"The mundane world!"
Liao Ping, like a reclusive master, looked at the world from a different perspective.
Unfortunately, Su Yueās shoe landed on his face.
Everyone laughed wildly and made a ruckus.
Zhou Yuncan held the oyster sauce, eyes red.
He vaguely recalled a year ago, when everyone first went to the training base, trying to make pickled fish following a video tutorial.
Starting tomorrow, everyone would go their separate ways.
And both he and the oyster sauce faced the inevitable reality of separation.
"When youāre on break, you can come back and see the oyster sauce, Iāll take good care of him.
Dai Yuegui knew how reluctant Zhou Yuncan was, but this separation was necessary; you canāt take a dog to college, can you?
"Yeah, Iāll often come back to check on Oil Hao!"
Zhou Yuncan suddenly burst into tears.
Oyster sauce rubbed his big head against Zhou Yuncan, his pupils also red.
...
Hongyuan City!
"That kid Su Yue, did he finish his makeup exam yet?
"With his performance from six months ago at 30 cards, he should be ranked between 20th and 10th.
"Sigh, still much better than me. I got 28 cards, barely ranked 39th, such a disgrace."
Wang Lu Feng was scrolling through his phone.
He started looking for Su Yueās name from the 20th rank upwards.
names per page.
However, from 20th to 10th, Su Yueās name was nowhere to be found.
Wang Lu Feng frowned, suddenly feeling a bit uneasy.
Could it be Su Yue was careless and didnāt even make it into the top 20?
As for the top ten rankings, there was no need to look at all.
It was the battlefield for those geniuses from the four great imperial cities; both the first and second were beyond reach, Su Yue couldnāt possibly make it into the top ten.
There was no point to turn the page.
Wang Lu Feng tossed his phone aside, wearing an expression of bitter resentment.
This disappointing guy must have wasted the past half-year.
Not even in the top 20, making me grieve greatly.
Wang Lu Feng was so angry his stomach hurt.
He dialed Su Yueās number, intending to give his old buddy a good talking to.
So disappointing.
You had such a good hand, ended up ranked beyond 20, how can that be!
Su Yue went to the bathroom to wash up, just in time to see Wang Lu Fengās call.
"Hey, Old Wang, here to congratulate me?"
Su Yue took a deep breath.
Being too excellent just makes you a target.
Canāt imagine how devastated Wang Lu Feng must be.
"Disappointed!
"Su Yue, my good buddy I share meals with, Iām so disappointed in you.
"Youāve got talent, but youāre just too lazy.
"I also blame myself, as a brother, not being there to supervise you, urge you, inspire you.
"With such good cards, not even making the top 20, I... sigh, I donāt know what to say."
However, on the other end of the line, came a flood of heartfelt words with a sincere tone.
"Brother, after you get into Wuda, cultivate well there and never slack off again.
"Have you learned the story of āThe Talented Youngsterā?
"You must not rely on talent alone without effort, or else... you will become just like everyone else!
"If I, Wang Lu Feng, had your talent, I would definitely have gotten into the top 10 for the college entrance exam!"
Wang Lu Fengās disappointment grew, even quoting historical references.
He truly couldnāt bear to see Su Yue fall, heartbroken.
"Lu Feng, are you scolding me without even checking my results, isnāt this a bit careless?"
Finally, it was Su Yueās turn to speak, asking helplessly.
The brotherās intentions were good, just a bit dim-witted.
"Brother, at this point if I were you, Iād feel guilty and reflect instead of arguing.
"You think I didnāt check the results, I wouldnāt be speaking to you without seeing them?
"When I have some time, Iāll come to Cengyan City, you owe me a big meal, then Iāll give you a lesson."
Wang Lu Fengās words became more disappointed.
He was even making excuses, disappointment within disappointment.
"Brother, I have a suggestion... why donāt you try looking a bit ahead, from the first page, check the top ten!"
Su Yue suddenly realized.
This guy must be lazy, starting to look from the middle, he didnāt even check the top ten.
"Whatās the point, flipping back and forth, you didnāt make it into the top 20 either... I..."
Suddenly!
The other end of the line entered a deathly silence.
"Hey, Brother Lu Feng, when are you coming to Cengyan City, Iāll treat you to a meal,"
Su Yue asked.
No response on the phone.
"Talk to me, is your signal bad?
"Then Iāll hang up for now, remember to find me when you come to Cengyan City."
Su Yue hung up.
Bang!
Wang Lu Fengās phone slammed onto the ground with a bang.
He had been on speakerphone, simultaneously checking the college entrance exam site.
First place!
Platinum Skull Elephant, 42 cards.
That blistering result made him feel like heād seen a ghost.
"Son, you were scolding Su Yue, arenāt you ashamed, sigh..."
Wang Nanguo came in, picking up the phone.
...
Qingwu!
In the research office, Ding Beituās eyes were misty as he looked at Su Yueās score report.
"Professor Ding, I heard you used to be a teacher in Cengyan City, this yearās top scholar is from Cengyan City, that Su Yue wouldnāt happen to be your student!"
Another professor in the research office asked.
"Haha, how could that be, when Teacher Ding was in Cengyan City, he was almost fired for poor student scores. If the top scholar were Professor Dingās student, Qingwu wouldnāt have gotten this windfall."
"Exactly, the reason Qingwu could easily recruit Professor Ding was due to the poor martial arts scores in the high school class!"
"But, still, you canāt deny that this year, Cengyan City held its head high, an unfashionable small city outshining the four great imperial capitals, producing the top scholar!"
The group of professors in the research office bantered.
Nobody meant any harm, just a bit of teasing in the dull days as a form of relief.
"Sigh, donāt be so skeptical, this Su Yue was indeed a student of mine, old man Ding!"