Wife, I’ve Been Reborn (GL) - Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Mock Exam Begins: A Shift in Scenery

The mock exam arrived as scheduled, lasting two days. The homeroom teacher repeatedly urged them to stay focused, treating every test as if it were the college entrance exam itself. Mu Nan’s ears were practically calloused from listening. She looked at the teacher, who was speaking with spittle flying, and asked Xu Liangchen, “Which university do you want to go to?”

Xu Liangchen was deep in thought. Hearing Mu Nan’s words, she snapped back to reality and turned to look at her. Mu Nan smiled, a small dimple at the corner of her mouth, her canine teeth showing, her hair tied up to reveal a smooth, full forehead. She was looking at Xu Liangchen, waiting for her answer. Which university? She really hadn’t considered it. But Mu Nan… she knew which university Mu Nan would attend in the future. Thinking this, Xu Liangchen’s phoenix eyes lost their spirit, and her tone was listless. “Haven’t thought about it.”

Mu Nan immediately frowned. “How can you not have thought about it? Isn’t your goal University X?” Xu Liangchen shook her head, no longer engaging in conversation. Mu Nan pouted, resting her chin on her hand, looking towards the homeroom teacher. The classroom was noisy, everyone excited for the upcoming exam.

For the exam, all six classes were shuffled, and seats were assigned based on previous exam results, mixing good and bad students in each class. Mu Nan was assigned to Class 1. Xu Liangchen, because she didn’t participate in the last exam, was assigned to Class 6 as a ‘poor student.’ It was said that the students in Class 6 were very excited, staring at Xu Liangchen as if she were an alien. A few students with better-than-average grades came forward with their difficult problems, hoping for answers. Their attitude was even more respectful than it was towards the teachers. Mu Nan couldn’t help but chuckle. She used to be one of them too.

She was assigned to Class 1, near the aisle. The teacher hadn’t arrived yet, and she was already resting her head on the desk, eyes closed. Soon after, the teacher walked in, holding the test papers. The first subject was Chinese Language, which for Mu Nan was the easiest. Her English and Chemistry weren’t very good, but everything else was passable. An hour later, she finished the exam. She glanced at the other students around her, all deeply engrossed in writing. Bored, she continued to rest her head on the desk, feeling rough marks on its surface.

Mu Nan lifted her test paper and saw words carved into the desk, quite small but deep. Because the desks were flipped over during the exam, she hadn’t noticed at first. She tilted her head, reading word by word: “Xu… Liang… Chen!” Oh, it’s Xu Liangchen’s name. Mu Nan immediately perked up, seeing a small sentence next to it: “A thousand charms and beauties still can’t compare to your faint smile.” So cheesy. Although Mu Nan completely agreed with the sentiment, she was still cheesed out by the phrase. She rubbed her arm, wanting to look for more clues, but there was no other information on the desk besides these two sentences. Her eyes darted, and she recalled the incident where a boy from Class 1 confessed his feelings. Could she be sitting in that boy’s seat now? Oh my goodness… what a coincidence.

…

The Confessor and the Contrast

When class ended, Mu Nan asked around and confirmed that the person sitting in her seat was indeed the principal’s son. They were also taking the exam in the same classroom. He was sitting next to her, two seats away. Mu Nan looked at the boy, who had refined features, and clicked her tongue. He looks really good. Even in a school uniform, he exuded the aura of a Prince Charming. No wonder so many girls at school liked him. The boy saw Mu Nan looking at him, smiled, and nodded in greeting, completely devoid of the awkwardness he showed in front of Xu Liangchen. Looking closely, his demeanor was somewhat similar to Xu Liangchen’s. “There is beauty in the spirit of a person who has read many books.” If Xu Liangchen’s aura was on the colder side, this boy was like a warm sun. When he smiled, he was gentle, his eyes seeming to speak, looking at her kindly. Truly a dragon among men. Mu Nan returned his smile and lowered her head to seriously review for the next subject.

