Start as a top student after transmigrating.

"So what if there's a lot of bonus? The college entrance exam hasn't even started yet. How can you be sure you can become the top scorer in the city?" Auntie retorted.

Zeng Qiang was enlightened by those words and immediately chimed in, "That's right, you were trying to fool me with undecided things, and I almost actually fell for it."

"The college entrance exam hasn't come yet, but I was able to go from the bottom to the top in the city in just one month. Being the top scorer in the city is something that anyone can do." Chen Dong remained calm.

Zeng Liang, who was standing next to him, couldn't help but sneer again.

Bro, please don't say that having a brain is all you need.

The way you're doing this makes us useless.

"Hmph, it's not the college entrance exam yet anyway, so whatever you say goes." Zeng Qiang was all talk and no action. With such a stunning comeback in just one month, the possibility of him underperforming in the college entrance exam was extremely slim.

But as long as it didn't happen, he can deny it.

Take another step back.

"And so what if you get the top score in the college entrance exam? So what if you earn a million-dollar bonus? It's just a one-time thing," Zeng Liang continued stubbornly.

Chen Dong looked at him like he was an idiot. "Uncle, you must have heard of repeating a grade, right? I believe there are many schools that don't have outstanding history scores that would welcome a top student like this to repeat a grade."

"Making money is really simple."

Zeng Liang was speechless.

Pan Yuan and the others had nothing to say.

Seeing everyone burying their heads and no longer babbling, Chen Zhenjiang felt a surge of pride and satisfaction. The happiest he had ever been in years accompanying Zeng Ling to visit her parents' home was definitely the time he had done so.

"What's the point of talking about this? Let's eat." Jiang Qingrang tried to smooth things over.

After that, the sarcastic remarks were no longer heard at the dinner table. Instead, Chen Zhenjiang frequently raised his glass, mainly to toast his mother-in-law, Jiang Qingrang.

In this family, only my mother-in-law is knowledgeable and reasonable; she doesn't judge people based on appearances and genuinely hopes everyone is doing well.

Zeng Ling went back to her parents' home mainly to spend time with her mother, and Chen Zhenjiang did so out of respect for Jiang Qingrang; otherwise, he really wouldn't want to deal with these people.

But this time, he felt relieved, and he was the only one at the table who stood up straight.

……

in the afternoon.

After helping to tidy up the kitchen, Zeng Ling didn't stay inside. Instead, she accompanied Jiang Qingrang out for a walk and a chat with her mother.

"You're leaving tomorrow? You've come all this way, why not stay a few more days and enjoy yourselves a bit longer?"

Hearing Zeng Ling say that she was going back the next morning, Jiang Qing reluctantly pulled her hand to stop her, saying, "Are you angry with your father, Ling'er? Zhenjiang, don't stoop to that old man's level."

She also disapproved of the family's tendency to compare themselves to others. When Zeng Ling chose Chen Zhenjiang to marry into Qingjiang, Zeng Guowei was somewhat unwilling.

I always felt that Chen Zhenjiang was unstable, and his daughter was so far away that she couldn't help his younger brother much, especially after his second daughter married Pan Yuan. She seemed to have helped his younger brother a lot, so I disliked her even more.

That competitive atmosphere was started by the old man.

She said she could never change it, no matter how many times she said it.

"Mom, I'm not angry with Dad. It's just that your grandson is preparing for the college entrance exam and his study time is very tight," Zeng Ling said with a smile.

Chen Zhenjiang also chimed in.

It would be a lie to say he had no objections, but so what if he looks down on them? Anyway, it's his and Zeng Ling's life, and Zeng Guowei and the others don't need to interfere.

As for comparing yin and yang or anything like that, I can't be bothered with it.

Besides, my son is doing well now, so what else would he dare to say?

Around noon, he vented all the pent-up frustration he had accumulated over the years. It's just that he doesn't like to compare himself to others, otherwise he would have been just as sarcastic and sarcastic.

"The college entrance exam is indeed a big deal. This time, Mom won't keep you here. My dear grandson, I'm very happy that you've worked hard in time. Do your best on the exam, and I'll come to congratulate you after you graduate."

Jiang Qingrang took Chen Dong's hand, her face full of a kind smile.

