When You Finally Turn Around After Playing Enough, I’ll No Longer Be There - Chapter 16:

Chapter 16: Chen Luo Is Actually Studying on His Own?

From then on, Chen Luo became even more focused on improving himself. After finishing all the high school material, he began studying college-level subjects. Because his memory had improved, he could remember everything he read, and his learning efficiency was several times better than before.

He didn’t restrict himself to school content. As long as it was useful to him—whether it was psychology, law, linguistics, or The Art of War—Chen Luo explored it all.

That day, Chen Luo went to the library again. Just as he was carrying a large stack of books to the checkout, a gentle female voice called out to him, “Chen Luo.”

He turned around and saw it was his homeroom teacher, Xia Qing.

“Teacher Xia,” Chen Luo said, a little embarrassed.

Xia Qing looked different from how she did at school. Her long, smooth hair was loose, and the eyes beneath her elegant brows appeared even softer. Her figure was graceful like a willow in spring, and she radiated the fresh and vibrant charm of a college student.

Only then did Chen Luo remember—his homeroom teacher had just graduated from college not long ago.

“You’re buying this many books to read?”

“Yes, teacher. I want to learn more outside the classroom.”

Xia Qing glanced at the books in his arms and frowned slightly. She clearly disapproved of his self-study approach. “Chen Luo, I’m not against self-study, but you need the right method. High school material is already difficult. You’re trying to study so much extra content—can you really handle it all?”

High school class assignments were done by lottery. When Xia Qing got Chen Luo, she had been thrilled for days and even showed off to the other teachers. Chen Luo was a perfect scorer in the high school entrance exam—a top student. With him in the class, her advancement rate would be secure. Having a top student also helped improve the overall study atmosphere in class.

Xia Qing always felt lucky to have drawn Chen Luo.

But who would’ve thought he’d only attend school for one day before going on indefinite leave?

Of course she was disappointed. She didn’t want to see a genius fall. She hoped Chen Luo would return to the right path. Even if he fell behind in coursework after coming back, it was still better than wasting his days like this.

Under Xia Qing’s gaze, Chen Luo scratched his head with a sheepish smile. “I’ve finished all three years of high school.”

“Oh?” Xia Qing raised an eyebrow, her tone rising slightly. It was clear she didn’t believe him. “That impressive, huh?”

Most good students were humble. She didn’t expect Chen Luo to be this boastful. Not only boastful, but also fond of bragging. She made a mental note to help him fix that bad habit later.

She thought to herself.

“In the recent joint exams, Xu Yi scored 664 points and ranked first. Jiang Kewei got 635 and came in second. The two of them have already stolen your title as the campus genius. If you don’t come back soon, everyone’s going to forget that you once got a perfect score on the entrance exam.”

“664…” Chen Luo touched his chin. “So the joint exam’s top score has gotten that low?”

Xia Qing was both amused and exasperated. She playfully smacked him on the head. “Still bragging! Then come back and show me a higher score!”

“Alright, I’ll come back right away.”

“Stop brushing me off with words like that. Tell me the truth—when are you actually coming back?”

Xia Qing put her hands on her hips, her brows raised in a rare stern look as she stared at Chen Luo.

Seeing his always gentle homeroom teacher looking so upset because of him, Chen Luo smiled and gave in, “Okay, I promise you, I’ll definitely come back next semester.”

Hearing that, Xia Qing finally looked relieved. “You’d better keep your word.”

“Deal.”