9 1.9 Jing Xuehao's Pride

"Good morning everyone." Teacher Shu, a stern woman in her thirties, stepped up the podium. She swept her eyes over the 25 students in her class and shook her head inwardly. There was no need for Special Students and Normal Students to introduce themselves, she could already perceive them in one glance. They had totally formed two groups with one empty row in the middle.

"I believe the Special Class students have already recognized me, considering how I've been your homeroom teacher for two years. But we have ten new faces here so let me introduce myself once again then we will continue with your introduction one by one. Don't give me that look." Teacher Shu said in a sharp tone. "You should learn to befriend each other, got it?"

There came reluctants groans and half hearted hums.

Teacher Shu nodded and wrote 'Shu Bingnan' on the whiteboard. "I am Shu Bingnan, an alumni from S High so practically, I can be considered as your senior. I teach Advanced Mathematics and Physics. It's a pleasure to know you all."

Afterward, it was the students' introduction.

The Special students complained. "Teach, why should we introduce ourselves?"

"Right, right, we have already known each other since junior high school, okay? You should just let the Normal Class do it."

"Shut up!" Teacher Shu berated fiercely. "Do you want me to deduct your points?"

Point deduction was the most effective way to calm those unruly children. It was the system S High had implemented since long ago. Students with their points lower than a certain threshold would have their parents call in and those young masters and missus feared nothing but that. Just as expected, they grumbled in reluctance yet still stood up when Teacher Shu called on them one by one.

It was unknown what cooperation they had reached but the students started to brag about their winter vacation.

"My name is Ling Fangfang. In winter, I went with my mom to Paris to join the Seine River Cruise whilst enjoying the snow, after that we visited my Aunt in Venezuela…"

"My name is Qu Lanji. I turned 16 a month ago and my dad bought me a limited edition sports car…"

"My name is…"

Jing Xuehao listened to them, disgusted. He had to exert all of his effort not to sneer at their obvious mockery. Anger boiled in his heart, they must have done it on purpose! They deliberately talked about their rich lifestyle to intimidate the Normal students!

"Next, Guang Li." Teacher Shu called out.

"Y—Yes, Teach!" Guang Li snapped his head up in shock.

Jing Xuehao's tense slightly loosened because he wasn't the first Normal student who was being cued. Just as he expected, the Special students turned their heads simultaneously and focused their attention on Guang Li.

Guang Li nervously stood up. "H—Hello everyone, my—my name is Kuang—akh, sorry I bit my tongue. My name is Guang Li."

Suppressed giggles rang out through the classroom and Jing Xuehao covered his face. He wasn't the one who was laughed at but still, the embarrassment infected him the same. He hated how awkward and disgraceful Guang Li was! Now the Special students must have thought that they were all nerdy like Guang Li!

"Tell us a bit about yourself, Guang Li." Teacher Shu nodded in encouragement.

"Um, I—" Guang Li's glasses fogged up from his rapid breath. "I didn't go anywhere during winter break…"

"Do you have anything to say after joining us?" A Special student chimed in jokingly. His sentence was welcomed with multiple boos yet stupid Guang Li took it seriously.

"I—I'm so thankful and elated!" He bowed deeply. "I hope to get along with all of you!"

"Pfft—" Burst of laughter broke out among the Special students. "Hahahaha! Look at him, he's so damn pure!"

Jing Xuehao clenched his fists so tightly that his whole body trembled ever so slightly. What were they laughing at? Was it so funny?! What was so funny?!

Teacher Shu slammed her palm on the podium. "Shut up! Du Minshen, one point deduction for cursing."

"Ah, Teach! No, I didn't do it on purpose!!!"

The woman ignored him and continued, "Next, Huang Zhihe."

In an instant, the ruckus died down as one of the boys Jiang Xuehao saw earlier stood up. With a smile, he waved casually, even to the Normal students, making the girls' faces redden. "Hello everyone, my name is Huang Zhihe and I am 17 years old this year. Please take care of me from now on. I know that some of us aren't happy with the new system but I'm sure the Normal students are uncomfortable with it too. I really hope that everyone can get along well with each other. Afterall, we will be in the same class for a year, right?"

