"Director Lu, have you seen the grades yet? If you have, read them out loud for everyone! We're all waiting." Wang Xiu, sitting next to Director Ben Lu, laughed heartily.
The students around perked up their ears, waiting for a good laugh.
But soon, Wang Xiu sensed something was off.
He watched as Ben Lu's hand, flipping through the grade sheet, hovered in midair for a long moment, not coming down.
Ben Lu's face, which had held a trace of a smile, now looked strange. He stared at the grade sheet without blinking, as if he'd seen something unbelievable.
"Director Lu?"
Wang Xiu felt odd and called out softly.
Ben Lu didn't respond.
"I bet every subject's score is so bad, it's broken Director Lu's heart," River Liu shook his head and chuckled.
Eric Yu was still shrinking his neck, not daring to speak out of turn, but his eyes were full of anticipation as he stared at Ben Lu, hoping he'd hurry up and read the scores.
Even Eric Yu was ready with the look and voice he'd use to mock Evan Lin in a moment.
Lynn Chen sighed, lowered her head, and decided it was better not to watch.
Wendy Wen, meanwhile, held her pen and watched Evan Lin with interest, curious about how he'd react.
"Director Lu?"
Wang Xiu felt Ben Lu's reaction was truly strange, like he'd suddenly turned into an idiot.
He reached out and pushed Ben Lu's arm.
"Ah!"
Ben Lu jolted, snapped back to reality, then gave Evan Lin a deep, complicated look before finally speaking in a low, conflicted voice.
"Um, Evan Lin's score ranked 33rd in Class 12."
"Chinese: zero."
When Ben Lu announced the score, his tone was a bit unnatural, slightly awkward.
Ha! Getting zero in Chinese! You really do deserve the title of 'talented genius'—definitely quick-witted, born smart! Smarter than the average person!" River Liu burst out laughing.
"I've lived this long and only occasionally seen someone fail Chinese, but getting a zero—this is a first!" another student grinned.
Instantly, the whole conference room filled with laughter. Everyone looked at Evan Lin with different expressions, each thinking he was ridiculous standing there.
"Looks like Evan Lin is really one of a kind," Wang Xiu laughed too, but as he kept laughing, something felt off inside.
His mind couldn't quite process it all at once.
Wendy Wen, pen in hand, and Lynn Chen, with head bowed, were both pondering the number zero.
Zero in Chinese, four hundred twenty-five in other subjects?
They both glanced at Evan Lin.
He probably didn't take the Chinese exam. If he had, even just passing would put him over five hundred points. With over five hundred, he'd qualify for a tier-two university.
Lynn Chen thought about it, her beautiful eyes lighting up. She glanced at Evan Lin, standing nearby.
Evan Lin stood tall and straight. Lynn Chen looked up at his profile, and her heart suddenly beat a little faster.
Just then, Evan Lin lowered his head, meeting Lynn Chen's gaze.
In Lynn Chen's eyes, Evan Lin's clear, calm gaze made her heart race. She quickly looked away, pretending nothing had happened.
But knowing Evan Lin at least had a shot at a tier-two university made Lynn Chen breathe a sigh of relief, feeling both grateful and a little bit happy.
"Zero in Chinese—Evan Lin must've done well in math, right, Director Lu?" Wang Xiu asked with a smile.
Unexpectedly, Ben Lu gave a wry smile and answered, 'Evan Lin, math: zero.'
Math: zero!
Hahahaha! Zero in Chinese was bad enough, but math—his best subject—also zero? Wasn't he the Seacrest Province Math Olympiad Champion? With these questions, how could he possibly get zero! Even if you guessed 'C' for every multiple choice, you wouldn't get zero!" River Liu burst out laughing.
Eric Yu burst out laughing, and the rest of the students joined in. The whole conference room was filled with cheerful laughter.