WWML 30

chapter 30

The words echoed in her ears, filling her heartbeat with a teasing rhythm.

Gu Qingning’s heart skipped a beat, a warm smile lighting her eyes. “You’re the one being irritable, old man. Just wait to be treated.”

Fu Juncheng curled his lips and confirmed a time. “Then tonight?”

“Mm.”

“Call me after your exam. I’ll come pick you up.”

Gu Qingning didn’t hesitate and replied straightforwardly, “Okay.”

“Qingning.”

Someone called her from behind.

She turned to see Li Fei.

“I’m about to take the exam, so I’ll talk to you later.”

The call ended abruptly. Fu Juncheng looked at the number on the screen, a charming smile appearing on his lips.

“Bang bang bang—”

“Uncle.”

A frantic knocking echoed, accompanied by a childlike voice.

“Uncle, open the door!”

Fu Juncheng set down his phone and got up to open it.

“Uncle.”

The little one barreled in, stumbling into his long legs.

Fu Juncheng frowned, gripping the back of his collar with his long, jade-like fingers to prevent him from falling.

“What are you rushing around for?”

“Uncle, do I look good like this?” The little one steadied himself and tugged at his small suit jacket.

“Am I super handsome?”

Fu Juncheng looked down, his gaze scanning the little one.

A small suit, a bow tie, and custom white leather shoes.

Not only that, but his soft short hair was styled neatly.

Suppressing a smile, he teased, “Planning to be a waiter?”

The little one had been expecting a compliment, but hearing “waiter” froze his smile.

His expression fell; his rosy cheeks scrunched up as he said indignantly, “Uncle, you’re clearly jealous of me.”

A waiter can’t be this handsome, no eye for talent.

Fu Juncheng continued to tease, “If not a waiter, then why are you dressed like this?”

“A date.”

The little one said this proudly, as if showing off.

Fu Juncheng chuckled lightly, curling his finger to flick his forehead. “So young, and you already know about dating.”

In a good mood, Fu rarely felt like teasing a kid. “Then tell me, who are you going on a date with?”

The little one lifted his head, pouting with pride. “There are so many.”

He counted on his chubby fingers as he spoke. “Nana, Xinxin, Xixi…”

“Wait.” Fu Juncheng interrupted, half amused, half exasperated. “You’re dating all these people?”

The little one nodded, eyes wide and innocent. “Isn’t that okay?”

Seeing the little one potentially going astray, Uncle Fu felt the need to intervene.

He bent down to meet the child’s eyes, placing his large, jointed hand over his small head. “Dating is something you only do with someone you like.”

“But TV says you can’t hang from just one tree, and if I don’t date them, how do I know which one I like best?” The little one said seriously.

“Mama said I’m still young. No rush, take your time choosing.”

This Qi Xuan—good at nothing, yet teaching such nonsense.

Fu Juncheng twitched at the corner of his lips. “If you do this, you’ll turn into a player like a heartbreaker.”

Not at all.

The little one shook his head, grinning, and said convincingly, “Hengheng isn’t a heartbreaker. I’m going to be a player.”

“….”

The little one stood on tiptoe, patting Fu Juncheng’s shoulder with mock seriousness. “Uncle, you’re so old and don’t even have a girlfriend yet. You just wouldn’t understand.”

“I’m not talking to you. I’m going on a date first.”

With that, he hummed a tune and hopped out.

Fu Juncheng straightened up and chuckled low. “Brat.”

Such a mischievous kid, even daring to lecture him.

He turned and glanced at the phone on the table, the smile on his lips deepening.

Who said he didn’t have one?

…

Somehow, news spread that Gu Qingning would participate in the grade-skipping exam, and it caused quite a stir at school.

Most of the students were just waiting to see her fail.

When Gu Qingning first transferred to First High, she scored just over twenty on the entrance exam, making her a laughingstock. Coupled with her mute condition, she had endured plenty of contempt.

Now, for a failing student to attempt a grade-skipping exam, everyone thought it was the biggest joke of the year.

As soon as class ended, Gu Wanwan was surrounded by a crowd.

“Wanwan, I heard that Gu Qingning, the mute, is going to skip a grade. Is that true?”

“Wanwan, I heard she hasn’t been to class for days, and now she’s suddenly taking the grade-skipping exam. What’s going on?”

“Wanwan, could it be she’s jealous of you and wants to skip a grade too?”

Laughter echoed through the classroom.

“A failing student wants to skip a grade? Dream on. Maybe she’s finally lost her mind.”

The ridicule grew louder.

Gu Wanwan lowered her gaze, a trace of malice flickering inside.

She lifted her head again, adopting a pitiful expression. “Don’t say that. Sister has been trying hard. Maybe she’s just not used to the teaching style here since she just transferred.”

“If she hadn’t repeated a grade, she’d be in the second year now.”

“Repeating a grade proves she’s not capable. She doesn’t have a genius’s talent but tries to act like one,” sneered another girl.

Another girl added, piling on. “Exactly. Gu Qingning is nothing but her face. People like her don’t belong in First High.”

“This time she’ll probably score below ten. How will she even have the face to stay here?”

The laughter intensified, echoing long in the classroom.

Elsewhere, on the sixth floor exam hall, security was strict.

All ten teachers responsible for the exam were present, with the principal and the dean also in the room.

Twelve people in total, plus surveillance, a full 360-degree coverage—cheating was impossible.

At the door, Gu Qingning handed her backpack to Li Fei and turned to enter the classroom.

Li Fei called softly, “Qingning, don’t be nervous. Just do your best. It’s okay if you don’t do well. Don’t put pressure on yourself.”

Gu Qingning responded with a casual “Mm” and walked in.

She was stopped by two of the invigilating teachers, who held metal detectors.

Seeing them, she paused and raised her hands for inspection.

After checking, the teachers returned the devices.

“You may enter.”

Gu Qingning nodded and walked to the center of the classroom. The large room held only a single set of desks and chairs.

Dozens of eyes watched her, but she remained unshaken and pulled out a chair to sit.

The desk was neat, with only two black pens.

The dean approached, holding a sealed bag.

They had met once at the school gate earlier. The dean recognized her somewhat.

He opened the bag and took out three test papers, laying them neatly on the desk.

“Exam time is only two hours. Manage it yourself.”