Chapter 147 — Morning Exercises

Looking up, Li Yuchen saw a trio of unfamiliar faces. The one who seemed to have just spoken was still standing in front of the others.

Looking at their grey shirts and striped shirts, Li Yuchen gave a smirk of his own. They were all first year students, so why was this boy so arrogant?

Ignoring them, he looked at Han Yichen, who had not said anything or shown any reaction since. "Do you know them?"

Han Yichen gave a slight nod. He recognized the other boy as the one that made a gaffe during the exam.

Li Yuchen could see that the other party was openly hostile, so he didn't want to act friendly. "Let's not waste time here. We still have a lot to see."

He made an attempt to move, but the boy took a step to block him. The other two just stood aside, watching.

"Do you know who I am?" The boy asked, while Li Yuchen raised a brow, looking exactly like a miniature Li Chuanmo. On his face was plainly written, "who cares?"

But the boy wasn't paying attention. He continued talking proudly, "My name is Jiu Renxin from the Capital, and you are?"

"...Not interested in knowing you. Adios!" Li Yuchen said merrily as he took a step forward, startling Jiu Renxin to move away. He then walked off.

Han Yichen suppressed the smile that was threatening to burst out as he followed, leaving Jiu Renxin to fume in anger.

Tian Jue directly laughed out loud. "Those boys are so cool. It seems studying in City M will not be boring after all."

He ignored the glare Jiu Renxin was giving him and walked back to Giant Qilin Courtyard, still grinning. Liu Shou took one last look in the direction of Han Yichen before leaving as well.

*****

Anping First Middle School was located in a serene part of City M. As such, though the city centre had been alive and bustling since the break of dawn, the school environment was shrouded in calm and quiet.

Until a loud noise blared from the loud speakers scattered around the nooks and crannies of the school.

"Students, the pride of our Anping. You are the leaders of tomorrow. Now is the time to train good habits. You also need strength and endurance —"

On and on, that harsh voice continued.

Li Yuchen groaned and turned, using his pillow to cover his eyes. He even mumbled, "Uncle Butler, what happened to your voice?"

Han Yichen woke up immediately the announcements began. After orienting himself, he got up and changed into a set of sportswear. He then went to tap Li Yuchen.

"Wake up, it's time for the morning exercise."

Li Yuchen groaned and grumbled, but he eventually got up. "What time is it?"

"5:30am."

"What?!" Despite the increasing sounds that could be heard as the students rose to prepare, Li Yuchen's shout was still very loud. "How are we supposed to survive waking up so early?"

Han Yichen's reply was, "Did you read the school brochure?"

Li Yuchen said dismissively as he yawned, "Who reads those things these days?"

Han Yichen moved to the door as he replied, "People who do not want to be punished for not knowing rules."

"What are you talking about? Wait, wait for me!" Li Yuchen shouted when he saw that Han Yichen was almost outside. Fast as lightning, he wore his sportswear and joined him.

Both of them were just in time. Just after they arrived at the large field, those who came afterwards were arranged to do a hundred frog jumps and one round of running around the field.

Li Yuchen thanked his lucky stars. He was not ready for this kind of hard life at all.

Still, the exercises left him panting and rethinking his decision to stay in the dormitory. From squats to running to body strengthening exercises, all Li Yuchen could say was, "This is inhuman treatment!"

Fortunately, he had been exercising with his father, so he had more stamina. Han Yichen was holding his own as well, though his face had turned red from the effort he was exerting, and he was sweating profusely.

The students were divided into three groups according to their years and courtyards. Today, Giant Qilin and Peach Blossom Courtyards exercised together.

By the end of the one-hour exercise, only a few boys including Han Yichen and Li Yuchen were left standing. Others had collapsed on the floor, pretending to be dead.

The girls were not much better. Of the first years, only two girls were still actively using their hands to support their knees. A few girls were even crying mournfully, as if they would just prefer to die there and then.

At the shout of "Breakfast in twenty minutes!" however, everyone scrambled up and ran to go get dressed. In the midst of almost two hundred people running towards one direction, one lone boy walking at an unhurried pace was an interesting sight.

When Li Yuchen saw that Han Yichen wasn't running, he too slowed down. Anyway, he could always eat in his room. The food might not even be worth running for.

Cut to the dining hall where Li Yuchen loaded his plate with a little bit of everything on the menu. After taking the first bite, he immediately stood up and went to pile more food on his plate.

At the look on Han Yichen's face, he righteously said, "My taste buds are pretty honest."

Han Yichen nodded, getting up with a straight face to go and take more food. It was Li Yuchen's turn to give him a look.

He said expressionlessly, "I don't want to waste food and tuition fees."

Li Yuchen laughed, "What waste? It's all scholarship money anyway, it's not like you're using your parent's money!"

Anping First Middle School placed significant emphasis on nutrition. Due to this, meals were always buffet-style, cooked to perfection, as well as delicious and visually appealing.

Everyone ate huge portions, enjoying the food and forgetting the bitterness of the morning exercises.

After breakfast, the students trooped to class. The horns of cars could also be heard, signalling the arrival of day students.

For first year students, the classes were assigned according to the results of the school-leaving exam. After a month, they would be evaluated and the classes changed.

Classes at Anping First Middle School were not assigned solely due to rankings, but by a complex assessment of the students capabilities and interests. The Elite class was even more so.

Popularly called the best of the best, it was a class for all-rounders. It was usually for students who were on scholarships, as well as those who showed exceptional talent in arts and sports.

For now, Li Yuchen and Han Yichen were assigned to Class One Elite. As for how Li Yuchen got in, since his results were only passable and Li Chuanmo wasn't about to use his connections here, Li Yuchen thought for a while and decided to send a sample of his coding to Principal Shen. Elated, Principal Shen promised him a seat immediately.

He had found another good seedling!