The Cannon Fodder Stole the Male Lead’s Script GL - Chapter 60

On Wednesday morning, the entire school entered an intense exam state. This was the province-wide joint exam for all three-star and above high schools, which would determine students’ provincial rankings. With these rankings, students could better understand their current academic standing and set clear goals. Schools also used this ranking data to adjust future teaching plans accordingly.

Because of this, everyone from the education bureau down to the students and their parents placed great importance on the exam.

Even the system gave Jiang Yun a new task, or perhaps it was more of a prompt. If she could place in the top 300 in the school and the top 30 in her class for this exam, then her career line in the Destiny Override mission would rise by 10%.

She glanced at her current mission panel. The four main tracks were:

Romance line : 42%

Career line: 0%

Life line: 50%

Friends and family line: 45%

Overall progress on the Destiny Override mission stood at 34.25%.

While the other tracks showed some progress, the career line was still completely empty. It painfully reminded her of how poor her academic performance had been and even Jiang Yun felt slightly embarrassed.

During the first monthly exam, she had ranked 900th in the school. This time, she was finally not assigned to the cafeteria as her exam site. Instead, she would be in the multimedia lecture hall. Each exam hall held about one hundred students. Since her rank was exactly 900, she was placed in the 801 to 900 group and sat in the very last seat.

There were five proctors in the room to completely eliminate any chance of cheating.

When Jiang Yun walked into the lecture hall, several students recognized her and began whispering. They were surprised she had actually made it into the top 1,000.

She found her seat and sat down. The seat in front of her remained empty until just before the test papers were distributed. Then, a girl rushed in at the last minute. When she saw the English test paper on the desk, she immediately began to cry and raised her hand.

The proctor quickly came over.

“What’s wrong?”

“Teacher, I didn’t bring a pencil or eraser. I didn’t know this test would be in English.”

“I’m really sorry, teacher. I didn’t know. Could I please borrow a 2B pencil?”

The teacher’s expression grew annoyed. “Where am I supposed to find you a 2B pencil now? We clearly told everyone to bring their own supplies. If you didn’t bring any, who is going to lend one to you? This exam is set up just like the college entrance exams. If you don’t bring the proper tools, that’s your own fault. Good luck.”

The girl’s tears began falling faster.

“Crying won’t help. We don’t have spares here. Figure something out yourself.”

The teacher was about to walk away when Jiang Yun frowned and spoke up from behind.

“She just wants to borrow a 2B pencil. If you don’t have one, you can contact the hallway proctors to bring one. Was it really necessary to scold her and ruin her focus before the test? Besides, preparing extra pencils in an exam room is standard procedure. If there are none here, that’s on you, not her.”

The male proctor turned red with anger. He pointed at her and snapped, “Who are you to talk so much? If you care so much, then lend her yours.”

English exams are all about speed. The questions are many, time is tight, and students must fill in answer cards. Almost no one has time to lend out their pencil, wait for it to be returned, and then fill in their own answers. However, Jiang Yun happened to be one of the few students who did have extra time.

“I never said I wouldn’t lend it.” Jiang Yun handed her 2B pencil to the girl in front. “Here. Just give it back to me five minutes before the end of the test.”

The girl was stunned when she heard Jiang Yun’s voice and turned to look at her. She was visibly amazed by Jiang Yun’s appearance. Then she noticed Jiang Yun had no other 2B pencil on her desk and hesitated.

It was true. Everyone took this exam seriously, and the English section required the 2B pencil. This was her own mistake.

“Thank you, but you should keep it for now. Once you finish shading in your answers, you can lend it to me.”

“I don’t mind,” Jiang Yun said with a smile.

“Enough,” the proctor said. “I’m warning you. No passing of items during the exam, including pencils. If you want to lend her yours, fine. Then she keeps it. You don’t get it back.”

He snatched the pencil from Jiang Yun’s hand and placed it firmly on the other girl’s desk.

The girl was stunned, and Jiang Yun’s brow furrowed. The male proctor just smirked, clearly enjoying the disruption.

After a long pause, the girl turned to Jiang Yun and asked, “Would it be okay if I just borrowed a little of your pencil lead?” She opened the cap and showed a short segment of pencil core. “This much is enough.”

Using the lead core alone to fill in answers?

That would be incredibly difficult. Even if it worked, the time would not be enough.

Just then, the bell signaling the exam start rang. The papers were being distributed. The proctor was impatient and kept rushing them to decide. Jiang Yun took the pencil, broke off a small section of the lead, and tossed the pencil onto the girl’s desk while keeping the lead fragment for herself.

“I answer questions faster than you do. You use the pencil.”

The girl hesitated. “But…”

Jiang Yun was already filling in her ID number. “It’s settled.”

The girl bit her lip, looked at the pencil, and picked it up to fill in her own information. She whispered a quiet thank you.

Jiang Yun smiled. “Good luck.”

Using a pen refill for answer shading was indeed slower than normal, but fortunately, English was Jiang Yun’s strength. Her language skills allowed her to choose answers without much thinking. Reading comprehension felt like flipping through picture books. By the end of the exam, the girl saw Jiang Yun’s completed answer sheet and let out a long breath of relief.

“Thank you so much.”

She returned the pen after the test. Jiang Yun shook her head. “It was nothing.”

She packed her things and left. Zhan Rao was waiting for her to have lunch.

The girl kept watching Jiang Yun walk away and glanced at the name on her desk: Jiang Yun.

“She’s Jiang Yun?”

A friend walked over and tapped her shoulder. “Mei Yu, what are you mumbling about?” She looked down at the desk and saw the name. “Wait, Jiang Yun sat behind you?”

“You know her?” Mei Yu asked, surprised.

