Sometimes it feels like every second is slow and distinct, yet somehow all that time slips away without notice, impossible to recall.

As exams approached, time seemed to sprint forward at incredible speed.

On this day, Xue Jiao was solving problems.

A few days ago, Lin Zhihua had given her more materials, and Xue Jiao was working through them rapidly.

“Gu Xue Jiao, come out for a moment,” Yin Fang called from the doorway.

What had happened now?

She paused for a moment, but her hand didn’t stop. She quickly finished writing the remaining part before hurrying out.

“Teacher Yin, what is it?” Xue Jiao asked breathlessly, having walked rather quickly.

Honestly, as a student frequently summoned by teachers, she didn’t even find it strange anymore. She just wanted to ask—what is it this time?

This time it wasn’t about anything else.

Yin Fang didn’t beat around the bush and asked her directly: “You signed up for the mathematics competition?”

“Yes,” Xue Jiao nodded.

Yin Fang sighed and said helplessly: “Why did you all sign up for this? To get guaranteed admission to those two universities, you must win first place. Is first place so easy to get? You’d have a better chance of getting into those universities through the regular college entrance exam by studying properly. Aren’t you just wasting time?”

At around forty years old, she analyzed everything in terms of gains and losses. If she thought there was little hope, she didn’t want students wasting their time.

“Teacher, I’d like to participate,” said Xue Jiao.

Yin Fang waved her hand: “Alright, Gu Xue Jiao, I know you. You may seem obedient and never contradict what others say, but you’re very stubborn. When have you ever listened to a teacher’s advice?”

Without waiting for Xue Jiao to respond, Yin Fang continued: “Shang Zhiyuan from our class, and Chu Sheng, Gu Shiyun, Li Lei, and others from next door are all participating. All the top math students have signed up. Although your ability has improved significantly, and you got first place last time, you’re still quite behind Chu Sheng in terms of skill. Not to mention the other talented students, even Chu Sheng is an obstacle you can’t overcome. Your foundation is still too weak. Students like Li Lei have been participating in competitions since childhood and have taken many competition courses. I’ve said what I needed to say. If you still want to participate, I have nothing more to add.”

Xue Jiao lowered her head, and after a moment, said firmly: “I want to try.”

Yin Fang exhaled: “Fine, fine. You really won’t listen to me. If you want to waste time, I can’t stop you, but you absolutely cannot slack off on your regular studies. If you don’t make it into the top ten, I’ll have to have a serious talk with you!”

“Okay.”

Yin Fang sighed and walked away. Xue Jiao remained standing, watching her back.

It was indeed likely to be a waste of time, but how could anyone truly avoid wasting every second in life?

Merely because of the “possibility” of wasting time or doing “useless work,” to not even try—Xue Jiao felt that would be failing her second chance at life.

What she had missed, regretted, and envied in her previous life—with this opportunity, she should try to fill in those gaps one by one.

“Potentially doing useless work” wasn’t frightening. What was frightening was drawing a circle around oneself, and being too timid to step out of it.

Self-imposed limitations weren’t the way to live; they were merely arrangements.

Besides—

It wasn’t necessarily useless work.

Determination flashed in Xue Jiao’s eyes as she turned and walked quickly back to the classroom.

——

Coincidentally, this mathematics competition was scheduled for the day after the monthly exam.

Compared to the tenth-grade monthly exam material which she had prepared quite well for, Xue Jiao felt her competition preparation was still lacking.

Therefore, before the exam, she was still working on mathematics competition problems.

“Xue—” Xi Junyang ran over.

“Shut up!” Yi Tianyu shouted in a low voice.

Xi Junyang quickly stopped, opening his mouth to Yi Tianyu, silently asking: What’s wrong?

Yi Tianyu raised his finger, pointing at Xue Jiao, silently replying: She has an exam coming up. She’s very busy. Don’t bother her these few days! Otherwise, I won’t let you off!

Xi Junyang raised both hands in surrender: Alright, alright, I’m leaving.

He raised his fist toward Xue Jiao’s back: Good luck!

Two boys at the desk behind were fooling around after lunch—

“Hahaha, you idiot!”

“You’re the idiot, you…”

Yi Tianyu quickly turned his head, giving them a death stare.

