C1 Let's Go!!

Isrurgh is a cosmopolitan city, and within its suburbs, Isrurgh School is recognized as a prestigious high school. Yet, within its walls, Grade 12 Class 9 is merely average.

One September morning, just before the start of the early self-study session, homeroom teacher Zhou Haoyang lost his temper in the hallway. "Zhao Zhe, you... you... Out! Stand by the door as punishment!" Zhou Haoyang was on the verge of leaping up to point directly at Zhao Zhe's nose as he shouted. His frustration was understandable; not only was Zhao Zhe at the bottom of the academic ladder, but his bizarre outfit that day was practically grounds for expulsion. He was a walking disruption.

The entire class struggled to suppress their laughter while gazing at Zhao Zhe, who was dressed in a thermal shirt, an overcoat, and bizarrely accessorized with a shovel hanging from one side of his waist and a large-capacity empty bottle on the other. A rolled-up blanket was strapped to his back. What was this spectacle? Was he moving house? Or was it some kind of cosplay? No one had seen such a get-up before.

With a look of grievance, Zhao Zhe pleaded, "Teacher, please let me explain. I... I'm sick..."

The math class representative, standing at the classroom door, extended a hand toward Zhao Zhe and said, "Zhao Zhe, sick or not, you still owe us last night's homework. Hand it over, quick." Sick? That was hard to believe.

The previous evening, Zhou Haoyang, who also taught math, had distributed a new set of problems for the students to complete at home. Zhao Zhe, however, had neither the inclination nor the memory of where he had discarded the assignment!

Zhou Haoyang's glare intensified, silently demanding the missing homework. Zhao Zhe's failure to complete his work, coupled with his absurd appearance, was a recipe for trouble.

At the corridor's entrance, a young man and woman approached the classroom door. It was Sun Xiaoya from the Literature and Art Department and Lu Hai, the Study Committee member, who sat in front of Zhao Zhe. Lu Hai had been persistently pursuing Sun Xiaoya, which meant they were often seen walking to and from school together.

Students filed into the classroom, each handing in their test papers in succession. The others promptly retrieved their papers from their backpacks. Sun Xiaoya, upon noticing the collection at the classroom door, was momentarily taken aback. Lu Hai, after submitting his own, nudged Sun Xiaoya, "Xiaoya, you better hurry and turn yours in. Class is about to start. Let's head inside."

"I..." Sun Xiaoya faltered, her eyes darting guiltily toward Zhou Haoyang, who was stationed at the doorway. She had completely forgotten about the test papers last night! How mortifying, especially since she was known as a diligent and exemplary student in the eyes of her teachers. The idea of her neglecting homework was unthinkable.

Luckily, at that moment, all eyes were on Zhao Zhe. The reasons were twofold: his peculiar attire and the fact that he hadn't yet turned in his test paper. With Zhou Haoyang teaching the math class, not submitting homework was a bold move. It was as if Zhao Zhe was challenging the natural order, and everyone was eager to witness his blunder.

Zhao Zhe scratched his head, unfazed by the sweltering heat despite his layers of clothing. "Well, I did do the test paper. I really did. If you don't believe me, ask Sun Xiaoya. I copied it from her paper..."

Standing right next to him, Sun Xiaoya's face contorted with embarrassment. She instinctively countered Zhao Zhe's claim, "I didn't lend you my test paper..."

Zhao Zhe grinned mischievously, "Of course you didn't lend it to me. I borrowed it from your backpack without asking last night. But don't worry, I'll make sure to return it."

Zhou Haoyang felt a pang in his stomach. Had the Department of Education not recently reinforced the ban on corporal punishment, he might have slapped Zhao Zhe on the spot. His previous suggestion to have Zhao Zhe expelled and homeschooled had somehow reached the Department, earning him a stern reprimand. They had reminded him that attending school was a student's right, and that teachers had no authority to strip a student of their educational rights.

Zhao Zhe suddenly realized he hadn't brought his schoolbag at all. What a failure as a student, he thought, not even remembering to bring it home last night!

Scratching his scalp, Zhao Zhe tried to make light of the situation: "Oh right, I forgot. This morning, I went to the bathroom and forgot toilet paper, so, well, the test paper had to serve a different purpose..."

