A fat man who was reborn from the dead? He transforms into a perfect male god in a week.

In the countryside during the Qingming Festival, time passes more slowly than in the county town.

Jiang Chen felt like he was living in two different worlds these past two days.

On one hand, the whole village was watching him like a god of literature; on the other hand, he was reminiscing about his childhood with Tang Ruoxi at a mountain reservoir.

Then, on April 4th, the Qingming Festival begins.

Jiang Jianguo and Wang Xiulian paid special attention to this year's Qingming Festival.

In previous years, we would simply sweep the graves, burn paper money, and set off firecrackers—that was enough to convey the sentiment.

This year is different.

At six o'clock in the morning, the sky was just beginning to lighten.

Jiang Jianguo then drove his beat-up Santana to town to buy things.

When Jiang Chen got up at eight o'clock, he was stunned by the scene in the yard.

The pile in the yard looked like a small mountain.

There were countless paper money, ingots, gold bars (made of paper), houses (paper villas), cars (paper BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes), paper maids and servants, and even paper laptops and smartphones...

Jiang Chen's lips twitched as he looked at it: "Dad, isn't this... too much?"

As Jiang Jianguo loaded things into the car, he didn't even look up: "What's a little extra? As long as our ancestors bless you with good grades and get into Tsinghua or Peking University, what's a little filial piety!"

Wang Xiulian chimed in, "That's right! If it weren't for the blessings of our ancestors, would you be where you are today?"

"First place in four subject competitions at the provincial level, a school award of 40,000 yuan, and even made it into the newspaper... We have to thank our ancestors for all of this!"

Jiang Chen wanted to say something, but swallowed it back.

Oh well, let the older generation have their beliefs.

It only happens once a year anyway, so it's good to spend some money to make my parents happy.

……

We arrived at the ancestral cemetery.

Jiang Chen then realized what extravagance meant.

The Jiang family ancestral graves are located on a hillside, with more than a dozen graves connected together.

Jiang Jianguo instructed, "Xiao Chen, go burn this villa for your great-grandfather, the one with the swimming pool, so the old man can live more comfortably."

"Xiulian, burn this Mercedes for Grandpa. The old man always wanted to drive a nice car."

"This laptop is for my second great-uncle. He loved reading when he was alive, and now he can go online."

Jiang Chen reluctantly did as instructed.

The smoke from the burning paper money shot straight into the sky, and the firelight made people's faces glow red.

The sound of firecrackers and fireworks continued unabated, just like during the Lunar New Year, lasting for more than half an hour.

"Crackling and popping!!!"

"Bang bang bang!!!"

Of all the houses on the hillside, the Jiang family's side was the most commotion.

The families of the people at the neighboring graves were dumbfounded.

An old man walked over and asked, "Jianguo, did your family... win the lottery this year?"

Jiang Jianguo beamed: "Uncle Li, it's not that we won the lottery, it's that Xiao Chen has really made something of himself! He's always first in school exams, and he's won first place in all the provincial competitions. The school gave him a 40,000 yuan reward, and it was even in the newspaper! And he's definitely going to get into Tsinghua or Peking University this year, so I'm thanking our ancestors for their blessings!"

The old man's eyes widened: "Tsinghua and Peking University are a sure thing?"

"Absolutely!" Jiang Jianguo stood up straight.

"Great! Excellent!" The old man gave a thumbs up. "Your Jiang family's ancestral graves are emitting auspicious smoke!"

Jiang Jianguo became even more smug and took out another large bundle of firecrackers: "Xiao Chen, set off another string! Let the ancestors hear a bang!"

Jiang Chen: "..."

He felt like he wasn't performing a ancestral worship ceremony, but rather conducting a military exercise.

The whole morning.

The smoke from the Jiang family's ancestral graves has never stopped.

In the afternoon, we went to the Wang family ancestral graves (Wang Xiulian's maternal home) and had another big fire.

When Jiang Chen got home that evening, he felt like he was covered in the smell of paper money and gunpowder.

[Ding! You have received +10 Amazing Points!]

[Ding! You have received +20 Amazing Points!]

[Ding! You have received +20 Amazing Points!]

