Jiang Cheng dashed out of the building, where Grandma Shen and two others were each sitting on a small stool, chatting with Uncle Wang, the gatekeeper.

Beside the four of them was a familiar face—Lin Chengyuan.

Lin Chengyuan had come to pick up He Dan.

He had been watching the entrance and naturally saw Jiang Cheng.

Under the dim yellow light, Jiang Cheng’s radiant smile was as beautiful as a dream.

Lin Chengyuan couldn’t help but wonder: Is she smiling so happily because she knows I’m here?

The next second, Lin Chengyuan saw Jiang Cheng’s smile fade as she walked over with a look of disdain.

Her voice, neither loud nor soft, carried a tone of annoyance that reached Lin Chengyuan’s ears.

His expression instantly turned grim.

“Grandma Shen, let’s go.”

“Jiang Cheng, stop right there!”

Sun Jiandong chased after her, full of bluster.

Shen Xing stood up abruptly, holding a small wooden stool, immediately positioning himself in front of Jiang Cheng.

Shen Yue firmly grasped Jiang Cheng’s hand, and Grandma Shen also stepped to the side, standing next to Jiang Cheng.

Jiang Cheng, feeling protected, was warmed inside. This was why she was willing to be kind to the Shen family.

Not just because of what they did, but because they were genuinely good people.

“It’s alright, this is Comrade Sun from our class. He’s a bit unique in appearance and has a loud voice.”

“Really?”

Shen Xing eyed Sun Jiandong suspiciously, and Jiang Cheng also looked over and asked, “Right, Comrade Sun?”

Sun Jiandong wanted to say no, but given the current situation, was he being treated as a villain?

With teachers and students coming out as school ended, Sun Jiandong had no choice but to force a smile and say, “Yes, yes.”

Shen Xing: This smile seems oddly familiar.

Zhao Na, the registrar who was also off duty, watched the scene from behind the crowd, mentally burning some paper offerings for Sun Jiandong.

She just felt that Sun Jiandong was no match for Jiang Cheng, the “big hat.”

Regardless, Shen Xing put down the small stool, and Jiang Cheng maintained a distance of over a meter, her clear eyes fixed on Sun Jiandong.

“Comrade Sun, if you have something to say, go ahead.”

Jiang Cheng took the initiative as soon as she spoke, making Sun Jiandong feel awkward, though he couldn’t pinpoint why.

In any case, he did want to speak in front of a crowd, and now was the perfect opportunity.

“Comrade Jiang Cheng, I challenge you to a competition!”

At this point, Sun Jiandong raised his voice, his eyes filled with confidence as he shouted, “Comrade Jiang Cheng, didn’t you boast about wanting to study hard? Then let’s compete in academics. How about it, do you dare?”

Jiang Cheng’s expression showed genuine hesitation.

She really was hesitant.

She hadn’t expected Sun Jiandong to be such a good person, eagerly offering her a chance to shine.

It’s just… he’s a bit peculiar.

Sun Jiandong, on the other hand, misunderstood.

After returning yesterday, he tossed and turned, unable to sleep. In the morning, he went out to gather information and found out everything about Jiang Cheng.

Upon learning that Jiang Cheng hadn’t even graduated from elementary school, Sun Jiandong felt proud, confident, and emboldened.

Seeing Jiang Cheng remain silent, he immediately mimicked her tone, “Comrade Jiang Cheng, surely you’re not just all talk? Are your promises to study hard, take responsibility, and serve the motherland all lies?”

“Of course not.”

Jiang Cheng first denied, then sighed, looking meaningfully at Sun Jiandong as she asked, “Are you sure you want to compete with me in academics?”

“Of course!”

Sun Jiandong stood with his hands behind his back, his neck held high.

“As a man, I wouldn’t use my strengths to bully you. We’re both studying at the night school, so academics are the best way to test ourselves!”

Sun Jiandong, righteous and solemn, felt for the first time that his image was towering, and he was somewhat addicted to it.

“Alright! I accept your challenge!”

