Chapter 125: The Prospective Top Scorer in the College Entrance Exam [Sixth Update! Please Vote!]

After Zhang Wenhao finished his first three exams, Song Yanni never took the initiative to ask how he had performed, whether there were any areas he struggled with, or if he had made any mistakes. Even though she was dying to know, she dared not put any extra pressure on him, so she waited. She was also anxious that Zhang Wenhao might underperform and miss out on becoming the top scorer in the college entrance examination. But when she finally heard Zhang Wenhao say "one hundred percent," she trusted him implicitly. If he said it was one hundred percent, then he had certainly performed to the best of his ability.

What did "the best of Zhang Wenhao's ability" mean? Song Yanni did not know exactly, but she was certain of one thing: Zhang Wenhao would undoubtedly secure the title of the top scorer in the college entrance exam!

Immediately, Song Yanni took out her phone and called her best friend, Xue Xiaoxue, a fellow teacher currently interning at a high school in Jinling.

As soon as the call connected, Song Yanni couldn't suppress her excitement and said, "Xiaoxue, my class has produced a top scorer for the college entrance exam!"

Xue Xiaoxue had heard about Song Yanni's situation before; she knew she was working as a homeroom teacher there and had unexpectedly discovered a top-tier student. However, given that high schools across the country had only just finished the exams, and Song Yanni was already making such claims, she found it hard to believe.

"Yanni," Xue Xiaoxue said helplessly, "can't you wait a little? Why be so excited before the results are even out?"

"There is an idiom called 'cannot suppress,' do you understand? Cannot suppress!" Song Yanni was clearly too excited, her speech stumbling slightly.

"Is that even an idiom?" Xue Xiaoxue replied with disdain. "Let me teach you an idiom: just wash up and go to sleep!"

"Pfft!" Song Yanni huffed. "Don't believe me if you want. Just wait. When the scores are released, your jaw will surely drop!"

Xue Xiaoxue deliberately used an overly sweet tone and said, "Oh, Yanni baby, my jaw has already dropped in surprise."

"I'm not bickering with you!" Song Yanni laughed and asked, "Are you coming back to Yanjing before the results come out?"

Xue Xiaoxue teased, "Don't tell me you're planning to announce this news to all of Yanjing? Oh my, Yanni, I've known you so long, I never realized you were so desperate for attention."

"Forget it," Song Yanni laughed. "I'll call you back later. I'm busy right now!"

After hanging up, Song Yanni looked at the helpless-looking Zhang Wenhao beside her. She wanted to reach out, cup his face, and kiss him, but her reason overcame her impulse. Instead, she draped an arm around his shoulder like a buddy and said, "Wenhao, from today on, I'm no longer your homeroom teacher. It's time for you to see my true colors!"

Zhang Wenhao awkwardly curled his lips and asked, "Ms. Song, please don't scare me, okay?"

"Don't call me Ms. Song." Song Yanni waved her hand with a feigned air of arrogance. "Call me Sister Yanni. We're peers now."

Zhang Wenhao had no choice but to nod. "Alright, Sister Yanni. It's also time for you to see my true colors. No more idle chatter; I've got things to do. I'm off."

"Wow," Song Yanni widened her eyes and blurted out, "You change your face faster than I do! Wait! Don't make plans with anyone else tonight. Let me treat you to a meal?"

Song Yanni was only twenty-two, and by nature, she was somewhat childish. She usually forced herself to act serious for her teaching job, but once she opened up to Zhang Wenhao, her true personality began to shine through.

Zhang Wenhao looked at her and said, "No need. You're acting like a hoodlum. I'm going home to eat; my mom has already prepared everything and is waiting for me."

Song Yanni then said, "How about this—we can do it after the report cards come out. I'll treat you to the best hotel in Jiangcheng, and I guarantee you'll eat and drink well."

Zhang Wenhao looked at her with surprise. "That's it?"

Song Yanni was full of confusion. "What else is there?"

"You have to have fun, too!" Zhang Wenhao shook his head helplessly. "You really don't get it. I'm leaving. See you when we fill out the applications."

Song Yanni called out from behind, "Aren't you coming to estimate your score?"

"No need. I'll just come to fill out the form when the time comes."

