It wasn't long before people who knew Chi Yan dug up Chu Yang's information: a student in the literature department at A University, first in her class, receiving financial aid due to poverty, from the countryside of Jiazhou.
When this information came out, many people felt that Chu Yang was undeserving.
"This...it's not discrimination against rural people, but shouldn't you at least find someone from a better family? What would they have in common to talk about? Don't tell me she has a little brother named Voldemort at home?"
"Other than good grades, she doesn't seem to have any other special traits."
"But she's pretty."
"She's just alright. There are plenty of beauties."
"Maybe he's just playing around with her? Sleep with her, give her some money, smooth everything over."
"How dirty! Not to mention Chi Yan isn't that kind of person, but as for the girl, how do you know she doesn't have other good qualities? At least she's a top student at A University. Don't think just anyone can get into A University! And she's first in her class! Getting first place at A University, do you think that's something an average person can do? Who she dates is none of your business! Sour grapes?"
"What a joke, who would I be jealous of?"
"Jealous of the girl of course. She can date the campus heartthrob Chi Yan. Hehehe. While you, campus heartthrob Chi Yan doesn't even know who you are."
At this time, Chu Yang sneezed several times. Who was speaking ill of her?
The discussion about Chu Yang was eventually leaked to Lin Shushu at B University. Looking at her phone, she laughed continuously. As soon as Li Qinglu came back, she went up to her and said, “Qinglu, I think Chu Yang’s boyfriend is just playing around with her. It makes sense, who would take interest in someone like Chu Yang? Many people are saying she doesn’t deserve him. Not like you and Senior Gu, you two really match well, destined to be together forever.”
Li Qinglu took a look at the comments, and for some reason suddenly felt a hint of happiness inside. She always felt like Chu Yang was out of her control. Chu Yang shouldn’t stand out so much. How could she find a boyfriend like that? If Chu Yang got dumped, she’d go comfort her.
Chu Yang didn’t see any of this because it came from a forum at B University and got deleted shortly after.
Chu Yang was completely unaffected, eating, drinking and studying as usual. Because she and Chi Yan attended different schools, they actually didn’t meet up much when classes were in session, also being far away from each other. Chu Yang was too embarrassed to always ask Chi Yan to come see her either.
In reality though, Chi Yan didn’t mind at all. What made him happiest was riding his little lamb motorcycle to go eat with her every time. But since his girlfriend put it that way, he had no choice but to agree.
On Wednesday the initial round scores came out. As expected, Chu Yang advanced to the re-test, placing first from A University.
The full national rankings of all participants’ test scores could be viewed on the official website. Chu Yang’s score ranked 7th nationally, earning 578 points. First place had 597.
Over 20,000 people nationwide participated in the competition, with only the top 100 entering the re-test final round.
Seeing her score, Chu Yang let out a breath of relief. Not bad.
Jin Yang and the others were overjoyed though. “Wow, Chu Yang you’re so amazing!”
“We must celebrate!”
“Let’s go out to eat tonight!”
“Barbecue!”
The three were especially excited, as if they had been the ones to pass the test.
Chi Yan also went online to check the scores. Seeing Chu Yang ranked 7th, he happily called her. “You did exceptionally well. Want to go out to eat tonight?”
Chu Yang: “Ah, I’m going with my roommates.”
Chi Yan: “...Can I join?”
Chu Yang looked to Jin Yang and the others. They didn’t mind, so after thinking for a bit, Chu Yang said, “In that case, why don’t you bring your roommates too. Weren’t we going to treat everyone to a celebratory dinner anyway?”
Chi Yan had no objections. He asked his roommates Wei Feng and they were naturally very willing and eager to go.
That afternoon after class, the group went to an off-campus restaurant. They were all familiar with each other already and weren’t reserved at all. First Chu Yang ordered two dishes, then they took turns ordering.
Since they still had class tomorrow, they didn’t drink alcohol, only juice and soda to toast with.
Wei Feng was a chatterbox and started blabbing as soon as he sat down. “I heard the test was super difficult. Boss, you were actually able to score so high. That’s really amazing! One of my buddies also took it. Guess how many points he got? He scored 148 on the college entrance language exam, currently studying mechanical engineering.”
Zhou Caicai guessed: “Over 500 points?”
Wei Feng shook his head. Jin Yang said: “Couldn’t be below 100 right. I remember someone named Zhou Jinyuan livestreamed attempting the questions before and only got 30 points...”
Wei Feng shook his head again: “148 points, ranked around 13,000th place. So you see, the competition really isn’t about your language scores. It covers all sorts of knowledge, bizarre stuff even. That’s why Boss you’re seriously awesome.”
Chu Yang laughed and said thanks.
She had actually looked at past initial and final round questions before. The initial round was truly relatively simple already. The upcoming final round re-test would be even more difficult.
The group was eating, drinking and chatting lively enough when a voice suddenly cut in. “Oh, having fun?”
Everyone looked up to see several unfamiliar guys, but Chi Yan recognized them.
The buzz cut guy in the middle glanced at Chi Yan then at Chu Yang next to Chi Yan, saying: “Chi Yan, I heard you got yourself a girlfriend? This is her? Doesn’t look like much.”
Chi Yan stood up, wiped his mouth, and casually remarked: “Gou Dan, it’s you huh.”
Wei Feng burst out laughing immediately. “Hahahaha, is this guy really named Gou Dan (Egg Dog)?”
The buzz cut guy’s face instantly darkened. “Chi Yan, I told you my name isn’t Gou Dan, it’s Gao Miao.”
Chi Yan: “Sure, Gou Dan.”
Chu Yang laughed from the side too.
“You!” The buzz cut clenched his fist, on the verge of charging over. Wei Feng and the others also stood up. “What, you wanna fight?”
The buzz cut seemed to think better of it and unclenched his fist, leaving them with a threat. “Chi Yan, just you wait.” Then he left, his lackeys following behind.
Everyone sat back down after they were gone, but the mood wasn’t as cheerful anymore. That buzz cut really ruined things.
Chi Yan held Chu Yang’s hand. “Sorry about that.”
Chu Yang shook her head, indicating she didn’t mind.
Wei Feng still curiously asked though, “Bro Chi Yan, who was that guy? You actually have enemies?”
Chi Yan refilled Chu Yang’s empty cup as he explained, “We used to live in the same housing block. He probably resents me for being adopted.”
Wei Feng coughed, nearly choking. “If you wanna boast about yourself, just say so straight out.”
Chi Yan shrugged. Nothing he could do if the other didn’t believe him.
