For many students of St. George Elementary School, the fifth-grade exam was an important opportunity that would decide their lives.
If one successfully passed, not only could he be promoted to the secondary school, but even if he chose to drop out of school, he could still find a job that could support his family even though his primary school education was not as good as secondary school. In the Golden Oak Kingdom, there were no special child labor protection regulations. Many factories had similar situations.
If they failed, the parents of these children wouldn't be able to pay for another year of school fees. Most of them could only return to their families and shoulder the responsibilities that originally belonged to them. Perhaps after a few years or decades, the gap between them and their classmates would be like the chasm between heaven and earth.
On the day of the exam, James and Madam Sterling didn't sleep well, but they tried their best not to make a sound.
With Wu Ming's top-notch grades, they weren't worried at all. However, they didn't know why, but they felt a little frustrated and couldn't sleep.
"Come, eat more!"
During breakfast, Madam Sterling intentionally added a slightly browned egg to Wu Ming's plate. She didn't mention a single word about the exam.
"Do your best!"
When James and Wu Ming went out together, the man stroked Wu Ming's head. "Either way, I must support you until you enter secondary school. The same goes for my two younger siblings. If this year doesn't work, then next year. If next year doesn't work, then the year after!"
James's tone was rather firm.
Wu Ming pursed his lips. "It's just an exam … Rather than worrying about me, why don't you worry about Brandon and Angelina!"
His two younger siblings had also reached the age to enter school. Although they were only a year younger than Wu Ming, they didn't have his talent. They only entered school at the age of seven and were still wandering around the lower grades.
Moreover, their grades weren't that great either. They were hovering around the lower grades, which made James very vexed.
"Sigh …"
Upon hearing this, James didn't say anything more. He put on a bitter face. When it came to learning, it was useless no matter how anxious others were. He could only continue to support Brandon and Angelina's studies and hope for a miracle to happen.
At the same time, he placed more hopes on Wu Ming. This was something that everyone in the family could clearly sense.
As a result, his two younger siblings were now respectful and fearful of Wu Ming, but they were also a little distant from him. Perhaps the indifferent temperament of a transmigrator was also one of the reasons for this.
"Alright, I'm going to school!"
Wu Ming waved at the door, and his two little heads popped out. "Big brother, you go first. Angelina and I still have something to do!"
Brandon said stubbornly.
"Who said I'm fine? I'm fine. Brother Steven, wait for me!"
A red shadow flashed by the side. Angelina, who was wearing a uniform skirt with a large red bow on her chest, came to Wu Ming's side.
"En, Steven, I'll leave everything to you!"
Seeing Angelina like this, James seemed to be very gratified. He immediately took the bus to work.
"What are you plotting today?"
Wu Ming stared at Angelina with a scrutinizing look in his eyes. This younger sister of his was out of character today, and it gave him a very strange feeling.
"No … nothing!"
Angelina stirred her fingers uneasily.
"Oh, then let's go!"
Wu Ming walked in front indifferently. When they reached the school gate, Angelina suddenly leaned over and pulled his hand.
"En?"
Wu Ming was even more puzzled. But soon after, he saw a few lower grade students at the gate. They seemed to be his sister's classmates.
"I'm going to school. Goodbye, big brother!"
Angelina smiled and waved her hand, then ran back into her little circle.
Wu Ming's ears twitched, and some faint sounds could be heard.
"Eh? So Steven is really your big brother? "
"That's Steven? I heard he's a fifth-grade senior. He's always first in the year and was chosen as the prefect by the teacher. He's quite an outstanding figure even in a noble school! "
"I didn't expect you to be his younger sister, Angelina!"
"Then Brandon is also his younger brother? With a big brother like him, your future will definitely be very happy! "
… …
The elementary students were all talking at once, discussing spiritedly like sparrows. Angelina, who was at the center, seemed to enjoy the atmosphere and giggled.
When Wu Ming heard this, he was a little speechless. "So that's how it is. Little girls also have vanity?"
He had always been low-key and even apathetic. Coupled with the heavy burden of schoolwork, there was very little interaction between different grades. Even now, there were still many students who didn't know about his relationship with Angelina and Brandon.
"But …"
He looked at Angelina's back and curled his lips. "I'm afraid very soon … you will all hate having a big brother like me. Because all your achievements will be compared to mine. No matter how much praise you receive, it will be weakened by 'you're that person's younger brother or sister' and so on … So much so that you can only live under my shadow for the rest of your lives!"
Because of this consideration, he didn't publicize anything with great fanfare and didn't give his younger siblings much care in school.
But now, it seemed that everything was somewhat counterproductive.
