Even knowing that the person doesn't care, she doesn't want to become their comparison point.
That person has already tried very hard, just like she did back then. Even when she saw the gap, she didn't give up on herself, but instead tried every means to move up.
She didn't want that person to repeat the same mistake and face repeated rejection.
-
On November 4th, the night the elective exam results were released, Wen Yun, while taking a bath, opened the official website with little hope and entered her ID number.
For her, there was only a little over a month to review. She could still get high scores in history, politics, and English by relying on her foundation from her previous life and the original owner's memories, but it was hard to say about biology, a semi-science subject that required accumulation of knowledge.
In addition, if she wants to get into a top university in City C, her scores in all subjects need to be as high as possible, not just passable.
The scores had just been released, and most students were checking them. The official website was very slow, and Wen Yun had even changed into her pajamas before the page finally loaded.
Unsurprisingly, she received A grades in history, politics, and English, with a score of 137 in English. However, she only received a C grade in biology, with a score of 73, which was not very good.
"Still seriously unbalanced in her studies..." She sighed, closed the page, and began to imagine the Wen family elders scolding her at the dinner table or in the living room.
She wasn't bothered by these meaningless nagging words, but she was worried that if she didn't get into a top university in City C, and she was too far removed from the protagonist, something might happen, and she wouldn't be able to help him in his immediate situation.
Since she has included the protagonist in her future plans, she has to do something about it, otherwise how can she live up to the protagonist's expectations?
Fortunately, Wen's parents are both at the company recently, so they shouldn't be nagging her for a while.
It seems something's been going on at the Wen family's company lately; Wen's parents haven't been home for a long time. Wen Yun read through the original document and learned that there was a problem with the cash flow.
Fortunately, the Wen family has a strong financial foundation and the influence of the old man Wen secretly helps them. What would be a major problem that leads to bankruptcy for most companies is just a small hurdle in the eyes of the Wen family. Once they get over it, everything will be fine.
After Ruan Yu also found out her grades, they visited the Wen family's old house one weekend, which was also a way of reporting their progress to Old Master Wen.
Grandpa Wen put on his reading glasses, smiled after looking at Ruan Yu's grades, and then took down the calligraphy he had written on his 70th birthday from the bookshelf behind him and solemnly handed it to Ruan Yu.
"With grades like yours, keep it up! Next year, those demanding finance universities will be lining up at your door!" Old Master Wen said. "Before you officially leave the Wen family, remember to remind me. I'm waiting to see Yuanmin's regretful expression!"
"...You seem to really want to see my father disappointed?" Ruan Yu couldn't help but ask.
"I've always hated their stubborn and extreme parenting style!" Grandpa Wen sighed. "Back then, I was too busy with company affairs to visit you. At most, I'd call Yuanmin to remind him when I remembered, and that's how things turned out! Your brother Xiaolu was originally a very bright child, but after not seeing him for a while, he's become selfish and self-serving! Yunyun was the same last year; her personality changed so much I almost didn't recognize her!"
“Back then, my wife was still alive. We discussed it and decided to send Xiaolu abroad, thinking that a change of environment might save her. Yunyun could also get some breathing room at home. Who knew that as soon as Xiaoyu was brought back, those two started up again!” He couldn’t help but look at Wen Yun as he said this, “Not only Xiaoyu, but if Yunyun doesn’t want to stay in that house anymore, she can come to Grandpa’s anytime!”
“I appreciate Grandpa’s kindness!” Wen Yun said quickly, “But it’s not that serious yet. After all, Mom and Dad have taken care of me for so many years. I want to try to change their minds again.”
"Sigh, whatever you want then." Grandpa Wen shook his head and didn't say anything more. He then asked Ruan Yu about her preferred major, university, and region. In the end, he settled on C City University of Finance and Economics. "That school is indeed good. It's a big city like the capital, full of talented people. Go there as soon as possible to broaden your horizons; it will be beneficial for your growth."
Therefore, Ruan Yu kept this goal firmly in mind and took it as the specific direction for her efforts.
Before they left, Grandpa Wen earnestly advised them: "You are all destined for great things in the future, so don't let your narrow-minded ideas limit you!"
Wen Yun took this as just empty promises from the old capitalist and laughed it off.
No one knew her own limitations better than she did. She had no grand ambitions in either of her lives; she just wanted to be an ordinary person, with fewer hardships and setbacks, and to live a relatively free and peaceful life.
With the release of scores, the October elective exams have come to a complete end. All students have established their overall goals for the future, and the pace of classroom review has been adjusted according to the overall situation of the class.
Although Wen Yun still plans to take the final elective exam next April, she has focused her review of the three elective subjects on biology. She also incorporates biology into her daily tutoring sessions and dreams about DNA, RNA, and various gene and genetic problems involving calculations.
The black and white cat is now completely familiar with its new home and has been allowed by the housekeeper to leave its own room and go to Wen Yun and Ruan Yu's bedroom.
