"Thank you for the hospitality," I said contentedly after finishing the bento box Shi Taoxiang gave me. My stomach was full and I felt like lying down to rest.
"No need to thank me. I am the one who should thank Youjie senpai for helping me solve my problem," Shi Taoxiang said as she prepared to put away the bento box.
"I'll wash it later," I hurriedly said.
"No need to trouble you, Youjie senpai. I'll take it home to wash. After all, if I have to wash it, I need to go to the wash basin at the cafeteria, and I'll need dish soap to remove the food oil on the bento box."
"You're right. Thank you, Shi Taoxiang," I still felt a bit guilty. I had eaten the bento box Shi Taoxiang gave me and let her wash it herself. Next time, if possible, I would go and wash her dishes as a compensation.
"No trouble at all..." Shi Taoxiang replied. I glanced at Zhiye, her face didn't look good, gloomy. I didn't know why, but suddenly I felt the temperature dropping around me. It was a survival instinct that compelled me to say, "I really wanted to taste the rice ball made by Zhiye. It's a pity I didn't get to."
"If Jie wants to eat, I will continue to cook for Jie tomorrow," the gloom suddenly dissipated, and Zhiye smiled and said to me.
"Zhiye is also working hard. She has to study and go to the calligraphy club at the same time, so I can't be so willful. Starting from tomorrow, I'll continue to eat pineapple buns. If the food at the cafeteria is better, I'll have some. If not, or if I've eaten pineapple buns for too long, Zhiye can cook for me," I expressed my thoughts in my heart without reservation.
"It seems that we're allies in the food chain!" He Yuqing raised her thumb.
"Senior, do you have such a gentle side?" Wen Xiaojing teased with a smile. This person has never been honest, always with a teasing attitude.
"Not your business..." I still felt angry at her attitude.
"If Youjie senpai doesn't mind... I can bring you a bento box every day," Shi Taoxiang said reluctantly, as if she had struggled with the idea for a long time.
"Thank you very much, but it's not good to always eat Shi Taoxiang's bento box."
"I didn't..."
"Taoxiang, don't spoil senpai too much. It's better for him to eat pineapple buns every day," Wen Xiaojing interrupted Shi Taoxiang's words. Shi Taoxiang couldn't finish her sentence and could only go along with Wen Xiaojing, forcing a smile on her face.
Next, I planned to take a rest, but He Yuqing couldn't help but speak up: "Zhiye's Chinese scores are really impressive."
Zhiye remained silent, seemingly disgusted by He Yuqing. He Yuqing smiled awkwardly and changed the topic to me.
"Youjie only scored 88 points, not great," he said with a condescending look on his face.
"It's only two points below passing, okay? And don't think that scoring 110 points makes you superior," my displeasure clearly showed on my face.
"110 points is nothing compared to Zhiye's 137 points," He Yuqing said in shock. It was like an extraordinary score that I couldn't reach.
"Zhiye is a very dedicated student, and this is her normal level of performance," it is not difficult to notice. Zhiye takes notes and listens attentively in every class, while I either daydream or try to stay awake.
"So, senior... your academic performance is not ideal. I guess you won't be able to get into college," Wen Xiaojing interrupted.
"It feels like you have such good grades," Wen Xiaojing, always teasing or playing games, how could she have good grades?
"You're very wrong, senior. My grades are impeccable," she suddenly became serious, which made me feel uncomfortable.
"Then, what are your grades in each subject?" I still didn't believe Wen Xiaojing's words.
"For Chinese, English, math, and the main subjects, I scored over 100. For other subjects, I scored above 85."
"Senior, don't believe me? Look at this, and you'll know I'm not lying to you," Wen Xiaojing seemed to sense my disbelief and pulled out an electronic version of the exam results from her phone. It was probably the entrance exam results from junior high to high school. I took a look and immediately felt inferior. I barely made it into high school during the transition from junior high, and I almost missed the opportunity to attend high school.
"Hmph, impressive, right?" Wen Xiaojing looked proud.
"I can't help but admire it," although I didn't want to admit it, her abilities were evident.
"So, senior, you really need to take your studies seriously. I think you might have the lowest grades here," Wen Xiaojing said.
As Wen Xiaojing spoke, I suddenly felt my self-esteem being hurt. I began to doubt whether there were any students here who were weak in certain subjects. Of course, we had to exclude Zhiye. Zhiye was invincible; high school subjects were like toys to her, and she excelled in every subject. I envied her so much.
"Don't doubt it. Besides me, Taoxiang's grades are also excellent. After all, she studies very diligently to get into the university she dreams of," Wen Xiaojing said.
"Siaojing... it's not as exaggerated as you make it sound," Shi Taoxiang protested.
"Youjie, my grades are also great. In my school, I'm in the top 100," He Yuqing quickly chimed in, unwilling to be outdone. It turned out that I had the worst grades here, and I felt a sense of defeat.
"Jie, if you want to, I can teach you," Zhiye said in a comforting tone. She had said similar things in class before.
"Senior, if you want to study, I can also teach you," Wen Xiaojing said hypocritically, her intention was still to embarrass me.
"Not for now, I also want to achieve my desired grades through my own efforts," I declared in a determined tone.
"Then, Jie, when you need me to teach you, please let me know," Zhiye said gently.
"I'm here for you too, senior," no need for insincere words.
"So, Youjie, how are your grades in other subjects?" He Yuqing asked.
"For other subjects... besides English, the main subjects fluctuate around 80 points, and English barely scrapes by around 50 to 60 points. As for the sciences, it's just average at 200 points," I said without much confidence. In reality, the fluctuation in grades was even more dramatic. In my freshman year, I was once obsessed with a game, which caused my grades to plummet. But it's better not to mention it and keep it buried in my heart.
"This is not just a slight difference, senior. At least the minimum passing score for the college entrance examination's main subjects should be achieved. Otherwise, you will have to rely on subjects such as comprehensive science to accumulate points. In fact, the worst-case scenario is just being weak in one subject, but in reality, senior, it seems like you are weak in more than one subject."
"Maybe one or two subjects," I really didn't want to say. Apart from Chinese, math, and biology (which is still not ideal), my grades in other subjects are poor.
"In that case, you need to study harder, senior," Wen Xiaojing covered her lips and laughed.
"Are you laughing at me just now?"
"Me? Laugh at you? Senior, how could you say that?" Wen Xiaojing still denied it. I didn't even want to argue with her anymore.
"Please believe that your grades will improve, Youjie," Shi Taoxiang encouraged.
"Jie, I will always be by your side, so don't worry too much."
"Youjie, don't let studying bother you. Youth is meant to be spent... pursuing other things..."
"Thank you, everyone. Thank you, everyone," I immediately interrupted what He Yuqing wanted to say. Don't say those inappropriate things in this kind of situation, you scum!
