Chapter 12

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Chapter 11 | 👌 Contents 👌 | Chapter 13

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Translator: Silvery

PR: Decadence

“Do you have to go to the washroom together?”

Teacher Wan seems to have a good personality, but if there’s anything, it’s just that he’s a bit too nosy. After that curious query, he gets off-stage and walks over to take a closer look at them.

These two little students are quite easy on the eyes. Though their looks are on opposite sides of the spectrum, they can still leave a deep impression at first glance. It’s that sort of striking appearance they bear.

Wan Yongming appraises them carefully before flipping open the name roster and looking between them multiple times. He ventures:

“Jin Linkun, Yu Sheng?”

Yu Sheng doesn’t want to answer. Nevertheless, the Black Blouse by his side has already pulled off his glasses and offered an apologetical and polite smile:

“Teacher, we apologize. We must have drank too much today.”

His tone is suitably fair and reasonable, yet at the same time, he virtually gives away his name.

-While pulling Yu Sheng down with him.

If not for this mouth of his holding him back, Yu Sheng truly wants to wish him and his entire family well.

“Brilliant.” Wan Yongming is quite delighted. He pockets his name roster. “I’ve been wanting to see the two second rankers for the exam this time. But I didn’t expect to meet you right on the first day.”

High school students are quite sensitive towards all kinds of things.

When his voice sails through the air to them, the students in the auditorium all swivel around at once, bright eyes falling upon the pair.

Yu Sheng’s mind summons the image of a field of sunflowers swirling tumultuously as one to catch the last dull rays of light of a sunset.

In comparison, Jin Linkun looks quite accustomed to this treatment. Under the many eyes on him, he does not bat an eye, smiling as he converses with Wan Yongming.

His words are carefully chosen and he has an attitude that’s the definition of humility. Just that one move of Tai Qi* from him is enough to transcend the limits of this world. All he needs is a couple of words to make Teacher Wan, who has been a handler for many generations of Third-Years, overlook the fact that he was late and snuck in here.

(*Martial Arts)

Many people are still straining their necks and looking back at them.

Putting Yu Sheng aside, the name ‘Jin Linkun’ has spread far and wide not just in City A, but also the other cities of the province.

In his 1st and 2nd years of high school, he came like a whirlwind and swept up each and every Championship within the province. It wasn’t until his third year, when he should have graduated with a sure-pass by all means, but got suspended for some unknown reason, that the Academic Tyrants all around who had been firmly oppressed for two whole years were finally able to heave a sigh of relief.

Nobody would have thought that in the first exam where this legendary character makes a comeback, he would actually be dragged off his throne by a student one year his junior and be forced to share second place with him.

The number of people looking over is increasing. Hushed murmurs gradually fill the auditorium.

Yu Sheng’s brows knit subconsciously.

It’s been a long time since entering high school that he is stared at by so many at once.

It’s not that it gives him anxiety. It’s just that he can’t get comfortable no matter what. Even if he isn’t the focus of their attention, even if he knows these people bear no ill intent, frustration still unknowingly wells up in the depths of his heart.

Jin Linkun is still talking jovially with Teacher Wan. Yu Sheng closes his eyes and his elbow mercilessly digs into the other’s side.

Jin Linkun: “Ah.”

His tone is no different from before, not even a little undulated. Wan Yongming startles, putting a halt to their conversation:

“Student Jin, what’s the matter?”

Yu Sheng turns away.

He is just about to retract his arm when Jin Linkun reaches back and latches his elbow with a hand that seems to have grown eyes.

As if to pacify him, he easily and very lightly pats his elbow twice.

Jin Linkun adjusts his glasses in an apologetic manner, sending a polite smile down Wan Yongming’s way:

“Teacher, can we go use the restroom now? We can’t hold it in anymore.”

Yu Sheng: “……”

He has never heard anyone say “Can’t hold it in” naturally in such a polite and amicable tone.

Wan Yongming should be the same. He startles before he realizes these two little students are intending to drop by the toilet hand-in-hand. He nods briskly and makes way:

“That’s all good and well. Everyone has the three needs*. It is equally important for one to also meet the body’s necessities before focusing on their studies…”

(*Peeing. Pooping. Farting.)

