112 Contest
Jingyuan High watched a startling scene today.
Big boss Han, the tyrant of Class Ten K, was holding a pink-coloured school bag in his hand, glaring at everyone who would try to come into his barbie doll’s way or that’s what his buddies were thinking.
“Cheat Prince, I can hold my school bag,” An Xiulan said for the nth time.
Han Zixin gave her a bad look. “Are you sure you can even walk without passing out?”
According to Han Zixin, An Xiulan was so fragile that she couldn’t even lift a strand of hair. How was she supposed to lift such a heavy school bag? This morning, An Qinyan dropped both of them at school and was content when she saw him taking care of her daughter.
An Xiulan had an urge to stomp her feet on the ground but she only made a sour face and walked ahead.
Shen Yue had informed the entire class about An Xiulan’s health condition and since only she knew about the latter, the people who were wary of her were now talking to her frequently. Mona, Song Ci and Qiao Wei pulled her into their group and we’re asking for her updates on An Xiulan.
As all of the students saw An Xiulan entering the class with Han Zixin they moved to form a circle around her and ask her questions but when they saw the dark and scary look on the teenager’s face, they gulped and went back to their desks.
The first class started soon. As teacher Jin entered class, he was surprised to see An Xiulan back. He had heard about her admission to the hospital..
“Student An, how are you doing?” Teacher Jin asked gently. If he knew that she was such a delicate student, he would have lessened the burden on her.
“Thank you for your concern, ” An Xiulan stood up to reply. “I’m doing better.”
Teacher Jin nodded his head contentedly. “If you face any problem, you can reach out to me.”
Her eyes sparkled as she heard the teacher’s words and her mischievous eyes met Shen Yue’s for a brief moment as she said, “Teacher Jin, can I ask Shen Yue to help me with missing work?”
Since Shen Yue came from Class Ten A, Teacher Jin didn’t think that An Xiulan had any ulterior motive and so gave his permission.
“What are you planning?” Han Zixin asked her in a whisper.
An Xiulan looked at him with a mischievous smile and blinked her eyes, indicating to keep calm.
Mathematics class soon passed. Since Gu Shangyan had poured his heart and soul into explaining to her the chapter, it was easier for her to understand what the teacher was teaching and seeing her seriously studying, Han Zixin too got into a serious study mode.
It was time for English class and Teacher Wang as always came in a startling fashion that didn’t startle students or teachers anymore. When he saw the girl who had been missing for days, he pointed his finger at her and asked, “Student An, as the English representative of Class K, why did you not partake in the English contest?”
As An Xiulan heard his words, she recalled that the English question paper that she had solved that day just to see her potential was not meant for her to enter the English competition as she didn’t think that she would be able to beat her classmates. So, to save her face, she didn’t put her name in the contest.
She opened her mouth to speak but the teacher held his hand and said, “Since you only have a few marks less than Shen Yue, I gave your name for the interclass competition. You and Shen Yue will be contesting among the rest of the students in Class Ten. The date sheet will be notified soon.”
Everyone looked at her without any flicker of surprise. It was as if they knew this news. How come she didn’t know about this?
“Why didn’t you tell me?” An Xiulan asked Han Zixin when the teacher began the lecture.
He had the audacity to shrug his shoulders as if it was not a big deal.
“Han Zixin!” An Xiulan pinched his arm and said through gritted teeth.
“Ouch,” He winced. “How could I say that? You were on the brink of death and still care about an English contest? It’s not like it’s our mother tongue or national language that you need to care about this.”
“Cheat Prince, even if it is not my mother tongue or national language, it is important to me because it is the only language I know well,” An Xiulan replied. When the intensity of the matter hit her, she furrowed her brows in worry. How was she going to compete with sharks? Yes, her English was good. So, good that it increased her overall percentage. But was it good enough to beat the students of Jingyuan High?
Seeing her worried, Han Zixin sighed. This was the reason why he didn’t tell her about the result. She must be worrying about top classes again. What she didn’t know at this moment was how the top classes would have begun making fun of her. She was just like an ant meant to be crushed under their feet for fun but he knew that she wouldn’t lose the battle without the fight.
She had stayed sick for so long and he knew that she was going to take the stress. What if she passed out due to stress and never woke up?
No, he couldn’t let that happen.
He was scared of this blockhead but she had no care for herself.
However, was she going to listen to him and take this not so important contest lightly?
Not at all!
“Cheat Prince, since I have been selected, I want to give my best,” An Xiulan said as she was suddenly filled with vigour. “Who cares about winning? As long as I prove myself, I will be fine.”
____
Since Gu Shangyan had joined another contest, Song Xueyun was joining a biology contest, and Han Nanxian was joining none of the contests as he was taking classes for Junior, sophomore and senior year in the same year, he was barred from taking part in any contest.
To get into a good university, co-curricular activities were just as important as academic scores. However, Han Nanxian always scored perfect scores. Because of his medical history, he couldn’t take part in many sports activities.
In the PE class, after the warm-up session, Han Nanxian was asked to rest in the shade. It wasn’t healthy for him to spend too much time in the harsh sun.
The top five students of class Ten A were not participating in the English contest and there was a different buzz about this among students. He was resting on the bench under the tree with his eyes closed when he felt someone sitting beside him. He slightly opened his eyes to find someone sitting beside him with a thick bundle of English books.
“God Han, will you help me with the upcoming English contest? I want to make class Ten A proud,” Zhou Liling said with a small smile on her face. She appeared humble and sincere in everyone’s eyes.
From class Ten A, she and another girl were selected for the English contest. Although she knew for sure that the win was hers, she still didn’t waste the opportunity to come close to him. Who didn’t want to be associated with God Han?
In a very sincere and gentle voice, he spoke, “Student Zhou, I would have helped you if not for the fact that I need to write back to back papers. Why don’t you ask Peng Cheng to help you? I am sure he will be willing to help you.”
Huo Mian, who had just returned from doing a long jump, happened to hear his gentle and sincere words and let out a snort.
Gentle and sincere?
What the people didn’t know was Young Master Han didn’t have a gentle or sincere bone in his body?
Zhou Liling bit her lips and looked at her with eyes full of urge. As if she could understand his dilemma, she said in a soft voice, “If this is the case, then I understand.” Taking a slight pause, she went on, “If you can’t help me, then can you please convince Song Xueyun to request me?”
As long as Song Xueyun helped her, Han Nanxian would follow.
Zhou Liling smiled in her heart over such a brilliant plan.
“Yunyun has to prepare for a biology test. How could she help you?” This time, his voice was not so gentle and a bit strict. He hated when people brought in conversation Song Xueyun just to come close to him.
“Oh, I understand,” Zhou Liling said in a small voice. It appeared as if she was about to cry.
“Han Nanxian, why don’t you help her! She is a student of our class. Naturally she will bring us success.”