Chapter 52 - Monthly Examination

Chapter 52: Monthly Examination

On Monday, Jian Ai welcomed her first monthly examination after her rebirth.
Erzhong was a key high school in the city. Although it was known as a noble school, it was difficult to enter if one’s grades were poor. Therefore, the competition for results between students was very fierce. If they relaxed, they might fall behind in tens of places.
There were ten classes in each grade, and there were more than five hundred students in total. Jian Ai’s results in the past were relatively stable, and she was basically in the top ten.
“Jian Ai!”
As soon as she entered the school, Lin Yi stopped Jian Ai from behind.
Lin Yi was wearing his school uniform as he ran up to Jian Ai with his school bag over one shoulder. He sized Jian Ai up with his bright eyes before saying, “I was waiting for you in the cafeteria last Friday, but I didn’t see you! I heard from others that you didn’t return to class after the teacher called you away in the morning. Are you okay?”
Lin Yi’s tone wasn’t completely indifferent, and there was a hint of concern in it. However, even so, Jian Ai didn’t have much fluctuation in her heart. She just answered, “I’m fine. There was just an unexpected situation. It’s resolved now.”
Jian Ai’s expression was natural, and her condition was normal. Lin Yi knew that she wasn’t lying, so he nodded. “It’s good that you’re fine. I’m going back to class for the monthly examination first. See you in the cafeteria at noon!”
Jian Ai nodded and didn’t say anything.
However, the few words at the school gate this morning became a well-known gossip among the Year Ones again in the afternoon.
When she returned to class, the students’ gazes were still distant and isolated. No one asked her what had happened on Friday. To be more precise, no one cared.
Because Li Yunmei was injured, she did not come to school for the examination. However, Jian Ai heard some news from the whispers of her classmates.
Student A: “According to Jian Ai’s usual results, if she performed normally this time, wouldn’t she get into Class One and be in the same class as Lin Yi?”
Student B: “It’s possible. Jian Ai was in the top ten for both monthly examinations previously…”
Student C: “Didn’t she miss a week of class because she fell into the water a week ago? Her results this time definitely won’t be as good as before!”
Student A: “That might not be true. Even if her results fell, she wouldn’t be out of the top fifty, right?”
Student B: “Who knows! Anyway, I can’t get into Class One!”
Student C: “Why do you think they are dividing everyone into classes again? It’s almost summer vacation in two months!”
Ever since Jian Ai learned the mental cultivation techniques, her hearing had become exceptionally sensitive. As long as she wanted to listen carefully, she could hear the small sounds around her. Now, she understood that the results of the monthly examination involved redistribution of classes. If she looked at the number of people in a class of fifty to sixty, the top fifty students in the cohort would be assigned to Class One.
This aroused Jian Ai’s interest. The attitude of the surrounding students towards her could be described as transparent. If she had a chance to change to her classmates, she might be able to make two friends.
The monthly examination was still the same format. It tested everything she had learned in the previous month. Jian Ai was very familiar with this knowledge. She finished the papers quickly but did not forget to check them twice.
In the morning, they completed their Mathematics, Language, Foreign Languages, and Physics examinations. In the afternoon, it was Politics, History, Geography, Biology, and Chemistry.
In the cafeteria at noon, Lin Yi paid the bill again.
“How did you do?” Lin Yi asked Jian Ai while queuing.
Jian Ai stared at the few braised pork ribs left on the metal plate in front of her and answered, “Pretty good.”