It’s hard to say if it’s a habit formed from managing the Third-Years. Whatever topic is presented to him, Teacher Wan seems capable of stretching it to their studies. In a blink of an eye, this topic is no more. He takes back to the stage as he rattles on.

Yu Sheng listens on with a bit of horror as he begins his lecture on the 3 arts of studying “On the Road, On the Pillow, and On the Toilet Bowl”. The staff leads them to the backstage washroom, with him dragged the entire way by Jin Linkun.

“That was a close call. If not for you, I really would have been broiled alive today.”

They naturally must do something now that they are in the washroom. Standing before the sink, Jin Linkun turns on the tap to wash his hands for show. He eyes Yu Sheng who has his arms folded at the side:

“We’ve still got to go back. Aren’t you acting a little as well?”

Having multiple years as a School Tyrant under his belt, Yu Sheng has long since outgrown the phase of washing his hands when faking a toilet trip. He sends him a lukewarm stare:

“Why not wash your face too?”

Jin Linkun raises his brows. He grips the sink’s edge and ponders it before he nods, wholly convinced:

“That makes sense.”

He pulls off his glasses, handing it to Yu Sheng:

“Help me hold it for a while.”

“……”

Yu Sheng turns with full intention to leave.

Because of his accidental jinx, he caused the other to drop to 2nd and inevitably felt mildly guilty over it. But now, that little bit of guilt has all but vapourized.

He’s even biting down the impulse to wish this scumbag luck in walking out and falling into a drain.

Seeing as if he’s not taking his glasses, Jin Linkun looks over his shoulder:

“Yu Sheng?”

This is his first time calling Yu Sheng’s name. Likely caused by his unfamiliarity with it, he pronounces every word carefully and the syllables roll off his tongue in a deep, but mellow voice.

Something washes over Yu Sheng, causing him to stop without a thought.

Jin Linkun still has his glasses offered out. His pair of long and narrow dark eyes squint blindly and he extends his hand to that blurry figure once more:

“Help me. I can’t find it once I put it down.”

Yu Sheng takes a deep breath.

Jin Linkun still has his hand raised in full belief he will come over and wait for him.

……

Yu Sheng stifles his temper and takes large steps over to snatch up that pair of glasses:

“Stop dilly-dallying. Make it quick.”

Pinpointing the source of that voice, Jin Linkun gives a good-natured smile and bends down to gather the water up to wash his face.

With his arms crossed, when Yu Sheng’s gaze lands upon Jin Linkun in that posture, he can’t help but frown.

This guy was retained for a year. He should more or less be of age now*.

(*18.)

The appearance of the teen is slowly transforming in a new direction. His facial features are especially refined, what with his Adam’s apple jutting out. The sleeves of that dress shirt have been rolled back twice to stop right at the crook of his elbow, and the curve of his shoulders draws a smooth line.

Bright, sparkling beads of water roll down either side of his face to make his eyes and lashes seem smokey dark in comparison, also highlighting his sharp jawline in the process.

Eye-catching and mature, he’s got the kind of atmosphere that makes everyone want to start throwing punches at his face.

……

Perhaps he thought the air was too still. Jin Linkun wipes the water off his face and gropes around for a paper towel:

“What are you thinking about?”

He can’t see clearly and he misses his mark by at least 9000km. Even after groping a few times, his efforts are still in vain.

Yu Sheng can’t bear to look on anymore. He pulls out a paper towel to stuff into his hand impatiently:

“I’m considering whether or not to dump out these shitty glasses right now.”

Jin Linkun wipes his face and gives a light, uncontrollable chuckle.

Wiping the droplets off his face, he accepts his glasses back and puts them back on. Mirth appears to dance in his eyes as he extends a hand to Yu Sheng:

“Thank you.”

Aaand all of a sudden, he is solemn. Yu Sheng is actually unsettled by it. Scowling as he gives him a onceover, he hesitates before he warily extends a hand back to him.

As Jin Linkun has only just washed his hands, the hand that meets his is cool with a sliver of warmth permeating from the palm.

“Actually, I’m quite curious.”

Jin Linkun grips his hand and chuckles lightly, lowering his gaze:

“Your score is quite remarkable… Do you usually use some kind of secret studying method?”

