C15 Making a Bet!

Upon the announcement of the mock exams, the entire senior class was engulfed in a palpable tension. Almost every student, even those who were merely going through the motions, began to diligently work through their exercises.

The collective effort toward a shared goal was contagious, inspiring everyone around. Zhou Wen, who had previously been among the few indifferent students, now found himself striving alongside his peers for a good mock exam score, feeling the collective strength of unity and determination.

Even Hui Yuming, notorious for slacking off, made a show of buckling down to study. "Zhou Wen, if I make any progress this time, it'll be all thanks to you," Yuming said, spinning his pen with a grin.

"Isn't progress a good thing? If you actually do better, you owe me a big thank you," Zhou Wen replied with a laugh.

Yuming chuckled, "Deal! If I improve, my parents are sure to give me a reward. Then we can go out and have some fun!"

Chen Wan'er, overhearing the conversation, interjected with a huff, "Hui Yuming, focus on your studies! The exams haven't even started, and you're already thinking about playing. Zhou Wen has just begun to take his studies seriously; don't you dare lead him astray!"

"Alright, alright, I won't distract Zhou Wen," Yuming responded, gesturing with his hands and feigning innocence.

Reassured, Chen Wan'er turned to Zhou Wen, "And you, remember not to get sidetracked by fun!"

Zhou Wen, facing Chen Wan'er's earnest concern, replied with a wry smile, "You're absolutely right. I won't get distracted by play."

A smile spread across Chen Wan'er's face, her eyes filled with hope that Zhou Wen would indeed achieve impressive results.

Just then, Lee Dan approached from the front of the classroom. "Chen Wan'er, you've been doing well lately, and Zhou Wen's improvement is evident," Lee Dan commented warmly.

Chen Wan'er blushed slightly and modestly deflected, "It's not me. Zhou Wen has been working hard on his own."

"Ms. Lee, Chen Wan'er is far too humble. It was under her guidance that I found myself on the right path," Zhou Wen said with a smile.

"Mutual flattery in the business world, huh?" Hui Yuming murmured to himself.

Both Zhou Wen and Chen Wan'er shot a fiery glance at Hui Yuming.

In the midst of the jovial atmosphere, Lee Dan chuckled and asked, "Zhou Wen, you've been very diligent with your studies lately, and I've taken notice. How do you think you'll fare in the upcoming mock exam?"

As the homeroom teacher, Lee Dan had never abandoned any of her students.

Regardless of Zhou Wen's previous lack of interest in his studies, she had consistently encouraged him, even pairing him with the academically strong Chen Wan'er as desk mates.

Seeing Zhou Wen's transformation brought joy to her heart. However, with the limited time, she was uncertain about the extent of his academic progress.

"I think I might make it into the top twenty in our class for the mock exam," Zhou Wen replied, not entirely sure of himself.

"What? Top twenty?" A voice filled with astonishment interrupted them.

A boy, clutching a black water cup, looked on in shock. He had just returned from the water fountain to the classroom when he overheard the conversation between Zhou Wen and Lee Dan.

Regaining his composure, the boy greeted, "Hello, Ms. Lee."

After Lee Dan acknowledged him with a nod, the boy expressed his skepticism, "Zhou Wen, are you serious? You were at the very bottom of our class before. Now you're aiming for the top twenty?"

"What's the issue?" Zhou Wen asked, his brow furrowing.

The boy was Lyu Xiang, a classmate whose grades consistently ranked in the top ten, and he was close friends with Wang Chi.

Lyu Xiang, who wore glasses, sported a crew cut, and was slightly overweight, chuckled and said, "Ms. Lee, don't be swayed by his tall tales. Jumping from last to the top twenty in just one month? That's laughable!"

Lee Dan, visibly upset, admonished, "Zhou Wen, don't deceive your teacher. Be honest about your improvement. Empty boasts won't get you anywhere. Success comes from hard work and staying grounded in reality."

Zhou Wen pleaded with innocence, "Ms. Lee, I truly haven't deceived anyone."

"How can you be so full of yourself, Zhou Wen? I'm truly disappointed in you!" Lee Dan shook her head, her expression one of frustration, and stormed off.

With Lee Dan out of sight, Lyu Xiang burst into laughter. He clapped his hands to draw everyone's attention and boomed, "Listen up, everyone. Zhou Wen claims he'll make it into the top twenty in the upcoming mock exam. Do any of you believe that?"

"No way, how could that happen?" a boy remarked.

"Zhou Wen might act heroically when it's called for, but academic success isn't something you can achieve with just courage," a girl commented.

"It's true. Zhou Wen has indeed been studying hard lately, but to believe he could improve so much in such a short time is a stretch," another student chimed in.

From the back of the classroom, Zhou Wen observed everyone's reactions, which were as he had anticipated.

