Dating sim loading: My girlfriend is a cunning young lady
Chapter 65 - 57. Being complacent and self-satisfied is not advisable

Chapter 65: 57. Being complacent and self-satisfied is not advisable

Dubian Che, who thought the conflict had drifted away from him, did not expect that just after lunch break, he heard a piece of news that could turn the tables.

To be precise, it was the reason he had been buried in obscurity.

The first class in the afternoon was English, and Xiaoquan Aonai, as the class advisor, used her lesson to talk about the midterm exams.

When she entered the classroom, she saw everyone looking dejected, and with a smile like a friend, she said, "Are you all regretting not getting first place?"

"Yes—," Kunii Shuichi replied, dragging out his words.

Dubian Che glanced at him—out of 160 first-year students, what heartache did one ranked beyond 100th have?

"Although the dream was not achieved, I still have to praise everyone. Each of you has made great progress compared to the monthly exams, especially Dubian."

Facing Xiaoquan Aonai’s gratified gaze, Dubian Che did not feel the slightest bit happy about being praised.

"Teacher, although I improved by one rank, I am still third in terms of student numbers. Essentially, it’s no progress at all."

"How come?" Xiaoquan Aonai laughed. "Dubian, you took the arts exams and scored 886 points. Last year, the highest score for arts in the unified exams for Tokyo University entrants was 883 points. Although the test was relatively simple, you are only in your first year. You’re already doing extremely well."

Dubian Che thought for a moment and asked, "Teacher, Kiyono and Meijie—are they arts or sciences students?"

"That’s precisely why I want to praise you. They took the sciences exams, and last year, the highest score for the unified exams in sciences among those who entered Tokyo University was 893 points. Kiyono and Jiutiao scored only 888 points, so in a certain sense, Dubian, you are better than them!"

Dubian Che was stunned.

Xiaoquan Aonai, seeing his expression, explained: "The reason we did not separate the rankings and had arts and sciences students ranked together is that, after all, you are first-years and your subjects are not yet finalized. Moreover, the Ministry of Education would not allow it."

What the hell, so I’m the real first place. Hard work does pay off.

Dubian Che nearly burst into tears of joy.

He raised his hand: "Teacher, I request a retest. I’ll take the sciences, or let them take the arts."

"Do you want to be first? Are you planning to make Kiyono do something?" Xiaoquan Aonai looked disapprovingly at Dubian Che with her almond-shaped eyes: "Dubian, you and Jiutiao are already together; be faithful."

When she mentioned this, the class burst into laughter.

People of this age always love to tease about relationships.

"Teacher," Dubian Che said helplessly, "the reorganized test wouldn’t be a midterm, so no one will be first, and there’s no condition that the first can make the other two do whatever they want. I just want to prove my strength."

That’s what he said, but with the vanity of the other two, wouldn’t a simple provocation work?

Such matters should be settled privately; there’s no need to let others know. This was a game among the three of them.

"If that’s the case," Xiaoquan Aonai thought aloud, "if you can get the agreement of the other two, I will try to persuade the principal to arrange test papers and a testing venue for you."

"That’s great! I love Mr. Xiaoquan the most!"

"Oh—"

"Dubian, you’re such a guy! You already have Jiutiao, and now you’re fighting with us over Mr. Xiaoquan!"

"Unforgivable!"

Xiaoquan Aonai’s oval face turned slightly red, and she glared at Dubian Che reproachfully. She clapped her hands to signal everyone to keep quiet.

"In addition to Dubian’s outstanding results, many students have made progress, like..."

——————

Originally, after the midterm exams, club activities would resume as normal, and Dubian Che only needed to visit the Human Observation Department on Fridays. But today was an exception; he had to go.

Walking on the corridor towards the club building made him feel much lighter, and somehow more confident.

The Human Observation Department’s clubroom was located at the very back of the fifth floor of the club building.

It used to be a storage room, with clutter piled up along the walls. In the small space left, there was an old beech wood table.

Of course, that was before Jiutiao Meijie entered this clubroom. Aside from the beech wood table and steel chairs, she had turned it into a small, though luxurious, lounge.

The thing Dubian Che loved most about this clubroom was at dusk when the entire room would be bathed in a honey-colored sunset.

A gentle breeze would blow through the open windows, rustling the pages of Kiyono Lin’s books or his Spanish dictionary on the table.

And now, this clubroom was about to become his private domain for studying "Fashion and Design."

He had also decided that if he topped the retest, he would splurge ten thousand points to exchange for "Master Level · Photography."

Dubian Che, always sensible, could not understand why he would do such a thing.

But then again, men are slaves to desires—whether it be for power, for beauty, or for money.

Dubian Che did not care for power, was only practical about money, and did not desperately crave beauty.

He was just a pure photography enthusiast.

