Xia Huanao's exam questions were as wild and unpredictable as his own, to the point where even he didn't know how to answer them. But it didn't matter; such open-ended questions were graded leniently. Besides, this particular question wouldn't even appear on the actual exam, so it was entirely inconsequential.
Speaking of which, a meticulous elder had posed a crucial question: "Where is that brat Xia Huanao? Everyone is here for secrecy, so where is he? We need to see him."
"That," someone replied, "Xia Huanao has already gone back to accompany his girlfriend. Because his girlfriend is also taking this exam, he's gone back to keep her company and isn't here."
The elder who asked the question slammed his hand on the table. "Nonsense! The question setter is missing at the most critical moment?"
"Please calm down, Elder. Xia Huanao did not participate in the actual question setting. While he was aware of the first question shown earlier, it was merely an example and will not appear on the exam. Xia Huanao understands the need for freedom and avoiding any appearance of impropriety; you can fully trust his intelligence and character in this regard."
Upon hearing this, the elders didn't know whether to laugh or cry. What could they do when faced with such a rogue?
Meanwhile, Xia Huanao, that very rogue, was still dining lavishly. Having decided to fleece Zhang Hong for a good sum, Xia Huanao ate with gusto, devouring everything in sight. Zhang Hong watched with a pained heart. Xia Huanao glanced at Zhang Hong and said, "Zhang Hong, consider yourself lucky. Which exam center and room are you in?"
Zhang Hong, his appetite fueled by a mix of sorrow and gluttony, replied, "Jinghai Private Aristocratic School. It's my first time going to a place like that."
Xia Huanao stopped eating. "What kind of school is that? I've never heard of it."
"You haven't heard of it, right? Neither have we. It broke ground last September and was completed in March. It's an aristocratic school that will officially start enrolling next semester, apparently."
Xia Huanao understood. "So that's it. No wonder, I thought I knew all the schools worth knowing in Jinghai, and there wasn't one like this."
Shen Yu asked, "Why do you need to know this? Did you consider it before the middle school entrance exam?"
"No, it's my sister Xiaoxiao. She insists that Jinghai is a place of exceptional talent and is planning to research its high school education. She seems to want to establish a high school affiliated with the Six Tombs Academy. Looking at him, does he seem like a person of exceptional talent? At best, he's a calamity."
Xia Huanao continued to insult Zhang Hong while eating. Although Zhang Hong couldn't grasp the full implication, he knew it wasn't anything good. "Shut up, Xia Huanao. You've done nothing but bad deeds, you know. What does it matter if I consider myself lucky?"
Xia Huanao let out a satisfied burp and patted his stomach. "What, you have an objection? Let me tell you, I'm going to be an invigilator. Although the specific exam center hasn't been assigned yet, it will definitely be within Jinghai city."
Zhang Hong almost spat out his food upon hearing this. "You really dare to say that. They're probably letting you do this because no one else is available."
Xia Huanao shrugged. "Who knows?"
After a few rounds of drinks and dishes, Xia Huanao stood up. "Alright, alright, everyone disperse. Go home and rest well. We have to check the exam centers tomorrow."
As he spoke, Xia Huanao asked Shen Yu, "Xiao Yu, which exam center are you at?"
Shen Yu gestured towards Zhang Hong. "Me? I'm at his exam center. The three of us are at the same exam center, and I'm even in the same room as Tingyun."
"Then you two had better look out for each other."
"Of course."
Zhang Hong, whose mind was solely focused on his studies, put down his chopsticks. "What about me? What do I do?"
"You? You go somewhere else. Are you afraid some burly man will… kidnap your virginity?"
Zhang Hong: I ****…
***
The next morning, Xia Huanao and Shen Yu, along with others, took a taxi around the city. As soon as they got in, the driver asked, "Students, which exam center are you heading to?"
Everyone was surprised at first, then realized: of course, with the exams so close, anyone taking a taxi to check exam centers would be a high school senior. There was nothing strange about it.
Xia Huanao, sitting in the front passenger seat, gazed at the skyscrapers outside and said, "It's that newly built high school. I really don't understand why that place would be chosen as an exam center."
The driver navigated through traffic and said, "Ah, you should let me tell you. Originally, our exam center was supposed to be Jinghai No. 77 Middle School. However, the school's teaching building is reportedly no longer suitable for such a large-scale exam. But they couldn't just choose any other exam center, so they settled on this new high school. What happens above… well, people in the know understand."