When Wen Yun went to Ruan Yu's room to do her homework, the black and white cat stayed with them, occasionally jumping onto their laps to lie down, or tugging at their trouser legs, begging for pets.
Having two cats to keep her company while she does her homework brings Wen Yun both pain and joy.
December arrived in the blink of an eye. The first round of review for the senior students at Langying High School had ended, and by mid-December, the first joint mock exam for all twelve high schools in the district was about to begin.
December has arrived and winter is here. With the mock exams underway, the winter flu is also spreading on campus.
Wen Yun felt a bit uncomfortable in her nose when she woke up in the morning. She initially thought it was because the cat hair was causing an allergic reaction—the black and white cat had slept in her bedroom last night, and she hadn't paid attention to it while eating.
As soon as I entered the exam room, I started to feel sleepy. After finally finishing the Chinese exam, I felt very heavy-headed. When I went to the infirmary to have my temperature checked, I was stunned to be told by the school doctor that it was 38.3 degrees Celsius.
"My suggestion is to take leave immediately and go to the hospital for an IV drip to bring down the fever first." The school doctor pushed up his glasses. "The mock exam isn't that important; your health is the most important thing. Besides, you have a fever, which will affect your problem-solving skills. If you insist on taking the exam, you won't be able to perform at your normal level."
Wen Yun thought the same thing after hearing about her temperature, so she asked the school doctor for a leave slip, bought a bag of masks, contacted her driver, Sister Luo, asked her homeroom teacher for leave, and went back to the classroom to pack her schoolbag.
Ruan Yu was reviewing for her next exam when she suddenly heard He Sheng ask, "Yunyun, are you leaving?" Her pen, which was writing formulas, stopped instantly.
"Go get an IV drip. Come back for the exam once your fever goes down. Remember to message me if there are any new developments." Wen Yun zipped up her backpack and passed by He Sheng as she answered. Suddenly, she felt someone staring at her and subconsciously looked towards the last row of the classroom.
The girl's seat was empty, and even her schoolbag was gone.
Ruan Yu packed her schoolbag as quickly as possible, walked up to the person who was still in a daze, and took her hand directly, "I'll go with you."
Wen Yun was still a bit delirious from the fever and her reactions were slow. It wasn't until she was pulled out of the classroom that she finally came to her senses and asked in shock, "Aren't you taking the exam?!"
"Is a mere mock exam more important than you?" Ruan Yu retorted irritably. "I asked the homeroom teacher for leave. Did you contact Sister Luo?"
"Hmm... I've already contacted them."
After nearly three months of getting along, thanks to Wen Yun's efforts, Ruan Yu finally stopped insisting on addressing her with the formal "you" and gradually became more informal when communicating with her.
Wen Yun thought this was a good thing. The more polite an introverted person like the protagonist was, the more it showed that they lacked trust and security.
Only when she starts to be blunt and unreserved can you truly enter her heart, and she will be willing to share her unknown side with you.
The two quickly arrived at the school gate, where Sister Luo was already waiting. As soon as they got in the car, they drove straight to the hospital.
“The school is a bit far from the hospital, why don’t you take a nap?” Ruan Yu patted her thigh. “You’ll feel more comfortable sleeping here, with your head on my pillow.”
"No, no, no, that's not necessary!" Wen Yun hurriedly waved her hand, "I'm not that weak..."
But when the girl glared at her with narrowed eyes, she immediately cowered, obediently lying down and resting her head on the pillow.
A note from the author:
The second update is here!
Chapter 43
In a daze, Wen Yun suddenly remembered that the last time she went to the Wen family's private hospital, it was to accompany Ruan Yu, who had allergies, to have an allergen blood test and receive an IV drip.
Unexpectedly, it was Ruan Yu's turn to accompany her so soon.
As she was recalling, a cold object suddenly touched her forehead, making her shiver. Then she met Ruan Yu's gaze.
"How are you feeling? Does your throat hurt? Are you dizzy?" Ruan Yu asked.
"Actually, it's a bit..." Wen Yun touched the fever patch on her forehead and said apologetically, while reassuring her, "It's okay, it's just the common flu. How many people in our class have caught it?"
Before she contracted the flu, it had already been spreading in the class for a while, and at least a dozen classmates had taken sick leave due to fever. She thought that she exercised regularly and had a good diet, so her body could withstand it, but she still fell ill.
"Then drink some hot water?" Ruan Yu took out a thermos. "When I had a fever before, my grandma would tell me to drink more hot water to sweat it out and help my body detoxify."
Afraid of infecting her, Wen Yun quickly took out her own water glass, "Okay, you can pour the water in."
She specifically requested a bed, and after getting an IV drip, she relaxed and lay down. She opened her attribute panel and, sure enough, saw the status "Cold" displayed, followed by a link to an online store.
I don’t know if it’s because the system detected an abnormality in the host’s health, but the system’s shop has suddenly added an item called [Special Cold Medicine (1 pill cure version)].
But when Wen Yun saw the price of 88 tea flavor points, she immediately closed the redemption page.
