"Bring the test paper to me for review after school," Ye QiuXue said before turning and leaving.


    HuMing rested his chin on his hand as if lost in thought.


    The homeroom teacher, clearly happy and even excited, patted HuMing on the shoulder and said,


    "HuMing, you have a great aptitude for learning! You must maintain this attitude. I believe you''ll soon catch up to Han ShuYi."


    "So, Han ShuYi scored the highest on this quiz?"


    "Yes, Han ShuYi scored 139."


    HuMing''s expression became noticeably odd upon hearing this, but he didn''t say much more. He nodded and turned to head back to his ssroom.


    Back at his seat, Han YunXi was still there.


    She looked at HuMing with curiosity and a hint of confusion.


    Han YunXi watched the teacher''s shifting expressions, starting with a serious, confused demeanor that transformed into pure joy upon Ye QiuXue''s arrival. It was like watching a ssic performance unfold.


    "Bro, what did the teacher call you out for just now?"


    "I''m second in the ss for the quiz yesterday."


    The ssroom erupted in surprise. While many students eximed, there were also those whoughed.


    It was clear that they didn''t believe it at all.


    HuMing suddenly scored second in the ss? That seemed unbelievable, especially considering he had always been at the bottom before!


    HuMing ignored the incredulous looks from his ssmates, yawned, andy back down on his desk.


    Han YunXi squinted, not saying much, but she couldn''t shake the feeling that HuMing''s im might be true.


    After all, she had seen the homeroom teacher smiling so happily earlier.


    ...


    The ss bell rang, and the homeroom teacher walked in, holding the test paper.


    As top students, they were highly sensitive to and concerned about their grades. After all, this was the essence of their hard work!


    HuMing rested his head on one hand, his expressionzy.


    His gaze shifted to Han ShuYi, who looked at the teacher with confident anticipation.


    Han ShuYi was confident. For him, this quiz was a piece of cake.


    However, he also recalled HuMing''s im that he was second in the ss. Even if that were true, Han ShuYi was sure he would still be first.


    Sometimes, confidence wasn''t just a matter of using "Ba Wang" shampoo.


    (TL: A shampoo brand that ims to boost hair growth. More hair= More confidence.)


    The teacher began calling students toe up and collect their test papers from the lowest to the highest, and for once, HuMing was not the first to be called.


    This led many to wonder if HuMing''s earlier statement was true.


    Han ShuYi couldn''t help but nce back at HuMing. He knew that Ye QiuXue was tutoring HuMing, but the speed of his progress seemed almost unbelievable. Was HuMing really a genius?


    No matter the answer, Han ShuYi was unwilling to ept it.


    As the test papers on the teacher''s hand grew fewer but still didn''t mention HuMing, everyone became more convinced that HuMing''s im might be true.


    HuMing''s performance was indeed astonishing.


    First, he defeated them on the football field, and now he was surpassing so many people academically. If he were to top the quiz, wouldn''t that make all their hard work seem like a joke?


    Everyone''s gaze turned to Han ShuYi.


    ''Thank god, there is still him.''


    If HuMing knew about their attitudes, he would likely disdainfully dismiss them.


    Relying on others was unrealistic; the most dependable thing in this world was oneself!


    HuMing firmly believed this.


    "HuMing, 135 points!"


    When the homeroom teacher announced HuMing''s score, even though everyone had mentally prepared themselves, they couldn''t help but be astonished.


    When someone who had beengging behind suddenly surged ahead like overtaking on a curve, the disparity they felt was immense.


    They had been moving forward step by step, but HuMing seemed to have shot past them with a rocket boost.


    The students couldn''t help but murmur among themselves.


    However, the homeroom teacher pounded the desk to cut off their conversation.


    "I''m sure everyone is surprised by HuMing''s score. But please, do not doubt its authenticity; he earned it through his own efforts. I hope everyone can continue to work hard!"


    The homeroom teacher said no more, and HuMing had already stood up to collect his test paper.


    But, as HuMing passed by Han ShuYi, he noticed a hint of provocation in Han ShuYi''s gaze.


    It was as if Han ShuYi was saying: "No matter how much you''ve improved, I''m still better than you."


    Han ShuYi was clearly still bitter about how HuMing had outyed himst time. Now that he had a chance to one-up HuMing, he was eager to do so.


    As soon as the homeroom teacher called his name, Han ShuYi couldn''t wait to get up and collect his test paper.


    HuMing turned around just in time to see Han ShuYi grinning broadly and looking down at him like a triumphant victor.


    "Han ShuYi, 139 points!"


    When the teacher mentioned Han ShuYi''s score, he was also very pleased.


    After all, with HuMing''s improved performance and Han ShuYi maintaining the top spot, their ss could stillpete with Ye QiuXue''s ss.


    Every teacher has their own benchmarks, and who wouldn''t want to teach Ye QiuXue''s ss?


    Now that HuMing wasn''t dragging down the ss average and was even second in the ss, it was a huge improvement.


    Han ShuYi, standing next to HuMing, patted his shoulder and said with a smile, "Congrattions, HuMing, on being second in the ss!"


    To everyone, it seemed like Han ShuYi was genuinely happy for HuMing, but they still couldn''t help but feel something off about it.


    It was as if a victor were showing pity for a loser.


    HuMing looked at Han ShuYi with a raised eyebrow and a radiant smile.


    He nced at Han ShuYi''s test paper and said,


    "I think I should be the one who got first ce."


    The students were surprised by HuMing''sment and didn''t quite understand his meaning.


    HuMing bypassed Han ShuYi and walked up to the homeroom teacher. He ced his test paper on the desk and pointed to thest multiple-choice question.


    "Teacher, isn''t this question mismarked?"


    The homeroom teacher frowned, adjusted his sses, and squinted at the question HuMing had pointed out.


    Han ShuYi also picked up his test paper to look at the question.


    Suddenly, his pupils dted, and his expression became unnatural.


    The homeroom teacher took a deep breath, and his eyes widened as if he realized something.


    "Oh no," he said, shaking his head, "I mismarked this question. The correct answer is C!"


    He corrected the answer on HuMing''s test paper and addressed the students.


    "Please adjust your scores ordingly and fill in your results on the wall at the back."


    "But, if that''s the case..."


    The homeroom teacher looked at Han ShuYi, remembering that Han ShuYi had been marked correct on that question. Now, with the correction, that meant Han ShuYi''s answer was wrong.


    "Han HuMing, 140 points..."