Chapter 2: Day 2

Two days later, the joint examination results were finally officially released.

The difficulty of this exam had sharply increased, making it harder than previous mock exams, and students’ scores were predictably low.

As the teachers put it, the results were a “mess.”

However, the students couldn’t be entirely blamed. With the college entrance exam approaching, releasing such a difficult paper to undermine students’ confidence was likely a foolish move by the teachers responsible for setting the questions. High school seniors already face immense pressure, and their mental state can easily collapse. As soon as the results were out, many indeed complained about not wanting to take the college entrance exam anymore, suggesting they’d rather just go work in a factory.

The teachers could only comfort everyone, assuring them that this exam was unusually difficult and the actual college entrance exam wouldn’t be as challenging.

While most people didn’t perform well, some still did, like Bo Jiangxin, who once again secured first place.

Chen Jinghua was especially proud. During his class that day, he praised Bo Jiangxin effusively in front of the entire class.

At this level of intelligence gap, others no longer felt any need for jealousy. They were simply envious and amazed, wondering what kind of genius he was, perhaps having grown up eating eight walnuts. They also felt a sense of pride, thinking how impressive it was to be in the same class as Bo Jiangxin.

Among them, Xiang Di felt the most proud.

He truly lived up to being the person who captured her heart at first sight during the freshman orientation ceremony in her first year of high school, and whom she had liked for a full three years.

Her foresight was excellent.

Then, Chen Jinghua’s tone shifted, and he added, “Besides Bo Jiangxin, I’d like to specifically mention another student for this joint exam.”

“—Xiang Di.”

Xiang Di hadn’t fully processed it yet, only hearing her old homeroom teacher call her name.

“Huh?”

Being called out by the homeroom teacher in front of the whole class immediately drew everyone’s gaze, and the girl’s face instantly flushed, her body stiffening with visible bewilderment.

Why was he suddenly calling her name?

Had she done something wrong?

Fortunately, it wasn’t bad news. Chen Jinghua directly praised her significant improvement in this joint exam.

After praising her, Chen Jinghua continued, “So, some individuals in our class, they complain about not wanting to study after doing poorly on just one exam. With such poor stress resilience, how will you get into college? Look at Xiang Di; her mindset is much more stable than yours. The college entrance exam is half about your true abilities—how well you’ve learned these past three years—and half about your mindset, got it? It’s your senior year; there’s not much time left. After class, ask others more, inquire about how they usually relieve study pressure.”

Being publicly praised by the homeroom teacher, though secretly pleased, was truly quite embarrassing. Xiang Di blushed slightly, and her deskmate, Liang Qianqian, quietly gave her a thumbs-up: “Awesome.”

“But Xiang Di, you still need to work harder on your chemistry,” Chen Jinghua continued.

“I looked at your paper; you got several basic questions wrong. Next time, be more careful.”

There was nothing she could do about it; chemistry truly wasn’t Xiang Di’s strong suit.

Xiang Di nodded obediently, indicating that she would definitely work harder next time.

Seeing her so modest and well-behaved, Chen Jinghua was satisfied and gently told her to sit down.

After his speech, Chen Jinghua began reviewing the exam.

Xiang Di was still immersed in a mix of nervousness and excitement, unable to fully recover.

The teacher had just praised her in front of the entire class.

Bo Jiangxin… he must have heard it too, right?

Now he should know her name, and he’d definitely have an impression of her.

Perhaps, he might even think she’s an excellent student and view her in a new light.

Those chemistry formulas she hated memorizing the most on the chemistry paper suddenly seemed adorable at this moment.

Thinking about all this made Xiang Di so happy.

It was another joyful day.

When the class ended and Chen Jinghua had just left, several girls rushed over to ask Xiang Di how she usually relieved stress.

Someone actually came to ask for advice.

Looking at the expectant eyes of the girls, Xiang Di hesitated for a moment.

Not wanting to disappoint them, Xiang Di could only share some normal stress-relief methods, such as taking a walk and enjoying the breeze when tired from studying, looking at the scenery outside, and giving her eyes and brain a break.

Xiang Di said, “Having a sweet bubble tea when feeling anxious is quite effective.”

