I'm a senior in high school, and the Emperor Development System has arrived!

Everyone is waiting for the final results!

The final results are being confirmed on the podium.

Senior 44 (8): 11 seconds!

Senior 44 (10): 18 seconds!

0.07 seconds!
Class 8 of Senior Three won the gold medal in the 4x100m relay final by a narrow margin of 0.07 seconds!

"We won! We won!!!"

"Brother Zhou is awesome!!!"

"Chen Zhou! Chen Zhou! Chen Zhou!"

The students of Class 8, Grade 12, instantly erupted in excitement!
Li Bin hugged Zhou Xinglun and jumped around, shouting repeatedly:

"Brother Zhou is awesome! Long live Brother Zhou!"

Back in his classroom, Chen Zhou listened to the applause and cheers around him, smiled slightly, and then said:

"Basic operations, basic operations..."

Then, the system notification sounded again:

[Your Majesty, single-handedly, overcame an army of thousands, forging a legend; Imperial Prestige +1000!]

[Imperial Might: 3600]

"It was worth it, it was worth it..."

Chen Zhou chuckled.

In fact, standard relay races do not allow one person to run multiple legs, which is why school sports meets often have unclear rules.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to obtain this thousand imperial prestige.

After a short rest, Chen Zhou will no longer have any events to participate in.

They won gold medals in three middle-distance and short-distance races and two relays, except for the 4x400 relay which did not make it to the finals.

The 4x100 relay medal, in particular, is arguably the most valuable.

……

The afterglow of the setting sun shone on the sports field, which had been bustling for two days, gilding the red synthetic track with a warm golden hue.

With the awards ceremony for the last event concluded, the highly anticipated closing ceremony of the Games arrived as scheduled.

On the stage, school leaders began announcing various group and individual awards.

"...The team that won third place in the overall team score of this sports meet is Class 3 of Grade 11!"

"The team that won second place in the overall team score of this sports meet is Class 10 of Grade 12!"

Each time a class was read out, a burst of enthusiastic applause and cheers would erupt from the audience.

The students in Class 8 of Senior Three held their breath, clenched their fists tightly, and their hearts pounded.

Although the gold medal in the 4x100m relay gave them hope, whether they can ultimately make a comeback and become the team champions remains to be seen in the final announcement.

Jiang Yutong's palms were sweating. She subconsciously looked at Chen Zhou beside her, only to find that he was staring calmly at the podium, as if it were none of her business.

She gave him a slightly annoyed look.

"Now, I announce that the class that has won the overall team score in this sports meet is—"

The host paused deliberately, whetting everyone's appetite.

"Senior Three (8) Class!!!"

"yeah!!!"

Like a volcanic eruption, Class 8 of Senior Three instantly erupted in excitement!
"We are number one! We are number one!"

Li Bin was riding with Stephen Chow, looking all cocky and arrogant.

"Great! They really did it!"

Jiang Yutong covered her mouth, her eyes were moist, but her face was full of smiles.

Chen Zhou looked at his classmate's expression and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

This feels pretty good.

Next came the presentation of individual awards.

The winner of the "Best Athlete" award at this Games is—

The host's voice rang out again, his gaze sweeping across the entire audience before finally settling on one figure:

"At this sports meet, he broke three school records and won four gold medals, making great contributions to the class's overall team score of first place! He is Chen Zhou from Class 8 of the third year of high school!"

All eyes in the room were instantly focused on Chen Zhou, like spotlights!
The entire audience erupted in thunderous applause and cheers, more enthusiastic than ever before!
Amidst the envious and admiring gazes of his classmates, Chen Zhou calmly walked onto the stage and accepted the weighty "Best Athlete" trophy from the principal's hands.

He raised the trophy high and gestured to the audience.

The cheers reached another peak!
The closing ceremony has ended.

Senior 3 (8) returned to the classroom with a great deal of honor and joy.

As soon as I entered the classroom, the homeroom teacher, Shen Enxi, greeted me with a big smile.

She wore a beautiful dress today, which made her look especially radiant.

"Welcome home, students!"

Shen Enxi's voice was filled with undisguised pride:
"First of all, on behalf of the school and myself, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to all the students of Class 8, Grade 12! Congratulations on winning first place in the overall team score of this sports meet!"

The whole class erupted in thunderous applause.

"but--"

Shen Enxi changed the subject, and the atmosphere in the classroom instantly cooled down.

Her gaze swept across the entire class, then she slowly said:

"The sports meet is history now, so let's not be complacent about our class's honor."

"After all, we are Class 8 of Senior Three."

Shen Enxi's voice was gentle yet possessed an undeniable penetrating power:

"The closing ceremony has ended, which means that the baton of the relay race has been passed to the next runner."

"This leg of the race is called the College Entrance Examination."

……

201 days until the college entrance examination.

Not long after the sports meet ended, the school began preparing for the "200-day countdown to the college entrance examination and coming-of-age ceremony".

This countdown and coming-of-age ceremony has been held for four consecutive years at No. 2 Middle School.

Chen Zhou's class was the fifth.