The Special students glanced at each other and changed their tune in an instant.

"Well, if Young Master Huang said it…"

"Fine, we will get along with them…"

"Thank you, thank you!" Huang Zhihe beamed and winked in a charming way. "Oh one more thing, I was last year's Class Monitor so if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask me for help!"

The atmosphere in the area loosened up and laughter could be seen in everyone's face. "Okay okay, Class Monitor!"

"All hail the Sun Emperor!"

"Enough with that!" Huang Zhihe chided with laughter in his tone.

"Good, thank you for the nice introduction, Classmate Huang." Teacher Shu nodded in approval. "Let's make you the Class Monitor again this year."

Cheers of congratulations followed thereafter. Subsequently, the introduction continued without a hitch. Because of Huang Zhihe, the Special students didn't try to mock them again but Jing Xuehao still couldn't bring himself to be happy.

"Next, Jing Xuehao."

Immediately, Jing Xuehao put on a smile that he had practiced countless times in front of the mirror, standing up to say with a polite and courteous tone. "Hello, everyone. My name is Jing Xuehao. I know that I am a Normal Class student but I really hope to get along with all of you."

Teacher Shu nodded and for the first time, showed a thin smile. "Classmate Jing here is the top ranker for two consecutive years in Normal Class. He's one of the most talented students S High has this year. You may ask him if you have any difficulties with your study. Can they, Classmate Jing?"

Teacher Shu's praise boosted Jing Xuehao's confidence and he could feel the people's gazes shifted to awe and inquiry. "Of course." He beamed brightly, his back straightened even more. "I will be very happy to help my future classmates!"

See, this was how a top ranker should be!

The Principal had even disbanded the stupid status system, that meant that he also put more importance in grade than anything else. If they were talking about grades, Jing Xuehao was confident that he would be the best compared to all these leisurely rich students who only knew how to spend their parents' money!

"Lastly," Teacher Shu's face instantly softened. It was obvious how much she liked this student. "Ren Zexi."

In an instant, the atmosphere turned silent and solemn. Even the lively Du Minshen was calmly looking forward. It made Jing Xuehao frown again. Exactly what was so good about this boy?

Ren Zexi stood up and nodded briefly. He didn't even bother to put a smile on his face. "Hello everyone," His voice was smooth, velvety, not quite deep and masculine yet still so pleasant to the ears nonetheless. "I am Ren Zexi. Please take care of me in the future." After that, he sat back down.

...That was it? No further introduction?? Jing Xuehao was looking forward to seeing what made him so awesome that everyone praised him to high heavens but he didn't even say anything more?

However, as if accustomed to the boy's curt demeanor, everyone replied to him enthusiastically. "Please take care of me too, Young Master Ren!"

"For the Normal Class students who might not know," Teacher Shu stated with a proud expression. "Ren Zexi is the top ranker in the Special Class. He's also the gold medalist of the International Advanced Physics Olympiads last year." Turning to Ren Zexi, the teacher's voice turned even softer. "Classmate Ren, do you still remember Professor Mu from Peking University[1] who approached you last time? He told me to relay to you that he wants to take you in as a disciple as long as you apply into Peking later on. What do you think?"

"Woaaah—!"

"A Professor from Peking has already scouted our Young Master?"

"He's so quick on his foot, alright?"

"Congratulations, Young Master Ren!"

Ren Zexi nodded in return. Not even a hint of joy could be seen in his face as if he had gotten used to the shower of attention and compliments. "I will consider it, Teach."

The whole class was happy with the news, even the Normal Class students were awed. So, they had an Olympiad gold medalist in their class? Exactly how smart Ren Zexi was to be scouted by a professor in the famous university when he was only in his second year of high school?

No one realized that a figure had long been frozen in the corner. It was none other than Jing Xuehao, who still couldn't believe his ears.

