Chapter 96: Gaokao! Gaokao!! Gaokao!!
In the underground parking garage.
"Ugh, why won’t this thing go into gear?"
Chen Dongmei said, a little flustered.
"Come on, Mom. Isn’t today our college entrance exam? I feel like you’re more nervous than we are!"
Gu Yifan leaned over to put the car in gear for her, then said, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
"You little brat!"
"Today is a huge day for you and Qinghe! Of course I’m nervous!"
"You think everyone is as carefree as you all the time!"
Chen Dongmei shot him a glare and said irritably.
"Okay, okay, whatever you say, ma’am!"
"But really, I should drive now. I’m scared to be a passenger with you at the wheel!"
Gu Yifan said helplessly.
"Hmph, no need!"
"I’m fine!"
Chen Dongmei said, waving her hand dismissively.
"Mom, stop. Just let me drive!"
"If you drive, who knows how long it’ll take to get to school!"
"If we’re late, we’ll be in trouble when they won’t let us into the exam hall!"
"Besides, Mom, don’t forget, it’s not just your son in this car!"
"Even if you’re not thinking about me, you have to think about Qinghe, right?"
Gu Yifan insisted, his tone firm.
He couldn’t help it. He could tell his mom was just too nervous, and she really wasn’t in a state to drive. Better safe than sorry!
"Well... alright, then!"
Chen Dongmei thought about it and had to admit her son had a point.
With that, Gu Yifan got out of the back seat, walked around to the front, and switched places with his mom.
It was still early, and traffic police were directing vehicles on the roads near the school.
A little after 8:10 AM, Gu Yifan and the others arrived smoothly at the entrance of Mountain City First Middle School.
The school entrance was bustling with parents who had come to see their children off for the exam.
After Gu Yifan found an empty spot and parked the car, the three of them got out.
"Son, Qinghe, while there’s still time, check again to make sure you have your exam admission tickets and everything else."
At the school gate, Chen Dongmei asked Gu Yifan and Su Qinghe once more.
"Ahem..."
"Mom, you’ve already asked that at least ten times on the way here!"
"We have everything, don’t worry!"
Gu Yifan said helplessly, shaking the bag in his hand.
"Uh... have I?"
Chen Dongmei paused for a moment, then waved her hand. "Hah, as long as you have it all. It never hurts to be careful!"
"Sigh..."
Gu Yifan sighed helplessly. "Hey, Mom, why don’t you just take a taxi home? I can drive the car back at lunchtime."
"I’m worried about you driving back alone in your state!
"Go on, go on!"
"What’s there to be worried about!"
"I just forgot for a second, that’s all. Come on, your old mom isn’t that fragile!"
Chen Dongmei shot him a look and said irritably.
However, after Gu Yifan’s little interruption, she really didn’t feel as nervous as before.
"Alright!"
"Okay, Mom, you should head back now."
"You don’t have to see us off!"
"Um... and don’t bother coming to pick us up at lunch. We’ll just get a taxi home."
Gu Yifan thought for a moment before speaking to his mother.
"I should still come get you."
Chen Dongmei said after a moment of hesitation.
"Nah~"
"Really, there’s no need. The sun will be so strong at noon, and the traffic will be heavy. It’s too much trouble for you to run back and forth!"
"It’s the same if we take a taxi back!"
Gu Yifan said, waving his hand.
"Well... okay, then!"
"You two hurry inside. I’ll go home and make a nice lunch, waiting for you to come back and eat!"
Chen Dongmei thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Yeah, Mom, go on home and don’t worry. It’s just the college entrance exam!"
"Just wait for your son to come back as the top scorer in the exam and make you proud!"
"Hehehe..."
Gu Yifan waved his hand again and said with a laugh.
"You little brat. Top scorer? I’d die laughing if you even manage to get into a Tier 1 university!"
Chen Dongmei thought he was just bragging and couldn’t help but roll her eyes at him irritably.
That’s right.
To this day, his parents’ understanding of his academic performance was still stuck three months in the past. They hadn’t asked about his scores on the recent mock exams, and Gu Yifan hadn’t told them.
That’s why she thought Gu Yifan was just bragging to tease her!
"Haha!"
Seeing her reaction, Gu Yifan didn’t explain further. He just smiled and said, "Alright, we’re heading in then. You should hurry home too, Mom! The sun will be out soon and it’ll get hot."
Without waiting for his mom to reply, he took a confused-looking Su Qinghe by the hand. They walked to the security check at the school entrance, showed their admission tickets, and slowly made their way onto the school grounds.
Chen Dongmei stared at the sight of Gu Yifan and Su Qinghe holding hands, and she froze for a second.
The next moment, a gratified smile spread across her lips.
’Hmm?’
’That little brat Gu Yifan has finally gotten a clue!’
’Looks like it won’t be long before Qinghe becomes my daughter-in-law!’
Chen Dongmei muttered to herself.
At that moment, all her nervousness vanished completely.
On the school path, Gu Yifan noticed Su Qinghe looking at him several times as if she wanted to say something but was holding back. He finally spoke up, "What’s wrong? If you have something to say, just say it."
"Um... with your grades, becoming the top scorer should be easy."
Su Qinghe tilted her head, confused. "Why... why did your mom say you were bragging just now?"
"You silly little goose!"
"Because my mom doesn’t know what my grades are like now!"
Gu Yifan couldn’t resist pinching her little nose as he spoke.
"Huh?"
Su Qinghe was taken aback. "Wh-why?"
"Why do you think? My parents never asked about my scores on the last few mock exams, so I never told them."
"So, in their minds, I’m still just barely good enough to get into a Tier 1 university."
Gu Yifan said with a smile.
"Oh, I see..."
Su Qinghe understood and nodded earnestly.
"Alright, let’s go. Time to find our exam room and wait for the test to start."
Gu Yifan let go of her nose and said lightly.
"However!"
He suddenly changed the subject, leaning in close to look at her.
Gu Yifan’s sudden proximity made Su Qinghe freeze for a moment.
The next second, her small face instantly turned red, and even the fair skin of her neck flushed pink.
Her heart started racing, and she felt completely flustered.
’Such a sensitive little goofball!’
Seeing this, Gu Yifan smiled slightly, then leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Su Hanhan, are you sure you don’t want to make another bet with me? See who gets first place on this exam? If you win, there’s a surprise for you!"
The moment she heard the word "bet," Su Qinghe couldn’t help but tremble slightly.
"N-n-no!"
She shook her head frantically, stammering with nervousness.
"Oh!"
"So boring!"
Seeing her reaction, Gu Yifan shook his head and grumbled.
With that, he straightened up, turned, and strode forward.
"Phew..."
Su Qinghe, her face still red, let out a deep breath.
’That rotten Bully, he’s picking on me again!’
She pouted and complained silently in her heart.
"Hey~"
"Hanhan, hurry up!"
Gu Yifan’s voice called from ahead.
"Oh, oh~"
"C-coming!"
Su Qinghe quickly called back, then broke into a little jog to catch up with Gu Yifan...