Chapter 113

Chapter 113 Endless Struggle

“Let me announce this week’s physics exam results. Although the questions were difficult, one student still managed to get a perfect score, and that is our class monitor, Lin You Xi, who scored 85 points.”

“Mei Fang also did very well with an 84-point score. Don’t be careless; you’re certainly not worse than Lin You Xi.”

…

The physics teacher read out all the scores, but there was one name missing.

“Furthermore, I need to severely criticize Xia Yuan. Your performance has declined significantly this time. I don’t know what you’ve been studying, but you are the only one who failed. Go stand outside.”

Xia Yuan stood up trembling, feeling the intense gazes from everyone. Self-reproach and shame filled her heart.

Her childhood friend Lin You Xi and Mei Fang were sitting next to her, their eyes full of disappointment.

She could even see Lin You Xi whispering closely to Mei Fang, complaining disdainfully,

“Mei Fang, we shouldn’t play with Yuan Yuan anymore. She can’t keep up with us.”

“It’s true. After studying physics for so long, she got such a low score. I spent so much time helping her.”

…

Xia Yuan woke up from her dream, a tear sliding down her cheek.

She covered her face and lay in bed for a long time before getting up at her mother’s urging.

As usual, Mei Fang was waiting by Xia Yuan’s door with his bike. As soon as Xia Yuan saw him, she stopped the bike and threw herself into his arms, remaining silent.

“What’s wrong? Are you using my super energy early in the morning? Did you have another nightmare last night?”

Xia Yuan nodded, “You always understand me. In my dream, I failed the physics exam in the advanced class. You and You Xi said we shouldn’t play with me because I’m useless.”

“You’re always overthinking things.”

Mei Fang gently pinched Xia Yuan’s cheek, “Think about what kind of relationship we three have? Even if I ever get tired of you, You Xi will always stick by your side, right? Think about how we’ve been friends since kindergarten—”

“Good, you dare to get tired of me!”

Xia Yuan puffed up and swung her fists at Mei Fang.

“Pain, pain, pain… I’m just giving an example, an example. That kind of thing won’t happen.”

“Don’t give examples either.”

“I get it, I’m sorry.”

Mei Fang gently stroked Xia Yuan’s head, “It’s almost time for the science experimental class exam. It’s normal to feel stressed. I think you should relax. This weekend, I’ll take you shopping, buy some good food and fun things, or come to my house to play games and watch movies. We haven’t finished watching ‘Elevated Crisis 3’ yet, let’s call You Xi too.”

Xia Yuan shook her head, “I’m so busy now, wishing I had more time to do practice tests. There’s no time for other things. Of course, except for this—”

Xia Yuan hugged Mei Fang tightly, making him feel somewhat uncomfortable due to the intimacy.

“Yuan Yuan, um, you know, I’ve grown up, I’m a big boy now. Do you understand what I mean?”

“I know, so what?”

Xia Yuan leaned on Mei Fang’s shoulder, rubbing her cheek against his while wearing a lazy smile, “Anyway, we’re childhood friends. Even if you become a big boy, you’re still my big boy. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about…”

This mischievous girl plays with fire every day…

Thank goodness I, Mei Fang, am a gentleman in both lifetimes, only doing what a middle school student of this age should do…

When they met Lin You Xi at the intersection, Mei Fang, always eager to meddle, immediately started talking about what happened earlier.

“You know, You Xi, Yuan Yuan had a dream last night—”

Before he could finish, Xia Yuan covered his mouth from behind.

“You talk too much! Stupid Fang!”

“So, what happened?”

“Nothing… just a nightmare.”

After Xia Yuan urged them to leave, she added, “We’re leaving too late. If we don’t hurry, we’ll be late. We have a monthly exam today, so we need to start reviewing.”

Lin You Xi was surprised by Xia Yuan’s behavior because she had forgotten something.

“…Don’t you want a hug?”

Only after being reminded did Xia Yuan react and then went to hug Lin You Xi.

“I forgot to get super energy from You Xi, hehe.”

Xia Yuan stuck out her tongue apologetically, “This is my daily ritual, and I forgot to do it. I’m so irresponsible!”

“Indeed, you are acting strange today.”

Xia Yuan pouted and glared at Mei Fang before riding off.

