I'm Not Playing This Vicious Female Supporting Character Anymore! - Chapter 39

Because the teacher was busy grading the exams, the first two periods the next morning were designated as self-study time. Rong Xi took the teacher’s place at the podium.

Qin Yuzhen pulled out a book she had borrowed from the library. She had already read many of the library’s books because many of the novelists came from the same world, and the objective books that appeared in their stories were largely the same, with only minor differences due to changes in era.

For Qin Yuzhen, finding an unread book that actually interested her wasn’t easy.

When the Grade Director entered the classroom to patrol, he immediately noticed Qin Yuzhen. Most of the students bent over their desks, absorbed in their homework, but Qin Yuzhen sat with her chin propped up, engrossed in her book. She stood out like a crane among chickens, her relaxed expression betraying that she was reading a leisure book.

“Self-study isn’t meant for reading novels. What, are you done with your studies? Are you aiming to be first in class?” The Grade Director approached Qin Yuzhen, their eyes locking.

The atmosphere grew awkward for a moment, and some students began to snicker.

Earlier, Qin Yuzhen’s hair had obscured her face, preventing the Grade Director from recognizing her. Had he seen her face, he might have pretended not to notice and left.

“Mainly… I don’t know what to study,” Qin Yuzhen said, still propping her chin in her hand.

The Grade Director opened his mouth. “Well, you can read then, just don’t disturb others. Studying hard is important, but appropriate relaxation is also necessary, and reading is an excellent way to unwind.”

“How hypocritical,” someone muttered.

“Hmm? Who said that?” The Grade Director scanned the classroom.

“Yes, Teacher, rest assured, I won’t disturb anyone,” Qin Yuzhen nodded.

“What are you all staring at? If your grades were as good as hers, I’d let you read extracurricular books during study hall too,” the Grade Director said, clasping his hands behind his back. “Qin Yuzhen, you’re confident about the exam, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then go ahead and read.” The Grade Director left, satisfied.

Envious glances flew toward Qin Yuzhen. Of course, envy was one thing, but studying remained paramount. After all, someone who studies even during break time wouldn’t waste class time on leisure.

Qin Yuzhen yawned, her body gradually slumping until she was fully sprawled on her desk, all but writing the word “arrogant” across her back.

Rong Xi had been ready to find an opportunity to urge Qin Yuzhen to study, but the Grade Director’s indifference rendered her rehearsed persuasion unnecessary.

Qin Yuzhen slept through two entire class periods without waking once.

The principal had visited once, urging everyone to leave after daytime classes, but hadn’t even bothered to wake Qin Yuzhen.

Anyone who saw this would surely exclaim, “This is straight-up surreal!”

But there was nothing anyone could do. After all, Qin Yuzhen consistently only deducted a few points at a time, never making any mistakes. Deep down, everyone had to admit she was fair.

When Qin Yuzhen woke up, she found Rong Xi standing beside her, expression grave.

“What’s wrong?”

“You actually slept through two whole classes!” Rong Xi frowned. “Time is life! You should be doing something meaningful.”

“How do you determine if something is meaningful?” Qin Yuzhen propped her chin in her hand. Her life was infinite, so she had long since lost any sense of “time is life.”

Rong Xi frowned.

“I… I just know that wasting time is meaningless.”

“But sleeping isn’t wasting time. Everyone’s different, you know? What’s meaningful to you might not be meaningful to me.” Qin Yuzhen continued to prop her chin in her hand. “I’ve already mastered all the high school curriculum. To be honest, just sitting here now is a waste of time.”

Rong Xi stared at Qin Yuzhen, confused by her sudden seriousness.

“So… I’ll start taking leave from tomorrow.”

Rong Xi: ???

Rong Xi: I knew it.

“Why are you taking time off?”

“To do something that won’t be a waste of time for me,” Qin Yuzhen said. Like making money.

Rong Xi gave her a skeptical look. “You’re just going to sleep all day at home?”

“So that’s what you really think of me?” Qin Yuzhen sighed, somewhat touched.

Rong Xi: …

“I’m not telling you. It’s a secret. But I won’t be taking any more time off. I have plans next Monday.”

Rong Xi narrowed her eyes. “What are you planning to do?”

“I already told you, it’s a secret.” Qin Yuzhen sighed again. “How did my little sister change so much in just a month? The old you wouldn’t have pressed me like this.”

“Must be all thanks to your excellent guidance, Sister.”

“Tsk, do I get paid for that?” Qin Yuzhen asked.

“Why would I pay a family member?”

“We’re not in the same household,” Qin Yuzhen said seriously. “So we’re not family.”

Rong Xi: …

“You were the one who called me ‘family’ last time!”

“Because I still need you to help me pick out a birthday gift,” Qin Yuzhen said cheerfully. “Little sister, watch your tone.”

“Sister, your words really hurt. I was just a tool for you all along,” Rong Xi said, her lip trembling as if she was about to cry.

“You’d be wasted not becoming an actress,” Qin Yuzhen teased.

“Sister, do you really think my heartfelt feelings are just an act?” Rong Xi whimpered.

Qin Yuzhen silently covered her face. “You won’t have to talk like that in a few days.”

