Chapter 17: Virtual Exam – That’s Only One Subject, Three More to Go!
If Yu Xia followed his usual habit, he should still be doing his afternoon physical training at this time.
Qin Yizheng had already completely mastered Tulip’s schedule. Mornings were for reviewing, and afternoons were for exercising. At night, since the Tulip needed to deplete a large amount of mental energy, he would also log on to study.
Based on their previous conversations, the recent month of training had been quite effective. At the very least, he had grown accustomed to daily exercise. He no longer felt that heart-piercing pain in his soles just by stepping on the treadmill, as he had on the first day.
Even just hearing about it felt difficult to bear, let alone the fact that Yu Xia actually faced such a situation in reality. It must have been even more agonizing than he imagined. Fortunately, things were slowly improving.
He checked the time. Ordinarily, the Tulip would still be in the fitness center of his hospital. But for some reason, he just felt like logging on to take a look.
What if he was already online?
Though he knew it was likely just a baseless whim, Qin Yizheng logged on anyway. To his immense surprise, the Tulip’s name was actually lit up!
He had been prepared for disappointment, so receiving such a surprise at this moment was truly…
Qin Yizheng pursed his lips, clutching his chest. This was actually a bit too exciting.
He immediately pulled up the Tulip’s chat window and sent a message:
[今天怎麽上線得這麽早，不用鍛煉嗎？] (Why are you online so early today? No workout?)
Almost at the exact same moment, a message from the Tulip popped up:
[清哥清哥，跟你說一個好消息，今天我身體檢測的報告出來了，我的綜合體質變成D＋啦！] (Qin-ge, Qin-ge! I have good news! My body check report came out today, and my comprehensive constitution has become D+!)
Qin Yizheng pursed his lips. So, it was a body check.
He knew that for Mental Power Disorder patients—especially those with severe cases—it was best to have a body check every month. Otherwise, if their constitution deteriorated, it might be too late for emergency rescue. He hadn’t expected the Tulip’s next check to be today.
Qin Yizheng suddenly realized that he and the Tulip had already known each other for an entire month.
Over this month, he had essentially watched the Tulip transition from having a superficial understanding of his studies to being nearly ready for the exam hall.
Before the age of eighteen, students can only study in school. Minors are strictly prohibited from entering the virtual world. However, Mental Power Disorder patients are in constant pain in reality even if they do nothing. Consequently, most of them do not have very good academic records.
Even the famous Dr. Lu Yao, hailed as the light of medicine, had abysmal grades before she was eighteen.
However, their high mental power meant they could learn at an incredibly fast pace. Every academy holds a special supplementary exam before enrollment, following the regular exams, specifically for such students.
High mental power is rare throughout the Empire, so holding a special exam for them is a worthwhile investment. However, because the time they can truly devote to studying is so short—having to catch up on ten-plus years of learning in a few months—the academy provides extra point compensation. Still, one must demonstrate genuine talent and knowledge.
Slacking off wouldn’t work; the academy’s professors need to see a student’s commitment, unless their mental power is truly off the charts.
These weren’t major issues. In Qin Yizheng’s view, even without extra points, the Tulip would likely pass the exam now. Provided no accidents occurred, he would definitely be his little junior.
Thinking of this, he asked the Tulip:
[你考試是什麼時候，知道到時候的監考人員了嗎？] (When is your exam? Do you know who the proctors will be yet?)
The Tulip’s reply came quickly:
[考試還有一個多禮拜，監考人員不知道，就連醫生也不知道，不過場地據說已經準備好了，不過我還沒去看過。] (The exam is in a little over a week. I don’t know the proctors, and even my doctor doesn’t know. But supposedly the venue is ready, though I haven’t seen it yet.)
Seeing the message, Qin Yizheng couldn’t help but smile. He offered some comfort:
[現在不需要想太多，你的狀態已經很好了，就算現在馬上就讓你參加考試，問題也不是很大，所以盡管放寬心。] (No need to overthink it. Your condition is already very good. Even if you took the exam right now, it wouldn’t be a big problem. So, just relax.)
After sending the message, he looked at his chat history with the Tulip again.
He suddenly remembered that about a month ago, Luo Siqi had raised a question.
At the time, due to various misunderstandings, Luo Siqi thought he had developed some “special” interest in the Tulip. How had he responded then?
Qin Yizheng thought about it. He seemed to have refuted it quite righteously.
Qin Yizheng fell silent for a moment, then let out a soft chuckle. “Even if we can’t have mental power blending, does that really matter?”
Who wouldn’t like such a hardworking, cute boy who takes life so seriously?
At most, if Luo Siqi found out, he might mock him for a while. But if he laughed too much, he could always just give him a good beating.
Just then, the Tulip sent another message:
[清哥，今天還是在虛拟圖書室嗎？] (Qin-ge, are we in the virtual library again today?)
Qin Yizheng replied:
[今天不去圖書室了，去考試館。] (Not going to the library today. We’re going to the Examination Hall.)
