Chapter 347
But this was only the beginning. Other subjects remained. Anything could happen.
If she had weak subjects, first place would slip away.
So she’d better not be unbalanced.
Yet even Mr. Chen didn’t realize it–somewhere deep down, he’d already started hoping she’d excel.
After finishing math, Alarieka picked up the Chinese exam.
Mr. Chen checked the time. She’d completed the math paper in just one hour and forty minutes–early.
It’s truly exceptional talent; even the students the school paid a fortune to recruit couldn’t match this speed.
To supervise Alarieka taking the exam, Chen Daoyuan skipped lunch in the cafeteria and had another teacher bring food to his office.
While Alarieka worked on the test, the school’s teachers and students had already finished their exams. The hallway buzzed with noisy students, but Alarieka paid no attention.
During her test, other teachers entered to discuss matters with Chen Daoyuan. They all noticed Alarieka working in the corner. One teacher couldn’t resist asking about her, but Chen Daoyuan vaguely brushed off the question.
After the teacher left, Chen Daoyuan picked up another lunch box and said to Alarieka, “Your mother went home; she probably didn’t leave you any food, right? Eat first before continuing. The exam timer is paused–eating time doesn’t count.”
Alarieka shook her head without hesitation. “I’ll finish the Chinese section first. It won’t take long.”
Chen Daoyuan didn’t insist. He chewed his tasteless meal, eyes fixed on Alarieka’s movements.
That afternoon, as students began their science exams, Alarieka started her integrated science test.
Watching her hand fly across the page, Chen Daoyuan’s initial shock and disbelief gradually settled into calm acceptance.
Alarieka again submitted her science exam early, completing the final English paper at record speed.
As she wrote the last English character, Alarieka set down her pen, lifted her head, rotated her aching wrist, and rubbed her stiff neck and shoulders.
Finally done. Her backside was sore from sitting, her fingers nearly raw from writing.
Chen Daoyuan walked over from behind his desk, took her English test and answer sheet, skimmed them briefly, and said, “Head home first. We’ll notify you after grading and score tallying.”
He handed her a paper. “Write your name and contact information.”
Alarieka took it and swiftly filled in her details.
“Well, Principal, I’ll await your good news.”
After Chen Daoyuan accepted the paper, Alarieka turned to leave, unaware of his complicated gaze following her.
Chen Daoyuan thought, Good heavens, did I actually discover a hidden gem?
Their current top student was bought at great expense–how could some random girl outperform their prized number one?
What school would let such an outstanding student slip away?
Alarieka waited two days. Freed from her previous tense uncertainty, she lived with complete ease.
During downtime, she toured several capital attractions with Jaylene and Tamika, enjoying herself so much she nearly forgot about awaiting Chen Daoyuan’s response.
Alarieka hadn’t saved Chen Daoyuan’s number. When his call came, she saw an unfamiliar number.
Due to recent harassment calls from Roschelle’s extreme fans, she reflexively hung up and continued taking tourist photos for Tamika.
The result: the number called back immediately.
Alarieka finally remembered she’d given Victor her number and quickly answered.
“Hello, who’s this?”
“It’s Victor,” the voice replied. “Come to school tomorrow. I need to talk to you.”
Alarieka raised an eyebrow but didn’t question him. “Alright,” she said briskly.
During her second visit to the school, Alarieka strode into Victor’s office with her transfer documents, radiating newfound ease. She greeted him casually before plopping into the chair across from his desk.
The result? Every teacher in the room–including Victor–stared at her with identical expressions of speechless bewilderment.
Chapter 348