Chapter 26: Top Liberal Arts Student in the City

Wang Donglai didn't actually care about the things Hu Yujie and her group had said earlier.

Once the Gaokao was over, they would have no further interaction.

The words they spoke caused him no loss whatsoever; they sounded more like the wails of losers.

However, when Guo Xing and Chen Mengni stood up to defend him, Wang Donglai did not choose to refuse their support.

Later, when the crowd rose up in unison to denounce Hu Yujie and the others, a sense of emotion stirred within Wang Donglai's heart.

Previously, when Wang Donglai had been in conflict with Liu Feng, no one had stepped forward to speak a word of justice for him.

Now, even though Hu Yujie was clearly more difficult to deal with, she had directly incited public indignation and was being targeted by everyone.

There was only one reason for this shift between then and now.

And that was Wang Donglai's grades.

No one was a fool; a studying genius whose grades had improved by leaps and bounds was naturally more valuable than an ordinary, unremarkable classmate.

Sometimes, Wang Donglai felt it was a bit tedious.

Although he had returned to his high school days at eighteen, he no longer possessed the youthful vigor or the fantasies about the world that an eighteen-year-old boy should have.

That simple and passionate Wang Donglai had long since vanished in his previous life.

At this moment, he could see through the petty schemes of his classmates at a glance, and he could instantly understand the reasons behind his roommates' changes.

It was tedious, yet it possessed a very authentic sense of real life.

Eighteen-year-old high school seniors might lack the shrewdness and calculation of adults, but they had their own thoughts and ideas.

"You guys actually didn't have to do that."

Sitting at his desk, Wang Donglai said this to Chen Mengni and Guo Xing.

"That won't do. I can't accept someone like her talking about you that way."

Chen Mengni's expression was calm, but her eyes were bright and her words were firm.

"No matter how others see you, I know you aren't that kind of person, and I won't just stand by and let others slander you like that," Guo Xing added immediately after Chen Mengni, expressing her own thoughts.

Nodding with a smile on his face, Wang Donglai glanced at the two of them and said, "Alright, this matter is over. Don't keep it in your hearts. Your foundations aren't solid enough yet, so hurry up and get back to your books and revision."

"Mhm!"

"Mhm!"

The two girls exchanged a glance and then quieted down to continue reading.

...

The results of the second city-wide mock exam were released.

The smile on Meng Fang's face never faded; it was a brilliance that the students of Class 14 had never seen before.

"Ahem!"

"The results of this mock exam are out. All the high school seniors in the city took this same set of papers."

"The top scorer in the liberal arts category for the entire city is from our school—and from our class."

As Meng Fang spoke, the classroom instantly erupted into an uproar.

"Holy crap, is he that awesome?!"

"Wang Donglai is a beast!"

"First in the city for liberal arts? Just how many points did he get this time?!"

"Terrifying. I can't even imagine it!"

In their shock, the students ignored the fact that their teacher was still on the podium, letting out curses and exclamations of amazement.

Hearing the students' outbursts, Meng Fang did not stop them immediately.

Only after everyone had calmed down slightly did Meng Fang continue, "Wang Donglai scored 136 in Chinese, 138 in Math, 133 in English, 85 in Politics, 83 in Geography, and 87 in History. His total score is 663. He is first in the city for liberal arts. Everyone, let's give him a round of applause!"

As she spoke, Meng Fang took the lead in clapping.

*Clap, clap, clap...*

Following her lead, a thunderous wave of applause erupted.

It lasted for about a minute before slowly tapering off.

"Aside from Wang Donglai, the progress of Chen Mengni and Guo Xing has also been very rapid. Everyone should learn from them. Do you hear me?"

After announcing Wang Donglai's scores, Meng Fang mentioned Chen Mengni and Guo Xing.

This time, the looks directed at Wang Donglai became even more fervent, while the looks directed at Guo Xing and Chen Mengni were filled with even stronger jealousy and envy.

"Tomorrow, during evening self-study, the school will hold a meeting for the high school seniors. You will take your seats according to the arrangements. Song Yi, you are responsible for this."

"Wang Donglai, the school would like you to give another speech to share your study methods. You can also use your example to motivate your classmates. Are you willing?"

"If you aren't willing, I will go to the Dean of Students and ask to cancel the speech."

Meng Fang did not approach Wang Donglai privately about this; instead, she asked him directly from the podium.

Wang Donglai looked up at Meng Fang on the podium. She was smiling brightly, looking spirited, and her eyes held a faint trace of expectation as she looked at him. He made his decision.

"Teacher, I have no problem with the speech."

"Good. I trust your ability; I'm not worried about the content of the speech."

Meng Fang nodded with a smile, her words filled with trust in Wang Donglai.

Turning back to face the students below, the smile on her face slowly receded, replaced by a serious and stern expression.

"Now that that's settled, I have something else to say."

"The Gaokao is approaching. The school will not exert excessive discipline on those who refuse to study, but we will absolutely not allow anyone to interfere with the studies of those who want to learn."

"Some of you may choose not to study, and I can ignore that. Even if you sleep in class, play on your phones, wear makeup, or drink, I can turn a blind eye, as long as you don't cause trouble."

"But right now, Wang Donglai has been listed by the school and the Education Bureau as a key talent to be cultivated. As a top candidate for the Gaokao, you are not allowed to disturb his studies. If anyone refuses to listen, I will send you directly to the Disciplinary Office. At that point, I'll call your parents to come and pick you up, and the school will no longer be responsible for your Gaokao."

"Don't think I'm joking or coddling you. Do not gamble with your own future. In these final moments, it is best for everyone to part on good terms—for you and for the school. Do not force the school to issue you a formal disciplinary action at the very last minute."

Meng Fang spoke with extreme gravity, her eyes like knives as she stared coldly at Liu Feng, Hu Yujie, and their group in the last row.

Everyone knew these words were directed at them, and they knew it.

But seeing how serious Meng Fang's expression was and how grave her words were, Hu Yujie and Liu Feng couldn't help but feel uneasy.

Facing Meng Fang's stern warning, they could only keep their heads down, not daring to look up for fear that any hint of defiance might be caught by her.

No one was surprised that Meng Fang had learned about what happened in the classroom.

However, no one had expected her to say something like this.

Her protection and favoritism toward Wang Donglai were no longer disguised; she was displaying them clearly and openly.

Shock, envy, jealousy.

A multitude of emotions rose within the hearts of the students.

Naturally, Meng Fang could guess the emotions of the crowd, so she continued, "Don't think that I am being unfair or that the school is unfair. A school is fundamentally a place for learning. It is only right that students who perform well receive special treatment. If you feel it is unfair, then raise your own grades, and you will receive the same treatment."

"Soon, you will all leave high school. You will either go to a university or a vocational college, or you will enter society to work. Girls will marry within a couple of years—these are the realities of society. As a teacher, I must not only teach you academic knowledge but also make you understand these simple truths of life."

"You can all see Wang Donglai's grades. Therefore, you should realize one thing: if he performs normally, it is certain that he will get into a prestigious school. As for what it means for you to have a classmate and friend from a prestigious university, you can think about that yourselves."

"What I am saying is somewhat blunt, but it is the truth. Think about it carefully after class."

Her words were very direct and very realistic.

The many students below appeared lost in thought, clearly having taken her words to heart.