It seems that today's performance has once again "amazed" the villagers.

Jiang Chen opened the system panel and took a look.

[Current Amazing Value: 900 points]

Okay.

Although the process was a bit exaggerated, the result was good.

I made a small profit this Qingming Festival ancestor worship.

……

The next day.

Wednesday, April 5th.

The end of the Qingming Festival means the end of the school's monthly holiday.

Jiang Chen and Tang Ruoxi took the early bus from the countryside back to their school in the county town, starting a new round of intensive preparation for their senior year in April.

It's 8:30 in the morning.

Class 4, Grade 12, Jiangcheng No. 3 Middle School.

Jiang Chen had just walked into the classroom with his schoolbag on his back and hadn't even had a chance to sit down when a figure blocked the doorway.

She was a tall, slender young female teacher wearing a beige knit sweater and light blue jeans. She had long hair, delicate features, especially her bright and expressive eyes, and fair, translucent skin. She exuded a youthful and sweet aura.

It's English teacher Han Feifei.

She was also the most beautiful female teacher at Jiangcheng No. 3 Middle School, without exception, and was privately regarded by countless boys as the "most beautiful fantasy object in No. 3 Middle School".

Good morning, Teacher Han.

Jiang Chen greeted him politely.

Han Feifei crossed her arms and looked at him with a half-smile: "Jiang Chen, were you very busy last month?"

Jiang Chen was taken aback: "Huh?"

"I asked you if you were very busy last month?"

Han Feifei tilted her head. "So busy that you've almost forgotten about me, your English teacher?"

Jiang Chen was both amused and exasperated: "Teacher Han, what makes you say that?"

"What do you mean, 'what'?" Han Feifei raised an eyebrow. "Then let me ask you, do you have some kind of problem with me, your teacher?"

"No," Jiang Chen said sincerely.

"Is that a problem with English class?"

"No, not at all."

Han Feifei nodded, then her tone suddenly turned serious: "Then tell me, why did you make your teachers—Math Teacher Zhou, Physics Teacher Li, Chemistry Teacher Deng, Biology Teacher Du, and even your homeroom teacher, Chinese Teacher Pan—win awards in competitions and bring them honor?"

"He won first place in all four provincial competitions—mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology—and also first place in the preliminary round of the New Concept Writing Competition in Chinese!"

She paused, her tone becoming even more resentful: "Even with sports, you still promised Mr. Xu from the sports class that you would participate in this month's youth track and field championships."

"But why is it that you've never participated in any competitions, not even once, in the English classes I teach?"

She got more and more excited as she spoke: "Do you think English class isn't important? Or do you think I'm a bad teacher and not worth you bringing back an award to make me proud?"

Jiang Chen: "..."

He finally understood.

So this is jealousy... no, it's more like feeling unbalanced.

Seeing that other teachers' subjects all achieved first place in the province, while she, as an English teacher, had no results, she felt frustrated.

"Teacher Han, you've misunderstood!"

Jiang Chen quickly explained, "I really have no problem with English class, and I have the utmost respect for you."

"The reason I didn't participate in the English competition is simply because... there aren't really any competitions for English at all!"

Han Feifei blinked: "Really?"

"Absolutely true," Jiang Chen shrugged. "Think about it, math, physics, chemistry, and biology have provincial and national competitions; Chinese has the New Concept Writing Competition; sports have the Olympics and championships. But what about English? What do you have?"

"An English speech? An English essay? Or an English debate?"

"If there is an opportunity, I will definitely participate!"

"But it seems like our school, or our county, doesn't have any competitions like this at all?"

He was telling the truth.

In order to earn "amazing points," he would never miss a competition.

Han Feifei stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly burst out laughing.

His smile was sly, like a little fox.

"Okay, I believe you!"

She said with a smile, "Since you have no problem with English, then I can rest assured."

Jiang Chen felt relieved: "That's good..."

"So," Han Feifei changed the subject, "your teacher signed you up for a class."

Jiang Chen: "...What's your name?"

"The Jiangzhou City English Speaking Contest will be held this Saturday morning in the auditorium of the No. 1 Middle School of Jiangzhou City."

