Volume 1: The Classmate is a Youngster Chapter 7: Not Fighting for Baozi but for Face

  Although Su Lin didn't know why he suddenly had the ability to pause time, since he had such an incredible ability, how could he not make good use of it? With this ability, he could change his own destiny, change his family's circumstances, and rise above others. All those previous empty boasts were now entirely possible.

  "As long as I think of stopping time in my heart, the time around me will stop moving, and only I can move without being affected. And how long I can stop time depends on the size of these numbers, now... I still have 101 seconds to pause."

  Sitting on the sofa, Su Lin stared at the bright red number "101" in the upper right corner of her vision. "But how can I get this time? It seems that today is when I was in the bathtub with Zhu Jie, and the intimate contact made it surge... Is it saying that this number will only increase if I have close contact with a woman?"

  Although Su Lin's current academic performance is not outstanding, it doesn't mean he's stupid. On the contrary, Su Lin is quite clever. He can't stand people's nagging and will figure things out on his own. Sitting on the sofa, he'll think for a bit and roughly come up with his own plan. As for this inexplicable ability that has been brought upon him, he has a general idea of what it entails.

  At six ten in the evening, Su Lin's father, Su Guorong, opened the door of his home with a tired body, his face full of fatigue. As soon as he entered the house, he sat down on the sofa, closed his eyes and took out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter to smoke.

  "Dad, you're back."

  Watching his father struggle like this every time, Su Lin's heart wasn't feeling well either. His father, Su Guorong, was originally a retired soldier who had bad luck when he transitioned to civilian work and couldn't find a stable job in a state-owned enterprise. As a result, he ended up driving a truck for a transportation company. The salary was low, only two or three thousand per month. Moreover, as someone who used to be a soldier, Su Guorong was quite straightforward and often wouldn't play politics, so he missed out on many benefits that others could get through the back door, and also offended many people. After working for over a decade, he had only managed to become the nominal head of a transportation team.

  "Hmm..."

  Su Guorong might have been too tired, he didn't even lift his head to look at his son, just slightly nodded and hummed a nasal sound, then didn't want to say more, just stared blankly while smoking, lost in thought.

  In fact, most men are like this. They work hard outside and feel physically and mentally exhausted. When they return home, the only way to relax is to smoke a cigarette, stare blankly for a while, look at their wives and children, and then feel that their hard work has been worthwhile.

  His father's attitude had always been like this, and Su Lin didn't pay much attention to it. However, when dinner started, his usually taciturn father let out a sigh, put down his chopsticks, raised his head, stared at Su Lin for a few seconds, and then said: "Xiao Lin, the college entrance exam is coming up soon."

  "Uh...yes, Dad, there are still more than 20 days..."

  It was only a short nine words, but Su Lin heard more from his father's tone, apparently his father had also been worried about his future development path recently.

  "This year's college entrance exam, you, your second uncle's daughter Lingling, and your third uncle's son Xiaoyi, the three of you are all taking it this year. Before high school, your grades were the best, but now... uh..."

  Another sigh, Su Guorong didn't continue speaking either. He poured himself a cup of white liquor, downed it in one gulp, and let out a satisfied "ahh". Although he didn't say anything more, he had already given Su Lin a heavy mental burden.

  Su Lin's father was such a person, with the most tenacious and simple qualities of a soldier, not many words, but every word he said had extraordinary significance for Su Lin.

  "Dad, I know. I will definitely work hard and get into a good university to make you proud."

  With her head hung low, Su Lin was filled with remorse in her heart. Gnashing her teeth, she secretly vowed that she would do well on the college entrance exams and make a name for herself in the future. If not for anything else, then just to prove this point.

  "Do you know? You little brat, you don't know anything. If you knew, your grades wouldn't be so bad? I've scolded and beaten you before, but from now on, the path you choose is yours alone, if you can't get in (to college), then go work."

  Su's mother, who had been silent all along, was very direct. For the past three years, she had been racking her brains to get Su Lin to perk up, but his grades just wouldn't improve. Now with only over 20 days left, she had completely lost hope. Something that hadn't changed in three years, could it really change in these last twenty-odd days?

  "Mom! Sorry, I know I was wrong."

