Rebirth: The Time-locked Girl
Chapter 93 - 093 Ye Wanlan’s handwriting! Final Overall Score [1 more update]

Chapter 93: 093 Ye Wanlan’s handwriting! Final Overall Score [1 more update]

Why?

It was bad enough that Ye Wanlan could participate in the calligraphy competition, but why should he be allowed to bring her along?

Watching the stunned No.7 Middle School Principal, Su Xubai’s gaze grew even colder.

Guilty, aren’t you?

Even if the principal gave Ye Wanlan more opportunities to contact him, he would never agree!

The No.7 Middle School Principal’s expression turned a few degrees colder but offered no explanation, "You may leave now."

Su Xubai certainly wouldn’t linger; he turned and walked away.

Back in Class 2, as Xue Yiwei saw his upset expression, she asked concernedly, "Xubai, what did the principal say to you?"

"What did he say?" Su Xubai couldn’t help but laugh sarcastically, "He told me to take Ye Wanlan with me to the calligraphy competition next year."

Xue Yiwei was also shocked: "She’s learned calligraphy too?"

"I’m not clear or aware, nor do I want to understand." Su Xubai said lightly, "I refused. It’s impossible starting with me."

He knew too well that there were too many people trying to get close to the Su Family. Couldn’t he see that Ye Wanlan had been trying to ingratiate herself with Su Xueqing?

Su Xueqing might have the Su surname, but unfortunately, she was just a discarded pawn, forever unable to return to the Su Family.

All of Ye Wanlan’s actions were ultimately futile, like fetching water with a bamboo basket—ending up with nothing.

Xue Yiwei took a deep breath: "Let’s not bother with her. But Xubai, her score in this math exam..."

Out of the twelve schools, only two people achieved full marks.

If it were someone else, Xue Yiwei might only feel a surge of competitiveness.

But this person was Ye Wanlan; she felt extremely unbalanced in her heart.

"One exam doesn’t prove anything; maybe she has done similar problems before." Su Xubai was noncommittal, "We have also scored full marks before, but have we ever publicized it or boasted about it like she did?"

It’s better to keep a low profile in life, otherwise, the nail that sticks out gets hammered down, and then you don’t even know how you died.

**

Meanwhile, Ye Wanlan was listening to the rules of the calligraphy competition.

"This is a national calligraphy competition for young people, limited to participants aged 16 to 25," Teacher Khor explained, "Held once every three years by the Yunjing Art Center, it consists of preliminary, semi-final, and final rounds. The preliminaries are in January with results after the New Year, the semi-finals in March, and the finals in April."

Ye Wanlan was silent for a moment: "I’m thinking, competing in the youth category seems a bit like bullying."

Counting the cycling years, she had already lived for more than a thousand years.

"Where’s the bullying?" Teacher Khor glared, "You’re not even twenty years old, and you’re just that good. Is there a problem? No!"

The world is full of geniuses!

Ye Wanlan nodded: "How does one get past the preliminary and semi-final rounds?"

"Quite simple, the preliminary round is a citywide open selection, and the top ten works are chosen by ranking and sent to Yunjing," Teacher Khor continued, "The semi-final is scored by a panel of judges from the Yunjing Art Center, and finally, thirty-two contestants compete in the final. With your ability, getting into the top three shouldn’t be a problem."

He had always kept an eye on the calligraphy circle. In the Shenzhou Youth Calligraphy Competition, one could participate up to three times.

In the competition three sessions ago, a 16-year-old contestant stood out, overwhelming other favored seeds and winning first place in the finals with an astonishing performance.

Now, nearly nine years later, this person’s abilities must have grown even stronger.

Most importantly, this person was studying the Calligraphy School of Cold Tendons with Bones as well.

Among the many calligraphy schools, besides Princess Yongning’s style, the most sought-after were those of Han Yunsheng and Fu Guang.

That’s because Princess Yongning’s style is so unique that it’s hard for others to mimic.

Ye Wanlan listened attentively: "The final round is in Yunjing?"

"Correct, I’ll accompany you there," Teacher Khor said with a smile, "You haven’t been to Yunjing before, have you? As the center of Shenzhou, Yunjing is very prosperous and also home to many hidden masters."

Ye Wanlan smiled faintly: "The ancients chose the location well; Yunjing and Fengyuan are both geographically advantageous, capable of gathering fortune and attracting strong figures."

"Fengyuan..." Teacher Khor paused, then sighed heavily, "If not for the great war three hundred years ago, Fengyuan would probably still be thriving today."

The Ning Dynasty had many outstanding emperors and also some incompetent fools, but only three are recognized as the most outstanding emperors.

Great Ancestor Ning established the vast territory of the Ning Dynasty, proclaiming its existence across heaven and earth and founding Daning.

Ning Zhaozong reunited the fragmented Shenzhou into one, moved the capital to Fengyuan.

And then there was Princess Yongning, posthumously honored by Ning Zhaozong as "Emperor Yongning," who was universally benevolent.

After the fall of the Ning Dynasty, the remaining people rebuilt their homelands on the broken land. Fengyuan suffered severe destruction, and so the capital was moved back to Yunjing.

In a blink of an eye, three hundred years passed.

Although modern-day Fengyuan has entered the modern society, it has fallen far behind from its position as the world’s premier power.

"Hmm." Ye Wanlan chuckled lightly, "It will be very prosperous."

Fengyuan lay to the north and Jiangcheng to the south; she had yet to see Fengyuan after three hundred years.

