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nChapter 41 – Demons of Sixth High (3)

nAt noon, Sixth High’s monthly mathematics examination began.

nSeated on his throne in his private classroom, Chen Yu received the test papers his math teacher handed him.

nMaybe it was under his English teacher’s suggestion, but there were two invigilators overseeing Chen Yu’s math test this time. One of them was Class 2-2’s mathematics substitute teacher, while the other was the school’s Head of Mathematics.

n“Student Chen Yu, write your name first. You can start answering your test once the bell rings.” Chen Yu’s math teacher gave a friendly reminder while smiling.

n“Understood.” Chen Yu nodded in response. He then brought out his newly bought pen and wrote his name on his test paper before browsing through the test questions.

nAt this time, the mathematics head brought two chairs over from the next classroom. The mathematics head and Chen Yu’s math teacher then sat down, flanking Chen Yu.

nChen Yu: “…”

nFollowing which, the math teacher pulled out two big bags of snacks from under his shirt. He then passed one to the math head and said, “Chief, here’s your share.”

n“Thanks.” The math head happily accepted the bag of snacks.

nChen Yu: “…”

nThrough the translucent plastic bags, Chen Yu could tell that the bags held all kinds of snacks.

nThere were sunflower seeds, dried fruits, potato chips, shrimp sticks, spicy bars… He even noticed a cup of instant noodles in each bag.

nSubsequently, the math teacher started staring at Chen Yu.

nThe math head also started staring intently at Chen Yu.

nAs for Chen Yu himself, he stared at his desk.

nFor a time, a strange silence filled the entire exam venue.

n“…”

n“…”

n“…”

nRing! Ring! Ring!

nThe bell signaling the start of the test sounded!

nAt the same time, all three people inside the classroom went into action. Chen Yu earnestly answered his test papers while the two invigilators tore open their bags and started nibbling on sunflower seeds!

nNibble. Nibble. Nibble…

nThe sound of human teeth cracking open the shell of sunflower seeds spread across the air and entered Chen Yu’s ears.

nNibble. Nibble…

nThe sound was both crisp and beautiful.

nThis situation flabbergasted Chen Yu. After pausing on his first question for a moment, he asked indifferently, “Isn’t it a little unreasonable for the two of you to be doing this?”

n“What is it?” With a confused expression, the math teacher countered, “Student Chen Yu, do you have a problem?”

n“Do you two think it’s normal to nibble on sunflower seeds here?”

n“It’s like this, Student Chen Yu.” Pausing momentarily to push up his glasses, the math head explained righteously, “In order to prevent teachers from dozing off from boredom while invigilating an exam, the school permits teachers to eat some snacks during the exam. The teachers in the other exam venues are eating snacks as well.”

n“There are many students in the other exam venues! The invigilating teachers there are also seated far away from the students! You two, on the other hand, are eating right beside my ears!”

n“Oh.” Nodding in realization, the math teacher extended his bag of sunflower seeds and asked, “So, do you want to eat as well?”

n“…I’m not talking about this!” Chen Yu bellowed. “I’m saying that your eating here is affecting my test!”

n“Student Chen Yu, there is a problem with your words,” said the math head, seated on Chen Yu’s left. In a logical manner, he continued, “How many decibels can we possibly generate from nibbling on sunflower seeds? I doubt it’s anywhere as loud as your shouting. How could we possibly affect you?”

n“That’s right, that’s right,” the math teacher, on Chen Yu’s right, said in agreement. “Only by keeping your heart calm can your surroundings become quiet. Student Chen Yu, your heart isn’t calm at all. How does this have anything to do with us?”

nLeft side: “Is it because the test paper is too difficult? Is that why you’re flaring up in anger all of a sudden?”

nRight side: “If you think you can’t continue taking the test, the three of us can play landlord1 instead.”

nLeft side: “Good idea. Let’s use sunflower seeds as betting chips.”

nRight side: “Student Chen Yu, why are your veins popping up on your forehead? Do you have a headache?”

nLeft side: “If you’re not feeling well, you don’t need to take the test. It’s important to take care of your bo—”

nBang!

nAbruptly smashing his fists on his table, Chen Yu bellowed, “Stop being noisy! I’m taking an exam!”

