Don’t Try To Corrupt Me

Chapter 81

Huang Anchong looked at Sheng Yuan’s radiant smile, and his hand under the table clenched into a fist.

He didn’t know what the other party was up to.

But Sheng Yuan definitely didn’t have good intentions. With the surrounding classmates watching them, he couldn’t lose his temper.

At this moment, his new roommate spoke up, “Huang Anchong, have you two made up? Weren’t you fighting just yesterday…”

This classmate voiced everyone’s doubts. He truly deserved the name of acting spokesperson.

The roommate hesitated to continue, and this sentence was simply Huang Anchong’s savior.

As long as he expressed some timidity, he could put Sheng Yuan in the position of a shameless aggressor.

“Of course.”

A cheerful and bright voice rang out, causing Huang Anchong’s eyebrows to twitch.

Before he could start performing, Huang Anchong was interrupted.

Sheng Yuan put his hand over Huang Anchong’s shoulders, not giving him a chance to speak. “We have reconciled. We talked about it yesterday. It was his carelessness that made me angry, but there is nothing unforgivable, right, Classmate Huang?”

Sheng Yuan’s smile widened as he pinched Huang Anchong’s shoulder, appearing generous.

The roommate chimed in, “We’re all peers. Conflicts can arise due to friction. Huang Anchong was also careless, so let’s just let it go.”

He recalled what happened last night. “After we changed dormitories yesterday, he told me that you didn’t do it on purpose but acted on impulse.”

Huang Anchong’s expression darkened. The act he put on in front of others yesterday now made him the villain, while the instigator got away with it.

In just a few sentences, he was labeled as the one who started the trouble.

The roommate’s words were even more decisive, shifting the blame entirely onto Huang Anchong.

Whispers instantly spread through the surroundings as onlookers became naturally curious about the reason behind their fight yesterday.

“So, it was him who provoked the other party first.”

“I thought it was a deliquent bullying people.”

Huang Anchong watched Sheng Yuan with gritted teeth. Sheng Yuan raised his eyebrows, and then shrugged his shoulders.

Sheng Yuan acted embarrassed, then grimaced and placed a hands on his shoulders. His movements were stiff and he emitted a soft groan.

Guo Gang noticed and asked, “Sheng Yuan, what’s wrong with you?”

Sheng Yuan lowered his eyes, speaking in a softer voice. “It’s nothing, just that the wound from yesterday still hurts a little.”

Huang Anchong’s eyes widened.

Where did he get a wound from?

He was the one who was unilaterally beaten yesterday.

Guo Gang looked at Sheng Yuan’s shoulder with concern. “Are you okay?”

Sheng Yuan forced a smile. “It’s alright. Huang Anchong was also careless yesterday.”

As he spoke, he turned his head and glanced at Huang Anchong. “It’s fine, really.”

Huang Anchong: “…”

A large pot that could cover the sky and the sun was thrown to him.

Apart from grabbing Sheng Yuan’s neck during the struggle, he was practically in a near-death state, unable to fight back.

Seeing that the performance was almost over, Sheng Yuan delivered the final line, “And now me and Little Huang have become good friends.”

Huang Anchong: “…”

He was completely unaware that he had become friends with Sheng Yuan.

Huang Anchong stared at Sheng Yuan’s dazzling smile, feeling his anger burning within. He forcefully suppressed his rising emotions, wishing he could tear Sheng Yuan’s handsome face apart.

His voice was like a mosquito’s whisper, filled with grinding teeth. “Since when have we become good friends?”

Sheng Yuan’s lips remained still as he also whispered, “We have always been Little Huang.”

Bright radiance flickered in his eyes. “Dogs have always been humans’ best friends.”

Huang Anchong: “…”

He was completely caught off guard, completely in a passive state.

Moreover, Sheng Yuan’s choice of words and tactics were all too familiar to him. It was exactly how he pretended to be a good person.

As the teacher team approached the lectern in the auditorium, Sheng Yuan withdrew his gaze and began to pay attention.

The final evaluation of the winter camp combined the exam score with the regular score. However, the regular score was only worth 10 points, a small percentage that could be easily ignored. But if the regular score fell below 6 points, one would lose the qualification to compete.

Just like the rules and violations in school, here, indiscipline would also result in point deductions.

Engaging in fights, disrespecting teachers, having poor character, or displaying antisocial behavior would result in immediate expulsion.

The teachers spoke solemnly, hoping that the students would take responsibility for their own lives.

Sheng Yuan listened attentively.

The following half month was devoted to intensive study. There was a test every three days, with the major exam scheduled for the tenth day. This exam felt like a life-or-death battle.

Surrounded by classmates who achieved excellent grades just like him, those who used to be at the top of their school now only had a difference of five points at most, and the smallest gap was only 0.3 points.

