He stood and began pacing on the balcony.

  “Well, Master, it’s like this. Someone had a fracture, and they are now asking for the latest drug that our institute developed.” Yu Jingpaused before adding, “Should we give it to them or not?”


  The distress in his voice was unmistakable. If it had been anything else, he wouldn’t have bothered Yao Tangwith it. But he could never be too sure about something when it came to the drug.

  After all, it was Yao Tangwho had developed the substance.

  After some thought, Yu Jingadded, “The patient’s injury is actually beyond treatment. I have no idea about the specifics, but they eventually turned to me for help.”


  Yao Tang glanced at the streets below. The sounds and lights of the heavy traffic filled the night. “Have you thoroughly tested the drug in terms of safety and effectiveness?”


  Yu Jing’s wrinkled brows furrowed. “Safety… Ah…”


  That’s right, the drug had yet to undergo the necessary measures to ensure that it was safe for public consumption. How could he even consider administering it to someone preemptively?

  Horrified at himself, the old man decided to drop the matter altogether. “I apologize, Master. I won’t be taking up any more of your time. Please have a nice evening.”


  “All right,” Yao Tanganswered calmly.

  As soon as she finished speaking, Yu Jingimmediately ended the call.

  …


  The next day, Class 20.

  A deafening silence filled the room. Nobody uttered a single word.

  It wasn’t because they were gearing up for a strenuous study session. Rather, they were bracing themselves to receive their marks.

  As per No. 1 High School’s policies, the results were usually handed out the day after the examinations.

  Understandably enough, the students felt restless and easy. This was going to be a defining moment for Class 20, after all.

  The other classes were just unsettled, though they weren’t exactly worried about their own performances.

  In the days leading to the exams, they had all seen the efforts that the students from Class 20 poured into studying. They had even felt the change in the atmosphere as they walked past their classroom.

  This received mixed reactions, from both teachers and students alike.

  Most of them were unfavorable, as they presumed that the people from Class 20 were merely putting on an act and pretending that they actually cared about their grades.

  And even if they did care, it wouldn’t do much, anyway. It wasn’t as if they could simply sprint to the top during their third year when they had spent the last two years neglecting their studies.

  The first result to come out was from the Mathematics test.

  Xi Yan walked into the room carrying the answer sheets.

  The students watched her with wide, wary eyes. They were looking forward to their results for the most part, despite the general uncertainty of it all.

  Xi Yan stopped in front of the teacher’s podium. The students held their breath. Then suddenly, her face broke into a big smile.

  “Good news, everyone. Your grades have improved in the Math test. I am so proud of you. Your hard work has definitely paid off.” Xi Yancouldn’t help but tear up as she said this, and she even choked on a sob toward the end.

  She had lost count of all the times she had wanted to give up on Class 20 because they were so difficult to manage. She had even considered quitting her job and transferring to another school just to get away from the little devils.

  Yet each time she had tried to resign, she would always hesitate at the last minute.

  Now, with the results in her hand, she was overwhelmed with humility and gratitude that she had been afforded the chance to watch these kids grow and develop.

  Their young faces lit up with excitement, and a collective sigh of relief went around the room, followed by cheers.

  Xi Yan beamed and rapped at the podium to get them to settle down. When she finally got their attention, she relayed the details of their current situation.

  First, she made a point of commending Yao Tang, who had gotten full marks yet again.

  When Xi Yan announced this, the class wasn’t as surprised as they had been the first time she had imparted similar news.

  If anything, they had been expecting Yao Tangto be the top student once more.

  What did shock them, however, was that Meng Yang—who usually ranked last—had, in fact, passed the Mathematics test. He was the dark horse that rose victorious in the night.

  But then they recalled how he had been sticking to Yao Tangfor group studies and homework activities, and their initial awe mellowed down significantly.

  Meng Yang marched up to the front of the class to receive his test paper, his grin stretched from ear to ear.

  Qin Jing had also done considerably well this time around. She glanced at the 141-point mark on her test paper and sneaked a glance atYao Tang. In the next second, she whipped out a box of chocolates from her bag and stuffed it intoYao Tang’s desk compartment.

  At this point, Lin Xinhad also received her test paper. Sadly, she only got 86 points. She stared at the numbers and felt like crying.

  Noticing her expression, Yao Tangleaned over and peered atLin Xin’s paper. “Hmm. Looks like I need to give you more tests to practice on.”