Chapter 20: Three Major Benefits (Please keep reading)

“Let me introduce myself. My name is Yan Hong!”

Yan Hong wrote her name on the blackboard.

“I was originally the homeroom teacher for Class 3, responsible for teaching Chinese, and I will also be the homeroom teacher for the Elite Class from now on.”

“We will spend the coming year together. I hope everyone has an enjoyable year.”

*Clap, clap, clap!!*

Jiang Tao led the applause, and the classroom erupted into clapping.

After finishing her speech, Yan Hong turned on the projector.

“The Elite Class brings together the 50 most outstanding students from our No. 2 High School.”

“You will enjoy the best teaching resources; every subject will be taught by the best teachers.”

“This is to ensure that your academic grades can improve steadily.”

“In addition, as students of the Elite Class, you all have three preferential treatments.”

“First is the independent martial arts room. Teacher Zhang has already mentioned this to you; only those in the top thirty of the grade can enjoy this.”

“Second is dining. When you eat nutritional meals in the cafeteria, you will enjoy a 20% discount.”

“Third is the grade scholarship. Only those ranked in the top fifty of the grade are eligible for scholarships.”

“Ranked 50th–35th: 10,000 Xia Country Dollars!”

“Ranked 34th–20th: 20,000 Xia Country Dollars!”

“Ranked 19th–11th: 30,000 Xia Country Dollars!”

“Ranked 10th–4th: 50,000 Xia Country Dollars each!”

“The top three: 100,000 Xia Country Dollars each!”

“You heard correctly. Compared to the second year, the scholarships have increased significantly. You will receive your scholarships by noon.”

A table was projected onto the screen, clearly displaying the three benefits and the scholarship amounts.

As soon as Yan Hong finished speaking, discussions broke out in the classroom.

“The scholarship actually increased! I’m ranked 31st, so I can get 20,000 yuan. That’s a huge amount of money.”

“Brother Qi, I can get 30,000 yuan. The school is really being generous!”

Jiang Tao’s expression was also excited.

Lin Qi’s heart burned with anticipation as his mind raced, calculating frantically.

Coming to the Elite Class certainly came with perks. With a 20% discount on food, a nutritional meal that used to cost 100 yuan would now only be 80 yuan, saving him 20 yuan per meal and 40 yuan a day.

He could save 280 Xia Country Dollars a week, which was enough to buy two boxes of Blood Qi Capsules—it was essentially like earning extra money.

Then there was the scholarship. He was ranked 45th, which meant he would receive 10,000 yuan.

That was equivalent to five sessions of his part-time job as a sparring partner, allowing him to purchase even more resources.

“Of course, don't get too happy too soon.”

“Being in the Elite Class doesn't mean you can sit back and relax.”

Yan Hong threw a bucket of cold water on the crowd's excitement. She looked around at everyone with a serious expression.

“In three weeks, there will be the Tianhai City Joint Monthly Exam for all high schools. If you fall out of the top fifty in the grade, I'm sorry, but you will have to leave the Elite Class, and another student will take your place.”

“All the benefits you are currently enjoying will be revoked.”

Many students' expressions turned solemn. Those ranked after 30th, especially those around 40th, were in the most danger, facing the constant threat of being overtaken.

Yang Lei had lost his former confidence; anxiety and tension surfaced on his face.

In Class 3, he was in the top ten, but in the Elite Class, he was at the very bottom, a tail-ender.

“As for those at the front, your goal is to climb higher. You must not only surpass your classmates,”

“But also compete for higher rankings among all the seniors in Tianhai City.”

As Yan Hong finished, her gaze swept over the top ten, specifically lingering on the top three: Qi Yuelin, Yu Jing, and Li Zhou.

Now, even those in the top thirty were no longer calm.

The geniuses in the top ten were the absolute pinnacle at No. 2 High School, but that wasn't necessarily true for the entirety of Tianhai City.

A strong desire for progress took hold of everyone.

In a short moment, the intensity in the room shifted.

“Very good. As a martial artist, you must possess a fighting spirit.”

Yan Hong nodded with satisfaction.

“Class dismissed. Anyone who wants to apply for the Genius Loan, come follow me for the application forms.”

Jiang Tao let out a breath and said, “Brother Qi, this is your chance. You have to grab it.”

