Damn it, I'm surrounded by childhood sweethearts

"Studying, huh, even though I come in first in every exam, I find it pretty useless." At the parent-teacher meeting on Friday, Xu Qingfan was called on stage by Guan Biyue to share his study tips. With his first sentence, Xu Qingfan's Versailles rhetoric had all the parents laughing. "Hahaha..." "Stop laughing, I'm serious. Many of my classmates don't score as well as I do, but I don't think that makes me better than them. For example, my teammates Lin Wanning and Zhang Yiyi, they draw really well, and our class PE officer, Wu Dongsong, joined the school basketball team in first grade. I believe these skills are just as, if not more, important than academic grades!" What Xu Qingfan really wanted to say was, elementary school grades were useless, and the ninth and high school years were the most critical, but saying so as a first grader seemed inappropriate. "We're still just six or seven years old kids; cultivating interests and hobbies, making more friends, that's what childhood should be about. So I'm here to ask all the parents, please don't overly compare scores and grades among children, because I've already told my classmates, if your mom or dad says, look at so-and-so's score compared to yours, your son or daughter will retort, 'So-and-so's parents are company CEOs; you're 30 and still earn so little!'" "Hahahaha~" "Hahaha..." When Xu Qingfan finished speaking, the parents laughed uproariously and silently gave a thumbs up to the child's wit. "That's all, thank you everyone!" Xu Qingfan made a funny face at Guan Biyue, bowed to the audience, and then returned, laughing, to stand beside his mother. "Some mishaps, folks, we initially wanted Xu Qingfan to share his study tips. Who knew he'd be so tight-lipped, but it's not a big problem. We have another top student in our class. Now let's invite Xia Xiaoxiao to share her study tips!" Guan Biyue said with a strained smile. "You're such a rascal!" Lin Jing said, amused, giving him a poke on the head. "Go Xia Xiaoxiao, don't be like my silly son without any seriousness!" Yao Jiping pulled her chair to clear the way for Xia Xiaoxiao. Although this was her spoken reprimand, Yao Jiping felt proud under the other parents' gazes. "No way, I think Xu Qingfan did well; elementary school is indeed the time to unleash character and shouldn't bear so much academic burden!" Zhang Chunxue ruffled Xu Qingfan's hair in support. "Auntie gets it!" Xu Qingfan gave Zhang Chunxue a thumbs up. "Alright, alright, it's not like I'm an old fogey. Let's listen to Xia Xiaoxiao now," Yao Jiping quipped at her son. "Hello everyone, I'm Xia Xiaoxiao. I'm grateful for the chance to share my study tips. Before I start, I want to correct something Teacher Guan said earlier." The parents perked up their ears, curious about what the little girl would say next. "Teacher Guan said Xu Qingfan was tight-lipped, which is why he didn't share his study tips. I have to clear the air; this is a rumor. Xu Qingfan has no study tips at all! He copies my homework and never spends time studying outside class!" Xia Xiaoxiao certainly didn't disappoint and had the parents laughing again as soon as she spoke. "Hahaha, I'm dying from laughter!" "Are kids these days all this funny? Hahaha~" "Hahaha, oh my stomach hurts~" Standing at the doorway, Guan Biyue raised her hand to massage her forehead in despair, thinking, [Dear God, what did I do to deserve teaching these two little comedians?] "Now that that's cleared up, here are my study tips..." Seeing her other prized student truly sharing tips, Guan Biyue let out a long breath and felt her career was secure for now! Of course, Xia Xiaoxiao didn't say all this just to make the parents laugh or to tattle on Xu Qingfan. Actually, it was because Wu Lingyu falling out of the top twenty served as a wake-up call to the little girl. She was worried Xu Qingfan would follow the same path if he continued to slack off. Having grown up together since they were little, Xia Xiaoxiao naturally hoped Xu Qingfan would continue to excel. She also cherished the moments of receiving awards with the mischievous boy, something uniquely theirs that no other child could share! The parent-teacher meeting ended in laughter and cheer. "Qingfan's mom..." "Xiaoxiao's mom..." After the meeting, almost all the parents gathered around to ask Yao Jiping and Lin Jing about their parenting experiences. "Haha~ Honestly, I haven't supervised him much, this child has been mischievous since young..." If Xu Qingfan had no study tips, then Yao Jiping had even less in the way of parenting tips. Her only possible advice could be, "Old Xu, your son..." Then Xu Qingfan would get a good spanking. "Wanning did better in this exam, I haven't thanked you properly. What gift do you want?" Wen Wanqing pulled Xu Qingfan aside and smiled as she asked. "Xu Qingfan, why do you call me auntie but address Lin Wanning's mom as sister, do I look old?" Zhang Chunxue also stepped in to ask. Xu Qingfan: ... [Why did I run my mouth in the first place?] "Not at all, Sister Zhang isn't old!" Xu Qingfan put on a face of pure innocence. "Alright, just kidding. Thanks for tutoring Yiyi, no need for a gift. Your comic is already approved; it's about to be printed." Zhang Chunxue patted Xu Qingfan's head affectionately. "Is it the comic Ningning recently drew at home? Sister Zhang, did you apply for publication? How much did it cost? I'll reimburse you." Because Zhang Yiyi often played at Lin Wanning's house, their parents had known each other for quite a while. "Hahaha, no need. They used their New Year's money to publish it, didn't cost much." Zhang Chunxue laughed and waved it off. "Really, I bet it was you, you little rascal, who came up with the idea!" Wen Wanqing, knowing her daughter had a few thousand saved up, wasn't surprised. Everyone says a daughter should be raised rich; spending her savings on publishing a book had Wen Wanqing's full approval. When Yao Jiping and Lin Jing's chatting session finally ended, they all headed downstairs together. "Why lie! Are you trying to anger me to death!!" "Don't hit the child, let's sit down and talk this through." "Waaah... Why did you pick up bottles!" As they reached the second floor, they heard a woman's voice in a fit of rage. Feeling the voice was familiar, Xu Qingfan walked faster and separated from the group, just in time to see Li Mei Juan collapsed on the floor, crying hysterically. "Mom, I'm sorry, I'll do better next time!" Wu Lingyu cried, trying to pull her mother to her feet. "All of mom's hope is pinned on you... why did you lie to mom... waaah..." Li Mei Juan hugged her daughter tightly and sobbed. Seeing this, Xu Qingfan felt a lump in his throat and wanted to ask what was happening, but a female teacher had already helped Li Mei Juan up and taken her to the office. "What are you looking at?" the others asked Xu Qingfan when they reached him. "Nothing..." Xu Qingfan seemed deep in thought. "Let's go, don't keep your dad waiting." His mom pulled him away. [Lie?] [Picking up bottles?] [I'll have to ask about this at the snack stall tomorrow...]