted eggs, she’d never cook duck eggs.
“Mom, can you watch fewer short videos? I’m not used to it.”
“This is my only hobby. Isn’t giving you extra living expenses enough?”
“Alright, alright, Mom, you’re the best.” Shen Nian gave a thumbs-up. “But no need to increase my living expenses. Eight hundred yuan is enough. I’ll fish to support myself.”
“You still have time to fish?”
“Of course. I study and fish at the same time, selling the catch to make money. I’ve already escaped poverty and become well-off. I even bought an electric scooter with the money from fishing. Unlike some people who only know how to study at a young age, what’s the difference between that and just lying flat?”
Hearing him mock himself like that, Xia Yanchun couldn’t hold back, “Lying flat with a seven-hundred-point score? That’s actually impressive.”
“Uh, let’s just talk about fishing...”
Shen Nian rambled on to Chen Minyue and Wen Zhining about how hard he worked studying, how he sold fish to make money.
That kind of persistence, that kind of ambition, that kind of repetition...
Passionate and inspiring, full of motivation—but not a single word was true.
·
(Added 1600 words)
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