SPDO Chapter 20

The night wind blew in through the screen window, and the papers on the table rustled. The two people at the table had serious faces.

“Why is A wrong?” Qin Cheng frowned.

“The five-carbon sugar in the DNA molecule is deoxyribose¹脱氧核糖 (tuō yǎng hé táng): Deoxyribose, or more precisely 2-deoxyribose, is a monosaccharide with idealized formula H−(C=O)−(CH2)−(CHOH)3−H. Its name indicates that it is a deoxy sugar, meaning that it is derived from the sugar ribose by loss of a hydroxy group. Discovered in 1929 by Phoebus Levene, deoxyribose is most notable for its presence in DNA.,” Jian Heng wrote the four words ‘deoxyribose’ after option A, “I asked you to memorize it yesterday. Did you forget it?”

“Too sleepy.” Qin Cheng sighed.

The susceptible period ended on the night when Jian Heng live-streamed for him. Afraid his mother would find out, Qin Cheng acted out the whole play. From that day till now, he has been living in Jian Heng’s house to study.

Every day, he listened to the class seriously at school and went home to live-stream to make up for the lessons. It was incredibly inspiring.

What surprised Qin Cheng the most was that the fans in the live streaming room who howled; ‘Dan Jian, snipe my heart’ every day. They actually preferred watching Jian Heng tutor him more than playing games?

The quality of these fans absolutely dominates the platform.

“Tomorrow is the exam,” Jian Heng finished the last question. He pointed at the summary of the classical Chinese text with his index finger, and said as he stood up, “Read through it once and then go to sleep.”

“Chirp,” Qin Cheng felt a headache coming on just looking at this stuff, “Your Majesty, take care.”

The bullet screen comments instantly scrolled by rapidly, one luxurious large truck after another speeding along the outer ring.

Qin Cheng glanced over and indifferently opened the classical Chinese text to start reading.

Qin Cheng was already immune to these lewd remarks. Sometimes he even able to keep up with the brain circuit and drag Jian Heng to make a couple of harmless jokes——straight guys have the most fun~ come on, let’s have some fun~

–

The examination rooms for the monthly exams in the Fifth High School were divided according to the final grades of the previous semester. Qin Cheng walked skillfully to the last seat in the last examination room.

“Qin-ge, Qin-ge,” said Zhou Ming, the little fat man in their class, who was sitting in front of him. His eyes squinted into slits with a smile, “I have memorized the classical Chinese this time. I’ll pass you the answers!”

Qin Cheng pulled out a chair and sat down. He calmly took out a thermos cup and took a sip of some plain water.

Zhou Ming’s face was dazed for a few seconds.

Qin Cheng also wanted to laugh a bit. He raised the black thermos cup given by someone, and said solemnly: “Don’t do those unreliable tricks. Today, Qin-ge has a glass of water, a pen, an eraser, and a miracle.”

Zhou Ming was shocked, opening his mouth but unable to speak.

Qin-ge is Qin-ge. he never writes anything and never copies anything.

The first exam is math. He went to bed early last night and was full of energy today. Qin Cheng calculated while recalling the key points that Jian Heng talked about.

The first six multiple-choice questions went smoothly. Qin Cheng tried his best to fill in the last few questions by guessing and calculating. The last two questions went to the fucking ancestral algorithm.

It’s not that he gave up on himself. Jian Heng’s original words: “One week of intensive study period. Don’t look at the basin while holding the bowl²端着碗看盆 (duān zhe wǎn kàn pén): T/N: Most likely from the idiom; 吃著碗裡，看著鍋裡 (chī zhe wǎn lǐ , kàn zhe guō lǐ), lit. eyeing what’s in the pot as one eats from one’s bowl (idiom); not content with what one already has; (of men, typically) to have the wandering eye..”

It was enough for him to understand what was in the bowl.

In the last examination room, just half an hour later, people began to hand in their papers one after another. Qin Cheng sat firmly.

Another half an hour later, only Qin Cheng and the little fat man at the desk in front of him were left in the classroom.

The invigilator was planning to call it a day early, but he didn’t expect that there were still two students who insisted on writing the exam. He walked over to the side to watch out of curiosity.

