The printed number [150] at the top of the math score glared back at Liu Changqing. His brows furrowed as he stared at it, deep in thought.
He raised his head to look at the teacher, whose expression was impassive, though her eyes carried a mocking edge.
Liu Changqing felt an uncomfortable tightness in his chest.
“Why are you so sure he cheated?”
“Two weeks ago, your son scored 96 on the math mock exam, and now he has a perfect 150. Do you think that kind of improvent is possible?”
Her voice rose in volu, drawing the attention of parents who had been leaving the classroom. So stopped in their tracks, drawn by the spectacle.
Curiosity is a universal human trait, regardless of age.
Outside the classroom, Lan Yixian, who had been cheerfully chatting with her daughter, noticed Liu Changqing arguing with the teacher. She didn’t know what had happened, but Zhou Shiyan watched quietly, her expression unreadable.
“He wouldn’t cheat,” Liu Changqing said firmly.
“This conclusion was reached collectively by the math departnt. Your words alone won’t change that.”
Unwilling to continue the conversation, the teacher folded the report card and tucked it between her books, attempting to walk past Liu Changqing.
But he stepped in front of her.
The teacher glared at him in confusion.
“What are you doing, parent? What do you want?”
“Wait in your office. I’ll bring my son there shortly,” Liu Changqing said.
“Trying to pull strings? Let tell you, I don’t have the authority to change this!”
Ignoring her sarcasm, Liu Changqing withdrew his hand and re-entered the classroom without a word.
The teacher stood rooted to the spot, her face dark with irritation as she watched him walk away.
Inside the classroom, Liu Zhiyue sat at his desk, his head hung low.
This morning, he had left ho with a cheerful smile. Now, he couldn’t even look up.
Sitting next to him, Zhao Xuanwen glanced at Liu Changqing as he approached, her face filled with concern. She already knew about her desk mate’s situation.
“Uncle…”
“It’s fine. Please step aside for a mont,” Liu Changqing said calmly.
Though she wanted to say more, Zhao Xuanwen held back when she saw the serious look on his face. Quietly, she stood and stepped into the aisle.
Liu Changqing moved closer and looked down at his son, who still wouldn’t lift his head.
Spread across the desk was a report card.
The scores were remarkable—every subject was excellent, including a 141 in English.
Liu Changqing recalled what Zhou Shiyan had said before: his son’s grades had consistently been in the lower-middle range.
He rembered a ti when Liu Zhiyue had bragged at ho that he was “saving his strength,” though Liu Changqing had dismissed it as an excuse back then.
In his mories, Liu Zhiyue had once longed for parental recognition. Up until the fourth grade, he had consistently ranked first in the entire school.
But starting in fourth grade, sothing had changed. Liu Zhiyue beca quieter, prone to sitting in a daze as if lost in thought. His grades began to plumt.
At the ti, Liu Changqing had been too preoccupied with Li Wanran to notice his son’s struggles.
As a father, he had been diocre at best.
Fourteen or fifteen years old—his son shouldn’t have to carry such a heavy burden.
Liu Changqing stood beside him silently, but Liu Zhiyue didn’t move.
After a mont, Liu Changqing gently placed his hand on his son’s head and gave it a reassuring pat.
“It’s alright,” he said softly.
Finally, Liu Zhiyue looked up, his eyes rimd with red.
“I didn’t cheat,” he whispered.
Seeing his son’s expression made Liu Changqing feel a pang of discomfort.
After a brief pause, he smiled.
“Of course you didn’t. My son doesn’t need underhanded tricks. You did it with your own ability.”
“Dad…”
“Stand up. Bring your report card, scratch paper, and pen.”
“I didn’t bring any today…” Liu Zhiyue mumbled.
Hearing their conversation, Zhao Xuanwen quickly chid in, “I have mine! I bring them every day!”
Before anyone could stop her, she rummaged through her desk and pulled out a pink notebook with white edges and a black 0.5mm pen.
“Here, Uncle!” she said, her face full of determination as she handed them over.
“Thanks,” Liu Changqing said with a smile, taking the items.
He then gently took his son’s arm and led him out of the classroom.
Just as they exited, Liu Changqing nearly bumped into Lan Yixian and Zhou Shiyan, who were still outside.
He paused briefly, nodded in acknowledgnt, and started to walk past them.
“He didn’t cheat,” Zhou Shiyan said suddenly, stopping him in his tracks for a mont.
“Of course not. Liu Zhiyue is my son,” Liu Changqing replied without looking back, continuing toward the office.
Zhou Shiyan watched the father and son until they turned a corner. Her expression suggested she had more to say but held it back.
Lan Yixian murmured, almost to herself, “That was kind of impressive…”
“What?” Zhou Shiyan asked, startled.
Realizing she had spoken aloud, Lan Yixian quickly grabbed her daughter’s arm and changed the subject.
“Let’s go have a nice al to celebrate your placent in the Rocket Class!”
At the office door, Liu Changqing paused.
He had been here before, so it didn’t take long to find the right place.
Just as he raised his hand to knock, the door opened.
The teacher, bag slung over her shoulder, was clearly startled to see him.
“You scared !” she exclaid, stepping back instinctively.
“What are you doing?” Liu Changqing asked.
“Going ho, obviously. What else?” she replied irritably.
As she tried to leave, Liu Changqing stepped into her path.
“Wait a mont.”
“What now? I already told you—I can’t change the outco!”
“Change the outco?” Liu Changqing’s gaze sharpened.
“Don’t joke with . My son didn’t cheat.”
“I understand you’re protective, but the evidence—”
“Evidence? Was anyone else in the exam room scoring the sa as him? Did any proctors catch him cheating on the spot?”
“Well… no…”
“Then how can you claim he cheated?”
Raising his voice slightly, Liu Changqing stepped closer to the teacher, who instinctively backed into the office.
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