SW - 59

How adorable!

Tang Yin’s heart melted at Lu Chi’s pitiful expression. She couldn’t resist cupping his face with her hands and asking softly, “Do you really like me?”

Lu Chi obediently replied, “Like, like, like.”

He repeated it three times in a row, as if his words were coated in sugar.

Tang Yin leaned in and lightly kissed his cheek, lingering there before saying lazily, “I also really, really, really like you.”

Lu Chi smiled faintly, the corners of his eyes slightly raised.

Tang Yin adored this side of him and leaned in for another kiss.

This time, Lu Chi under the influence of alcohol was a bit different from last time. The only similarity was that he remained just as obedient and cute.

Zhao Rubin, sitting nearby, hadn’t heard what the two were saying.

The private room was noisy, and she was a bit far from them. Unless they spoke loudly, she could only catch muffled sounds.

She tossed the sunflower seed shells in her hand and grumbled as she moved to join the larger group—out of sight, out of mind.

After a while, Lu Chi moved.

He reached out and pulled Tang Yin’s hand, which was still resting on his cheek, into his mouth. His soft tongue pressed against her fingertip, wet and tingling.

Tang Yin nearly moaned but managed to pull her hand back.

There were still other people around. If anyone saw them, it wouldn’t be good later.

Thinking of this, she cupped his face and warned, “You can only drink when I’m around, understand?”

Lu Chi stared at her for a long moment before answering, “Okay.”

Tang Yin patted his head, deciding to reward him. After washing her hands, she pressed gently on his lips.

Lu Chi stuck out his tongue, unable to reach her fingers, and grew upset.

Seeing his impatient expression, Tang Yin couldn’t help but laugh and comfort him, “We’ll do this later. For now, let’s go home.”

“Okay.” Still the same word.

By the time the gathering ended, everyone realized that Tang Yin and Lu Chi were already gone from their corner.

“Did they go to the restroom?”

“They probably left early. Tang Yin didn’t seem well today.”

“I sent a WeChat message—they’re home.”

________________________________________

June 23rd in the morning was the time to check scores.

As soon as it was light, Jiang Qiuhuan and Tang Youwei got up and waited until the designated time to sit in front of the TV, listening to experts analyze information about this year’s college entrance exam.

When Tang Yin came downstairs, the two were sitting upright, their faces serious.

The last time she saw such serious expressions was in middle school, after she got called in for fighting. They had acted the same way when she returned.

Jiang Qiuhuan sighed.

Listening to the analysis on TV, she increasingly felt that her daughter might not have done well. Though they had reassured themselves earlier, her heart was uneasy.

She wondered if she’d faint when they checked the scores.

Seeing their state, Tang Yin quietly slipped back to her room and waited until the time came to check online.

At nine o’clock sharp, the press conference ended, and the system officially opened for score checking.

Sitting in front of the computer, Tang Yin felt nervous for the first time.

If she made a mistake in the last exam, she wouldn’t be able to attend the same university as Lu Chi. At least, she hoped they could be in the same city or, better yet, adjacent schools.

Bracing herself mentally, she logged into the score-checking portal, entered her admission ticket number, and clicked confirm.

To her surprise, the next second, the system crashed due to high traffic.

Tang Yin nearly wanted to kick something. Why crash now?

She tried again, but the same message appeared. Finally, she dialed the official hotline and reported her admission ticket number.

“Chinese: 138, Math: 141, English: 146, Comprehensive Science: 287, Total: 712.”

The scores were announced slowly. With each subject revealed, Tang Yin’s anxiety eased slightly. By the time she heard the total, she couldn’t help but smile.

This score seemed slightly better than her previous mock exams.

Her province still used its own test questions, not the national exam. Though accustomed to these questions, she hadn’t expected to score over twenty points higher. This time, math might have been simpler than usual.

Recalling the three provincial mock exams, her highest score was around 690. This result was truly exceptional performance.

Reassured, she sent a WeChat message to Lu Chi but received no reply.

Tang Yin ran downstairs, her footsteps echoing. Both on the sofa turned their heads, watching her closely.