Although the coming-of-age ceremony is preceded by the countdown to the college entrance examination, on this day, teachers deliberately avoid the pressure of the exam and offer all students a message:
"Adult happiness."

This is also one of the few days when students of No. 2 Middle School are able to wear their own clothes to school to participate in activities.

In Chen Zhou's memory, apart from tomorrow, the next thing that might happen is the graduation party after the college entrance examination.

"Elbow, what are you thinking about?"

Li Bin nudged Chen Zhou with his elbow:
"Your coming-of-age ceremony is tomorrow, have you decided what to wear yet?"

Stephen Chow also came over, winking and making faces:
"That's right, Brother Zhou, this is one of the few chances we can show off! I'm going to wear my treasured Balenciaga outfit that I've kept for years and stun everyone!"

Chen Zhou glanced at him:
"Is your 'Balenciaga' bag the kind that costs 9.9 yuan with free shipping on Pinduoduo?"

"Holy crap! How did you know, Pork Knuckle?"

Stephen Chow looked shocked, then became smug:
"So what if it's only 9.9 yuan? Fashion is all about looks!"

"Pull you down."

Li Bin scoffed:

"Tomorrow I'm going to wear the suit my dad bought me. It'll make me look mature and sophisticated, and I'll definitely outshine all the young heartthrobs!"

Chen Zhou shook his head helplessly. These two clowns were always so "abstract".

"I'll just wear whatever, a T-shirt and jeans will do."

Chen Zhou said calmly.

For him, what he wears doesn't seem to matter.

"No, Brother Zhou!"

Li Bin panicked:

"Tomorrow's a big day! It's my coming-of-age ceremony! It has to be so formal, so handsome, so incredibly handsome! Just think about it..."

"Hehe! So many girls are dressed so beautifully, what would it look like if we were dressed so shabbily?"

Stephen Chow also spoke slowly and emotionally:

"Adulthood is the passing of the baton of responsibility, the passport to rights, and the ship of autonomy..."

Chen Zhou looked at the two of them, and asked in surprise:

"Didn't you say you weren't good at writing when we took the Chinese exam before?"

Stephen Chow rolled his eyes and said:

"God of the Boat, we're being serious, stop making dirty jokes."

Li Bin was slightly taken aback:
"Where is it yellow?"

The two looked at him simultaneously, their voices filled with sorrow as they spoke in unison:
"Damn it, this kid's ruined." ...

After finishing training and evening self-study, Chen Zhou and Jiang Xia walked together.

As soon as they left the teaching building, Jiang Xia couldn't wait to ask Chen Zhou:

"Hey, it's your coming-of-age ceremony tomorrow, what are you planning to wear?"

Chen Zhou was both amused and exasperated.

"It's just a coming-of-age ceremony, why are you all taking it so seriously?"

Jiang Xia snorted and said:
"People as indifferent as you are the minority, aren't they?"

Chen Zhou touched his nose and said:

"And what about you? What are you planning to wear?"

Jiang Xia shook his head, speechless:
"I only asked you because I hadn't thought it through! Why are you asking me instead?"

Chen Zhou shrugged and said:

"Just wear whatever you like, or you can wear your school uniform if you really can't!"

Jiang Xia said helplessly:
"Come on, bro, who's going to wear a school uniform tomorrow?"

Chen Zhou stroked his chin, pondering:
"If everyone stopped wearing school uniforms, wouldn't the one wearing a uniform become the most eye-catching person?"

Jiang Xia chuckled:
"Everyone else wants to be different from others, but you insist on taking the pure desire route."

Several black lines appeared on Chen Zhou's forehead:

"How did it become a purely sensual route?"

Just as the two were arguing about what to wear tomorrow, a petite figure appeared at the front door:

"Senior brothers and sisters!"

It turned out that Lu Mi was not far away, waving at the two of them.

The second-year high school students finished school about ten minutes earlier than the third-year students, but she didn't choose to go home early. Instead, she waited for the two of them to go home together.

One route, one direction.

Even a residential complex, a single unit, or a single floor.

With two beautiful girls by his side, Chen Zhou always had the illusion that he was already married and had two wives.

He shook his head slightly, dispelling the illusion in his mind, and then said to Lu Mi:
"Junior, your senior Jiang Xia is having a headache about what to wear to her coming-of-age ceremony tomorrow. Can you give her some advice?"

Lu Mi glanced at Jiang Xia and smiled slightly:

Wow, is tomorrow the coming-of-age ceremony for senior high school students? I'm so envious!

Jiangxia also smiled in response:
"What's there to envy about a junior? Are you envious that I'm a year older than you?"

Lu Mi chuckled:

"What are you saying, senior? I'm just genuinely envious."

"..."

Seeing the two bickering again, Chen Zhou was happy to have some peace and quiet, and walked home with his hands behind his head.

……

The next day.

Chen Zhou was woken up by the alarm clock. Looking at the words "Coming of Age Ceremony" on the calendar, he felt a little emotional.

After a quick wash, he began choosing the clothes he would wear for his coming-of-age ceremony.