“But… but I think it’s so much fun to talk like this!”

Qin Yuzhen looked up at Rong Xi, puzzled.

“Sister, you don’t like it when I talk like this?” Rong Xi asked with a radiant smile.

When Old Wang arrived for third period, he gave Qin Yuzhen a deep look. “Didn’t sleep well at home? Sleeping in class now.”

“I’m sorry, Teacher.”

Old Wang rubbed his temples. “It’s uncomfortable to sleep on the desk, isn’t it?”

“Indeed.”

“Indeed? Should I get you a recliner to lie down in?”

“To be honest, even a recliner wouldn’t be comfortable,” Qin Yuzhen replied after a moment’s thought.

Old Wang: …

He took a deep breath.

“The Chinese exam results are all in.” Old Wang’s expression darkened as he glanced at the students below. “Didn’t you all say the Chinese exam was easy? Why are the scores worse than last time?”

The class, which had been laughing moments before, fell silent at Old Wang’s words.

“The answer sheets haven’t reached me yet,” he said. “Once they do, I’ll go over each one with you individually.”

“You didn’t fail, did you?” Rong Xi leaned closer to Qin Yuzhen, lowering her voice.

“How could I?” Qin Yuzhen replied.

Old Wang glanced down at Qin Yuzhen. “What are you whispering about during class?”

Qin Yuzhen: …

Many students suspected Qin Yuzhen hadn’t performed well, given Old Wang’s cold demeanor toward her.

“What are you all staring at? Qin Yuzhen scored 146, with another perfect score on the essay—first in the Six Cities!” Old Wang snapped irritably.

“Wow.”

“But no matter how well she did, I can’t smile looking at your grades!” Old Wang slammed his hand on the desk. “Rong Xi got 140 this time—second in the school, third in the city.”

Rong Xi bit her lip.

“Teacher, who’s in second place?” Qin Yuzhen asked.

“That kid from Thirteenth High School. One point below you,” Old Wang said, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. “Lost a point on the essay.”

“Alright, let’s start class. Take out your papers,” Old Wang said, tapping his hand on the desk. “Save any questions for after class.”

Qin Yuzhen felt a twinge of annoyance that Huo Yaoxu had only scored one point lower than her. Though scoring 146 in Chinese was already impressive, it was difficult to create a significant gap in the other three subjects, given the limited number of points available.

Now that Ninth Middle School had announced the Chinese scores, Thirteenth High School naturally found out as well. This time, Huo Yaoxu didn’t send a taunting message, and the Thirteenth High School forum remained eerily silent. However, some bored Ninth Middle School students went over and posted:

[Tsk, still looking down on our school’s Big Shot Qin? 146 in Chinese—could you even dream of scoring that? Looks like City A’s top spot might be changing hands soon.]

The post lasted only a minute before being deleted.

After class, Rong Xi stared at Qin Yuzhen for a long time. “Hey.”

“What is it?”

“I worked so hard…” Rong Xi slumped over her desk. “Is this the difference between a genius and an ordinary person?”

“You’re smart too,” Qin Yuzhen replied. “It’s just that I’m a bit of a cheat code.”

Rong Xi remained silent. She had worked so hard, yet she couldn’t keep up with Qin Yuzhen’s pace. Though she knew there was a gap in their intelligence, it still hurt deeply.

Qin Yuzhen reached out and ruffled Rong Xi’s hair. “There’s no need to feel discouraged.”

Rong Xi turned to look at Qin Yuzhen.

“There will always be people in the world who are better than you,” Qin Yuzhen said.

“Mm, and there will also be people who are better than you.”

“That’s not necessarily true.”

Rong Xi: …

******

By noon, the math scores had been released. Many students went to Old Qian’s office to check their grades, entering with worried expressions and leaving in tears.

Qin Yuzhen had scored a perfect 150 again, Rong Xi was second with 141, and Liang Xuzhou was third with 137.

“Not human, you’re not human,” someone muttered as they passed Qin Yuzhen.

Rong Xi was watching the drama unfold when the same person turned to glare at her. “You’re not human either.”

“Lao Liang, why don’t you start with a joke to ease my misery?”

Liang Xuzhou froze before snapping, “Get lost!”

“Ah, so grouchy.”

[Huo Yaoxu: Congrats, Sister! You got a perfect score in math.]

[Qin Yuzhen: Why aren’t you congratulating me for getting first place in Chinese too?]

[Qin Yuzhen: No way, could you be this petty? Can’t handle the fact that I scored higher than you?]

[Qin Yuzhen: Little bro.]

Huo Yaoxu stared at his phone screen. Even though Qin Yuzhen wasn’t physically present, her taunting presence seemed to radiate from the words.

[Host: He’s only fifteen.]

[Qin Yuzhen: So what? I’m only two years older than him.]

Finally, Huo Yaoxu replied.

[Huo Yaoxu: The results for the other exams haven’t come out yet. I’ll give you a proper congratulations when you’re the top scorer in all six cities.]

[Qin Yuzhen: Whatever. Just congratulate me for each subject individually. I won’t mind the repetition.]

Huo Yaoxu fell silent. For the first time in their conversation, Qin Yuzhen had the last word.

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