The little fat man looked at the blank part of the big question with a sad face. He couldn’t write a single word but still refused to hand in the paper. It’s unknown what belief supported him.
He recognizes the one in the back, Qin Cheng, the famous good-tempered troublemaker in Fifth High School.

To be honest, he kinda appreciated this kid. He was very mature and had none of the problems of his peers. He never had conflicts with teachers because of face, loyalty, or impulse.

It’s just that the results have not been able to improve. Every time he supervised this examination room, he would be the first to hand in his paper.

This time is different.

Qin Cheng also left many blanks on his test paper, but the scrap paper was filled with calculations. At this moment, he was slightly frowning as he once again took on the challenge of the third major question. The handwriting was very neat, which was totally inconsistent with his status as a school slag.

Qin Cheng wasn’t incapable of writing well; he was just too lazy to do so. He was used to writing in a vivid and vigorous flourishes style, exuding a sense of arrogance in everything he wrote.

One time, he casually wrote ‘Jian Heng’ neatly, which was discovered by the original owner, who threatened him with three days of vegetarian dishes. From then on, Qin Cheng made up his mind to be a better person and write better.

The invigilator nodded with satisfaction, not wanting to disturb the two students, he turned around and returned to the podium.

In the end, Qin Cheng didn’t finish the third question. He handed in the paper at the last second and received a positive smile from the invigilator. Qin Cheng smiled back.

It was so fucking tiring, more tiring than two hours of live streaming.

During the break between classes, Qin Cheng took out his mobile phone and sent a message to Jian Heng.

The second exam is biology. Compared to math, physics, chemistry, and physics, which require brainpower, Qin Cheng is more annoyed with this kind of rote memorization. He tried his best to search through the inventory in his head, fill in what he could, and then handed in the paper.

There is no way around it. What he can’t remember is what he didn’t memorize. Unless Jian Heng possesses him, it’s useless to waste time.

Jian Heng was in the first examination room. He handed in his paper early as usual. When he went to the toilet to smoke, his phone vibrated. There were two unread messages.

The first one was from an hour ago.

Qin Cheng: Isn’t the third big question in mathematics poisonous?

The second one is just now.

Qin Cheng: All biology questions are poisonous.

The corner of Jian Heng’s lips curled up. He holds a cigarette in one hand and replying with the other.

Jian Heng: It’s not poisonous. It can’t kill anyone.

Qin Cheng replied very quickly.

Qin Cheng: You handed it in so early?

Jian Heng took a puff of the cigarette and was in an inexplicably good mood.

Jian Heng: Um. Eat?

There is no movement over there. Two minutes later, footsteps came from the toilet door, and Qin Cheng walked in with a frown.

“Handed it in so early?” Jian Heng took out his cigarette case and threw it over.

Qin Cheng caught it, pulled out a cigarette, and lit it. He held it in his hand without smoking, furrowing his brow and asking: “I’m already drunk. Just that book, can’t they figure it out themselves? Do they have to ask me for help?”

Qin Cheng took a deep drag, paused, and couldn’t help but continue: “Also, nine extracurricular books divided among the three little friends. Four books for A, three books for B, and two books for C. I’ll give one punch to each child. Divide barren thing!”

The more he spoke, the angrier he got. He wrote calmly at the time, but afterward, the pent-up frustration was truly unbearable. When he looked up, Jian Heng was actually laughing!

“Damn it! What are you laughing at?” Qin Cheng glared at him for two seconds. He didn’t know what was wrong with him, but he couldn’t help but laugh. He tried to tighten his face but couldn’t hold it together. He laughed and cursed: “Fuck… I’m really convinced.”

Jian Heng walked up next to him and leaned against the wall together to smoke. He tilted his head and asked, “What about the other questions?”

“I wrote the first two questions of the major problem, but only started the last one in parentheses,” Qin Cheng said, “I’m not sure if it’s correct.”

“ACACD,” Jian Heng said, “BBDAC, AC.”

Qin Cheng recalled, “The first five were correct, but why didn’t you choose A for the sixth question?”

“A is a trap,” Jian Heng said.

