C6 The Standard Answer Was Wrong

The crowd gathered, their faces etched with various expressions as they examined the nearly flawless test papers.

Was this what a near-perfect score looked like?

The test paper was indeed a sight for sore eyes—clean, tidy, meticulously organized, with even the complex analyses of the final questions executed without fault.

"Ye Chen, you made an error on the third part of the last major question. Honestly, this question is quite challenging; it's not surprising that you struggled with it," Chu Yuexi remarked.

Ye Chen shook his head.

"No, Mrs. Chu, if you review the standard answer, you'll see that the final step requires applying calculus equations. There's a mistake in one of the formulas used, which led to an incorrect result."

Calculus?

The room fell into stunned silence once more.

Calculus? That was beyond the scope of high school textbooks.

Ye Chen pointed out the equation and laid it before Chu Yunxi.

Her brow furrowed as she ran through calculations in her mind.

Minutes stretched on like an eternity.

Everyone held their breath, awaiting Chu Yuexi's response.

She was, after all, the creator of the questions and a distinguished teacher at Jianghai University.

Her word was the gold standard.

Finally, Chu Yuexi exhaled deeply, her gaze upon Ye Chen turning fervent.

"Ye Chen, you're right; the standard answer is incorrect."

Her declaration rippled through the onlookers like a boulder thrown into a still pond, sending waves of shock in every direction.

"The standard answer for the joint exam is wrong?"

"Ye Chen is incredible; his level of knowledge is astounding!"

"From this moment on, Ye Chen is the benchmark I aspire to reach."

"Mission accomplished. Reward: Special Skill: Reading a hundred lines at a glance!"

"Ye Chen, you truly have my admiration. Let's give him another round of applause."

The class teacher couldn't contain her admiration for Ye Chen, her heart swelling with pride.

Ye Chen was her student, and having mentored such a prodigy, her own reputation was sure to soar.

She regarded Ye Chen not just as a student, but as a gleaming gem.

"Ye Chen, I need to consult with the leadership at the bureau before I can give you a definitive answer. Could you provide us with your contact information?"

Chu Yuexi, having lost the wager, made no mention of the matter regarding student recommendations.

Ye Chen seemed even more impressive than Chu Yuexi had anticipated, so she decided to consider her options carefully for the long term.

Unexpectedly, Chu Yuexi's cheeks flushed with color.

She had always been a serious and strict teacher, known for her reserved demeanor.

It was her first time asking for a man's contact information.

Ye Chen took a moment to really look at Chu Yuexi. He was surprised to find she was so young, no more than 27 years old.

Her skin was soft and luminous, with a sheen like that of creamy jade.

Her eyes were as captivating as stars and the moon, truly unparalleled in beauty.

"Do you want my WeChat or my phone number?" Ye Chen asked, a playful smile on his lips.

"WeChat."

"Just take down my phone number."

"Okay!"

Chu Yuexi noted his number: "I have to go now, but I'll be in touch."

The bell signaling the end of class rang out.

The students crowded around Ye Chen, examining him as if he were an otherworldly being, their curiosity piqued.

Suddenly, someone yelled, "Lin Kang, stop right there! Pay up the money you wagered!"

The crowd quickly encircled Lin Kang again.

It was time for Lin Kang to settle his gambling debt.

"Can you guys give me a few days? I'm broke right now," Lin Kang pleaded, but he was cut off.

"Bullshit. You weren't saying that when you were collecting money. Pay up now, or you're not leaving this classroom!"

"Come on, I bet a hundred on Ye Chen winning. You owe me a thousand!"

Lin Kang felt a chill in his heart. He knew if his classmates didn't get their money, they wouldn't let him leave.

Desperately, Lin Kang looked to Huang Zhongyu for help, but Zhongyu's face was just as grim.

He had lost as well.

"What are you looking at me for? Pay up and get lost. You loser!" Zhongyu snapped.

With a heavy heart, Lin Kang silently handed over the money, feeling as though he were bleeding inside.

He had failed to secure Zhongyu's reward and had lost over ten thousand yuan on top of it.

His hatred for Ye Chen had reached a boiling point.

Once Lin Kang had left, Ye Chen spoke up nonchalantly, "Huang Zhongyu, isn't it time for you to make good on our wager?"

"I never imagined seeing Huang Zhongyu in such a sorry state. I'd love to hear him call Ye Chen 'Dad.'"

"Opportunities like this are rare. Make sure you capture this moment."

"Go on, call Ye Chen 'Dad' and give us all a reason to cheer!"

The classmates' taunts only darkened Huang Zhongyu's mood further.

His eyes blazed with unbridled rage as he bellowed, "Do you all have a death wish? Have you forgotten who I am? I am Huang Zhongyu!"

It was then that everyone remembered their place.

With the Huang family's wealth and influence, how could they, mere students, dare to cross him?

There was already a precedent; a student who had crossed Huang Zhongyu was forced to drop out mid-term, never to be heard from again.

They certainly didn't want to follow in those footsteps.

Huang Zhongyu's piercing gaze swept over the crowd; not one person dared meet his eyes.

He smirked with contempt, "So what if I lost? So what if my grades aren't as good as Ye Chen's? In the end, you'll still have to bite your tongue in silence!"

"Zhang Ben, were you stirring up trouble just now?"

Zhang Ben forced a bitter smile, not expecting to be singled out by Huang Zhongyu.

Sweat beaded on his forehead as he shook his head vigorously, "No, not at all!"

"Wang Xu, what about you? What did you say?"

"I didn't say a thing, Young Master Huang."

"I doubt any of you would have the guts!"

Then, Huang Zhongyu turned his scornful gaze to Ye Chen and let out a cold snort before heading towards the classroom door.

"Wait, you're not planning to fulfill your end of the bet?" Ye Chen asked calmly, showing no sign of intimidation.

"Does Ye Chen's bravery come from ignorance? He's really challenging Huang Zhongyu now!"

"He probably doesn't grasp the full extent of the Huang family's power."

"With the Huang family's billions in assets, they could crush Ye Chen with their wealth alone."

"Ye Chen, are you certain you want me to call you 'Dad'?"

Huang Zhongyu's eyes seethed with barely contained anger.

He never imagined that Ye Chen would actually dare to publicly shame him.

"Let the show begin!"

"Why should I obey you?" Huang Zhongyu's lips curled with scorn.

"Because you lost!" Ye Chen retorted.

Huang Zhongyu shook his head. "I don't recall any wager, and I certainly didn't bet with you. I'd suggest you stop making things up."

It was then that the crowd realized that the bet between Huang Zhongyu and Ye Chen was merely verbal, lacking any real enforceability.

Now that Huang Zhongyu was denying it, there was nothing anyone could do!

"Young Master Huang, you've lived up to my expectations, remaining as unashamedly dishonorable as ever. The whole class witnessed the event, yet you so easily deny it."

"If I didn't do it, why should I confess?"

Huang Zhongyu appeared unfazed. His brazenness was on full display, leaving everyone powerless to challenge him.