EVERY LIKE, VOTE, AND COMMENT HELPS!

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When Jiao Jiao found the door to Class 1, she peeked inside to see an array of teenagers abuzz with activity. Some girls gossiped and chatted in small groups, while others swiped on their phones and tablets. Jiao Jiao could see a few heads hunched over their desks, leafing through pages or writing furiously in notebooks.

A loud group of boys at the back of the room huddled in a tight circle, nudging and jostling each other to get a look at the screen held in the center.

They were interrupted when the bell rang, and Jiao Jiao stiffened slightly when she realized she'd actually have to step into the room if she wanted to have any chance of getting through the year.

She took a quick glance down at her tidy uniform and touched a finger to the star on her neck.

"Don't worry about them; they're not that scary," came a low voice from behind her.

Jiao Jiao whirled around in shock to see a tall man with salt and pepper hair straightening rectangular glasses.

"You must be Jing Jiao?"

"En." She nodded her head firmly and then offered a small smile. She tilted her head slightly. "It's not that I'm scared. They're just very... loud."

The man laughed, then walked past her into the room. She trotted after him as he clapped his hands and waved everyone to their seats.

"Okay, okay, let's settle down. Wow, my dear seniors, this truly is Pinnacle Class 1. You've managed to convince me that studying isn't the only thing you're the best at – mastering the art of chaos seems to be on this year's syllabus as well."

His eyes twinkled with a mix of amusement and genuine affection. "Don't get used to it, though. The college entrance exam will be here before you're ready, so no more messing around."

A smattering of groans echoed through the room, but Jiao Jiao could see that everyone's attention was focused and determined.

"As you all know, I'm Liu Wei – head teacher of Pinnacle Class 1." A smattering of applause sounded before dying out at his stern look.

Liu Wei turned his head towards Jiao Jiao. "Students, this is your new classmate, Jing Jiao. Please take care of her, and don't forget..."

"Pinnacle pride, aiming high!" The entire class shouted the slogan in unison, then followed it with a swift and purposeful triangle-like salute.

Liu Wei directed Jiao Jiao to an empty seat beside a bored-looking girl. Jiao Jiao nodded to her shyly as she sat down, but the girl immediately retracted her gaze and focused on the front of the room.

Mr. Liu had been busy writing on the whiteboard, and when he moved to the side, he clapped his hands together. "My good students, take a look at the number on the board. Do you see what I'm seeing?" His voice was rising in intensity.

"Two hundred and eighty. Yes, that's right. TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHTY. That's how many days you have left to get yourselves together before Gaokao."

The class held their breath; after all, they'd been single-mindedly focused on this since birth. Textbooks had been their close companions over the years, pencils glued to their fingers and minds to their studies. Also, echoes of ancestral successes reverberated through their bones, mingling with the modern-day expectations of stock market gains and luxury living.

These were the children of Shanghai's cream of the crop and to falter now would disrupt a carefully orchestrated facade of success and power. No one knew better than these students the importance of Gaokao.

Seeing twenty-five pairs of eyes staring at him, Mr. Liu smiled wryly. "Okay, I know you get it. Just... don't let the pressures of this year get to you. I know it will be hard, but it will be worth it. Let's take care of each other this year, yes?"

The spell was broken, and the classroom immediately relaxed.

"Now," Mr. Liu continued, "On to more exciting news. The Huadian Excellence Prize!"

Jiao Jiao watched in confusion as the kids around her buzzed quietly.

"This year, we've decided on a VIP Movie Marathon. We have a luxury cinema lined up on Christmas Eve with recliners, bottomless candy, popcorn, and a night full of movies."

"But remember, only the top twenty-five scores on midterms can get a spot, so Pinnacle... I'm leaving it up to you. Let's take all twenty-five spots this year and leave Zenith out in the cold!"

Everyone erupted in laughter and began cheering in unison, "Pinnacle, Pinnacle, Pinnacle!"