509.

Lin Chen, who was washing up in the bathroom, was wearing his earphones, listening to Qi Xiuyi on the other end of the line righteously demanding that he add to the bet:
If he could surpass him in any subject, he would have to give him half of that month’s living allowance.

After listening to Qi Xiuyi’s ten minutes of reasons about the “unfair current conditions,” he calmly replied, “Sure.”

Qi Xiuyi was still trying hard to persuade: “You induced me to agree to your terms while my head was hot, don’t you feel… huh?”

Qi Wendong sneered: “The gap between you and me is too big. You don’t really think you can get a share of my living allowance just like this, do you?”

On the other end of the phone, Qi Xiuyi exploded: “We haven’t even taken the test yet, how do you know you’re better than me? Qi Wendong, be careful not to eat your own words later!”

Qi Wendong yawned and replied perfunctorily: “Yawn—uh-huh, uh-huh, eat my words, eat my words. You do your best, okay? I, your older brother, am really looking forward to it.”

“Qi! Wen! Dong!!”

His earphones exploded. Lin Chen took them out at just the right time and hung up the phone, not letting his terrifying younger brother’s rage explode against his eardrum.

The system couldn’t hold back its indignation, slamming the table in his mind to protest: “Why should you, the Host, have to add to the bet unilaterally? This isn’t fair! Why are you indulging him!”

Lin Chen, however, just laughed lightly: “He found a small counterweight and thinks he can challenge me? Hehe, it’s time to let him see what true strength is.”

The system was extremely confused: “What counterweight?”

Lin Chen did not answer.

B University was accustomed to scheduling make-up exams on weekends to avoid conflicting with students’ classes.

Just like this advanced mathematics course, it was scheduled for Saturday morning.

Lin Ruyan spent most of his time at school, and weekends were no different. He was also used to his roommate disappearing at the speed of light to go home every weekend.

Therefore, when he saw Qi Xiuyi return to the dorm on Saturday afternoon and sit at his desk for a long time without any intention of packing his suitcase to leave, he couldn’t help but be a little surprised.

Lin Ruyan: “How was the exam? Has the family car not arrived yet?”

Qi Xiuyi looked back at him, lost in soul, and murmured: “Ruyan… Ruyan… how could this be… what should I do…”

Lin Ruyan was startled: “What’s wrong with you??”

Qi Xiuyi wailed: “Ahhhh, I left so many questions blank on my exam paper!”

“But when you were teaching me, I felt like I had learned everything! How could it turn out like this!!”

Lin Ruyan: … (Are you referring to how you thought you learned it just by watching me write?)

Qi Xiuyi: “Waaah, Ruyan—do you think I might not even pass??”

Seeing that he was only worried about his exam results, Lin Ruyan breathed a sigh of relief.

He comforted him: “It’s okay, Xiuyi. It’s just one exam. Go home, rest, eat a good meal. If it doesn’t work this time, we’ll try again next time.”

Qi Xiuyi clutched his head and wailed: “I won’t—I don’t want to go home!”

“Lin Ruyan, you don’t understand. If the results come out while I’m at home, Qi Wendong will definitely mock me mercilessly. Nooo—”

Lin Ruyan didn’t know how many times this was that he had heard the name “Qi Wendong.”

This made him inevitably very curious about his roommate’s older brother.

He wondered what kind of impressive person he was to be on Xiuyi’s lips every day, mentioned at least three to five times a day.

Although, according to his roommate, his brother was particularly bad.

His greatest pleasure in life was to poke at his sore spots, bully him, mock him, and his words were also very infuriating.

But Lin Ruyan always felt that if that senior was really as bad as his roommate said, how could he be on his mind so much that he couldn’t let it go?

Lin Ruyan sighed softly, a touch of envy inevitably rising in his heart.

He envied his roommate for being able to bicker and play with his brother every day, envied his roommate for being able to live in the same dormitory building as his brother.

Unlike him and his brother…

Qi Xiuyi’s phone rang at just the right time.