She wasn’t just talking nonsense; there was a scientific basis for it. Sweet foods can stimulate the brain to secrete neurotransmitters like dopamine, which can regulate emotions.

The girls all agreed with this method, as everyone loves bubble tea. While snacks aren’t allowed in class, drinks are fine. One girl asked, “Do you have any recommended bubble teas?”

Xiang Di said, “Cheese Milk Cap Four Seasons Spring.”

“Hot or cold? How much sugar? Any toppings?”

The study session suddenly turned into a bubble tea discussion. When Ye Minjia and Bo Jiangxin passed by, the girls were still enthusiastically discussing.

Walking out of the classroom, Ye Minjia casually suggested to Bo Jiangxin, “Want to go buy a bubble tea?”

Bo Jiangxin raised an eyebrow.

Ye Minjia: “Are you coming or not? I’ll treat you.”

His sudden suggestion to drink bubble tea clearly indicated he had heard the conversation of those girls.

Ye Minjia had made a mistake in this joint exam, dropping more than twenty places in his grade ranking, and was directly kicked out of the top fifty.

Once a person is hit hard, they tend to pin their hopes on some unreliable metaphysical methods.

Since his friend didn’t do well, Bo Jiangxin didn’t want to dampen his spirits and said in a flat tone, “Let’s go.”

Although he didn’t believe a mere cup of bubble tea could have such a miraculous effect.

The reason that girl named Xiang Di made such great progress was most likely because she had better study methods, but she just wasn’t willing to share them with others.

Bo Jiangxin subtly glanced back at the classroom.

The girls were still excitedly discussing bubble tea, and Xiang Di sat among them.

Suddenly, as if receiving some kind of summons, her gaze met Bo Jiangxin’s from outside the classroom.

Her clear and round eyes instantly widened, hiding a hint of unspeakable guilt.

Oh my goodness, this unexpected eye contact almost stopped her heart. Xiang Di quickly averted her gaze.

When she looked back outside the classroom, Bo Jiangxin was already gone.

The eye contact just now was indeed merely a coincidence; he didn’t care about it at all. Only she was so nervous that her breathing paused for a few seconds.

But thankfully, she had long been accustomed to this kind of disparity.

There was no helping it; unrequited love was like this—one moment heaven, the next hell.

Xiang Di’s expression was very subtle; no one noticed her sadness. This was her secret alone.

In fact, for her, the most effective way to relieve stress wasn’t drinking bubble tea.

It was… someone else.

However, it was a bit abnormal, so she couldn’t share it with anyone.

To verify if drinking bubble tea was effective, Liang Qianqian immediately decided to go buy a cup during lunch break.

The bubble tea shop was bustling at noon. By the time they finished eating, the shop was already packed.

The two girls finally managed to squeeze in, with many people queuing to order. They thought to themselves that they were in for a long wait.

Amidst the crowd, Xiang Di suddenly focused, spotting a back that was all too familiar.

Even though that back wore the same school uniform as everyone else, she could recognize it at a glance.

This was her special ability.

It was Bo Jiangxin.

Her heart rate suddenly quickened again. What a coincidence; this was the second coincidence of the day.

He wouldn’t know that every coincidence with him was a moment of happiness in her tedious and difficult senior year, and even if it was just by chance, it didn’t stop Xiang Di’s mood from becoming joyful in that second.

With him was the class monitor, Ye Minjia, which didn’t surprise her.

These two were not only deskmates but also always moved together after class, like conjoined twins.

Xiang Di was practically dying of envy for Ye Minjia.

Liang Qianqian beside her sighed, “Oh my god, so many people.”

Xiang Di pursed her lips, indicating there was nothing they could do.

Liang Qianqian suddenly spoke, “Hey, isn’t that our class monitor in front? Ye Minjia!”

The boy turned his head, and it was indeed Ye Minjia.

After all, they were girls from the same class, and he had to look out for them.

Ye Minjia fully displayed his social prowess.

After getting nods from the students behind him, he let the two of them go to the front to order.

“Thank you, classmate. I wish you 750 on your college entrance exam.”

Liang Qianqian pulled Xiang Di forward. Xiang Di pursed her lips and secretly smiled, thinking to herself that she was truly a lucky girl today.

