Chapter 1012: So Brave
Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

When Lin Miao was ready to submit her paper, she glanced up just in time to see Gu Zi leaving the examination hall.

A wave of relief swept over her. So, Gu Zi wasn’t as extraordinary as everyone claimed–she hadn’t even finished the foreign language paper, which was supposed to be her strongest subject, particularly quickly.

The college entrance exam this year was undeniably difficult. Even Lin Miao, armed with the advantage of her rebirth and meticulous preparation, had to put in tremendous effort just to get through it.

For Gu Zi, who was taking the exam for the first time, it made sense that she wasn’t especially fast. This only reinforced Lin Miao’s belief that Gu Zi wasn’t as brilliant as her reputation suggested.

Stepping out of the exam hall, Lin Miao felt a lightness in her chest, her mood soaring. Her parents, Gu Shan and Zhang Mei, caught sight of her relaxed demeanor and felt a surge of reassurance. They hurried toward her, their concern evident.

“Miao Miao, was the paper tough?” Zhang Mei asked anxiously.

“It had its challenges,” Lin Miao replied confidently, “but I completed everything. My score won’t be low.”

Zhang Mei sighed in relief, her face lighting up. Spotting Gu Zi walking ahead, she deliberately raised her voice, exclaiming, “Our Miao Miao is going to do great this time–I know it. Mommy believes in you!”

Gu Shan, no less relieved, adopted an air of magnanimity. “Let’s go. I’ve reserved a private room at the Golden Sun restaurant for lunch. Let’s celebrate.”

Gu Zi, walking just a few steps ahead, naturally overheard their conversation. However, she remained unfazed, showing no interest in engaging.

Her friend Gong Xin, on the other hand, was indignant. “Gu Zi, you’re going to do even better, right? Come on, get that top score in foreign languages for me!”

Gu Zi chuckled. “You can go ahead and aim for that. I wouldn’t dare make such claims. The exam this year wasn’t exactly easy.”

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Gong Xin frowned, clearly displeased. “You can’t let her outshine you in confidence. Just look at her–she’s walking away with all the momentum.”

Glancing briefly at Lin Miao’s retreating figure, Gu Zi remained calm. “Ah, Miss Gong, this is my first college entrance exam, you know. I’m nervous. Anyway, let’s focus on lunch. The Golden Sun sent over some gourmet dishes, and since you came all the way here to cheer me on, I’ll make sure you’re treated well.”

The sudden shift in conversation caught Gong Xin off guard. Without thinking, she retorted, “Of course I came to cheer you on. How can you not do your best? You’re so–wait a minute. Gu Zi, I didn’t come just for you! Don’t flatter yourself–I was here for other reasons too!”

Gu Zi laughed and jogged ahead, ignoring her protests. Her stomach was already growling, and all she wanted was a hot meal. Gong Xin, though still muttering, hurried to catch up.

When they reached the school gates, they found that the Golden Sun staff had already delivered the food. Su Shen had even rented a small vendor’s table with a few chairs for their makeshift lunch spot.

It was simple, even a bit shabby, but it saved them the hassle of traveling back and forth. After lunch, Gu Zi could even sneak in a nap in the car. Su Shen, ever meticulous, had prepared a small blanket for her as well.

The midday heat was relentless, but the ice-cold mung bean soup was a lifesaver. Gu Zi gulped down a large serving, savoring the refreshing sweetness.

Gong Xin, equally satisfied, downed two bowls in quick succession, sighing with contentment.

By the time the afternoon Chinese exam rolled around, students rushed back to their seats, frazzled from the summer heat.

Gu Zi, however, was already in her seat, looking composed and ready. While the sweltering atmosphere left many agitated, Gu Zi felt an inner calm, her mind clear as she approached the exam.

Chinese wasn’t particularly difficult for her, though the essay section required extra focus. Just as she was settling into the rhythm of brainstorming for her essay, a sharp voice broke the quiet.

“Teacher, those students have been passing notes while you were drinking water! They’ve done it several times already. I don’t understand why they would do such a thing!” Lin Miao’s voice rang out, crystal clear.

The entire examination hall froze. The students collectively sucked in a sharp breath.

Gu Zi glanced up just in time to see two students in the corner caught mid-action, a slip of paper hanging precariously between their hands. She had noticed their behavior earlier but chose to ignore it. Cheating in a high-stakes exam like this was undoubtedly wrong, but it wasn’t her business. She just wanted to finish her paper without any drama.

But Lin Miao’s audacity left her momentarily stunned. She had the courage to expose the cheaters right then and there. This level of boldness was almost unnerving. No wonder Lin Miao was like the heroine of a novel–her worldview was leagues apart from that of ordinary people.

The head invigilator exchanged a meaningful glance with the assistant invigilator, who promptly left the room to fetch the patrolling supervisors.

Moments later, Gong Zhan strode in, exuding authority, and swiftly removed the cheating students from the hall. The remaining students were left wide-eyed and shaken as they resumed their exams.

The invigilator turned to Lin Miao, nodding approvingly. “Lin Miao, you did the right thing. Success comes from walking the straight path, not relying on shortcuts. From now on, we’ll enforce stricter monitoring. I hope everyone cooperates. If anyone attempts to cheat again, they’ll meet the same fate–expulsion from the exam hall and disqualification from the college entrance exam.”