I looked through the wardrobe, but still couldn't find any high-end clothes.

I can't exactly wear Old Deng's suit like that guy Li Bin, can I?
That would be so incongruous.

After thinking it over, Chen Zhou decided to wear his usual outfit.

White T-shirt + blue jeans.

It's versatile and that's all that matters.

The arrival time at school was the same as usual. After having breakfast with Lu Mi, the two went downstairs.

After the official start of the school year, Chen Zhou discovered that Lu Mi was just like him.

I also enjoy scouting locations before going to school.

It wasn't noticeable during the summer vacation, but it became very obvious after the start of the school term.

Downstairs, Jiang Xia, dressed differently than usual, was already waiting.

Although she said that last night, Jiang Xia wasn't actually dressed very formally.

I don’t know whether it was intentional or unintentional.

Her outfit was almost identical to Chen Zhou's.

They were both wearing white t-shirts and jeans, just different styles of t-shirts and jeans.

Seeing the two dressed almost like a couple, Lu Mi's expression immediately turned unhappy, and she barely spoke to Jiang Xia the whole way.

Jiangxia was happy to have some free time.

And so the three parted ways in front of the senior high school building.

Chen Zhou and Jiang Xia continued walking towards the classroom.

Just then, Li Bin, dressed in a suit that was clearly two sizes too big, rode by on his bicycle.

Seeing the two of them, he gripped the brakes and grinned strangely.
"Wow, this is the first time we've ever seen you two wearing matching outfits today?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xia blushed slightly and said:

"No, we just happened to bump into each other."

"Don't listen to the bastard chanting sutras!"

Li Bin, with a knowing look but saying nothing, continued riding his bicycle towards the garage.

When Chen Zhou entered the classroom, it was already in an uproar.

Everyone was discussing each other's outfits; this wasn't a coming-of-age ceremony, it was clearly a "fashion show."

As expected, Stephen Chow was wearing a black T-shirt with the Balenciaga logo and flashy white trousers, posing on the stage.

A group of girls looked at this outfit and laughed so hard they couldn't stand up straight.

Chen Zhou shook his head helplessly. Just as he reached his seat, Bai Qianqian, who was sitting at the table in front of him, suddenly turned around.

She wore a light green knit sweater today, her hair was tied in a loose bun, and wispy strands fell around her cheeks, making her skin look even whiter.

Upon seeing Chen Zhou, her eyes lit up, then she quickly lowered her head, her fingers nervously clutching the hem of her clothes, her voice barely audible:
"Chen...Chen Zhou, good morning."

"morning."

Chen Zhou responded with a smile, noticing that she was holding a pink envelope in her hand, the edges of which were almost crumpled.

Bai Qianqian bit her lip, as if gathering all her courage, shoved the envelope onto Chen Zhou's desk, turned around and buried her face in her arms, her ears burning red.

"To...to give...to your...adult happiness..."

The envelope had a crooked little rabbit drawn on it, and next to it was written in neat handwriting: "To Chen Zhou".

Chen Zhou picked up the envelope. Although he didn't know what was written inside, his heart softened inexplicably when his fingertips touched the lingering warmth of her.

"Thanks, Qianqian."

he said softly.

Bai Qianqian remained motionless in his arms, only his shoulders trembled slightly.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk."

Li Bin had somehow gotten close, sporting a head of stubble slicked back with hair gel, and his suit collar was askew.
"Wow, Zhou-ge, you're amazing! You just walked in and you already got a love letter? Why didn't anyone give me a gift with my mature and sophisticated suit?"

"Maybe it's because you look like an insurance salesman."

Stephen Chow added insult to injury.

"roll!"

Li Bin glared at him, then patted the envelope in Chen Zhou's hand:

"Hurry up and take it apart! Let us guys see what you've got!"

Chen Zhou stuffed the envelope into the desk drawer:
"What are you talking about tearing down? We'll talk about it later."

As they were talking, Jiang Yutong walked in carrying a stack of program schedules. Today she was wearing a light gray shirt dress, her hair was neatly tied into a low ponytail, and she was also holding a megaphone.
"Class, quiet down! We'll be in the auditorium in ten minutes. Here's the program. Chen Zhou, come with me to confirm the speaking flow for later."

Perhaps it was because he became famous overnight at the sports meet, coupled with his excellent physical attributes.

The head of the grade insisted that he give a speech today.

She walked to Chen Zhou's side, her gaze sweeping over his clothes, and a barely perceptible smile curved her lips:
"You're dressed quite casually."

"The class monitor was quite capable today too."

Chen Zhou got up and followed, but as he passed He Lili's seat, she grabbed his arm.

He Lili wore a black suspender dress with a denim jacket over it, which perfectly accentuated her figure.

She looked up at Chen Zhou, a smile in her eyes:
"Chen, my handsome god, what are you going to perform for the talent show later? Singing or dancing? If you're dancing and you don't need a dance partner, I can help you."

"Don't make trouble."

Chen Zhou gently pushed her hand away and said with a smile:
"Just go up and say a few words." (End of Chapter)