Throughout the following week, Xia Shan and the others gathered in Jiang Wei’s dorm every night after self-study to review. Under the supervision of Tang Zihe and Shen Yannan, everyone’s efficiency soared.
“Brother Jiang, you’re in Exam Room 3,” Xia Shan said, scrolling through photos on his phone. “Don’t forget tomorrow.”
“Room 3? That’s Class 3’s classroom?” Jiang Wei noted the location. “What about you guys?”
“Yang Xiangtong is in Room 1. Tang-ge and I are in Room 2. Tang Wanbai, Shen Yannan, and the Seer are all in Room 5,” Xia Shan said, checking everyone’s assignments. “We’re all on the same floor. It’ll be great; we can go to the cafeteria together after the exam.”
“All you ever think about is food,” Ding Banfan grumbled from the side.
“And all you ever do is talk back.”
The two began bickering right there in Jiang Wei’s dorm.
“Keep it down, you two. If the dorm manager comes, my wardrobe isn't big enough to hide this many people,” Jiang Wei said, tapping his notebook with his pen.
The two called a temporary truce.
“Ignore them. Focus on the problem.” Tang Zihe had been explaining a concept to Jiang Wei when he was interrupted. He pulled Jiang Wei’s attention back. “If the manager comes, we’ll just throw those two out.”
Xia Shan curled his lip. *Tang-ge is truly cold-hearted.*
Shen Yannan pulled out his phone to check the time. “It’s about that time. The manager should start bed checks in ten minutes.”
“Right.” Tang Wanbai quickly packed her things. “Let’s go.”
“Goodnight, Brother Jiang.”
“Goodnight.” Jiang Wei watched the group pile out of the room before turning back to the person beside him. “Keep going. Finish the explanation before you leave.”
Tang Zihe gave a helpless smile, feeling strangely like he’d been kept behind as forced labor.
He sat on the edge of the bed and continued the lesson. Only after Jiang Wei fully understood the problem and finished writing out the complete solution did Tang Zihe stand up, brushing non-existent dust off his clothes.
Jiang Wei hesitated for a moment before calling out to the person at the door. “About the exam tomorrow...”
“Good luck.” Tang Zihe interrupted him with a smile. “If you need the Study God’s blessing, you can come find me in Room 2 tomorrow.”
*Who needs the Study God’s blessing?!*
Jiang Wei rolled his eyes internally and waved him away. “Goodnight, goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
***
The next morning, Jiang Wei ran into an acquaintance at the exam hall.
“Morning.” Ye Feiyang let out a yawn and nodded at Jiang Wei. “You’re in this room too?”
Jiang Wei found his seat and realized he wasn't just in the same room as this guy—he was sitting directly in front of him.
What a coincidence.
“Why are there so few people?” Jiang Wei checked the time. There were thirty minutes until the start of the exam, yet only a handful of students were in their seats reviewing.
Usually, for monthly exams, almost everyone would be here by now. He didn't think he had arrived particularly early.
“They’ve all gone to Room 2 to worship Tang Zihe,” Ye Feiyang said with a shrug. He looked at Jiang Wei. “Aren’t you going to pay your respects?”
Jiang Wei arched an eyebrow and shot back, “Why aren’t you going?”
Ye Feiyang didn't retort. Instead, he shifted his gaze toward the classroom door.
Before Jiang Wei could even turn around, a familiar voice drifted in from the hallway: “Brother Jiang! Come with me to worship Tang-ge!”
Jiang Wei: “...”
Ye Feiyang: “Pfft.”
“You’re literally in the same exam room as Tang Zihe. Why do you need me to go with you?” Jiang Wei hissed through gritted teeth. Having his words thrown back in his face so quickly made him feel like his dignity had vanished into the stratosphere.
If Ye Feiyang weren't there, he would have punched this poorly-timed idiot.
“I woke up late! Room 2 is packed inside and out. It’s terrifying. I don’t dare go in alone.” Xia Shan clung to the doorframe piteously, looking very much like a puppy abandoned by its owner.
*Listen to that. Is that something a male Alpha should be saying?*
Disdain was written all over Jiang Wei’s face.
“In this situation, I sincerely suggest you stand at the door and scream ‘The teacher is coming!’ I guarantee people will clear a path for you.” Despite his words, Jiang Wei ignored Ye Feiyang’s silent mocking behind him and walked toward the door.
Fine. He’d consider it a good deed to earn some karma for the upcoming exam.
Hopefully, he’d know all the answers, and guess all the right ones.
When they reached the door of Class 2, Jiang Wei realized the gravity of the situation.
Xia Shan hadn't been exaggerating in the slightest; the hallway was truly packed like sardines.
He realized he had misjudged Xia Shan. Looking at the dense clusters of people, he didn't dare to just barge in either.
“Is it always such a big scene?” He asked, his lip twitching.
