Yi Tianyu’s feelings were quite complicated. Wasn’t sending love letters typically a young girl’s behavior? How did the bookworm receive so many more love letters than him?

So just how popular was the bookworm?

Xue Jiao had no idea her love letters were being intercepted. With high school senior year approaching, her academic pressure had increased significantly.

Lin Zhihua said that when you’re in a certain environment, you must adapt to its rules. Even if you had a thousand or ten thousand dissatisfactions with the domestic examination-oriented education, as long as you were in this environment, it was a path you had to follow. And since you had to walk this path, you must use every second wisely.

High school was three years for everyone, but some ranked first, and others ranked last.

Xue Jiao never found studying bitter or tiring.

In her previous life, she had felt that studying was much more enjoyable than working. Given another chance in this life, Xue Jiao cherished every moment of learning even more.

Therefore, she treasured every moment of high school. Even on her way to the cafeteria, Xue Jiao wore earphones, listening to English audio.

This appearance of hers made most people feel she was unapproachable. Students privately gave her a nickname—”The Flower on the High Ridge.”

As a result, even those who liked her had crushes on her or wanted to confess to her, surprisingly, none dared to directly approach her.

They only dared to secretly deliver love letters.

Xue Jiao sat at the dining table with her meal. At the beginning of the sophomore year, Cheng Shuo had given her and Cheng Mingze ten thousand yuan each.

Though the meals at Seventh Middle School weren’t cheap, they weren’t that expensive either.

With money on her card, she didn’t deprive herself.

For lunch, she had one meat dish, one vegetable dish, and a soup. The portions weren’t large, and she could finish it all.

For most people, high school was probably the time in their lives when they ate the most.

Even Xue Jiao, with her small arms and legs and barely two ounces of flesh on her entire body, could finish a full plate.

Most boys would even go for seconds.

Xue Jiao didn’t eat quickly; she was methodical, looking very elegant, yet showing deep respect for food.

Not far away.

“Hey, hey, hey, Gu Xue Jiao!” A girl lowered her voice and nodded toward Xue Jiao while speaking to the other girls eating with her.

The person next to her was the first to turn around, looking over and saying, “She’s really impressive. Compared to the old Gu Xue Jiao, she’s completely transformed!”

“It seems like she changed after being provoked by Cheng Mingjiao.”

“At the beginning of last semester, she made a bet with Cheng Mingjiao, and then became obsessed with studying.”

“Yueyue, you mocked her for being overconfident at that time, but now look…”

“You’re talking as if you didn’t say anything. It wasn’t just me who said it; you were also criticizing her, weren’t you?”

“Yeah, yeah, you all said it at that time. Only Shiyun didn’t say anything!”

“Shiyun, tell us, who started mocking her first back then?”

…

Gu Shiyun’s fingers tightened around her chopsticks, her fingertips turning white. After a moment, she smiled and said, “What’s past is past. I don’t remember anymore.”

No matter how much she disliked Xue Jiao in her heart, she would never be as brainless as Cheng Mingjiao!

“Shiyun never gets involved in these things, so stop pressuring her.”

“Yeah, and Shiyun is so serious now, working even harder than before!”

“Chu Sheng is also very serious. Are you two both trying to overtake Gu Xue Jiao?”

“Haha, speaking of which, as long as Gu Xue Jiao’s grades remain stable in the top ten, she’ll be in the top 5 for direct admission in senior year!”

“That’s true. I’m jealous.”

…

Gu Shiyun maintained a smile on her lips, but she found it hard to swallow her food.

Nothing in the world was more painful than having to smile while listening to others praise your enemy!

Xue Jiao didn’t know that her lunch today had upset Gu Shiyun, nor did she know how many people were enviously looking at her.

Her momentum in studying this semester remained very strong, and Cheng Mingze’s countdown had also put a lot of pressure on her.

—

Early that morning, Yi Tianyu arrived at school early.

He then reached into Xue Jiao’s desk and pulled out a stack of love letters—this had become his daily routine lately.

“The competition has been over for so long, why are there still so many love letters?? Do these people have nothing better to do all day than write love letters?”

His voice was angry and helpless, with a hint of wanting to hit someone.

Suddenly, Yi Tianyu paused: “Damn! Could it be different groups of people??”

Just how many secret admirers did the bookworm have?

He was about to casually throw them into the garbage bag, but his attention was caught by a letter with writing on the cover.

Most people didn’t write anything on the cover of their love letters, but this one had writing.