The process for the college entrance exam in Nanjiang Province had remained unchanged: first, estimate the scores, then fill out the applications, and finally, receive the official results. It was said that some more economically developed provinces had already implemented a rule of releasing scores before filling out applications, which was arguably more humane. However, for Zhang Wenhao, it didn't really matter. Based on his performance, getting into any university in the country was not a problem; for him, whether he went to university at all was barely a concern.

After saying goodbye to Song Yanni, Zhang Wenhao first took out his phone to call Su Ruoran. She had just left the exam hall as well. Because of the noisy crowds, she hadn't called him immediately, planning to do so once she got into the car. She hadn't expected Zhang Wenhao to call the moment she sat down.

"Darling, how did the exam go?" Zhang Wenhao asked right away.

Su Ruoran blushed immediately. It wasn't convenient to go home from the Thirteenth Middle School, so her driver had come to pick her up. She was embarrassed that Zhang Wenhao had used such a mushy term the moment she got into the car.

But despite the cheesiness, hearing him call her that made her feel very sweet. She chuckled softly, "It was quite good, performed as expected. How about you?"

"Same," Zhang Wenhao laughed. "Are you home yet?"

"Uncle Luo is picking me up today," Ruoran replied.

Zhang Wenhao nodded and smiled, "My classmates and I have planned a get-together tomorrow. Will you come with us?"

"Sure," Su Ruoran agreed without hesitation. "Then drive over to my place to pick me up tomorrow."

"Alright, I'll call you tomorrow afternoon," Zhang Wenhao promised.

After hanging up with Su Ruoran, Zhang Wenhao called Li Nan to ask how he had done. Li Nan sounded very excited. "I reckon scoring 350 shouldn't be a problem."

Several other close classmates were also very satisfied with their performance. They, like Zhang Wenhao in the past, hadn't cared much for studying and would usually scribble nonsense on their exams. But now, they understood how to solve some of the problems, and that sense of confidence was something they had never felt before.

After finishing his calls, Zhang Wenhao walked out of the school gate. He hadn't bought a new bicycle since his last one was smashed by Mo Sinan, and since the exams were over, there was no need to buy one. So, he either took the bus or secretly drove the car to a residential compound near his home. He didn't have a license, and his parents didn't know he had any opportunity to learn how to drive. He didn't want them to find out, especially since he had borrowed the car from Chen Feng; he was afraid his parents would nag him, as he had to return the car to Chen Feng once he left Jiangcheng.

To Zhang Wenhao's surprise, as soon as he reached the school gate, a Mercedes S65 parked by the roadside honked. Zhang Wenhao tilted his head and saw that it was Chen Feng's car. Chen Feng then pushed the door open and stepped out from the driver's seat.

After resting for a period, Chen Feng had fully recovered. He had wanted to meet up with Zhang Wenhao for a while but refrained, fearing it would affect his exams. Knowing today was the final day and that Zhang Wenhao was taking it at the First Middle School, Chen Feng had driven over to wait for him.

"Brother Chen, why are you here?" Zhang Wenhao greeted him with a smile.

Chen Feng laughed, "Just to see you. It's been a while, and I've missed you." He then asked, "How did the exam go?"

"Quite well," Zhang Wenhao smiled. "Sorry to have troubled you to worry about my exam."

"That's only natural," Chen Feng chuckled. He then said mysteriously, "I came here today because I wanted to give you a little gift."

Zhang Wenhao quickly said, "No need for any more gifts, I really can't handle any more."

Chen Feng looked at him with disdain. "Look at you, so timid. Is my gift too hot to handle?" He pulled a small leather booklet from his pocket and tossed it to Zhang Wenhao. "Here, I know you've been driving without a license, so I went ahead and got one for you."

Zhang Wenhao was stunned. He took the booklet, opened it, and was startled. It was indeed a driver's license, complete with his name, information, and photo. The issue date was June 1st.

Zhang Wenhao said urgently, "Oh, Brother Chen, I was just planning to go learn how to drive during the break. You didn't have to get me a fake one!"

"Fake, my foot!" Chen Feng said indignantly. "It's the real deal! Look at the photo—does it look familiar?"

Zhang Wenhao looked closely at the photo and realized it was the same one from his second-generation ID card. He asked, "How did you do this?"