They chased each other relentlessly, barely leaving any room for breathing or relaxation.

During the consolidation and review stage, Sheng Yuan had no intention of teasing Huang Anchong, and Huang Anchong had no time to play the role of a good person.

They were over fifty different youths, yet they shared the same goal.

— Just a guaranteed admission.

But such careless and indifferent words could only be spoken by the victors.

The day of the major exam arrived quickly. The exam had strict regulations. Over fifty students stood in a large gymnasium. The central area of the gymnasium was hollow from the first to the third floor, allowing them to see dozens of high glass skylights above. It was a sunny day, and the glass windows appeared deep blue.

Desks and chairs were placed inside the auditorium, with more than one meter of distance between each seat, resembling a battlefield for the young warriors. The only weapon they could bring was the pen in their hands.

Draft papers were distributed uniformly, and there were metal detectors at the entrance of the exam hall. Without any internet access or noise, the students passed through the inspection one by one and then searched for their seats according to their exam numbers.

“Huang Anchong.”

Someone called his name.

Huang Anchong turned around and saw Sheng Yuan.

His eyes looked at him calmly and rationally.

“You must pass the exam.”

Huang Anchong widened his eyes.

Again!

Sheng Yuan said those words to him again!

Turbulent waves surged in his heart. He didn’t know what Sheng Yuan meant, but he only felt a brief panic before quickly adjusting his emotions. His mental resilience was strong, and he wouldn’t be distracted by anything and ruin this exam.

With the sound of the announcement, the competition officially began. The exam hall instantly fell into silence, as if the mute button waa pressed. The sound of pens scratching against paper became hoarse, and the footsteps of the invigilators were barely audible. The students diligently wrote, some furrowing their brows in concentration, others having sudden realizations. They checked their papers with utmost seriousness and focus.

They knew well that one point could determine victory or defeat, and one second could change their destiny.

As long as their mindset remained steady, the scores of the first and last places wouldn’t differ too greatly. And there were always those who could perform exceptionally. Their task was to identify their own mistakes. Every extra point counted, and every extra 0.3 points mattered.

Three hours later, the exam concluded. The students remained in their seats, waiting for the teachers to collect their papers. Apart from the pens they brought, they couldn’t take anything else from the exam hall. Even the draft paper, which was the only evidence of their full efforts in this self-battle, couldn’t be taken away.

The results would be announced five days later. At that time, a teacher from Tsinghua University would come specially to present awards to the top three students, together with the representatives from the Education Bureau.

After the exam, they all breathed a sigh of relief. Looking at the deep blue sky outside, they felt incredibly relaxed, as if free birds breaking free from their cages.

While others might think that the results were unimportant and that the effort was what mattered, there was a buzz of discussion outside the examination hall.

“Oh, please, let me pass the exam. I want to go back and boast.”

“Somebody will definitely pass. Why can’t that person be me?”

“Did everyone get along so well during these past two weeks. Wasn’t there anyone itching for a fight?! If you want to fight, fight now! One less person means one more opportunity. Fighting and brawling will benefit society!”

Truly Ambitious: “…”

Isn’t it benefiting you?

Guo Gang came out of the exam room and asked Sheng Yuan, “Sheng Yuan, how did you do in the exam? Do you think you’ll pass?”

Sheng Yuan smiled gently and replied, “I think my answers were acceptable. But everyone worked hard, so whether we pass or not doesn’t really matter. The important thing is the effort we put in.”

Truly Ambitious immediately showed a face of disdain.

What was this bastard doing? Why couldn’t it understand what he was saying?

While Guo Gang went to the supermarket, Truly Ambitious asked the same question using the same wording.

[System: Do you think you’ll pass?]

Sheng Yuan: “Everyone has worked ha—”

[System: Stop pretending.]

Sheng Yuan: “I will definitely pass.”

Truly Ambitious: “…”

As expected!

After the exams, there was no study pressure in the winter camp anymore. The teachers began conducting experiments and engaging the students in various exciting activities.

A joyous atmosphere prevailed, and soon it was the fourteenth evening. The results were to be announced in the afternoon, and only three students would pass. The teachers gathered the students in the auditorium.

“The days we spent together always pass by so quickly. In the blink of an eye, the winter camp is coming to an end. Tomorrow, you will take the bus back to your respective schools, returning to your own lives. I probably won’t have time to speak to you during the award ceremony tomorrow, so I’ll say it now. I hope that all of you, my students, will have a bright future pursuing your own aspirations. Here, the teachers wish you all the best.”

Applause filled the auditorium, and at that moment, the teachers took out the envelopes they had kept in their pockets.

