High School Belle Fell in Love with Me-Chapter 44: If We Work Together, We Can Definitely Beat Li Yang!
Li Yang also understood the implicit conditions in Bai Qing’s words.
No matter the outcome, it allowed his imagination to roam.
He continued his practice questions; the so-called 253 marks in the comprehensive exam was a bluff to Jiang Banxia. He wasn’t anywhere near that level of proficiency yet.
Even 150 marks would be a challenge.
His biggest improvement lately had been in math, where luck might get him a 100.
He consistently projected an image of diligence and genius.
For instance, his roommates were well aware; every time they returned, he was there tackling problems.
Jiang Banxia and Xue Ning also knew he studied relentlessly for hours without breaks, solving thousands of problems daily.
With only a few days left until the college entrance exam, he told Jiang Banxia he could now score 250 in the comprehensive exam. It was partly to motivate Jiang Banxia and partly to set the stage for the exam.
People are adept at finding reasons; as long as you’re successful, they’ll seek your strengths, not your weaknesses.
Li Yang ensured they had reasons to find.
If they searched and couldn’t find anything, it would be ridiculous.
Because the dorm didn’t have a desk, Li Yang always sat at the bedside, placing his review materials on a stool, an entirely uncomfortable posture.
When his roommates returned from study hall, seeing Li Yang diligently solving problems made them hesitant to speak up.
Even if they weren’t model students, they still respected everyone who valued learning in high school.
Even Wu Tianqi, who might make a few comments, wouldn’t persist if Li Yang didn’t join in.
In high school, those around you respect your study efforts.
In college, those around you dread your academic excellence.
When Li Yang saw them return, he gathered his materials and stretched, as there was only an hour until lights out, and everyone needed to freshen up. He wouldn’t want them to feel uncomfortable.
Upon seeing him put away his materials, someone immediately approached and said, "Li Yang, you were so right before. That girl is super aloof. I tried adding her several times and got blocked a bunch of times before finally succeeding. When I chatted with her, she was hot and cold. I went to great lengths to find online quotes to have a proper conversation."
"Hmm? How’s the chat going?"
Li Yang was delighted to witness this scene.
"Haha, just like you said. Once we got talking, I pushed the boundaries a bit. At first, she acted all innocent. But after sending a few pictures, she couldn’t keep up the facade. I asked her out to play, but she wouldn’t; she said her family wouldn’t allow it... damn, she sneaks out all night but still acts like this..."
Li Yang: "Yeah, she’s just pretending. Push harder..."
Hell, everyone knew Liu Meng didn’t have what it took to get into the elite class. Liu Dayou had been pairing her with Jiang Banxia as desk mates for over two years.
It’s like having an all-subject tutor with you every day. Improving grades is only natural, right? Even then, with the class average at 600, she hovered around 540 to 560, lingering in the bottom ten.
As for scoring 580 in this mock exam, who knows if Liu Dayou deliberately walked her through some tough questions to boost her confidence for the real exam?
Yet here she is, not acknowledging Jiang Banxia’s helping hand, and reporting her just for a cup of milk tea.
All for a damn cup of milk tea, which was bought by Wu Tianqi, and somehow turned into a rumor about dating Jiang Banxia?
Damn!
Liu Dayou, that son of a bitch, unable to reach me directly, called my parents instead, dragging the mood between us to a freezing point recently.
"Haha, once I succeed, I’ll treat you to a big meal!"
"No problem, no problem."
Shower, sleep!
Roommates cramming even harder as the college entrance exam approached.
Since they didn’t have morning classes, some would play cards until past seven in the morning, skipping breakfast entirely.
Luckily, Li Yang was young and could sleep anywhere; slight noises barely affected him.
Once awake, he’d head to the cafeteria for some breakfast, then review on the balcony.
Inside, they played cards; outside, he studied. They balanced each other out.
"Honey, I wore a new outfit today. Do I look pretty..."
"Hehe, once the college entrance exam is over, we can meet, right?"
"By then, I want to stroll by the river with my arm around yours. Just thinking about it makes me excited..."
Bai Qing habitually teasing.
...
For Jiang Banxia, upon learning Li Yang could independently solve the comprehensive exam paper scoring 253, she became truly anxious.
Scoring that high in the comprehensive section meant achieving 600 in total wasn’t hard at all.
She just needed 120 in Chinese, 100 in English, and 130 in math.
Math was the subject she talked most with Li Yang about, and he claimed to memorize English vocabulary quickly.
The more she thought about it, the more she felt conned by Li Yang.
She should have set a 620 goal for that guy.
So, she started striving to find her rhythm. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎
She’d go over standard problem types for a couple of days, aiming to cover the entire knowledge base to avoid losing points on regular questions in the entrance exam.
On June 4th, when most third-year students would choose to relax and have fun, she stayed home solving problems, focusing on the more complicated ones.
For instance, Li Yang had given her a problem she still hadn’t managed to conquer.
Even though she knew it required some advanced knowledge like floor functions, she was clueless.
New concepts aren’t that easy to master quickly.
These days, her relationship with Dou Ying was just so-so.
Dou Ying brought in a fruit platter; she knew Jiang Banxia was reviewing today and didn’t go to work.
Even though Xue Ning’s account was important, it couldn’t surpass Jiang Banxia.
"Xiaxia, want me to take you for a ride? Just don’t stress too much with the entrance exam so close."
Jiang Banxia immediately replied, "No way, Li Yang is studying tirelessly; I can’t be worse than him."
"His foundations were shaky before; it’s normal for him to race against the clock now."
Dou Ying and Jiang Yaoting gradually understood the situation; the two weren’t dating, just that Li Yang was seeking study partners.
Although there might be a bit of young infatuation, it wasn’t nearly as exaggerated.
Besides, with only a few days left before the exam, one can’t afford a big fuss causing emotional disturbances for Jiang Banxia.
"No, he’s trying to get me to send him a love letter!"
"Huh?"
Jiang Banxia didn’t plan on hiding it from Dou Ying and said directly, "Initially, that guy said if I managed 685, he’d strive for 580. Then I recently found out he can independently solve for 253 in the comprehensive paper! Later, he said if I don’t hit 690 and he gets 600, I’ll have to send a love letter to him in college! I didn’t feel much at first... but the more I think about it... it seems like I’m bound to lose..."
Dou Ying was shocked.
Their youthful bet seemed silly yet harmless.
What surprised her was Li Yang’s rapid improvement?
Getting 600 is nearly the cut-off for top-tier colleges; rising from class bottom to top-tier qualification? That’s a bit exaggerated...
But seeing Jiang Banxia so serious, she felt it wasn’t bad; perhaps this bet could unleash more of Jiang Banxia’s potential.
"Xiaxia, why don’t I review with you? Together, we’re sure to beat Li Yang!"