“I don’t know her personally, but come on. How do you not know our school’s goddess?”

“I’ve only heard the name. I remember she gave a speech at the opening ceremony and looked really pretty. I didn’t realize it was her.”

“No wonder. You’re always buried in books. Even when you’re sick, you stay home studying. Since you’re finally interested, let me tell you about her. Let me introduce you to the charm of Yinchuan High’s queen.”

Meanwhile, Jiang Yun had lunch with Zhan Rao, Tong Xue, and Xin Keke. The atmosphere felt awkward.

Xin Keke no longer interacted with Tong Xue. In the past, she had always looked for reasons to chat with her. Now, though they sat at the same table, Xin Keke kept her head down, focused on her book while eating. She only asked Zhan Rao for help with difficult problems and ignored Tong Xue entirely.

When Tong Xue went to get soup, Zhan Rao leaned over to Xin Keke.

“Are you really going to keep giving Tong Xue the cold shoulder?”

“I’m not ignoring her. We just don’t have anything in common. I used to try to force a friendship, but now I’ve accepted that we’re different. It’s better to just be acquaintances.”

Zhan Rao frowned. She was about to say more, but Jiang Yun gave her a look. She glanced over and saw Tong Xue returning, so she stopped.

After lunch, Xin Keke left first. Jiang Yun followed soon after, leaving Zhan Rao and Tong Xue alone.

Tong Xue packed up her things. When she saw Zhan Rao staring, she rolled her eyes. “Can you stop staring at me?”

“I’m checking to see if your heart hurts.”

“Why would it?” Tong Xue laughed.

Zhan Rao rested her chin in her hand. “So you’re really not upset about your falling out with Xin Keke?”

“We didn’t fall out. She just stopped talking to me.”

“You know why she did that. It’s because of your boyfriend.”

Tong Xue shrugged. “That’s not her business. She already said we have nothing in common, so why should I chase her around? If she wants distance, I’ll give it.”

“She’s clearly heartbroken, and you’re just pretending not to notice? You’re not going to try and make things better?”

Tong Xue sighed. “Please stop. There’s no such thing. Don’t make things up. I have no idea what you’re talking about. It’s exam day. I don’t want to get upset and mess it up. If you’re not going to study, I’ll leave.”

“Tong Xue! What secret are you hiding?” Zhan Rao shouted.

Tong Xue ran off, covering her ears.

Zhan Rao was left fuming.

No matter how much Jiang Yun tried to stop her, she could not help asking Tong Xue what was going on. She just wanted to understand. Why did everything have to be so secretive?

The exam lasted three days. When it ended on Friday, the school gave everyone a short monthly break. Boarding students could go home, and day students did not need to attend weekend classes.

As soon as the test ended, students began planning weekend outings.

When Jiang Yun left the exam hall, she saw Zhan Rao waiting.

They exchanged a knowing smile.

“You were waiting for me?”

Zhan Rao nodded. “Yeah. How did it go?”

“Not bad. I think I’ll catch up to you in two or three months.”

“You wish.”

“Don’t believe me?”

“Nope. If you ever do catch up to my total score, I’ll grant you one wish.”

“Anything?”

“Anything.”

“It’s a deal.”

They hooked pinkies.

Zhan Rao had always been top of the class. Jiang Yun, no matter how smart, still had a weak foundation. Zhan Rao believed it was impossible for anyone to catch up in just six months.

Just then, someone called out.

“Jiang Yun!”

It was Mei Yu.

Jiang Yun turned to her. “Yes?”

“I never got a chance to thank you for lending me your pencil.”

“It was nothing. Don’t worry about it.”

“Wait! One more thing.”

Jiang Yun paused.

The girl’s face turned red. “Are you free this weekend? We’re going skating and singing. Want to come?”

Jiang Yun looked at Zhan Rao. “Do you want to go?”

Zhan Rao shook her head.

“Thanks for the invite, but I’ll pass,” Jiang Yun said and took Zhan Rao’s hand.

As they walked away, Zhan Rao glanced back at the girl.

“What are you looking at?”

“I’m checking if I have a little rival in love now.”

“You’re talking nonsense.”

“I’m not. You’re amazing. Who knows how many people are crushing on you? I don’t care. Until you’re eighteen, you’re not allowed to date anyone. Even after that, I better be the first in your lineup.”

Jiang Yun laughed. “Oh, so you’ll line up too? No need to reserve the whole spot?”

“Actually, you’re right. If anyone else lines up, I’ll chase them away with a stick. You’re mine alone!”

“So possessive?”

“That’s right!”

They reached the classroom. Jiang Yun went in to gather her things. Zhan Rao’s phone rang. It was her mother. She declined the call.

“My grandmother’s condition is worsening. I have to visit her this weekend. We won’t see each other.”

Jiang Yun finally understood. The girl was reluctant to part.

“It’s fine. Go be with her.”

“But I’ll miss you.”

“It’s just two days.”

“Every second counts. So no cozying up to any other girls while I’m gone.”

“Would I dare with you watching?”

“I don’t care. Promise me.”

“Alright. I won’t. Let me know if you need anything.”

Zhan Rao nodded and hugged her goodbye.

Jiang Yun watched her go with a mixture of fondness and helplessness.

With Zhan Rao away, she could finally handle some business. She was about to make a call when her business found her first.

“Jiang Yun. I need to talk. Come out with me.”

It was Yan Kuo, scowling.

Jiang Yun kept packing and did not look up. When classmates saw him, they remembered what had happened on Monday and appeared ready to throw him out again.

“Jiang Yun!”

“Say it here,” she replied and checked her watch. “You have three minutes.”

Yan Kuo’s face darkened even more.