Study Monster Cultivation System
Chapter 217 - 216 Agreement

For most people, the time from the end of final exams to the announcement of rankings every term is shrouded in mystery.

Instinctively, they want to have a blast.

But rationally, they are filled with trepidation.

The two emotions intertwine, making up this complex weekend.

Of course, it’s not to say that everyone experiences these two feelings at the same time.

For example, Liu Xin feels no apprehension at all; he simply immerses himself in play, engaging in every possible pastime.

Pure indulgence, satisfied only with his fill.

This is actually a strong ability, maximizing happiness.

In contrast, Xu Mengxi was filled with trepidation.

Even on Friday night, when her mother dragged her to sit on the couch and turned on a variety show that didn’t require any thought, she was still anxious.

Xu Mengxi knew her mother wanted her to clear her mind and take a rest.

Thus, she had to pretend to enjoy it, faking a laugh whenever her mother did.

This, in turn, was more exhausting.

After about twenty minutes, Mother Xu also sensed her fatigue and simply sighed, turning down the TV volume: "Never mind, actually, I don’t like watching it either."

"Haha." Xu Mengxi finally laughed, genuinely this time, "We were just deceiving each other."

"Isn’t it because I feel sorry for you?" Mother Xu said shaking her head with a wry smile. "I know what you’re feeling like now, even though you’re tired and exhausted, you want to stop and rest but your thoughts just can’t stop. Within seconds, minutes, you start thinking about exams again. During the time we watched TV, you’ve checked the class group multiple times."

"Haha, completely seen through," Xu Mengxi rubbed her head. "The main thing is, for the overall grade, I’ve given up the chemistry competition I liked, and I even asked a friend who was really busy to spend a lot of effort tutoring me... If like this... I haven’t improved... It would really, really be too..."

Xu Mengxi’s mumbles got quieter and quieter, but she just couldn’t bring herself to say that word.

"Really what?" Mother Xu knocked her daughter on the head, "You’ve worked as hard as you can. You’ll go wherever you’re meant to go. I’ve asked, your current scores are basically enough for First Medical’s dental medicine. Wanting to improve is of course good, but we can’t be boundless."

"Um..." Xu Mengxi looked up, wanting to say something, but didn’t. "I should go to sleep early, it’ll be fine after I fall asleep."

"Let’s talk a bit more." Mother Xu pulled on Xu Mengxi, raising her eyebrows, "This person who is really busy and tutored you, who is it?"

"It’s... It’s Qiao Bixia."

"Isn’t her score lower than yours?"

"She’s better in biology..."

"You need tutoring for biology? Don’t pretend your mother has never taken the college entrance exam."

"Ah, shower and sleep, shower and sleep."

...

This kind of anxiety wasn’t unique to Xu Mengxi either.

That same night, at 8:10 PM, in a small park near No. 1 Middle School in the city, a boy and girl in school uniforms had been strolling for over an hour, skipping dinner.

In the cool moonlight, Jiang Qinghua’s worried expression was exceptionally attractive.

"I really need to go home..." Du Shitong said hesitantly, barely looking up, "Otherwise, let’s meet during the day over the weekend, I can say I’m going to the library to study with classmates."

"It’s okay," Jiang Qinghua said indifferently, "You should rest well over the weekend, I won’t disturb you."

"How is that disturbing? Aren’t we studying together?"

"But," Jiang Qinghua swallowed, making a painful decision and gradually clenching his fist, "This so-called studying, is it a waste of your time? I might be, someone who can’t even make it into the top 500 in the district..."

"???" Du Shitong stopped in her tracks, staring at Jiang Qinghua in shock, "What’s gotten into you? I can’t make it into the top 500 either."

"It’s different, Western Market and Haidian can’t be compared..."

Jiang Qinghua also stopped walking but didn’t dare to turn back, instead just said word by word with his back to her.

"Shi Tong... I really like you..."