Suddenly, two girls squeezed up beside him.

Bo Jiangxin instinctively lowered his head.

Ye Minjia explained, “They’re girls from our class; let them order first.”

Bo Jiangxin hummed and slightly turned his body, signaling for the two girls to stand in front.

Liang Qianqian was very polite to Bo Jiangxin: “Thank you.”

She wasn’t very familiar with Bo Jiangxin, mainly because he was too aloof.

Fortunately, Ye Minjia was there; otherwise, she definitely wouldn’t have dared to ask Bo Jiangxin to help them cut in line.

Looking at the clear and indifferent eyes of her crush, Xiang Di tried her best to steady herself and silently moved to stand in front of him.

In the noisy bubble tea shop, the four of them stood close together. The queue behind them suddenly pushed forward, and Xiang Di suddenly felt a warm wall touch her back.

The bubble tea shop was filled with sweet aromas, but that distinctively clear and steady scent was stronger than any other sensation.

Her heartbeat went out of sync. Xiang Di widened her eyes, not daring to move or speak.

Bo Jiangxin’s indifferent voice sounded behind her.

“Excuse me.”

Due to the pushing, he accidentally bumped into Xiang Di, and the boy standing behind him also accidentally touched him.

The moment he was touched, Bo Jiangxin clearly heard the boy cursing in his mind.

[Which idiot is pushing forward? Haven’t they ever had bubble tea in their life?]

Then, he heard another voice, not a complaint mixed with vulgar language, but a very sweet and soft voice.

[He touched me! He touched me!!!]

[We had physical contact!!!]

[What a great day it is!!! I’m so happy, boohoohoo!! Thank you, God Mama, thank you, Buddha Papa, I’m willing to devote my whole life to worship you—]

Why did she suddenly start singing?

His mind was disturbed by this unfamiliar inner voice, but the girl in front didn’t even turn her head, only replied to him, “It’s fine.”

It was her?

Bo Jiangxin looked suspicious, took a step back, and distanced himself from the girl in front of him.

The inner voice instantly disappeared again, and only the chirping conversations of others in the bubble tea shop filled his ears.

By this time, it was their turn. Ye Minjia let the two girls order first.

Liang Qianqian, of course, ordered the Cheese Milk Cap Four Seasons Spring that Xiang Di recommended, but Xiang Di said, “You guys order first; I haven’t decided what to drink yet.”

“Alright then.”

Ye Minjia also ordered Cheese Milk Cap, and it was full sugar.

Liang Qianqian kindly reminded him, “Class monitor, full sugar is very sweet.”

“It’s fine. Occasionally, a little sweetness helps relax the mood.” Ye Minjia looked at Bo Jiangxin, “What do you want to drink?”

Bo Jiangxin didn’t order Cheese Milk Cap; he didn’t like the cheese flavor, finding it too sweet and rich.

He casually scanned the menu and ordered a Peach Four Seasons Spring.

To get Bo Jiangxin to accompany him to buy bubble tea, Bo Jiangxin’s cup was treated by Ye Minjia.

As a gentleman with good family conditions, Ye Minjia originally wanted to treat the two girls’ bubble teas as well, but the two girls insisted on not accepting.

There were too many people. Ye Minjia paid and immediately made way for those queuing behind.

Ye Minjia said as he walked out, “Excuse me, excuse me.”

When they turned around, even though both had tried their best to avoid it, the space was so limited that they still accidentally brushed against others.

Bo Jiangxin closed his eyes helplessly, but he couldn’t stop various inner voices from drilling into his mind.

This was why he disliked being in crowds: as long as there was physical contact, he couldn’t avoid hearing others’ inner thoughts.

The shop was already noisy, and under this double torment, Bo Jiangxin could only try his best to suppress his inner irritation and leave quickly.

Amidst the jumbled inner voices, when he accidentally touched someone again, he heard that inner voice once more.

This time, she wasn’t singing, nor was she worshipping anyone.

Her tone was excited, joyful, and mixed with a hint of shyness.

[So he likes peach-flavored drinks, okay, taste preference get! Another day full of gains~]

[Then I want to drink the same one as my husband~]

Bo Jiangxin frowned again.

Husband? Him?