Movies and TV: Neighbor Qiao Yingzi, Crazy Pursuit of Song Qian and Wen Jie

“Oh, by the way, since Su Bai managed a perfect score on last year’s physics paper, it shows that his abilities shouldn’t be underestimated. You might need to work harder, or your top-ranking position might be at risk.”

“Also, we’ve got a new transfer student today in our class. He’s Fang Yifan’s cousin and scored over 730 marks last year. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself.”

Hearing this, Qiao Yingzi was nearly in tears.

It dawned on her that everything Su Bai had said earlier might have been a trap.

Su Bai’s grades were exceptional; he could very well aim for the top position. Now, there was also this formidable contender who scored over 730 marks last year. Her number one spot was in jeopardy.

If she lost her position as the top student, her dream of going out to play would be utterly shattered. Not only that, but she would likely have to endure her mother’s endless nagging at home.

Thinking about this, Qiao Yingzi felt like her world was falling apart.

How am I to survive this?

She regretted discussing this matter with Li Meng earlier. Wasn’t she just inviting unnecessary misery?

When Qiao Yingzi left, Li Meng, however, began to ponder other matters.

If Su Bai could achieve a perfect score in physics, I will need to take a good look at his performance in other subjects. And if indeed he is an academic prodigy, with the newly transferred Lin Leier, then Chunfeng High School would surely shine this year.

With that thought, Li Meng decided to talk to Su Bai later to assess his overall academic standing.

’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’

“Su Bai, come over and take a look.”

When Su Bai arrived at the classroom, Geng Geng immediately called him over.

“What’s the mysterious act all about?”

Without saying much, Geng Geng took out her camera and started showing Su Bai the photos she had taken during the Gaokao Motivation Assembly.

“I must say, Geng Geng, your photography skills are quite impressive. It’d be a waste if you didn’t become a professional photographer.”

“Except… why are most of the photos of me? Could it be that you secretly like me, so you deliberately took so many pictures of me and made them look so good?”

Flustered, as though her secret had been exposed, Geng Geng hurriedly snatched the camera back.

“Stop talking nonsense! You’re my deskmate, and you helped me get this opportunity that day. That’s the only reason I took a few more shots of you.”

“Well, I must admit, you do look rather photogenic compared to others. That’s why I took more pictures of you.”

“In that case, I’ll humbly accept your compliment. Being handsome might be my only redeeming quality.”

“Ugh, you’re shameless.”

Geng Geng ignored Su Bai’s comment and buried herself in her books.

Geng Geng wasn’t someone with naturally stellar grades. She had barely made it into Zhenhua High School by sheer luck, and transferring to Chunfeng High School felt like an even greater stroke of fortune.

[Zhenhua High School (振华高中, Zhènhuá Gāozhōng): A fictional prestigious school often referenced in contemporary Chinese youth novels.]

She knew she had to work twice as hard; otherwise, it would be too easy for others to surpass her.

Su Bai, noticing her determination, didn’t disturb her any further.

“Geng Geng, if there’s anything you don’t understand, feel free to ask me. Having a brilliant deskmate like me and not making use of it would be such a waste.”

Geng Geng glanced at Su Bai with a hint of mischief and said, half-jokingly, “Alright then, how about solving the problem Yingzi wrote on the board at the back of the classroom?”

She didn’t believe Su Bai was all that extraordinary. After all, he had come from abroad, and the education system there differed significantly from China’s.

Su Bai walked to the back of the classroom, where a challenging problem awaited him on the small blackboard—the hallmark of Class Three, Grade Twelve. Most of these problems were contributed by Qiao Yingzi, the class’s academic star.

She couldn’t solve it, and if she couldn’t, it usually meant no one else in the class could either.

“Alright, watch and learn,” Su Bai said nonchalantly.

He quickly picked up a piece of chalk and started writing on the blackboard. Within two minutes, he solved the problem and even demonstrated three distinct methods.

The entire classroom was left in stunned silence.