Chapter 166: The One With Something On Their Mind Is You
Old Li held his thermos cup and took a comfortable sip: “Teachers understand when youths develop feelings of admiration for each other; it’s an inevitable process. However, Xie Jingyan, you are the most influential student in the school. Excluding winter vacation, there are only a few short months until Gaokao. The teacher suggests that no matter how hard it is for you two to part, hold back a little. After graduation, you can get married right on the spot, and the teacher won’t say much, even sending you blessings.”
Xie Jingyan looked at Jiang Ning and winked at her, as if asking: What to do next?
Jiang Ning: “……”
She braced herself and spoke: “Teacher, my relationship with Student Xie Jingyan is really just pure friendship! We don’t have…”
Old Li smiled and glanced at them, interrupting softly: “Alright, I understand. Just be more discreet next time; it’s not good for the class atmosphere, and don’t let the Director of Studies see it, or at next Monday’s flag-raising ceremony, you and Student Xie Jingyan will both have to go on stage to read self-criticisms.”
Jiang Ning: “……”
No, what did they do to have to be so discreet!
Xie Jingyan couldn’t hold back a laugh: “We got it, teacher.”
Jiang Ning looked at him in disbelief.
Isn’t this basically admitting it?
However, the two didn’t give Jiang Ning a chance to speak.
Old Li directly changed the topic: “The competitive mathematics grades are out this time.”
“Our school has really become famous; you two have really brought honor to Ninth Middle School.”
Mentioning grades, Old Li beamed with joy. The more he looked at Xie Jingyan, the more he liked him, and even Jiang Ning looked much more pleasing.
Jiang Ning couldn’t hold back and asked: “Teacher, what place did Xie Jingyan get in this national competitive mathematics?”
“First.” Old Li didn’t keep her in suspense and said directly.
He sighed toward Xie Jingyan: “So this time the school has a Qingbei recommendation quota, but this quota requires two people to compete for it.”
Jiang Ning knew that in the book, Xie Jingyan got first in this competitive mathematics, and this quota was first offered to Xie Jingyan. After he refused, it went to others.
But there had never been a situation where one quota required two people to compete.
She was baffled: “Teacher, who else in the school is competing with him for this recommendation quota?” She paused, asking uncertainly: “Is it Wanyuan?”
Old Li shook his head: “Not her. This time, she didn’t even make the top hundred in the national competitive mathematics.”
In exams of this level, a difference of 0.5 points can eliminate hundreds of people.
Jiang Ning remembered that in the book, Wanyuan really got second in competitive mathematics.
Because during the school training class, the female lead’s relationship with the male lead eased, and the genius top-student male lead tutored the female lead for a short time, so the female lead’s grades improved quickly.
Jiang Ning couldn’t help but put herself in the scenario, touching her nose guiltily.
She had forced him to tutor her in studies using money and the safety of Xie Jingyan’s family.
Her original intention was to waste his time, but unexpectedly, this guy was fully devoted to her, making her do the exercise books he compiled every day. Jiang Ning’s long-forgotten high school memories started attacking her again.
With Xie Jingyan as this divine support, Jiang Ning found it hard not to learn.
She seemed to have… unknowingly completed the plot that originally belonged to the female lead.
Jiang Ning coughed lightly: “Then who is it? Is there someone else in the school who got second?”
Old Li shook his head: “No, there are two first places. Jiang Ning, although I don’t know how you studied, but… the teacher still has to congratulate you. In this national competitive mathematics, you tied for first with Xie Jingyan. Even people from the Education Bureau say it’s a miracle—you two are the first pair in nearly a hundred years to have identical competitive mathematics scores and tie for first.”
“So Qingbei said that if you choose recommendation, you will be directly admitted to Qingbei’s Mathematics Department. The same for Xie Jingyan, but there’s only one quota. You two see…”
Jiang Ning hadn’t yet recovered from Old Li’s words.
She got first?!
Xie Jingyan also got first?!
Her original intention was to get into the top three at most.
In the original world, she had participated in hundreds of competitions big and small.
Every time, she got first.
But Xie Jingyan is this world’s Son of Destiny.
Jiang Ning didn’t intend to compete with him; after all, in this world, she didn’t lack money.
Xie Jingyan’s smiling voice sounded in her ear: “Congratulations, Student Jiang Ning, first place, amazing.”
Jiang Ning turned her head, unusually not snapping back at him. Her eyes curved in a smile, revealing white teeth when she laughed: “Congratulations to you too, Student Xie Jingyan. But this time, I might have stolen your spotlight.”
Jiang Ning raised her eyebrows, radiant and full of spirit.
Yet Xie Jingyan felt that at this moment, Jiang Ning surpassed all his splendor.
Old Li saw that although the two hadn’t admitted it, every move made people’s teeth ache with sweetness.
He coughed lightly: “Alright, now you two choose. Who wants this Qingbei quota? The teacher suggests Jiang Ning take the recommendation. Xie Jingyan’s grades are excellent; he can aim for Gaokao.”
Xie Jingyan glanced at Jiang Ning and nodded: “I have no problem, and I’ve already promised the school I’ll take Gaokao.”
Old Li nodded, very pleased.
Jiang Ning spoke up then: “Teacher, I don’t want the recommendation. Leave this opportunity for someone else.”
Old Li’s eyes widened: “Are you crazy? This is an opportunity. Your grades were originally poor; getting into Qingbei relies on your competitive mathematics first place. They’re willing to give you this chance. If you miss it, no matter how rich your family is, you can’t buy your way in.”
Xie Jingyan’s gaze lingered on Jiang Ning. Indeed, this quota was the best choice for her.
They could meet at Qingbei next year, but Jiang Ning refused…
He was also waiting for Jiang Ning’s answer.
But Jiang Ning shook her head, unwilling to say more: “Leave this opportunity for someone who needs it.”
Old Li paced angrily in the office: “Why? You are the one who needs this quota the most right now. If Xie Jingyan doesn’t want it and you don’t either, this quota will just be wasted. Recommendation quotas have conditions; they don’t accept just anyone.”
Jiang Ning was worried she couldn’t attend university.
Then giving this quota to her wouldn’t also be a waste?
Jiang Ning looked at her hands, fearful in her heart that one day in the future, she would no longer be “herself.”
The two left the office.
Blowing in the night wind.
The atmosphere was very silence.
Jiang Ning stood on the balcony, looking into the distance. The sky was so dark, boundless, with no end in sight.
Her fingertips felt a warm touch.
Xie Jingyan took her hand, gripping it tightly: “Jiang Ning, you have something on your mind; it’s actually you.”
He lowered his head to look at the fingertips he was gripping tightly, then at Jiang Ning’s profile: “Can we go to university together?”
Jiang Ning shook her head, a bit of confusion in her eyes: “I… don’t know.”
She was uncertain about the future’s direction.
Uncertain if she could successfully resist destiny.
Uncertain if she would ultimately be annihilated and controlled.
She didn’t even dare to give Xie Jingyan a promise.
She could only say: “I’ll effort.”
Typo correction~