It read: “Because of you, I realized that same-sex attraction can be this strong.”

Same-sex??

“Shit! There are even women?!”

Yi Tianyu held the love letter in frustration. At that moment, a voice sounded from behind—

“You’re here so early?”

It was Xue Jiao!

Yi Tianyu instinctively hid what he was holding behind his back. Xue Jiao was confused; he had hidden it too late, and she had already clearly seen what it was.

Xue Jiao was somewhat speechless. What was Yi Tianyu doing?

She rolled her eyes, sat down in her seat, and then said, “It’s just love letters, right? I’ve seen them before. Why are you hiding them?”

Xue Jiao paused, then asked, “Afraid I’ll be jealous?”

Yi Tianyu: “…”

Xue Jiao took out her books and said with a smile, “Don’t worry, you don’t need to consider my feelings. Receiving love letters isn’t a big deal. Just don’t let it affect you.”

She thought to herself, she hadn’t realized that Yi Tianyu, who usually seemed so forthright, would be so considerate of her feelings as a desk mate who hadn’t received any love letters.

But he needn’t worry; she didn’t feel a hint of envy!

Yi Tianyu: “…Okay.”

He casually threw away the love letters and then looked at Xue Jiao. As if remembering something, he excitedly sat down in his seat.

He leaned his head toward Xue Jiao, looking excited: “Bookworm, I have good news! Our basketball team has made it to the top eight! If we win the next game, we’ll make it to the top four! Hahaha!”

Xue Jiao looked up, shifting her gaze to him, watching him.

Yi Tianyu became even more excited, continuing to show off: “The main reason our basketball team made it to the top eight is because of a new key player—me! Last year, I didn’t join, and look at our school—they didn’t even make it to the top eight!”

He selectively ignored the fact that Cheng Mingze also hadn’t participated last year.

Xue Jiao still looked at him without saying a word.

Yi Tianyu was still smiling at first but gradually became embarrassed under her gaze.

He touched his head: “What’s wrong, bookworm? Admiring your brother? Wait until Saturday when we make it to the semifinals, then you can admire me!”

Xue Jiao: “…”

She looked at him, her eyes gradually changing, becoming somewhat meaningful.

For some reason, Yi Tianyu felt that this look was very similar to the one he usually gave Xi Junyang, as if saying—

Look at this fool!

“Hey, what’s the matter?” Yi Tianyu asked tentatively, his voice careful.

Xue Jiao looked at him, her small red lips parting—

“Yi Tianyu, have you forgotten about the midterm exams on Thursday and Friday? The parent-teacher conference is next Monday.”

Yi Tianyu: “…”???

He was suddenly struck as if by a bolt of lightning from the clear sky.

A thunderbolt!

—

Preparing for the midterm exams on Thursday and Friday was not easy for either Xue Jiao or Yi Tianyu.

Yi Tianyu had a basketball game on Saturday and needed to practice basketball for an hour every day at noon, while also preparing for the midterm exams.

“What should I do? What should I do?” Yi Tianyu felt a bit panicked.

This month, he had spent most of his time preparing for the basketball tournament, greatly reducing the time spent on studying!

Could it be… that this midterm exam would reveal his true form?

Shaking his head, Yi Tianyu forced himself to focus on the math paper in front of him, then took out scratch paper and began to work out the problems.

Beside him, several notebooks were passed over.

Black and white checkered notebooks, the same color as the book covers Xue Jiao used.

Yi Tianyu blinked, looking at Xue Jiao, then at the notebooks.

“These, these, these…”

Of course, he recognized them!

These were Xue Jiao’s classroom notebooks, which she usually treasured so much!

“Use them. The most important parts are highlighted in color. Red has the highest probability of being tested, followed by blue, and then green. The ordinary black text should also be noted, as I can’t predict the exact test points.” Xue Jiao’s voice was calm as she spoke. After speaking, she lowered her head and continued to work on her test papers.

“Bookworm…” Yi Tianyu opened his mouth.

Xue Jiao’s pen paused slightly, and then she said, “I’ve also been distracted for a few days, so I can’t help you review. You’ll have to look at them yourself.”

Xue Jiao also felt a lot of pressure. Since the mathematics competition setback, Chu Sheng from the neighboring class had been studying as if his life depended on it.

Since she had always been in first place, she didn’t want to be pushed down.

Having said that, she lowered her head and wrote furiously, focusing all her energy on the paper in front of her.

