After hearing Zhen Yu’s words, he pursed his lips tightly, his whole person exuding panic mixed with helplessness.
Is that how it is? They will all be busy studying later on, never having time to care about me.
And then they will gradually forget about me.
In fact, from the recent behavior of his buddies, Fu Yu already had a vague answer in his heart.
But he didn’t want to believe it, couldn’t accept it.
Zhen Yu gave him some time to digest, letting him convince himself.
After carefully observing the changes in Fu Yu’s expression, Zhen Yu suddenly asked: "Do you know what you want to do after graduating from junior high? Are you planning to loaf through life forever?"
"I’m not loafing through life!" Fu Yu was infuriated by the derogatory term that was repeated twice, and retorted furiously.
"Not? Heh." Zhen Yu’s laugh was full of mockery, "Then go ahead and show us some achievements! With your current level..."
Zhen Yu’s sentence trailed off, her insinuation clear for anyone to hear.
"What’s wrong with my level?! I just didn’t want to study before! If I really study hard," Fu Yu was pondering how high he could reach if he tried, but Zhen Yu interjected, "With your pattern of fishing for three days and drying the nets for two! Putting in effort would be a waste. Better take it easy from now on."
The others at the round table turned their heads in unison to look at Zhen Yu.
Although everyone pretended to be tight-lipped, their ears were all perked up!
Zhen Yu had never discouraged anyone’s enthusiasm for studying; what was happening today? Did she still want Fu Yu to do well?
Fortunately, Fu Yu, who had just been angered by Zhen Yu’s words, didn’t notice the reactions of the others.
"You’re the one wasting effort! I’ll work hard to show you! Zhen Yu, just wait and see! If I study hard, surely," Fu Yu’s statement suddenly paused, "surely I can also get into high school!"
He had intended to say ’surely I’ll be better than you,’ but suddenly remembering Zhen Yu’s near-perfect scores, he immediately switched to getting into high school.
Han Jiayang and Bai Xue both dared to say they would get into high school, and their grades were all similar, so he should be able to do it too, right?!
Though he lacked confidence, it didn’t stop him from making a lofty claim in the vigor of his youth.
Zhen Yu took a quick glance at everyone; apart from Han Mingyue who sneakily gave her a thumbs up and continued to solve problems, the other three hastily lowered their heads as if petrified, for fear of spoiling Zhen Yu’s plans.
"This is what you said!" Zhen Yu was uncompromising in her tone.
"Yes! I said it!" Fu Yu, bold as a bear in expression, put on an air of arrogance.
Zhen Yu chuckled inwardly, but her face deliberately showed a bit of provocation as she said: "Then I’ll just wait and see! To see if you can get into high school! Want to make a bet?"
"Let’s bet! Who’s afraid of who?" Fu Yu braced himself to take up the challenge.
"Clap, clap, clap!" Zhen Yu clapped her hands, "Everybody pause for a moment! You all be the witnesses. Now, what shall we bet on?"
Bai Xue was the first to speak up, "I understand! Fu Yu is betting he can get into high school, and Xiao Yu is betting he can’t, right?"
"Right!" Han Jiayang nodded in agreement, then began to ponder, "What should we bet on? Car models? Cassette tapes?"
"The complete works of Jin Yong?" Zhen Yan also joined in the excitement.
Fu Yu didn’t like any of the prizes offered, but suddenly a brilliant idea struck him - if he didn’t want anything right now, he could save his request for later! He could have Zhen Yu buy him something when he desired it!
So he said, "If I win, you’ll have to do me a favor!"
"No way!" As soon as his words finished, a stern voice burst out.
Even Zhen Yu didn’t understand why he would suddenly speak up to stop this, let alone anyone else. So everyone just stared at him dumbfounded.
Han Mingyue pursed his lips and didn’t speak, but his expression was resolutely firm, he absolutely did not agree with this bet!
"Why not?" Fu Yu was the first to regain his senses and ask.
"No means no!" For the first time, Han Mingyue showed his assertive side amongst his friends, without any explanation he said, "Pick something else!"
Fu Yu was momentarily stunned by Han Mingyue’s behavior, but Bai Xue and Han Jiayang accepted it quite well.
After all, one was always seeing Han Mingyue firmly rejecting Shen Qi’s unreasonable demands in class, while the other was constantly oppressed by his brother’s iron-fisted methods.
At this moment, both thought, "Ah! He’s finally showing his true colors! Everyone always says he’s gentle, but look! Deep down he’s absolutely ruthless!"
Zhen siblings watched silently, without saying a word.
The room fell silent for over half a minute before Fu Yu managed to blurt out, directly addressing Zhen Yu, "Then! You tell me! What should we bet on?!"
Zhen Yu glanced at him, then at Han Mingyue, and after pondering for a moment, said, "If you win, I’ll buy you a gift for getting into high school! Whatever you want, it’s your call!"
As soon as Fu Yu heard this, it was exactly what he had in mind! He immediately agreed, "Alright! Let’s go with that!"
Han Mingyue quietly breathed a sigh of relief in his heart, he was really afraid Zhen Yu would carelessly promise something nonsensical. Although Fu Yu acted like a fool now, who knew if he would suddenly get wise?
It was better to nip threats in the bud.
"Since everything is settled, let’s start studying! Don’t waste time." Zhen Yu called Fu Yu over to join everyone else, to study following Bai Xue’s pace.
Everybody, as if by common consent, seemed to forget the bet was only half discussed, with no one bringing up what Fu Yu would have to do if he didn’t get into high school.
Some genuinely forgot about it, while others kept silent knowingly.
As for Fu Yu? Deep down, he firmly believed he would not lose! So what did it matter whether it was mentioned or not!
Just like that, the last buddy was duped into the pit by Zhen Yu.
While everyone was engrossed in solving problems, Zhen Yu and Han Mingyue looked up at each other almost as if planned.
After a brief eye contact, they both curled up the corners of their mouths, a hint of a smile in their eyes as they looked back down at their work.
From that day on, the six buddies finally worked together towards the goal of getting into high school, and amidst the busy studying, they would occasionally fool around a bit to lighten the mood.
In the blink of an eye, it was already August.
On the evening of Military Establishment Day, Zhen Yu opened the system after dinner, and then she was shocked!
She had estimated her progress and thought she should have gathered 50 ability points by today, but the system now showed a whopping 14 extra points.
The clear display showed, Ability Points/Knowledge Points: 64/76
Even with the remaining 7 from last time, the 57-point increase in less than 40 days seemed much too fast!
Zhen Yu evaluated her study situation over the past month and understood the importance of pre-studying!