…

Xu Liangchen’s Exam Room and a Hidden Confrontation

Compared to Mu Nan’s peaceful side, Xu Liangchen’s side was tumultuous. When she first entered Class 6, the students all stared at her. She glanced at her seat; there was a bottle of drink on it, though she didn’t know who had put it there. As soon as she sat down, a girl next to her nudged closer. “Hey, have some water!” Xu Liangchen’s expression was normal, her attitude distant. “No, thank you.” The girl awkwardly took back the drink and returned to her seat, looking a little wronged. A few persistent good students came forward with problems, sitting next to her. “Top student, please teach me how to do this problem.” Xu Liangchen looked at them with her phoenix eyes, took out paper and pen, solved the problem in a few quick strokes, and returned it to them. Now, there was no longer any reason to crowd around her.

Zhao Shi, seeing everyone leave, leaned forward, whispering in her ear, “I’ll wait for you on the rooftop during lunch break.” Xu Liangchen heard this, her emotions unfazed, her eyelids lowered. Zhao Shi hadn’t received a reply from her and couldn’t resist poking her with the tip of his pen until he heard a faint, soft voice. “Okay.” Only then did Zhao Shi sit down, relieved.

Unfortunately, he was in the same exam room as her. And they were in front and back seats. For the next two exams, Zhao Shi wasn’t focused at all, scribbling down answers haphazardly. He kept looking forward to seeing Xu Liangchen humbled. He even imagined if she would beg him to keep her secret. Xu Liangchen, of course, didn’t think about Zhao Shi’s thoughts, but she was also a little distracted. I wonder how Mu Nan’s exam went…

During lunchtime, Xu Liangchen didn’t go to the cafeteria. As soon as class ended, she went up to the rooftop. Seeing no one around, she took out the pack of cigarettes she had bought from the convenience store. Her throat was itching, but once she lit it, she didn’t want to smoke it. She sat on the edge of the rooftop, watching the smoke rings float before her eyes. She blew them away. The air was filled with the smell of smoke. Xu Liangchen held the cigarette between her index and middle fingers, brought it to her lips, took a hard drag, then threw the cigarette on the ground and stepped on it. The ground was littered with cigarette butts; it seemed there were quite a few unruly students.

Zhao Shi climbed onto the rooftop and saw Xu Liangchen already standing there waiting for him. He strode forward without politeness. “You’re here early.” Xu Liangchen heard the sound and tilted her head to look at him. Zhao Shi wore a harmless smile, looking incredibly gentle. Only Xu Liangchen knew how narrow-minded and petty this person was! The brighter his smile on the outside, the darker his heart was within. Fortunately, she had protected Mu Nan before Zhao Shi could make a move.

Xu Liangchen took two steps back, withdrawing her assessing gaze. “What is it?” Zhao Shi brought out his hand from behind his back, a stack of documents in it. He held up the documents. “Xu Liangchen, I never thought your family situation was so complicated.” Xu Liangchen’s gaze fell on the stack of documents. “You investigated me?” Zhao Shi blinked. “Not exactly an investigation, just a little interest.”

Actually, after witnessing Xu Liangchen’s fighting skills that day, he had become suspicious. Xu Liangchen had always been the top student at school; although she was good at everything, it was said her health had never been very good. Now, she could effortlessly take down so many thugs. He became interested. Sure enough, his investigation yielded shocking results. He never expected Xu Liangchen to have such impressive achievements outside of academics. Entertaining guests. Just this one thing alone could make it impossible for her to stay at school.

Xu Liangchen’s expression subtly changed, and she clenched her fists. “Zhao Shi, haven’t you had enough fun?” Zhao Shi’s smile faded, his eyes revealing a fierceness usually hidden. “Fun? Xu Liangchen, I’m telling you, it’s best if you stay away from Mu Nan.” Xu Liangchen didn’t want to listen anymore and turned to leave. Zhao Shi’s voice behind her suddenly turned cold. “If you don’t care about your studies…” Xu Liangchen stopped in her tracks, his voice reaching her clearly.

“Zhao Shi, as long as I’m here, I won’t let you touch her.”

Xu Liangchen’s back was ramrod straight as she strode out. Behind her, Zhao Shi furiously threw all the documents on the ground. Xu Liangchen! How long do you think you can be arrogant?! Mu Nan! Let’s see how long you can protect her!