“Oh, I fell for it,” Qin Cheng said with some regret. His luck was still not very good. “I guessed the second to last question correctly.”

In the afternoon, it was language and physics. Qin Cheng finished the former with the intention of not leaving any questions blank. The latter was much easier. He had a good talent for physics——Jian Heng’s original words.

Their examination rooms were divided by floor. Jian Heng’s first examination room was on the first floor, and Qin Cheng’s last examination room was on the sixth floor.

After the examination, Qin Cheng went to the first floor to find Jian Heng. The first examination room’s paper was handed in at about the same time as his last examination room. Have to admit, Jian Heng was not pretending, he was really awesome.

Qin Cheng glanced at Lao Xu’s office on the third floor when he passed by it, and this glance made him stop.

Not in the habit of eavesdropping, Qin Cheng knocked on the door.

“Come in,” said Lao Xu.

Qin Cheng walked in.

Jian Heng was standing in front of Lao Xu, the expression on his face could not be seen, so Qin Cheng raised his eyebrows at him.

Jian Heng looked at him and raised his eyebrows as well.

Qin Cheng: “…” The telepathy was indeed triggered randomly.

“Stop making eyes with each other, come over here,” Lao Xu looked at him, her tone unusually gentle, “I just happened to be looking for you for something as well.”

Qin Cheng knew what it was almost instantly. Without hesitation, he put his arm around Jian Heng’s shoulders and said seriously: “Lao Xu, Jian Heng and I have to study. We don’t have time to participate in the sports meeting.”

As he spoke, he pinched Jian Heng’s shoulder secretly.

Jian Heng understood and did not refute.

“Say it,” Lao Xu said with a look of ‘Can I still not know you boy?’ and put down her teacup, “What are the conditions?”

After getting the desired answer, Qin Cheng was very tactful and refilled the tea, and smiled brightly: “I heard that the school is going to hold a collective class meeting?”

“Your mother doesn’t need to come.” Lao Xu said.

The corner of Qin Cheng’s lips curled up: “Then, what about the phone?”

“No calls.” Lao Xu couldn’t do anything about him.

“Deal.” Qin Cheng straightened up, Five thousand, one thousand for shot put, high jump, and long jump, you can arrange it as you like.”

Although there had been an agreement before, Qin Cheng couldn’t guarantee whether Lao Xu would use the school arrangement as an excuse to inform his mother. It was better to use the sports meeting to get a gold medal for immunity from death now than to use other things as an exchange later.

Anyway, he is a top Alpha with high physical fitness. He basically has no opponent in this kind of activity.

Lao Xu was too lazy to pay attention to him, and turned to ask Jian Heng: “You arrange it according to your study time, teacher will not force you.”

Qin Cheng: “…”

If you double-standard me in front of me, I won’t be very happy.

Jian Heng glanced at him and turned his head: “Won’t affect.”

Lao Xu nodded with relief.

On the way home, Qin Cheng sat in the back seat and compared answers with Jian Heng. The more he compared, the more upset he became, so he simply changed the topic.

“The sports meeting at Fifth High School is quite troublesome,” Qin Cheng said lazily, “Did Lao Xu tell you about it?”

Their school, Fifth High, couldn’t compete with First High in academics, couldn’t match Fourth High in arts, so they relied on sports to dominate the education sector in Jinhua City. The annual sports meet was like a crazy military drill.

“Said,” Jian Heng rode slowly, “training in the morning and evening, and also at noon.”

“It won’t affect your studies, will it?” Qin Cheng’s feet were tapping on the ground, pushing the bike forward sporadically. Only Jian Heng could keep steady and not fall off.

“Won’t affect,” Jian Heng reached back and patted his leg, “Don’t mess around.”

“Oh.” Qin Cheng was about to say that he was helping when Jian Heng’s mobile phone rang.

Jian Heng took out his mobile phone with one hand, glanced at the caller ID, and answered: “Cheng Bin?”

Qin Cheng’s heart skipped a beat. Calling by first name, not last name, they must be familiar.

“Nothing much,” Jian Heng said to the other end of the phone. “Monthly exams today, followed by the 11th Sports Meet.”

