The dormitory building only had a single lock, which could be opened from the inside. This was tacitly allowed by the school to make it easier for early-rising students to get to class.
Xu Ming headed straight for the teaching building. It was quiet all around, with no one in sight.
The sky was still pitch black.
"I must be the first one in the whole school to wake up, right?" he muttered excitedly under his breath.
He was already eager to start studying.
He quickly reached the classroom door and found it still locked.
"Chen Lu doesn't come that early either," he grumbled, frowning. He reached into his jacket pocket, pulled out a rolled-up English notebook, and murmured, "Luckily, I prepared a little in advance."
These were words he had previously copied, along with various grammar rules.
He had specifically brought it with him, intending to read it while using the restroom or waiting in line for food.
Now, it came in handy.
He used the light from the corridor ceiling to memorize on the spot.
"Match."
...
【After diligent study, your 【English】 level has improved, gaining 2 experience points.】
Not long after.
Xu Ming finally heard urgent footsteps behind him.
He put down his English notebook and turned to look, only to see Chen Lu running quickly, her face full of apology.
"Sorry, I'm late."
Chen Lu was the first to enter the classroom every day and was responsible for opening the door. It had become a habit over time, so she wouldn't easily give the key to others. Today, she still left the girls' dormitory building when the bell rang, but from a distance, she saw someone standing at the classroom door.
After confirming it was Xu Ming, although surprised, she didn't forget to quickly unlock the door.
Panting, she approached, pulled out the key, and just as she inserted it into the lock, Xu Ming's calm reply came from beside her.
"It's okay, I only just started memorizing words about twenty minutes ago."
Her expression immediately froze.
Had he been standing outside for that long?
Yesterday, she hadn't taken Xu Ming's words seriously, thinking it was impossible for him to arrive earlier than her. She never expected him to have woken up at five o'clock. A slight feeling of guilt arose in her heart.
However, this kind of situation is mostly a sudden burst of enthusiasm.
When one is in the zone, let alone waking up at five, even staying up all night wouldn't feel tiring.
But it's hard to maintain.
Xu Ming didn't pay attention to what Chen Lu was thinking. He walked directly into the classroom and sat down at his seat.
He continued to recite words and grammar.
Memory is good during morning self-study, making it perfect for reviewing subjects like Chinese and English.
Later, other classmates also arrived one after another, making the sound of reading in the class deafening.
As for Qian Hong, he only managed to rush into the classroom just as Li Wenhui took out his small notebook, ready to mark latecomers.
As soon as his butt hit the chair, he looked at Xu Ming.
"Why didn't you call me today? When I opened my eyes, the dorm was empty," he asked in a low, complaining tone.
Xu Ming said indifferently, "I woke up at five."
Upon hearing the time, Qian Hong's words instantly got stuck in his throat, and he instinctively gave two thumbs up.
"Awesome."
After expressing his emotions with two words, he sighed, "Then don't call me anymore."
---
The English teachers at Dongping No. 1 High School were mostly young and fashionable female teachers.
Han Xiaolan wore a black trench coat today, paired with a wavy bob that reached her neck, giving her a rather elegant look. Since it was her own morning self-study, she came to the class and walked around twice.
As she passed Xu Ming, she couldn't help but glance at him a few more times.
She felt relieved.
She could tell that Xu Ming was indeed very focused and serious, completely different from his usual state during morning self-study.
This was a good thing for a third-year high school student.
In contrast, Qian Hong, who was next to him, was also holding a textbook and memorizing words, but he was clearly not studying with his heart.
Xu Ming was immersed in his own rhythm throughout the entire self-study session, not even noticing the English teacher entering the classroom. By the time class ended, his English experience points had increased by another 4 points.
He still had breakfast with Qian Hong, specifically adding two poached eggs.
In the last few months, the intensity of studying would be very high, and at such a time, one's body must not have problems.
Especially when it comes to food, it must be well-guaranteed.
Currently, he was focused on reviewing, and with Zhang Yingxin no longer being a stumbling block, his living expenses were more than enough.
Returning to the classroom, Xu Ming continued his review mode, taking out his second-year math textbook (first volume) to look at the knowledge points. Only a few minutes passed when the class monitor, Li Wenhui, walked in from outside and suddenly shouted loudly towards the back.
"Xu Ming, a girl is looking for you outside." He feigned impatience, masking the slight hint of jealousy that showed through.
Xu Ming frowned slightly and said, "Looking for me?"
He placed his math book face down on the desk and got up to walk towards the classroom door.
Upon seeing the person, his brows immediately furrowed.
Zhang Yingxin stood alone in the corridor, her hair down. Although her face wasn't outstanding among the school girls, she possessed a mature figure that made it impossible to see her toes when she looked down.
Seeing Xu Ming come out of the classroom, she quickly stepped forward and was the first to speak, asking in a concerned tone.
"Why haven't I seen you these past two meals? Is something wrong?"
"I'm fine." Xu Ming's expression was cold.
He didn't want any involvement with her now, so he chose to be direct: "The college entrance exam is coming soon, and I want to focus on my studies. I don't want anyone to affect my progress, so let's not meet again in the future." As he spoke these words, his gaze was as firm as a soldier's.
Zhang Yingxin clearly hadn't expected Xu Ming to do this, which immediately made her feel a sense of unfamiliarity.
She stood stunned for a few seconds, then, as if realizing something, put on a pained expression.
"Xu Ming, don't force me, okay? I want to wait until college to date."
It was as if she were the biggest victim.
Seeing this, Xu Ming almost laughed in anger. It turned out she thought he was using this method to force a relationship.
Truly narcissistic to the extreme.
Without a moment's delay, he directly raised his hand and retorted:
"Please don't."
"When I get to college, I only want to study. You should find someone else, a free meal ticket who will help you get food and buy groceries every day."
The moment his words fell, he immediately turned and went back to class, without any hesitation.
Struck by these sharp words, Zhang Yingxin only felt wronged.
As her mind went blank, she saw Xu Ming stop again, and a glimmer of hope suddenly surged in her eyes.
"You..."
But just as she uttered one word, Xu Ming interrupted her.
"Oh, and please return the twenty yuan I lent you last week as soon as possible. I need it."
She was as if struck by lightning.
Xu Ming brought up the money matter in passing, and only then did he feel satisfied, striding into the classroom.
As for what Zhang Yingxin thought, it had nothing to do with him.
The classroom glass was not soundproof, and the windows were open, so it was hard for the classmates not to hear the conversation. Upon seeing Xu Ming enter, many eyes simultaneously looked up.
Xu Ming automatically ignored them, not taking it to heart at all. However, Li Wenhui's inexplicable lecture made him frown.
"How can you talk to a girl like that? Men should be more generous."
"None of your business." This time, he didn't give the other person any face, uttering four loud words.
Li Wenhui felt a lump in his throat. He wanted to retort but couldn't find the right words, and his entire face quickly turned red with hold back.
