Orange Storm chapter 18

It’s because I can do it

The results were about what he had estimated, about 5 points higher, but he hadn’t expected to take the first place. Fang Xing didn’t have much extra emotion about it. This score wasn’t particularly high, so he glanced at it and turned back to his seat. Xu Hang rushed over and grabbed his back, more excited than Fang Xing himself.

“Damn, even though I vaguely felt your academic vibe when I took your English assignment last time, it turned out to be true!”

Fang Xing, nearly pushed forward by his sudden hug, replied, “It’s okay.”

“Too awesome! This is the first time I’ve seen a change in the top student of our grade. I’ll follow you from now on.”

Fang Xing just remembered that on the ranking list earlier, the person behind him seemed to be Tan Zhuo.

Subconsciously, he glanced at Tan Zhuo’s position. His bag was still there, but he was nowhere to be seen.

Every time the monthly exam results were released, besides the students, the teachers were also very concerned. As soon as the grades were released, every teacher in the office had a copy.

“Both the first and second places in this grade are in Teacher Tang’s class?”

The homeroom teacher from the next class sat diagonally across from Tang Yi’s desk, looking at Tang Yi’s results sheet and smiling, “Teacher Tang, you’re too good.”

Tang Yi quickly waved his hand, with a dimple on his face, “It’s the students who are really outstanding.”

“That’s right, but you are the homeroom teacher.” The other teacher looked at the results sheet again, “I know Tan Zhuo, but who is this Fang Xing?”

“He’s a new student, transferred from another city just half a month ago.”

“Amazing, to catch up so quickly and take the first place.”

“He had good grades before; he came from their province’s key high school.”

The other teacher looked surprised, “No wonder—then why did he transfer to the third year?”

“I don’t know, I didn’t ask. It’s the student’s own business.” Tang Yi smiled and picked up his lesson plans and textbooks from his desk. “It’s almost time for class. I’m leaving first, Teacher Zhou.”

When Tang Yi entered the classroom, the bell rang. A group of students was still gathered in front of the list at the back of the classroom. Tang Yi knocked on the podium.

“You’ve finished the exams. Stop looking and go back to your seats.”

When everyone returned to their seats, Tang Yi smiled and spoke, “The first monthly exam is just a test of everyone’s foundation and review. Don’t be discouraged if you didn’t do well. Listen carefully when the teacher explains the questions, summarize them on your own, and understand where you made mistakes.”

He paused for a moment and continued, “However, some students in our class did well in this exam and deserve encouragement.”

Fang Xing had a bad feeling instinctively. Sure enough, the next second, he heard Tang Yi say, “For example, Fang Xing scored 668 points, ranking first in the grade.”

The entire class erupted in applause, as if they had received a command. Xu Hang, next to him, clapped the most excitedly. Fang Xing sighed, sat in his seat, and pretended to be dead, not looking at anyone.

Fortunately, Tang Yi continued, “And our classmate Tan Zhuo scored 657 points, ranking second in the grade.”

Only an 11-point difference.

Fang Xing thought like this, watching Tang Yi’s gaze fall on Tan Zhuo’s seat. Then, he heard a surprised “Huh?” from Tang Yi, who seemed a bit puzzled.

“Where’s Tan Zhuo?”

“He was here just now.” Tan Zhuo’s deskmate answered in a low voice. “Maybe he went to the restroom.”

As soon as the words fell, a report came from the door.

Tang Yi and the whole class, including Fang Xing, looked toward the door. Tan Zhuo stood at the door, his face and the hair on his forehead a bit moist, and the sleeves of his school uniform seemed damp, his face slightly flushed.

Tang Yi smiled, “Where did you go?”

“To the restroom.” Tan Zhuo’s voice was a bit hoarse, sounding quite normal.

Tang Yi didn’t say anything more, just said, “Don’t be late in the future. Come in.”

Tan Zhuo walked in, returned to his seat in full view, and began reading. He didn’t look at anyone from start to finish.

Fang Xing heard Xu Hang mutter next to him, “Damn, he’s so calm. I thought he would go crazy.”

Seeing Fang Xing looking at him, Xu Hang quickly said, “Really, one time, he didn’t get the first place in a grade test, and he tore up the test paper in the classroom. It was terrifying; at that time, no one dared to talk to him.”

Fang Xing frowned, and on the podium, Tang Yi had already started speaking again.

“This Saturday afternoon, there are no classes. We’ll have a parent-teacher meeting. It starts at two o’clock. Remember to inform your parents.”

As soon as this was said, there was an immediate uproar in the classroom. Tang Yi smiled without saying anything, waiting for the noise to subside before speaking again.

“Okay, once a month, you’ll get used to it slowly. Take out the papers from this exam, and we’ll discuss them during this evening’s self-study.”