They parked their bikes neatly in the bicycle parking lot, chatting about daily events. When they parted ways, Xia Yuan told Lin You Xi she wouldn’t eat lunch together today.

“I need to review in the classroom, so I won’t go downstairs.”

“I can bring your lunch—”

Before Lin You Xi could finish, Xia Yuan quickly waved her hand and smiled.

“No, no, Xiao Xue can bring it. You and Yuxinyi can eat together.”

“Okay… that works.”

Xia Yuan patted Lin You Xi’s shoulder, “See you later, You Xi. We’re taking the same exam.”

“Yeah… that’s right.”

Lin You Xi followed Mei Fang into the classroom. On the way, she turned back to Mei Fang and said,

“Yuan Yuan is acting strange today.”

“Yeah… it seems so… Maybe it’s because of the nightmare she had last night.”

“Do you know what nightmare she had?”

Mei Fang nodded, but remembering Xia Yuan’s reluctance, he felt conflicted.

“If Yuan Yuan doesn’t want to say, I won’t force her.”

Lin You Xi smiled slightly and lightly patted Mei Fang’s arm, “Let’s focus on preparing for today’s monthly exam.”

“Yeah.”

The monthly exams at Experimental High School are held once a month, different from the mid-term and final exams which cover all subjects. The monthly exams only test Chinese, Math, English, and Physics. Thus, the pressure is slightly less, but the rankings are still based on the scores.

As soon as Mei Fang sat down, Yue Xinyi began to put pressure on everyone.

“Have you heard? The physics paper for this month’s exam was set by Old Ke from Class 13!”

“…”

Guo Yun’s face turned dark when she heard Old Ke’s name, “Is it the Old Ke who set the physics exam in December last year?”

“Yes! You remember, that crazy physics teacher.”

Guo Yun nodded, “I used to be in Class 1. Our whole class didn’t pass the physics exam that time, and the teacher scolded us for a whole class period.”

“Haha… though it’s a bit funny, I remember I didn’t pass that exam either.”

Yue Xinyi wore a Buddha-like expression, “There’s no other way but to face it calmly. Let’s just accept the scolding. Life is about growing through scolding, anyway, the Chinese teacher will make up for it.”

Seeing that Mei Fang was interested in their conversation, Yue Xinyi immediately waved him away, “People like you and You Xi who are physics geniuses can never understand the suffering of us weaklings.”

Mei Fang teased, “I’ve noticed that people with good Chinese scores often don’t do well in physics.”

“Not entirely true! I’ve seen Xia Yuan get first place in the grade for Chinese exams, and her physics isn’t bad either.”

“Yuan Yuan’s performance isn’t very stable. It’s fine if the questions are easy, but if they’re hard, the results aren’t great.”

Listening to Mei Fang’s detailed description, Yue Xinyi’s expression gradually twisted, “Tsk tsk… thinking we’re getting along well now, you’re still showing off your childhood friendship without restraint?”

Yue Xinyi looked at Mei Fang with disdain, “Saying that Xia Yuan’s physics isn’t good is relative to you two. I remember she passed the physics exam last year. But what annoys me most is you and You Xi, with scores of 78 and 82 respectively. It’s really tough for Xia Yuan to play with you guys for so long!”

“That’s because you don’t know our Yuan Yuan.”

Mei Fang smiled and shook his head, “If I or You Xi let her off easy during exams or helped her cheat, she would be furious. It’s a principle issue for her.”

“Stop talking about your Yuan Yuan. Saying such mushy things is disgusting, Mei Fang!”

“Alright… no fighting.”

Guo Yun awkwardly tried to mediate, “We’ve gotten used to it…”

Mei Fang raised his eyebrows, “Do you have any objections to how I address You Xi?”

After nearly two years of being together, Yue Xinyi had long since declared herself part of the “Xī Party,” and Mei Fang’s comment made her excited, “Yes, that’s better! Call her more, I want to see the sweet moments!”

What a double-standard little girl…

Cao Manjun reminds you: The high-C content in the junior high school section, and the only “blade” (real meaning) of this book, will unfold in this chapter. After this chapter, it can be sweet throughout without needing breaks. If you’re afraid, you can take a break because I can’t write it all in one go.

End of Chapter 113