"Being with you, whether studying or practicing piano, whether eating or walking, even just daydreaming... I’m very happy..."

"But... The more I like you… the more afraid I get..."

"Afraid that one day I won’t be good enough for you..."

"Now, we’re still in high school, it doesn’t show..."

"In the future, if you go to a 985 university and I can’t even get into a 211 institution..."

"Under such a huge gap..."

"You will drift farther and farther away..."

"So far that no matter what I do, I can’t catch up..."

With that, Jiang Qinghua forcefully wiped his eyes, choking up as he spoke.

"I’m scared... I’m terrified..."

"I’m afraid I’ll fall in too deep and won’t be able to get out."

"I’m afraid to watch your figure get further and further away... And then you tell me..."

"No need to chase."

Du Shitong watched Jiang Qinghua’s cool silhouette, her eyes inexplicably moistening.

It wasn’t out of being moved, but rather being stirred.

She couldn’t hold back anymore, stepping forward and grabbing Jiang Qinghua’s hand: "What are you thinking about? None of these things have anything to do with us, as long as we both try our best, who cares about the outcome? Besides... getting into what kind of university doesn’t entirely represent future success. You work so hard and are such a kind person, you’ll do fine no matter what job you have in the future."

"Thank you... Shi Tong... Thank you." Jiang Qinghua gripped Du Shitong’s hands tightly, knowing that it was the only warmth in the cold night, something to be cherished

Yet he feared getting too close might result in being burned.

If Jiang Qinghua was feeling a mixture of fear and elation at this moment,

then Du Shitong was a combination of anxious and irritated.

"Thank you for what? These are all true words," Du Shitong wished she could press Jiang Qinghua’s hand to her heart, "If I cared about those things, why would I have fallen for you in the first place?"

"That’s why... I thank you, and thank you for your appreciation," Jiang Qinghua replied.

Jiang Qinghua couldn’t bear to look at Du Shitong.

His heart warmed, and softened.

But it wouldn’t do.

This time it simply wouldn’t do.

He knew what he was doing.

A little bit harsher.

Just this once.

It had to be a little bit harsher.

Jiang Qinghua gently lifted his hand, cradling Du Shitong’s face, choking up gradually.

"I believe you, completely believe you, what you’re saying now is your true thoughts at the moment," he said.

"But, Shitong, people grow, and ideas change."

"If one day in the future, we are too far apart..."

"You will be so distant that no matter how hard I try, I won’t be able to see you clearly."

"And I will become so insignificant that no matter how you look back, you won’t be able to find me."

"What awaits us then will be only heartache and regret, along with a youth that can never be relived."

"I know this feeling; I can bear it," he continued.

"But I don’t want you to bear it too."

"I don’t want you to waste the best years of your life on a man who’s accomplished nothing."

"So... Shitong," he said.

Jiang Qinghua gritted his teeth, let go of her face, and stiffly turned his head away.

"We..."

"Let’s meet at a 985 university."

"I will focus solely, regardless of the storm or stress."

"But if I fail to keep this appointment," he added,

"Please... don’t wait."

Du Shitong could no longer hold back, pounding Jiang Qinghua’s chest fiercely: "Are you an idiot???"

With tear-stained eyes, Jiang Qinghua simply stared at the bright moon, unshaken.

As Du Shitong kept hitting, she eventually couldn’t bring herself to continue.

"How can there be someone as good as you, you idiot!" she exclaimed.

"It’s the first time I’ve ever fallen for someone..."

She sobbed, leaning on Jiang Qinghua’s shoulder, as she spoke.

"Can’t you be a little bad..."

"A little more selfish..."

"Just thinking... anyway, being with this girl isn’t a loss..."

"Having precious memories isn’t too bad..."

"Isn’t that okay?"

"It’s not okay anymore." Jiang Qinghua still stood immovable, "I’m sorry, Shitong, it’s too late, I’ve already fallen so deep that I can’t possibly think like that."

