Chapter 35

Xi Xing was startled.

"Ian Long?"

Ian was surprised at her answer.

"You know me?

Xi Xing nodded excitedly. "Of course, I do. Your family is internationally famous for its technology. Long technologies. I have heard all about you. I can't believe I am meeting my idol." She excitedly rambled.

Ian smiled at her rambling. 'Adorable.' He thought. Then, he looked towards Xiu Ying. You are that little spitfire I saw.

Xiu Ying was confused. "Excuse me I don't understand what you are saying,"

Ian laughed. "You blew up on your friend that evening. It was very entertaining to watch. Good show."

Xiu Ying blushed. She didn't know she had an audience. She must have looked weird.

She snapped out of her thoughts by Ian's voice. "Actually, we are in the same class. I always wanted to be friend with you. You are interesting people."

He continued. "You must have heard about the gala and the test, right? Lets all go together. Let's get the top three positions okay. It could be our very first outing as friends."

Xi Xing was incredibly happy she could become friends with her idol. One could see the fluffy clouds around her head. Xiu Ying, on the other hand, looked weirdly at him.

"Why would you want to be friends with us? We aren't special in any way and our families are by no means as rich as yours."

Xi Xing gave her a guilty look. "Actually, my family is kind of rich. I didn't mean to hide this from you. I just thought it wouldn't be important."

Xiu Ying wasn't that surprised. She noticed the stuff she carried. It was branded materials. She also could afford those but only often. She shrugged.

"I kind of had my suspicions. It' okay though. We are still friends. It doesn't matter to me."

Ian looked at Xi Xing suspiciously and Xi Xing knew she had been found out by him. She gave him a look as if saying not to say anything. Ian nodded discretely, and their exchange fortunately wasn't seen by Xiu Ying.

They continued their conversation and all awkwardness between them vanished. They felt comfortable talking and Ian exchanged numbers with them.

"Xiu Ying and I are going to study at the library this weekend. Do you want to come? We can all revise together." She looked at Xiu Ying with expectant eyes.

Xiu Ying couldn't say no, so they set a date for Saturday noon. Then they returned to discussing trivial things.

During their talk, Xiu Ying got a call from Li Na. She picked the phone to hear excited squealing from the other side.

"Xiu Ying, have you heard? There is a chance to go to the gala two weeks later. You must be part of the top three to go. I already know I will be amongst them in my department so do your best in your department okay?"

Xiu Ying waited for her to finish talking then responded to all her questions and after checking in one more time, she hung up.

A week later…

It was the test day, and everyone was nervous but excited. It was their chance to test themselves and prove their worth. Each department went to their various classes. Of course, the test was supervised like any other normal exam. Everyone was on edge, but it was expected after all, it was their very first test since their admittance into the school. One could say it could determine hoe people see their future tests.

Xiu Ying was nervous but she promised herself to do her best. She spoke a little to Xi Xing and Ian before going to her seats. They might've all been in the same class, but they were assigned different seats.

The tests were handed out to everyone and immediately, the hall went silent. Everyone was focused on their tests, and so was Xiu Ying. She tried her best to answer the questions. She believed that she could do well. She would leave the rest to fate.

After ninety minutes, the test was over. All scripts were collected, and everyone was relieved. They were done. Now, all they had to wait for were the results. It would come in two days because they needed to give the names to the gala hosts early.

Everyone, including Xiu Ying was waiting for the results. She just wanted to see how well she did on her first try. She had confidence that she, at least, wouldn't fail.

Exactly two days later, the results came out at ten thirty in the morning. Everyone was anxious and were glued to their computers. When the clock struck ten thirty, everyone was in an uproar. They immediately went to their portals and started checking.

You could hear screams of excitement and disappointed noises. Xi Xing ran to Xiu Ying and was jumping.

"Ying, I came in third place. I came in third place. I got a ticket. I was emailed afterward. Go on, check yours."

Xiu Ying nervously opened her portal and checked her result. Her eyes widened upon what she saw. She placed in second place. She was second.

Ian came in with a smile. He headed towards them. He showed us the email he got. First place, wow. He smiled.

"Guess we're all going to a party."