Yu Xia looked at the “Examination Hall” mentioned by Qing Zheng and was momentarily confused.
Where was the Examination Hall?
Though he had been in the virtual world for a month, it was actually vast. He was so busy reviewing and exercising that he hadn’t had time to explore. He only knew the venues he used frequently.
Sensing his unfamiliarity with the virtual community, Qing Zheng thoughtfully sent the location of the Examination Hall:
[就在圖書室那棟樓的頂層，那裏特地設置了一個模拟的考試場所，收錄了歷年的考試題目，不過很少會有人過去。] (It’s on the top floor of the library building. They’ve set up a mock exam venue there that collects exam papers from previous years, though few people go there.)
Seeing this, Yu Xia’s eyes lit up. “Does that mean I can test myself now to see what score I can get? At least I’ll have an idea!”
Thinking this, he hurried to send another message:
[我馬上就到！] (I’ll be right there!)
Yu Xia was already very familiar with the library, so he easily made his way to the top floor.
As soon as he entered, he saw Qin Yizheng already sitting at the podium, looking at his message bar. “Qin-ge, what are you looking at?”
Hearing Yu Xia’s familiar voice, Qin Yizheng looked up and smiled. “The exam questions you’re about to do!”
Yu Xia blinked and leaned in. “How are they? Are the papers here easy?”
Qin Yizheng suddenly shifted his body away. “These are the papers you’re about to do, so you can’t look yet. The papers here are a bit old, so just in case, I’m planning to buy some newer ones for you”.
Yu Xia leaned against the podium. “Do you have to buy the latest papers separately?”
Qin Yizheng nodded. “Yeah. The virtual platform wouldn’t set up an Examination Hall for nothing. They’re also trying to make money. Other parts are open, but the latest resources cost a bit of money”.
Yu Xia was a bit worried. “Are they expensive?”
The original owner hadn’t left much money. Even now, his hospitalization and medical bills were covered by the state, and his daily expenses were provided by Director Xie. If it was very costly, he might not be able to afford it.
Qin Yizheng looked at Yu Xia and gently nudged him toward a seat in the hall. “I’ve already picked the papers. Now, go find a seat you like and don’t worry about the rest”.
The Examination Hall in the virtual world was simple and direct. It was different from reality.
In real exam halls, signal jammers are installed to prevent optical computer activation, and multiple proctors watch the students. In the virtual world, logging off and searching the virtual network are simply prohibited until the exam is stopped.
Yu Xia sat down and looked at the paper Qing Zheng had chosen for him on the desk. He then saw the massive red exclamation marks on his various operation pages and sighed. The virtual world was indeed impressive.
Confirming he couldn’t stop the exam, Yu Xia simply started on the paper.
With Qing Zheng’s help over the past month, Yu Xia’s efforts to fill in the gaps had been very effective. The original owner’s foundation wasn’t bad, but the sudden onset of Mental Power Disorder three years ago had caught him off guard. While Yu Xia had taken over the body, he had also inherited those memories, so it wasn’t like starting from zero. Learning wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t impossibly difficult either; he just needed to re-familiarize himself with many things.
If he had been on his own, he likely wouldn’t have been able to review so systematically. Qing Zheng’s help had been immense.
Yu Xia breezed through the paper. About an hour later, he had completed every question.
After checking the paper front to back once more, he clicked to submit.
Seeing the light screen around Yu Xia vanish, Qin Yizheng checked the time. Only one hour had passed.
He walked over to Yu Xia. “Finished?”
Yu Xia stretched and nodded. “Yeah. I think I did quite well”.
Qin Yizheng looked at him approvingly. “Then take a break!”
Though it was only a virtual exam, Yu Xia was still very excited and couldn’t wait to move around. “Shall we go explore a bit? I haven’t fully seen the virtual world yet; there are so many places I don’t know!”
Qin Yizheng pursed his lips as if thinking. Then, he pulled out three more exam papers. “Exploring the virtual world can wait for next time. You’ve only finished one subject; there are still three left!”
Yu Xia: …
He felt his whole world shatter.
Translator’s Note: Welcome back to Chapter 17! We’re getting close to the big exam, and Yu Xia is finding out that having a top student as a mentor means there’s no escaping “Exam Hell.”
A few key points:
- Mental Power Blending (精神力交融): This is a very important concept in many ABO/Interstellar novels. It’s a deep, spiritual connection between two people using their mental power. It’s often used for healing or deep intimacy. Qin Yizheng’s thought about it shows that his feelings for Yu Xia are deepening beyond just “talent scouting.”
- True Fragrance (真香): The author’s note uses this term. It’s a very popular internet slang for someone who says they definitely won’t do something, but then ends up doing it and loving it.
- Mock Exams (模拟考试): Just like in real life, doing past papers is the ultimate way to prepare for standardized tests in the Empire.
Poor Yu Xia! He thought he was done after one hour, but Qin Yizheng has a full “mock exam day” planned. Good luck to him!
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