nBoth the math teacher and math head were startled by Shi Feng’s actions. After exchanging glances, they both resumed nibbling on sunflower seeds.

n“Take the exam if you want. It’s not like we’re stopping you from taking it.”

n“That’s right. Do you have to lose your temper?”

nNibble. Nibble. Nibble…

nChen Yu: “…”

nWhile surrounded by the noise of shattering sunflower hulls, Chen Yu arduously completed ten questions.

nMeanwhile, the two invigilators had also nibbled through their entire stock of sunflower seeds.

nUpon seeing this, Chen Yu sighed in relief. The crease on his forehead also relaxed slightly.

nImmediately afterward, however, the people on his left and right each pulled out a bag of potato chips and opened it. They then proceeded to chew on potato chips fervently.

nCrunch! Crunch! Crunch…

nChen Yu: “…”

nTwenty minutes later, the two invigilators finished grazing on their share of potato chips and shrimp sticks. They then switched to munching dried fruits.

nCrunch! Crunch! Crunch…

nChen Yu: “…”

nHalf an hour later, the stock of dried fruits ran out, and the two invigilators actually proceeded to take out hot water to boil their instant noodles. Once the noodles were cooked, the two invigilators’ lips started fervently slurping their noodles.

nSlurp! Slurp! Slurp…

nWiping off some of the hot soup that splattered his face, Chen Yu bellowed angrily, “Bastards!!!”

n…

nRing… Ring… Ring… Ring…

nFinally, the bell signaling the end of the math exam sounded.

nAt this time, the two invigilators had also finished the last bit of their snacks.

nAs for Chen Yu, he wore a dull look on his face as he gazed at the few challenging questions that he failed to solve.

nHe had already done his best.

nHowever, the two mouths that had been creating noise nonstop made it truly difficult for him to concentrate.

n“Oh? Student Chen Yu, not bad,” the math teacher commented as he picked up Chen Yu’s test papers and gave them a quick look. Nodding, he continued, “You got so many questions correct. It seems my bonus really is gone.”

n“Don’t talk to me,” Chen Yu said as he covered his ears. “Any sound coming out of your mouths hurts.”

n…

nAt half past two in the afternoon, the Chinese language test began.

nThe test this time had even more invigilators than before, the total increasing to three.

nOut of the three invigilators, one of them was Chen Yu’s form teacher.

n“Chen Yu, here are your test papers,” the form teacher said as he approached Chen Yu and handed him his test papers. He then pulled out a wireless microphone from his coat.

nWhile receiving his test papers with a stupefied expression on his face, Chen Yu asked, “Tea-Teacher, what are you doing?”

n“I’m not doing anything,” the form teacher said as he tapped on the microphone. He then waved Chen Yu off and said, “Don’t mind me. Just focus on your test and give it your all.”

nFive minutes later, the bell rang and the test began.

nBefore Chen Yu could even move his pen, however, a wave of “roadkill” singing came from beside him.

n“My motherland and I cannot be separated for a moment! Wherever I go, I have a song for you…”2

n“Lying like a bow! Standing like a pine tree! Don’t move, don’t shake, sit like a bell. Walking like a gust of wind…”3

n“Flower’s heart’s deeply hidden, I missed seeing it blossom. Your own heart skipped the seasons, you never let people know…”4

nAfter rapidly singing all three songs, the form teacher stored the microphone back into his coat and smiled, saying, “I wanted to give you some encouragement. Now that I’m done encouraging you, you must properly exhibit your potential!”

n“…”

nAfter a moment of silence, Chen Yu took in a deep breath as he suppressed the rage in his heart. However, when he tried answering his test questions, he found that the lyrics of the three “poisonous melodies” had hijacked his mind, and the songs were playing in an endless loop in his head.

nSlap.

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nGiving his cheeks a powerful clap, Chen Yu desperately tried to focus his mind.

nFirst question. Which of the following doesn’t have a typo… My motherland and I cannot be separated for a moment…

nThird question. Choose one of the best terms to fill in the blank… Lying like a bow! Standing like a pine tree…

nFifth question. In “Facing the Sea With Spring Blossoms,” what did the author depict through the details of his writing… Flower’s heart’s deeply hidden, I missed seeing it blossom…

n“Argh!!!” Going crazy, Chen Yu shouted, “Stop looping in my mind!!!”

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