Yi Tianyu stared stupidly at the notebooks in front of him. With various colors interwoven, neat handwriting, and clearly defined color boundaries, these materials appeared exceptionally clear.

He blinked his eyes, and after a long time, he finally stammered, “Bookworm… thank you…”

At that moment, his heart was pounding, as if something had burst out, running uncontrollably far, then quickly rushing back to his heart—butterflies in his stomach.

—

During Wednesday’s class break, Xue Jiao and Yi Tianyu were both buried in review. Class 1’s classroom was very quiet, with everyone preparing for the upcoming exams.

Suddenly, the school broadcast system sounded—

“Respected teachers, dear students, we have a piece of good news to announce.”

Immediately, everyone in the classroom stopped writing and looked up at the broadcast, confused.

Xue Jiao’s pen also stopped, but her gaze didn’t lift.

She was just slightly puzzled. At this time… what good news could there be?

“Congratulations to Shen Yikun from the senior class for being admitted to Nankai University through direct admission, congratulations to Qiu Yue from the senior class for being admitted to Fudan University through direct admission, congratulations to…”

In an instant, the classroom fell silent, with almost everyone looking up at the broadcast.

“Finally, congratulations to Cheng Mingze from the senior class for being admitted to Tsinghua University’s Mathematics Department through direct admission! Fellow students, let us congratulate these seniors! At the same time, with the college entrance examination approaching, we hope the senior class continues to work hard and achieve excellent results. Thank you all.”

“Boom—” In an instant, the classroom erupted.

“Oh my God—” Almost everyone was exclaiming.

Many of them were very good students, but with the increasingly fierce competition of the college entrance examination, the probability of getting into Tsinghua or Peking University was not high.

Plus, even if they usually performed well, there was always the possibility of having an off day.

Few people dared to say they were sure to get into Tsinghua or Peking University.

Cheng Mingze’s direct admission to Tsinghua University meant that he didn’t have to walk that dangerous tightrope or enter that smokeless battlefield.

“Cheng Mingze! He’s awesome!”

“Ahhhh! So envious!”

“He’s always been amazing. Even if he took the regular exam, he would get in.”

“That’s different. My goodness, I admire him so much!”

“Male god! Male god!”

“Boohoo, I’m so jealous!”

…

Xue Jiao gripped her pen tightly, thousands of thoughts surging in her heart.

So, in the original story, Cheng Mingze could have had such a brilliant life and such achievements.

Heaven letting her live once for Gu Xue Jiao was to allow her to fulfill her regrets, and also… to give Cheng Mingze, Cheng Shuo, and Li Sitong a brand new life.

Tsinghua University…

Xue Jiao felt somewhat happy, along with an indescribable yearning.

Just over a year more, just 410 days, and she would reach the moment in her previous life’s fate.

The college entrance examination.

She wished Cheng Mingze well, and she would also work hard for herself!

Lowering her head, she emerged from her emotions and immediately returned to her review.

Yi Tianyu, however, was somewhat dazed. Cheng Mingze had received direct admission to Tsinghua, so what about the bookworm?

She had also won first prize in the mathematics competition, and with her excellent grades, she would enter a top university…

He glanced at Xue Jiao, who had already immersed herself completely in studying, head buried as she wrote furiously.

Yi Tianyu felt a swelling in his heart, along with some sourness.

Soon, he shook his head and continued to look at the notes.

—

On Thursday, Seventh Middle School’s midterm exams began.

Xue Jiao had been first last month, just two points ahead of Chu Sheng.

She sat in the first seat, Chu Sheng in the second.

“I haven’t congratulated you yet on winning the first prize!” Chu Sheng smiled. He was very fair-skinned and spoke in a very soft voice, refined and gentle.

“Thank you.” Xue Jiao nodded, returning a smile.

Chu Sheng looked at her and said earnestly, “I will surpass you, this time.”

Xue Jiao: “…”

She paused, then said, “I will maintain my position.”

It seemed like they had this conversation every time.

She thought that perhaps her growing obsession with being first was because there was always a formidable person behind her, occasionally saying they would surpass her.

To avoid being surpassed… she probably had to become someone obsessed with being first.

Many years later, Xue Jiao would often recall her high school days.

In her memoirs, she mentioned this first-ranked student from the neighboring class. Though they had little interaction, he was a rival, and also like a friend with whom she had a spiritual connection.

In that glorious beginning period of her high school life, the competition with this person was undoubtedly a motivation.