“Here are the names of the top three students who have earned the opportunity for guaranteed admission. Among over fifty students, only three have achieved this. We know the competition was fierce, and it’s natural to feel disappointed or sad if you didn’t make it. But we hope that those who didn’t make it won’t lose heart, and those who passed won’t become arrogant. This is just a small turning point in your life. Life’s victories and defeats are not determined by exam scores but by self-redemption and improvement.”

The teacher slowly opened the envelope and took out the letter with the names of the three students.

“Let us sincerely, or insincerely but inevitably, congratulate Sheng Yuan, Wu Zhengwang, and Huang Anchong for their outstanding performance in the physics knowledge competition during this winter camp.”

Applause and a mixture of laughter and tears filled the room. There was regret and joy, some silently shedding tears while others engraved the moment in their hearts. Life was like this, with both wins and losses. One day, they would break through the formidable barriers, and there would be a day when their future shone brightly.

They might lose, but no one would keep losing forever.

The award ceremony would take place tomorrow. The teacher called Sheng Yuan and the other two to think about their acceptance speeches. Each person would have three minutes, not too long, not too short.

The three of them were overflowing with joy. On the way back, Huang Anchong engaged in a lively conversation with the second place, completely ignoring Sheng Yuan beside him.

When they reached the dormitory building, Wu Zhengwang’s room was on the first floor, while Sheng Yuan and Huang Anchong continued upstairs.

Just as Huang Anchong was about to turn at the staircase on the second floor, Sheng Yuan spoke up, “Huang Anchong, have you thought about apologizing to Yu Zuojin?”

The winter camp was coming to an end, and the anxiety of the past two weeks was about to dissipate. Sheng Yuan had passed and secured the guaranteed admission, which Huang Anchong probably hadn’t anticipated.

Thinking back now, Huang Anchong realized that Sheng Yuan’s insistence on him passing was merely a psychological tactic to prevent him from performing well in the exam. But…

Huang Anchong burst into laughter in front of Sheng Yuan. “What are you thinking? After all this time, you still cling to such a ridiculous idea. I thought a delinquent leader like you would be much more formidable.”

He approached, getting just centimeters away from Sheng Yuan, his tone filled with anger as he unleashed all the resentment he had built up over the past two weeks.

“You’re nothing special, Sheng Yuan.”

Sheng Yuan remained expressionless. “I’ll give you two options: apologize sincerely to Yu Zuojin or have others force you to face the consequences of your actions.”

Huang Anchong scoffed, “Who do you think you are?”

“Do you really believe you’re some immortal figure, trying to control my life? Do you think I would feel guilty for bullying Yu Zuojin? Sheng Yuan, let me tell you, I don’t regret it one bit!”

“The only one who can influence my life is myself. Every path I take is my own choice, and there’s no room for others to offer alternative options.”

Sheng Yuan stared at him coldly, not saying anything more.

Finally, Huang Anchong revealed a genuine smile from the depths of his heart.

This time, he had won.

Even while packing his belongings that night, Huang Anchong smiled. He had successfully turned the tables.

The next morning, they woke up early. It took Huang Anchong over an hour to write his acceptance speech. Afterwards, he walked into the auditorium and went backstage, preparing to go on stage soon.

The teachers from Tsinghua University also arrived. They shook hands with the three students and then joined the organizers on stage. They read their speeches and offered words of comfort to the students who didn’t make it, until it was time for the top three to speak.

Starting with the third-place winner, Huang Anchong read his meticulously prepared speech, bowed, and stepped down from the stage. Then it was Wu Zhengwang’s turn. He delivered his speech with tears streaming down his face, and even called his mother on the phone, barely able to speak due to his emotions.

Finally, it was Sheng Yuan’s turn.

He took measured steps forward, accepting the microphone handed to him by Wu Zhengwang. He looked at Huang Anchong, who was reveling in his self-satisfaction, and his eyes remained devoid of any emotional fluctuations.

The first sentence he spoke was not a reflection, but…

“How do you all view campus violence?”

His voice was neither light nor heavy, yet it weighed heavily on everyone’s hearts. The students in the audience were taken aback. School violence? That was undoubtedly a deed only performed by beasts!

However, coming from a delinquent like him, the mention of violence felt rather strange.

A classmate responded loudly, “Worse than beasts!”

“Yes, only useless people bully others!”

Sheng Yuan gripped the microphone and asked, “What would you do if you knew someone who commits acts of campus violence?”

“Expose them!”

Sheng Yuan held the microphone tightly. “Yes, I think so too.”

Huang Anchong had no idea what Sheng Yuan was up to, but every word he spoke seemed to be directed at him.

It continued until Sheng Yuan took out his phone.

Huang Anchong’s pupils shrank, and his brain instantly froze. Only one phrase echoed in his mind, the words Sheng Yuan had repeatedly said to him.

—Huang Anchong, you and I are smart people.

That day in the medical room, he wasn’t the only one using a phone.