Chapter 31: The Roommate's Intentions (Thanks to Xie Xiaoxiang for the support with monthly tickets by the water)

Chenlong Hotel.

It wasn't the most luxurious hotel in Anshui County, nor was it even the best place to eat.

However, because the owner of Chenlong Hotel had been rooted there for many years and had made many connections, combined with his willingness to spend on high-quality ingredients, business was extremely good.

After school, Wang Donglai and his four companions walked straight out of the school gates, hailed two taxis, and headed straight for Chenlong Hotel.

With the Gaokao approaching, many high school seniors were gathering together to find a restaurant to eat.

They would order a table full of dishes, bring a few cases of beer, and have a good drink to vent the melancholy of their impending separation.

When Wang Donglai and the others arrived at Chenlong Hotel, Song Yi appeared slightly more mature, greeting Wang Donglai with enthusiasm and thoughtfulness.

Since they had reserved a private room in advance, Song Yi simply gave their names, and the group entered the room.

The interior of the private room was decorated in a quite classical style, possessing a certain elegance.

Upon entering the room, everyone seemed very excited.

"How about we have a couple of beers today? The alcohol content is low, so if we drink a little, we shouldn't get drunk," Song Yi asked, looking at Wang Donglai after they sat down.

"No need. We are still students for now, and we have to study this afternoon. Drinking will have an impact," Wang Donglai refused without the slightest hesitation.

"Donglai is right, drinking will interfere. Then let's just have some juice and soft drinks," Song Yi said with a smile, showing no displeasure at being rejected.

Time passed quickly.

Dishes were brought out one after another, all of them being the signature specialties of Chenlong Hotel.

Dongpo Pork Hock, sautéed large intestines, scallion beef, braised prawns, Yu-Xiang shredded pork, Kung Pao chicken, braised pork belly...

Almost all of them were heavy, meat-based dishes, and once served, they released an enticing aroma.

"Enough talk, let's eat first!"

Song Yi didn't waste words. With a call to the group, he immediately picked up his chopsticks and placed a piece of food in front of Wang Donglai.

"Donglai, you've been tired from studying lately. Eat more to nourish yourself."

His movements were smooth and natural, without a hint of awkwardness or shyness.

"Everyone eat. If you don't eat your fill during a day of classes, it's truly a hardship," Wang Donglai said calmly. He didn't have any special reaction to Song Yi's gesture; instead, he smiled and invited the others to eat.

"Eat!"

Huang Cheng was not polite either; he had already grabbed a chicken leg and was feasting heartily.

High school is the tail end of adolescent development, and combined with the heavy study load and being eighteen or nineteen-year-old boys, their appetites were massive.

Since they were all boys, once they started eating, no one cared about manners or decorum, and everyone began to dig in.

Often, a single bite would leave a gap in the dish.

After eating continuously for about ten minutes, the group finally felt about half to two-thirds full and slowly slowed down.

"Donglai, let's make a toast. Even though this isn't alcohol, what I'm about to say comes from my heart."

"There are over a thousand people in our grade. We were placed in the same class, and in our class of fifty-six people, with over twenty boys, the fact that the five of us can live in the same dormitory is incredible fate. My dad always tells me that high school friends are lifelong friends. Any earlier and we wouldn't be mature enough; after university, everyone goes to different corners of the country and it's hard to truly connect. Only friends made in high school are true friends. In my heart, Donglai, Liu Jun, Wangcai, and Huang Cheng—you are all my best friends."

"I didn't feel much before because we lived in the same dorm and the Gaokao was still far away. But now, with the Gaokao right around the corner, the thought of us separating makes me realize the depth of our friendship."

"Donglai is definitely going to Tsinghua or Peking University. Among the five of us, only Donglai can make it to a top university, and after graduation, you'll probably be the most successful."

"If you strike it rich, don't forget us. If Donglai takes off, don't forget us, okay?"

Song Yi held a glass of juice and spoke to Wang Donglai with a mix of sincerity and bravado. Without waiting for an answer, he looked around the table, tilted his head back, and downed his juice.

Seeing this, Wang Donglai said nothing and followed suit, drinking his juice.

"Donglai, I'm actually a bit curious about your revision methods. Since we live in the same dorm, could you explain them to us?"

After sitting down, Song Yi leaned toward Wang Donglai and asked as if casually.

