This person really knows how to be reborn!

Chapter 5 High-Level Strategies for Every Hour

Half an hour later, Zeng Cheng and Li Xingzhi arrived at the school, and they arrived precisely on time, just as the morning self-study bell rang as they stepped into the classroom.

The two exchanged a smile—feeling they had once again taken advantage of the school today.

Well, the happiness of high school students is just that simple and unpretentious.

Even after the bell rang, there were still many small conversations in the class.

Most of them were sharing interesting things that happened during their holidays.

Many eyes also fell on Zeng Cheng, with a hint of mockery—clearly they were treating him like a clown.

If it were Zeng Cheng from his previous life, he definitely wouldn't have been able to stand those mocking looks and would have blushed on the spot.

But for Mr. Zeng now—haha, is that all?

He raised an eyebrow and met the gaze of everyone who dared to look him in the eye.

As he expected, these guys quickly gave in and looked away.

That's right, no matter what happens, as long as you're not embarrassed, it's most likely someone else who will be embarrassed.

As Zeng Cheng looked around, he noticed that Xia Ning was also looking at him, her phoenix eyes filled with intense grievance.

Zeng Cheng found it quite inexplicable.

To be honest, you're the one who tricked me into confessing my feelings, but I'm the one who gets laughed at and ridiculed. What the hell are you complaining about?

The science classes at Dezhou No.1 High School are divided into three levels: experimental class, key class, and regular class.

Even in the worst-performing regular classes, the undergraduate admission rate exceeded 60%.

After all, it is the best high school in Texas, and it has already recruited more than 70% of the best students in the city.

Zeng Cheng's class, Class 6 of the 2009 cohort, was a top-tier class, with an undergraduate admission rate exceeding 90%.

For a student from a second-tier university like him, even if he wasn't at the bottom of his class, he wasn't much better. Out of about sixty students in his class, he would probably only rank in the forties or fifties.

However, his grades were really good when he entered the school, ranking second in his class, second only to Luo Wenjuan, who was a prospective Tsinghua and Peking University student.

This is one of the reasons why many people in the class look down on Zeng Cheng.

The main focus for high school students is always studying, but Zeng Cheng neglects his main quests and spends all his time revolving around Xia Ning. He's more than just a clown; he's an absolute idiot.

Zeng Cheng didn't listen to the teacher's lectures all morning; instead, he studied on his own.

There are too many knowledge gaps. Instead of following the teacher's review, it's better to follow your own pace.

Zeng Cheng was constantly immersed in solving problems, which made Li Xingzhi very bored—the two brothers would usually whisper to each other during class.

After holding back for two classes, he couldn't resist and touched Zeng Cheng's arm.

"Brother Cheng—"

He felt that Zeng Cheng was somewhat different from before, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what was different.

Zeng Cheng was very unhappy after being disturbed.

"Hey, stop fucking bothering my studies!"

"what?"

"Bullshit! Can't you see I'm memorizing vocabulary? If I don't get into Peking University, can you take responsibility?"

"..."

Li Xingzhi's cheek twitched.

Brother Cheng, don't you have any self-awareness about your own level?

Peking University, and even Peking University Bird, are not sure if they want you!

After the five morning classes ended, the two brothers ran all the way to the school cafeteria.

Zeng Cheng took out the ten yuan his mother had given him the night before, stuffed it into Li Xingzhi's pocket, and told him to get three portions of food.

Li Xingzhi was quite puzzled—why make an extra copy?

He started speculating: "Cheng-ge, you and Xia, the class beauty, have made up?"

Zeng Cheng rolled his eyes: "Go away! I kindly invited you to lunch, and you want me dead!"

"Then why make an extra copy?"

"Just go when I tell you to!"

Zeng Cheng waved his hand dismissively.

I didn't explain it clearly to Li Xingzhi.

He wasn't even sure if Yu Baiwei would come—even though the girl had agreed to come yesterday afternoon.

"Okay, but—"

Li Xing still didn't leave.

Zeng Cheng, extremely impatient, retorted in his local dialect, "You old hag, what's wrong now?!"

Li Xingzhi shrank back: "Brother Cheng, to be fair, ten yuan can only buy two meal sets..."

Zeng Cheng: "..."

This is very awkward.

Fortunately, he quickly found a way to avoid embarrassment and waved his hand in a very stylish manner.

"Your share is on me, and mine is on me. Oh, and remember to pay me back the two dollars you left."

"..."

Li Xingzhi didn't say anything more and obediently went to line up for food.

After all, Zeng Cheng had been exploiting him for quite some time.

The two brothers usually had similar living expenses, but Zeng Cheng used to spend any spare money he had on currying favor with Xia Ning and often relied on Li Xingzhi for support.

No sooner had Li Xingzhi left than a rather handsome man with glasses sat down opposite Zeng Cheng.

Zeng Cheng politely reminded him that the seat was taken.

"Classmate?" The handsome guy with glasses frowned deeply. "Zeng Cheng, what are you pretending for? Don't you recognize me?"

Zeng Cheng's expression turned puzzled, and he asked me why I absolutely had to get to know you.

The handsome guy with glasses coolly held up three fingers.

"First, we were in the same class for three years."

"Secondly, I have always served as the class monitor, in charge of the daily work of the class."

"Third, I am also the executive vice president of the student union, and I have considerable fame throughout the school."

