Chapter 88: Scoring a Perfect 100

Shen Qing leaned against the wall, her phone buzzing with a new message.
[Dragon King: No need to thank me.]
A few minutes later, Nie Huan and Yao Panpan emerged from the express delivery point’s little house.
“Qing, what did you buy?” Yao Panpan hugged a box, the shipping label still attached. The sender’s address was surprisingly from Country M.
Shen Qing glanced over, “Snacks. I’ll take it.”
Yao Panpan hurriedly shook her head, “No, no, let me. Hehe, this is the least I can do.”
“Alright then.” Shen Qing didn’t argue, then looked at Nie Huan, “Need a hand?”
Nie Huan shook her head, “No.”
It wasn’t heavy.
“Yao Panpan! What are you two carrying?” Liu Yichen and Lin Ruiyang happened to be heading out for dinner, spotting the two blossoms from Class Three—and the loud trumpet flower.
Lin Ruiyang, seeing Shen Qing trailing behind, subtly furrowed his brow, stopping behind Liu Yichen, saying nothing.
Liu Yichen didn’t bother with him, greeting Shen Qing and Nie Huan.
“Whoa! It’s those golden candies again!” Liu Yichen came closer, recognizing the logo on the box.
My goodness! Two whole boxes!
Nie Huan and Yao Panpan were practically carrying gold beans!
His hands trembled as he pointed at the box, asking Shen Qing, “Qing, did you buy all these candies?”
Shen Qing nodded, her expression unchanged, as if it was nothing remarkable.
“Liu Yichen, why do you sound like you’ve had a stroke?” Yao Panpan laughed at him.
Liu Yichen glared at Yao Panpan—she was the one who sounded stroke-ridden!
He was just afraid he’d bite his tongue from excitement.

Nie Huan gave him a glance, “If there’s nothing else, we’ll be going.”
Liu Yichen grinned, “Alright! Farewell, Sister Huan, Sister Qing, Sister Yao.”
Lin Ruiyang passed Liu Yichen coldly, never having seen someone so spineless.
“Lin Ruiyang, do you know how expensive those candies are?” Liu Yichen chased after to tell him.
Lin Ruiyang didn’t turn, striding ahead, “Don’t care to know.”
“Tch! Then I won’t tell you… Hey! Wait for me!”

Shen Qing didn’t return to the classroom but went straight to Gu Ting’s office.
Today she arrived earlier than usual. At the doorway, she vaguely heard voices inside, couldn’t make out the words, so she didn’t go in, instead leaning over the corridor railing and fiddling with her phone.
When the bell for evening self-study rang, the office door finally opened.
“Huh? Shen?” Eleven came out and saw a girl leaning by the railing. Just by her pretty nape and the ends of her hair, he recognized Shen Qing.
Shen Qing turned off her phone, glanced back at him, and replied softly.
Gu Ting heard Eleven’s voice and walked out. As night fell, the temperature dropped considerably, yet Shen Qing was still dressed as she had been during the day.
Gu Ting’s gaze darkened, lips pressed together as he strode out, touching the girl’s hand—cold to the touch.
“How long have you been standing here? Why didn’t you come in?” Gu Ting gently scolded Shen Qing.
“Not long.” Shen Qing squeezed her phone, her tone indifferent.
Gu Ting pursed his lips, pulling her into the office, the door slamming shut behind them.
Eleven, left outside, was thoroughly bewildered.
At that moment, he felt like a pickled fish—sour, useless, and unnecessary… It stabbed at his heart.
But, the headband on Shen’s head looked oddly familiar…

Wait, wasn’t that the good luck charm the old man specifically got for Lord Ting?

Inside the office.
Gu Ting touched Shen Qing’s hand again, still cold, so he took off his own trench coat and draped it over her shoulders.
“I’m not cold.” Shen Qing cast Gu Ting a glance—she was only wearing a short-sleeved top.
Gu Ting sat down, “Just wear it for now.”
“Okay.” Shen Qing didn’t protest further.
Gu Ting took a workbook from the drawer; it was the same one he always used for lessons, and the physics problems Shen Qing had solved in class were from it.
“Why are you daydreaming?” Gu Ting reached out to lightly tap her shoulder.
“Nothing. Go ahead and teach.” Not that she planned to listen.
Shen Qing picked up a pen and doodled little figures on a scrap of paper.
Gu Ting smiled, helpless.
“Next week’s monthly exam—how many points will you get?”
Shen Qing paused, looked up at Gu Ting, and answered seriously, “One hundred.”
Gu Ting was momentarily stunned, then laughed, “So little confidence? How about two hundred?”
“Sure, next time.”
Gu Ting’s lips twitched, ready to end the topic. “Let’s look at the questions…”