Twenty days was neither long nor short. Although there were days off—Sundays, specifically, amounting to three days off in total—everyone was slowly getting used to this rhythm. Starting next semester, those of them who would be seniors shouldn't even dream of two days off; having just one day off would be a luxury, and even that single day would only be for a brief respite to catch up on the mountains of homework.

However, the roar of elation when they finally heard that the first half of the remedial classes was over could rival that of the final exams. The teachers were quite considerate, realizing the intense schedule they’d endured without proper rest. They didn't go too hard on the holiday assignments, assigning only fifteen math tests, ten English tests plus three English short essay diaries, twenty Chinese tests, and thirty tests each for History, Geography, and Politics. In short, what sounded like a thin stack of tests turned out to be a horrifying pile once they saw the actual workload, heavy enough to hurt if swung at someone.

When this assignment load was announced, many nearly stopped breathing. Was this really the reduced workload the teachers had painstakingly contemplated?

Some looked at the thick sheaf of papers in their hands, one thought dominating their minds: Oh God, just let me die. This is only the second year; what are we supposed to do in the third?

Everyone’s nerves had been kept taut by the teachers these past few weeks, but no one dared to complain first. Now that someone had finally broken the silence, others immediately vented their frustrations.

“I heard the seniors pull all-nighters until two in the morning,” someone said, their voice laced with genuine horror.

This statement immediately drew a rebuttal: “What are you talking about, two AM? I heard they don’t get to sleep until… and they have to be up at six in the morning.”

“No, no, I heard it’s like this…”

Many people kept recounting the schedules they had painstakingly gathered from current twelfth-grade students. Wang Qiqi, however, remained grounded. Having gone through senior year once, she knew that five or six hours of sleep a day for a graduating student was considered good; many only managed three or four hours. This struck Wang Qiqi as incredible. Perhaps it was youth, perhaps sheer willpower, but Wang Qiqi had no intention of studying that late every night. She knew that lack of sleep severely impacted the next day’s learning efficiency. They didn't need more study time; they needed quality. With proper scheduling, six hours of sleep would absolutely yield better results than three or four hours.

Shi Man watched Wang Qiqi’s composed demeanor, and her own mounting anxiety slowly subsided. These recent weeks had honestly been grueling. Every other evening, she had to endure Han Tao’s intense math drills, all while keeping up with school assignments. This necessity had drastically cured her tendency to procrastinate. More importantly, Wang Qiqi insisted on being in bed by midnight, which in turn forced Shi Man and Zhu Lina to go to sleep too. At first, Shi Man was infuriated, feeling it was derailing her academic progress. But slowly, she realized Wang Qiqi was right: being well-rested made the next morning’s slightly earlier start—waking up to memorize English vocabulary—far more effective than cramming late at night. She resolved to follow Wang Qiqi’s schedule going forward, although she had no plans to adopt Wang Qiqi’s habit of running with Han Tao every morning.

Zhu Lina remained silent, looking down at the math test handed out that day. Although she still couldn't solve some problems, a sense of relief washed over her as she flipped through the pages. She could solve many of the questions, which bolstered her confidence significantly. Even though her family often said it didn't matter if her math scores were poor since she was going abroad anyway, the competitive Zhu Lina refused to let this subject tarnish her high school career. Moreover, Zhu Lina instinctively felt that backing down from a mathematical challenge might translate into a strategy of avoidance when facing difficulties later in life.

After packing their bags, the three started walking home. The journey back carried a significant weight. Although their main luggage was packed, they still had to carry their holiday assignments, take showers, and then Shi Man and Zhu Lina needed to visit their parents. Wang Qiqi’s task was simpler: take the luggage she’d packed the night before to the bus station.

That’s right. Wang Qiqi’s earlier hesitation about taking a vacation trip had been completely swept away by Shi Man’s enthusiasm. What truly excited Wang Qiqi was that Shi Man had somehow procured vouchers for a five-day stay in a triple suite at a five-star hotel in QD, with an expiration date of August 10th. Such a golden opportunity couldn't be passed up. They sorted out the hotel bookings and train tickets; accommodations and entry fees once they arrived in QD were trivial matters.

The three, clutching their school bags with a smug air, had just stepped out of the school gate when they heard a voice calling out, “Qiqi, Qiqi, Qiqi, wait up for me!”

The moment Wang Qiqi heard that voice, she felt as disgusted as if she had just swallowed excrement. Damn it, she thought her pace had been fast enough; how did he still manage to catch up?

Shi Man glanced at Wang Qiqi. “Should Lina and I go ahead?” Dealing with a guy like Gao Kai, Wang Qiqi’s cold retorts were usually enough to utterly demolish the self-satisfied jerk.

