Back to the 70s: My Childhood Sweetheart Spoils Me Rotten-Chapter 505: Focus Class

Cai Xingjuan walked into the room and immediately felt the bustling atmosphere. It wasn’t just because the heater was on; everyone was so focused on their studies.

Recalling the twins around Grandpa Zhuge, asking him for lessons, Cai Xingjuan had to admit that effective learning requires the right environment.

It seems that in the future, when the grandchildren grow a bit older, they should come back. Previously, I didn’t let them return because Beijing was too chaotic, but bringing them back would prove beneficial. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

"Grandma Cai." Gong Ruini looked up to see Cai Xingjuan standing at the door, finding it strange. After all, she had just left saying she was going to take care of Zhuge Zhi and cook. How could plans change so quickly?

Having noticed Cai Xingjuan, Gong Ruini didn’t avert her gaze, and Zhao Xuran also noticed, looking up with a start. What happened?

If there was any hesitation on the way, it vanished when Cai Xingjuan saw Zhao Guangran and the others working hard on their tests. "The master asked me to inform you that the day after tomorrow, there will be a baseline exam at the school."

A baseline exam? Does that exist? Gong Ruini was puzzled. Does transferring schools now require such an exam? Isn’t Zhuge Zhi supposed to handle that for us?

Normally, someone skilled in medicine wouldn’t do anything to upset people unless they’re out of their mind, so why the sudden change?

"Why a baseline exam?" Zhao Guangran was dumbfounded. Is it a bad day? Did I wake up on the wrong side of reality? Why is every school, especially Beijing primary schools, suddenly placing so much emphasis on exams when admissions were already settled?

"Do I have to participate as well?"

"How would I get into an honors class?" Zhao Xuran was genuinely puzzled. He wasn’t the kind to flaunt himself. When he previously pulled some strings, the other party just told him to relax after hearing about him and his siblings.

As expected, they wouldn’t accept any gifts. If you insisted, you’d only end up embarrassed; be it as a parent or for the kids, you’d be looked down upon.

"Grandpa had been planning for them to attend an honors class, but the other side didn’t initially respond. Now they’ve answered," Cai Xingjuan wouldn’t disclose any more than that.

Oh, that’s what it was. Since the answer just came in, they would work hard to prepare.

While they weren’t sure about the honors class’s specifics, its students were probably really outstanding.

Fine, this arrangement could motivate his younger brother to study harder. Otherwise, with no competition in class, his head would swell. At least he had Gong Ruini to keep him in check.

Zhao Xuran didn’t hold out much hope, suspecting Gong Ruini might go further into hiding, refusing to show her true abilities.

But would the other kids hold back for Zhao Guangran? That’s unlikely. They would just show their talents, making him as an outsider tuck his tail and quit boasting.

Ah, an honors class. Gong Ruini really just wanted to attend a regular class. She didn’t want to be in a place teeming with experts. What if the classmates weren’t all friendly?

Moreover, those worthwhile enough for honors weren’t just bright kids; their families probably had standing. What would kids like them, fresh from the sticks, do?

"Do I have to join the honors class?" Gong Ruini didn’t care what others thought; she didn’t really want it.

"Right, I don’t want to either." Zhao Guangran wasn’t against competing with elites, but worried what if they were all like Gong Ruini, outperforming him everywhere?

Having just one Gong Ruini suppress him was already painful. If there were many like her, could he still cope?

Even the usually clever Gong Ruini was hesitant to participate—justifiably so, thought Zhao Guangran, with his animal-like instincts.

Ah, how come? Cai Xingjuan initially thought that Zhao Xuran and the others would inquire about the honors class and get excited. She hadn’t expected their nonchalance.

Not only were they unfazed; they seemed utterly disinterested in the honors class.

"Why not?" Cai Xingjuan was confused, and this she had to ask about directly.

Why not? Gong Ruini said, "Too flashy." Coming from the Northeast as a bumpkin, parachuting into an honors class would be too conspicuous. Better to keep a low profile.

Already being young and skipping grades was enough attention without adding honors class into the mix. Gong Ruini couldn’t predict the reaction.

"Too much pressure." Zhao Guangran didn’t mind the attention; capable people deserve notice, right? But Gong Ruini was so overly cautious.

Pressure? Wow, Gong Ruini couldn’t believe Zhao Guangran knew the meaning of the word. She had never seen him feel pressured before.

All eyes on him left Zhao Guangran feeling awkward, "Hey, can’t I feel pressured?"

"I’m a person too, aren’t I? I don’t know these folks’ level yet."

"What if I end up bottom of the honors class? My reputation would be shot." He was truly worried about the humiliation of being overshadowed.

All in all, Zhao Guangran had thought out his plan, "I’ll enter a regular class, aim for top of the class, and by graduation, be in the grade’s top ten."

By graduation? How did he plan it out like this? Gong Ruini felt Zhao Guangran should never plan again because his plans wouldn’t even last to be implemented.

"Top ten by graduation?" Zhao Xuran’s first thinking was his brother was procrastinating; that was his forte.

A chill ran down his spine hearing his brother’s sinister tone. "Okay, by the end of this semester, I’ll work to be in the grade’s top ten."

"Hard work?" For others, hard work means giving it your all, but for his brother, it was delay tactics.

"Sure, I’ll make it to the top ten." Zhao Xuran wiped away sweat. Alas, his elder brother was truly a burdensome presence.

Finally, some sense, "Remember your promise." Zhao Xuran glanced at Guangran, then moved his gaze away.

Though still unclear why Grandpa Zhuge suddenly changed his mind, while they saw it unnecessary, they had to thank Grandpa Zhuge for suggesting it.

No matter how much Cai Xingjuan tried to persuade, they simply refused to accept it, forcing her to report back to Zhuge Zhi.

Zhuge Zhi was surprised initially but had to admit Zhao Xuran had a way with words, "Stubborn minds, let them watch from the sidelines then."

People reveal gaps in competence through little things. With Zhao Xuran a comparison, Zhuge Zhi felt more detached from the idea of family, becoming distant altogether.