After a long bout of crying and silence, Du Shitong finally wiped her eyes.

And released her hold.

She stepped back, sighing quietly,

"I understand."

"I promise you," she said.

"But I only agree to the place," she added,

"Not the time."

"Just as you’ve unilaterally decided on this agreement,"

"I too unilaterally refuse to acknowledge the time."

"Many things may happen in the future, but at least until I’m 28, I’m confident in that promise."

"If you make it into a 985 university with your college exams, I’ll be there," she affirmed.

"If you retake the year and make it, I’m there."

"If you get into graduate school, I’m there," she continued.

"Even if none of those come to pass, as long as you come find me,"

"No matter what status, what profession," she concluded.

"I’m here."

"..." Clenching her fist, Jiang Qinghua said unwillingly, "28 is too long... How about 25..."

"Are you still haggling? You’re not thinking of breaking up and just looking for an excuse, are you!"

"No, no, no... Not at all... It’s just that I’m afraid of not being good enough for you, holding you back..."

"Then no more haggling," Du Shitong turned around, huffily saying, "Last thing, walk me home!"

"Of course, I will walk you home. That’s a must-do," Jiang Qinghua finally laughed, "For that, I even tied a sponge to the back seat of the bicycle."

"..."

...

Unlike the people with complicated emotions mentioned above.

Even on this Friday, at this time.

Zhang Xiaoke was still studying.

All because she hadn’t finished the last two portions of the ’secret manuals’ her master had given her.

Mother Ke stood at the door, peering at her daughter tirelessly working her pen.

Feeling a bit worried.

Ever since her daughter transferred schools, her room had changed.

The things typical of a young girl’s room were becoming less and less.

Stationery and tutorial books were becoming more and more.

Even the Magical Girl poster on the wall, who knew when, had turned into a scenic view of Yiming Lake.

Many parents would probably be relieved to have their children like this.

But to Mother Ke, her child’s sudden change seems explainable only as obsession or possession...

At Ren Da Fu, where the scholarly atmosphere was intense, Zhang Xiaoke would slack off whenever she could.

Yet, after transferring to Lake Ying, a school known for its laxity, she suddenly started studying like mad.

She even studied on the day the final exams ended.

Is this really my Xiaoke? Has she been possessed by a transmigrator?

With such worries, Mother Ke went up to the attic alone, found a corner with good signal, and called Tang Zhifei, telling him all her concerns.

Tang Zhifei, after all, was a professional educator and immediately provided an explanation.

"This is normal; don’t worry."

"The change in attitude now mainly comes from issues of motivation."

"Previously at Ren Da Fu, Xiaoke always ended up at the bottom despite her efforts, which really hits motivation hard, not just for children, but for us adults too—it’s hard to persist when you don’t see results after trying."

"Now at Lake Ying, she’s started at the top and with a little effort, her ranking improves, which will definitely make her more motivated."

"Besides, Xiaoke is naturally smart; she just didn’t catch the pace when she first entered Ren Da Fu."

"Rest assured, Xiaoke is doing just fine at school, very lively, even organizing class activities. You saw their performance, right? Xiaoke planned the whole thing..."

After hanging up the phone, Mother Ke’s mood didn’t improve much.

Tang Zhifei’s rationale seemed logical at first, but it didn’t quite fit with Zhang Xiaoke’s situation.

In truth, Zhang Xiaoke was excited about being the top student at Lake Ying for only two or three days.

She didn’t value the improvement in school rankings that much, often saying that such progress was negligible and she was still far from her goal.

Who knows what she was thinking in her head, to have set T2 as her college entrance exam goal after going to Lake Ying...

Teacher Tang’s explanation was just the most superficial; there had to be some deeper reason...

After pondering for a long time, Mother Ke couldn’t help but send a message to that man.

[Mother Ke: At times like this, Zhang Xiaoke is still studying...]