Some students were still murmuring around him. Fang Xing took out the test paper and flipped to the first page.

The parent-teacher meeting was on Saturday afternoon. Jiang Zhijin should have time since he usually just lies at home on weekends, and the farthest place he goes is the supermarket at the entrance of the neighborhood.

Last time, he said he’d come for a parent-teacher meeting if Fang Xing made it to the top ten in the grade. This time, he got the first place. It should be considered exceeding expectations, right?

Tang Yi had just finished explaining a test paper during the evening self-study. When class was over, Tang Yi walked to Fang Xing’s desk and knocked, indicating for him to follow him out.

It was already dark outside, and during the break between classes, students were coming and going in the corridor. When they saw Tang Yi, some would greet with a “Hello, Teacher,” and Tang Yi would respond with a smile.

When they reached the end of the corridor where there were fewer people, Tang Yi stopped and turned to look at Fang Xing.

Tang Yi’s tone was very casual, as if he were not talking to a student but chatting with a friend. “Will anyone from your family come to the parent-teacher meeting on Saturday? Your parents or something.”

Fang Xing replied, “They probably won’t.”

“Oh, that’s okay—”

“Jiang Zhijin.” The next second, Fang Xing answered.

“Jiang Zhijin will come.”

He blurted it out without hesitation, causing Tang Yi to pause for a moment. He then smiled and said, “That’s even better. You did so well in the exam; let Jiang Zhijin treat you to dinner afterward.”

Fang Xing also smiled, and Tang Yi patted his shoulder. “Alright, I just wanted to ask about this. Go back.”

……………………….

When Fang Xing came out after taking a shower that evening, Jiang Zhijin had already returned to his room, but the door wasn’t closed, and light seeped through the crack.

Fang Xing hesitated for a moment and decided to knock on the door.

Jiang Zhijin’s voice immediately came out, “Not locked.”

Fang Xing pushed the door open and walked in.

Jiang Zhijin’s room had the same minimalist style as the living room, light-colored wooden wardrobe and bed, and normal bedding with gray and white solid-colored sheets and pillows.

…So, what kind of thought process led Jiang Zhijin to buy that SpongeBob SquarePants set in the first place?

On the opposite side of the bed was a computer desk with a desktop computer. Jiang Zhijin had already changed into pajamas, facing the computer and typing away. When he saw Fang Xing approaching, he closed the page and turned the chair.

“What’s up?”

Fang Xing cleared his throat and began, “The results of the last monthly exam are out. I did quite well.”

Jiang Zhijin asked, “How much?”

Fang Xing tried to make his voice sound casual, “668, ranking first in the grade.”

Jiang Zhijin didn’t speak for a moment, but eventually smiled, and the smile became more apparent.

He slowly said, “Impressive, Xiao Xing.”

“…It’s okay.” Fang Xing suddenly felt a bit uneasy when he was called that way, but he maintained a calm expression. “The score isn’t that high.”

Jiang Zhijin shook his head, “First in the grade is quite impressive. Inform your mom when you have time.”

“Oh.”

Fang Xing paused for a moment and continued, “On Saturday afternoon, there’s a parent-teacher meeting at 2 pm. Teacher Tang asked if anyone from my family is coming—will you go? If you are, I’ll let Teacher Tang know.”

“Sure.” Jiang Zhijin immediately answered.

Fang Xing felt a sense of relief in his heart.

After all, he almost unhesitatingly told Teacher Tang that Jiang Zhijin would come. If the other party had refused, it would have been quite embarrassing…

“Oh.” Fang Xing nodded and replied, “Alright.”

Jiang Zhijin looked at him for a moment and suddenly smiled.

“Last time, I said if you made it to the top ten, I would attend the parent-teacher meeting. Did you become the first for this reason?”

“…No,” Fang Xing replied.

Jiang Zhijin slouched in his seat, looking incredibly lazy. He tilted his head back against the chair, staring at him with concentration. His face bore a smile.

“Really?”

He wore a V-neck pajama, and when he tilted his head, it revealed a slender, fair neck, as well as faintly visible clavicles. Fang Xing shifted his gaze back to Jiang Zhijin’s face, locking eyes.

“It’s true.” He looked at Jiang Zhijin. “Being first in the grade isn’t about competing with anyone. It’s because I can do it.”

His tone was calm, but it still carried a bit of youthful arrogance—in simpler terms, he unintentionally showed off a bit, acting cool.

Jiang Zhijin couldn’t help but laugh, and he sat up slightly, facing him. His voice was gentle and steady as he said, “Impressive.”

Fang Xing stared at him without saying anything.

Jiang Zhijin changed his wording, speaking in a serious and sincere tone, “Got it, so it’s settled. Go to bed early.”

… Why is this guy so annoying?