Chapter 15: A Thousand Yuan Reward

Ye Chen was lost in thought when he felt the gaze of his homeroom teacher, Mr. Liang, and tugged at the corner of his lips in response.

He glanced at the test papers in Mr. Liang's hand and immediately had a guess about what was coming.

Ye Chen noticed that Xiaoxi scored 85 points but still had a disappointed expression, as if lamenting that she didn't do well again.

Her classmate sitting next to her was envious, saying, "Xiaoxi, you scored so high again! That's amazing!"

Gu Nianxi frowned, saying, "I scored one point less than last month."

The classmate muttered, "Is this what a straight-A student's world is like? Boo-hoo…"

When Ye Chen's paper was handed out, he didn't even glance at it and put it aside. A bold, bright "100 points" was written at the top.

The homeroom teacher began announcing the scores:

"Chen Lingling, 69 points."

"Mo Qianyang, 73 points."

"Meng Fei, 39 points."

The room erupted in laughter at the mention of Meng Fei's score. He was the perennial second-to-last scorer.

Though embarrassed, Meng Fei didn't care since someone else would take the last spot—his least favorite person.

Hmph.

He was eagerly waiting for Ye Chen to be ridiculed by the class. But when Mr. Liang announced Ye Chen's score, he paused, looked at Ye Chen, and slowly said, "100 points."

What?

100 points? Did the teacher say Ye Chen got a perfect score?

The class was dumbfounded. Ye Chen was infamous for being the worst student in the class. Last month, he was ranked last. Now he had the highest score?

The turnaround was too quick for the elementary schoolers to process.

Zhong Lian, the class topper who scored 98, was equally stunned. He had assumed he'd be first this time but was shocked that Ye Chen, a so-called "terrible student," got a perfect score.

He refused to believe it!

"Mr. Liang, Ye Chen must have cheated! He only scored 28 last time…"

Mr. Liang cleared his throat. "Zhong Lian, there were invigilators during the exam. No one cheats. We should be happy for Ye Chen. He scored the highest in the entire grade."

Wow!

This news hit harder than the perfect score itself.

Zhong Lian, thinking Ye Chen might have done well in math but poorly in other subjects, was astonished to hear he topped the entire grade.

"Ding! Congratulations, host! You've shocked Zhong Lian. Admiration points: +50."

"Ding! Congratulations, host! You've shocked the entire class! Admiration points: +100."

"Ding! Congratulations, host! You've earned Gu Nianxi's deep admiration. Admiration points: +30."

Ye Chen smiled dotingly. This little girl's admiration had contributed significantly to his points.

Gu Nianxi turned around in class, her small face full of shock and adoration. "Brother Ye Chen, you're amazing! You scored a perfect 100!"

"So awesome!"

Her adorable expression, with her face cupped in her hands, was irresistibly cute.

All her previous worries had been for nothing.

The class ranking sheet was posted on the wall, and the teacher began explaining the test questions.

This month's exam was more challenging than last month's, but Ye Chen's perfect score was exactly what he expected.

Ye Chen's first-place score meant Meng Fei naturally became the last-place scorer.

After class, everyone crowded around to check the rankings.

On the results sheet, Ye Chen ranked first in both class and grade. His scores in all three subjects—Chinese, math, and English—were perfect.

This had never happened in their class before.

Gu Nianxi scored 90 in Chinese and 99 in English.

That evening, on the way home from school, the little girl's eyes were crescent-shaped with joy. She was even happier than if she had scored full marks herself, chattering excitedly and endlessly praising Ye Chen.

"So, Brother Ye Chen wasn't lying after all!"

She couldn't wait to tell her parents about Ye Chen's perfect scores. Watching her cheerful, animated expression, Ye Chen couldn't resist pinching her cheek.

Still so soft and chubby.

When they got home, Ye Chen put his schoolbag away. His mother, Shen Yuhua, was eager to hear about his grades. "So? Did you get your scores?"

Ye Chen thought of a plan and smiled. "Mom, can we discuss something?"

"What is it?"

"If I did well this time, could you give me 1,000 yuan for pocket money?" He figured it was better to ask for more in one go than to keep coming back for more.

Shen Yuhua frowned. "What would a child like you need so much money for? 1,000 yuan is a lot."

"I promised Xiaoxi I'd buy her snacks. I can't do that without money," Ye Chen replied pitifully.

His mother's resolve wavered. Sure enough…

"If you did well, I'll give it to you. If not, I'd rather give it to Xiaoxi directly than to you," she said mercilessly.

Ye Chen shrugged.

That evening at dinner, he confidently laid his test paper and certificate on the table!

This was the first time Shen Yuhua and her husband, Ye Yuanfeng, had ever seen a certificate of merit since sending Ye Chen to school.

The couple exchanged looks, alternating between the test paper and the certificate. Unable to contain her excitement, Shen Yuhua hugged her son's face and smothered him with kisses.

"Oh my! Yuanfeng, did you see this? Our son scored 100 points! All 100 points!"

Ye Yuanfeng winced as his wife gripped his wrist tightly. "Yes, yes, I saw it. Our son is top of his grade!"

How did this kid improve so quickly?

Last month, his total score across three subjects was barely 100. This month, he got full marks.

Regardless, progress was a good thing.

Watching his wife's animated celebration, Ye Yuanfeng didn't know what to say but felt happy too.

How could he not be proud of his son?

Immediately, he went to brag to their neighbor, Gu Wenguo.

"Son, well done. Keep it up," Ye Yuanfeng said, patting Ye Chen's shoulder.

Ye Chen smiled and brushed his father's hand off, turning to his mother. "Mom, don't forget what you promised…"

"Got it, got it. You did well this time. You deserve it," Shen Yuhua said cheerfully, though she added, "If it weren't for Xiaoxi, I wouldn't give you so much money." Such a waste!

Confused, Ye Yuanfeng asked, "What are you two talking about?"

"I promised Xiaochen that if he did well, I'd give him 1,000 yuan as pocket money," Shen Yuhua explained with a smile.

What?!

Ye Yuanfeng felt as though he'd been struck by lightning. He'd never had that much pocket money, not even in secret savings, which only amounted to 500 yuan!

His wife was way too generous with this brat!

For some reason, he felt a pang of jealousy.

Still, Shen Yuhua was delighted. Later, during an evening walk, she proudly joined the neighbors to discuss their children's academic performance. Finally, she could hold her head high.

Her son had made her proud! The 1,000 yuan was worth it.