"Last one. You nervous?"

In the cafeteria, Shen Yuan, who was wolfing down his food from a tray, looked up at Li Zhi.

"Not nervous. I did well on the math test this time."

Li Zhi gave Shen Yuan a doubtful look. "You’re that sure?"

"Didn’t I tell you when I was checking my answers yesterday? I feel like I can get a perfect score this time!" Shen Yuan put down his chopsticks and looked at Li Zhi seriously.

"You don’t believe me."

Shen Yuan’s expression changed in an instant, turning sorrowful.

"Anyone else can disbelieve me, but not you, Li Zhi! We’re sworn brothers who would die for each other!"

He Zhiyu, who was sitting nearby, immediately looked up, her surprise mixed with even more delight.

’Kissing necks?’

’When did that happen?’

’What did you two do when I wasn’t looking?!’

Li Zhi looked at Shen Yuan’s sorrowful act, raised an eyebrow, and tapped her fingertips on her tray.

"Lian Po had to carry thorny branches on his back to apologize before becoming sworn brothers with Lin Xiangru. So where are your ’thorny branches’? You don’t have a shred of sincerity."

"I’ll treat you to dinner tonight."

Li Zhi said dismissively, "I’d just be tagging along, right? You’re treating Sister Shui and just inviting me on the side."

"After dinner, I’ll take you to a claw machine."

Young Master Li frowned with a "Tsk." "We’re bros. Saying that makes it sound like we’re not close!"

Shen Yuan immediately said, "Then we won’t go."

"But then again, I am pretty busy."

"That’s a shame. I was thinking of going tomorrow."

"Hey!"

Young Master Li held up a slender finger. "I’m free tomorrow."

Shen Yuan burst out laughing. "Young Master Li, look at you! So arrogant before, so humble now. It’s hilarious!"

Faced with Shen Yuan’s mockery, Young Master Li smiled sweetly and said softly, "When I get back, I’m going to tell your mom you bullied me at school and made me cry."

Shen Yuan’s smile vanished.

"Looks like Comrade Old Zhang is all grown up, already siding with outsiders."

But He Zhiyu, listening in, had a different take.

’How is that siding with an outsider?’

’This is clearly to help her reel in a daughter-in-law!’

’Oh! Damn it!’

’The male lead’s parents never seemed to appear in *Defend and Steal*. It’s time to consider having the male lead’s parents show up and dote on the female lead!’

...

To accommodate the upcoming vacation, the comprehensive science exam in the afternoon was moved up.

Not long after lunch, it was time to face the comprehensive science paper.

At 12:30 PM, Shen Yuan stood at the entrance of Room 211 in Building 3. Looking at the classroom before him, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of nervousness.

"Lao Yuan, you seem pretty nervous," Sun Xiansheng said, leaning against the wall, his gaze fixed on the proctor who had just entered the classroom.

Shen Yuan gave a shy smile. "It’s my first time, so it’s natural to be nervous."

"It’s always like that the first time. It gets better."

Shen Yuan nodded. "As expected of Teacher Hou, you’re so experienced."

Sun Xiansheng waved his hand. "That’s not it at all. Don’t listen to rumors."

Students from other classes who overheard their conversation all leaned in a little closer.

But before they could hear any more, the proctor inside the classroom walked to the door.

"Come in."

The students put down their study materials and headed into the classroom.

"Lao Yuan, good luck!" Sun Xiansheng patted Shen Yuan’s shoulder. "Relax. If you’re too nervous once you get in, you might mess up."

Shen Yuan nodded. "I understand, Teacher Hou."

"Take a deep breath, distract yourself, and just treat it like a normal test! I’m going in!"

With that, Sun Xiansheng entered the exam hall.

Watching Sun Xiansheng’s back, Shen Yuan resolutely followed.

The proctor at the door watched the two of them, his face darkening.

’Later, I’ll have to see whose ’troops’ these are. So bold!’

The comprehensive science exam was another two and a half hours long.