Ordinarily, it would be impossible for him, but his special underwear had boosted his intelligence by 10 points, significantly increasing his learning speed.

Being among the top twenty in the class was Zhou Wen's own assessment of his academic abilities.

Yet, the first place was still out of reach.

With this thought, Zhou Wen's gaze shifted to the figure in the third row.

As the class president, Su Qin's grades had consistently topped the class for three years.

Moreover, Su Qin was among the school's top students, and many teachers believed she had a strong chance of being admitted to a prestigious university like Qingbei.

Su Qin turned around just then, locking eyes with him. Her gaze was questioning; she too was skeptical of Zhou Wen's claim.

Undeterred, Lyu Xiang continued to beam with excitement, "Hear that, Zhou Wen? Nobody believes you can crack the top twenty!"

Wang Chi, from the front row, approached. He had been humiliated by Zhou Wen twice before, and Lyu Xiang, as his close friend, was clearly trying to help him save face. Wang Chi wasn't about to let Lyu Xiang go it alone.

Standing next to Lyu Xiang, with his arms folded across his chest, Wang Chi sneered, "Zhou Wen, you actually think you can land in the top twenty? Do you really think we're just here for show?"

Several students in the class cast hostile glances at Zhou Wen.

They were among the top twenty students in the class.

By the second semester of their senior year, most students' grades had stabilized, with only minor fluctuations expected.

The top twenty spots were typically held by the same students, and no one believed a dark horse could emerge at this stage.

"Zhou Wen, you think you can break into the top twenty? Look at yourself before you start dreaming!" a boy stood up and exclaimed indignantly.

"Zhou Wen, do you really think it's that easy to make it into the top twenty? You, who are at the very bottom, want to give it a shot?" another boy stood up, his face flushed with anger.

"Don't kid yourself that a few weeks of serious study will make a difference. Even if you studied for another month, you couldn't catch up with us!" a girl chimed in, standing as well.

"We in the top twenty have all worked tirelessly and grounded ourselves in reality. You can't even begin to comprehend the effort we've put in. Zhou Wen, you're living in a fantasy!" a girl with large glasses said, glaring at him.

Lyu Xiang inhaled sharply and said with irritation, "Zhou Wen, give up your delusions!"

"You're definitely not making it into the top twenty this time!" Wang Chi declared, his anger evident. He then exchanged meaningful looks with the other standing students, a sense of shared animosity in the air.

Zhou Wen just smiled lightly and responded, "And what if I do make it into the top twenty?"

"Do you actually believe you can make it?" Lyu Xiang burst into laughter.

The whole classroom joined in with roaring laughter.

"What makes you think I can't make it? Who do you think you are?" Zhou Wen retorted, his patience with Lyv Xiang's provocation wearing thin.

"See that? Zhou Wen's losing it and starting to lash out!" Lyu Xiang announced loudly.

"Clearly, Zhou Wen is scared! Apologize to Lyu Xiang right now! Who gave you the right to insult him?" Wang Chi demanded harshly.

"Apologize? And who are you, exactly?" Zhou Wen shot back, his gaze sharp.

Wang Chi, taken aback by Zhou Wen's fierce look, tried to maintain his composure and suggested, "How about we make a bet, Zhou Wen? If you make it into the top twenty, we'll let today's insults slide."

"If you lose, you'll have to stand on the podium and loudly declare to the entire class three times that you're an idiot!" Wang Chi grew more animated as he spoke, secure in the knowledge that Zhou Wen wouldn't dare retaliate against him in the classroom.

"Zhou Wen, don't take the bet! How could you possibly make it into the top twenty?" Chen Wan'er implored, gripping his arm anxiously.

"Afraid, Zhou Wen?" Lyu Xiang taunted with a smirk.

"If you're too scared, just go up to the podium now and admit it once; that'll be enough," Wang Chi said with a smug certainty.

Zhou Wen replied with composed assurance, "I'm open to a bet, but I just think this contest isn't fair."

"Unfair? How so?" Lyu Xiang inquired, genuinely intrigued.

"Well, if I lose, I have to stand on the podium and insult myself, but if you lose, you face no consequences. Does that seem fair to you?" Zhou Wen explained patiently.

"Fine then, if you make it into the top twenty, I'll go up there and say I'm an idiot three times!" Lyv Xiang blurted out without a second thought.

"And if you get into the top twenty, I'll say it too!" Wang Chi quickly added.

"Zhou Wen is so full of himself. Does he even know his own level? And yet he dares to take this bet!" the girl with the large glasses scoffed.

With a look of unwavering confidence, Zhou Wen responded, "Alright!"

"I'm in on this bet!" Zhou Wen declared boldly. "And you two had better not try to weasel out of it!"