Chapter 11: Returning to School

"Oh, you're going for a run? That's good. Here, have an extra egg with your breakfast..."

Seeing her son heading out for exercise, Ms. Chen looked very pleased. During his high school years, Li Shuo had a "three days on, two days off" personality; he would only go for a run when it occurred to him, unable to stick to a routine. Now, it seemed he had started "exercising" again.

"Mom, I'm heading to school in a bit. We're estimating our scores today..."

While stuffing food into his mouth, Li Shuo added, "Where's Dad? You two should argue less. It's just money. Your son is coming home today, and I'm bringing you a surprise..."

"What surprise? Do you know your scores in advance? No way," Ms. Chen said suspiciously.

Li Shuo thought for a moment and then gave a brief summary of what had happened next door at Jiang Menghan's house.

In his memory, it was on this very day of score estimation that Kang Tao had received a reward from the police station: a certificate of merit and 1,000 yuan in cash.

The current Li Shuo naturally looked down on 1,000 yuan. It would be better to hand the money over to his family to make his parents feel more at ease. If their son was successful enough to provide money for the family, it would greatly reduce the household burden and lessen the friction between his parents.

"Really? The police station gives rewards?"

Ms. Chen was initially delighted, but she quickly reverted to her nagging: "Oh dear, even if the outcome is good, you can't go involving yourself in such things in the future. Who knows if that corrupt official will ever get out? The police gave you a reward, and that official might hold a grudge against you because of it..."

"Mom, I get it... Mmph, I'm done eating. I'm leaving now..."

Li Shuo kept his head down while eating. Once he was nearly finished, he turned and bolted out the door. There was no helping it; Ms. Chen's talent for nagging was simply too formidable.

The Second High School wasn't far from home; it only took Li Shuo about ten minutes to walk there. Just as he reached the school gate, he ran into Jiang Hai, who was stepping out of a Toyota while waving goodbye to his father sitting inside.

Seeing Li Shuo, Jiang Hai's eyes lit up, and he immediately ran over. "Hey, Brother Shuo! What exactly happened that day? Did you catch a thief? You didn't show up to the gathering later—you have no idea what that crowd was saying about you behind your back..."

As he spoke, he repeated the things Jiang Menghan and the others had said that day.

In truth, Li Shuo didn't need to listen to know that those people wouldn't have anything good to say. He simply didn't want to stoop to the level of a bunch of kids. Even the strikingly beautiful Jiang Menghan probably hadn't even "awakened" yet.

"Alright, they've already said their goodbyes, so don't mention those people. Are you prepared for the score estimation today? Which school are you planning to apply for?"

"My grades are usually average, and my dad won't let me move too far from home, so he picked the Accounting and Finance College in Lenghai for me. The name doesn't sound like much, but it seems to be a second-tier university..."

After hearing this, Li Shuo couldn't help but smile. The wheels of history had not changed because of his presence as a "little butterfly"; Jiang Hai was still choosing the Accounting and Finance College.

Thinking about it seriously, his relationship with Jiang Hai in high school had only been that of friends; it wasn't until they became college classmates four years later that they became brothers.

"I've indeed never heard of that school..."

Chatting with Jiang Hai as they walked, the two soon entered Class 12 (2). It was already past eight o'clock, and many students were already in their seats. Jiang Menghan was sitting in the middle of the classroom, surrounded by a group of people. The group had been chatting heatedly, but the classroom fell silent the moment Li Shuo arrived.

A few seconds later, Li Hongmei let out a cold laugh and said to Li Shuo, "Our great hero is back. I heard you went to catch a thief? Did you catch him?"

"I wouldn't dare call myself a hero; I just did what I could," Li Shuo replied nonchalantly, acting as if he hadn't heard the sarcasm in her voice.

Unable to contain her irritation, Li Hongmei stood up from her chair. "Don't get cocky just because you're being praised. Who else is as showy as you? It was just a thief next door, yet you actually skipped Menghan's birthday celebration..."

What a ridiculous thing to say. Thinking of the comments he used to see on Weibo and Xiaohongshu in his past life, Li Shuo almost burst out laughing.

