Chapter 4: You Are Hindering My Progress

The dormitory building was secured with a simple lock that could be opened from the inside—a measure quietly approved by the school to facilitate early-rising students entering their classrooms.

Xu Ming headed straight for the teaching building. The surroundings were utterly silent; not a soul was in sight.

The sky remained pitch black.

“I must be the first one up in the entire school,” he whispered excitedly to himself.

He was eager to start studying.

Soon, he arrived at the classroom door, only to find it still locked.

“Chen Lu didn’t come early either,” he muttered with a frown. Reaching into his jacket pocket, he pulled out a rolled-up English notebook and murmured, “Good thing I prepared some in advance.”

Inside were words he had copied before, along with various grammar notes.

He had deliberately brought it along, intending to review it while using the restroom or standing in the lunch line.

Now, it came in handy.

Using the corridor light overhead, he began to memorize on the spot.

“Match.”

...

[After diligent study, your English proficiency has improved, gaining 2 experience points.]

After a short while,

Xu Ming finally heard hurried footsteps behind him.

He put down his notebook and turned around to see Chen Lu rushing over, her face full of embarrassment.

“Sorry, I’m late.”

Chen Lu was usually the first to arrive, responsible for unlocking the classroom door. This habit had formed over time, so she rarely handed the key to anyone else. Today, she had come out from the girls’ dormitory right as the bell rang, and from afar, spotted someone standing outside the classroom.

Seeing it was Xu Ming, she was surprised but quickly moved to unlock the door.

Breathless, she reached forward to insert the key when she heard Xu Ming’s calm reply.

“It’s okay. I’ve only been memorizing words for about twenty minutes.”

Her expression instantly stiffened.

He had been standing out there all this time?

Yesterday, she hadn’t taken Xu Ming’s words seriously, believing he couldn’t have gotten up earlier than her. She never imagined he had already been up since five o’clock. A twinge of guilt crept into her heart.

But such bursts of energy were usually sudden and fleeting.

When caught up in such a state, not only would waking at five be bearable, but staying up all night wouldn’t even feel tiring.

However, sustaining that was difficult.

Xu Ming paid no attention to Chen Lu’s thoughts. He stepped into the classroom and sat down at his desk.

He resumed reciting words and grammar.

---

Morning study sessions were ideal for reviewing subjects like Chinese and English, where memory served well.

Soon, other classmates trickled in, turning the classroom into a cacophony of voices reading aloud.

Qian Hong, meanwhile, arrived just in time, notebook in hand, ready to note latecomers as he slipped into the room.

He barely sat down when he looked at Xu Ming.

“Why didn’t you call me today? When I opened my eyes, the dorm was already empty,” he complained with a grumble.

Xu Ming replied indifferently, “I got up at five.”

Upon hearing the time, Qian Hong’s words caught in his throat, and he habitually gave two thumbs up.

“Awesome.”

After expressing his admiration in two words, he sighed, “Better not call me next time.”

—

At Dongping No. 1 High School, most of the English teachers were young, fashionable women.

Han Xiaolan wore a black women’s trench coat today, her neck-length wavy hair lending her a refined air. Since it was her own morning study session, she walked through the classroom a couple of times.

Passing Xu Ming, she couldn’t help but steal a few glances at him.

She felt reassured.

She could tell Xu Ming was genuinely focused and serious, completely different from how he usually behaved during morning studies.

For a senior student, this was a good sign.

In contrast, Qian Hong, though holding a textbook and reciting words, was clearly not studying earnestly.

Xu Ming immersed himself in his rhythm throughout the entire session, barely noticing the English teacher’s entrance. By the time class ended, his English experience points had increased by another four.

For breakfast, he still ate with Qian Hong, adding two fried eggs specially.

The last few months would be intense study-wise; the more so at this stage, the more important it was to stay healthy.

Particularly when it came to eating, ensuring proper nutrition was essential.

Focused on review and without Zhang Yingxin as a distraction, his living expenses were hardly touched.

Back in the classroom, Xu Ming switched to review mode, pulling out the second-year math textbook to go over key points. Just a few minutes had passed when class monitor Li Wenhui suddenly called out loudly from the door behind him.

“Xu Ming, there’s a girl looking for you outside.”

Feigning impatience, Li’s tone barely concealed a hint of jealousy.

Xu Ming frowned. “Someone looking for me?”

He closed his math book and stood, heading toward the door.

Upon seeing who it was, his brow immediately furrowed.

Zhang Yingxin stood alone in the hallway, hair down. Though not strikingly beautiful among the school’s girls, she carried a certain maturity that made her gaze fall below her feet.

Seeing Xu Ming emerge, she hurried forward, her tone laced with concern.

“You haven’t been coming to eat these past two times. Is something wrong?”

---

“I’m fine.”

Xu Ming’s expression was cold.

He wanted no entanglements and chose to speak plainly.

“The college entrance exam is coming soon. I want to focus on my studies and don’t want anyone to hold me back. Let’s not meet anymore.”

His gaze was as resolute as a soldier’s.

Zhang Yingxin hadn’t expected this, and suddenly felt a strange distance.

She stood frozen for a few seconds. Whether she understood or not, she wore a pained expression.

“Xu Ming, please don’t force me. I’m planning to date when I get to college.”

As if she were the biggest victim.

Watching this scene, Xu Ming nearly laughed in disbelief. She actually thought he was trying to force a relationship through this method.

Truly narcissistic to the extreme.

Without hesitation, he raised his hand and shot back:

“Definitely not.”

“When I get to college, I’ll only want to study. You should find someone else—your free ticket for meals and groceries.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, he turned and strode back to class without a trace of hesitation.

Struck by the blunt rebuke, Zhang Yingxin felt wronged.

Her mind went blank, but then she saw Xu Ming stop again, a sudden glimmer of hope in his eyes.

“You…”

Before she could finish, Xu Ming interrupted.

“By the way, please return the twenty yuan I lent you last week as soon as possible. I need it.”

She was stunned as if struck by lightning.

Mentioning the money put him at ease, and he entered the classroom with broad strides.

What Zhang Yingxin thought no longer concerned him.

The classroom glass wasn’t soundproof, and with the windows open, it was hard for classmates not to overhear the exchange. When Xu Ming entered, many eyes turned toward him simultaneously.

He ignored them completely, paying no mind.

Only Li Wenhui’s inexplicable lecturing made him frown.

“That’s not how you talk to a girl. A man should be more generous.”

“None of your business,” Xu Ming shot back coldly, a sharp four-character phrase leaving his lips.

Li Wenhui felt as if something was lodged in his throat, searching for a comeback but finding none, his face flushing red in frustration.

...