After a moment, Jiang Qiuhuan asked, “Yin Yin, did you check your scores?”

Tang Yin remained expressionless. “Mm.”

Seeing her demeanor, both became more anxious. Their mental preparation crumbled instantly.

Tang Yin squeezed between them and slowly spoke, “It’s out. 712 points.”

Jiang Qiuhuan widened her eyes—it wasn’t what she expected.

Tang Youwei was the first to snap out of it, slapping his thigh. “Great! No wonder she’s my daughter! Hahahaha! She might even be the top scorer!”

“Dad, you’re thinking too much,” Tang Yin said. “Your son-in-law is still here.”

“What son-in-law? He has his own name,” Tang Youwei glared at her. “What about Lu Chi’s score? Did you ask?”

Before Tang Yin could shake her head, her phone rang. It was a message from Lu Chi.

LuLuLu: Not great. 728.

Jiang Qiuhuan peeked over and couldn’t help but say, “This kid. 728 and he says it’s not great. Then, in his eyes, your score must be nothing special.”

Tang Youwei stroked his chin. “His grades have always been excellent. Our school relies on him to be the top scorer.”

Before the exam, teachers and parents had considered talking to Lu Chi, but fearing it might affect his performance, they decided against it.

With this score, he was almost guaranteed to be the top scorer unless a dark horse emerged unexpectedly.

In the afternoon, the school held a preliminary session for filling out college applications.

The sun blazed overhead, making Tang Yin reluctant to go. But thinking she might see Lu Chi, she felt motivated.

She arrived early; Lu Chi wasn’t there yet. The classroom buzzed with students discussing scores and universities.

Lu Ye had performed exceptionally well, surpassing his previous mock exams. Excited, he practically danced on the table, humming songs nonstop.

Seeing Tang Yin enter, he eagerly asked, “Tang Yin, what’s your score?”

Tang Yin smiled but didn’t answer.

Tang Ming turned around. “She definitely scored higher than you. I’ve heard rumors—our school has two students over 700.”

“Wow, how do you know? Who are they? Tang Yin and Lu Chi?” Lu Ye exclaimed, questions tumbling out one after another.

Tang Ming scratched his head. “I didn’t hear clearly. I overheard some teachers outside the office and ran off.”

The two began chatting about their scores and aspirations, quickly forgetting Tang Yin’s matter and turning away.

Tang Yin rested her chin on her hand. She and Lu Chi should be able to get into the same university.

It all depended on whether she liked the school and its programs.

Just as she thought this, a shadow fell beside her. She turned her head—Lu Chi sat there properly, without glasses today, irresistibly enticing.

Perhaps due to the heat, he had unbuttoned the top button of his shirt, revealing a small patch of skin, unlike his usual tightly buttoned-up look.

As his Adam’s apple moved, the skin rippled slightly, making her mouth dry.

Tang Yin licked her lips, wanting to pounce on Lu Chi right there.

“Don’t look at me like that,” Lu Chi turned his face, almost stuttering again, and covered her eyes with his hand.

A refreshing breath brushed past her.

Tang Yin pulled his hand down and asked, “Which university are you applying to?”

Lu Chi thought for a moment. “Not entirely sure yet. Just one for now.”

They could list three universities, each with several majors. He truly desired only one.

Tang Yin asked, “Which one?”

Lu Chi looked at her and softly said, “S University.”

S University was a prestigious comprehensive institution in the capital, far from their inland region. Renowned nationwide, it ranked first.

With Lu Chi’s score, he could easily enter its top major.

Tang Yin estimated her score was sufficient too. Every year, only a few exceeded 700 points, and the university offered many programs.

She had indeed considered this university before coming to school.

“You?” he asked.

“Coincidentally, I had the same idea,” Tang Yin smiled.

Then, she exclaimed, “I’m over ten points behind you. You still told me you didn’t do well—were you trying to discourage me?”

Lu Chi’s lips quirked up slightly.

The two eavesdroppers in front rolled their eyes secretly.

