Time ticked by, and the principal's face grew increasingly astonished.
Finally, he understood the overwhelming feeling inside Master Extinction.
At first, he could keep up with Lin Yi's pen as he went through the questions, but soon, Lin Yi left him far behind.
By the time Lin Yi was answering the eleventh question, the principal had just finished reading the third one.
Later, the principal simply stopped reviewing the questions. Instead, he went to his desk, fetched an answer sheet, and started comparing it, barely keeping up with Lin Yi's pace.
As he compared each question, the principal was shocked to find out that Lin Yi got them all correct!
Seven or eight minutes later, Lin Yi casually tossed his pen onto the coffee table and snapped his fingers lightly, "All done."
But when he looked up, he was startled by the scene before him and saw the principal and homeroom teacher staring at him with strange expressions:
"Uh, Principal, you're making me a bit uncomfortable with your look..."
After a long while, the principal finally stammered in amazement:
"You! How did you do that!!!"
"Oh, it's no big deal, you guys are overreacting, is it really that serious?... Anyway, since the test is over and I have something to do, if there's nothing else, I'll head out first, Principal."
Both the principal and Master Extinction wanted to give this cheeky kid a smack on the back of his head. He got a perfect score and yet says it's not worth making a fuss over. Is that something a person would say?
With a helpless smile, he pointed at Lin Yi's nose and shook his head, saying:
"You really opened my eyes, but don't get too cocky, the college entrance exam questions could be different, make sure you don't flunk then.
Also, whether our Number Three High School can gain fame in Huaxia is entirely up to you! Alright, since that's the case, we really can't give you the guaranteed admission slot, let's research that further. Go on, just be careful with what you eat for the next few days."
Hearing the principal's words, Lin Yi stood up straight in a mock-serious fashion, then continued with a cheeky smile: "Rest assured, Principal! I'll definitely bring back the title of national college entrance exam top scorer for you, hehe, well then, I'll take my leave, you two."
The principal couldn't help but be amused by Lin Yi.
Walking out of the principal's office, Lin Yi checked his phone for the time and oh no, it was already five minutes past school dismissal...
"I wonder if that silly girl is waiting for me..."
Mumbling to himself, Lin Yi quickened his pace with a few jogging steps.
When Lin Yi reached the classroom, he found that there were already only a few students left inside.
Glancing towards Xiao Zihan's seat, he saw the girl sitting there diligently reading a book.
Seeing this, Lin Yi couldn't help but smile. It seemed she was waiting for him to have a meal together, something Lin Yi had hoped for.
Casually entering the classroom, the few remaining classmates turned their gaze towards Lin Yi.
But Lin Yi completely ignored them, walked over to Xiao Zihan's desk, and tapped on the table lightly. Instantly, Xiao Zihan, who was reading, lifted her gaze.
Seeing Lin Yi in front of her, she blushed and, before Lin Yi could say anything, she had already stood up:
"You, you're back. Let's go, um, let's eat."
As she spoke, Xiao Zihan kept her head down, her voice soft and gentle.
Seeing this, Lin Yi hummed from his nose, then strode towards the door.
Xiao Zihan quickly followed with her head down, keeping up with him.
...
In the cafeteria, Lin Yi walked with his hands behind his back to a window seat, while Xiao Zihan followed closely behind, holding a tray full of food, with her head down.
"Why aren't you eating? I ordered so many dishes, if you don't eat, are you trying to stuff me to death?"
After sitting down, Lin Yi grabbed a chicken leg and started eating but noticed after two bites that Xiao Zihan across from him wasn't eating.
"Didn't you say you were treating me to a meal? But why did you pay for it? Here, take this."
Saying this, Xiao Zihan reached into her pocket and produced a crumpled twenty-yuan and a ten-yuan note, handing them over to Lin Yi.
Looking at the crumpled notes, Lin Yi knew in his heart that for Xiao Zihan, this was a significant amount.
It could at least allow her to eat buns and pickles for half a month.
Though he felt sorry for the girl, he continued to eat the chicken leg and casually pulled a white phone from his pocket, placing it on the table in front of her:
"Please, your idea is nice. Treating me to such a meal in the cafeteria?
I'm waiting for you to treat me to a feast. Here, take this, after the homeroom teacher's instructions this afternoon, we'll have a break. I'll contact you when I feel like having that treat.
Oh, by the way, I've already stored my number in the contacts, make sure you don't deliberately avoid my call when I ask for the meal."
After finishing, he had also finished his chicken leg, tossed the bone onto the table, and before Xiao Zihan could speak, he stood up, grabbed a napkin to wipe his hands, and said upon leaving:
"Alright, I'm done eating, I'm off. You take your time."
"I, but, this, return this..."
Seeing Lin Yi leave just like that, Xiao Zihan hurried to pick up the phone in front of her to return it, but Lin Yi ignored her, striding out.
Even after Lin Yi left the cafeteria, Xiao Zihan stood holding the phone, looking towards the direction of the entrance.
Although Xiao Zihan wasn't someone who spoke much or interacted with others often, it didn't mean she was foolish.
She took notice of everything Lin Yi did, including giving her the phone, knowing it wasn't as Lin Yi said, for future contact about meals...
After a long while, her face flushed suddenly, her heart inexplicably thudding a few beats quicker once more.
Sitting back down, she carefully held the beautiful white phone, her eyes lost in thought; where her thoughts wandered, her blushing cheeks seemed to reveal a young girl's heartbeat...
Buzz, buzz~
While Xiao Zihan was in a daze, her hand suddenly felt a vibration.
It snapped her back to reality, and looking at the mobile screen, she saw a dialogue prompt pop up.
Even though her family was poor and couldn't afford such luxuries as a phone, Xiao Zihan wasn't completely unfamiliar with them.
Her deskmate Wang Lingling had shown her how to use one.
Reaching out cautiously to open the message prompt on the screen, a WeChat chat window appeared.
'I have something to do this afternoon and left directly, remember to help me ask Master Extinction for a leave.'
...
Sitting in his Land Rover after sending the message, Lin Yi put down his phone and turned the wheel, heading for the DMV!
[To be continued...]
ps: It's coming, it's coming, time to face the music again!