The two boys: “…”

He opened his mouth, silently saying: Shut up!

The two immediately dared not speak again, as quiet as chickens.

Xue Jiao studied seriously for some time in the quiet environment maintained by Yi Tianyu, making use of every minute and second.

Yin Fang had come to the classroom several times during breaks. Each time, she was quite displeased to see Xue Jiao working on competition problems instead of reviewing as she had expected. Since it was outside class time, she didn’t say anything, but her face looked extremely unhappy.

“The monthly exam is tomorrow, and Gu Xue Jiao from our class is still working on competition problems. I saw Gu Shiyun from your class already memorizing texts. This Gu Xue Jiao…” Yin Fang was still angry and couldn’t help complaining in the office.

Her complaints carried a tone of exasperation. She cared about this promising student and kept her eyes on her.

The Class 2 homeroom teacher smiled: “Student Gu Xue Jiao may already be prepared. Gu Shiyun couldn’t surpass her last month, falling below third place, so she’s still working hard. I’ve seen her studying vigorously this month.”

Yin Fang’s face looked even worse. She said somewhat helplessly: “In all these years at No. 7 Middle School, how many students have been recommended for admission in tenth grade? Almost all were in eleventh grade. They’re already a year behind eleventh graders, and with so many top students from eleventh grade participating, why do these children insist on trying now?”

“I’m quite supportive of it,” a teacher nearby suddenly looked up. “Besides, the math department has approved Gu Xue Jiao’s application. Many students with lower scores weren’t even approved by the school since spots are limited.”

Yin Fang glared at him: “You teach math, of course, you support it!”

The Class 2 homeroom teacher smiled and said: “Gu Shiyun knows the probability isn’t high this time. She’s just participating in the experience, so she hasn’t neglected her studies. As for Chu Sheng, I wish he would practice more problems!”

Yin Fang became even more jealous, her tone somewhat sour: “Chu Sheng is a rare mathematical genius seen only once in many years. He can surely achieve a considerably good result! I envy your class, with several excellent students! Why does our class…”

“Your class has the top student in the grade.”

“Sigh, I’d be satisfied if she could stay in the top three, especially now, when she starts doing competition problems as soon as class is over. How can she possibly do well in exams?”

Yin Fang said, holding her forehead: “Just thinking about it gives me a headache.”

——

Thursday, monthly exam.

Xue Jiao’s seat was the first one in Class 1, so she finally didn’t have to leave the classroom to find a seat in other classes.

When she returned from the bathroom, the classroom was already mostly full. Sitting behind her was a pale boy wearing black-rimmed glasses who looked quite frail. He smiled when he saw her.

Xue Jiao nodded, returning the smile.

“Gu… Gu Xue Jiao,” Chu Sheng spoke, his voice very soft and low.

“Hmm?”

“I will surpass you this time!” Chu Sheng looked at her, his eyes determined.

He had only started getting first place since entering tenth grade. At that time, he was convinced he would always be first! After all, not everyone would completely give up on liberal arts subjects in ninth grade and put all their energy into science subjects.

But… he had been surpassed in the midterm exam!

Xue Jiao was startled, then showed a smile: “I’ll try my best too, to stay in this position.”

Her fingers tightened slightly as she resolved to work even harder.

She never underestimated anyone, especially this natural genius before her. But the more pressure, the more fighting spirit. Xue Jiao’s eyes became determined—she needed to work even harder!

Her gaze inadvertently moved backward to a familiar classmate, Shang Zhiyuan. They nodded and exchanged smiles in greeting. Further back was… Gu Shiyun.

Xue Jiao’s eyes met hers. This time, the other party didn’t smile but had deep, profound eyes. Xue Jiao only looked for a moment before shifting her gaze.

She looked toward the teacher who was walking in, waiting for the exam papers to be distributed.

The higher one climbs, the more attention one attracts, but likewise, more people want to pull one down.

All were heaven’s pride; none would yield to others.

Xue Jiao exhaled slightly. She needed to work harder.

——

As soon as the two-day exam ended, Xue Jiao left school with her backpack.

“Jiaojiao! Over here!” Li Sitong was waving at her, with another young man carrying a backpack standing beside her—Cheng Mingze.

“Mom, Uncle Cheng,” Xue Jiao obediently went over.

