Chapter 7

Tang Xiu's gaze also fell on his desk. On Tang Xiu's desk, test papers were piled up to a height of two feet, and there were even more reference books.

In fact, it wasn't just Tang Xiu's desk that was like this. Looking around, all the desks in the classroom were the same. If one had to find a difference, it would be that the books and test papers on Tang Xiu's desk were almost brand new and neatly arranged, while the test papers and books on other students' desks were haphazardly piled up, looking very messy.

Tang Xiu casually pulled out a few test papers and found that he couldn't understand most of the questions. The numerous red zeros on the test papers made his face turn red with shame.

"It seems that before I solve the cultivation problem, I need to solve the learning issue first. Otherwise, if I get kicked out of school because of my academic performance, my mother will definitely be very upset," Tang Xiu muttered softly, then took out a book from his desk and began to read it carefully.

After his soul was damaged, although Tang Xiu's intelligence on Earth was impaired, his attitude towards learning was extremely serious. The textbooks from high school to senior high were neatly arranged on his desk, so Tang Xiu didn't have to spend time collecting them.

Due to being from a single-parent family, Tang Xiu had been particularly obedient since childhood and was especially diligent in his studies. From elementary school to junior high, Tang Xiu had always played the role of a top student. In the junior high school entrance exam, Tang Xiu even ranked first in the city, entering Xingcheng No. 1 High School. During his first year of high school, Tang Xiu consistently dominated the top position in all exams.

However, a car accident in the first half of his second year of high school damaged his soul, causing his memory and comprehension to plummet. He often lost focus, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't keep up with the class's learning pace. As a result, his grades kept dropping, and he gradually became the last student in the grade.

To improve his academic performance, Tang Xiu not only needed to self-study the content of his second and third years of high school but also had to relearn the content from before his second year. If it were the old Tang Xiu, it would have been almost impossible to regain his glory in just three months. Of course, for the current Tang Xiu, it wasn't a problem at all.

"Boss, don't waste your time. We're just not cut out for studying. No matter how hard we try, it won't work." Just as Tang Xiu had flipped a few pages, he felt a weight on his shoulder, followed by a low voice in his ear.

The speaker was naturally Yuan Chuling, Tang Xiu's desk mate. Yuan Chuling thought that Tang Xiu had been stimulated by Hu Qiusheng's words and couldn't help but flip through the textbooks. He couldn't bear to see this and spoke to comfort him.

Yuan Chuling was one of Tang Xiu's few good friends at school. The two could be considered brothers in adversity.

Yuan Chuling's academic performance was also excellent when he entered the school. However, in the second half of his first year of high school, his parents' marriage broke down, and Yuan Chuling began to skip classes, fight, fall in love early, and even abandon exams, quickly transforming from an excellent student to a student despised by teachers.

Two years had passed, and although Yuan Chuling had accepted his parents' divorce, the damage they had caused him was irreparable, and his enthusiasm for learning was gone.

"Fatso, we should still study well, or else..." Tang Xiu's words trailed off. He wanted to return to school to fulfill his mother's wish, but Yuan Chuling hated his parents so much that he did the opposite of what would make them happy.

"Ah, forget it. Our situations are different. You should study well and not let your mother down. My life is like this." Seeing Tang Xiu's hesitation, Yuan Chuling's smile gradually froze, and his mood instantly became low.

"Fatso, the fact that you come to school on time every day shows that deep down, you still love learning. You're just deliberately giving up to make your parents feel guilty and regretful, right?" Tang Xiu stared at Yuan Chuling, speaking slowly and deliberately.

Hearing Tang Xiu's words, Yuan Chuling's expression changed rapidly, and he finally avoided Tang Xiu's gaze, feeling guilty.

"Fatso, although I don't know why your parents divorced, over the past two years, I've seen how much they love you. They didn't divorce because they didn't love you, but because they weren't suitable for each other. If you keep giving up like this, you'll suffer, and they'll suffer too. Why do this to yourself?" Seeing that Yuan Chuling was listening, Tang Xiu pressed on.

If the supreme beings in the immortal realm saw Tang Xiu so earnestly trying to persuade a mere mortal, they would be utterly shocked. The Tang Xiu in the immortal realm was extremely proud and rarely spoke even to close friends, let alone strangers, whom he treated indifferently.

However, Yuan Chuling's brave and righteous actions at a critical moment today truly moved Tang Xiu, making him genuinely recognize and accept this friend.

Tang Xiu now had nothing. His family was so poor that they couldn't even afford his tuition, and his academic performance was so poor that he was suspected of being intellectually disabled. Despite this, Yuan Chuling was willing to help and protect him, which could only mean that Yuan Chuling truly considered Tang Xiu a true friend.

