Chapter 1 The Beginning
“The first award is for the top ten students in the first final exam for the first-year students.” The familiar director of studies said a few opening remarks and began presenting the awards.
Hearing her name, Wang Muman looked towards Yan Cheng at the front. Their eyes met. Wang Muman gestured for him to come forward, and Yan Cheng nodded. They went up together.
Originally, they were supposed to line up according to their rankings. The second-place student, a short boy, was between them. He looked left and right at the two of them, then suddenly said to Yan Cheng, "Brother, I feel like a third wheel. How about we switch places?"
Yan Cheng hadn't expected the seemingly quiet, short boy next to him to be so perceptive. He glanced at the director of studies who was handing out certificates, gave a slight nod, and quickly switched places with the boy, giving him a thumbs-up.
"Brother, I have to say, I was first in the midterm exam. This time, my physics was a bit off. Next time, I won't be between you two, don't worry!"
Yan Cheng didn't reply and silently moved a little further away from him. Wang Muman turned her head to look at him, "Why are you here? Aren't you first place?"
"I was afraid you'd pull someone else's clothes, and you might pull the wrong one," Yan Cheng smiled at her, even tugging at the hem of his clothes deliberately.
As soon as Wang Muman heard "clothes," she reacted, her face flushing, "If you don't talk this time, I won't be nervous!" she retorted.
The director of studies handed a certificate to the fourth-place student, saying, "Well done." When it was Wang Muman's turn, she saw Yan Cheng standing beside her.
"Yan Cheng, stand in your proper position. What are you doing?" the director of studies said sternly.
Yan Cheng stood tall and said softly, "Report, Director, this is the Lei Feng spirit! Classmate Wang Muman gets nervous easily. We're familiar with each other, so she'll be a little better."
Wang Muman gave him a quizzical look and tilted her head at Yan Cheng.
"Alright, let's finish this quickly for the photo." The director of studies shook his head, handed certificates to the last three people without saying a word.
The photographer in front made a gesture. The director of studies stood beside them, and they took a photo together. Wang Muman was still contemplating whether to give Yan Cheng some face by tugging his clothes, but the photo was taken instantly, and she followed the group.
Next were the top ten students in individual subjects, which were displayed on the big screen. Yan Cheng went up again to receive a "School Model Student" award. Even He Lele received a progress award and went on stage for a photo. Because she had improved by over a hundred places, He Lele smiled brightly in front of the camera. xxs Yi Er
He Lele ate a lot in the cafeteria, seemingly spurred on by the award.
"Manman, you can say this is the first award I've ever won!" He Lele said, speaking haltingly with a mouth full of oily chicken leg.
Wang Muman took out a tissue to wipe her mouth, "Mmm, I know. So, I'll reward you with a grilled sausage. I'll go buy it now! Wait for me."
He Lele nodded vigorously, watching Wang Muman run back and forth, her eyes darting around, sparkling. The moment she took a bite of the grilled sausage, her eyes widened, "This is truly exquisite. I think I can eat a lot more!"
"Don't eat any more, you'll get so fat!" Wang Muman pinched the soft flesh on her belly. She took He Lele's basin, poured the greasy contents into her own bowl, couldn't stand it, and pulled He Lele to the trash can to discard the junk food before leaving the cafeteria.