The moment Lin Ruyan heard it, he knew it was the special ringtone his roommate had set for his brother.

In his roommate’s words, this kind of behavior was: “So I don’t have to block the whole world when I want to block Qi Wendong!”

Hearing this ringtone, Qi Xiuyi felt extremely resistant. He lay sprawled on the table, not wanting to move at all, let alone pick up the phone and accept the ridicule.

But the phone rang again and again, never hanging up.

Qi Xiuyi was incredibly annoyed and snatched it up: “I have something this week, you go home by yourself!”

Qi Wendong’s voice was faint on the phone: “Oh? Not coming home?”

Qi Xiuyi got angry just listening to him and said fiercely: “Hmph, just you wait, Qi Wendong. Starting from next week’s exam, I’ll make you pay up your living allowance for every single course!”

The voice on the other end of the phone, for some reason, sounded relieved: “Okay, then I’ll go back by myself.”

Qi Xiuyi keenly noticed that note of relief.

Wait!

Qi Xiuyi suddenly realized something and asked tentatively: “Have you prepared this month’s living allowance? Don’t forget the half you promised me!”

If it were any other time, Qi Wendong would have already started mocking him with that infuriating tone of his.

But today, Qi Wendong just gave an unusually flat hum: “You’ll have to pass me first before we talk.”

After speaking, he hung up the phone.

Qi Xiuyi thought it over left and right, and an excited thought came to him:

Hey, why did Qi Wendong’s voice sound so lacking in confidence today?

He didn’t even start mocking me when I provoked him!

Could it be that Qi Wendong didn’t do well on the exam today either!

Qi Xiuyi was immediately excited. He grabbed his suitcase at the speed of light and rushed out of the dorm.

Leaving behind a long “I’ve changed my mind—”, he disappeared around the corner.

Only a very confused Lin Ruyan was left, staring at the instantly empty dormitory, tilting his head strangely.

When Qi Xiuyi rushed to the school gate, he indeed saw the expressionless Qi Wendong.

Although that feignedly obedient face showed no expression, Qi Xiuyi sensed his bad mood with extreme keenness.

…Indeed!

Haha!

I knew it. The exam must have been too difficult. Qi Wendong’s performance couldn’t have been much better than mine!

Qi Xiuyi was instantly at ease.

Qi Wendong said to him expressionlessly: “Weren’t you not coming home?”

Qi Xiuyi smiled: “I changed my mind. It’s a rare opportunity to have a meal at home, I can’t waste it.”

Qi Wendong snorted lightly, turned his head away, and didn’t speak.

Qi Xiuyi quietly approached: “In a bad mood?”

Qi Wendong didn’t make a sound.

Qi Xiuyi was happy now, and moved even closer: “Didn’t do well on the exam?”

Qi Wendong glanced at him coldly.

Qi Xiuyi laughed heartily inside, while maintaining a reserved smile on his face: “It’s okay. I won’t laugh at you when the scores come out.”

B University released the scores for make-up exams very quickly.

According to the school forum, if you took a make-up exam during the day, the results would basically be out that night or the next day.

When Qi Xiuyi returned home, the excitement he had felt upon discovering that Qi Wendong had also done poorly immediately cooled down.

The closer it got to the release of the scores, the more nervous he became.

…What if Qi Wendong’s ‘not doing well’ was only relative to his own standards?

What if Qi Wendong didn’t do well, but his score was still higher than mine?

Qi Xiuyi was on pins and needles. Until dinnertime, he kept glancing at his phone and at Qi Wendong across from him.

Finally.

Two “ding-dong” sounds rang out. The two young masters at opposite ends of the dining table simultaneously stopped their chopsticks and looked down at their phones.

Qi Xiuyi only took one glance, and his heart almost stopped beating.

[New Email: Imperial Capital BB University Grade Notification]

Qi Xiuyi’s hands trembled as he clicked into it to take a look—

Right.

His hands weren’t trembling anymore.

