Jiang Feng thought for a moment. He remembered learning a branding technique in the Immortal Realm that allowed him to memorize any complex cultivation technique or martial skill instantly.
The branding technique seemed trivial at first glance, but it had miraculous effects. If used properly, it could be like divine assistance, indescribably wonderful.
And Jiang Feng needed such a magic technique right now. With it, he wouldn't need to memorize anything by rote; he could imprint the contents of a book into his mind in minutes.
When it came time for the college entrance examination, it would be like copying from a book, getting into university would be a piece of cake.
"Alright, this is it."
Jiang Feng immediately searched his mind and quickly found the secret of the "branding technique."
Then, Jiang Feng went through the branding technique from start to finish, and soon had it memorized and could operate it clumsily.
Jiang Feng then tried using it, opening a history textbook, his eyes scanning it, emitting a sharp gleam. The text in the book seemed to sprout wings and fly into Jiang Feng's mind.
In just over ten minutes, Jiang Feng had imprinted the entire book's contents into his mind.
"Phew, although it took some time, at least this method works. It will get much faster with practice," Jiang Feng exhaled deeply.
At least using the branding technique was the right approach.
From now on, he wouldn't have to worry about falling behind in his studies.
Jiang Feng tried again, and the results were equally astonishing. Even the complex formulas in math could be memorized effortlessly.
"Hahaha..." The excellent results made Jiang Feng laugh out loud.
Hearing his laughter, his classmates looked over, staring at Jiang Feng as if he were a fool.
They all speculated that Jiang Feng must have gone mad from the recent setbacks he had faced.
Everyone silently agreed with this idea. To them, it was the only explanation.
Jiang Feng must have gone crazy; otherwise, why would he laugh out of nowhere? It was too strange.
"Hey, Jiang Feng, what's wrong with you? Stop laughing, the teacher will be here soon, and you'll be in trouble if you keep laughing," Cheng Zhenjie, his desk mate, quickly pulled Jiang Feng's arm and reminded him.
Jiang Feng snapped out of it, quickly covering his mouth to stop laughing. Damn, he got too excited and couldn't hold it in, now he was embarrassed.
"Ahem, it's nothing, just thought of something happy," Jiang Feng coughed a few times.
"Oh, as long as it's nothing serious. You scared me; I thought you had gone mad," Cheng Zhenjie said.
Although his words were harsh, he was genuinely concerned about Jiang Feng.
Jiang Feng understood and just smiled without saying anything.
Suddenly, Jiang Feng had an idea and said, "Cheng Zhenjie, come here. I'll teach you a phrase to recite while studying, it will have unexpected effects and make memorizing easier."
Cheng Zhenjie was a good person, so Jiang Feng decided to help him out by sharing a bit of the branding technique.
Of course, he couldn't tell him the whole thing, just a bit of the basics, but even that would be immensely beneficial.
Cheng Zhenjie was stunned, then asked mysteriously, "Did you discover some great study method just now? Is that why you were laughing?"
"Yes," Jiang Feng nodded.
He had to say that, otherwise, it would scare him.
"Then tell me, what's the method?" Cheng Zhenjie asked expectantly.
"Come, repeat after me," Jiang Feng said, "Gather spirit in the mind, focus in the eyes, calm the heart, wisdom within."
"Gather spirit in the mind, focus in the eyes, calm the heart, wisdom within," Cheng Zhenjie repeated, but he didn't understand what it meant.
"Recite this phrase, and you'll remember the book's contents better," Cheng Zhenjie asked doubtfully.
"That's right, do as I say, and you'll be surprised," Jiang Feng confirmed.
"Okay, I'll give it a try," Cheng Zhenjie said, feeling a bit embarrassed but willing to try since it wouldn't waste much time.
Cheng Zhenjie picked up a book and recited, "Gather spirit in the mind, focus in the eyes, calm the heart, wisdom within."
Gradually, his focus became unprecedentedly sharp. The lines of text reflected into his eyes, forming a flowing river, incredibly magical.
In no time, he had memorized an entire page, astonishing him.
"Holy crap, this is amazing," Cheng Zhenjie exclaimed.
"Hehe, as long as it works. But don't tell anyone else, just keep it to yourself," Jiang Feng smiled.
"Got it," Cheng Zhenjie nodded repeatedly.
"How did you know this phrase? It sounds like some kind of spell," Cheng Zhenjie asked.
"Secrets of the heavens cannot be revealed," Jiang Feng said mysteriously.
"I get it, you must have met some master," Cheng Zhenjie guessed.
"You could say that," Jiang Feng said vaguely.
"Thank you, Jiang Feng. I don't know how to thank you for sharing this with me," Cheng Zhenjie said gratefully.
