Chapter 39

"Yan Heng was obedient and came back the next day with the scent of medicine on him, which was strong enough that Tianxin even caught a whiff of perfume. It was different from his usual scent. Zhong You noticed the smell and asked, 'Brother Yan, what did you drink? Why is there such a strong smell?' Yan Heng licked his upper lip and replied, 'It's medicine. Does it smell bad?' He then smelled his arm and found that the smell wasn't that strong. Zhong You touched his nose and said, 'Maybe my nose is sensitive. I smell it pretty strongly. By the way, why are you drinking medicine? You look full of energy.' Yan Heng glanced at Zhong You and said, 'If you want to know, I won't tell you.' Then he started reading his book.

Turning around, Zhu Ting asked Tianxin, 'Hehe, how do you solve this problem?' Her eyes were full of gossip. Only Tianxin knew Yan Heng's secrets best. Tianxin ignored her and just took the book to start solving the problem. 'Don't think too much. It's just some traditional Chinese medicine for treating insomnia,' she said.

Zhu Ting lost interest upon hearing that it was for treating insomnia. It seemed that Yan Heng had been sleeping less in class recently because of his restless mood before the upcoming exams. Tianxin was also nervous. The first high school exam was of great significance. She didn't want to perform poorly since everyone in Class One was a good student.

'Review well,' Tianxin explained the steps for solving the problem to Zhu Ting, who then turned back to her own book. As the exam approached, the class was busy studying, even those who usually slacked off began to study hard. The most relaxed person was Yan Heng, who didn't seem nervous at all.

'How much do you think we can score on the mid-term exam?' Tianxin asked. Based on Yan Heng's level, she thought he should do well, provided he answered the questions seriously.

'How would I know? It's not like I made the exam. Call me brother, and I might consider giving you the questions in advance,' Yan Heng raised his eyebrows."

Tianxin pulled at the corner of her mouth and said, "If you can get 40%, I'll consider calling you brother." "Okay, I'll wait for that. I'll keep the title of brother for now," Yan Heng's mind was filled with Tianxin's shy voice calling him brother. The thought of it made him excited and motivated. What a shameless guy. How could he guess that 40% was achievable? Tianxin began to study seriously. Yan Heng put his physics test paper aside and started to work on the questions. Tianxin looked at him, and his thoughts had already flown far away. He seemed to like her a bit, not just because they were desk mates or because of her past help. It was a feeling that even she couldn't describe. During break time, the class teacher came in and announced, "We will have exams starting next week. Study well and aim for good grades. The first high school exam will have a significant impact on your future grades. That's it. Class monitor, please make an announcement." As soon as they heard about the exams, there were groans and complaints. "I feel like I'm going to fail." "Can we even pass the experimental class?" "We used to be good at studying, but now the pressure at One Middle School is too high." Tianxin put down her pen. She agreed with them to some extent. She didn't feel this oppressed during junior high school. She had no confidence now. If her brother knew, he would definitely make fun of her. He was someone who never worried about grades. He took one step, and she needed ten steps to catch up. The difference between them was so huge. Yan Heng actually gave her a few sets of printed questions, a stack of A4 paper clipped together. "Did you really bet on these questions?" Tianxin flipped through the questions, and each one's solution steps were clear and concise. They were all key points that she had learned. It was like a secret book for reviewing. Even if she didn't hit the jackpot, she could still do well on the exam by reviewing these questions. "Let's review together," she suggested. "These are the questions Yan Heng bet on. Do you want to make a copy and take a look?" Tianxin asked the two in front of her. "I'd rather review the textbook properly. I can't understand the complicated ones," Zhu Ting didn't believe in this at all. If she didn't hit the jackpot, she would lose a lot. She would rather read the workbook and textbook more.

"Can you give me a copy? I'll use it as a review material, it doesn't matter if it's not perfect," Zhong You said excitedly. The secrets of academic excellence were worth a look.

"Okay, I'll photocopy it for you after school and give it to you tomorrow," Tianxin said as she flipped through the questions. But then she heard Yanheng's displeased voice, "If you want to see it, make your own copies."

"Okay," Zhong You rubbed his head. He understood that Yanheng was jealous.

On the day of the exam, the seating arrangement was based on the students' entrance exam scores, with each person at their own desk. Tianxin was good at Chinese and was not worried about that, but she was most worried about math and science. When the math test was handed out, her breathing almost stopped. She checked the test paper three times before confirming that 40% of it was the original test questions, and the types of questions were almost the same. There was even one big question that was exactly the same. Was Yanheng cheating by looking at the test paper? How could he do so well?

She took a deep breath and started to work on the questions. In another exam room, Yanheng randomly picked a few questions to answer. He checked his work towards the end and decided it was good enough to turn in. Some parts of his test paper were left blank. The students in their exam room had the lowest entrance exam scores, so he was confident that he had done well. He stood in the hallway and looked at the questions, knowing that if she did them well, her grades would be good. He could tell that she cared about her grades.

