Otaku Translation: Literary Genius: This Kid Was Born Smart C89

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Chapter 89: Leave a Legend Behind

"The second announcement," Lu Yi continued, "is that the school’s anniversary is coming up in October, less than a month from now. Every club is required to prepare a performance." She paused for emphasis. "Many of you in Class 10 are active in various clubs, so please take this seriously. However, remember—your studies still come first."

In short, academics took priority over extracurriculars. Gu Lu got the message loud and clear.

But what kind of performances were expected from sports-oriented clubs like the basketball team? Surely they weren’t planning choreographed dance routines?

After delivering her speech, Lu Yi quickly stepped down from the podium and returned to her seat, where she sat frozen for a few seconds, acutely aware of how heavy her breathing sounded. Still… she had made progress! She mentally patted herself on the back.

"Class Monitor, can you talk to the teacher about getting the air conditioner fixed already?" Ma Xuanyou groaned, fanning himself even while seated. "This heatwave is unbearable. How are we supposed to focus on studying when we’re all sweating buckets?"

The standing air conditioners in No. 8 High School classrooms were beloved by students, some of whom even decorated them with drawings. Unfortunately, they broke down so often that they’d earned the nickname “Non-Rotating Coolers.”

"Ms. Gao has already reported the issue to the school," Lu Yi explained. "With every class using their ACs recently, many units have malfunctioned. The repairs are being handled on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’ll take time."

"It’s been broken for an entire week!" Ma Xuanyou exclaimed. "How long do we have to wait? Until we graduated?"

His complaint sparked a wave of grumbling throughout the classroom. Even Lu Yi, as Class Monitor, felt powerless. What more could she do? Pushing the matter further would only add stress to an already tense situation.

And let’s be honest—when the weather got this hot, everyone’s tempers flared.

September in Chongqing was notorious for clinging stubbornly to summer’s scorching tail end.

"I’m really looking forward to Wednesday’s freshmen orientation," Tian Xiao, Gu Lu’s desk mate, said wistfully. "I heard our club president plays the guitar beautifully. So many people have written him love letters!"

Clearly, Tian Xiao was daydreaming about wielding his violin skills to achieve similar campus fame.

"Hey, bro, why are your hands still ice-cold despite this heat? Aren’t you sweating at all?" Tian Xiao suddenly asked, reaching out to touch Gu Lu’s arm without permission.

"If you want something cold, go grab an ice cube. Don’t come near me."

Gu Lu dodged his grasp. His cool skin likely stemmed from the original body’s frailty, but it wasn’t a big deal. His growth spurt over the summer proved he was recovering just fine. These minor issues would resolve themselves with proper care.

"Huh?" Out of the corner of his eye, Gu Lu caught sight of something intriguing unfolding across the room.

"Look over there—" he pointed for Tian Xiao’s benefit.

In the middle of the classroom, Dou Ke was fanning Huang Lu with a textbook in one hand while simultaneously scribbling answers on a test paper with the other. By the way, Dou Ke was left-handed—a detail worth noting.

"Oh?" Tian Xiao’s eyes gleamed with gossipy excitement. He resolved to interrogate Dou Ke during their next bathroom break.

To be fair, a boy fanning a girl didn’t necessarily mean romance. Just as girls roughhousing with boys didn’t always imply affection—it depended on context.

The evening breeze carried traces of humidity, wrapping around everyone like warm steam fresh out of a pot.

Today was Gu Lu’s turn to clean up after class, so he lingered near the back of the room with a broom in hand, waiting for everyone else to leave.

Due to No. 8 High School’s unique evening study schedule, cleaning couldn’t happen during the afternoon. Instead, duty students emptied the trash and did a quick sweep after night classes ended. They’d return early the next morning for a more thorough cleanup.

By the time evening study concluded at 9:45 PM, both commuting and boarding students alike were eager to bolt from the stifling classroom.

But Class Monitor Lu Yi stayed behind with two close friends, engrossed in what appeared to be an intense discussion. Gu Lu noticed there was even some mild arguing going on.

