Chapter Twenty-Seven: Internal Testing

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The injuries sustained by Fang Hao and his two companions were not serious. Though the pain had left them all shaken, it was, in fact, a result of Qin Anyi’s calculated precision, guided by Kirin’s advice. Kirin’s knowledge of the human body was nothing short of astonishing—he knew exactly how to strike and where, inflicting the greatest pain without causing any real physical harm. So, when Zhao Guoping came into the classroom and took control of the situation, it was only a matter of minutes before all three of them staggered to their feet.

Though physically unscathed, the look they gave Qin Anyi was now tinged with genuine fear. This always-smiling, unremarkable student had given them a lesson they would not soon forget: those who are accustomed to solving problems with their fists will inevitably be bested by someone with a stronger one.

And just as Wang Yiran had said, even though they had taken a beating and suffered a major loss, none of the three dared admit to starting a fight, neither within their class nor in any other. If they were found guilty, at worst, Qin Anyi might receive a major demerit, but the three of them would almost certainly be suspended or perhaps even expelled. Despite being the backbone of Changqing No. 1’s track and field team, and crucial to its success in the city and provincial sports meets, none of the three came from influential families. Meanwhile, Changqing No. 1 was home to many such privileged students. And so, the matter quietly faded away.

As Wang Yiran had remarked, the truth itself was of little consequence; what mattered was the truth that the majority needed. In less than half an hour, a flurry of rumors—none reliable—swept through the campus. Yet those directly involved, and those privy to the facts, maintained a surprising silence, shrouding the events in even greater mystery.

Having dealt with the class incident, Zhao Guoping, his face dark, was about to return for a nap when Wang Yiran stopped him. At her request, he called for the other two students who, like her, had the privilege of directly participating in the knowledge competition, along with several accompanying teachers. Zhao Guoping, however, had no idea what Wang Yiran intended.

“What did you say? You’re recommending Qin Anyi for the school’s representative team in next month’s provincial-level academic competition?” Once everyone had gathered in the staff room, Wang Yiran revealed her purpose. Zhao Guoping responded in utter disbelief, while the other teachers looked confused, for the name Qin Anyi meant nothing to them.

“Yes, he’s a genius. With him on the team, we are certain to take first place,” Wang Yiran replied, matter-of-factly.

“Yiran, I know Qin Anyi is your friend, but the results of the knowledge competition represent the school’s honor. If it were anything else, I wouldn’t object to you wanting your friend to gain some experience. But this is not a personal matter; we represent more than ourselves. You must understand,” Guo Qingyuan said with a polite smile, his words seemingly caring but actually implying that Wang Yiran was abusing her privilege, disregarding the school’s reputation—an accusation not to be taken lightly.

Ordinarily, Guo Qingyuan would not have been so pointed, but Qin Anyi’s attitude at the porridge shop yesterday had clearly irked him. He had not expected Wang Yiran to use her special right of recommendation today on behalf of this very Qin Anyi. Jealousy burned ever hotter in his chest.

Wang Yiran ignored him, turning instead to the other teachers. She possessed the right to recommend, while the team leaders had the authority to approve or reject the candidate. The other two student representatives had no say, though they had the right to be informed. In practice, as two of the school’s top students, they could voice objections, but since this system began two years ago, such a situation had never arisen. Wang Yiran had never before exercised this right, and if she did recommend someone, no one would be foolish enough to cross her. Guo Qingyuan was a rare exception.

“Yiran, Qin Anyi’s grades are decent, but only in the upper tier of the class. Participants in the competition are the best in the entire province. Even Qingyuan and Le only got a direct spot this year after last year’s seniors graduated. Except for you, no student from our school has ever competed three years in a row… Qin Anyi…” Zhao Guoping, sitting at his desk, looked troubled. In his eyes, Wang Yiran had always been calm and wise, never behaving like an ordinary eighteen-year-old girl. Why was she suddenly so impulsive, and all for an obscure student? Even as his own student, Qin Anyi left little impression on Zhao; if he had to name the most forgettable student in the class, it would certainly be him. Even the ones at the bottom of the rankings had some distinguishing traits, but Qin Anyi was so unremarkable as to be invisible. Wait a minute—weren’t Fang Hao and his cronies just taught a lesson by Qin Anyi? And Wang Yiran had spoken up for him… Could it be… are the two of them dating? The thought flashed through Zhao Guoping’s mind, and he quickly shook his head to dispel it. He believed that even if every student in Changqing No. 1 were in a relationship, Wang Yiran would remain unmoved.

“Teachers, I can vouch for Qin Anyi—he is truly a genius,” Wang Yiran reiterated. “Without him, we’re unlikely to beat the Provincial Experimental School. With him, victory will be effortless.”

“I’ve never seen this student on the year’s top ranking. What’s his usual rank?” Guo Qingyuan interjected, clearly annoyed at being ignored.

Wang Yiran glanced at him coolly, her expression unchanged, yet for some reason her gaze made Guo Qingyuan suddenly uneasy.

“His scores are average. He usually ranks in the thirties,” Wang Yiran replied uncertainly. The third year had twelve classes, more than seven hundred students; Qin Anyi was typically in the twenties or thirties within Class Two, which translated to a similar rank in the year group.

“In the thirties? This so-called genius you speak of only manages to rank in the thirties?” Guo Qingyuan retorted sarcastically, his inexplicable unease turning to wounded pride.

“Grades aren’t everything. Only the immature take pride in scores,” Wang Yiran replied calmly, though her words nearly drove Guo Qingyuan mad with anger.

“Yiran, it’s not that we don’t trust you,” Zhao Guoping interjected, trying to defuse the situation, “but Qin Anyi’s performance has always been mediocre. Suddenly including him in the team would be hard for others to accept. Here’s an idea: since you have such faith in him, why don’t we call him over for an internal test? If he proves himself, no one will object.”

The other teachers nodded in agreement. None of them had any impression of Qin Anyi, and it felt strange to add someone so unknown to the team on Wang Yiran’s word alone.

“Very well. I’ll call him,” Wang Yiran replied, nodding. Throughout the discussion, the other student representative, Shi Le, had not uttered a single word.