After standing there for a while, he went downstairs. Tianxin was taking her exam in another building. When he thought about her calling him "big brother," he quickened his pace.

After Tianxin finished the test, she started to check her answers. She realized that she had Yanheng to thank for this exam. He was really good. Except for her brother and Cheng Yugui, he was the person who made her feel the safest. Maybe it was her personality that made her feel insecure since she was young.

But thinking about calling him "big brother," she realized she was really stupid. She didn't expect to get so many of the same questions. How could she bring up the topic? He wasn't really her brother.

Tianxin packed her pen and handed in her test paper before leaving the exam room. On the second-floor hallway, she saw Yanheng standing under a tree. He came out early, as if he could feel her gaze. Yanheng suddenly looked up, and Tianxin shyly nodded at him.

Tianxin's mind was inexplicably filled with thoughts of her brother, making her increasingly disgusted with Yan Heng's behavior. She quickened her pace and Yan Heng smirked triumphantly, "How did you do on the test? Was it difficult? Did you get all the answers? When are you going to call me 'brother'?" He had a face that begged to be beaten up.

Tianxin glared at him and replied, "Call you whenever you want."

Yan Heng didn't expect her to agree so readily and said, "Then let's not choose a date, let's just do it now." He took Tianxin's hand and led her to the playground, where the two of them stood awkwardly under a tree. "What are we doing here?" Tianxin asked.

"We need some atmosphere. We can start now," Yan Heng said, standing up straight and looking serious.

Tianxin was at a loss for words, unable to say the word "brother" that was stuck in her throat.

"Don't be nervous, it's just two words," Yan Heng reassured her.

Tianxin wanted to say it, but couldn't. She took a deep breath and tried to think of him as Jiang Yizhou instead. "Brother," she said, blushing with embarrassment. She promised herself never to make a bet like this again.

"Ah, sweetie," Yan Heng said, unable to control himself. "If I wasn't afraid of scaring you, I would have pinned you against the wall and kissed you."

What the hell was "sweetie"? Tianxin kicked him. "Forget about what happened today. Don't call me that again. I need to go study for my other subjects."

"Okay, okay," Yan Heng said, rubbing his foot. "You're quite tough for a little girl."

Two days of exams had finally ended, and Tianxin felt like she hadn't done too badly.

"Oh no, I'm screwed. I didn't do two of the big math questions, guessed on several multiple-choice questions, and got none of the fill-in-the-blank questions right," Zhu Ting moaned on the bed. Zhao Xuexi had just come back from throwing out the trash.

"I told you not to slack off all the time," she said.

"I'm so sad. Tianxin baby, comfort me," Zhu Ting said, hugging herself.

"Yan Heng helped me with about 40% of the questions," Tianxin said.

Zhu Ting immediately shut down. "My heart hurts. Don't say anything else." She grabbed her phone and started scrolling through Weibo. "I need to see what my idol is up to and calm down."

"Wow, Yan Heng actually gave you the predicted topics. You and your desk mate have a really good relationship," Zhu Yan said lying on the bed.

Zhao Xuexi was also surprised. It's not something that an ordinary good student can do to get so many predicted topics right. Yan Heng is really hiding his talent. "Even if he's not at the top, he's still a big shot. If he studies hard, he can even be the first. You don't know how arrogant that guy in the experimental class is," she said.

"The one who was ranked first when we enrolled? I've heard of him. He is quite arrogant, but he has the ability to be arrogant. He can beat us easily in math, physics, and chemistry," Pan Xiaojiang also joined the conversation.

Tan Xiaoyue was flipping through the book, feeling sour when she heard that Yan Heng gave the predicted topics to Tianxin. Why did he have to be so good to Tianxin? Was it really because he liked her? She looked at Tianxin. Was she really that good?

Since he gave her the predicted topics, why didn't he take them out and let everyone see them? Thinking of Yan Heng, Tan Xiaoyue's heart was pounding with distress. That excellent boy fit all of her fantasies about her future partner.

"Xiaoyue, what are you staring at?"

"Nothing, I'm just thinking about the questions I did. I forgot some of them," Tan Xiaoyue said. Tianxin must have done well in the exam, with Yan Heng's help, she wouldn't have done badly. Why was it so hard for him to look at her a few more times?

"Tianxin, does Yan Heng like you? Why did he give the predicted topics to you?" Tan Xiaoyue asked tentatively. She could tell that Yan Heng had a good impression of Tianxin. If they were already together, then she wouldn't have any chance.

"No, he doesn't," Tianxin smiled. She wouldn't tell them about the bet and calling him "brother," as it would be very misleading.

"Hehe, I think you have a chance, Tianxin. Do you want us to help you pursue Yan Heng?" Zhu Yan got excited. She really liked doing this kind of thing.

Tan Xiaoyue's heart tightened, she looked at Tianxin, hoping for her answer. Tianxin smiled, "I have no plans to date right now."