His heart wasn’t beating anymore.

The heart that had been in suspense was finally dead.

His face was pale, and he looked like he was about to fall over…

Huh?

Why does Qi Wendong’s face also look so bad?

Qi Xiuyi slowly blinked his eyes and asked, feigning calmness: “Hey. How did you do?”

Across the dining table.

Lin Chen complained to the system in his mind: “Oops, I scored too high.”

The system pointed out sharply: “…Host, you didn’t hold back at all during the exam, did you!”

Lin Chen: “Quick, hack into his email and take a look. What was his score?”

The system demurred: “Host, I’m a storyline maintenance system, not a hacker system!”

Lin Chen commanded: “Then move your camera over and take a look.”

The system obediently moved its camera and asked in confusion: “Why look at his score first, Host? Can’t you just tell Qi Xiuyi your score directly? Give him a big shock with your strength!”

Lin Chen sneered: “A shock of strength? I’m afraid it would be a direct shock to his death.”

Lin Chen: “Humans find it difficult to develop a desire to chase after something that is far beyond their reach.”

Lin Chen: “What if he finds out my real score, suffers a lethal blow, and just lies flat and gives up?”

Lin Chen: “So, the best choice is to report a score that is about 5-10 points different from his, based on his exam result.”

The system had a sudden realization: “Ooh, ooh! Host, you are indeed the Host, so thoughtful!”

The system: “…Oh no, oops, I moved my camera too late. Qi Xiuyi has already closed the results page!!”

Lin Chen was expressionless: “.”

The system scrambled to try and make up for its mistake: “H-Host, although I didn’t see Qi Xiuyi’s score, I saw his expression!”

The system tried hard to show its value: “Just now, his expression was first one of relief, then one of collapse. It seems like he should have passed. Otherwise, he would be even more devastated right now.”

The system tried hard to think like a human: “He… he still has the confidence to secretly glance at you. His score must be above seventy, right!”

Lin Chen gave a “heh”: “If it were above seventy, his expression wouldn’t be like this.”

After some thought.

Qi Wendong, with a faintly annoyed expression, reported a score of “69,” then stood up, said expressionlessly, “I’m full,” and turned to go back to his room.

Qi Xiuyi’s dead heartbeat revived.

69?

…That’s not that much higher than me!

Haha, so Qi Wendong is only this good after all!

Qi Xiuyi coughed pretentiously.

He called out to Qi Wendong’s back: “Hey, why are you leaving? Sit down and eat! 69… mmm, not bad. Barely a few points higher than me.”

Qi Xiuyi snorted lightly, deliciously ate a piece of meat, and said mysteriously: “But you don’t need to be smug. With just these few points of difference, watch me beat you in next week’s exam!”

System: “…”

System: “It really was in the sixties. Host, your guess was so accurate!”

Lin Chen: (Smiles)

Lin Chen: “He really passed. Not bad. I won’t be passive-aggressive with him today.”

B University’s make-up exams were scattered throughout the weekends of the first half of the semester.

Just as Qi Xiuyi had told his roommate that night, there were plenty of subjects to take. If one didn’t work out, then on to the next!

On Monday, he excitedly returned to school and told his roommate about this.

Qi Xiuyi laughed loudly: “Haha! Qi Wendong was only eight points higher than me! I thought he was so capable!”

“A mere eight points! With your help, I will definitely surpass him next time!”

Lin Ruyan: “…”

Lin Ruyan said in a small voice: “But this isn’t the same subject…”

That’s what he said.

But when Lin Ruyan watched Qi Xiuyi’s study time each night grow longer and more persistent day by day, he knew that Qi Xiuyi’s score on the next exam would definitely be better than the first.

Sure enough, a week later.

Advanced Mathematics (Volume 2) exam, Qi Xiuyi scored a 70!

Qi Xiuyi excitedly ran to ask Qi Wendong for his score.

Oh, Qi Wendong got a 75.