Zhou Haoyang managed to quell his rising anger and took a deep breath, feigning composure as he addressed Zhao Zhe, "Didn't you mention you were feeling ill? Here's an idea: have your parents get a sick note from the hospital, and you can go home to rest for a few days."

Zhao Zhe responded, "Teacher, that won't work. My grandma is concerned about me falling behind in my studies; she definitely won't let me stay home to recover. I'll just have to push through. I'm determined to get into a great university, so I'm all in!"

Lu Hai, who had been observing the commotion, couldn't stand it any longer. He felt nauseous and quietly said to Sun Xiaoya, "Let's head to the classroom. It's not that you didn't do your homework; this guy stole your test paper."

After a brief hesitation, Sun Xiaoya followed Lu Hai into the classroom. Just then, the self-study bell rang. Zhou Haoyang, noticing the department head conducting hallway inspections, whispered urgently, "Zhao Zhe, get back to the classroom for self-study, and change out of those clothes. What if you get heatstroke?"

Zhou Haoyang was trying to avoid a scene. If the school leadership caught sight of Zhao Zhe's eccentric attire, he would be held accountable as the homeroom teacher. Moreover, if a student actually passed out in class, he would bear the responsibility as well.

The department head approached the doorway of Senior Year Class 9 and struck up a casual conversation with Zhou Haoyang. Inside, Zhao Zhe made his way back to his seat. His deskmate, Chen Xiaomeng, also known as Cutie, was the quintessential rich kid with academic performance on par with Zhao Zhe's. Ranking second to last, with Zhao Zhe at rock bottom, they were both at the end of the academic spectrum.

No sooner had Zhao Zhe taken his seat than Lu Hai, seated diagonally in front of him, spun around and accused, "Zhao Zhe, have you no shame? Stealing Xiaoya's homework? If you did it, own up to it. You're a habitual thief, but to use her test paper to...” Lu Hai couldn't bring himself to finish the sentence, aware that Sun Xiaoya was sitting right beside him.

Sun Xiaoya was hunched over, at a loss for words. She wanted to defend Zhao Zhe; after all, the test paper was still tucked in her math book. She had forgotten it the night before, but speaking up now would catch the attention of the math class representative across the aisle, rendering Zhao Zhe's previous attempt to cover for her utterly pointless.

Chen Xiaomeng jumped in to argue on Zhao Zhe's behalf: "Hai, what are you talking about? I've already turned in Zhe's math test. I guessed on his answers, and I think some might even be correct. Though, my score is bound to be a few points higher than his. My dad said I'd be in deep trouble if I came in last, so I had to put Zhe at a slight disadvantage. Sorry, Zhe, I'll make it up to you with a red packet later."

Zhao Zhe gestured magnanimously, "Cutie, there's no need for formalities between us brothers. I'll still be at the bottom of the class; you can take the second-to-last spot."

Lu Hai was biting back a remark about their lack of decency. But considering Chen Xiaomeng had already taken Zhao Zhe's math test to help him, was there still a reason for Zhao Zhe to have taken Sun Xiaoya's paper the night before?

Catching a glimpse of Sun Xiaoya nervously flipping through her book, Lu Hai inadvertently spotted the test paper, pristine and untouched, revealing that it was indeed hers. Her paper hadn't been stolen, yet Zhao Zhe was ready to take the fall for Sun Xiaoya. Their dishonesty was palpable.

In that moment, Lu Hai felt a surge of embarrassment. His face turned beet red. Chen Xiaomeng, thinking Lu Hai was still fixated on the test paper issue, quickly tried to defuse the situation, "Hai, don't get the wrong idea about Zhe. Look, you'll get a red packet too. I'll send it to our four-person group chat, and everyone can grab one at their leisure."

As the teacher entered the classroom, a hush fell over the students. Zhao Zhe, however, tapped Chen Xiaomeng on the shoulder and murmured, "Cutie, I'm off to save the world. Make sure you study hard and keep a tight grip on your second-to-last place..."

Chen Xiaomeng paid little attention to Zhao Zhe's words. He was well aware that his desk mate had a habit of spouting nonsense. But with the teacher commencing the lesson, he gestured to Zhao Zhe to pay attention.

In his head, Zhao Zhe issued a command, "Transit assistant, let's roll!"