"Not really," the other person thought for a moment. "I heard from friends in Class 1 that he always goes off-topic in his essays."

"......"

"This time, the top student in the grade is in our class, which is Brian Brooks."

Saying this, Sarah Grant herself felt a sense of unreality. "I took a quick look at his test paper. Except for losing quite a few points on the Chinese essay for being off-topic, there were no problems in the other subjects. Before the teachers go over the questions, you can borrow his test paper to take a look."

As soon as she finished, everyone in the class couldn't help but look toward the fourth seat in the third row.

Brian Brooks didn't even lift his head. He held a pen in his hand, flipping through a question bank, seemingly not the least bit interested in what was on the projector screen.

He really knows how to show off.

Grace Bennett withdrew his gaze.

"The rest of you performed just so-so. The class average is even lower than the last exam. I hope you all seriously consider: with these scores, what kind of university could you get into for the college entrance exam?"

Someone muttered below, "If the college entrance exam is as hard as this test, I'll just go work as a laborer."

"Others get full marks, and I can't even understand the questions."

"And a small number of students..." Sarah Grant scrolled the table to the very bottom, her mouse hovering over the last name.

She looked at the number 9 under Math, held back for a long time but couldn't resist, " Grace Bennett, are you planning to pick up trash after you graduate?"

"Haven't decided." Grace Bennett thought for a moment. "But it's an option."

Sarah Grant skillfully grabbed a piece of chalk and aimed it at his head.

Chapter 4

The forty-minute class meeting passed quickly.

When the bell rang, Sarah Grant ignored the harsh sound and continued, "In a couple of days, I'll rearrange the seating. If anyone has thoughts or opinions about their seat, you can come to my office privately. As for class officers, it'll still be the same group as before..."

A figure stopped at the classroom door.

Sarah Grant turned and met David Howard's gaze, instantly understanding.

"Alright, that's it for now. Class reps, please collect the winter break homework."

Hearing the words "dismissed," Grace Bennett's head immediately dropped—

"Grace Bennett, I need to talk to you." Sarah Grant's voice came coldly, "Wait for me in my office. I'll come over after I finish talking with Mr. Howard."

"......"

Not long after the class meeting ended, the teachers' office was empty.

A tall stack of booklets was piled on Sarah Grant's desk, with a computer and lesson plans on the other side, leaving only a clear space in the middle.

A cool breeze slipped in through the window crack, comfortable and pleasant.

Grace Bennett stared at the empty spot for a while, then unhesitatingly lay down and went to sleep.

……

"Are you getting used to the new class?"

"Yeah."

"The regular class's pace is much slower than Class 1's. You need to keep up your practice and not be affected."

"Yeah."

"Your parent is very concerned about this. She called me this morning, and I told her that the class reorganization is just a temporary measure. Once things settle down, the school will make new arrangements."

Grace Bennett kept his eyes closed, waiting for a long time, but didn't hear the usual lifeless "yeah."

He lifted his head from his arm, annoyed at being woken up, and looked forward over a stack of exercise books.

Seeing who was standing in front, Grace Bennett narrowed his eyes.

Can't get rid of this guy, huh.

Brian Brooks stood silently in front of the desk, talking with his former Class 1 homeroom teacher.

Grace Bennett didn't move much, and with three desks and a partition between them, the person in front didn't notice him at first.

"But your parent still has concerns. She wants me to help transfer you to a better class. After all, the class you're in now..."

"No need." He finally responded.

The Class 1 homeroom teacher paused. "But your mom..."

"They're all regular classes. There's no difference."

The boy's tone was cold, his thin single eyelids drawn down.

Grace Bennett propped his chin up, lazily watching the show.

"You just transferred to that class, so maybe you don't know yet," the Class 1 homeroom teacher hesitated, "Even though they're all regular classes, Class 7's atmosphere... is worse than the others. Their average score is always at the bottom, and they always come last in the class hygiene and discipline evaluations. There are even a few notorious troublemakers—one named Grace Bennett, you must have seen him, always reading self-criticisms at the flag-raising ceremony. Your mother's concerns aren't unfounded; it's all for your own good..."

Clatter.

The sound of a pen dropping.

The Class 1 homeroom teacher's voice stopped. Both of them turned to look back.

Grace Bennett bent down to pick up his pen, then looked up and met their gaze.

Seeing him, Brian Brooks's slightly tense shoulders suddenly relaxed, and he returned to his usual silent expression.

The Class 1 homeroom teacher still had her mouth open.

She noticed the band-aid on Grace Bennett's face and remembered the rumors about Grace Bennett hitting a teacher. She felt a vague sense of dread, and it took her a while to find her voice: "You..."

Grace Bennett: "I think you're right."

"?"

Before she could react, Grace Bennett added, "Someone as vicious as me would only scare the top student. I support him transferring out."