C11 11

In the bustling Imperial Capital of 2003, skyscrapers towered everywhere, making Wang Qi seem insignificant in comparison. "I'll conquer all of this. No one will control me," Wang Qi vowed, clenching his fists with unwavering confidence. In his previous life, he had been mediocre, always putting clients first and feeling like a doormat. He was determined not to let that happen again. This time, he would take charge of his future. Returning to school, Wang Qi headed straight to the classroom. Unsurprisingly, he was late again, but he couldn't spare the energy for studies right now. Not that he needed to. He still remembered the college entrance exam questions from his past life, having obsessed over them and reviewed his answers multiple times after the results came out. Unfortunately, the test had been a one-shot deal, and there was no changing the outcome. But now, things were different. Feeling a bit awkward, Wang Qi brazenly entered the classroom. Having lived another life, he understood that pride was worthless. With money, respect would follow. Without it, no one cared. Lee Yan, the teacher at the front, had already noticed him. Seeing Wang Qi enter without announcing himself was infuriatingly disrespectful. She threw a piece of chalk in his direction, but he dodged it with a quick tilt of his head. "Did I say you could come in?" she snapped. "You never told me not to come in," Wang Qi shot back. Lee Yan was momentarily stunned, then gritted her teeth in frustration. This was just arguing for the sake of arguing. "Get out and stand in the hallway," Lee Yan ordered. Wang Qi walked out of the classroom to stand in the corridor. He knew better than to go against the homeroom teacher. Otherwise, he might get expelled, and then there would be no chance of taking the college entrance exams. Even though the exams were not that important to Wang Qi at the moment, he still wanted to experience college life. Senior year was not part of the mandatory education system, so if they wanted to expel you, they could. If that happened, his parents would probably be furious. "Class, focus on your self-study and don't be like Wang Qi," Lee Yan said, using him as an example of what not to do before leaving the room. Seeing Wang Qi lingering in the hallway only made her angrier.

"Come to my office," Lee Yan nearly shouted. Wang Qi blinked. It seemed like Ms. Lee was really going through a rough patch, losing her temper at the drop of a hat. In Lee Yan's private office, Wang Qi stood there nonchalantly, looking somewhat speechless. Teachers at top high schools all had their private offices. "Wang Qi, what exactly are you planning to do? Let me ask you, how many days are left until the college entrance exams? Do you think you can get into a good university like this? Without a good university, can you find a decent job? Are you living up to your family's expectations?" Lee Yan slammed the table, clearly frustrated. "I don't know how many days are left until the exams, but if going to a good university is just for finding a job, then it's pretty meaningless," Wang Qi shrugged, clearly indifferent. This was a common mindset today, and even in the future, many would still think this way. "Are you not aware of your family's situation? Are you living up to your parents' expectations?" Lee Yan was visibly upset. "Ms. Lee, don't be angry. Maybe you don't realize it, but you're hitting menopause early. If you keep getting angry, you'll age even faster. Don't worry, I'm confident I'll get into a top university," Wang Qi said with a straight face, as if he were making a serious point. "Write a 3,000-word apology letter. If it's not good enough, don't bother seeing me again," Lee Yan shouted, her face alternating between red and pale, spitting words like an angry lioness. Wang Qi was speechless. Being honest and still having to write an apology letter was just too much. After leaving Lee Yan's office, Wang Qi headed to the internet cafe to relax, play some games, and enjoy a cold drink, feeling quite at ease. When it came to writing an apology letter, a task both honorable and daunting, he had no intention of doing it himself. Instead, he planned to have that little rascal, Qu Menghan, do it for him. After evening study hall, Wang Qi made a point to bring some late-night snacks and waited behind the academic building to intercept Qu Menghan. It was the only path leading to the girls' dormitory. Leaning casually against a tree, Wang Qi wore a nonchalant expression. As soon as Qu Menghan exited the building, she spotted Wang Qi and immediately tried to shrink back, like an ostrich hoping not to be noticed.

Wang Qi blinked. It looked like Ms. Lee really had entered menopause, snapping at the slightest thing. Inside Lee Yan's private office, Wang Qi still stood there with a careless, nonchalant posture, looking thoroughly unimpressed. Teachers at key high schools all had private offices. Lee Yan slammed a hand on the desk, her expression one of frustration and disappointment. "Wang Qi, what exactly do you want? Let me ask you, how many days are left until the college entrance exam? With you acting like this, can you get into a good university? If you can't get into a good university, can you find a good job? Can you live up to your family's expectations?" Wang Qi spread his hands, completely unconcerned. "I don't know how many days are left. But if getting into a good university is just for finding a job, that's pretty pointless." It was the prevailing way of thinking these days, and even in later years, plenty of people still thought the same. Lee Yan was indignant. "Don't you understand your family's situation? Can you face your parents?" Wang Qi kept a straight face, as if he were being perfectly reasonable. "Ms. Lee, don't get angry. You might not even realize you've entered menopause early. If you keep getting angry, you'll enter old age early, too. Don't worry. I'm completely confident I can get into Imperial Capital University." Lee Yan's face shifted from pale to flushed as she roared at him, spittle flying, like an enraged lioness. "Write me a 3,000-word self-criticism. If it's not good enough, don't come see me." Wang Qi had nothing to say. Telling the truth and still having to write a self-criticism left him at a loss. After leaving Lee Yan's office, Wang Qi went to an internet cafe to enjoy himself, playing games and drinking iced water, feeling perfectly at ease.

As for writing the self-criticism, a task both honorable and arduous, Wang Qi had no intention of doing it himself. Instead, he planned to have that girl Qu Menghan write it for him. After evening self-study, Wang Qi deliberately brought a late-night snack and waited behind the teaching building to intercept Qu Menghan. This was the only route to the girls' dormitory.

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