When Zhou Xiu returned to the Xi household, Aunt Niu poked her head out and said, “Xiu Xiu, Madam bought you some new clothes. Go take a look.”
Zhou Xiu’s gaze fell on the sofa, where several brand-new outfits were casually spread out. Without even touching them, she could tell that these clothes were far superior in quality to the discounted sportswear she had just purchased.
Recognizing the brand from clothes her classmates had worn, Zhou Xiu looked up.
As Aunt Niu continued wiping the table, she said, “It’s partly my fault. Winter has been here for a while now, and I didn’t notice that you didn’t have any proper clothes.”
“If Madam hadn’t mentioned it, I would have completely forgotten.”
Aunt Niu’s eyes lingered on Zhou Xiu. The school had issued two sets of winter uniforms, and Zhou Xiu had been wearing them every day. Even in the cold weather, she didn’t have a thick down jacket like the other girls her age, who usually disliked wearing their uniforms and loved to dress up. Even her niece had a wardrobe full of clothes, always dressed brightly and fashionably.
Earlier today, Madam had frowned in confusion and asked, “Why doesn’t Zhou Xiu have clothes to wear? Didn’t we give her an allowance?”
Aunt Niu had been stunned.
It wasn’t until she went to Zhou Xiu’s room that she realized how few clothes the girl had. The large wardrobe held only a handful of garments, hanging sparsely. Not only were her clothes few, but her personal belongings were also minimal.
In that moment, Aunt Niu finally understood, “This child is used to hardships; she doesn’t dare to spend money frivolously.”
This was a minor issue that Madam Xi wouldn’t dwell on. She had casually said, “Go to the steward and get some money to buy her clothes.”
When Zhou Xiu saw the new clothes, she was taken aback.
“Try them on and see if they fit,” Aunt Niu urged.
Zhou Xiu’s feelings were mixed, unsure of what to say. These clothes were so expensive that they could easily cover the living expenses of the entire Zhou family—over ten people—for several months.
To Madam Xi, they were insignificant, but to Zhou Xiu, they felt like a heavy burden.
Zhou Xiu always kept in mind that the Xi family might one day ask her to leave and withdraw their support. She had been saving every penny of the allowance Madam Xi had given her without spending a dime.
Zhou Xiu didn’t really need these new clothes. If she did, she would buy them herself.
Sighing inwardly, Zhou Xiu smiled and said, “Thank you, Aunt Niu. And please thank Madam for me.”
Feeling that this wasn’t sincere enough, Zhou Xiu decided to wait in the living room for Madam Xi to return from work.
When Madam Xi came home, she didn’t expect the girl she was sponsoring to be waiting up for her so late at night. As soon as the door opened, Zhou Xiu quickly lifted her head from her book.
Madam Xi noticed the thick stack of books next to Zhou Xiu, indicating how studious she was.
The girl expressed her gratitude, saying, “I received the clothes, and they’re very warm. Thank you, Auntie.”
“But you don’t need to trouble yourself with buying clothes for me in the future. I wouldn’t want to inconvenience you.”
Madam Xi responded with a nonchalant “hmm.” She hadn’t exactly been concerned with buying her clothes.
After changing into more comfortable clothes, Madam Xi drove to a beauty salon for a massage and facial.
It wasn’t until after her beauty treatment that Madam Xi called her son, speaking in a cold, teasing tone, “Why are you suddenly so concerned about Zhou Xiu?”
“That’s quite rare.”
There was a long silence on the other end of the line before a voice responded, “None of your business.”
…
Three days later, the school’s sports day came to an end, and Class 24 secured second place in the overall team score for their grade.
The first place went to the Winner Class.
After the sports day, Zhou Xiu went to the office and sincerely apologized to her biology teacher.
“Teacher, I’d like to join the biology competition class and participate in the March biology competition next year,” Zhou Xiu said.
The biology teacher wasn’t upset that Zhou Xiu had initially declined but was instead overjoyed. She watched as Zhou Xiu signed the form and handed over the class fee.