Upon hearing this, the room seemed to fall silent for a moment.

Wang Donglai looked around, a smile appearing on his face, and said, "You all saw how I revise. Actually, there aren't really any great tricks or shortcuts. The first step is to make a revision plan and follow it."

"The second step is to persist. For example, I wake up around six in the morning and go to bed at eleven at night. Honestly, I get sleepy too, and I don't want to wake up so early or stay up so late, but for the sake of my grades, I have to persist."

"The third step is to deeply understand the content in the books. You might not believe me, but I've flipped through those dozen or so books no less than a hundred times. There is truth to the saying that 'reading a book a hundred times allows its meaning to reveal itself.'"

"The fourth step is to keep up with the teacher's pace. On the premise of understanding the knowledge points, familiarize yourself with different question types; everything stems from the same core. In reality, as long as you master the basics, getting into a second-tier university isn't difficult."

As Wang Donglai spoke, he noticed the expressions of the others becoming somewhat unpleasant, so he stopped.

In truth, Wang Donglai knew that his words were undoubtedly empty boasts.

Studying wasn't that simple.

Just like in his past life, even though he had worked hard, he simply couldn't understand or learn, and he would get things wrong every time he tried.

Questions that others described as incredibly simple, requiring no thought and only following certain steps, seemed like indecipherable scriptures to him; there was no way for him to gain traction.

Sometimes, the gap in IQ between humans and dogs is quite large.

He used to think this was an insult, but now he knew it was true.

He had been a poor student, and by comparing himself to his current state as a super scholar, he could fully understand just how bad he had been back then.

Poor foundation, low comprehension, and lack of flexibility meant that even with rote memorization, he was still many steps behind.

"Donglai, aren't you just talking nonsense? There are many people in our class who study like you, but their grades haven't changed at all. You must have some special study technique."

Liu Jun had a grinning face, but his eyes were looking at Wang Donglai very seriously.

Huang Cheng also showed a slightly flattering smile and said, "Yeah, Donglai, if you have any good study techniques, why not tell us? Since the Gaokao is coming anyway, even if we know them, we won't compete with you for first place."

"Study techniques aren't suitable for everyone. You've all seen my study methods; I'm really not hiding anything from you."

"We live in the same dorm, and you can all see it—I don't watch online classes or buy extra tutoring books. I've just been using the books provided by the school."

"Studying is about understanding. High school knowledge isn't that hard; once you understand it, it's very simple. I just suddenly had an epiphany, and combined with hard work, I managed to raise my grades."

"We're in the same dorm; I might lie to others, but I wouldn't lie to you guys."

After saying this, Wang Donglai took a sip of juice and observed their reactions.

Liu Jun showed a look of disappointment, and Huang Cheng also appeared somewhat dejected, but Dang Caizhi and Song Yi remained composed.

"By the way, Donglai, are you planning to play both sides? Guo Xing and Chen Mengni are both quite pretty. They just don't know how to dress up right now. Once they change their hairstyles and clothes in university, they'll transform into completely different people—definitely beauties."

"I have the most experience with girls. It's like the saying goes: 'A girl changes eighteen times, becoming more beautiful with every change.' They might look like ugly girls now, but they'll turn from ugly ducklings into swans."

The topic was suddenly diverted by Song Yi toward girls, specifically toward Guo Xing and Chen Mengni, who were relatively close to Wang Donglai.

"I almost forgot, didn't you used to have a crush on Chen Mengni? Now you're bothering Guo Xing—are you really trying to play both sides?"

Hearing the gossip, Huang Cheng's eyes lit up, and he pressed for more.

"That's not true. What crush? Romance is the most boring thing. I don't plan on dating, so don't talk nonsense. We're just classmates; they were just asking me questions."

Strangely enough, after experiencing blind dating in his past life, Wang Donglai had lost faith in love.

Therefore, even though he was at the best age, and with his grades and the flirting techniques he knew, he could easily find several girlfriends if he wanted to, he chose not to.

Dating took too much mental energy, and he fundamentally looked down on being a "scumbag."

Thus, Wang Donglai currently had no thoughts regarding the two girls, and he denied it immediately upon hearing Song Yi's words.

Afterward, the group continued to eat and chat, and the topic of Wang Donglai's study techniques was not mentioned again.