Li Xueping was also dumbfounded.
He had hoped Qin Tian would make some progress in this exam, but he never imagined he would score better than Wu Xin!
Compared to that, he was more willing to believe the sun would rise from the west tomorrow.
This kid truly dared to speak his mind!
However, Qin Tian's demand for Wu Xin to apologize did make him feel good.
If nothing else, in terms of character, Wu Xin was indeed far inferior to Qin Tian.
Just as everyone was shocked by Qin Tian's statement, Wu Xin suddenly burst into laughter.
"Hahahaha…"
He laughed somewhat maniacally, as if he had heard a ridiculous joke.
Qin Tian remained calm throughout, watching him quietly.
His nonchalant demeanor made Wu Xin feel like a clown performing a solo act, fueling his anger.
"Alright, if you can truly score better than me, let alone apologize to you and Teacher Li, I'll even kneel for you."
"That's not necessary, I couldn't possibly accept such a grand gesture."
Qin Tian replied with a light smile.
Wu Xin, seething with rage, changed the subject. "Then what if you can't do it?"
The classmates in the room turned their curious gazes to Qin Tian, eager to see his reaction.
Qin Tian merely smiled dismissively and retorted, "Then what do you want?"
Wu Xin cast a meaningful glance at Xu Ying beside him and said seriously, "I want you to apologize to Xu Ying."
Upon hearing this, Qin Tian couldn't help but pause.
Everyone else was stunned, their eyes shifting towards Xu Ying, who stood next to Wu Xin.
After recovering from her surprise, Xu Ying slightly raised her chin, a smug expression appearing on her face.
"Qin Tian…"
Xia Nuannuan looked worried, her words caught in her throat.
Among everyone present, she was the only one who didn't believe Qin Tian would lose.
Even so, she didn't want Qin Tian to accept such a bet.
After all, it was because of her that Qin Tian had fallen out with Xu Ying.
"Very well, if I lose, I will apologize to her."
Qin Tian's words were astonishing, as he directly agreed to the demand.
"Excellent, remember your words, so many people are watching!"
Wu Xin reminded him with a cold laugh.
Qin Tian, full of confidence, smiled calmly. "Just remember your own promise."
Wu Xin had no idea where his confidence came from. He snorted and sat back down.
At that moment, the bell for the second self-study session rang.
"Alright, continue with self-study. Qin Tian, come out with me for a moment."
Li Xueping said in a deep voice.
"Okay!"
Qin Tian responded, got up, and walked over.
Seeing Qin Tian follow Li Yanwang out of the classroom, the students in the class immediately became noisy, chattering amongst themselves.
"Quiet, everyone, quiet down. It's self-study time!"
Class monitor Mu Nan shouted to control the discipline, but it had little effect.
In the row in front of Xia Nuannuan, Cui Ying and Qiu Man were also whispering enviously.
"He really dares to challenge Wu Xin to an exam? How audacious!"
"Who cares? He's bound to lose anyway. This is perfect, Yingying has been in a bad mood these past few days, and once Qin Tian apologizes to her, everything will be fine."
"Truly clueless, I wonder where he gets his courage from."
Xia Nuannuan, who was already very angry, exploded upon hearing their words.
"Shut up!"
She suddenly yelled at the two of them.
The classroom fell silent.
Stunned gazes were cast towards Xia Nuannuan.
Cui Ying and Qiu Man were also surprised, turning to look at her, dumbfounded.
At this moment, everyone in the class found it hard to believe.
The usually silent and submissive Xia Nuannuan, who was always a pushover, had actually lost her temper?
"What do you know about him? You're not allowed to speak ill of him anymore."
Xia Nuannuan glared at them.
The two exchanged glances. Perhaps shocked by her sudden outburst, they were momentarily unable to retort.
"Heh!"
From not far away, Xu Ying's cold laugh could be heard.