With only a little over a month left in the semester, the fee wasn’t much, so Zhou Xiu calmly took out eight hundred yuan and gave it to the biology teacher.
The teacher immediately gave Zhou Xiu some practice tests and reference books.
Although paying the fee was painful, the weight of the practice tests and reference books in her hands made the pain vanish instantly.
[If I remember correctly, didn’t I earn 100 yuan last time I completed a math competition test?]
**Nomad: From now on text in [] without bold is Zhou Xiu talking to the system. [] bold is the system talking.**
Zhou Xiu received a confirmation from the system:
[Ding—Score 80% on previous biology competition tests to earn 200RMB.]
[Score 80% on previous math competition tests to earn 300RMB.]
These practice tests were all potential money-makers!
Zhou Xiu took her time carefully going through the study materials.
Biology had always interested Zhou Xiu, and her daily visits to the library to read and research had broadened her knowledge. When she worked on the biology competition tests, she didn’t feel the same struggle she experienced with math.
It was during this time that Zhou Xiu realized that learning was a step-by-step process.
Having already previewed the entire high school biology curriculum, Zhou Xiu had built a solid foundation. Her frequent trips to the library had expanded her knowledge, making it easier for her to navigate the biology competition questions.
However, in math, Zhou Xiu’s knowledge base was severely lacking. Many students in the competition class had been studying advanced math since elementary school, leaving Zhou Xiu far behind.
Catching up on what she had missed required a significant amount of time and effort.
Zhou Xiu spread out her papers and got to work, filling in the blanks by visiting the library during lunch to find the answers in related books.
The advantage of doing open-book tests was that any questions she had could be resolved by consulting the right resources.
[Score 95% on the 2018 biology competition test to earn 200RMB.]
…
On Wednesday, Zhou Xiu followed her usual routine and attended her math competition class.
After finishing the first half of the class, she checked the clock, packed her bag, and prepared to go to the biology class next door. Since it was her first biology competition class, she couldn’t afford to miss it.
She walked up to the class monitor, Xu Haobo, and asked for a copy of the test that would be given during the next session.
“I won’t be able to take the test later. Could you give me a copy so I can do it in my free time?”
Xu Haobo frowned, looking at Zhou Xiu with a hint of curiosity. “Zhou Xiu, are you skipping class?”
At his words, the students who had been resting with their eyes closed lifted their heads, surprised to see Zhou Xiu standing there.
She had only been in the class for a few days, and now she was skipping a session?
Mr. Wang, the teacher, was known for his strictness and didn’t tolerate absences unless there was a special reason. The math competition class only met once a week, so missing a session could mean falling behind.
If you weren’t fully engaged in each class, you might not be able to keep up the next time. Those who dared to skip often found themselves kicked out by Mr. Wang.
Zhou Xiu shook her head. “I’ve already asked the teacher for permission. I’ll be attending the competition class next door.”
The class next door was the biology competition class.
The top students around Xu Haobo exchanged strange glances at Zhou Xiu.
Between the biology competition and the math competition, there was no question which was more important.
Even if you won a provincial first prize in the biology competition, it would only give you the qualification for independent admissions to top schools. But a first prize in the provincial math competition could secure you a spot in a prestigious university.
The top students in the math competition class were buzzing with confusion, staring at Zhou Xiu with complex emotions.
It wasn’t uncommon for students to attempt multiple competitions, but they often failed miserably. The math competition was already so demanding that it could easily drag down your regular studies.
Was Zhou Xiu struggling so much that she was voluntarily giving up?
Xu Haobo, irritated, warned her, “This test is very important. You’d better not miss it.”
Seeing Zhou Xiu’s indifferent expression, he shook his head.
When Zhou Xiu had boldly challenged the Rocket Class at their door, Xu Haobo had taken her seriously.
But now, it seemed she wasn’t all that.
“Zhou Xiu, if you can so easily give up on the math competition, what makes you think you can compete with the students from the Rocket Class?”
