After the exam, the math teacher specifically called Jiang Lai to the office to ask how she did this time.
"It was okay, but I’m not too sure about the last big question."
"The last question is just a control question, it doesn’t matter if it’s right or wrong. How about the earlier questions? This paper is a bit tough, it was drawn from Southern School. Scoring 80 out of 120 would be really good."
"There shouldn’t be a problem."
"Yes, apart from He Han and Cheng Lie in our class, you’re probably the only one confident enough to score some points."
After saying this, the math teacher reminded Jiang Lai again.
"Even though it’s only the first year of high school, you can’t slack off. The college entrance examination will come before you know it. Look at the third-year students, they are about to take the selection exam. By then, a large batch of people won’t be able to take the college entrance exam."
"Teacher, what’s the usual pass rate for the selection exam?"
"About thirty percent, which means more than half of the third-year students don’t even get a chance to take the college entrance exam. So, you must build a good foundation in your first year."
Jiang Lai nodded.
At this moment, the math teacher lowered his voice and asked her a question.
"Are you reading leisure books every day?"
Jiang Lai was taken aback, not realizing what he meant by leisure books until the math teacher tapped the desk again.
"It doesn’t matter what kind of book it is, you shouldn’t read randomly now. It not only affects your studies but also your future development!"
Jiang Lai quickly realized that it was likely someone saw her reading an English book in the dorm and reported it to the homeroom teacher.
She calmly and unhurriedly explained.
"It was an entirely English book. Isn’t our country advocating learning advanced foreign knowledge? I’m reading foreign books to contribute to our country. How can that be called reading leisure books?"
"The English subject in the college entrance exam only accounts for 30 points of the total score, no matter how much you read now, you’ll only score a few more points than others. Unlike math and Chinese, which can really make a difference in scores. Think about it yourself."
Outside the office, Jiang Lai bowed her head, and Little Buding suddenly said.
"Look to your left back."
Jiang Lai did what she was told and looked over, only for Li Huihui standing at the corner to be startled by the sudden glance, instinctively retreating.
If she claimed she hadn’t done anything wrong, even she wouldn’t believe it.
No need to think more, it must be her who reported it.
"Who would have thought, someone so enthusiastic in the dormitory could pull such tricks behind your back."
Little Buding couldn’t help but sigh.
Jiang Lai wasn’t really surprised; she had guessed it was her from the start.
"That’s how the world is. If you stand out too much, you’ll be targeted. It’s inevitable that such people exist."
"Then you gotta be careful in the future. Society is quite sensitive now, don’t end up unable to even study."
"I’ll handle it myself."
"How do you plan to handle it? Such people are treacherous, better steer clear in the future."
Jiang Lai, still as nonchalant as ever, returned to the dorm. The first thing she did was go to Li Huihui’s desk, open the drawer and take out a stack of letters.
When Li Huihui came back to see her bed covered in letters, she went mad trying to gather them, sobbing and shouting as she did.
"Who?! Who did this?!"
Jiang Lai stood at the door with a basin of foot-washing water, leaning against the door frame, smiling.
"It’s me."
Li Huihui glared at her, clutching the envelopes and gritting her teeth.
"Are you sick?! On what grounds can you rummage through my stuff!"
At this time, the other eight roommates came back one after another, seeing this scene and crowding over, with two friends of Li Huihui already speaking up for her.
"Jiang Lai, how can you do this! We’re all classmates, also roommates, how can you rummage through others’ things!"
"You’re too much! Huihui, let’s report this to the teacher!"
Jiang Lai wasn’t flustered at all and laughed.
"Let her report it, she should tell the teacher what I found. Not concentrating on studies and only thinking about romance is one thing, but spying on others’ secrets? Go ahead, report it now, and if you don’t, I’ll do it for you!"
"Jiang Lai!"
Li Huihui cried out to her.
"What do you really want! Why are you bullying me?"
"Huihui is so nice to us, always helping us fetch water and clean. Are you a traitor, resenting others’ goodness?"
Other roommates also couldn’t understand, trying to mediate and asking Jiang Lai to apologize.
Though outnumbered, Jiang Lai stood firm. Whether it’s loudness or quick-wittedness, she wasn’t afraid.
"Alright then, who secretly reported to the teacher that I was reading random books? Look at this, is it a random book? It’s an English reader, a study guide for learning English! I’ve never read it in front of you. So, Li Huihui, how did you know I had an English book? Or did you peek into my cabinet when I wasn’t here?"
Jiang Lai’s voice was loud and quick, enunciating each word clearly, giving the other party no chance to respond, forcing Li Huihui into continual denial.
"I didn’t snoop in your cabinet! When did I snoop in your cabinet! It was that day when you secretly slipped it into your bag, and I saw it!"
At this point, even Li Huihui was stunned herself.
Jiang Lai smiled with interest.
"So you’re admitting that you reported it to the teacher? Saying I was reading random books. Do you know what would happen if I really was? Calling in the parents would be a light punishment; if it escalated, I’d be expelled!
You were saying before, we’re all in the same dorm, all classmates. Yet, I see Li Huihui doesn’t regard us as classmates at all. You all better keep your secrets safe, who knows when they’ll reach the teacher’s ears!"
After a good scolding, Jiang Lai felt light and refreshed.
The awkward scene only left Li Huihui and the two friends who stood up for her.
These two also quietly returned to their tables to tidy up their belongings, leaving Li Huihui alone, crying while sorting her letters.
Jiang Lai sat with her foot basin, soaking her feet, smiling at Li Huihui.
"So, don’t harbor harmful intentions, keep yourself in check."
Finishing, she openly picked up her English book, occasionally asking Little Buding about words she didn’t recognize.
"That was harsh. She’ll probably avoid you for life now."
"Exactly, to deal with such people, give them a taste of their own medicine. As long as you’re worse than her, she won’t dare to set you up again."
Little Buding clicked his tongue in admiration, silently noting to never challenge someone like Jiang Lai.
Too cunning, too crafty.
——
This Friday before school ended, Jiang Lai was summoned to the office again, but this time, it was the principal’s office, not the teacher’s.