These words of his are slightly too abrupt, especially when it’s between two people with the same score. If this line was tossed out in a conversation between two Academic Tyrants, there might even be sparks of lighting and flames bursting out in the backdrop.

But Yu Sheng thinks he might have a faint idea of what he’s asking.

The nagging irritation which has been roused by his innate talent for causing aggravation is extinguished in one fell swoop. Yu Sheng doesn’t immediately retract his hand from his grip but instead bites down on his lower lip. The guilt which was wiped clean before rears its head back up.

For someone right out of the legends like this, though it may look easy on the surface, he must have had it tough too.

Not to mention, his myopia’s this severe. He must have read countless books and solved numerous questions.

Then, to suddenly get his place robbed by a stranger like him, who popped out of nowhere. It’s impossible to not feel upset at all.

……

He even made a trip to get congee for him mid-exam.

His shamelessness must be a cover-up for the regret and sadness he’s feeling deep down inside. Today, he might have been late to the Summer Camp because he was feeling crushed and didn’t feel up for it.

Yu Sheng gazes at him with a frown. Infected by that likely trace of dejection and loss on his face, his mind can’t help but fill in the gaps.

“You don’t – You don’t have to take it to heart.”

This is the first time Yu Sheng is speaking nicely to him. He’s a bit unused to it. After a brief pause, he does his best to soften his steely tone and explains factually:

“I merely lucked out this time. The answers were all guessed.”

Jin Linkun’s brows climb up by a fraction of an inch.

He even seems to be contemplating it carefully. Then, with the same expression he had when listening to Yu Sheng’s advice to wash his face, he nods, appearing quite convinced:

“That makes sense.”

Yu Sheng: “……?”

Jin Linkun holds his hand earnestly, swaying it back-and-forth twice as he says in an abnormally sincere manner:

“Thank you, Friend.”

Yu Sheng had his hand held. He instinctively shudders and rips it out of his grip, peering at the other incredulously.

He thinks he might not have understood the other’s answer the way he meant it. Jin Linkun also doesn’t seem the slightest inclined to explain himself at all. Whatever small traces of dejection and loss that were pulled out of him with much difficulty vanish completely, and he happily returns to the auditorium with him.

Wan Yongming’s speech is still going on.

The senior, old teacher of the Third-Years has already trained himself to the point of mastery where his eyes can pick up all six directions and his ears can catch all eight. The moment these two reappear on set, he immediately picks them up and gives a close-eyed smile as he waves them over:

“Student Jin, Student Yu, please come over for a second.”

He retrieves a mic from a staff while getting another to guide them onstage.

Upon seeing these two evenly-matched 2nd places, many can’t suppress the desire to take a closer look and the activity below the stage picks up. Only under Wan Yongming’s lead then do they make a gradual return to normal, settling back down again.

“The Q&A session took place just now, and these students sounded a lot more interested in you two than they were in me.”

Wan Yongming is good-natured. He claps his hands with much interest and hands the mic to them:

“Here, let’s share with the others. The two of you managed to attain such a marvellous score, but is there any special method you would recommend?”

……

Yu Sheng thinks this question sounds a bit familiar.

Having not been onstage for a long time, he is still a bit uneasy. Yu Sheng falls silent, but before he can compartmentalize and pinpoint where he heard this line from, Jin Linkun has already taken the mic.

“Don’t take it to heart.”

Jin Linkun’s tone is full of modesty. He pulls off his glasses and he bows courteously to the people offstage:

“I merely lucked out this time and got a few lucky guesses.”

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The author has something to say:

Sheng Ge: I’m reporting you : )

Decadence: Is JLK digging his own grave or digging a pit for YS?

Silvery: 🤣 Why not both?

Next Time on DTTM!

[The last chapter of this Cour]

Chapter 13: <Born, but without a person to educate you.>

Preview:

On the first day of the Provincial Interhigh Summer Camp, the two second places get blown up amongst those in attendance. One was because he made an overly incensing speech after taking the mic. The other was because he met the wishes of everyone offstage and immediately socked the first.

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Chapter 11 | 👌 Contents 👌 | Chapter 13

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