"I know they had their reasons for divorcing, but I still can't let it go," Yuan Chuling said bitterly after a moment of silence.

"Ah, let's not talk about my problems. Earlier, Hu Qiusheng said he would kick you out of the class or the school. Why aren't you worried about it at all?" Yuan Chuling didn't want to dwell on his parents' divorce and changed the topic.

"My grades are so bad that Hu Qiusheng's reaction is understandable. Besides, don't you think this class lacks any human touch? Maybe a change of environment would be better?" Tang Xiu smiled ambiguously, not taking the matter to heart.

"Why do you seem like a different person today?" Hearing Tang Xiu's response, Yuan Chuling almost thought his ears were playing tricks on him and couldn't help but look Tang Xiu up and down.

Slowly, Tang Xiu's eyes grew brighter, and his face showed excitement. He asked nervously, "You... you... your mind has become sharp again!"

"That's right, my mind has now returned to normal. Thank you for taking care of me for the past two years. To show my gratitude, I'll give you the title of the worst student in the class," Tang Xiu said warmly, seeing the genuine joy on Yuan Chuling's face. He punched Yuan Chuling's chest and smiled.

"I... I'm so happy. Let's go, I'll buy you a drink. We have to celebrate this." Confirming his guess, Yuan Chuling was overjoyed. He grabbed Tang Xiu's arm and headed for the door, ignoring Tang Xiu's teasing and the ringing of the class bell.

Tang Xiu wanted to resist, but Yuan Chuling was three times his size, and his strength was far beyond what Tang Xiu could match.

"Both of you, stop right there. It's class time. Go back to your seats," Hu Qiusheng blocked them as they reached the door.

Yuan Chuling clearly didn't expect Hu Qiusheng to return. He was stunned and quickly released Tang Xiu's arm, looking at Tang Xiu with a guilty expression.

Over the past year, although Tang Xiu's academic performance wasn't ideal, he was known for his strict adherence to school rules, never skipping or being late for class. Today, however, he was being dragged by Yuan Chuling to skip class, which made Yuan Chuling feel guilty.

"Teacher Hu, Tang Xiu is not feeling well. I'll take him to the infirmary. Can I ask for a half-hour leave?" Yuan Chuling quickly made up an excuse.

Hu Qiusheng frowned and scanned Tang Xiu with a sharp gaze, then said sarcastically, "Yuan Chuling, do you need me to accompany you to the infirmary?"

"No need to trouble you, Teacher Hu. We'll hold on for a bit and go to the infirmary during the break!" Hearing the coldness in Hu Qiusheng's voice, Yuan Chuling hurriedly shook his head and pulled Tang Xiu back to his seat.

Seeing Yuan Chuling and Tang Xiu return to their seats, Hu Qiusheng slowly walked to the podium.

With a light cough from Hu Qiusheng, the classroom fell silent.

"After a decision by the principal's office and the grade group, starting today, Tang Xiu is no longer a student of Class 5. For the next three months, Tang Xiu will attend Class 10."

Hu Qiusheng glanced at the direction of Tang Xiu and Yuan Chuling and read the document in a firm voice.

Hearing Hu Qiusheng's announcement, Tang Xiu's heart tightened, and his face turned pale.

Although he said he didn't care, being kicked out of the class and leaving the class were two completely different things. Hu Qiusheng's disregard for his dignity and feelings, and the public reading of the document in front of the entire class, was like a slap in the face, making Tang Xiu feel both angry and hurt.

Yuan Chuling also didn't expect Hu Qiusheng to stop them to read the document about Tang Xiu. He was so angry that he was breathing heavily, and his face turned red. However, seeing Tang Xiu's pale face, he restrained himself from causing more trouble.

"Great, with Tang Xiu gone, our class's average score will definitely go up!"

"I've calculated it carefully. If Tang Xiu were to drop out, our class's average score would be the highest among the key classes. It's because of Tang Xiu that our average score is pulled down."

...

After Hu Qiusheng finished reading the document, the classroom was briefly silent, then erupted into thunderous applause, with some students even cheering loudly.

Hearing the discussion in the classroom, Yuan Chuling clenched his fists tightly, but Tang Xiu himself remained calm, showing no change in his expression.

"Teacher Hu, the aftereffects of Tang Xiu's car accident have already healed, and his academic performance will improve soon. Please speak to the principal's office and withdraw this document," Yuan Chuling suddenly stood up and requested loudly after a moment of silence.

"I've heard such promises many times and won't believe any more from you or Tang Xiu. Moreover, the document issued by the principal's office and the grade group cannot be casually modified or withdrawn. I also don't believe that Tang Xiu can improve his academic performance in just three months," Hu Qiusheng replied calmly after staring at Yuan Chuling for a moment.