Jiang Cheng raised her voice, giving the impression that she had no choice but to agree.

The surrounding classmates and teachers each had their own thoughts.

He Dan, Lin Chengyuan, and others who hadn’t interacted much with Jiang Cheng felt that she was asking for trouble and waited for her to embarrass herself.

Those who had witnessed Jiang Cheng confront Sun Jiandong the previous night felt a subtle unease.

They had a feeling that Sun Jiandong wouldn’t win easily, and might not even win at all.

The teachers were divided.

Those who had taught Jiang Cheng were determined to keep her at their night school.

In all these years, they had never encountered such a compatible student!

Those who hadn’t taught Jiang Cheng were comforted, thinking that these were all motivated comrades.

“Motivated” Sun Jiandong, upon hearing Jiang Cheng’s acceptance, immediately said, “In future exams, if I win, you have to write ‘I, Jiang Cheng, am inferior to Sun Jiandong’ a thousand times.”

Jiang Cheng’s mouth slightly opened in disbelief.

Seeing this, Sun Jiandong’s smile widened.

Scared now?
See if you still dare to show off in front of me!

Jiang Cheng: Such a childish tactic!

Since graduating from kindergarten, she had never encountered such a naive form of punishment!
Jiang Cheng had countless sarcastic remarks in her heart, but on her face, she wore an expression of enduring humiliation, as if to say, “How could you do this?”

“Alright! I accept! If I win, I don’t need Comrade Sun to do anything. I just hope you can continue to work hard, be worthy of yourself and your parents, and one day serve the motherland as an upright comrade!”

“Clap clap clap clap”

“Well said! That’s the spirit of our night school’s education.”

Amidst the thunderous applause, Principal Wang of the night school appeared.

Principal Wang, filled with emotion, stood opposite Jiang Cheng.

“Comrade Jiang, you are exemplary! If everyone had your level of awareness, our motherland would surely prosper!”

“No, no, no! It’s all thanks to the teachers and the great atmosphere at the night school. In such an environment, how could I not improve?”

“To forge iron, one must be strong oneself. Comrade Jiang is naturally a person of high awareness.”

“Compared to you, I am but a faint candlelight.”

…

The surrounding crowd exchanged glances.

If Jiang Cheng had only been here for two days, they might have believed her!
Sun Jiandong: I feel a bit superfluous.

Zhao Na: She really knows the principal! She’s never seen the principal be so amiable to anyone before.

What Sun Jiandong thought would be his moment of glory ended in a muddle of praises for Jiang Cheng.

As the crowd dispersed, Sun Jiandong scratched his head, feeling that something wasn’t quite right.

Unfortunately, Jiang Cheng had already left.

On the way back, under the bright moonlight, Jiang Cheng explained to Shen Xing the changes in the moon’s size, the Earth’s rotation, and revolution.

Shen Xing listened intently, while Shen Yue was confused.

When the four of them arrived home, Grandma Shen fed Jiang Cheng a bowl of porridge.

“Eating too much at night isn’t good, just have a little.”

Jiang Cheng smiled sweetly and accepted the millet porridge.

“Indeed, one should never meet someone too extraordinary. Since meeting Grandma Shen, other grandmothers just don’t seem right.”

Grandma Shen glanced at Jiang Cheng, chiding her insincerely.

“What nonsense are you spouting? Can’t the food shut your mouth?”

Jiang Cheng immediately pretended to cover her mouth.

“It’s shut now! Shut by this delicious porridge.”

Grandma Shen turned away, unable to suppress the corners of her mouth from curling up, only to meet Shen Xing’s bobbing head.

Shen Xing: Adults…

Grandma Shen: Little brat, acting all grown-up!
After drinking the bowl of millet porridge, Jiang Cheng felt warm inside.

After washing the bowl and doing a quick rinse, Jiang Cheng returned to her room for her usual study session.

She had always been disciplined when it came to studying.

Tomorrow, she would have her Russian class, and Jiang Cheng was looking forward to it.