Chapter 59 Locked Out

Chapter 59 Locked In

Ever since Shang Xu gave tests to Cheng Feng and the Little Young Master, their attitude towards studying had noticeably improved. After all, there was only a week left before the school-wide placement exam.

Cheng Feng learned that the top three students in the school could receive substantial scholarships: 500,000 for first place, 300,000 for second, and 100,000 for third.

From then on, he studied as if his life depended on it.

When the bell rang for the end of class, while others were still chatting and playing around, he was either solving problems or reviewing notes. The only reasons he left his seat were to use the restroom or eat.

Basketball?

All his classmates had temporarily set it aside to prepare for the exams, so naturally, he didn't need to go to practice either, pouring all his energy into studying instead.

Even during art class, he secretly studied English vocab.

His English foundation was too weak; his rural school back home never emphasized the subject. Besides, he really had no talent for art. After three classes, he still couldn't draw a decent apple. Since this subject wasn't tested, he didn't pay much attention to it anyway.

The music teacher was still on leave, so every music class automatically turned into gym class. But for Cheng Feng, P.E. was just another place to do practice exams.

Their class wasn't originally considered particularly "intense"; many students didn't care much about grades.

But recently, several top-ten students in the class seemed ignited by Cheng Feng's drive and started cramming like crazy. They no longer chatted after class but buried their heads in books and practice problems.

When the top students pushed hard, the average students panicked, afraid of falling further behind, and had no choice but to study desperately too.

Even the usual slackers, seeing the Little Young Master studying seriously, couldn't sit still anymore. They put away their playful attitudes and joined the study grind.

Thus, every time class ended, the classroom was filled with the sounds of flipping pages and writing. Teacher Li occasionally passed by the classroom door and was stunned by what she saw.

She remembered she was clearly in charge of a rather laid-back, average class. When did it become so fiercely competitive?

Were these really her usually lazy students?

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, exam day arrived.

That day, Cheng Feng was especially nervous.

This was his first formal exam since transferring to this school, and he naturally hoped to do well.

However, he was also aware of his true ability.

He had been doing practice tests every day during this period, and his scores were nearly identical to during the test Shang Xu gave him, with only a slight improvement.

The exams lasted three days in total.

After each exam, unlike other students who gathered to compare answers, Cheng Feng quietly put on his headphones to listen to music, letting himself relax.

Today was the last exam.

Zhang Yuantao slapped his test paper on the desk and turned to look at Shang Shaohao and Cheng Feng:

"Hey! How did you two do?"

Shang Shaohao slowly rolled his neck, his tone relaxed:

"Not bad, didn't think it was too hard."

Cheng Feng was slightly taken aback, looking at him with some surprise. Shang Shaohao found it easy?

In Cheng Feng's opinion, this exam was clearly quite hard.

Zhang Yuantao stared at Shang Shaohao and lowered his voice:

"Brother Hao, you didn't cheat, did you?"

Shang Shaohao frowned, clearly annoyed: "What nonsense are you talking? How could I cheat? No way."

Zhang Yuantao pressed on: "So you thought it was easy?"

Shang Shaohao nodded: "Yeah, a bit easier than the last exam. I felt like I could actually do several of the problems."

Cheng Feng couldn't help but smile. It seemed Shang Shaohao hadn't cheated; he had genuinely improved during this time.

If the Little Young Master's grades really improved this time, would he get some kind of reward?

This period was study hall.

Cheng Feng remained buried in his books and practice problems, while most of the other students, having just finished an exam, were playing around.

After all, who wanted to hit the books right after an exam? Everyone was eager to relax. Some gathered to chat, while others sneakily pulled out their phones to play games.

As soon as the bell rang, Cheng Feng headed straight to the gym to practice basketball.

The basketball tournament was next month. He had to perform well and strive to help the team clinch first place so he could pocket the prize money.

Due to frequent practice, he had not only learned to steal the ball but also how to shoot, though his accuracy still couldn't match his other teammates.

Li Anmo had the best shot. Cheng Feng asked him for advice and learned attentively.

After training, Cheng Feng and Li Anmo went to the bathroom together.

After coming out, Cheng Feng returned to the locker room to change. Li Anmo had something to do and left first.

Soon, he was the only one left in the locker room.

This time, after changing into his jersey and preparing to leave, he found the door locked again.

Cheng Feng froze. He remembered the last time he was locked in the locker room was over ten days ago. Who was deliberately messing with him? Who had nothing better to do?

If they've got the guts, they should come at me directly.

Cheng Feng took out his phone, intending to call someone to open the door for him.

However, before he could dial, the locker room door was suddenly opened from the outside.

Several boys stood at the doorway, smirking at him.

These boys were all from his class, the ones who always gave him weird looks.

Cheng Feng frowned: "What do you want? I haven't provoked you."

The leader was a boy nearly six feet tall, with a buzz cut, a somewhat fierce-looking face, and a band-aid on his right cheek.

His name was Xie Dongyang. His piano grades were average, and his academic performance was among the worst in the class.

Xie Dongyang crossed his arms, looking at Cheng Feng with a half-smile, his chin slightly raised.

Two of the boys slowly approached Cheng Feng.

Cheng Feng immediately sensed danger and backed up, his eyes warily fixed on the dozen-strong group.

He wasn't short—in fact, he was quite tall—but these boys were clearly more built than him.

He could hold his own in a fight, thanks to all the manual labor he'd done, but facing over a dozen boys who were taller and stronger, he was definitely at a disadvantage.

He didn't understand why being better at piano than them made him a target like this.

While continuously backing away, he instinctively stabbed at his phone screen, hoping someone would answer, at least to get the driver over here.

As long as the Shang Family's driver arrived, he'd stand a better chance.

Suddenly, one of the boys lashed out with a kick, sending his phone flying from his hand.

The phone hit the ground hard with a loud *crack*, the screen instantly shattering.

Cheng Feng glanced at the shattered phone, his fists unconsciously clenching. His eyes quickly scanned the surroundings as his mind raced, calculating how to fight his way out.

"I'm good friends with Shang Shaohao."

Xie Dongyang and the other boys laughed, their laughter full of mockery.

"You're friends with him? Do you think we're a bunch of amateurs? That we can't check your background? You're just a lowly nanny, and you dare say you're friends with Shang Shaohao? Does he even acknowledge you as a friend?"

Cheng Feng lowered his gaze briefly, then looked up, glaring at them fiercely.

He absolutely couldn't show fear—the more scared he seemed, the more excited they'd get.

Bullying the weak and fearing the strong was a trait shared by both humans and animals, and he understood that all too well.

"Since you know I'm his nanny, do you have a death wish daring to touch me? After all, I am Shang Shaohao's nanny. Bullying me is like slapping Shang Shaohao in the face."

Xie Dongyang chuckled lightly, his gaze at Cheng Feng malicious and somewhat greedy. The more he liked someone, the more he enjoyed bullying them. He had to mess with Cheng Feng to feel satisfied.

"Just a nanny. Do you think you're someone Shang Shaohao can't live without? Nannies can be replaced anytime. If you get hurt, do you think he'll avenge you? Don't dream. Shang Shaohao is just like us; he also enjoys bullying you poor folks. If he were here today, he'd join our 'fun and games.'"

Cheng Feng frowned, disliking the way Xie Dongyang was looking at him. "Why? I haven't provoked you or gotten in your way. What's your problem with me?"