The car soon arrived at Jinghai Private Aristocratic School. Xia Huanao and the others got out. While Shen Yu and the others were there like normal students checking out their exam venue, Xia Huanao's actions were somewhat peculiar.
Who ever heard of a student bringing binoculars to check an exam center? And if you're bringing binoculars, at least glance at the campus. But Xia Huanao didn't. He scanned the surroundings from the entrance, looking at every high point. Was he inspecting an exam center or a battlefield? Even if an exam center is like a battlefield, this was an excessive approach.
Xia Huanao looked around thoroughly, then nodded with satisfaction. "Excellent, very challenging. Let's see how capable you are. Don't disappoint me."
Xia Huanao spoke while scribbling in his notebook. After Shen Yu and the others had finished checking their exam centers, they returned to the school gate. The same taxi that brought them was still waiting. Xia Huanao opened the door and sat in the front passenger seat. "You're a shrewd businessman, uncle. You waited for your returning customers."
"Well, who makes money isn't the point, is it? What's wrong with me making a few more bucks? Besides, I have something I'd like your help with."
Xia Huanao chuckled. "Help? What do you need us high school students to help with?"
The uncle slowed down the car. "I have a son, about your age. He's also taking the college entrance exam this year."
Understanding the implication, Zhang Hong asked, "So he's in the same exam center as us? Which one is it? I'll pay extra attention."
The uncle then floored the accelerator. "Thank you so much for that. My son's name is Chen Han. He didn't tell me the specific exam center."
"Alright, Chen Han, got it. Leave it to us."
Xia Huanao glanced at the uncle. "Uncle, do you say this to everyone who takes a taxi here?"
"You guessed it. People always have things they can't let go of, don't they?"
"That's true…"
Xia Huanao and his group successfully checked the exam centers and returned to their secret base. Xia Huanao immediately grabbed a pencil and started drawing. Zhang Hong, who had already finished most of his revision and didn't plan any last-minute cramming in the final days before the exam, sat beside Xia Huanao, watching him tinker.
"Boss Xia, what are you busy with?"
Xia Huanao blew away the shavings on the paper. "Don't worry about it. You just focus on studying and taking your exams with your various little queens."
As he said this, Xia Huanao seemed to feel it wasn't stimulating enough and added, "Where's your Niu Niu queen? It's been a long time since she doted on you."
Mentioning Niu Niu queen, Zhang Hong's expression shifted. With a constipated look, he walked away. Yu Tingyun, sitting on the sofa, laughed. "Boss Xia, you don't know. When it was Zhang Hong's birthday, he had a party with some elves here. He got so drunk that when he woke up, he was lying next to Niu Niu, with Niu Niu's tongue on his face, almost licking his face off. If it weren't for Sweet Bamboo and Snivy, he would have disgusted himself to death."
Xia Huanao's hand trembled upon hearing this story, nearly ruining his half-finished drawing. "Really? That's too funny."
Zhang Hong, whose secrets had been exposed, also pulled out a weapon to counter his girlfriend. He crept over to Yu Tingyun and whispered something in her ear, causing her to blush and chase after him.
The room was suddenly left with only Xia Huanao and his wife. Shen Yu came over and looked at Zhang Hong's drawings. "What is this, are you going to war? Why are there so many arrows pointing at the exam center?"
Xia Huanao explained while drawing, "These are all points I consider excellent for cheating."
"Why do you have to research such unorthodox methods?"
Xia Huanao put down his pencil. "When you're in a position, you have to do what's necessary. Who asked me to get stuck with this job? But don't worry, after the college entrance exam, I'll shake off all these responsibilities and take you out to have fun."
Shen Yu leaned on Xia Huanao's shoulder, holding his hand. "You know, I'm very satisfied that you have this intention. As for shaking off all responsibilities, I don't think it's possible. You're naturally someone who attracts trouble."
"Is that so? I don't consider the trouble I encounter as trouble. At least I still call you. Look at my parents, I don't know what secret projects they've gotten involved in again. What cutting-edge projects does the Minglong Kingdom still have that they desperately want to hide from me? Are they trying to create divine beasts?"
"Alright…" Shen Yu said, stroking Xia Huanao's hand. "Mom and Dad must have their reasons, so don't worry about it too much. Besides, even if something happens, with a son as super brave as you, it won't be a big problem, right? You need to trust them more."
Xia Huanao thought, "You're right. My virtuous wife is the best."