Pearl School

After his father's business had officially found its footing, Zhong Yun refocused his attention on his studies. In the first assessment after the new term began, his grades leapt forward once again, vaulting to fourth place in his class and into the top ten of the entire grade.

Within Zhong Yun’s class and grade, the top three spots in every exam were as unshakable as iron—so much so that even their order never changed: first was Liu Yunqi, second was Xiao Ruo, and third was Tian Hai. Not only did these three consistently claim the top three positions in the class, but they were also the top three in the entire grade.

Privately, they were dubbed the “Three Monsters.” From first year through third, they monopolized the top rankings, their dominance unbroken. Over time, when it came to ranking, everyone would automatically filter them out; after all, who could compete with the monsters?

This recent exam gave rise to a legend in the history of No. 1 Middle School, for it was the final assessment for the third-year students. The legend of the Three Monsters would be passed down, never once having been bested by others. Finding a single genius is rare; three is not impossible, but to have three whose rankings are so stable—the first always first, the second always second, the third always last among them—was nothing short of miraculous.

After the exam, some third-years were swamped with busyness, while others drifted through each day idly at school. The teachers hardly cared, so students played games or chatted as they pleased.

Zhong Yun belonged to the idle camp, as he had long since decided which school he wished to apply to. The admissions system here was different from that on Earth; instead of a unified examination, each school conducted its own entrance test.

Admission dates for different tiers of schools were staggered, so some students would sit for multiple exams just to be safe.

By this final half-year, classes were essentially suspended. However, if you dared not to show up at school, it would be considered truancy and your conduct score would be docked harshly—unless you had proof of an exam.

Zhong Yun’s target was Pearl School, whose entrance exam was scheduled for seven days later. For now, he enjoyed a leisurely life.

Pearl School was one of the nation’s premier secondary education institutions, boasting top-tier faculty and teaching facilities—not inferior to many universities.

It was considered a sacred place in the eyes of nearly all students and parents across the country. Every year, thousands flocked to take its entrance exam, with countless candidates even coming from other planets.

Whenever Pearl School held its admissions exam, the population of Pearl City would surge. The streets would be packed with parents and prospective students, creating an atmosphere akin to a grand festival. It was one of the city’s major yearly events.

Zhong Yun chose Pearl School not only to remain with Tian Hai Chenwen and the others but also for other reasons. Chief among them were his parents’ hopes for him. Every parent wishes for their child’s success. Since his grades had improved, he could never forget the look of delighted surprise in his mother’s eyes.

If he could gain admission to Pearl School, he could well imagine the pride and joy his parents would feel.

The road home stretched into the indeterminate future. During his time here, though only an outsider, he had gradually come to accept everything around him. Here, he had parents and family who cared for him, friends and brothers he could confide in, and a beloved who tugged at his heartstrings.

He had developed a sense of belonging to this planet. After all, a person does not live solely for themselves. With these people by his side, his life felt whole.

As for his parents back on Earth, he knew his elder sister and younger brother would care for them well. Silently, he wished them well. One day, he would return and fulfill his duty as a son before them.

“What are you thinking about?” A clear, gentle voice brought Zhong Yun back to reality. He turned to see Liu Yunqi, her head tilted as she looked at him. A hint of concern flickered in her limpid eyes, her voice as soft as a spring breeze soothing the heart. “Why are you crying?”

“I missed you,” Zhong Yun replied, wiping away the tears at the corner of his eyes. Seeing her cheeks flush with a rosy hue, he smiled gently. “I was just thinking—if in the future you’re not at the same school as me, how lonely I’d be.”

“You and your nonsense,” Liu Yunqi shot him a shy, reproachful glance.

Zhong Yun accepted it all with a laugh, unwilling to let the matter drop. He pressed on, “You still haven’t told me—which school are you applying to?”

Liu Yunqi’s eyes glimmered with a teasing, meaningful light. “What about Xiao Ruo? Why don’t you ask her?”

“Xiao Ruo?” Zhong Yun’s face and eyes reflected genuine confusion, as if he couldn’t grasp her meaning. “Why would I ask her? I’m not her boyfriend.”

“You really…” Flustered by his retort, Liu Yunqi’s cheeks grew even pinker, her moist eyes turning dreamy. She playfully punched him on the arm. “You’re terrible.”

The gentle reproach, mixed with shyness, was so charming that Zhong Yun felt half his body go numb from her touch.

“Shameless,” Liu Yunqi muttered, puffing her cheeks. “You’re not my… whatever.” As she uttered “whatever,” her blush deepened even further.

“What do you mean, ‘whatever’?” Zhong Yun leaned in, whispering.

“I’m done talking to you,” Liu Yunqi’s bashfulness was no match for Zhong Yun’s persistence. As he drew closer, his warm breath tickled her cheek, sending her heart racing and ears burning. Finally, she surrendered, turning her head aside.

From this angle, Zhong Yun could only see her glossy black hair and slender back; even the fair, delicate ear peeking from her hair was now entirely red.

Who would believe that the usually serene and indifferent Liu Yunqi, who seemed unfazed by anything, could be so shy—more so than any young girl?

Ever since Zhong Yun discovered this side of her, he would occasionally tease her with ambiguous remarks, making her blush and flustered.

But now, he dared not provoke her further, afraid she might be embarrassed to the point of anger. Besides, her bashful gentleness made his heart itch—were it not for the many classmates nearby, he might have kissed her then and there.

He leaned back in his chair, savoring the overwhelming joy in his heart, feeling that life simply could not be any sweeter.

Closing his eyes, he could distinctly sense a burning gaze directed at him. He didn’t need to look to know that it was Xiao Ruo.

In contrast to Liu Yunqi, Xiao Ruo appeared gentle and well-behaved—a model student who spoke softly and had a gentle temperament.

But if anyone mistook her for timid or weak, they would be sorely mistaken. She was neither; once she set her mind on something, not even ten hovercars could pull her back—a fact he’d learned from Xiao Fen.

Ever since that accidental intimate encounter during the school trip, Xiao Ruo had inexplicably fallen for him. Her unreserved gaze made it obvious to anyone who wasn’t blind.

Lately, she had become more proactive, often finding excuses to seek him out. Before long, the whole class could see what was happening—the class’s most popular beauty was chasing after Zhong Yun.

Everyone could only sigh in admiration, their respect for Zhong Yun reaching new heights. Just look at him—this is what it means to be a real man. He’d won over the prettiest girl in school, and before a month had passed, another class beauty had started pursuing him as well.

What did it mean to be a master? This was exactly it.

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