How could Wang Qiqi let Shi Man leave? She whispered, “Don’t say anything, but you need to back me up. Don’t you know he’s afraid of you? Besides, don’t forget I’m your landlady now…” Wang Qiqi threatened without apology.

Shi Man gave Wang Qiqi an innocent, wronged look. You’d really use that threat against poor, defenseless me?

Wang Qiqi responded with a look that conveyed, You know my temper.

Shi Man realized she truly couldn't escape; otherwise, Wang Qiqi would surely make her suffer. Since Shi Man wasn't leaving, Zhu Lina naturally stayed put as well.

Wang Qiqi didn't turn around, waiting for Gao Kai to approach, a silent declaration that she would offer him no concessions.

Gao Kai had assumed that after all the effort he’d expended, after enlisting numerous people and "reluctantly" flattering so many older female students, Wang Qiqi would eventually crack and demand an explanation. At the very least, he expected her to look haggard or visibly upset. But to his surprise, Wang Qiqi hadn't only refrained from confronting him; she ate well, drank well, willingly tutored classmates in math, and laughed easily. Initially, Gao Kai convinced himself that Qiqi was just putting up a front, waiting for him to beg for mercy, so he persisted, determined not to spoil her and to teach her the meaning of male authority. But she acted as if he didn't exist. Even when they crossed paths on campus, she’d merely offer a polite greeting and walk on.

Even when he appeared openly affectionate with another girl right in front of her, she acted as if she hadn't seen a thing. This left Gao Kai feeling utterly frustrated and lost. What truly provoked him, however, was when Wang Rui told him that Wang Qiqi actually had a guy tutoring her in math every single evening. How could Gao Kai not explode? “I hear your math scores have improved recently,” Gao Kai managed to say, suppressing his anger.

Wang Qiqi gave him a look of profound confusion. “My math scores are good. Is there a problem with that?”

“I hear there’s a guy reviewing math with you every night. What is the meaning of this? Are you being true to me?” Gao Kai grew furious watching Wang Qiqi’s nonchalant and impatient response. This attitude was unacceptable; he felt he had to discipline her. But seeing Shi Man standing beside Wang Qiqi, he managed to restrain the urge to lash out physically.

True to me? Wang Qiqi burst into laughter. “We are just classmates. Do I owe you any explanation? I’ve said it before: you are not my man, nor are you my boyfriend. What standing do you have to criticize me? Even married couples get divorced. Stop looking at me like I’m your personal property. My decisions require no reporting to anyone—not even my uncle and aunt, or my aunt and uncle-in-law. No matter how good your relationship is with Wang Rui, it has nothing to do with me. Firstly, my relationship with Wang Rui isn’t as good as you think. Secondly, stop interfering with my life. I have my sky, and you have yours.”

Gao Kai’s heart sank as he looked at Wang Qiqi’s cold expression. She had said these things before, but at the time, he thought she was just venting her frustration. He hadn't expected this intensity. “Qiqi, I love you. I truly, deeply love you.” Gao Kai declared, heedless of the school gate location or the many classmates heading home at this hour.

Gao Kai’s sudden profession of love drew the attention of many people leaving class. They slowly gathered around, including quite a few of Gao Kai’s admirers.

Wang Qiqi was stunned that this scumbag would pull such a stunt. “You love me? Does that mean I must reciprocate? And didn’t you go on dates with tons of girls? Xiao Man, do you remember how many?”

Shi Man shook her head innocently. “How could I remember so clearly? But it must be no less than twenty. Oh, wait, maybe thirty,” she mused, pretending to think harder. “Perhaps fifty? Alas, how would I know so many? Aren’t you and I busy reviewing our studies all the time? Gao Kai has it easy, swapping girlfriends frequently.” Shi Man glared at Gao Kai with an expression conveying You are disgusting, you are promiscuous.

“So many girls? It seems the saying that a man’s love is cheap is true. You can tell so many girls ‘I like you’ or ‘I love you.’ That’s hilarious,” Wang Qiqi said, smiling until tears welled up. “The man I like has never had a place for you. Gao Kai, we are just classmates. I know you’re trying to find a shield for one of the girls you’re dating. Fine, I don't mind being a stand-in, but you didn't have to make such a public declaration, did you? Are you trying to make me the enemy of every girl in school, or are you hoping the teachers will call our parents in for a talk? Please, don’t be so childish. You’re an adult now.”

With that, Wang Qiqi grabbed Shi Man’s arm and walked away from the crowd, leaving Gao Kai kneeling alone in the center of the gathering.

“Gao Kai, as a man, you need some backbone. My cousin likes you. Think about it carefully. She went through a lot of trouble just to get into our school for you. Surely you aren't only interested in her, right? That would be quite something, Cousin-in-law,” Wang Qiqi said, dropping this bombshell as she walked out of the crowd. (To be continued)