Slurping the tea from his large mug, Sun Guotao said, "Don’t worry, anyone who was late today is excused. If it snows again tonight, day students can head home early from evening self-study."

"You’re the best, Mr. Sun!"

"Ah, don’t thank me, thank the principal. By the way, morning exercises are canceled today. We have to shovel snow instead. Once our class has finished clearing our assigned area, you can head back to the classroom early."

"Yes, sir!"

Sun Guotao looked at the vibrant kids, his eyes full of approval. But when his gaze slid over to a student he held in high regard, Sun Guotao spoke up. "Chen Feng, come with me to the office to get the exam papers."

"Mhm."

Once they were in the office, Sun Guotao put down his large mug and said earnestly, "Chen Feng, have you run into some trouble recently? Tell me about it. See if I can help."

Chen Feng had actually known this was coming. With his grades slipping so badly, Sun Guotao was bound to pull him aside for a talk.

He had been waiting for it for a few days, in fact, but the teacher hadn’t said a word, only bringing it up today.

In truth, Sun Guotao was highly attuned to his students’ psychological well-being. That was why he hadn’t approached Chen Feng immediately; he’d been worried the boy might get lost in his own head and had been trying to protect the delicate self-esteem of a seventeen or eighteen-year-old.

But a problem discovered had to be solved. Any delay could ruin a good kid.

Chen Feng was at his wit’s end. He’d been giving his mother the cold shoulder for days, ever since he had run off after Lin Nian. His mother had chased after him, first crying, then yelling. She yelled at him, yelled at Lin Nian, and finally, even yelled at Shen Zhengfeng.

Chen Feng knew his mother felt wronged, but he also knew now that she and Shen Zhengfeng were truly involved.

He still remembered how he’d confidently declared to Qin Jiao that he had a clear conscience, but in the end, reality had just slapped him in the face.

Chen Feng hung his head. "Something’s going on at home. But don’t worry, Mr. Sun, I’ll definitely do well on the next exam."

Seeing that he was unwilling to discuss his family situation, Sun Guotao didn’t press. He just said, "You know, on one hand, I worry you all feel too much pressure about the college entrance exams and make yourselves overly anxious. On the other, I worry you don’t take the exams seriously enough. Chen Feng, I’ve always known you’re a good kid. No external matter can shake our true selves. Besides, the path you walk is your own. The choices you make now will affect the next several decades of your life."

Chen Feng knew Mr. Sun meant well. He nodded solemnly and said, "Don’t worry, Mr. Sun. I’ll get myself sorted out as soon as possible."

"Good. Also, you should put your personal matters aside for now. Once the college entrance exams are over and you’re all in university, you’ll be adults. You’ll be able to judge many things more rationally then."

Sun Guotao’s words were subtle, but Chen Feng knew he was talking about Lin Nian. He was silent for a moment, then nodded.

In truth, Chen Feng couldn’t quite let go of Lin Nian’s tenderness. He also felt a responsibility toward her and thought he shouldn’t distance himself at a time like this.

’But my studies are the most important thing right now. And it’s not like I’m abandoning Lin Nian for good.’

’The last thing I want is for Shen Yi to catch up to me on the next exam. And I’m going to take back first place from Qin Jiao.’

As Chen Feng was leaving Sun Guotao’s office, he happened to spot Qin Jiao nearby. She was wearing a thick, padded winter coat, yet she didn’t look bulky in the slightest. He couldn’t tell what she was saying to the friend beside her, but her smile was radiant.

For some reason, Chen Feng felt his heart skip a beat.