Chapter 14
The wait for the results felt endless.
Yet it also seemed to pass in the blink of an eye.
I can’t recall what I did during those three days. I was completely unable to focus on studying. Every time I opened a book, the final exam questions would flash.
before my eyes.
Each night, I dreamed.
Sometimes I dreamed of winning, scoring over 700 points, far surpassing Natalie Wilkinson. I would laugh out loud in my dreams.
Other times, I dreamed of losing by a single point, standing at the school gates. and bowing in apology to Natalie’s mocking face.
The people around me would erupt in boos, and I would wake up drenched in cold sweat from the nightmare.
I reposted all sorts of good luck charms on Weibo, thanking the puppies for
warding off bad luck and Zhen Huan for blocking mean girls.
I felt like I was going crazy.
But before I knew it, the day to receive our grades had arrived.
Sitting at my desk, my emotions oscillated between anxiety and calm.
On one hand, I felt the outcome no longer mattered. What I had achieved today. had already proven everything.
For myself, I had already attained success.
Yet on the other hand, the mere thought of Natalie Wilkinson once again lording over me filled me with rage and despair!
I continued this internal tug–of–war as Natalie visibly grew nervous, taking deep breaths.
Jason Brooks sat beside her, offering comfort.
“Don’t worry, Natalie. With Emily Anderson’s abilities, there’s no way she outscored
you.”
A lackey chimed in, “That’s right, Natalie Wilkinson. Emily Anderson just had a streak of dumb luck before. Even if you gave her a lifetime, she could never catch
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up to you!”
I paid them no mind, my gaze fixed on the teacher entering the classroom.
The homeroom teacher was all smiles as he walked up to the podium, grinning
from ear to ear.
“Quiet down, everyone. The final grades are in! Settle down!”
All the students returned to their seats, falling silent. Over fifty pairs of eyes were glued to him.
“Our class did quite well this time. Not only did we have the highest average score in the grade, but the top two students in the grade are both from our class!” The teacher’s gaze swept over Natalie Wilkinson and me as he picked up the list in
his hand.
I held my breath. The classroom was so quiet you could hear a pin drop! Natalie and I both knew that those two people had to be us.
But there was a world of difference between first and second place. Second place meant nothing; only first place was the true winner!
“In second place…” The teacher drew out his words.
My heart began to pound uncontrollably, each beat so forceful it felt like it would leap out of my chest.
“In second place, Natalie Wilkinson! 697 points. Natalie achieved perfect scores in two subjects. Keep up the great work!”
A thunderbolt struck out of nowhere. Natalie’s body violently shook before she collapsed against Jason Brooks.
But Jason didn’t reach out to support her. He just gaped at me in shock, as if he had seen a ghost!
“In first place…” the teacher continued.
At that moment, an unusual calm settled over me.
I had absolute confidence in myself, a confidence born from unquestionable ability.
“In first place, Emily Anderson. Incredible, I’m at a loss for words!”
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“Emily Anderson, 701 points! If you maintain this level of performance, getting into Harvard University won’t be an issue. Emily, you must persist in your studies. Don’t
become arrogant or complacent!”
Natalie whipped around so forcefully she knocked over the desk behind her.
Her face was deathly pale, her eyes filled with an indescribable intensity, as if she
wanted to tear the flesh from my bones.
I felt like she might lunge at me and rip out my throat at any second.
I gave her a slight nod and mouthed:
“Don’t forget your promise.”
The classroom fell silent for a moment before erupting into an uproar.
Everyone craned their necks to stare at me in astonishment, too shocked to even
gasp.
After a long while, they all ignored the homeroom teacher and began chattering
loudly!
“Holy crap, Emily Anderson is insanely good. She really got first place!”
“Is she even human? In just one semester… Maybe she really is a genius.”
“I give up. I totally surrender. This is unreal… Natalie Wilkinson seriously has to go. apologize to her?”
Their faces were filled with surprise and admiration, their eyes brimming with disbelief and respect.
I surveyed the room, an indescribable feeling welling up inside me.
Remember how they acted before?
They were nothing like this.
Back then, they had all mocked me.
Delusional, clueless, living in a fantasy world, full of crap…
That’s what they said about me.
But five months later, I had slapped each and every one of them in the face with my abilities.
Now they all knew that I, Emily Anderson, wasn’t full of crap.
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I had the absolute strength to back up my goals!
I had the goddamn ability to make my words a reality!
I basked in their praise and accolades, but a smiling face suddenly flashed through. my mind-
The face of Daniel Collins.
I thought… I wanted to share this good news with him!
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