  Unexpectedly, today Su Lin didn't talk back to his mother. His parents' hard work was actually seen and remembered by him, but the rebelliousness of youth and the arrogance of adolescence had made him muddle through these three years. Fortunately, it's not too late now that he has acquired the ability to pause time. Su Lin believes that he will definitely be able to get through the high school entrance exam, this narrow bridge crossed by thousands of troops and horses, and walk out a brilliant future.

  The rest of the dinner time was spent in silence, and Su Lin hastily ate a few mouthfuls of rice before returning to her room to read. After Su Lin left the table, Su Father and Su Mother continued to discuss Su Lin's problem again.

  "Eh, Old Su, you'd better think of a solution. With our Xiaolin's situation, it's likely that she really can't get into a good university. We can't even afford to send her to a third-tier university. What if in the end we have to let our Xiaolin go work?"

  Pity the parents of the world, although Liu Aizhen was strict with Su Lin on the surface, in her heart she still doted on her own son and couldn't bear to let Su Lin suffer hardships.

  "What can be done about it? If I don't get into college and don't have a diploma, I won't go to work. Am I supposed to stay at home forever?"

  He took a puff of smoke, gently spat out the smoke, and then said, "If it's really not possible, I'll let my brother find a way. If we can't afford three universities, go to a vocational school to learn some skills and come back, there will still be a bowl of rice to eat."

  In mid-May, Jian'an City has also started to feel like a steamer, it's unbearably hot. By 8 o'clock in the evening, neighbors who have nothing to do sit outside their yards under big trees, chatting and enjoying the cool breeze.

  Outside the yard of Su Lin's home, those seven aunts and eight aunts were chattering about something at this time. Although tomorrow is the last mock exam, but inside the house it was really too hot, Su Lin couldn't stay there, so he sat in the yard with his book to read.

  Fortunately, there was a street lamp under the big tree in the yard, which was both cool and bright. The only downside was that there were many mosquitoes, so Su Lin sprayed a bit more perfume on her body.

  "Hey... Ai Zhen, your little Lin is quite diligent in his studies! He's attending the best high school in the city, so his grades must be good! This year's college entrance exam will definitely get him into a top university. You and your husband have finally made it!"

  As they were talking, some neighbors steered the conversation in this direction. Upon hearing this, Su Lin's mother, Liu Ai Zhen, looked embarrassed for a moment, sighed, and explained: "My child, Xiao Lin, didn't do well academically, it's uncertain whether he can even get into college, let alone a key university."

  "It can't be that bad! I remember Xiaolin's grades in junior high were pretty good, otherwise she wouldn't have been able to get into Municipal No. 1 Middle School..."

  Some of the more distant neighbors still have an impression of Su Lin from when he was admitted to Municipal No. 1 Middle School with flying colors, but now, Su Lin's grades have plummeted, and he is no longer the good boy that all his relatives and friends in the neighborhood praised back then.

  "Hmph! With Su Lin's grades from their family, it's already quite good if she can get into a second-tier university... let alone a key university, dream on!"

  A sarcastic remark, Su Lin furrowed his brow and looked towards the owner of this voice.

  Tang Zhongwang?

  That proud laughter, Su Lin knew that Tang Zhongwang lived on the same street as himself and was also a high school student this year at Municipal No. 1 Middle School. However, from elementary school to junior high school, his grades were not as good as Su Lin's, so he had always regarded Su Lin as an arch-nemesis. Since Su Lin's decline in high school, Tang Zhongwang had mocked him more than once in such public gatherings.

  "Zhongwang, how can you talk like that? Previously, Kobayashi's grades were even better than yours. Although your current grades are good enough to get a Tier 1 university with more effort, you still can't be arrogant and must keep working hard, got it?"

  Tang Zhongwang's father, Tang Liangyuan, scolded him, but in fact, he was more proud of him. Although Tang Zhongwang's grades at Municipal No. 1 Middle School were only average to above-average, the possibility of getting into a first-tier university was enough for Tang Liangyuan to feel proud and complacent.

  "Got it, Dad. I'll work hard. Tomorrow is the last mock exam for our school, and my recent review has been going well. I'm sure I can make further progress and strive to be among the top 100 in the grade. This way, getting into a good university will be secure. Unlike some people who slack off every day, not studying but only playing around, they'll end up with no choice but to work as laborers in the future."