Not hearing her call him “Brother,” Cheng Mingze frowned, his fingers in his pocket twitching.

“Come, Jiaojiao. Let’s go home for dinner and then go to outside No. 1 Middle School. We’ve booked a hotel. We’ll stay outside the school tonight.”

“Huh?” Xue Jiao was taken aback.

Li Sitong smiled and explained: “The competition starts at nine tomorrow morning. Our home is quite far from No. 1 Middle School, and there might be traffic jams. It’s better to stay near the school. You might sleep better.”

This arrangement was indeed good. Xue Jiao nodded: “Thank you, Mom.”

“This child, why so formal?” Li Sitong said with a smile.

The group got into the car and left No. 7 Middle School. Yi Tianyu watched the car’s tail lights, stunned.

“Son? What’s wrong? How did you do on this exam?” Yi Dafa nudged him.

“Fine,” Yi Tianyu replied perfunctorily.

At that moment, he felt the distance between himself and his deskmate.

One was at the bottom of the class, the other at the top of the grade.

One was going to a competition, the other was still dazed and didn’t know what to do, only focused on playing.

“Dad, you go back first. I’m going to practice basketball with the school team,” Yi Tianyu said, then tossed his backpack and ran toward the school.

Yi Dafa stood holding the backpack, stunned for a good while before saying—

“This kid!”

——

“Brother Yu! It’s getting late, let’s go back!” Xi Junyang shouted while wiping his sweat.

Yi Tianyu casually wiped off some sweat and continued practicing shooting.

“You go back first. I’ll practice a bit more!”

“Brother Yu, it doesn’t matter whether our family goes to university or not. Why are you working so hard?” Xi Junyang wiped his sweat, panting. “After high school graduation, go abroad to study finance, then come back and join the company. Why push yourself so hard?”

Yi Tianyu’s hand paused slightly, and this three-pointer brushed the rim and fell outside.

“I just want to try. You go back first.”

“Then I’m leaving. I’ll leave the key in the locker for you. Lock the door when you leave, so the coach doesn’t hammer me tomorrow.”

“Mm.”

Yi Tianyu continued shooting baskets, sweat pouring down his face. Outside, the sky had already darkened. The basketball court was silent. Yi Tianyu supported himself with his hands on his knees, breathing heavily.

“Perseverance is really difficult. How does that dummy manage to study non-stop every day?”

Saying this, he wiped away his sweat and continued shooting.

Clang—clang clang—

——

“Where did your brother go so late? I’m so worried!” Li Sitong kept calling repeatedly.

“I’ll go out and look. Where did this kid suddenly run off to? The competition is tomorrow, and he doesn’t know to stay in his room!” Cheng Shuo grabbed the keys and went out to search.

“I’ll go too!” Li Sitong quickly spoke up. “Jiaojiao, stay in the hotel and rest well. We’ll look for Mingze around the area.”

Xue Jiao nodded, watching Cheng Shuo and Li Sitong anxiously leave.

She picked up her phone and continued looking at the message from Lin Zhihua—

[I checked, and the main examiner for your competition is Teacher Jiang Kai. This person doesn’t have published materials on the market, but is a veteran in setting questions and has even participated in setting college entrance exam questions several times.]

[I’ve been following the competition questions from the years when he set them. This teacher’s questions appear conservative, yet he often employs unexpected tactics. He particularly emphasizes logical thinking. You should pay attention to the information in the questions. Don’t think too divergently, and don’t assume that all given information can be used.]

[I’ll send you a few questions to look at. This is his style.]

After thanking him, Xue Jiao quickly looked at the problems. Those few questions were from previous competitions, which Xue Jiao had done before.

But she still carefully reviewed them several times and solved them once more, analyzing them seriously.

Indeed, Jiang Kai’s questions had subtle complexities within apparent simplicity. His logical reasoning was extremely strong. The slightest carelessness would lead one into a trap.

Xue Jiao looked through them several times before putting down her pen and rubbing her neck.

It was ten o’clock.

They still hadn’t come back…

Xue Jiao looked up at the clock.

They were staying in a suite. She would be able to hear them when they returned.

The competition was tomorrow, and this is Cheng Mingze…

Wait!

The day before the competition!