Gu Shiyun, who sat in the fourth seat, coldly watched them. Since the beginning of the sophomore year, her once-proud grades had consistently been overshadowed by Xue Jiao.

Gu Shiyun gritted her teeth. This month, she had been getting up early and staying up late, waking up half an hour earlier and going to bed half an hour later.

She would surpass Gu Xue Jiao!

She wanted to step on her once again!

—

The two days of exams passed in a flash. On Friday, Xue Jiao and Cheng Mingze were picked up together to go home.

“I’ve been busy with review and exams these past two days, so I haven’t congratulated you yet.” Xue Jiao smiled as she looked at Cheng Mingze.

The young man before her was at his most spirited time. Even the usually calm male lead from the original story had eyes filled with intense joy.

“Thank you. You keep it up too. I believe in you.”

“Yes!” Xue Jiao nodded heavily.

She would keep working hard.

The two returned home, and shortly after, Cheng Shuo and Li Sitong also came back.

“Mingze, you’ve been admitted to the Mathematics Department?” Cheng Shuo asked.

“Yes.”

“So what’s your plan? Transfer majors after entering the school?” Cheng Shuo frowned slightly. Mathematics and finance…

“Yes, I’ll transfer majors.” Cheng Mingze nodded.

“To what major?” Cheng Shuo asked casually.

“Computer Science.”

Instantly, the house fell silent.

Even Xue Jiao looked at him in surprise—

If she remembered correctly, in the original story, Cheng Mingze had studied a finance-related major, which was why he quickly returned to take over Cheng Shuo’s position.

Why would he suddenly choose Computer Science?

Cheng Shuo was also puzzled: “You’re not studying a finance-related field?”

It had been decided early on that Pengcheng would belong to Cheng Mingze, and his education was in preparation for taking over the company. How could he suddenly decide to study Computer Science?

“Dad.” Cheng Mingze suddenly stood up solemnly, looking at Cheng Shuo.

His gaze was very focused, and his voice was very serious: “I want to study Computer Science. I’m interested in it. I want to establish a company that creates websites and games in the future.”

This was the first time Cheng Mingze had mentioned this, which left Cheng Shuo somewhat bewildered.

Pengcheng was an industrial enterprise, completely unrelated to what Cheng Mingze was talking about. If he followed his plan, it would be like taking a completely different path.

After a while, Cheng Shuo finally opened his mouth, his voice somewhat hoarse: “You…”

As if knowing what he was about to say, Cheng Mingze continued, “I used to think that after I finished studying, you would be older and should rest. But during this senior year, I’ve thought a lot. I want to take a different path. I want to fulfill my childhood dream.”

Cheng Shuo’s voice grew even hoarser: “You… still remember things from your childhood?”

“I remember, I’ve always remembered. I’ve been thinking about it this past year. I don’t want to take over Pengcheng. I want to fulfill my dream.” Cheng Mingze’s eyes were serious.

Cheng Shuo didn’t speak, falling into silence.

If Cheng Mingze didn’t take over the company, and Xue Jiao had no interest in it either, after Cheng Shuo could no longer manage Pengcheng, the company would inevitably be sold or managed by hired professionals. Regardless of which path it took, it meant that Cheng Shuo’s lifelong foundation would gradually disappear.

His once-cherished wish for Cheng Mingze to expand Pengcheng several times over would never be realized.

After a long, long time, long enough that Li Sitong couldn’t help but speak up: “Mingze—”

Cheng Shuo waved his hand, stopping Li Sitong from speaking.

He suddenly seemed to have lost all strength in his body, only saying: “Mingze, you’ve always been sensible, never demanding. When you were little and played Snake, you told your mother that it was too simple and that you would create something more fun in the future. We didn’t take it seriously because you were young, but later you always said you wanted to make better games when you grew up. As you got older, you stopped saying it. I didn’t expect you had never forgotten…”

Cheng Mingze nodded, his eyes showing a hint of stubbornness.

“If you want to study it, then go ahead. But you should know that it’s not the path I expected you to take. If you want to pursue your dream, then in the future, Pengcheng cannot be your fallback option. Once you’ve made your choice, you can’t regret it.” Cheng Shuo’s voice was serious.

Cheng Mingze also nodded seriously, without any hesitation: “Dad, I won’t regret it…”

“Then go ahead and apply.” After saying this, Cheng Shuo slowly walked toward the bedroom.

The successor he had cultivated was not planning to inherit his legacy.