Lin Qi nodded. Chen Zichuan, an acquaintance, was also walking with him. The two followed Yan Hong out of the classroom.

As the head of the senior year Chinese department, Yan Hong had her own private office.

It was a modest office, only about five or six square meters. After sitting down, Yan Hong took two forms from a black drawer and handed them out.

“Fill these out!”

Lin Qi and Chen Zichuan sat on the sofa and began filling out the forms.

“This isn't the first time for either of you to fill out an application.”

“Your applications failed last time, but now that you've entered the Elite Class, there is a high probability that the Genius Loan will be approved.”

Lin Qi and Chen Zichuan looked up simultaneously and exchanged a glance.

Lin Qi hadn't expected the other boy to have shared the same experience.

“The Genius Loan is specifically prepared for students from underprivileged families like yours.”

“Your family incomes have already been investigated, so there are no issues there. Now, it all comes down to your grades.”

“Lin Qi, Chen Zichuan, your talent is not bad; you simply lack resources.”

“Chen Zichuan, you improved from 70th to 50th in the grade—a jump of 20 places.”

“And Lin Qi, you are even more impressive. You went directly from 101st to 45th, a leap of 56 places. That is quite extraordinary; it's rare even in the history of our No. 2 High School.”

Yan Hong expressed her admiration. Chen Zichuan looked up at Lin Qi in surprise once again.

Lin Qi stood up calmly and submitted his application.

“No matter how fast the improvement, I'm still only 45th in the grade. There's nothing to brag about.”

“Not bad!”

Yan Hong nodded approvingly, then added

“Now that you've entered your senior year, the processing of the Genius Loan will speed up. It will be approved in a week at the fastest, and half a month at the latest.”

“Understood!”

Lin Qi and Chen Zichuan soon left the office. As they walked down the corridor, neither spoke, but Lin Qi felt that they had become acquaintances.

On the other side, inside the office.

Yan Hong looked at the application forms and muttered to herself

“Chen Zichuan has decent talent; a third-tier Genius Loan shouldn't be a problem.”

“But Lin Qi is a bit strange. I feel like his talent might be even better. Is he a slow burner or a flash in the pan?”

“His progress over the past year has been significant. Perhaps he deserves a second-tier Genius Loan?”

Thinking this, she opened her computer and typed, sending a file to someone.

***

Principal's Office

*Ding!*

The burly Jiang Zhiguang had not yet taken a sip of his tea when he saw the projected file.

After taking a quick sip, he clicked on the two projected application forms.

“Genius Loan applications?”

“Chen Zichuan and Lin Qi.”

Jiang Zhiguang scanned the documents quickly, his eyes stopping on a line of text: “Recommendation: Apply for second-tier Genius Loan!”

“Recommendation?”

A smile appeared on his face as he muttered to himself

“What do you mean 'recommendation'? If they can apply for the second tier, then they should naturally apply for the second tier. Whether it succeeds is one thing; whether they applied is another.”

“Don't just apply for Lin Qi; Chen Zichuan should apply for it too.”

With that, he modified the application and sent it out again.

*Sigh—*

Having finished everything, Jiang Zhiguang let out a long breath. He touched the brown flowerpot on his desk, which still contained nothing but soil.

“When will our No. 2 High School have a genius who awakens a special ability?”

“Even if they don't have a special ability, as long as their talent is high enough, that would be fine.”

“...”

***

Second Floor of the No. 2 High School Cafeteria

*Ding!*

“Payment successful: 80 yuan!”

At the serving window, Lin Qi swiped his student card, picked up his tray, and found a seat.

“It really is discounted. It used to be 100 yuan per meal, now it's only 80.”

Lin Qi flashed a satisfied smile. One meal was equivalent to earning 20 yuan.

“Brother Qi, after you eat, come over to my martial arts room to take a nap.”

“You can train in my room from now on too. It's spacious enough, and the homeroom teacher said the school allows it,” Jiang Tao suggested from across the table.

“Sure!”

Lin Qi did not refuse.

*Buzz!*

His phone vibrated and the screen lit up. Lin Qi picked up his vintage smartphone.

It was a text message.

【Your account xxx's industrial and commercial card received 10,000.00 yuan on September 8th at 12:02. Current balance: 13,445.12 yuan.】

“The scholarship has arrived!”

***

(End of Chapter)