Chen Feng laughed, "With your driving skills, having you spend two months to get a license would be like asking Mo Yan to write a primary school composition! Besides, look at this weather; learning to drive is torture. You'd lose a layer of skin in the sun. You're a fair, handsome young man; if you turn into charcoal, what if Ruoran doesn't want you anymore?" He explained, "I had someone handle this for you. Most people don't get this treatment. I just had a buddy at the Public Security Bureau pull your information, send it to the Vehicle Management Office, and give the traffic police detachment a heads-up. Everything was taken care of; why would you need to go take the tests?"

Zhang Wenhao hadn't expected it to be a genuine license. Usually, learning to drive took at least two months and required passing multiple exams. Now, Chen Feng had secured it for him without him even showing up. The power of influence was truly something else.

Zhang Wenhao said gratefully, "Brother Chen, thank you so much."

"Don't mention it," Chen Feng said. "Are you heading home for dinner? Your parents must be waiting anxiously. Did you drive? If not, I'll take you."

"I did drive," Zhang Wenhao smiled. "My bike was lost and I didn't buy a new one, so I parked the car in a nearby compound."

Chen Feng nodded. "Alright, go on then. I'll head off. Let's call each other to eat out another day. Ah Luo has been mentioning you too; he's been wondering why you haven't been to the gym for two weeks."

Zhang Wenhao nodded and smiled, "I was preparing for the college entrance exam. I didn't want my parents to worry if I was always out, so I took a break. I'll head over often when I have time."

Chen Feng smiled, "Alright, I'm off. Let's stay in touch."

When Zhang Wenhao arrived home, his parents were already waiting anxiously. As soon as he stepped through the door, he smelled the aroma of a home-cooked meal. His mother ran over and hugged him, looking both excited and nervous. "My good son, how did it go? Can you secure the title of top scorer?"

Zhang Wenhao smiled slightly. "I don't know if I'll be the top scorer, but considering the grading might be a bit strict, scoring over 735 shouldn't be a problem."

His mother, Song Huafang, cheered with excitement immediately. She had been waiting for this moment for so long. Hearing the good news, she finally let out a long-held breath. Zhang Xingping walked over, patted Zhang Wenhao on the shoulder, and praised him, "Good son, you've really done your parents proud! Once the results are out, I'll host a few tables and invite the whole family for a feast, so the relatives can see that our son has finally made something of himself!"

Song Huafang nodded and smiled, "Our son is the top scorer; now no one can say he's a slacker anymore."

Zhang Wenhao felt helpless and laughed, "Mom, nobody knows for sure about the top scorer title until the results are officially released."

Song Huafang said with confidence, "In previous years, no liberal arts top scorer has ever scored over 720. Even those over 710 are rare. If my son scores over 735 and still doesn't get the top spot, there would be no justice in the world."

Zhang Xingping laughed, "Don't be so sure. Until the final results are out, no one can be certain. Our son is the 'preliminary top scorer' for now; let's just wait for the day the scores are released!"

Song Huafang was in such a good mood today that she hurried the father and son to the dining table. Neither she nor her husband, Zhang Xingping, had gone to work; they had spent the whole day at the supermarket and the market. For a family of three, they had prepared ten dishes. Her husband had even splurged, buying a bottle of Wuliangye worth over five hundred yuan. Just as they were about to open the bottle, there was a knock at the door.

Song Huafang rushed to open it, only to find that the visitor was Lei Zhanjun.

"Oh, Zhanjun, why are you here? You should have told us! We were just about to eat, come in, come in, join us!"

Upon hearing that Lei Zhanjun had arrived, Zhang Xingping and Zhang Wenhao walked out. Zhang Xingping asked, "Zhanjun, how did you find the time to come over?"

Lei Zhanjun shook the four bottles of liquor he was carrying and smiled, "My daughter is also taking the college entrance exam, but I couldn't be there. Wenhao is like half a son to me, and since I'm so close, I had to come and celebrate with him. Brother Zhang, these four bottles are 30-year-old Moutai. I didn't plan on taking them back—how about we drink to our hearts' content tonight?"

Zhang Xingping was overjoyed to see his good friend show up to celebrate at such a moment. He nodded and laughed, "Come on in! Tonight, with our young master who has finally grown up, the three of us are going to have a proper drink!"