"Ah, let’s not talk about these sad things." Teacher Khor waved his hand, "Although the preliminary round is for free expression, Student Ye, I’ll give you a direction, focus on writing poems by Fu Guang or prose by Han Yunsheng."

Ye Wanlan raised an eyebrow, "What about the memorials written by Princess Yongning? Can’t I write more of those?"

"We need to write less, indeed write less, not that we can’t write them, but we’re afraid of messing up," Teacher Khor shook his head. "You don’t know, three years ago there was a contestant who made a big mistake on the spot. Only someone truly in her position could capture the soul in Princess Yongning’s memorials!"

"Alright," Ye Wanlan agreed, "then I’ll still write the memorials."

Teacher Khor: "..."

How come Student Ye is so impervious to advice!

"Well, do as you please," Teacher Khor didn’t want to dampen her enthusiasm, "but... could you give me a piece of calligraphy? I can trade something else for it."

"No problem," Ye Wanlan replied, "Why not do it today? Do you have a brush and paper?"

"Yes, of course." Teacher Khor eagerly went to fetch the rice paper and brush from the cabinet.

Passing by, the Physics Group Leader shook his head: "Ah, another one’s gone mad."

**

Evening, at the Lin Family Old House.

"Ah Lan, come and sit," Lin Weilan called Ye Wanlan over, "You’ve been working hard these past few days; it’s all because of Huaijin, who tells us nothing. I think, from now on, we should sew his mouth shut!"

She had only learned about the incident at Yuandao Chemical Plant from the police report.

Lin Huaijin protested, "Mom, you can’t blame me for this."

"Grandma, I told Uncle not to tell you," Ye Wanlan poured a cup of tea, "Your health isn’t good, and I didn’t want to upset you. Isn’t everything fine now?"

"I know," Lin Weilan sighed, "but you shouldn’t have to deal with things like this. The Curative Herb incident already caused you so much trouble."

"It was no trouble." Ye Wanlan smiled silently, "I’m happy to help you all."

What she feared was that by the time she was capable, everyone around her would have passed away.

"Alright, Ah Lan, let’s eat, and you can try today’s sweet and sour pork ribs," Lin Weilan then turned to ask Lin Woyu, "Where’s Xiao Yue? He’s not here again today?"

"He’s staying at his father’s place," Lin Woyu said indifferently, "If he wants to come back, he will; if not, so be it."

Lin Weilan patted her head gently, letting out a sigh, "If it’s too tiring for you alone, you can find someone else to share the burden."

When Lin Yue and Lin Qin were five, Lin Woyu found out her husband was having an emotional affair and decided to divorce him without giving him a second chance.

The Lin Family had always been matriarchal, so naturally, Lin Weilan fully supported her decision.

"Mom, look at what you’re saying. If I’m tired, why must I find someone to share the burden?" Lin Woyu chuckled lightly, "I can hire more housekeepers. Besides, Qinqin has grown up, there’s nothing for me to worry about."

Love wasn’t the entirety of her life; she had a career to manage as well.

The only regret Lin Woyu had was that her talent for the Zither wasn’t high, so she couldn’t help Lin Weilan. Therefore, she pinned all her hopes on Lin Qin.

Lin Weilan chuckled, "I’m just worried you’ll wear yourself out, but it’s your life, and you decide how to live it."

Lin Qin was silent the whole time, just quietly picking up food and putting it into her mouth.

After dinner, she hesitated for a long time before finally calling out to Ye Wanlan, holding up several books she had prepared, "These are some basic Zither books, take them and have a look."

"They’ll be very useful, I’ll take good care of them," Ye Wanlan replied as she accepted them and handed her a bag in return.

Lin Qin was taken aback, and by the time she came to her senses, Ye Wanlan had already gone upstairs.

The familiar fragrance prompted her to open the bag, which contained a box of Peach Blossom Crisp.

She took a piece; the Peach Blossom Crisp melted in her mouth, sweet but not cloying.

"Qinqin, it’s time to practice the Zither, huh—" Lin Woyu came by and saw the Peach Blossom Crisp in Lin Qin’s hand, "Did your cousin buy these for you? She really knows your taste, knowing that you don’t like things that are too sweet."

Lin Qin looked up, "Mom, don’t you think there have been strange things happening to her over the past four years?"

With that observation, Lin Woyu also paused: "Strange?"

"Even if someone’s personality changes drastically due to a rebellious phase or other reasons, there are some things that just don’t change," Lin Qin spoke calmly, "That’s why I say something’s definitely off with her."

After pondering for a moment, Lin Woyu smiled, "Qinqin, Mom isn’t as clever as you, so I only look at the present. Ah Lan is good now, and that’s all that matters."

However, that did not dispel Lin Qin’s doubts; if anything, they intensified, a pity that she couldn’t quite understand why.

"Mom, I’m going to practice the Zither now," Lin Qin shook her head and went upstairs too.

**

The next morning.

The Dean of Academic Affairs had just entered the office humming a tune, and before even settling down, the No.7 Middle School Principal rushed in hurriedly.

"Has the overall score come out yet?"

The Dean of Academic Affairs adjusted his glasses, "It should be out by now, right? The Chinese scores were uploaded in the wee hours after working overtime last night."

"If it’s out, then hurry up and open it," the principal urged, "Quick, quick!"

"Let me turn on the computer first," the Dean of Academic Affairs said resignedly, "What could possibly change with the scores? It’s the same as always, isn’t it? There’s nothing new, so what’s the rush?"

As the screen lit up, he opened the backend, and the total scores for this term’s final exams popped up.