Chapter 8: The Misfortunes of Li Fan and Yang Tong

In the final sprint toward the college entrance examination, every day at school was either spent taking tests or practicing problems.

All the subject teachers of Class 2, Grade 12, noticed a peculiar phenomenon.

It began with the English teacher.

Zhou Chen, a student in the class, had scored only 102 on the exam before last, a middling result.

Yet, in the most recent exam, he achieved an astounding 128 points—a rapid and remarkable improvement.

Moreover, the English test this time was more challenging than the previous one.

In the teacher’s office, the English teacher was grading papers and soon reached Zhou Chen’s.

She ticked off answers steadily until she came to the final English essay.

The handwriting was neat, the grammar precise, and the content complete—a model essay worthy of a perfect score.

“Zhou Chen, full marks—150!” the English teacher couldn’t help but exclaim.

Not far away, Gu Zhaoyue, working at her computer, heard the teacher and quickly came over.

She picked up Zhou Chen’s paper, smiling warmly at the elegant script.

“This boy’s talent for learning is almost terrifyingly extraordinary!” Gu Zhaoyue remarked in admiration.

Originally, she had started tutoring Zhou Chen at his home out of concern—he had been injured while performing a brave act.

She didn’t want such a young hero to lose precious study time because of his injury.

But unexpectedly, she had uncovered a rare genius.

First, Zhou Chen scored full marks in Chinese, only losing two points for presentation.

Then, in a short span, he also achieved full marks in English.

At this rate, might her class not only produce the top student in the humanities but also the top in the sciences?

The thought stirred Gu Zhaoyue’s heart deeply.

...

In class, Zhou Chen continued his revision as usual.

His English was no longer a problem—he could guarantee a perfect score every time.

Now, he was focusing on mathematics.

Math wasn’t about memory alone; it demanded logical thinking.

“Zhou Chen, what is the theme of this poem?” a female classmate asked, leaning over with a test paper.

“It expresses the author’s indignation at social injustice and reflections on life’s impermanence,” he replied.

“Oh, thank you!” she said gratefully.

During breaks, many students struggling in Chinese approached Zhou Chen for help.

His explanations were always direct and insightful, pinpointing the crux of the problem, which gave these students sudden clarity.

As a fellow student, Zhou Chen understood exactly what difficulties they faced.

Once they grasped the key to the problem logically, they could easily solve similar questions in the future.

However, Zhou Chen himself was troubled by a question in math and planned to consult the math teacher.

“Zhou Chen, there’s a question I don’t get either,” a clear, pretty face said as Zhou Chen looked up.

This face, however, carried a cold aura—not directed at Zhou Chen, but naturally aloof.

“What question? Even the school’s belle Cai doesn’t know?” the surrounding students whispered curiously, though none dared approach due to Cai Yaming’s imposing presence.

Cai Yaming naturally sat beside Zhou Chen, holding a Chinese test paper and seeking his help.

The question was indeed difficult.

What puzzled Zhou Chen was that, given Cai Yaming’s strength in Chinese, she shouldn’t have had a problem with it.

But since she had come to him for help, he couldn’t refuse.

He patiently explained his thought process, pointing out points deducted in her essay and offering improved writing strategies.

Cai Yaming was silent for a long moment before sighing, “I’m no match for you in Chinese.”

Her words caused an uproar among the nearby students.

Everyone knew Cai Yaming had dominated first place in Chinese for three consecutive years and served as the class monitor and Chinese representative.

Now she admitted to being inferior to Zhou Chen in the subject!

Zhou Chen said nothing more on the matter.

“Cai, think through your writing ideas first. I need to ask the teacher a question,” he said.

Cai Yaming grasped his arm, “No need, just ask me.”

Seeming to avoid misunderstanding, she added, “The teacher says classmates should help each other and answer questions mutually; it benefits both sides.”

Seeing Zhou Chen hesitate, she added teasingly, “What, you think I’m not qualified to help you with math?”

“All right,” he agreed.

Witnessing this, the students whispered behind their hands.

Cai Yaming had always been the icy school beauty, often going a whole day without speaking.

Now, she had spoken more in one moment than usual in half a month.

“Do you think Cai likes Zhou Chen?” someone asked.

“No way. She’s so beautiful and even has a chauffeur. Her family must be wealthy. There’s an obvious generation gap between them.”

“So what if she’s rich? Does having money mean she can’t date?”

In such an intense academic atmosphere, romantic speculation between boys and girls was always a welcome distraction.

...

As a prominent figure at City No.1 High School, the news of Cai Yaming asking Zhou Chen for help spread quickly.

The first topic was: Zhou Chen had become the school’s top student in Chinese, even surpassing Cai Yaming.

Consequently, students from other classes also flocked to Zhou Chen for help with Chinese.

This development deeply unsettled Li Fan from Class 1.

Lately, his grades had been declining day by day without explanation; knowledge he once remembered clearly was slipping away.

Especially with the recent English exam—rumor had it Zhou Chen scored full marks.

If his current scores were translated to previous mock exams, Zhou Chen’s total score would easily exceed 600!

At this pace, he might soon surpass Li Fan himself.

This was something Li Fan couldn’t accept.

Yang Tong felt equally distressed.

Because Li Fan’s scores were falling, his temper grew increasingly volatile.

He had even struck Yang Tong a few times, let alone helped her study.

He couldn’t even maintain his current grades.

Passing by Class 2, Grade 12, each time seeing Zhou Chen surrounded by a cluster of students seeking help in Chinese—many of whom were top students from other classes—made him regretful beyond words.

But as things stood, he could only hope Li Fan would regain his composure and assist with studies once stable.

Before Li Fan could recover, however, he received a breakup notice.

The reason: Li Fan’s homeroom teacher from Class 1 had summoned him to discuss how early romantic involvement was affecting his studies, especially in this final critical stage.

He was therefore required to break up with Yang Tong.

Even Li Fan thought Yang Tong was a jinx who brought misfortune.

When he was with Zhou Chen, his grades had also slipped—from the upper-middle tier to lower-middle.

Now, after breaking up with Yang Tong, he was first in Chinese and English, and his math scores had improved remarkably.

On the very first day after the breakup, his performance showed a clear improvement.

This only strengthened Li Fan’s belief that all his problems had stemmed from Yang Tong.

She was a jinx, destined to bring bad luck.

Yet, the truth was that Zhou Chen hadn’t come to school today, and no soul-devouring parasite had been sent to absorb his spiritual energy.

Because the police had come knocking...