Facing questions from three different subjects, time management was obviously even more crucial for the comprehensive science paper.

Shen Yuan’s strategy was always the same: if he couldn’t solve a problem, he’d save it for later.

Lingering on one question for too long would mean not having enough time for the ones he could solve later.

There were too many questions on the comprehensive science paper; he had to manage his time wisely.

Shen Yuan’s weakness in physics wasn’t as all-encompassing as his weakness in math.

Force analysis was his strongest area in physics, but even then, Shen Yuan couldn’t say he was guaranteed to succeed.

But when he got to the section on fields, Shen Yuan’s mind went blank.

The first sub-question wasn’t a big deal, but for the rest, all he could do was smile through the pain.

Without a second glance, he moved straight to the chemistry section.

Chemistry was okay, except that Shen Yuan now had a bit of a stress reaction whenever he saw the element copper.

’What kind of decent person connects copper and vinegar?’

’When you argue with Young Master Li, if you don’t have a solid base of knowledge, you can’t even tell if she’s insulting you or praising you.’

Of course, most of the time, Shen Yuan could tell.

Young Master Li never bothered to hide the sarcasm in her tone!

’I’ve found the reason why I’m the underdog!’

Shaking his head to clear it, Shen Yuan refocused his attention on the test paper.

Just then, the proctor slowly wandered over to Shen Yuan’s desk and glanced at his answer sheet.

’Whoa! Class 15, an honors class at that.’

’With ’troops’ like this, Old Zhou is sure to keep climbing the ranks!’

Two and a half hours slipped by.

"The exam is over. Everyone, put your pens down!"

As the proctor’s voice faded, Shen Yuan put down the gel pen in his hand.

But not everyone did so.

Those who hadn’t finished their papers naturally scrambled to write a little more.

"Lao Yuan, did you finish?"

The moment they left the exam hall, Sun Xiansheng came over to ask.

"It’s okay, just say it. It’s normal not to finish the first time."

Shen Yuan rubbed his nose. "I finished."

"How was it?"

"Exhilarating!"

Sun Xiansheng gave him a thumbs-up. "A rare talent! Your name will surely be known on the path of comprehensive science!"

The two looked at each other and burst into laughter.

After spending the last few days with him, Shen Yuan discovered that as one of the "big guys" of Aruba, while Sun Xiansheng wasn’t as crazy as Ah Jie, his "driving skills" were far superior.

Not only was Sun Xiansheng a good "driver" himself, but he could also guide others to "drive" with him.

He made you feel the joy of "driving" in everyday conversation.

’Teacher Hou truly lives up to his name.’

Not long after they returned to their classroom, Old Zhou, having finished his proctoring duties, arrived.

"Everyone, sit down! I’ll say what I need to say, and then you’re on vacation."

As soon as he said this, the noisy Class 15, which had been busy comparing answers, immediately fell silent.

Seeing how quickly his students’ attitudes changed, Old Zhou snorted inwardly.

’The word "vacation" is a killer weapon against this bunch of idiots.’

"The monthly exam is over, so don’t gather around at school comparing answers! Whether you did well or bombed, what’s done is done. Go home, eat what you’re supposed to eat, sleep when you’re supposed to sleep, and stop causing trouble for me."

"But teacher, I’m a night owl."

"Forgot the beginning, forgot the middle, forgot the end, but long story short, I’m Xi Yangyang!"

"Xi Yangyang, Big Bear is here again!"

Looking at the chaotic classroom, Old Zhou chuckled dryly. "Do you still want to go on vacation or not?"

The class immediately fell silent again.

Old Zhou waved his hand. "Class reps, go get the homework. Once it’s handed out, you’re dismissed!"

Hearing the word "homework," everyone let out a collective groan of despair.

’No homework in the third year of high school?’

’Impossible.’

’If there really were no homework, some parents would even call the teacher directly to ask for some.’

’So, it’s better to avoid the extra trouble.’

’Let the kids suffer a little.’