He understood the value of this phrase. If he kept at it, getting into a top university would be no problem.
Jiang Feng telling him this meant he truly considered him a brother, a sentiment he couldn't forget.
"Don't mention it, we're brothers, no need to be so polite," Jiang Feng said, patting his shoulder.
"Yeah, we're brothers," Cheng Zhenjie said sincerely.
"Hehehe..."
Then the two of them laughed foolishly.
This kind of laugh was the genuine smile of underprivileged students seeing a glimmer of hope.
...
After class ended at noon, the homeroom teacher, Xia Qinghe, sought out Jiang Feng.
Xia Qinghe called Jiang Feng to the office. When no one was around, she asked anxiously, "Jiang Feng, did you bring the medicine for my illness?"
Ever since Jiang Feng told her she had a heart condition, she had been restless. She finally went for a proper check-up at the hospital yesterday.
The results confirmed it was indeed a heart condition, exactly as Jiang Feng had said.
She had a heart condition.
The doctor told her she needed surgery as soon as possible, or she could die from a sudden heart attack any day.
She was terrified and didn't dare tell her family.
So she sought out Jiang Feng, hoping for a last chance.
"I brought it. I specially prepared this pill for you," Jiang Feng said, taking out a black pill and handing it to Xia Qinghe. "Take it, and go for a check-up in three days. You should be cured by then."
Jiang Feng didn't make any guarantees, as there could always be unforeseen circumstances, so he didn't claim it would definitely cure her.
Xia Qinghe took the pill, examining it with some doubt. It looked like a black pellet, similar to the kind sold by street charlatans. Could it really work?
She was skeptical.
"Will this really work?" Xia Qinghe asked.
"You're already in this state, why not give it a try? What if it works?" Jiang Feng said.
He was right. Things couldn't get any worse.
Xia Qinghe didn't hesitate any longer. She swallowed the pill and took a few gulps of water to wash it down.
As the pill entered her body, she soon felt a warm flow inside her, gathering at her chest, like a hot water bottle hanging there, very peculiar.
"Why is it so warm?" Xia Qinghe asked, her face flushed.
"Warm is good. If it wasn't warm, that would be strange," Jiang Feng said. "This means the medicine is working, treating your heart. Don't worry."
After a few minutes, the warmth subsided, and Xia Qinghe's anxiety eased.
With this, Xia Qinghe started to believe Jiang Feng a bit more, feeling a bit of joy and hope that her condition might improve.
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"If there's nothing else, I'll be going," Jiang Feng said.
"Alright, thank you, no matter what," Xia Qinghe said.
"It's nothing. As your student, it's the least I can do. I can't just watch you suffer," Jiang Feng said.
Just as Jiang Feng was about to leave the office, Xia Qinghe called out, "How about this, I'll treat you to dinner after school today."
"There's no need for that. It would waste your valuable time. Let's not," Jiang Feng declined.
"No, after school, wait for me at the school gate. Don't be late," Xia Qinghe insisted.
"Uh..." Jiang Feng wanted to refuse again, but seeing Xia Qinghe's determination, he agreed, "Alright, see you then."
...
After school in the afternoon, Jiang Feng waited for Xia Qinghe at the school gate.
But Cheng Shaoqing was still with him, planning to go home together.
Jiang Feng was in a bit of a dilemma, not knowing how to tell Cheng Shaoqing.
After thinking it over, Jiang Feng said, "Cheng Shaoqing, I have something to do later, so I'll be going home late. Do you want to come along?"
"You have something to do?" Cheng Shaoqing asked curiously.
"Yeah, just a small errand," Jiang Feng said.
"If you have something to do, I'll go home by myself," Cheng Shaoqing said.
"Let me take you home first," Jiang Feng offered.
"No need, that would be too much trouble. Our place isn't far from school, the bus will get me there quickly," Cheng Shaoqing said.
"Alright, be careful on your way home," Jiang Feng said.
"You too," Cheng Shaoqing smiled.
Then Cheng Shaoqing caught a bus and left.
"Hey, Jiang Feng, why are you still here?" Cheng Zhenjie came out of the school.
"Oh, I have something to do, can't go home yet," Jiang Feng said.
Cheng Zhenjie nodded slightly, looked at the parked car nearby, then pulled Jiang Feng aside and whispered, "Jiang Feng, there's a rumor going around school that you're a gigolo."
Jiang Feng was taken aback, "Are you talking about Cheng Shaoqing?"
"Yeah, how did you two meet? And why do you go to school together?" Cheng Zhenjie asked.
"It's a long story..." Jiang Feng then recounted the events to Cheng Zhenjie. After all, Cheng Zhenjie was now his only friend, and there was nothing to hide.