"Okay, Grandma, I'll have Dad pick you up then, and we can have a good time in Qingjiang." Chen Dong said obediently with a smile.

The original owner was only somewhat agreeable to his maternal grandmother's side of the family. If possible, he would have asked his mother to bring his maternal grandmother to Qingjiang during holidays.

It's more cozy.

……

That evening, the atmosphere at the dinner table was unusually different from usual, with little comparison and little conversation, far less lively and warm than at Chen Fumin's place.

Of course, Chen Dong didn't care about any of that. Even if the gesture was warm and the enthusiasm was belated, he didn't appreciate it.

After finishing his meal, he played on his phone by himself, ignoring Panlong and the others, since they couldn't really hang out together anyway.

Upon logging into QQ, I saw dozens of messages in the group chat of the six top students.

Jiang Lina: "Family members, I'm back! When will the study group be ready?"

This message came around 3 PM.

Jiang Lina had mentioned her plans before the Spring Festival. She said she would return from her maternal grandparents' house on the second day of the Lunar New Year and would ask other people in the group chat after arriving home in the afternoon.

Han Ning'er: "I'm at home these past two days, but I'm ready to go anytime."

It seems that Han Ning'er hasn't been staying alone in her rented apartment these past few days. I wonder if Wu Jie's relationship with her daughter has improved even a little bit since she returned home on New Year's Eve.

Liu Yumo: "I'm still in my hometown. I'll be back tomorrow night and in place by the fourth day of the Lunar New Year."

Jing Shanshan: "I'm also going back to Qingjiang tomorrow, arriving on the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, just like Brother Mo."

After exchanging arrival times, the group chatted about the upcoming Chinese New Year holidays in the group chat.

I asked how much homework I had done and what I had done during the Chinese New Year.

Jiang Lina simply played at her grandparents' house, Han Ning'er simply ate, slept, and did her homework, and Liu Yumo even played cards.

He has the most comfortable life.

Jing Shanshan attends banquets every day; she's either eating or on her way to eat. After finishing one banquet, she goes to another, and she gets really annoyed by relatives who love to compare.

This is similar to Chen Dong's current situation, except that with Jing Shanshan's grades, she is definitely under immense pressure that her peers cannot shake off.

Her parents may have influence, but she herself may become the enemy of her peers.

If handled well, she'll be like Chen Lin and Zhang Mengjin; if handled poorly, she'll be like Pan Wen. But Jing Shanshan isn't the type to show off; she'll most likely end up like Chen Lin and Zhang Mengjin.

Finally, they talked about their happiest topic.

I received a lot of lucky money when visiting relatives and friends.

"I'm going back to Qingjiang tomorrow. Let's have the study group set up on the fourth day of the new year," Chen Dong reported his itinerary in the group after finishing reading the messages.

"Sister Han, shall I come to see you tomorrow?" Jiang Lina was still online. She replied "okay" to Chen Dong's message and then tagged Han Ning'er in the group chat.

"No problem," Han Ning'er replied.

Jing Shanshan and Liu Yumo have already logged off; only the three of them are chatting online in the group.

……

The next day, after a simple breakfast, Chen Dong and his group prepared to return home.

This time, Zeng Guowei and his family surprisingly drove them to the underground parking lot. Their uncle and aunt, as well as Pan Yuan and his wife, even warmly packed some local specialties for them.

Red envelopes are a must.

It's one thing to be a bit boastful, but the proper etiquette still has to be observed every year. Chen Dong accepts it without a second thought; why not? His mother gives it to their children after all.

"I need to sleep for a while, I didn't sleep well last night," Zeng Ling said as she lowered her seat after getting into the car.

"You go to sleep, I'll turn on the air conditioning." Chen Zhenjiang turned on the air conditioning. The van's air conditioning wasn't very good, and it wasn't usually used, but the passenger seat could still feel the temperature.

"Son, why don't you take a nap?"

Zeng Ling turned around and saw Chen Dong take out the test paper again, and she felt a little sorry for him.

They were indeed disappointed with their son's grades because he used to be playful, but they didn't put pressure on him and let him live an easy life. Now that his grades are better, it's heartbreaking to see him studying so hard.

"It's alright, I'm just killing time anyway, might as well do a couple of practice tests to pass the time." Chen Dong smiled calmly.

