Otaku Translation: Literary Genius: This Kid Was Born Smart C57

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Chapter 57: Half-Truth

“This is what we call a good student at No. 37 Middle School—someone who respects their teachers,” Principal Chang said approvingly. If a student couldn’t even show respect for their homeroom teacher, how could they honor their alma mater?

The reason he’d gathered so many teachers today wasn’t just to discuss student behavior—it was about something bigger. Principal Chang wanted to revise the school’s recruitment brochure.

In those days, schools weren’t focused on building flashy websites; instead, they relied on printed pamphlets.

He planned to add a new section titled Distinguished Alumni. It would feature two names: an entrepreneur (a second-generation wealthy heir) who graduated from No. 37 and had agreed to donate a significant sum, and Gu Lu, the first-ever winner of Chongqing's Ye Shengtao Cup literary award—a testament to the talent nurtured by the school.

The assembled teachers felt that Principal Chang’s reforms were too radical. He’d only been in office for half a semester but had already implemented his “one excellent, one struggling” policy, rearranged seating across all classes, and adjusted wages for campus cleaning staff, security guards, and dorm supervisors.

Still, feeling uneasy didn’t mean voicing objections. And so, with little resistance, Principal Chang’s proposal sailed through unanimously.

---

The playground lay empty, devoid of any physical education classes. The sky above mirrored this emptiness—clear blue without a single cloud.

Inside Class Five, Literature class had just ended, and another Literature lesson was up next.

“Gu Lu won’t be coming to school for the next four or five days,” Mr. Li informed Chen Na. “Like Wang Hongming, he’s secured early admission and doesn’t need to take the high school entrance exam.” He paused before adding, “No need to mark him late anymore.”

Class Five had strict rules: three tardies meant standing as punishment. But Wang Hongming, the dance prodigy, hadn’t shown up for over a week now. No one knew which prestigious school accepted him—he hadn’t shared, and neither had the teachers.

“Ah!” Fan Xiaotian exclaimed, mouth agape.

Zhou Lin glanced at the empty desk beside her. Without a seatmate, lessons felt lonelier than ever.

It was wonderful news, though. Zhao Juan was genuinely happy for Gu Lu but couldn’t help wondering which school he’d gotten into.

“South Gu, North Wang—the twin stars of our class,” sighed Wang Jianhua dramatically. “With Gu Lu gone, am I really the last shining star left?”

Meanwhile, Zhang Yudong barely noticed when his eraser toppled off his desk. Without Gu Lu around, everything seemed duller somehow.

“He is coming for the graduation celebration, right?” Ren Jie muttered under his breath. “He already chipped in money for it.”

“The big shots are leaving the class,” murmured Wang Wenjun softly.

Tang Jingjing’s eyes sparkled mischievously. She was already plotting how to spread the news far and wide.

Around them, whispers erupted like wildfire. On the podium, Mr. Li watched in mild astonishment. Since when did Gu Lu become such a central figure? When Wang Hongming disappeared, there hadn’t been nearly as much fuss.

Shaking off his confusion for the moment, Mr. Li fixed his gaze on Ren Jie, the loudest voice in the room. “Enough talking! Let’s get back to work.”

Silence fell, and the lesson resumed. Like every other teacher during this critical period, Mr. Li spent the rest of the class helping students review and fill gaps in their knowledge.

One less day of preparation time remained.

One more day of freedom stretched ahead for the students.

---

The following morning, the classroom buzzed with excitement during the break between reading sessions. Suddenly, someone shouted aloud, drawing Mr. Li’s attention.

“Gu Lu? Back to collect your things?” Mr. Li asked casually. After all, he’d mentioned earlier that returning later to tidy up together would suffice.

“Beginnings and endings matter,” Gu Lu replied lightly. “Besides, sitting here gives me access to free books. Once I finish reading, I can return them directly to the teacher.”

“Fine, take your seat then,” Mr. Li said, deciding not to press further.

As Gu Lu settled back into his usual spot, most of his classmates greeted him warmly.

What a charmer, Gu Lu thought wryly. At his age, carrying such charisma sometimes felt exhausting.

And yet, honesty compelled him to admit that life had changed recently. Over the past month, while he hadn’t noticed much growth in height, his appearance had improved significantly. Gone was the gaunt, almost monkey-like frame of his former self. His face had filled out slightly, lending him a fresh, refined look.

Zhou Lin wasted no time reclaiming her lost deskmate—though the phrase sounded odd, its meaning clear enough. Within moments, she whipped out her notebook and began chatting animatedly. By the end of the class, her scribbles covered nearly half the pages.

When the bell rang, a swarm of familiar and unfamiliar faces crowded around Gu Lu. Such was the magnetic pull of being at the center of the class.

“Wait,” Zhang Yudong piped up. “Didn’t Mr. Li say you didn’t have to come back?”

“Because Gu Lu couldn’t bear to leave me all alone,” Fan Xiaotian chimed in cheekily. “He told me yesterday over QQ chat.”

Zhang Yudong snickered. “You actually believe that?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” Fan Xiaotian draped an arm around Gu Lu’s shoulders. “We’re brothers, aren’t we, Gu Lu?”

Gu Lu nodded, amused. Yes, he’d stayed home over the weekend partly because phone data was expensive and partly because he lacked friends outside school. His sole entertainment came from books—and where better to read than in the classroom?

With the high school entrance exams looming closer, each day counted.

“You see?” Fan Xiaotian grinned triumphantly.

“Idiot,” Chen Xue teased, rolling her eyes at Xiaotian.

Laughter rippled through the group, but Zhao Juan, who had long wanted to ask about Gu Lu’s chosen school, suddenly hesitated. Instead of speaking up, she quietly sat at her desk, stealing glances at Gu Lu whenever she thought no one noticed.

“He got early admission and still shows up?” grumbled Wang Jianhua from his seat. “Completely stealing my spotlight.”

---

Meanwhile, the admissions office at No. 8 High School proceeded methodically. Securing agreements with parents early ensured no last-minute surprises.

Gu Lu’s father, freshly hungover after celebrating a business deal with a partner (they made soy sauce together), stumbled groggily to his feet. Realizing he was at his friend Changmao’s house—a fellow drinker whose disheveled lifestyle matched his own—he rubbed his temples.

“That fake booze gave me a headache,” Changmao complained, shaking his head. With his unkempt hair resembling a mop dancing wildly, the nickname fit perfectly.

“It wasn’t fake,” Gu Lu’s father countered. “It was half-real.”

“Right, right—the bottle was real, the packaging was real, even the bag was legit. Only the liquor itself was fake,” Changmao quipped, heading to the sink to gulp down water.

“It’s not that we can’t afford real alcohol,” Gu Lu's father explained. “But half-real tastes just as good, and no one notices if you gift it.”

“People don’t drink gifts anyway—they judge by appearances,” Changmao shrugged. “Tonight, dinner’s on me. Join me?”

“Sure thing,” Gu Lu's father replied, checking his phone. It was 4 PM. Despite rising early, he noted the sun still shone brightly.

Changmao’s house epitomized the stereotype of a drunkard’s den—clutter everywhere, dirty laundry strewn across sofas, chairs, and every surface except the bed.

His phone rang, but Gu Lu's father ignored it immediately.

“Aren’t you going to answer?” Changmao asked.

“Nope. Yesterday, some scammer claiming to be from the admissions office called. Waste of time,” Gu Lu's father dismissed with a wave.

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