In the classroom, things had returned to their usual state. Everyone was chatting and laughing, and some were absorbed in something on their phones.
At the back, Yang Wenzhao couldn't care less about Zhang Hui Zhen's teasing, not even a ripple in his heart.
The first time someone teased him, he frowned and felt a bit angry.
The second time, all he did was frown slightly, thinking about how annoying that person was.
By the third or even more times, he became numb, as if the person being talked about wasn't him anymore.
Zhang Hui Zhen clapped her hands, extending her arms with a big smile on her face.
"Come here, little cutie, let big sis give you a hug."
The Candy in Mo Jingchun's arms looked at Mo Jingchun, then at Zhang Hui Zhen's outstretched hands.
Zhang Hui Zhen wasn't about to wait for the little one to make a decision. Kids have a natural resistance to strangers, wait too long, and they won't want to be held. So Zhang Hui Zhen directly took Candy from Mo Jingchun's arms.
In Zhang Hui Zhen's embrace, Candy stared blankly at her, the earlier liveliness gone.
When it comes to handling kids, girls have the knack. A little one who was a bit reserved was giggling after just a bit of teasing by Zhang Hui Zhen, completely forgetting about brother Mo Jingchun up in the clouds.
The baby's allure was too strong; more and more girls gathered around Zhang Hui Zhen, eager to hold Candy. Meanwhile, Mo Jingchun, the elder brother, and Yang Wenzhao found themselves cluelessly squeezed out of the circle by the girls.
Why is it like this? Where's the girls' restraint?
Yang Wenzhao and Mo Jingchun, pushed to the back door, both fell into deep thought.
"Her eyes are so big and beautiful."
"Whose child is this?"
"If my brother were this cute, there's no way I'd hit him!"
"Senior, senior, let me hold her, she's so adorable."
"Hey? Why is she frowning?"
"You're holding her wrong; kids aren't comfortable that way. It's lucky she's not crying, let me have a turn."
Seeing that his sister didn't need him for the moment, Mo Jingchun simply sat down at the last row by the back door, and Yang Wenzhao, noticing, sat down next to him.
"You want the scholarship?" The usually silent Yang Wenzhao suddenly asked. Mo Jingchun was obviously taken aback for a moment, then nodded.
"It's great if I can get it, but it doesn't matter if I don't."
In Mo Jingchun's view, with all those algorithms in his mind and an AI system, how could he not earn money?
Yang Wenzhao raised an eyebrow, pointing at the group of girls.
"See the girl holding your sister and grinning? That's Li Xuanyu. You've probably heard her name before. If you want the scholarship, you'd better be better than her."
Li Xuanyu, Li Xuanyu. The name sounded familiar. Suddenly, Mo Jingchun looked wide-eyed at the girl holding his sister and then at Yang Wenzhao, seeking confirmation for his guess.
"Don't tell me she's the Li Xuanyu I know."
"Surprised? Or do you think the world is too small? No doubt about it, she's An Province's science top scorer, always beating you, Li Xuanyu."
Yang Wenzhao patted Mo Jingchun on the shoulder, "Let's reintroduce ourselves. I'm Yang Wenzhao, and that cheeky senior of yours is Zhang Hui Zhen."
"Best of luck, I believe you can defeat Li Xuanyu."
Mo Jingchun gave an awkward smile, unsure how much of Yang Wenzhao's statement was true.
For three high school years, Li Xuanyu's name overshadowed him, Mo Jingchun, always without exception. Every time during the exams, her name sat at the top without any meaning, while Mo Jingchun hovered between second and the top ten.
Coming to the college entrance exam, he performed well and got third in An Province for science. Mo Jingchun genuinely didn't expect the world to be so small; he'd only heard Li Xuanyu's name through teachers before, and now they're sitting in the same classroom.
If it wasn't for the system that appeared after the college entrance exam, Mo Jingchun wouldn't think he could compete with Li Xuanyu. Never winning once in three years, could he unreasonably think to win after starting university?
But now? Mo Jingchun felt confident in himself. Or rather, he felt confident in the system.
Ding～
"Congratulations to the host for realizing the system's strength. To help the host erase his shame, the system is starting to issue a task."
"The task is for the host to fight and secure the national scholarship this term. Complete it to earn 100 Points."
Mo Jingchun slightly frowned, and Yang Wenzhao beside him thought Mo Jingchun was feeling pressured by Li Xuanyu.
Yang Wenzhao didn't know that Mo Jingchun was arguing with the system in his head.
"System, shouldn't this task be considered long-term? Just 100 Points, do you really think it's fitting?"
"Also, you only mentioned the reward. What happens if I fail? You haven't said anything about that."
The system stayed silent for a moment before replying to Mo Jingchun.
"Host, the Points given by the system have a logical basis."
"And besides, don't be misled by novels. The system and the host are already integrated, sharing both glory and loss together. Failing the task brings no penalty, or rather, the loss of Points is the punishment for the host."
At this point, the system's tone turned plaintive, "Host, for a beginner task like this, if you fail, you'd better crash into a block of tofu or hang yourself with noodles."
"Life isn't worth it; the system can't afford to lose face."
Heh, who would've thought your system would be like this.
"What's up with you two? One's frowning, the other's looking all glum."
Just coming in through the back door with a workbook, Li Na noticed Mo Jingchun and Yang Wenzhao sitting at the door looking emo. Is this how university students are supposed to be?
"Ah, teacher, you're here." Mo Jingchun scratched his head. He couldn't possibly tell the teacher that the system was looking down on him, could he?
"Mm." Li Na nodded gently, her gaze shifting to the group around the baby.
Seeing all the girls surrounding Mo Jingchun's sister, Li Na, who had been knitting her brows, relaxed. Things seemed to be going better than she thought.
Still in her sportswear, Li Na moved from the back to the podium, and the classroom gradually quieted down. The girls gathered around returned to their seats, and Candy was carried back by a girl Mo Jingchun didn't know.
At the back, Zhang Hui Zhen met Mo Jingchun's eyes and helplessly shrugged.
"Good evening, new students."
Applause rang out~
Li Na raised her hand to ease the clapping, smiling as she said, "Some of you may already know me, but many have only heard about me indirectly. Let me introduce myself now."