Night falls, it's evening self-study.

The sixth group is located in the corner with the water dispenser. Zhang Ningzhi purses her lips and turns to look at Jiang Nian.

"Did you do all these test papers this afternoon?"

"Yeah."

"You're way too diligent, aren't you?" Zhang Ningzhi is shocked, and a bit disheartened, "I slept all afternoon at home."

"Your bed at home that soft?" Jiang Nian responds casually, placing his hand on her leg.

The last row, a natural shelter from the wind.

"Hmph!" Zhang Ningzhi gives him a slap, slightly annoyed but says nothing. After all... she's used to it.

This guy is just like that, and after May, there's not much time left to spend together, so she's lazy to argue.

"It's so hot," Li Hua lies on the desk, like an old dog sticking out its tongue, "Aren't they going to replace the fan?"

The old ceiling fan is barely hanging on.

"No worries, team leader." Zeng You turns around, comforting, "It's going to rain heavily tomorrow."

"Really?"

"Look at your phone, don't just look at inappropriate stuff all day. Do you only use your smartphone like a box for inappropriate stuff?"

"Chi Shi!"

Soon, Old Liu enters the classroom. Announces the arrangements for tomorrow's mock exam and also holds a class meeting.

Still the same old talk, then begins heart-to-heart.

Jiang Nian listens, bored, propping his head up with his hand. Squeezing Zhang Ningzhi's leg, quite leisurely.

Finally, provokes the girl's displeasure, earning himself a hard punch.

Got quiet.

After Old Liu leaves, Cai Xiaoqing looks a bit troubled. Organizing exams all the time, yet losing a self-study session for review.

Looking at the countdown, she can only sigh helplessly.

Her scores are pretty much fixed, and outside of class, she's concerned about university choices, but has no clue.

In the third self-study session, they dismiss early.

"Why haven't you left?" Cai Xiaoqing, sharp-eyed, spots Jiang Nian lingering, "Is it your group's duty today?"

"No, I've got nothing to do at home." Jiang Nian waves it off, he can't exactly say he's staying to play with Li Hua's eraser.

People don't feel tired when they're up to no good.

"Then come help out." Cai Xiaoqing says, "Here's some glue, help stick on the exam seating numbers."

Jiang Nian: "...."

I mean, just because I have nothing to do at home doesn't mean I've got nothing here, how did I end up with a task.

Oh well, it's just something on the side.

Cai Xiaoqing notices that he seems to do work faster than others. Gets a bit astonished, thinking maybe top students are just different?

Excellent people, perhaps they excel in everything.

After finishing everything, she hesitates for a moment. Approaches Jiang Nian to discuss her worries.

"Do you think with my grades, should I apply to universities in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, or up north?"

Jiang Nian: "Huh?"

He really doesn't know either, it's his first college entrance exam too. Never been to Jiangsu nor north.

"Sister Cai, I'm just a country bumpkin."

"You're asking me?"

Cai Xiaoqing: "...."

"But, I think..." Jiang Nian adds, "Isn't there an old saying, south first then north, east first then west."

"For science and technology, choose places with a high reputation in those fields; for humanities, choose renowned places."

"Choose the university based on the major you want to study, then choose cities with more job opportunities, you basically won't go wrong."

Cai Xiaoqing nods, it aligns somewhat with what she knows. But there's more on her mind than just that.

"Hmm, I'll think more about it then."

Jiang Nian: "OK."

After chatting with Cai Xiaoqing for a bit, he picks up his bag and leaves. He doesn't have those kinds of worries.

From the start to the end, he only had those few goals.

Sigh.

As the college entrance exam nears, classmates in the class have mixed feelings. He alone feels life getting increasingly stressful.

Tired, let it end.

.....

The next day, Monday's mock exam.

In building B, randomly assigned exam room, Jiang Nian and Li Hua are surprisingly seated together, just separated by an aisle.

Li Hua grins, as if on a field trip.

"Show me the answers to the multiple choice questions."

Jiang Nian turns his head, glances at him, "Ugly classmate, who are you? Don't try to get close here."

"Chi Shi!!"

The exam hasn't started yet, and Li Hua is bored. After all, his language scores just don't have much room to perform.

So, he wiggles in his chair.

"Nian."

"What?" Jiang Nian is also bored, but acts very serious, looking like a top student.

"In the past, you called me by my name, and I didn't nitpick. But now, what should you call me?"

"Animal!" Li Hua can't stand this face of his, it's just a 700 score, what's there to show off about.

After a while, he can't stand the boredom again.

"Hey, seriously. I saw you with Cai Xiang yesterday, is there something going on between you?"

A gossipy dog.

Ordinarily, someone would start denying right there, but Jiang Nian is different, he just raises an eyebrow.

"What, are you jealous?"

"Jealous my ass!" Li Hua spits, and says, "Anyone with sense wouldn't dare provoke her."

His voice falls, but he doesn't get a response from Jiang Nian.

Suddenly, Li Hua's heart skips a beat.

"No, bro, you're kidding, right? At least have some decency, dare to mess with Cai Xiang?"

Jiang Nian doesn't speak, plays the expert.

As for misunderstandings, they don't exist. Li Hua's credibility in Class 3 is zero, nobody would believe him.

"Hey, feel a bit bad. But Hua, in the future, you better get along with your stepmom."

"Chi Shi Chi Shi!!!" Li Hua can't hold it, shakes his head, "Impossible, you're lying to me."

Outside the classroom, the invigilator arrives holding test papers.

Jiang Nian can't be bothered to banter with his dear son, sits properly preparing for the exam, after all, there's only fewer exams each time.

Counting on fingers, only two serious mock exams are left. One this week, and the third mock next week.

Exams are on Monday and Tuesday, papers discussed on Wednesday and Thursday. Delays half a week to a week for scores.