"Do you want to be as good as me?"
"Yes!"
Ning Xi, momentarily surprised, nodded vigorously, oblivious to how intimate their interaction appeared.
"Ahem—"
"Ahem!"
Zhan Chongshan and Yang Ting coughed almost simultaneously, both looking uncomfortable.
What are they doing??
This was their senior year, not college; romantic relationships were strictly forbidden. They couldn't control secret relationships, but these two were way too obvious!
At least tone it down in front of us!!!
"Ye Fan, what are you doing?" Yang Ting asked, her voice laced with warning as she subtly winked at him.
Hearing this, Ning Xi glanced at Ye Fan, who was so close to her. Her face flushed crimson, and she quickly stood up from the sofa, hiding behind it like a child caught doing something wrong.
Unfazed, Ye Fan said casually, "Teacher, Ning Xi and I are discussing the competition problems. What's the matter? Is there anything wrong?"
"..."
Yang Ting was speechless.
Dude, please, have mercy! Spare me the embarrassment!
She wanted to kneel before Ye Fan.
Zhan Chongshan stared at Ye Fan with a strange look in his eyes and said pointedly, "Ye Fan, their senior year is a very crucial period. Their focus should be solely on their studies, and they shouldn't be distracted by other things."
"Some things can wait until university, wouldn't you agree?"
"You're absolutely right, Principal."
Ye Fan smiled subtly, then abruptly changed the subject. "However, I'm not quite sure what you're referring to. Could you please clarify?"
"..."
Zhan Chongshan opened his mouth, his expression stiffening.
He agreed, then pretended not to understand...
Could he be any more evasive?!
"Well, Ye Fan, I'm just giving an example, for instance, mind you, I said 'for instance', senior year is such a stressful time, that... well, dating would definitely distract them from their studies, and this kind of..."
Zhan Chongshan was afraid of saying the wrong thing.
He was helpless too.
They were both star students, and considering Ning Xi's background, he had to choose his words carefully.
However, before Zhan Chongshan could finish his sentence, Ye Fan interrupted him, his face full of confusion. "Principal, what are you talking about?"
"There's no such thing as puppy love in our Zhenhua High School!"
"..."
"..."
Zhan Chongshan and Yang Ting stared at Ye Fan, starting to question their life choices.
This student was too good at making up nonsense!
And the worst part was, it sounded somewhat reasonable...
Ning Xi lowered her head even further, wishing she could disappear into the floor.
It's over, they misunderstood!
She wanted to explain, but didn't know where to start.
Ye Fan, unfazed, smiled and said, "Principal, teacher, why are you looking at me like that? Am I wrong?"
"...You're right!"
Zhan Chongshan rubbed his temples in frustration and waved his hand.
"Xiao Yang, since there's nothing else, why don't you take them back to the classroom for class?"
"Yes."
Yang Ting breathed a sigh of relief, as if she had been pardoned, and quickly beckoned to Ye Fan and Ning Xi. "Come on, let's go back to class."
"Wait!"
Zhan Chongshan patted his head and said, "Getting old, my memory is failing me. There's one more thing."
With that, he opened his drawer and took out a red document.
"In recognition of your outstanding performance in the math competition, the admissions director of Tsinghua University called me at six this morning. Here, this is your acceptance letter for direct admission to Tsinghua University."
At this moment, his heart was filled with conflicting emotions.
Direct admission meant that, according to this year's college entrance exam regulations, Ye Fan wouldn't be able to take the exam.
This also meant that Zhenhua High School would lose a potential candidate for the Genius List.
No, to be more precise, they would lose a guaranteed spot on the Genius List.
With Ye Fan's grades, he would definitely make it!
However, Tsinghua University was the top university in China, and almost every student dreamed of getting in. Being offered direct admission to Tsinghua University was something that would make any student ecstatic.
It was an opportunity that no one would refuse!
Zhan Chongshan didn't know how to persuade him, nor did he have the right to.
He couldn't possibly tell Ye Fan to give up his direct admission to Tsinghua University and take the college entrance exam instead, could he?
He couldn't say those words!
Looking at the acceptance letter on the desk, Ning Xi was stunned. She looked up at Ye Fan, her eyes wide with wonder.
Yang Ting, who was walking towards the door, stopped in her tracks, a conflicted look on her face.
She felt the same way as Zhan Chongshan.
All three pairs of eyes were fixed on Ye Fan, waiting for his answer.
"I don't need it."