As soon as Xu Haobo finished speaking, a few students let out quiet laughs.
The students from the Rocket Class still treated her words as a joke, and the students from Class 24 were stubborn, always acting like they had every right to be cocky whenever they crossed paths with the Rocket Class.
Not only had they targeted the Rocket Class during the basketball game, but they had also stolen the spotlight at the sports day. The Rocket Class students were now eagerly awaiting the final exams.
They wanted these slackers to finally face reality.
This multimedia classroom was filled with top students from both the humanities and sciences, and they had all heard bits and pieces of the rivalry between Class 24 and the Rocket Class.
They had expected Zhou Xiu’s presence in the math competition class to stir things up.
But she had kept a low profile, quietly blending in, and two weeks had passed without any drama—until today.
The top students from the Winner Class straightened up in their seats, some even opening a bottle of yogurt to sip as they prepared to enjoy the show.
One of the Winner Class students nudged the person next to him who had been napping on his desk, “Yuan Ge, wake up, you’re about to miss some drama.”
Zhong Simiao from the humanities class paused her writing and looked up.
She frowned at Zhou Xiu, disapproving of her behaviour. But students came and went from competition classes all the time—it was perfectly normal.
Respecting Zhou Xiu’s choice, Zhong Simiao shook her head and decided to mind her own business.
Qi Yaguang crossed her arms and sneered at Zhou Xiu, “Isn’t the monthly exam next week? Zhou Xiu—”
She drew out Zhou Xiu’s name, asking, “Are you struggling so much that you’re planning to quit? Well, that’s probably for the best. The pace here is too fast; it must be hard for you.”
Zhou Xiu hadn’t been aware of the upcoming monthly exam, but even knowing now wouldn’t change her plan to attend the biology class.
She couldn’t tolerate wasting money by paying for a class and then skipping it.
“Thank you for the reminder,” Zhou Xiu said seriously.
Qi Yaguang snorted, “Who’s reminding you?”
If Zhou Xiu quit the math competition class, it would open up a spot for Lu Lingshan, who had been eager to join. Qi Yaguang knew how much Lu Lingshan wanted this.
Some people easily gained opportunities they didn’t even value, while others worked hard but still couldn’t achieve their goals.
Zhou Xiu wasn’t worthy of being in the math competition class.
Qi Yaguang watched Zhou Xiu enter the biology competition class next door and muttered mockingly, “Go on, Zhou Xiu, listen well, pay close attention—”
“Nothing wrong with quitting; it’s a smart decision.”
Zhou Xiu’s steps faltered. She turned around, raised an eyebrow, and smirked as she softly asked Qi Yaguang, “Did your face not get slapped hard enough last time?”
Qi Yaguang, initially confused, didn’t catch the meaning right away. But as she got closer and heard clearly—
Damn it.
Qi Yaguang’s face darkened, turning red, then green.
Meanwhile, the students from the Winner Class, who had been munching on snacks and waiting for a show, were left stunned as they watched Qi Yaguang return to the classroom with a look of utter frustration.
She slammed her thermos onto her desk, then angrily tore up her test paper, crumpling it into a ball.
One of the Winner Class boys watched in shock, muttering, “Wow, girls can be scary.”
“What did Zhou Xiu say to her to make her that mad?”
“Ha, Du Feiyang was right. Their class’s Xiu Xiu seems pretty tough. She doesn’t take crap from anyone.”
As the bell rang, Mr. Wang began handing out the math test. He scanned the room and, noticing Zhou Xiu’s absence, let out a cold snort.
His displeasure was clear.
He had thought she was a diligent student, but apparently not. Why would anyone choose biology over math? Math was clearly superior.
After distributing the test papers, he announced in a deep voice, “Anyone who scores below 70 will be rewarded with a copy of my new test collection.”
“You’ll need to finish it over the winter break and hand it in when you return.” The top students suddenly felt a chill, the atmosphere tense as everyone realized they’d better focus on their own test rather than anyone else’s drama.
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