Qi Xiuyi sneered: “A five-point difference, easy peasy!”

Another week passed.

The exam, Qi Xiuyi scored a 76.

Excitedly asked Qi Wendong for his score.

78.

Qi Xiuyi clenched his fists tightly: “A mere two points! Next time for sure!”

Another week.

The exam, Qi Xiuyi’s score was as high as 80!

Full of confidence, he asked Qi Wendong for his score.

…81.

Qi Xiuyi: “…”

Qi Xiuyi was going crazy: “One point! One point! Just one point off! Can’t you just give me this one point happily, huh?!”

Lin Ruyan couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Over these past two months, his complexion had noticeably improved compared to the start of school. Thanks to the subsidy from his new roommate’s family, he had been able to add a little to his food expenses these two months.

He didn’t add much, since he didn’t know when his roommate would get tired of dorm life and when the subsidy would disappear.

But it was more than enough to keep him in a good mood when facing his roommate.

Lin Ruyan: “By the way, in two weeks you’ll start your make-up exams for your major courses. What are you planning to do for your major courses?”

The courses Qi Xiuyi was currently taking make-up exams for were still general education courses.

Lin Ruyan had taken most of these courses and was thus able to help.

But he wasn’t in the same major as Qi Xiuyi, so he was helpless when it came to major courses.

Qi Xiuyi’s face stiffened: “You… you can’t learn my major courses and then teach me?”

Lin Ruyan: “…”

Qi Xiuyi frantically flipped through his make-up exam calendar, counted the number of major courses on it, and his vision went black.

Lin Ruyan: “Besides, your bet with your brother for the semester is based on the total score, right? You’re behind him by about ten points now. You have to make up all these points in your major courses.”

Qi Xiuyi looked like he was about to fall over.

Qi Xiuyi said weakly: “I-it’s okay. I’ll be able to surpass him soon. I definitely can… There are still so many courses!”

Lin Ruyan kindly offered a suggestion: “Do you have any classmates in the same major that you’re on good terms with? You could ask them for help?”

Qi Xiuyi thought back to the young masters he hung out with who were in the same major.

Qi Xiuyi said numbly: “Self-study would be more reliable.”

Lin Ruyan: “…”

This was a problem that Lin Chen had naturally thought of in advance for his work subject.

His method was very direct.

He made a rare call to his third dad: “I suggest that the Qi family fund a scholarship for the B University business school, specifically to encourage students with good grades to provide one-on-one downward tutoring.”

Qi Jingming was a bit worried about this: “Are they reliable? I can directly hire expert professors to tutor him one-on-one.”

Lin Chen: “You might as well announce to the world that our whole family is trying to come up with ways for his little bit of grades.”

Lin Chen: “The world can know. But he cannot know.”

Qi Jingming: “If the Qi family funds a scholarship, won’t he be able to tell?”

Lin Chen smiled friendly: “So, I have a good proposal.”

Lin Chen: “You provide the money, and the establishment of the scholarship will be handled by a company under me.”

Qi Jingming: “?”

Qi Jingming smiled: “Then I would be spending the money without getting any of the credit. Truly a proposal worthy of the thirty-six-year young master.”

Although that’s what he said, Qi Jingming did not reject Lin Chen’s proposal.

So Lin Chen quickly took the authorization and the matter and contacted He Wenyan, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time.

He Wenyan was dressed much more smartly today than when they first met. From his hat to his gloves, everything was neat and tidy.

He sat down in the coffee shop and took off his gloves, placing them to the side.

He smiled faintly at Lin Chen: “What day is it today that the great young master Qi would actually think of me?”

“I thought what a great investor there was in this world, who disappears right after wiring the money, completely unconcerned about my progress.”

He Wenyan’s tone was relaxed, and his spirit seemed countless times better than three months ago.

But that was to be expected.

At that time, he was trapped in a low point in his life, just one step away from being kicked out of the Imperial Capital.

But now, he already held three million in investment and had been freely venturing for a full three months!