"If you want to sleep, then take a nap," Zeng Ling said with concern.

"Mm." Chen Dong nodded with a smile.

For the rest of the journey, Chen Zhenjiang drove while Zeng Ling slept, and Chen Dong quietly did his homework. Time flew by, and before they knew it, it was almost noon when they arrived home.

Zeng Ling got off the bus in a daze, feeling somewhat tired.

She looked at Chen Dong and asked, "Son, what do you want to eat for lunch?"

"How about we make some porridge?" Chen Dong said.

"Porridge is good, it's light and warms the stomach," Chen Zhenjiang agreed as he closed the car door.

I'm already tired of eating fish and meat at every meal during the Spring Festival, and I'm feeling dizzy and have no appetite after driving back. I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to eat any big meals even if you made them for me.

A little thin porridge would be just right.

Go inside and change your shoes.

Zeng Ling and Chen Zhenjiang washed their hands and went to the kitchen to cook some porridge and stir-fry two vegetarian dishes. Chen Dong didn't go upstairs; he continued doing his homework at the dining table in the living room.

"Son, get ready to eat."

About forty minutes later, Zeng Ling popped her head out of the kitchen and shouted.

"it is good."

Chen Dong quickly finished the problem in front of him, put away the test paper and pen, washed his hands, and was about to go to the kitchen to get the food when Zeng Ling had already put it on the table.

"Mom and Dad, our study group starts tomorrow." Chen Dong informed his parents in advance during lunch.

"Studying is the most important thing." Chen Zhenjiang nodded.

Zeng Ling suggested, "Why don't we invite them over to our house? I'm free during the Spring Festival holiday, so I can cook for you."

"We don't really care, the main problem is that Xiao Yezi doesn't have a phone. What if she comes back early and there's no one there?" Chen Dong chuckled as he sipped his porridge.

"Doesn't she have a key to the apartment she rents?" Zeng Ling asked.

"I don't know, I never asked about that, but we were always together during our school years."

Chen Dong shook his head, then smiled and said, "Mom, don't worry about us. Besides, cooking is quite simple. You two get a break, why don't you go out for a walk?"

Convenience stores do make more money than regular supermarkets, but they are also much more hard-working, especially since they also have to take care of fruits, vegetables and fresh meat, which means they have to get up early.

Take advantage of the rare holiday during the Lunar New Year to have a good rest.

"it is good."

Faced with Chen Dong's concern, Zeng Ling smiled broadly, then suddenly seemed to remember something and asked curiously, "Son, were what you said yesterday true? Is there really a bonus for the top scorer in the city?"

After finishing a bowl of porridge, Chen Dong got up to refill his bowl. "The government education bureau definitely has one, and our school has one too. I estimate that after the 100-day countdown rally, the school will talk to us about this."

"Whether you get it or not, don't focus on the bonus. Just take the exam as you normally would. It doesn't matter if you don't get the top score in the city."

Chen Zhenjiang spoke, paused, and added, "As for making money by repeating a grade, don't even think about it."

Money is a good thing, and it's certainly good to be able to make money, but a student's task is not to make money. He doesn't want his son to be focused on making money for the college entrance exam.

"I know, I don't care about the small amount of prize money for the top scorer." Chen Dong smiled calmly, seemingly indifferent to hundreds of thousands or millions of yuan.

He certainly had the confidence to do so, after all, the world of online literature was a huge pie for him, and he never thought of starting a business and taking the route of a business legend.

I'll be content just to enjoy this cake.

"Don't be unrealistic. What's a small amount of money? You're willing to learn now and you can learn well, so study hard. The knowledge you acquire will pay off in the future," Chen Zhenjiang advised.

"Understood," Chen Dong replied.

"Why make such a fuss? When did our son become so ambitious? I believe in him, and he will definitely make a lot of money in the future." Zeng Ling is quite doting.

The family of three was enjoying a happy time together.

After finishing his meal, Chen Dong went upstairs.

Chen Zhenjiang picked up his coat and said, "You tidy up the kitchen, I'll go to the supermarket to check the inventory so we won't be too busy when we open for business in a couple of days."

"Okay, you go ahead, I'll be there in a bit."

"No need, I can handle it. You rest at home and wait for me to come back."