Chapter Fifty-Nine: Jiang Hong’s New Manuscript

"Xiwen, where did you hear all this? Your only task now is to study. Don’t think about so many other things, understood?" Jiang Hong put down his pen and spoke patiently.

Jiang Xiwen had already guessed his father would say that, so he quickly replied, "Understood, understood. I’ll go back to my room and study now." With that, he turned and left. He didn’t expect to persuade his father this time, but as long as his father could write an article on managing Yangning for the new issue of the Yangjiang Bulletin, there was a chance that Zhang Song would see it. That old gentleman had always admired his father's writing, and perhaps it could influence the election.

After Jiang Xiwen left, Jiang Hong stared blankly at his pen for a moment, lost in thought, then called out, "Xiwen, return the computer from the school computer lab soon. Don’t keep dragging it out."

"Dad, don’t worry about it. There’s still a provincial competition in May. Teacher Qi said the computer can stay at our house for me to use. If I win first place again, he’ll apply to the school to let me keep the machine as a prize."

"You’re pretty confident, aren’t you?"

"Of course. You should see what your son is capable of."

"Alright then, go review tomorrow’s lessons. You’ve missed quite a few classes these days, so catch up quickly." With that, Jiang Hong’s eyes returned to his own draft. He tore off the page, set it aside, and began a new sheet, writing the title: "A Brief Proposal on Managing Impoverished Counties."

Jiang Hong was full of ambition, but Fang Sixiang was heavy with worry.

Across from Fang Sixiang sat his wife, Zhu Wen, to whom he spoke earnestly in his capacity as discipline director: "Why don’t you understand? That’s the deputy mayor, do you get it? Even Old Liu—Liu Fan’s father, Liu Dashan—has to go to him for approvals."

Zhu Wen still looked furious. She retorted, "And what of it? I don’t believe it—just because a kid hit a teacher, he can be dealt with so lightly? And who is Jiang Xiwen anyway? What’s he got to do with the deputy mayor? Tomorrow, I’ll get other teachers to protest to Li Changtian, that rascal."

"No!" Fang Sixiang said firmly, but seeing his wife’s angry brows, he quickly added, "Of course, we can’t just let it go. Yesterday, when I was drinking with Old Liu, he let slip something—Zhang Yong is bound to hit a wall soon."

"Really?" Zhu Wen’s eyes lit up.

"Would I lie to you?"

A sly, ruthless smile flickered in Zhu Wen’s eyes.

...

When Jiang Xiwen arrived at school in the morning, his classmates crowded around. The fifth edition of "Xiwen’s Epic Battle in the Principal’s Office" was already circulating. Faced with a barrage of questions, Jiang Xiwen had only one solution: "The Legend of the Ethereal." As soon as he brought it up, the crowd dispersed—everyone wanted to spend the winter break reading more stories.

Once everyone returned to their seats, Zhang Ya handed him a thick notebook. "There are only two weeks until finals. I don’t want to see your grades suffer. Here," she said, "last night I organized all the main subject notes into this. If you review seriously, it’ll definitely help."

Jiang Xiwen flipped through the notebook. The notes were neatly categorized for each subject—very convenient. He considered saying he didn’t need it, but seeing Zhang Ya’s earnest eyes, he was moved and accepted it.

Zhang Ya had worried that Jiang Xiwen would remain nonchalant and careless, not taking his studies seriously. Now, seeing him accept the notes, she felt a sweet satisfaction. Smiling, she said, "Jiang Xiwen, you’re finally willing to work hard. Promise me you’ll pay attention in class from today?"

"Thank you, Class Leader," Jiang Xiwen replied with a grin. "With this ‘secret manual’ in hand, what’s there to fear from exams? I don’t even need to listen to the teachers’ lectures anymore."

"You—you can’t be like this," Zhang Ya said, frowning helplessly. "I spent hours making those notes..."

"I’d never waste the class leader’s efforts," Jiang Xiwen said. "I’ll study them carefully at home. And if I can pass the exams without listening in class, doesn’t that prove how useful your notes are?"

"Ugh..." Zhang Ya was left speechless. "I’m not going to argue with you. You really are so infuriating." She turned away, ignoring him.

At noon, as school let out, Zhang Ya muttered, "What bad luck, knowing someone like you. Here—" She handed him her physics notes from the morning. "These cover tomorrow’s physics mock exam. Don’t mess up your first test back. You don’t know how many top students in our class are waiting to see the computer genius fail."

"I know, it’s just Liu Fan and his group," Jiang Xiwen replied indifferently. "When I dealt with Wen yesterday, they were the ones gloating most, but in the end, they still followed the wind and begged for me."

"If you know that, then study hard," Zhang Ya said with concern. "I have to go. I didn’t go home for lunch yesterday, and my mom scolded me."

"Thanks, Zhang Ya." Jiang Xiwen smiled. He seldom spoke so earnestly to her—perhaps this was the first time. He could feel Zhang Ya’s kindness; this proud girl was setting aside her pride for him, and he was moved, but he didn’t like her that way. To him, Zhang Ya was beautiful, but she was no match for Su Lai in his heart.

He wasn’t like the protagonists in those tedious novels, who deliberately kept their distance from other girls for the sake of the one they loved. All he could do was be a good friend to Zhang Ya. After all, she was still a child, and her feelings for him probably stemmed from the afterglow of his last heroic rescue.

Besides, she was school beauty material—there would soon be a line of excellent boys vying for her. Just for that, Jiang Xiwen didn’t believe he had the charm to make the future Zhang Ya truly fall for him, so there was no risk of hurting her.

At some point, Zhang Ya had started paying more attention to Jiang Xiwen, though she didn’t quite realize it herself. But this was the first time he’d been so sincere with her. Smiling sweetly, she said, "Alright, I’m off. Be sure to eat lunch—don’t tire yourself out with those notes."

"Heh, lunchtime should be put to good use... for fun. As for reading notes, that’s what those boring afternoon classes are for."

Zhang Ya pouted but didn’t say more. She knew that the more she argued, the more he’d twist her words until she had no response. So she ignored him, slung her backpack over her shoulder, and left the classroom.

The first class that afternoon was math. Zhu Wen, after a stern talking-to from Fang Sixiang the night before, had already made up her mind to endure for now and wait to see what trouble would befall Zhang Ya’s father, Zhang Yong.