44. The Devilish Teacher

“…South City No. 6 High School, Zeng Yunfei, 176 points, ranked 50th. East City No. 1 High School, Pan Xue, 175 points, ranked 51st…”

As Professor Qiao deliberately drew out each syllable, announcing scores and ranks at a leisurely pace, the tension in the classroom only intensified. Those whose names had already been called could finally breathe a sigh of relief, but those still waiting found the slow, creeping pressure almost suffocating.

“North City No. 12 High School, Mo Xiaoxin, 169 points, ranked 60th.”

“Phew! That scared me to death—I thought I was going to be eliminated!”

Mo Xiaoxin patted her chest in relief, then turned her concern to Chen Ruowen’s score.

“Ruowen, why haven’t they called your name yet? Aren’t you worried at all?”

Chen Ruowen propped her chin on her hand, as if she’d already expected this. “I’m probably in the eighties. There’s still a while to go.”

“The eighties? Isn’t that risky?”

Chen Ruowen gave a nonchalant hum. “It’s all up to luck now.”

The distribution of scores was just as Chen Ruowen had calculated, so she felt no panic. After all, if she couldn’t enter Southern University through the winter camp, she’d just have to find another way—even if, for now, she hadn’t figured out what that might be.

“South City No. 8 High School, Wang Lan, 159.5 points, ranked 74th.”

Chen Ruowen’s roommate’s clenched fists finally relaxed, and she slumped over her desk, nearly in tears.

“South City Foreign Language Institute, An Qi, 157 points, ranked 79th.”

At this, Qiao Yusen suddenly paused, then smiled knowingly at the anxious faces below the podium.

“Hearing the ranks in order must be dreadfully boring for everyone. Since that’s the case, let’s put the last few qualifying spots on hold and announce the eliminated candidates first.”

What a devilish thing to do!

The dozen or so students whose names hadn’t been called yet practically wanted to strangle Qiao Yusen. Couldn’t he just get on with it? Couldn’t he let them die quickly and painlessly? The suspense was nerve-shredding—why did he have to make it worse?

Unhurried, Qiao Yusen drew a paper from the bottom of his remaining stack, his gaze lingering over each of the anxious faces. When his eyes landed on the still-calm Chen Ruowen, his lips curled with interest.

Still so composed? Then I’ll raise the stakes.

“Last place, 131 points, West City Normal College, Zhang Xuan.”

A thin, pale-faced boy sitting in the upper right corner of the classroom went ashen, trudging up to the podium to collect his paper.

“Wait,” Qiao Yusen called after him.

Zhang Xuan spun around, hope flaring in his eyes—as if expecting Qiao Yusen to rescind his judgment.

But Qiao Yusen merely smiled and extended a long, slender hand. “Your number badge, please. We’re collecting them.”

Oh, how wicked could one person be!

Mo Xiaoxin leaned back, her desk pressed up against Chen Ruowen’s, mouthing words in her direction.

“My family wanted me to apply to Southern University’s computer science program, but when I get home, I’ll make sure they know I’d rather die than choose that major! If I ended up with Professor Qiao, I’d be doomed!”

Chen Ruowen glanced at her. “Let’s see you get in first.”

Mo Xiaoxin pouted, “Ruowen, you can be pretty wicked too.”

Oblivious to the fuss he’d created, Qiao Yusen strolled down from the podium, carrying the remaining exam papers among the students. He announced each score with deliberate slowness, nearly bringing the more fragile students to tears.

“Fifth from last, 142 points, from… hmm, let’s make this a no-prize guessing game.”

He tapped the desk of a nervous boy in the middle row who was gnawing fiercely on his collar.

“Guess who it is?”

Snap! The boy released his collar so abruptly he nearly lost two teeth.

“I—I—I…” he stammered in panic.

“Correct answer.”

Qiao Yusen placed the exam paper on the boy’s desk and gestured politely. “No prize, but remember to return your number badge.”

Chen Ruowen snorted quietly. What was with this guy? Was he an actor, or just unhinged? So much drama over a stack of papers…

Her snort was barely audible, but Qiao Yusen caught it. He strolled over, braced both hands on her desk, and looked down mischievously.

“Not satisfied, are you?” He tapped the stack of exam papers. “Care to guess your rank?”

Chen Ruowen rolled her eyes. “No.”

Qiao Yusen looked at her, then turned to another student who hadn’t been called yet.

“And you? Want to guess your rank?”

Unlike Chen Ruowen, who had the confidence—and perhaps the wealth—to talk back, the newly named boy panicked.

“I—I… sixth from last?”

Qiao Yusen regarded him for a long moment before finally shaking his head and placing a paper on his desk. “155 points, ranked 80th. Congratulations.”

He’d made it after all? The boy’s hands trembled as he took his paper, tears of joy welling up. The process had been torture, but the happiness was twice as sweet.

After drifting around the room, Qiao Yusen finally stopped before a girl who had yet to receive her ranking. He flipped through his papers.

“And you? Want to guess your rank?”

The girl clutched her sleeve nervously. “Sixth from last?”

Qiao Yusen shook his head. “No, guess again.”

“Seventh from last? Or… 81st?”

By the end, hope flickered in her eyes.

Qiao Yusen smiled. “Wrong. You’re tenth from last—just eliminated. Congratulations!”

Congratulations? Eliminated and still congratulated! This was enough to make anyone cry.

The girl fought back tears as she handed over her badge, while Qiao Yusen, without a glance, swiftly slapped two exam papers onto the desks of two nearby boys.

“Sixth and seventh from last.”

Their seats weren’t far apart, so when the two papers landed, Qiao Yusen found himself near Chen Ruowen again. This time, he skipped the guessing game and simply placed a paper lightly on her desk.

“152.5 points. 81st place. You’re lucky.”

He adjusted his glasses, tapping the exam paper with interest.

“But I must say, this is the first time I’ve seen a science student score only… let me see… 5.5 points on the integrated science section. Did you use your feet to take the test?”

Was this Professor Qiao always this blunt?

The students couldn’t help but murmur about this sharply dressed university professor.

Chen Ruowen didn’t even glance at her paper. She looked up at Qiao Yusen, expressionless.

“None of your damn business.”