Forgive him this little personal indulgence.

"Photography is all about lighting; with good light, anything looks good, and the clubroom’s lighting is just perfect! Hmm!"

He slid open the clubroom door, and the atmosphere inside seemed peaceful on the surface. Jiutiao Meijie and Kiyono Lin, as usual, were reading and snacking.

But it was obvious, without even thinking, that they must have had a debate and reached some compromise.

"Hmm." Dubian Che cleared his throat, "Good afternoon, you two. There’s something I’d like to talk to you about."

"What is it?" Kiyono Lin replied, while continuing to read the hardcover book in her hands.

Dubian Che repeated the matter about the arts and sciences: "...So, I think, for fairness, we should still have another examination..."

"Mr. Dubian," Kiyono Lin, still looking at her book, "don’t make excuses for yourself. Only by admitting defeat can one move forward."

Jiutiao Meijie disdainfully added, "When you’re not strong enough, you need to learn to submit to authority."

So, Dubian Che, who had been fantasizing all along and made every effort to struggle against fate... his will was extinguished before it could be understood, his aspirations had nowhere to go, and his long-cherished wishes drifted into the void.

Although he never really intended to do anything excessive to the other two.

"I’m heading back first today." Speaking with a sunken will, Dubian Che prepared to leave the detestable clubroom.

This time he would let them off, but next time he would uprightly become number one!

"Oh, right." Kiyono Lin spoke up, "Would you mind posting this on the notice board in the club building?

Dubian Che took the flyer, which read:

’Helping you achieve love, those in need please come to the Human Observation Department on the fifth floor.’

’We will keep your secrets and trust in our abilities’

’BY: Human Observation Department’

"Do you really plan to do this?"

"Unlike Mr. Dubian, who doesn’t like to admit defeat, I am very aware of my slight shortcomings in love."

"Slight shortcomings... Kiyono, have you ever been in love? You clearly don’t understand it at all," said Dubian Che, not mincing words.

"Mr. Dubian and Jiutiao have only been dating for a few days. I think you don’t have enough experience to say that to me."

That’s what was said.

"Boring." At this point, Jiutiao Meijie stood up, "I won’t come here for a while, and you, Dubian, are not allowed to come either."

Kiyono Lin also stood up, her back against the open window, arms folded across her chest: "According to our agreement, I am the first, and I have the right to tell you to do anything."

Jiutiao Meijie sneered: "I am also the first."

"You’re very clear about how you got that first."

"Of course I’m clear, but I’m still the first."

"Well," Dubian Che interjected, "in a way, I am actually the first, right?"

Both of them glanced at him, then turned their gaze away.

Dubian Che was displeased: "If you’re capable, take the test again! Meijie can forget it, but Kiyono, do you dare say you’re certain you can beat me?"

Jiutiao Meijie looked at Kiyono Lin with a smile.

Kiyono Lin flicked her long hair: "I see now why you two are together. You’ve clearly lost, yet you still refuse to accept reality."

"Please just answer me, can you beat me or not?" Dubian Che looked straight into her eyes.

Kiyono Lin slightly averted her gaze: "Why should I answer you? The facts are clear. The bulletin board lists ’Kiyono Lin’ in first place."

"Didn’t you say that acknowledging your own shortcomings is where you surpass me?" Dubian Che reminded, with ill intent.

"I have 888 points, you have 886 points, and that’s after I taught you about the ’Northern Four Islands’ dispute."

Mentioning this made Dubian Che feel as though he’d been caught cheating; he instantly lost his confidence: "Wait for me during the final exams, right, are you planning to take arts or sciences? I’ll take the same as you!"

The two beauties fell silent at the same time.

Dubian Che laughed: "Are you panicking? You’re definitely afraid I’ll surpass you!

Also, you’ve said, ’That level of knowledge, if you don’t know it before the teacher teaches it, your brain isn’t good, and if you still don’t after the teacher has explained it, it’s even worse.’

’That level of knowledge, humans who don’t naturally acquire it with age should be phased out.’"

The faces of the two beauties turned ashen.

Dubian Che had a good memory and repeated what the two had said verbatim.

Kiyono Lin exhaled lightly: "It seems I need to get serious, to let certain people clearly understand the gap between themselves and me."

Jiutiao Meijie stared at Dubian Che with a fearsome expression, sneering, "Tonight, I’ll punish you... thoroughly."

"...I, I was just kidding."

"Come with me!" Jiutiao Meijie commanded, without turning back.

"Meijie, look, I still have to participate in club activities." Dubian Che looked to Kiyono Lin for help, hoping she would continue to contradict Jiutiao Meijie.

Kiyono Lin chuckled softly: "Mr. Dubian, don’t forget to post the flyer on the bulletin board when you leave."

"..."