As Han Feifei spoke, she took out a registration form from her bag and waved it in front of Jiang Chen.

"Your teacher has already registered you. You just need to go and participate in the competition."

Jiang Chen: "..."

Good grief, they were waiting for me here!

"Teacher Han, you..." Jiang Chen said, both amused and exasperated, "I never said I wanted to participate!"

"It's not too late to say it now," Han Feifei said matter-of-factly. "Anyway, the registration is already done, it would be a waste not to go. Besides, didn't you just say that you would definitely participate in any English competition?"

Jiang Chen opened his mouth, but was speechless.

This teacher... has some pretty clever tricks up her sleeve!

"But Teacher Han..."

Jiang Chen pursed his lips. "I've never shown any talent in spoken English before. Aren't you afraid that my spoken English... is actually just so-so, and that I'll not only fail to win an award in the competition, but will also embarrass you?"

"What are you afraid of?" Han Feifei raised an eyebrow. "Which competition did Jiang Chen participate in that he didn't win first place?"

"First place in the provincial competitions for mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology; first place with a perfect score in the monthly exams twice; first place in the preliminary round of the New Concept Chinese Composition Competition; ten world records at the school sports meet."

"It's no exaggeration to say that you're now an all-rounder, with no weaknesses! Wouldn't it be perfectly normal for you to participate in an English speaking competition and win first place?"

Jiang Chen: "..."

Isn't this teacher a little too confident in him?

"So, are you going or not?"

Han Feifei pressed further, "So, you can get first place for the teacher too, and let the teacher feel proud in the office?"

"You have no idea, all your other teachers are walking around their offices with an air of superiority, while I'm stuck with my tail between my legs. It's so frustrating!"

When she said this, she had a pitiful expression, like a child who hadn't received any candy.

Jiang Chen couldn't help but laugh: "Okay, Teacher Han, I'll get this first place back for you."

"Really?" Han Feifei's eyes lit up.

"Really!" Jiang Chen nodded.

Anyway, it's a chance to earn some "wow points," so why not go?

and……

He suddenly remembered that when he bought ten blind boxes from the system before, he had gotten a skill called "English Speaking Proficiency" which he hadn't used yet.

This will come in handy.

"That's great!" Han Feifei's eyes lit up, and she excitedly patted Jiang Chen's shoulder.

"It's settled then. We'll meet at the school gate at 7:30 this Saturday morning, and your teacher will personally take you to the city!"

"it is good."

Han Feifei left contentedly, her steps light and cheerful, her back view radiating joy.

Jiang Chen shook his head and walked back to his seat.

As soon as I sat down, Hao Yingjun leaned over, looking quite gossipy:

"Brother Chen, what did Teacher Han want with you just now? I think I heard something about 'competition' and 'first place'... Could it be that he wants you to participate in some competition again?"

Jiang Chen nodded: "Yes, there's an English oral speech contest in the city on Saturday, and Teacher Han signed me up."

Holy crap!

Hao Yingjun exclaimed in surprise, drawing the attention of the surrounding classmates.

He quickly lowered his voice, but his tone was still excited: "Brother Chen, are you going to start a new track again? You already won first place in the provincial competitions for math, physics, chemistry, and biology, and first place in the preliminary round of the Chinese essay competition, and now you're going to compete in an English speech contest?"

"You're really... leaving no way out for the other students!"

Tang Ruoxi, sitting in the front seat, turned around, her eyes crinkling with a smile: "Old Chen, are you going to the city for an English speech contest on Saturday?"

Jiang Chen put the registration form on the table: "Yeah, Teacher Han forced me to do this task."

"Are you confident?"

Tang Ruoxi asked, "How's your spoken English? I've never heard you speak English before. Do you want me to practice with you these next couple of days?"

Hao Yingjun nodded in agreement: "Yes, yes, yes! Brother Chen, although my English isn't great, I can still listen!"

Jiang Chen smiled and said, "No need. It's just a city-level competition; I can handle it with ease."

"Tsk tsk tsk," Hao Yingjun shook his head, "Brother Chen, I give you full marks for your showmanship."

Tang Ruoxi laughed too: "Then I'll be waiting to see you get first place."

"Absolutely."

……