Once the last stragglers had left and silence filled the room, Gu Lu finally overheard what Lu Yi and her companions were discussing.

It was the air conditioner issue again. As Class Monitor, Lu Yi was determined to find a solution. Huang Lu suggested bypassing the school maintenance crew entirely and taking the matter straight to the principal.

"Actually, I have an idea," Gu Lu chimed in unexpectedly.

"Hmm?" Lu Yi turned to him, surprised. "What’s your suggestion?"

"When school started, didn’t each student contribute 250 yuan toward class funds?" Gu Lu proposed. "Why don’t you ask the class tomorrow if they’d agree to hire an external repair person? It shouldn’t cost more than 100 or 200 yuan to fix the AC."

Compared to middle school, the class fund contributions at No. 8 High School were significantly higher. But these funds also covered photocopying exam papers and purchasing study materials, which were deducted directly from the pool.

"With fifty students in the class, splitting the cost would only amount to three or four yuan per person," Lu Yi calculated, her eyes lighting up. "That sounds completely feasible!"

"Thanks, Gu Lu," she said gratefully.

"Don’t mention it. Once the AC’s fixed, we’ll all benefit. Now, solve the problem and head back to the dorms early."

Lu Yi, Huang Lu, and their third companion gathered their things and left the classroom. Meanwhile, Gu Lu efficiently tidied up the overflowing trash bin.

"It’s ridiculous that we didn’t think of this sooner," Huang Lu remarked as they walked together. "It’s not like the school repairmen are the only ones who can fix things. Four bucks? That’s just skipping a couple of popsicles."

Students lingered on the sports field, refusing to retreat indoors despite the late hour. Their reasons varied—some chatting, others practicing—but none seemed ready to call it a night.

"Gu Lu’s pretty sharp," Huang Lu added thoughtfully. "I wonder whether he excels in math, physics, or chemistry."

"Maybe math," Lu Yi guessed.

Little did she know, Gu Lu—the mathematical disaster zone—wouldn’t crawl into bed until nearly 10:30 that night.

---

[Zhāng Zhìshàng is such a pain. Yesterday, he stole my rubber band again.]

[We got a new teacher in eighth grade. They teach too fast, and most of the class can’t keep up.]

Wait—these messages were from Gu Jiayu, Gu Lu’s younger sister. A middle schooler at Bishan Laifeng Middle School, she lived nearby and commuted daily. Having finished her homework early, she indulged in venting through texts, transforming into a professional rant machine.

Recently, Zhang Zhìshàng had become her primary target.

Of course, Gu Lu no longer identified with the struggles of eighth-grade boys—he was a high schooler now!

Clearly, the kid was just trying to get attention, a behavior that would persist into adulthood. Hence the saying: men remain boys at heart until death.

[Does he only snatch your rubber bands, or does he bother others too?] Gu Lu asked.

Gu Jiayu responded with a lengthy explanation.

Alright. Gu Lu revised his earlier judgment. This brat was cut from the same cloth as Zhang Yudong—pure mischief.

[I’ve got to prep for our club’s freshmen orientation tomorrow afternoon. Let’s chat later.]

Gu Jiayu had always envied her brother’s tales of vibrant high school life. [Ahhh, I’m so jealous!]

[Jealous? Then aim to enroll in No. 8 High School.] Gu Lu replied teasingly. By the time Gu Jiayu enrolled, perhaps No. 8 High School would already bear legends of Gu Lu’s exploits.

Most high schools in Chongqing lacked such extensive extracurricular activities for two main reasons:

First, funding. Maintaining numerous clubs required operational budgets each semester, not to mention hiring advisors and purchasing equipment—a hurdle that deterred half the schools.

Second, academic performance remained the ultimate measure of success. Top-tier schools monopolized the best students, leaving ordinary institutions under immense pressure to prioritize test scores over creativity.

Switching off his phone, Gu Lu focused on writing. He had unfinished business: completing the remaining chapters of Park of Yesterday.

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