Homeroom teacher Zhou Cheng entered with preliminary application forms. “This is just preliminary. Familiarize yourselves, but take it seriously. Ask me if you have questions.”

He distributed the forms one by one.

Tang Yin picked up a pen and checked S University’s admission scores online. Last year’s highest was 730+, lowest 690+.

Calculating, it wasn’t far from this year’s situation.

But she didn’t write anything yet, leaning over to see what Lu Chi would fill in.

Lu Chi only wrote the university name, leaving the major blank. Turning his head, he said, “Write your own.”

Tang Yin stuck out her tongue, thought for a moment, and marked English on her form. Looking it over, it was the only program she felt interested in.

Without hiding it, Lu Chi easily saw her choice. After a while, he focused and carefully marked a major.

When Tang Yin finished, she looked at his form. To her surprise, it wasn’t physics-related but clinical medicine.

Once the whole class completed their forms, Zhou Cheng collected them and announced they could leave. They’d return in a few days to finalize online applications.

“Don’t let others see your information. Don’t trust any dubious universities. Every year, there are scams and altered applications. It affects your entire life—be meticulous.”

As his final words fell, the classroom echoed with agreement.

Zhou Cheng’s face showed relief. Many had called him about their scores—not exceeding expectations but consistent with their usual performance.

Tang Yin was still whispering with Lu Chi.

Thinking they’d attend the same university, her mood was good.

Lu Chi was indeed the provincial top scorer.

His photo and score were uploaded online that day. After Tang Yin’s countless reminders, the school refrained from releasing his photo publicly.

However, his picture was on the honor board.

The next day, reporters arrived for an interview. Originally, only the top scorers of arts and sciences were interviewed, but since the top scorer and runner-up were from the same school, they were included together.

The disciplinary director reminded, “This is TV. Don’t speak carelessly—it will air.”

Lu Chi nodded.

The director turned to Tang Yin. “Especially you, Tang Yin. You represent the school’s image. Fooling around inside school is fine, but on TV, you represent the school.”

Tang Yin cheerfully agreed.

Soon, a male and female reporter arrived with their camera crew and staff, welcomed by school leaders into the campus.

The female reporter, covering science subjects, was surprised to see two outstanding students.

She first asked the disciplinary director, “Are Lu Chi and Tang Yin consistently excellent in school?”

The director smiled formulaically. “Naturally. In the three provincial mock exams, they ranked top three in the province. During joint exams, they were always first or second. They love studying and have their methods. Such results are normal.”

Hearing him praise them, Tang Yin almost burst into laughter.

For several questions, the director skillfully steered the narrative toward portraying them as model students. Judging by the reporters’ expressions, they seemed convinced.

When it was Lu Chi and Tang Yin’s turn, the questions were simple.

Lu Chi, known for being taciturn, answered in a few words. The reporter struggled to continue.

Finally, they turned to Tang Yin.

Tang Yin smiled brilliantly. “I owe my success to Lu Chi explaining problems to me. Meeting him in high school was the luckiest thing.”

Lu Chi glanced sideways at her.

Why did it sound a bit off? The reporter harbored doubts but ended the interview with a smile, escorted out by the director.

That night, the interview aired on TV.

Most candidates were forced by their parents to watch, hoping to learn how the top scorers succeeded so their children could follow suit.

When Lu Chi and Tang Yin appeared, many were stunned.

Without glasses, Lu Chi’s handsome face shone on screen, exquisitely refined. Compared to polished celebrities, he didn’t fall short—in fact, he surpassed them.

Beside him, Tang Yin was no less impressive. Her radiant beauty, coupled with her bright smile, made her eyes sparkle like stars.

Students from Jiashui Private School watched with admiration. Seeing the poised and charming pair brought back memories of their memorable detention.

Some who had seen them at First High School were even more disheartened.

Facing parents’ comments—”Look at them and then at yourself” and “Look how good their scores and looks are”—they recalled mistaking the affectionate couple for underachievers. Now they were told: one top scorer, one runner-up?

Keen-eyed viewers noticed subtle finger entwining during the interview, nearly jumping up in shock.

How bold!