Ye Fan's expression didn't change at all, as if the document on the desk wasn't an acceptance letter to Tsinghua University, but an ordinary piece of paper.
"What do you mean you don't need it?"
Zhan Chongshan was stunned, completely caught off guard.
Ye Fan smiled faintly and said with a firm tone, "I don't need direct admission. I want to take the college entrance exam."
Hearing this, surprise flickered in the eyes of all three people in the office.
It was more obvious in Zhan Chongshan and Yang Ting's eyes.
Ning Xi's surprise was more subtle, and even she didn't know why she reacted that way.
Ye Fan caught this. His attention had been on Ning Xi all along, and the corner of his mouth couldn't help but curve upwards.
"Well..."
Zhan Chongshan suppressed his excitement and said, "I think this is a big decision. It would be better to discuss it with your parents first, don't you think?"
"Yes!"
Although Yang Ting also wanted Ye Fan to take the college entrance exam, she knew the importance of this matter and chimed in, "Ye Fan, this is a very important decision. It's better to discuss it with your parents first, don't make a decision on your own."
"I really don't need to."
Ye Fan walked up to the desk and picked up the acceptance letter.
"Rip—"
In front of their stunned eyes, the acceptance letter that symbolized the dreams of countless students was torn into pieces by Ye Fan.
Ye Fan walked to the trash can next to the coffee table, threw the shredded paper in, and looked up with a smile. "It's too late to discuss it now, I can only take the college entrance exam."
Direct admission?
He didn't need it!
Ning Xi was going to take the college entrance exam, so he would definitely take it too.
In this life, he would accompany Ning Xi through every stage of her life.
Back in the classroom.
Ning Xi was still thinking about what had just happened in the office. She rested her chin on her left hand, her clear eyes fixed on Ye Fan's side profile.
"Is it that nice to look at?"
"It is... no, it's not!"
The sudden voice caught Ning Xi off guard. Luckily, she reacted quickly and corrected herself.
Even so, her face couldn't help but flush red.
Ye Fan admired the girl's shy look and chuckled. "Just kidding, why are you staring at me like that?"
Ning Xi lowered her head shyly, not daring to meet Ye Fan's gaze. She mumbled, "I... I'm just curious why you tore up the acceptance letter to Tsinghua University. It's a rare opportunity, don't you think it's a pity?"
"Not at all."
Ye Fan's eyes were deep and soulful, his voice low but firm and filled with affection. "How could it be a pity when I can fight alongside you?"
"You..."
Ning Xi stared at Ye Fan blankly. She couldn't detect any hint of a joke in his expression. Her heart skipped a beat, and her face flushed even redder.
Ye Fan gave up his direct admission to Tsinghua University because of her?
As soon as this thought appeared, her heart became even more flustered!
Ye Fan boldly reached out his left hand and silently grasped Ning Xi's right hand under the desk. His voice was low. "Don't overthink it, focus on the lesson."
"...Okay."
Ning Xi's body stiffened, her clear eyes shimmering. She glanced at Ye Fan, then lowered her gaze to her hand that was being held, burying her face in her arms on the desk. Surprisingly, she didn't struggle, seemingly acquiescing to his action.
At this moment, the seed buried deep within the girl's heart quietly sprouted, growing rapidly. It wouldn't be long before it grew into a towering tree, filling her entire heart.
Sensing the change in the girl, boundless joy surged in Ye Fan's eyes.
This girl, it seemed like...
...
After school, Ye Fan watched Ning Xi get into the car and didn't look away until the car disappeared at the end of the road.
He was in a great mood!
Everything seemed pleasing to his eyes, even the man who was pickpocketing at the bus stop.
Huh?
Pickpocketing? Wait!!!
Ye Fan narrowed his eyes and quickly walked towards the bus stop.
The pickpocket's movements were skilled. With a flick of his hand, he slit open the shoulder bag of the woman in front of him, two fingers slipping inside. Within seconds, he had her wallet and phone.
The man put the wallet and phone into his pocket and walked towards Ye Fan. His entire act of theft was so nonchalant, he was definitely a seasoned criminal!
The second before they passed each other on the sidewalk, a foot appeared in front of the man.
"Thump!"
With a thud, Ye Fan swiftly pinned the man's hands behind his back and pressed his knee against the back of his neck. The whole process was smooth and fluid.
The fall completely disoriented the man. After a few seconds, he shouted angrily, "What the fuck is wrong with you?! Let me go!"
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