56: Chapter 56 The first time I've seen a fox so angry

Early the next morning, Uncle took Shen Weiyue to the town bus station. The weather in late June was already scorching, and the atmosphere in the city only added fuel to the fire.

Every year during this month, the county seat was like a pot of hotpot about to boil, filled with stimulating spiciness and restlessness.

Lingshan County was a major educational hub, and the people of the entire county were eagerly anticipating the results of The First High School, waiting to see how many students would make the cutoff for key universities this year and whether anyone would get into Qingbei University.

This was both an honor and a spur. From the deputy county magistrate in charge to the Education Bureau and even the school itself, everyone was under immense pressure.

If the results were better than last year, there would be promotions and raises. If they were worse, they could expect to be scolded and reviled.

After Shen Weiyue arrived at the county bus station and boarded the bus, he heard passengers discussing the College Entrance Exam results.

"I heard that this year's city-wide top scorer in science went to the City First High School. The First High School suffered a big loss."

"Isn't that right? It's said that a student from The First High School was recommended for admission; otherwise, she might have been the provincial top scorer if she had taken the College Entrance Exam."

As soon as Shen Weiyue heard this, he knew they were talking about Zhao Qingyan. It seemed the 625-point straight-A student hadn't been able to uphold the honor of The First High School; he wondered if the school leadership was getting a headache.

When he arrived at school, they were already busy hanging banners at the entrance. The two that were already up read:

"Congratulations to our school's student Zhao Qingyan for being recommended to Qingbei University!"

"Congratulations to our school's student Hu Mingyue for winning the title of city-wide liberal arts top scorer in the College Entrance Exam with 637 points!"

There were a few more on the ground that hadn't been hung up yet, and he didn't know what they said. Shen Weiyue didn't wait around and headed straight for the classroom.

As soon as he entered, the chattering sounds immediately ceased. Dozens of pairs of eyes stared at him with green-eyed envy, and Ye Lingtao's eyes were already bloodshot.

"One VIP guest! Let's give a warm round of applause to welcome the 622-point Sect Leader Yue!"

"Clap, clap, clap, clap."

Neat and enthusiastic applause broke out, and a few of the guys warmly welcomed him in.

Shen Weiyue looked around. His classmates wore expressions of envy, and beside his seat, Zhao Qingyan sat there with a soft gaze. She was looking at him.

Director Shen swore that such a gaze had never lasted more than five seconds in her eyes before. It had already been over ten seconds now, and it hadn't changed even as he walked over and sat down.

Ning Xi, in the seat behind him, rubbed her hands together excitedly. "Wow, Master Shen, you've amazed everyone again this time."

"Ahem, it's mainly because Teacher Zhao and Teacher Ning taught me well, plus I got lucky... After we fill out our college applications later, I'll treat you both to cold-pot fish. Want to go?"

Zhao Qingyan didn't refuse and nodded slightly to indicate her agreement, but Ning Xi scratched her head and said, "Oh dear, I had some friends who said they wanted to eat together."

"That's a pity. I'm taking a bus to Shenzhen early tomorrow morning, so I guess I'll have to treat you to a meal another time," Shen Weiyue said with regret.

"In that case, I won't attend that gathering. I must attend Master Shen's farewell treat. I want to go with Qingyan."

Ning Xi changed her mind immediately. The corners of Zhao Qingyan's mouth twitched, clearly speechless at her attempt to deceive herself.

While the three were chatting, Han Changming walked into the classroom with a glowing face and tapped on the desk to signal everyone to be quiet.

"I won't say too much. I am very satisfied with your results this time. Student Zhao Qingyan being recommended to Qingbei University is the first time our school has secured a recommendation spot in many years. These results were not easily won..."

"Besides Zhao Qingyan, our class students Ning Xi, Yuan Tianze, and Shen Weiyue are in the top ten of the grade. Among them, Ning Xi and Shen Weiyue are tied for fourth in the grade, and Yuan Tianze is tenth."

