Chapter 351
“In that case,” he continued, “your mock exam results stand. You are indeed the top scorer in our school. We’ll honor our agreement. I’ll have someone process your enrollment immediately. With the National College Entrance Examination approaching, you should join the students promptly to study and prepare properly.”
Alarieka Huston handed over the documents, matter-of-factly stating something earth-shattering: “I’ll enroll, but I want to study off-campus instead of attending classes.”
“What?!”
Chen Daoyuan froze mid-air with the documents, staring wide-eyed at Alarieka as if doubting his own ears. “Y-you said what?”
Teachers nearby jolted, turning to gaze at Alarieka with astonishment and bewilderment.
Alarieka smiled faintly. “I wish to study off-campus after enrollment without attending classes.”
Comprehension dawned on Chen’s face, his expression hardening instantly. The warmth in his eyes vanished, replaced by stern disapproval.
He rubbed his temples, looking at Alarieka as one would a lazy, unmotivated student—eyes filled with profound disappointment. To him, she embodied diligence and discipline; her sudden defiance felt like witnessing a star pupil led astray.
“Alarieka,” he lectured, “your talent is undeniable, but arrogance has no place here. Progress demands patience—solidify your foundations step by step. This mock exam? Second place. There’s room to improve. Analyze your errors. Excel in the National College Entrance Examination.”
His colleagues nodded vehemently, their stares practically dragging her to class.
The Alarieka of her past life would’ve embraced this counsel.
But she remembered. Remembered everything.
That life, she’d missed the exam—pregnant with Kieran’s child. Never got another chance.
Thus, that year’s exam became her obsession.
An obsession that festered.
Months later, she gave birth to Shen Ping’an—Kieran’s daughter.
She remembered. Remembered it all: Wallace Argent’s men barring her from the exam hall that day.
How effortlessly he’d crushed her aspirations, sneering at her powerlessness.
“Bear the Argent heir,” he’d declared. “But never reveal yourself as the mother. No outings. No exams.”
Later, when Roschelle Whitaker bore Kieran’s son, Wallace discarded Alarieka and her daughter like a piece of dirty rag—disowning the child as no Argent.
That missed exam haunted her. Year after year, she’d revisit those test papers, engraving every question and answer into her mind.
Even now, she hadn’t forgotten.
That’s why Alarieka suggested not attending school classes.
With the National College Entrance Examination questions memorized in her mind, she no longer needed to follow routine classroom learning.
She only had to carefully complete the exam papers on the day of the National College Entrance Examination.
Because of this, Chen Daoyuan’s words left absolutely no trace in her mind.
Rather than seeking opinions from the principal and teachers, she was simply informing them.
During this period before the National College Entrance Examination, she had more important matters to handle.
She didn’t want to waste time on things with predetermined outcomes.
But though she understood her own situation, she couldn’t reveal the truth to Chen Daoyuan and the teachers.
If she actually told the truth, Chen Daoyuan would surely team up with these teachers to have her committed to a mental institution.
So in moments like this, she needed to deliver an Oscar-worthy performance.
What was the Oscar spirit? It was the Shen family acting rules.
Chen Daoyuan suddenly noticed with alarm that this promising student—who’d seemingly strayed off course—had reddened eyes.
Large, crystal-clear tears welled up in her eyes.
Under his horrified and panicked gaze, the tears started falling.
“Not…”
Chen Daoyuan’s voice softened considerably.
“I didn’t say anything harsh, why are you crying…”
Alarieka suddenly lowered her head, roughly wiping her eyes with her hand.
Her sobs grew louder, shoulders trembling slightly.
The teachers immediately looked up, exchanging bewildered glances with Chen Daoyuan.