As the monthly exams neared, tension thickened in Class 6, Grade 1. Even after class, only the scratch of pens and rustle of pages filled the air. This calm shattered abruptly with a girl’s voice.

“Hey, is Ouyang here?” Several girls entered the classroom. Leading them was a girl in Hanfu.

“President?” Ouyang Qianxue recognized her instantly. She was the Go Club president he’d played against days ago. The three behind her were familiar too—all club presidents.

“Aren’t those heads of the major arts clubs?” Classmates froze at the sight.

“They actually teamed up to find Ouyang!” Students gazed at him with admiration.

“Ah, there you are!” Spotting Ouyang Qianxue, the Hanfu girl and her group approached Qianxue’s desk.

“I heard the School Beauty Committee noticed you. You got their letter, right? Rank top 20% this exam, and you’ll be School Beauty.”

“How do you know that?” Ouyang Qianxue jumped at her sudden question.

“It’s all over school,” the Hanfu girl shrugged.

“I told no one… Could it be Qian Wang?” Ouyang Qianxue pictured Qian Wang’s mischievous grin.

“So we’re here to help!” the Hanfu girl declared, pointing at him.

“You’re an honorary member, but we forced you into our clubs. If your grades drop, it’s our fault. Plus…” A sly smile curled her lips.

“Becoming School Beauty would draw crowds to our clubs. Boys would flock to join! So we’ll boost your grades to top 20%, no matter what.” She and the presidents whisked Ouyang Qianxue to the library.

“Don’t underestimate Cherry Blossom students. Even our weakest would top ordinary schools. We won’t go easy—be ready,” the Hanfu girl warned sternly.

“I… I understand,” Ouyang Qianxue swallowed nervously.

“Try these past papers first.” They placed a stack before him.

“Last year’s monthly exams. Let’s test your level.”

“Okay.” Ouyang Qianxue buried himself in the papers.

The Hanfu girl watched him answer.

“Hm?” She noticed his fluid pace—no hesitation. His speed seemed unreal. Cherry Blossom exams were brutal; some schools used them for competitions.

“Hey! Look at that speed,” other presidents whispered.

“Is Ouyang a genius? Transfer exams are tougher than regular ones.”

“We’ll see his accuracy. Hope he doesn’t disappoint,” the Hanfu girl said, eyes gleaming.

An hour later, Ouyang Qianxue finished. The Hanfu girl snatched the papers and graded them. Her expression shifted from calm to delighted, then shocked.

“How’d I do, senior? Many mistakes?” Ouyang Qianxue asked cautiously.

“Unbelievable!” she trembled. “Ouyang, guess your score?”

“How much?” he asked nervously.

“99 points!” The other presidents gaped. Even they couldn’t score that high now.

“My god! Ouyang, how’s your brain wired? Skilled in arts and studies—you’re not human!” they exclaimed.

“It’s not that big a deal. I just knew these questions,” Ouyang Qianxue said, scratching his head. His wealthy guardian had hired private tutors during his adoption, so he never knew his true academic level.

“This is settled. With your genius, you’ll crush even Bai Yuxuan that monster. School Beauty is yours—congrats!” The Hanfu girl shook his hand excitedly.

“Huh… wait, is cold-as-ice Bai Yuxuan really that smart? Well, he reads college textbooks in class.”

“Oho, does Qianxue have a crush on him?” she teased with a goofy grin.

“Impossible!” Ouyang Qianxue retorted. He was straight—no way he liked guys.

“What a pity. Cherry Blossom’s top guy is your desk mate, yet you won’t seize the chance.”

“I’ll check other subjects first! What if I’m weak elsewhere?” Ouyang Qianxue grabbed another paper, dodging her gossip. He had a sister—he knew girls’ chatter never ended.

Days later, Cherry Blossom’s exams began. Classmates looked stressed, but Bai Yuxuan stayed calm. She finished every subject in under 30 minutes—except Chinese, submitted 20 minutes late. The questions needed no thought.

After exams, she studied college material and handled Student Council work. Ouyang Qianxue, in another hall, finished early but double-checked his answers.

Cherry Blossom teachers prized speed. Grade 1 results were posted within three days.

Bai Yuxuan walked past the board without glancing. She knew she’d be first by a huge margin.

“Damn! Monster Bai Yuxuan’s first again! 885 out of 900!” a boy yelled.

Just as she expected—she was first. But—

“Hey, look!” the boy shouted again.

“Second place, Ouyang, is only two points behind Bai Yuxuan!”

“What?!” Bai Yuxuan scanned the board. Ouyang Qianxue’s name followed hers—883 points. For the first time, she felt crisis; she’d always beaten second place by 50-60 points.