"Here, I must once again specifically commend student Shen Weiyue. He achieved results that exceeded all the teachers' expectations and became the biggest dark horse of this College Entrance Exam. I no longer know what words to use to express my praise."

"Actually, you have all already graduated, so there is no point in me saying more. Instead, let me leave you with my motto: 'Where there is a will, there is a way; if you break the cauldrons and sink the boats, the one hundred and twenty Qin passes will eventually belong to Chu. Heaven does not let down those who are determined; if you sleep on brushwood and taste gall, three thousand Yue soldiers can swallow Wu.'"

"The road ahead is long, and our time as teacher and student has been a fated encounter. I wish you all a promising future. Alright, next, let's talk about filling out the college applications. I hope everyone listens carefully."

Han Changming explained the precautions for filling out applications on the podium, then sat down to wait for the students' questions.

Below the podium, everyone had a copy of the College Entrance Exam Guide in hand, carefully flipping through it and discussing. Everyone hoped to choose a university that they liked and that was safe. After all, doing well on the exam isn't as good as applying well; this is common knowledge.

"Master Shen, do you want to cast a fortune? Which university are you planning to apply to?" Ning Xi asked curiously.

Although she already knew that Shen Weiyue's primary goal was Jianghai University, he had performed far above his level and scored so high this time that it was hard to guarantee he wouldn't have other ideas.

Zhao Qingyan also turned around, waiting for Shen Weiyue's answer. This answer was very important to her.

Shen Weiyue was stunned. Looking at the two girls' nervous gazes, he felt a bit confused, but he still answered without hesitation: "Jianghai University."

As soon as he finished speaking, a flash of disappointment crossed Zhao Qingyan's eyes, followed by an extremely icy expression. Her delicate features radiated a freezing aura, and she said angrily and heavily: "I don't agree."

"Huh? I'm the one filling out the application. Why don't you agree?"

Shen Weiyue looked at her in surprise. Zhao the Fox seemed very angry. What was going on?

Ning Xi probably sensed something, but she didn't interrupt and just waited quietly.

"I don't agree means I don't agree! There is no why!" Zhao Qingyan's emotions became somewhat agitated.

"No, you have to give me a reason, right?"

"Jianghai University is not good."

"What? Do you want to listen to what you're saying? Jianghai University is a recognized top-tier 985 university. It has already reached my ideal goal, and I think it's very good."

"Is that all the ambition you have? You're just wasting your potential." Zhao Qingyan clenched her fists and said through gritted teeth, "Your score is so high now, why don't you try for Qingbei University?"

"I wouldn't dare to think about that recklessly! I've checked the admission cutoff scores for Qingbei University over the years. This score is very unsafe. Even if I could barely get in, I would only be able to get into the worst major..."

"Even if it's the lowest major, can't you just get in first and then find a way to switch majors? At the very worst, you can go to graduate school. You're passing up Qingbei University to go to that crappy Jianghai; what are you thinking?"

"I think the major is more important, this..."

"You think my foot! You don't know anything, yet you 'think.' I don't care what you think!"

"I'm being very serious, I..."

"Shut up!"

Shen Weiyue's argument made Zhao Qingyan explode with anger. She suddenly slammed the table hard and stood up, glaring at him angrily: "Shen Weiyue! Have you ever considered my... and the teachers' feelings?"

Her voice was trembling, and the volume was exceptionally loud. The whole class had never heard her lose her composure like this in three years.

Everyone cast their gazes toward this side, and Han Changming also stopped his guidance to the students and turned his head to look over.

Zhao Qingyan didn't care about the sudden silence. She was still agitated, her little face flushed red, almost shouting with red eyes: "We all tried our best to tutor you to pursue the best possible result, not for you to waste everyone's hard work and settle for less."

"Ask yourself, does what you're doing justify our efforts?"