“Probably because this exam is so important.” Xia Shan shook his head. While many people usually came to pay homage to Tang-ge, it seemed like the entire grade had turned out this time.
“Then I wish you the best of luck.” Jiang Wei patted Xia Shan’s shoulder and turned to leave.
“Don’t go! Brother Jiang!”
Xia Shan’s accidental shout was so loud that it didn't just startle Jiang Wei; it drew the attention of the layers of people surrounding the room. They all turned their heads.
In the span of two seconds, Jiang Wei had cursed Xia Shan’s entire family tree in his head.
But clearly, running away now was impossible.
He clenched his fists and slowly turned around under the collective gaze of the crowd. He raised a hand and offered a dry, “Morning, everyone...”
A string of whispers broke out around them.
“Is that Jiang Wei? He’s here to worship the Exam God too?”
“Is his ‘worship’ really the same as ours? Use your brain.”
“Can’t you guys stop overthinking? Maybe he just wants to worship the Exam God before a test like a normal person.”
“Wait, the main characters are meeting. Shouldn't we make some space?”
...
*Actually, you could speak a little quieter. Preferably so I can’t hear you perfectly clearly.*
Jiang Wei looked at the small path that had inexplicably opened up in front of him. He couldn't fathom what was going through these people’s heads. Deciding to just go for it, he grabbed Xia Shan’s arm and shoved him forward.
“You can go in now.”
“Hey, Brother Jiang, aren't you coming?” Xia Shan asked "thoughtfully."
“I’m not—” The words were halfway out of Jiang Wei’s mouth when he saw Tang Zihe’s gaze pierce through the crowd, landing on him. As their eyes met, he was forced to change his tune. “Why wouldn't I? Of course I’m coming in.”
With that, he ignored Xia Shan and walked straight up to Tang Zihe.
“What are you doing here?” Tang Zihe looked at him with a beaming smile. He seemed to be in a great mood—though to Jiang Wei, that expression looked incredibly punchable.
“Can’t I be here to worship the Exam God?” he muttered, sounding somewhat reluctant.
“Then why didn't you worship last night? You had such a good opportunity, yet you kicked me out.” Tang Zihe spoke with total innocence, unaware that Jiang Wei was already blaming him for the current embarrassment.
Jiang Wei felt like there was something strange about those words, but he couldn't find a specific point to argue. He could only give a threatening glare. “Shut up.”
Tang Zihe continued to smile, shrugging as he fell silent. Then, he reached out his hand.
“What?”
“Aren't you here to worship me?” Tang Zihe wiggled his fingers. “Where’s your pen?”
“...”
He had only come to drop off Xia Shan. Why would he have a pen on him?
“Are you really here to worship?” Tang Zihe found his stubbornness amusing, but he kindly offered a way out. “If you didn't bring a pen, a hand works too. I don’t mind.”
Since things had already reached this point and his dignity was long gone, he might as well take the blessing. Who knew? It might actually work.
Once Jiang Wei rationalized it, he looked at Tang Zihe’s outstretched hand and, as if possessed, placed his own hand into it.
Anyway, no matter how he looked at it, he felt like he was the one winning by getting to touch Tang Zihe’s hand.
“Good luck on the exam.” Tang Zihe looked at Jiang Wei and mischievously squeezed the other boy’s pinky.
Jiang Wei yanked his hand back as if he’d been electrocuted. Realizing that looked too deliberate, he tried to cover it up. “You too.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, he practically fled back to his own exam room.
“Did you walk him all the way to the afterlife? You took forever.” Ye Feiyang looked strangely at Jiang Wei, who had almost run into the room. He glanced at the wall clock. “You won't have much time to review now.”
Jiang Wei uncharacteristically didn't snap back. He just waved a hand and slowly pulled a transparent pencil case out of his bag, placing it on the desk.
Seeing that he was being ignored, Ye Feiyang didn't push it. He seized the chance to cram, but his peripheral vision caught the tips of the person’s ears in front of him.
At first, he thought he’d seen wrong. How could someone’s ears turn that red just from running a short distance? But he looked closer and confirmed he wasn't mistaken.
He couldn't help himself. The moment Jiang Wei glanced back, Ye Feiyang pointed at his own ear and asked, “Just how far did you run? Your ears are bright red.”
“After dropping off Xia Shan, I ran to the convenience store to buy water. I lost track of time and was afraid I’d be late.” Jiang Wei scratched his cheek and rubbed his ears vigorously. “Are they red? Oh, it’s probably just the wind from running so fast. It’s just my constitution.”
He had always been a master at lying. Except for an outlier like Tang Zihe who knew him too well, most people couldn't tell when he was being dishonest.
Ye Feiyang was easily fooled.
“Oh.” Ye Feiyang nodded. *So that’s it.*
*Never mind then.*
***