Looking at this guy with a "refined and elegant" air about him, coupled with so many keywords, Zeng Cheng immediately remembered who this guy was.

The handsome guy with glasses is named Qi Jiahao. Like Zeng Cheng, he is also a suitor of Xia Ning.

Zeng Cheng pursued Xia Ning mainly through flattery, while Qi Jiahao focused on being warm and caring.

In fact, the "warm man" persona was very popular in 2009.

Many girls fall for this, far from the level of being relegated to the back of a dog in later generations.

"Uh, what's up?"

"Zeng Cheng, I've used some connections and found out you've upset Ningning. I, the class monitor, order you to go apologize to Ningning immediately!"

Qi Jiahao's domineering manner.

Zeng Cheng said that's the feeling; this guy has always treated class officers like provincial or ministerial officials.

He laughed and said, "What can you do if I don't go?"

He thought Qi Jiahao would get angry and say some harsh words, but to his surprise, the guy pulled out a bright red hundred-yuan bill and slammed it on the table.

"Now, can you go and apologize?"

"..."

Zeng Cheng is at a loss.

To be honest, the purchasing power of a 100-yuan bill in 2009 was absolutely enormous, enough to cover half a month's living expenses for many high school students.

Zeng Cheng has always believed that "one should not sacrifice money for face," but he would never actually apologize to Xia Ning.

After thinking for two seconds, he decided to earn the money standing up, and with just a few words, he got Jiahao to willingly give him 100 yuan!

"Squad Leader Qi, let's have a word with each other first—"

Zeng Cheng took the hundred-yuan bill and flicked it with his fingers.

"Who are you to Xia Ning? Why are you running over here so eagerly to make me apologize to her, even going to such lengths?"

Qi Jiahao sneered, "Heh, that's none of your business. Just go and apologize!"

Zeng Cheng sighed, his face full of sincerity: "Brother Jiahao, I feel sorry for you—"

"Forehead……"

Qi Jiahao was also at a loss. He wondered why Zeng Cheng, who was usually so arrogant, was so timid today, calling him "Class Monitor" and "Brother Jiahao." Had he unintentionally awakened a domineering aura?

Online novels were already very popular in 2009, and Qi Jiahao had read quite a few.

The plot of online novels in this era is very straightforward. The male lead often suddenly becomes awe-inspiring, and then countless followers bow down in worship.

Under Qi Jiahao's questioning gaze, Zeng Cheng also held up three fingers.

"First of all, you're more handsome than me, nine out of ten points are good-looking, and you're also talented in both academics and sports, and you're good at basketball!"

"Secondly, your grades are better than mine. You're always in the top five of the class. You could get into a top university with your eyes closed!"

"Finally, let's talk about family background—my dad is just a lowly deputy director of a neighborhood committee, while your dad is the district head of our Jinghu District!"

At this point, Zeng Cheng's expression was one of deep anguish.

"Jiahao, it's normal that I can't win Xia Ning's heart, after all, I'm just an ordinary person. But a man as outstanding as you shines wherever he goes, so why can't you win him over?"

"this--"

Zeng Cheng's flattery completely stumped Qi Jiahao.

His expression gradually turned shy, his cheeks began to flush, and his fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of his clothes a couple of times. He even had the feeling that "my parents gave me life, and Zeng Cheng understands me."

"You...you really think that way about me?"

"Nonsense! I've always admired and even idolized you. You know Lu Yunchen from the experimental class, right? He's cool, arrogant, and aloof, always second in the grade. Half the girls in our grade consider him their idol. But I think you're way ahead of him. He's at most a 'Young Phoenix,' while you're the 'Hidden Dragon'!"

"Cough, it can't be that bad..."

Qi Jiahao was flattered by Zeng Cheng's praise, as if he had eaten a ginseng fruit, but he still played the "false modesty" game, waving his hand repeatedly.

"Brother Jiahao, excessive humility is arrogance—" Zeng Cheng's tone shifted, "So here's the problem: it's one thing for Xia Ning to string me along, but what right does she have to string you along?"

"this--"

Qi Jiahao fell into deep thought.

That's fucking right!

How come I, the esteemed "Sleeping Dragon," can't win him over?

Jiahao became increasingly angry, to the point that he forgot the purpose of his trip.

"Zeng Cheng, I need to find a quiet place to sort this out slowly—"

They walked towards the cafeteria entrance while talking.

"Hey, here's your hundred bucks!"

"What's given to you is yours—"

Jiahao waved his hand dismissively without even turning around.

Otherwise, how could Zeng Cheng, who calls himself "Brother Jiahao" and "Wolong," possibly have the nerve to take the money back?

"Tsk tsk, the children of officials are really something."

Zeng Cheng smiled broadly, his eyebrows twitching, while his thoughts drifted somewhat.

After thinking about this guy's future life trajectory, he felt that Brother Jiahao was still impressive.

In their thirties, they'll be transferred to provincial-level positions. As long as they don't make any fundamental mistakes, they're guaranteed at least a department-level position in the future.

Even if you achieve financial freedom in your thirties, you wouldn't dare to boast that you're doing better than others.

However, no matter how outstanding Jiahao becomes in the future, it won't affect how easily he can be manipulated now.

After all, the "praise to death" tactic is still a bit too sophisticated for high school students in this era.