"Forget it … I hope their hearts are strong enough!"
Wu Ming scratched his head helplessly and walked into the classroom.
"Hey! Steven! "
Weidi immediately surrounded him like a pug, winking as he hinted, "It's done, the rest is up to you!"
Because the final exam was about to begin, the atmosphere in the classroom was rather heavy. Many students were nervously doing their final revision and tidying up their stationery.
"What's wrong with Neville?"
Looking at Neville in front of him, who could be considered to get along with him, lying on the table in a depressed manner, Wu Ming couldn't help but poke Philip who was beside him.
"What else …"
Alice fiddled with the corner of her skirt and moved slightly closer. She lowered her voice and said, "I heard … Neville's parents have already told him that they will definitely not allow him to repeat a year again."
Wu Ming looked at Neville somewhat sympathetically.
His academic results were only below average. The chances of him passing the final exam in one go weren't high. Needless to say, even if he passed, with his family's situation, his parents might immediately make him drop out of school and work to make up for the family's expenses.
This wasn't about being heartless or not, it was just for the sake of survival!
The hardships of life had been shouldered prematurely by these children who were supposed to be playing carefreely. This was the main theme of the era, and no one could escape it.
"That is to say … Neville is very likely to drop out of school?"
Wu Ming touched his chin, and his eyes suddenly lit up.
He had many plans, and it wasn't convenient for him to do it himself. From the looks of it, this Neville was an honest person with no ulterior motives. Perhaps he would be suitable to be his initial agent?
Although it was a little awkward to build one's happiness on someone else's pain, Wu Ming wasn't the culprit who caused all of this. Furthermore, he would give Neville more in the future, and even change the course of his life. This made him feel at ease.
"Steven!!!"
The door to the classroom opened, and a tall youth with blue curly hair walked in.
"It's Rayne from the next class!"
Weidi immediately stood behind Wu Ming. Philip and Alice did the same, and there seemed to be two opposing groups.
"The final exam is today!"
Rayne took a deep breath. "This time … this time, I will definitely surpass you! I won't lose again … "
"Oh!"
Wu Ming nodded and calmly sat down to tidy up his stationery.
Rayne instantly felt as if he had punched cotton. He turned around angrily and walked out of the classroom.
"Steven, actually, I think … Rayne is quite pitiful …"
Weidi looked at Rayne's back and suddenly sighed. Philip and Alice also kept nodding, as if they were very much in agreement.
This Rayne was originally the prefect of their year. Before Wu Ming came, he was the top student in the eyes of all the teachers, and he always got first place.
After Wu Ming came, he could only settle for second place …
Not only that, in any event, as long as Wu Ming participated, as Rayne's opponent, there would only be one outcome — being beaten up in all sorts of ways.
In the end, even Wu Ming couldn't bear to bully him like this anymore.
However, Rayne seemed to have a personality that grew stronger the more he was defeated. Although he couldn't compare to Wu Ming in all aspects, he had the taste of being defeated again and again. This time, he came to challenge Wu Ming again.
"I'm sorry … I have to give you another blow!"
Wu Ming shook his head.
Although he didn't care about the rankings, the Sterlings valued it very much.
Moreover, the better he developed now, the richer the circle he would come into contact with when he grew up, which would naturally help him explore the whole world. Therefore, this time, he could only dishearten Rayne again.
Fortunately, with his thick nerves, he should definitely be able to bear it.
"Alright, the examination will begin today!"
Not long after, a few stern supervising teachers walked in. "Those whose names are called, follow me to the first examination room! Fulin, Andrew, Steven, Weidi … Remember, you are only allowed to bring a pen. Others are not allowed. If you are caught, it will be considered cheating! "
Along the way to the examination room, Wu Ming looked at his seat and found that Weidi was right behind him. He couldn't help but secretly give him a thumbs up.
Although this kid wasn't good at studying, his ability to be opportunistic and curry favor was not to be underestimated. Perhaps it would be more suitable for him to be a businessman.
"First round, literature!"
After the bell rang, the invigilator handed out a roll of paper filled with questions. Wu Ming quickly scanned through it and had an idea in his heart. It even involves the poetry of the Feliluo Dynasty. This question is very tricky!
Of course, no matter how difficult it was, it was only at the level of a primary school graduate. For the well-read and knowledgeable Wu Ming, it was nothing at all. Immediately, his pen flew, and only the sound of rustling could be heard in the entire examination room.
Weidi scratched his ears and cheeks as he waited for a while. Finally, he saw Wu Ming in front of him give the secret signal. He couldn't help but be shocked, and his eyes lit up …
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