The sound of the wind and the voices on the street were too mixed. It couldn’t be compared with Jian Heng’s home.

Qin Cheng couldn’t hear anything, so he could only lazily take out his phone and send a message to Tan Qi.

Earning money to support the family: My son, how did you do in the exam?

Tan Qi didn’t reply. He should be undergoing fucking torture.

Jian Heng’s voice was still cold and indifferent, but Qin Cheng could still hear the familiarity in his tone. Only good friends would talk like this.

Just like him and Tan Qi.

“That’s all he said?” Jian Heng’s tone finally fluctuated a little, “You and Ah Ze don’t need to care.”

There’s still Ah Ze?

The cold BOY Jian Heng actually got so close to someone?

The two of them had been through thick and thin together, sleeping on the same bed, sitting at the same desk, attending the same classes, and eating together, so how come he didn’t call him Ah Cheng… so barren and hard to hear.

Qin-ge unilaterally believed that Jian Heng didn’t call him that because it didn’t sound good, and there was definitely no other reason.

…..

“Um. Call before coming over.” Jian Heng hung up the phone after saying that.

Qin Cheng didn’t know why he felt a little awkward, as if his presence in the past few minutes suddenly became a little… redundant?

Fuck.

To ease the inexplicable emotions in his heart, he nudged Jian Heng’s arm and pretended to be casual: “Your friend is coming?”

“Um,” Jian Heng reached back, “Here.”

Qin Cheng took it subconsciously, looked up, and wanted to continue asking, but lost the opportunity. A little irritated.

The phone buzzed, Tan Qi replied.

Tan Qi’er: I’m so confused my Dad. Next time I might be in the same exam room with you!
Qin Cheng was inexplicably upset and typed.

Earning money to support the family: Stay away from your Dad.

Tan Qi’er: Holy Shit! Did you eat firecrackers?

Qin Cheng didn’t reply. He didn’t know where this nameless anger was coming from.

The author has something to say:

The author sat cross-legged at the edge of the kang holding a teacup, took a sip of tea, and sighed: Where do you think it is coming from?

List of Idiom in Chapter 20

無傷大雅 (wú shāng dà yǎ): (of a defect etc) to be of no great matter (idiom); harmless; having only unimportant defects; not affecting the whole; not mattering much; be innocuous; not affect things as a whole; involve no major principle.

愁眉苦臉 (chóu méi kǔ liǎn): with knitted brows and a doleful look; looking distressed; to look anxious (idiom); to look miserable; look worried and depressed; look gloomy/miserable; wear a worried/sad/distressed/agonized look; pull a glum face.

眉來眼去 (méi lái yǎn qù): lit. eyes and eyebrows come and go (idiom); to make eyes at each other; to flirt with each other; to exchange flirting glances with sb; exchange amorous glances; Describe the use of eyebrows to express love.

毫不猶豫 (háo bù yóu yù): without the slightest hesitation; without the least 【slightest】 hesitation; make no bones about; describes a person who is very decisive in handling things without a moment’s hesitation.
同床共枕 (tóng chuáng gòng zhěn): lit. share the same quilt and pillow—sleep together; to share the bed; fig. to be married; sleeping in the same bed, mostly refers to the life of a couple.

Check out my completed & current project at my carrd. If you like my translation, you can buy me coffee at Ko-fi~ Thank you.

• 1
  脱氧核糖 (tuō yǎng hé táng): Deoxyribose, or more precisely 2-deoxyribose, is a monosaccharide with idealized formula H−(C=O)−(CH2)−(CHOH)3−H. Its name indicates that it is a deoxy sugar, meaning that it is derived from the sugar ribose by loss of a hydroxy group. Discovered in 1929 by Phoebus Levene, deoxyribose is most notable for its presence in DNA.
• 2
  端着碗看盆 (duān zhe wǎn kàn pén): T/N: Most likely from the idiom; 吃著碗裡，看著鍋裡 (chī zhe wǎn lǐ , kàn zhe guō lǐ), lit. eyeing what’s in the pot as one eats from one’s bowl (idiom); not content with what one already has; (of men, typically) to have the wandering eye.