For the older generation, this was quite a devastating thing.

“This…” Li Sitong looked at Cheng Mingze, then at Cheng Shuo, but ultimately said nothing and followed after him.

Only Xue Jiao and Cheng Mingze remained in the living room. Her face had turned somewhat pale.

She hadn’t expected that her butterfly effect would change the path Cheng Mingze was supposed to take in the future!

Xue Jiao didn’t know how Cheng Mingze would fare studying Computer Science, but she knew that if he took over the company, he would lead Pengcheng to become the industry leader!

Everything had gone awry!

“Brother…” Xue Jiao opened her mouth, looking bewildered, “Why aren’t you considering the company anymore? You’ve been learning from Dad for so many years, and you will achieve great things in the future…”

Cheng Mingze smiled and walked over.

He reached out his hand and gently rubbed Xue Jiao’s head, then said, “Jiaojiao, I’m very happy.”

Xue Jiao tilted her head, looking confused.

“My childhood dream has always been Computer Science. The fact that I’ve chosen this path now is already an achievement for me.”

Xue Jiao still looked confused.

Cheng Mingze continued to smile: “Because it’s my dream, I’m walking toward my dream.”

—

Xue Jiao was very perplexed. She didn’t know if steering Cheng Mingze onto a different path was right or wrong.

He looked very happy.

But he would have achieved remarkable success with Pengcheng.

Xue Jiao tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. She sent a message to Lin Zhihua—

[If a person would achieve brilliant success in a certain field, but for the sake of their dream, they chose a different path, is that right or wrong?]

After sending the message, she stared blankly at the ceiling.

After a moment, Lin Zhihua replied—

[There is inherently no right or wrong; it all depends on their own choice. Jiaojiao, if you were certain to achieve success in a particular field, would you be willing to give up the college entrance examination for that success?]

Xue Jiao was startled. Of course not!

How could she possibly give up the college entrance examination?

[You wouldn’t give it up because the college entrance examination is your dream. So there is nothing wrong with that person pursuing their dream.]

Xue Jiao blinked, her gaze fixed on one spot. After a while, she replied—

[I think I understand now. Compared to a path that seems good, one’s interests and dreams are what matter most.]

So Cheng Mingze’s unwillingness to take over Pengcheng and preference for realizing his dream was because that way, he would be happier.

In the original story, Cheng Shuo was already exhausted, and Cheng Mingze’s taking over Pengcheng seemed more like a path he was forced to take.

Also because of this, Xue Jiao did not cause trouble, and Cheng Shuo’s health was still good. Given another chance to choose, he decisively and desperately headed in a different direction.

[Yes, liking something is more important than everything else.]

Lin Zhihua typed these words, then closed his eyes slightly.

So, Jiaojiao, having you by my side is far more important than sitting at Silway giving orders.

I… like you more than Silway.

You are more important than Silway.

Xue Jiao suddenly excitedly wrote—

[I also want to realize my dream! I want to attend the best school! I want to become an outstanding mathematician!]

Lin Zhihua smiled gently, typing—

[Dreams are the guiding light on your path forward, and passion is the energy that supports you to keep going.]

On a night in sophomore year, Cheng Mingze chose to take a different path.

Xue Jiao also made a decision that would influence her entire life.

She hadn’t walked other paths, she didn’t know if the path she was taking was right or wrong.

But many years later, she was still very happy. She had created her legend.

—

Monday, parent-teacher conference.

“Jiaojiao, does Mom look good today?” Li Sitong tugged at her pretty dress.

Xue Jiao: “…You look good.”

Li Sitong smiled: “My daughter is so amazing, I can’t embarrass her!”

Xue Jiao was speechless: “The results aren’t out yet! What if I’m not first?”

“That’s fine too. As long as you’re near the top, Mom is happy!” Li Sitong applied lipstick and followed Cheng Shuo to Seventh Middle School.

On the other side.

Wu Wanjun lowered her voice, pulling Gu Shiyun: “Can you score higher than Gu Xue Jiao this time? Your dad is acting strange today, insisting on attending the parent-teacher conference. If you score lower than Gu Xue Jiao…”

Wu Wanjun didn’t finish the second half of her sentence, but both she and Gu Shiyun understood.

Gu Shiyun gritted her teeth: “I checked my answers. My score will be higher than before!”

Wu Wanjun exhaled, also gritting her teeth: “You must surpass Gu Xue Jiao! I absolutely cannot let Li Sitong look down on me!”