Soon, the man replied.

[Father Zheng: That’s nothing, Li Zheng has just started studying.]

[Mother Ke: Xiaoke couldn’t have been influenced by Li Zheng, right? 😂]

[Father Zheng: This... If it’s a good habit, it shouldn’t be called influence; isn’t it better to say inspiration?]

[Mother Ke: 😂 Sorry, it’s good for children to love studying, but I just feel a little worried; maybe because the change is too abrupt.]

[Father Zheng: Hey, what’s there to worry about? Has Xiaoke ever studied for over 18 hours straight?]

[Mother Ke: No...]

[Father Zheng: Ever spent 54 days in a row during summer vacation without leaving the house, studying every day?]

[Mother Ke: No...]

[Father Zheng: Ever gone on a vacation to an island with the family and ended up practicing English with foreigners for 16 hours a day?]

[Mother Ke: I get it... You have it tough too...]

[Father Zheng: No, you don’t understand; I’m not finished yet, there’s...]

Unknowingly, the roles had switched, with Father Zheng becoming the one pouring his heart out, and Mother Ke the one offering comfort.

Indeed... If you’re feeling troubled.

Finding someone more troubled than you to hear about their woes is the right move!

...

As for Li Zheng.

He had indeed just started studying.

But he finished in just over 40 minutes.

He stretched and looked at the wall clock, it wasn’t even half past nine.

Was he really supposed to go to bed this early?

In this day and age, not to mention high school students, even elementary school students wouldn’t go to bed this early...

"Sigh..." Li Zheng heaved a sigh.

Emptiness.

After finishing his studies, all that was left for him was emptiness.

Thinking at an accelerated pace was indeed wonderful.

But it also left him with a lot of free time.

The key point was, he couldn’t study during this time.

The greatest suffering in life.

Is not wanting to study, yet being forced to for the sake of survival.

But no, that was only the second greatest suffering.

The real suffering was an intense desire to study, yet being unable to do so.

This unending void could probably only be understood by Li Zheng alone.

That’s why he hated weekends.

At school, he could be with his classmates and use various relaxing methods to fill the void.

But on weekends... he had to face it alone.

However, there was something even more terrifying than weekends—

That was the winter and summer vacations!

Especially now, with the winter vacation looming.

Imagine, a whole month... where he could study just a little over an hour every day...

Minus eating and sleeping, that left a full 14 hours of pure void.

Not just any emptiness, but absolute emptiness.

Even while taking a shit, he couldn’t even think about a math formula.

Thinking of the upcoming winter vacation, Li Zheng had already started to shiver slightly.

It was fear, he was experiencing an unprecedented fear.

And when one is afraid for too long, they start to despair.

In the midst of despair, one becomes unrealistic.

Li Zheng had already started being unrealistic, suddenly glancing at the top-left drawer of his desk.

Imagining that the drawer would suddenly open, and out would pop a Doraemon who would pull out a piece of future technology that could permanently delete the concept of winter and summer vacations.

This fantasy, in turn, became a sort of daydream.

Imagine a world without winter and summer vacations.

Students, all year round.

Would be studying.

What a wonderful world that would be...

Wait, no.

If such technology existed, they might as well delete the weekends too.

Fantasy is beautiful, but people will ultimately return to reality.

Li Zheng lay in bed, and without realizing it, he fell into this boundless void once more.

He sighed just like a little school kid.

How nice it would be to have a Doraemon...

To satisfy all sorts of unrealistic wishes.

Unrealistic wishes...

Wait a second!

In the midst of the night.

His eyes suddenly bulged.

The King’s Game!

The rest must satisfy any command of the king.

Brilliant!

All he had to do was command everyone to come to school every day during the winter break to study together, right?

"Hahaha!"

Li Zheng laughed out loud three times, instantly dispelling the gloom.

Hurry up, Monday, hurry.

Your king is about to ascend to the throne!

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