  "It's good that you know, Zhong Wang, you're more sensible than people of your age, and Mom and Dad are at ease."

  The conversation between Tang Liangyuan and his son was obviously meant for Su Lin and her parents to hear. And Su Lin's parents knew that the other party was mocking Su Lin, but they had no choice and still had to pretend to smile and congratulate them: "Your family's Zhong Wang is indeed more promising than our family's Xiao Lin, our Xiao Lin should learn from Zhong Wang."

  As she spoke, Su Mu also pulled Su Lin and said: "Xiao Lin, you and Zhong Wang are both in Municipal No. 1 Middle School, although you're not in the same class, the review materials should be the same, and there's still more than 20 days before the college entrance exam. Zhong Wang's grades are much better than yours, if you don't understand something, ask him when he comes back at night..."

  Su Mu hadn't finished speaking when Tang Zhongwang suddenly interrupted her, saying: "Dad, it's not hot anymore now. I'll go back to my room and study. I don't have any spare time to waste on cats and dogs. If I can study a bit more, maybe I'll get a few more points in the college entrance exam."

  After finishing speaking, Tang Zhongwang got up and was about to return to his own room. However, his words suddenly enraged Su Lin. "Tang Zhongwang, you mocked me, Su Lin, I didn't argue with you, my grades are indeed not as good as yours now, you have the capital to be proud of, but my parents are so humble and low-key, yet you don't give my mom any face at all, and even say what about Ah Mao Ah Gou. Is it tolerable or intolerable? Su Lin suddenly stood up: "Tang Zhongwang, stop right there! Who do you think is Ah Mao Ah Gou..."

  "Who was I talking about? Whoever it is, they have a lot of nerve, their studies aren't going well, but they still have the audacity to speak up. Haha, and their voice is quite loud too, perfect material for a future laborer."

  Tang Zhongwang didn't even turn his head, seemingly too disdainful to argue with Su Lin. He sneered a few times and said, "What's the big deal about having a loud voice? Su Lin, you have the guts to surpass me in tomorrow's mock exam results. But in my opinion, it's probably going to take an eternity."

  "Tang Zhongwang, are you looking for death..."

  Su Lin was already quite angry with his parents, and now being mocked by Tang Zhongwang, he couldn't take it anymore. He immediately stood up and wanted to teach Tang a lesson.

  "Kobayashi, halt!"

  But unexpectedly, Su Lin's father scolded him severely, "Get back to your room and study, what nonsense are you spouting? Your grades can't even compare to others, do you have a leg to stand on?"

  "Dad..."

  Su Lin was most afraid of his own father, and he couldn't not listen to him even if he didn't listen to anyone else. So he had no choice but to forcibly swallow this breath, looking at Tang Zhongwang's complacent appearance, his teeth itched with hatred.

  "Time stands still..."

  In his heart, Su Lin silently muttered to himself, temporarily stopping time. He then swiftly moved forward and kicked Tang Zhongwang's calf with great force before returning to his original position and lifting the time stoppage.

  "Ah..."

  Time restored, Tang Zhongwang suddenly felt that his calf seemed to have been kicked, the intense pain made him stumble and fall to the ground.

  "Zhongwang, what's wrong?"

  Tang Zhongwang's father was anxious and quickly pulled up his own son.

  "I don't know, Dad... it feels like someone kicked my calf... maybe it's a cramp..." Tang Zhongwang looked at Su Lin and felt that he was up to something, but since Su Lin was several steps away from him, all he could do was swallow his anger when he saw Su Lin's gloating expression.

  "This is called evil people will be punished, let you feel triumphant."

  Su Lin didn't forget to show off his eloquence, and with this one kick, he finally felt a little better.

  Just then, Ye Xingzhu's mother, Liang Guizhu, walked out of the house into the courtyard, still holding a school bag in her hand, and said to Su Lin: "Xiao Lin, is this your school bag? How did it end up on our sofa? It seems like you didn't come to our house this afternoon?"

  "Oh no! I forgot my backpack when I slipped out earlier..."