Because her performance in the elective exam was not ideal, she has been engrossed in studying for the past two months, ignoring everything else. She has become less and less talkative, and has even gone so far as to lie and say that she is writing a play script for a green tea protagonist, using the absurd excuse of "practicing green tea speech" to win over Ruan Yu with her tea-like charm.
Strangely, Ruan Yu always cooperates. She has been able to successfully exchange for items to extend her life until now, and it is mostly thanks to Ruan Yu.
"I need to sleep for a bit." Wen Yun placed her hand, which had been pricked with an acupuncture needle, in a safe position, pointed to the desk next to her, and said to Ruan Yu, "You go ahead and study, I've set an alarm!"
Her experience of living alone in her previous life taught her how not to rely on others, even when receiving intravenous fluids.
Ruan Yu agreed, but when Wen Yun was woken up by the alarm clock, she found the girl sitting on the edge of the bed, looking up at the saline bag.
There were review materials on the desk, but how much Ruan Yu actually reviewed while she was sleeping is unknown.
Noticing her movement, the girl looked away, moved closer to her, and asked softly, "Would you like some plain porridge? Sister Luo just brought it from home, and also your favorite sweet and sour pickled radish."
Wen Yun was silent for a few seconds, then did not refuse: "Eat, I have an appetite right now."
She actually felt very guilty because her sudden illness had delayed the protagonist's study time considerably.
But she didn't dare to advise the protagonist to focus on her studies and ignore her—mainly because it was useless to advise her; the girl was extremely stubborn and had a terrible temper. Even if she didn't listen to her, she would continue doing what she wanted while still angry.
The IV drip of antibiotics was very time-consuming; it took from noon to evening for two bags of saline solution to be used up. After the needle was removed, the doctor told Wen Yun to sit for a while longer to observe her condition. Only after confirming that there were no adverse reactions was she allowed to go home.
Wen Yun felt her sore throat had eased somewhat, but her head was still spinning. Although her temperature had temporarily gone down, based on her experience, it would likely rise again around midnight. This flu was very stubborn; even with IV fluids, it would take three to five days to fully recover, which was quite a waste of time.
On her way home, she couldn't resist opening the store and looking at the shiny, effective cold medicine. Thinking about her study plan, which she had just made last week and was about to be ruined, she shamefully felt tempted.
-
After dinner, Ruan Yu tidied up her biology notes and was about to go find that person when that person came to her door instead.
—She also brought a script filled with manipulative remarks.
This wasn't the first time, and Ruan Yu had already guessed that she would have to rely on manipulative words to complete the system task. So she took the script and started browsing the contents.
She knew that this person wasn't good at playing the role of the scheming woman Wen Yun, so the "scripts" she wrote were mostly extreme, and they were particularly melodramatic love stories between scumbag men and scheming women.
The first time she saw those scenes, she would even blush, but now she was no longer surprised. She cleared her throat and recited her lines with great emotion: "Manman, how could you go to see other men behind my back?"
“No, brother!” Wen Yun interjected. “I only saw him as a tool, not a man! In my heart, you will always be the most important! It was my fault for not explaining to you sooner, I’m sorry! I really didn’t expect you to care about me to this extent!”
"You know I care about you, so why did you still do something to hurt me?" Ruan Yu sneered, following the script. "Manman, you've changed! From now on, never call me 'brother' again! We'll go our separate ways, you can go your own way!"
"How could you do this to me, brother!" Wen Yun clutched her chest in anguish. "Since that's the case... let's cut off all contact! I'm afraid that when I miss you, it will disturb you while you're with your other sisters."
The black and white cat sat on the edge of the bed, tilting its head and listening to their conversation with a puzzled expression.
Ruan Yu clearly sensed that this script was very long, and the plot was fragmented and disjointed, as if it was written in a rush because the writer didn't have much energy to think about it.
But she patiently stayed with the person until they finished reading the entire script before reaching out to touch their forehead. Finding it a little feverish, she asked with concern, "Did you take your cold medicine after dinner tonight?"
"……No."
In fact, Wen Yun had originally planned to take her medicine after finishing reading the script—the special cold medicine she had redeemed from the system store.
To this end, she specially wrote 88 tea-related sayings in the script and marked the expressions or actions, so that she would have a chance to get extra tea flavor bonus.
This method of quickly increasing tea flavor by exploiting loopholes in the judgment rules was initially criticized by the system. However, perhaps because the protagonist was willing to cooperate, every tea-related remark that received feedback from the protagonist actually received tea flavor rewards, leaving even the system baffled.
However, for Wen Yun, the best method is the one that works. She doesn't need to maintain the original owner's "green tea" persona, nor does she want to use cunning words to make others unhappy in order to survive. There is clearly a shortcut to take, and it would be foolish not to choose it.
With 88 points of tea flavor obtained, Wen Yun, urged by Ruan Yu, went back to her room to get cold medicine. She then swapped the special cold medicine she had redeemed with the medicine prescribed by the doctor, and took the special medicine in front of Ruan Yu.
That night, as she went to sleep, she felt her body recovering rapidly.