The happiness he felt earlier shattered to pieces and his pride received a huge blow. The thing he was most confident he wouldn't lose to anyone was his grade but now...he lost already? There was someone in Special Class that was smarter than him? No, it couldn't be… They were only young masters who were pampered their whole life, how could they be willing to study hard like him?

He wouldn't accept this result until they competed head on!

Ren Zexi… Jing Xuehao stared heatedly at the back of the teenager's head, the long lost feeling of competitiveness surfaced once again. No one was allowed to be better than him! He would make sure to step on Ren Zexi's ego and showed the latter how much better he was!

That's right. There was no way he would lose. Ren Zexi just hadn't met the right opponent. Now that Jing Xuehao was here, the only thing he should do was to sit back and be content with his place as the second!

***

The first day of school had always been the period of transition plus there was a new system so all they did in every class was to hear the teacher's introduction as well as making their own. The bell rang, signaling the end of today's class and Ren Zexi pulled out his phone to text Ah Shen.

[Ren Zexi]: Is Uncle Lu home yet?

The reply came in seconds.

[Ah Shen]: Not yet. There's a shareholder meeting today so Boss will be a little late. How about you, Young Master? Should I come and fetch you first?

Ren Zexi had just started typing when Huang Zhihe slung an arm over his shoulders. "Yo, yo, where are you going? Today's is the first day of school so cut it some slack, okay? Let's go and have fun with everyone! Don't be such a grandpa, which youngsters would stay at home every day after school?!"

He let out a scoff. Huang Zhihe had no idea that the real Grandpa was Lu Yizhou. Except for working, the man had no social activities at all. For the past eleven years Ren Zexi had known him, Lu Yizhou had always spent his time at home, mostly in the library. He would read books and drink hot water — not even tea or coffee. Because of him, Ren Zexi was subconsciously affected and he, too, became a homebody.

"Not going."

"Aiyah! Don't be like this! Just once in a while, okay? Please! I have told others that you're going!" Huang Zhihe pulled him closer and whispered. "Give your best friend some face, okay? This is the matter of life and death!"

Ren Zexi raised a brow, wavered. Today, Lu Yizhou wouldn't be at home so he would be all alone even if he returned. He stared at Huang Zhihe's begging expression for a while then sighed. "Fine. But not so late. As soon as it's 9 pm, I'm going home."

"Hooray!" Huang Zhihe hollered to the others. "Guys, he's coming!!!"

"Yesss!!! Sun Emperor, you're the best!!!"

"Only you can get Young Master Ren to change his mind!"

"Oh my God, this is going to be so exciting with the Prince here!"

Hearing the ruckus, Ren Zexi kicked Huang Zhihe's shin and glared. "You haven't promised them anything, have you?"

The tall teenager only answered him with an innocent grin and swung the car key on his finger. "Let's go! Let's go!" Then, he turned to the Normal Class students who wouldn't join them. There were four in total, one of them was Jing Xuehao. "You guys really won't go?"

"No." Jing Xuehao smiled. "I was busy with something today so I will skip." Who was he kidding? He didn't want to join the Special Class only to be at their beck and call, forced to witness their extravagant lifestyle that was out of his reach. Who knew where they would take him? What if the place they were going to cost much more than his allowance for a month? No matter how prideful Jing Xuehao was, he still had decent self control.

Work hard, play hard. That was his motto. He had much better things to do than to join these young masters and missus!

After saying goodbye, he left the school grounds and took out his phone that looked ugly and ancient compared to smartphones. His phone could only be used to call, and send WeChat and messages. It was one of the things he bought with his own money so he was proud of it.

"Hello, Brother Tang?" He said after the call was connected, excited. "Are you free today to talk about the business plan we have to submit into the competition later? I have some great ideas I want to share with you!"

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[1] In China, there's two most famous universities: Peking and Tsinghua. It's very difficult to test into.

A/N: Our protagonist is really a hard worker ne~

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