Old Wang exploded, scaring the class into trembling silence.
"Look at how few days remain before the exam! You still feel no pressure? With these results, how do you expect to get into your dream universities?"
Wang Chao's gaze swept across every student's face.
Those caught in his sweep couldn't help but lower their heads.
"Average score: 498.8—not even 500. You're 3 points behind Class 2. I'm so disappointed."
Hearing the average, the students looked dejected.
An average below 500 really was too low.
Last Mock Exam the average had still been above 520.
A 20-point drop—no wonder Old Wang was furious.
Ye Chen knew the Academic Affairs Office had deliberately set a killer paper to pile on pressure.
Wang Chao snorted coldly. "Next, the scores."
"Xu Liang—486."
"Xu Liang, below the average. Go home and think about it."
Xu Liang, scolded, hung his head, face flushed.
Wang Chao continued reading.
Zhao Kai: "499."
Xia Yingluo: "698."
No one found Xia Yingluo's score surprising.
After all, she usually ranked in the class top three.
Hearing she hadn't hit 700, Xia Yingluo grew anxious.
Zhang Yang had just boasted he'd score 700.
Her eyes were already rimmed red.
If she dragged Ye Chen down, she'd never forgive herself.
Li Sitong: "696."
Normally Li Sitong would be satisfied with that mark.
But now she felt no joy at all.
Two points below Xia Yingluo—and she feared dragging Ye Chen down.
Zhang Yang beside her looked uneasy.
He usually matched Li Sitong and Xia Yingluo; both had missed 700 this time.
He'd just bragged in front of the whole class that he could hit 700—if he missed… humiliating.
"Wang Zhe—612."
"Lu Shuang—468."
Wang Chao paused, eyes settling on Zhang Yang.
Zhang Yang tensed—his turn.
"Zhang Yang—658."
Gasps and smirks rippled across the room.
"Didn't Zhang Yang brag about 700?"
"That's it?"
Zhang Yang's face burned.
He'd hired a Huaqing University tutor—how could he only get 658?
He shot to his feet. "Teacher, there must be a mistake—only 658? I've always scored around 700!"
"Past 700 doesn't guarantee future 700. Teachers checked repeatedly—no error. Reflect on your own shortcomings."
After Old Wang's scolding, Zhang Yang sat back, livid.
Feeling the contempt around him, he regretted everything.
If only he hadn't shown off.
He cast a venomous glance at Ye Chen.
It was all that guy's fault he'd been humiliated.
Wang Chao resumed reading scores.
When he reached Ye Chen, a bright smile lit his face.
"Ye Chen—750."
Boom!
The Classroom erupted.
"No way—perfect 750? Impossible!"
"Must be fake—how could Ye Chen get full marks?"
"Didn't the Chinese essay lose points?"
(Chinese Teacher: "I wanted to dock points, but the essay moved me to tears—full marks or heaven protests!")
Zhang Yang leapt up again.
"Teacher, that score's wrong—how could Ye Chen get 750? His essay can't be perfect!"
"Who says essays can't be perfect? Every year the National Higher Education Entrance Examination produces perfect essays."
"But… impossible." Zhang Yang still refused to believe.
Ye Chen, once trash he trampled, a hopeless underachiever.
Academic pride was the only edge Zhang Yang had left.
And now—
If last time was a fluke, this was absurd.
Perfect score? Even movies wouldn't dare.
Bang!
Wang Chao slammed his folder on the desk.
"Zhang Yang, look inward instead of blaming others. Learn from Ye Chen. Today I commend three classmates—Ye Chen, Xia Yingluo, and Li Sitong—our Whole School top three."
"Whole School top three?"
The room buzzed again.
"Teachers have double-checked Ye Chen's paper—no error," Wang Chao added.
Ye Chen sat quietly.
With the system, perfect scores came as easily as drinking water.
Li Sitong and Xia Yingluo exhaled—mission accomplished, no more ruler from that tyrant!
Wang Chao looked around. "Besides these three, the rest did poorly. Is my teaching at fault? Fine—let's switch teachers. Ye Chen, come up and explain this paper."
Ye Chen: "…"
He stared at Wang Chao—are you serious?
"Up you go. Today you teach this paper," Wang Chao ordered.
Old Wang wanted to see the magic Ye Chen used to boost Li Sitong and Xia Yingluo so fast. Ye Chen hadn't expected this curveball.
Yet he showed no fear, strode to the podium, picked up chalk, and began.
The class watched, intrigued.
Used to Old Wang, they now had a classmate teaching—fresh and fun, so everyone listened attentively.
Ye Chen's melodious explanation filled the room.
System-enhanced, his voice was captivating; even poor students focused on him.
Mid-explanation, Ye Chen felt two scorching stares.
Li Sitong and Xia Yingluo were frozen, chins in hands, gazing at him in a trance.
The two girls had zoned out together.
Both wore silly smiles at the corners of their mouths.
"Li Sitong, Xia Yingluo."
Startled, the two girls jumped like frightened rabbits.
Ye Chen regarded them solemnly.
"Li Sitong, Xia Yingluo—daydreaming during Teacher Ye's lecture violates class rules. Shouldn't there be punishment?"
At his words, the girls' faces turned as red as ripe apples.
Only they knew what the penalty was.
A kiss from Ye Chen.
But this was real class—everyone watching.
Ye Chen teased, "Since you erred, you must be punished. I sentence you to…"