This time, he didn't even have to speak; Jiang Menghan pulled Li Hongmei aside and whispered something, after which Li Hongmei sat back down sullenly.

Then, unexpectedly, Jiang Menghan smiled at Li Shuo and took the initiative to strike up a conversation: "Li Shuo, I'm sorry. It was so late yesterday that I couldn't wait for you. You don't mind, do you?"

This girl seemed to have become quite "tea-like" (manipulative) after not seeing her for a few days.

Li Shuo had been treating them like playing children, but now he felt a bit of sentimentality. He said, "I do mind a little. Not being able to celebrate your birthday leaves me with a bit of regret. But as long as the flowers arrived..."

Jiang Menghan's smile became somewhat forced. Before coming today, she had been thinking to herself that she should be nicer to him once she saw him. Without this "simp" liking her, she felt a sense of emptiness. She hadn't expected him to become so decisive.

"Those peonies of yours..."

Jiang Menghan originally wanted to ask: *Is the language of the flowers you sent truly 'farewell'?* She cared about that.

But before she could finish, the figure of their homeroom teacher, Mr. Wang, appeared at the door. At the same time, Li Hongmei pulled her aside and muttered, "Menghan, why are you talking so much to him? Can't you see how annoying this guy has become?"

Li Shuo really wanted to laugh: *You say I've become annoying now, but when I was "very nice" before, I didn't see you being nice to me either.*

"Class..."

Mr. Wang entered the room and stood at the podium, first giving a few sentimental words, then distributing the standard answers for the Gaokao so everyone could estimate their scores before filling out their university preferences.

Since it wasn't a formal lesson, the atmosphere in the classroom was lively. Some people who estimated high scores would cheer and shout loudly, while those who estimated poorly would lean back in their seats in disappointment, offering a forced smile and saying they might have to repeat a year when asked.

Li Shuo pretended to look down at the answer key, but he wasn't actually calculating his score at all. Just then, someone unexpectedly approached him.

"Li Shuo, how did you do?"

Looking up, he saw Kang Tao's eager eyes. Was this kid looking for trouble because of Jiang Menghan?

Li Shuo said calmly, "Average. How about you?"

At his question, a wide, proud smile bloomed on Kang Tao's face. He lifted his head slightly. "Pretty close. It should be above 580. If I choose well, I can get into a first-tier university..."

"Oh, congratulations."

Li Shuo smiled, feeling relieved. As long as he wasn't looking for a fight, it was fine. He could deal with bickering with kids, but a physical fight would be too undignified.

He thought Kang Tao had just come over to show off and that it would end there, but to his surprise, the boy plopped down right next to him and said enthusiastically, "Hey, do you know what score Jiang Menghan estimated?"

"I really don't know."

Li Shuo shook his head. Perhaps he knew in his past life, but his memory was long gone. He only vaguely remembered that Jiang Menghan and Kang Tao went to the same school, but he had forgotten which one.

"580! The same as me! Isn't that a coincidence..."

Kang Tao was full of excitement, as if he had scored 680.

"Mm-hmm, quite a coincidence. You two are quite destined..." Li Shuo echoed casually.

This only made Kang Tao more energized. "Right? I knew it! Hehe, I'll go check what preferences Jiang Menghan fills in later, and then I'll just copy her list directly."

*So, that is why you scored dozens of points higher than Jiang Menghan but ended up at a different university.*

While Kang Tao was chatting heatedly with Li Shuo, Li Hongmei couldn't stand it anymore and shouted toward them, "Hey, Kang Tao, over there..."

Kang Tao froze and snapped back, "Li Hongmei, seriously? We're all classmates, why are you dividing us into 'over here' and 'over there'?"

Li Shuo was also getting a bit annoyed. This guy was like a clingy fly, buzzing in front of him—he wasn't biting, but he was incredibly irritating.

So, he asked directly, "Li Hongmei, what score did you get? Which school are you planning to apply for?"

Li Hongmei retorted with a cold face, "And how much did *you* get?"

(End of Chapter)