Everyone's eyes turned to her. She was looking at them with disdainful mockery. "Xia Nuannuan, have you been blinded by his so-called affection? Do you really believe he can score better than Wu Xin? Stop joking!"
"That's right, I believe in him."
Xia Nuannuan turned her head to face Xu Ying directly, her voice firm as she spoke, "Qin Tian will win. He will definitely win. If he loses, I will apologize to you with him."
Xu Ying was completely stunned.
"Well said!"
Zhang Peng suddenly shouted in agreement, a sly grin on his face as he addressed everyone. "Does Brother Tian seem like someone without confidence when making this bet? Don't you get it? We've all been fooled by Brother Tian before!"
Hearing this, the classmates exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of belief and doubt.
"Don't be ridiculous, Zhang Peng, what nonsense are you talking about?"
Xu Ying continued to mock and ridicule him with disdain.
"Idiot!"
Zhang Peng directly uttered two words to describe her.
"You—"
Xu Ying was so angry she couldn't speak.
"Zhang Peng, what does this have to do with you? Shut up!"
Wu Xin, standing next to her, immediately stepped forward, loudly defending Xu Ying.
"Yo, isn't this Little Jinzi? What's up? Standing up for your goddess today? Come on, if you have the guts, let's go outside and spar!"
Zhang Peng taunted her mockingly.
"Pfft…"
Suppressed laughter erupted in the classroom.
It was no use; Zhang Peng's words were too direct and too mischievous!
In terms of verbal sparring, Wu Xin was no match for Zhang Peng.
Hearing the stifled laughter around him, Wu Xin's entire face turned red.
"Zhang Peng, you... you're simply unreasonable. Hmph, a failing student is just a failing student, only capable of hurling insults."
"Haha... Little Jinzi, don't cry, let your goddess hug you for comfort!"
Zhang Peng gave him the middle finger, his smile becoming even more mischievous.
"Pfft!"
"Hahaha…"
The crowd in the classroom could no longer hold back, and their laughter echoed throughout.
Wu Xin was so furious that a lump of stale blood blocked his throat, causing him to cough violently.
Xu Ying beside him also looked extremely displeased.
"Bang bang!! Alright, everyone be quiet, stop the noise. Zhang Peng, you've gone far enough!"
Mu Nan slapped the table twice with force and shouted loudly.
She still held considerable sway in the class.
Zhang Peng gave a triumphant smile and then propped himself up to catch up on sleep.
The laughter in the classroom quickly subsided.
……………………………………
Meanwhile, Qin Tian followed Li Yanwang to the staircase on that floor.
"You and Xu Ying... what's going on?"
Li Yanwang turned to face him and asked directly.
He had seen everything that had just happened and had a general idea of the situation.
The only thing he didn't know was the specific entanglement between Qin Tian and Xu Ying.
Qin Tian didn't hide anything, briefly and clearly explaining what had happened during the break that day.
After listening, Old Li nodded in realization. "You were right to defend classmate Xia Nuannuan, but you went a bit too far."
Qin Tian remained noncommittal.
Even if he had to do it again, he would still act the same way.
"Let's not talk about this. Regarding the exam, do you... truly have confidence?"
Li Xueping changed the subject, bringing up the question that concerned him more.
As he spoke, he stared directly into Qin Tian's eyes, as if trying to see through him completely.
In the past few days, he had noticed such a significant change in this student that he couldn't fathom it at all.
Qin Tian grinned. "Old Li, actually, I was faking it all along. I originally wanted to interact with them as a failing student, but what I got in return was alienation. So... I've decided not to pretend anymore."
Upon hearing this, Li Xueping's mouth twitched uncontrollably, and he looked at him with the gaze one would give a fool.
"Don't look at me like that, I'm telling the truth!"
"Get out, get out, get back to the classroom!"
Li Xueping waved him away with a dark expression.
"Alright!"
Qin Tian wasted no words, turned, and bolted.