Chapter 93: Chapter 93: College Entrance Exam Results
In the blink of an eye, two days had passed.
Today was the day the high school exam results were released in Westcroft.
Ariana Grant had been called back to her hometown by her mom yesterday, so she wasn’t in Westcroft.
Ashley Shaw went to Claire Xavier’s shop as usual to deliver cakes.
Claire Xavier only found out today was the day results were released from the students who came to buy cakes.
She immediately called Ashley Shaw.
"Ashley, have you checked your results?"
Ashley Shaw was explaining to a customer at that moment why the delivery cakes were two dollars more expensive than in-store ones.
She patiently explained until the customer grudgingly paid the extra two dollars.
After collecting the payment, she answered Claire Xavier.
"Not yet, what’s up?"
"What do you mean, what’s up? Everyone’s been checking their results already, why aren’t you anxious? Hurry back, don’t deliver anymore, bring back the cakes you haven’t delivered and let Lynn do it."
Lynn was another delivery guy at the shop.
Ever since Ashley Shaw became "famous," many orders weren’t falling into his hands.
He wasn’t particularly diligent and just wanted to get by on his basic salary, so even if a customer didn’t specifically request Ashley Shaw, he would deliberately let her do the delivery.
Ashley Shaw didn’t want to disrupt business at the shop and took whatever orders she could.
Upon hearing Claire Xavier, she instinctively said, "I only have two more deliveries to finish..."
"What time is it now, still delivering? Come back quickly, I’ll be mad if you don’t."
Hearing the slight annoyance in Claire Xavier’s voice, Ashley Shaw had to agree.
Upon returning to the shop, Claire Xavier had already placed her laptop on the dining table, the page stayed at the result checking site, just waiting for Ashley Shaw to input her exam number.
Seeing her walk in, Claire Xavier quickly waved her over.
"Quick, report your exam number!"
Ashley Shaw saw Claire Xavier’s urgency and explained, "No need to rush, everyone should be checking now, the system is very slow, might as well wait a bit..."
"No waiting, just now, what’s your exam number?"
Ashley Shaw helplessly took out her phone and reported the number from a photo she had taken of her exam card previously.
Everyone in the shop gathered around the laptop, even the distinguished guests dining inside curiously raised their heads.
There were whispers saying, "Not in a hurry to check must mean not many points."
"Exactly, just look at her face, she doesn’t seem like a scholar."
Claire Xavier faintly heard that and with a half-smile said, "Sorry, we do not accommodate guests with low manners here."
The two people immediately blackened their faces.
"What do you mean by that? Is this how you speak to customers?"
"Yeah, and we weren’t wrong, were we? If she was good at studying, would she fear checking her results?"
"You..."
"Ms. Xavier, let it go." Ashley Shaw quickly held Claire Xavier’s hand, reminding her, "Aren’t you anxious to help me check my results? Let’s do that first."
Claire Xavier then snorted lightly and stopped arguing with those two, focusing on inputting the exam number.
After entering a long string of digits, she slapped the search key.
Sure enough, the site was slow.
The two customers also moved closer, awaiting the score to come up to mock.
They held no grudge against Ashley Shaw, it was a matter of pride, after being rebuffed by Claire Xavier, now they were determined to retaliate.
Claire Xavier paid them no mind, persistently refreshing the search.
That year, the college entrance exam hadn’t changed yet, still the customary scoring method.
Finally, the page began to slowly refresh.
Name: Ashley Shaw.
Candidate Number: xxxxx
Chinese Language: --
Science Math: --
Every subject below consisted of double dashes.
But at the very bottom, the page hadn’t refreshed yet, still a blank space.
Ashley Shaw saw it, her face showing astonishment.
This meant...
Just then, two snickers sounded.
From the two customers earlier.
"No way? No score at all?"
"Is this disqualification due to cheating? Didn’t expect poor grades as well as poor character. Ms. Xavier, do you still think we were wrong?"
Claire Xavier turned her head, her lips holding a meaningful smile.
"Haven’t you two gone to school?"
"What do you mean?"
Claire Xavier raised her head: "Don’t you know that only the top 50 provincial scores show in dashes?"
Their faces froze, simultaneously saying: "Impossible."
In the next instant, the page finally fully loaded.
Rankings appeared right after.
"Top 20."
The two customers saw it, their expressions instantly becoming puzzled and complex.
Claire Xavier couldn’t have been more smug at that moment.
"See that? Top 20! Top 20 provincially ranked! Seems you neither scored top 50, nor are surrounded by academically inclined friends."
"You—"
"What’s the matter? Did I say something wrong?"
Their faces flushed red, unable to rebuke, only leaving saying "Never coming back here again, what attitude," before an embarrassed exit.
Claire Xavier, hands on hips, shouted loudly: "Don’t come back! Even if you want to, I won’t let you!"
"Ms. Xavier..." Ashley Shaw tugged at Claire Xavier’s sleeve, signaling her not to mind what happened just now.
Running a shop, customers are like deities.
But considering Claire Xavier didn’t open this shop for profit anyhow, she swallowed back her words.
Being offended is being offended, the shop doesn’t miss those two customers.
Claire Xavier turned to see Ashley Shaw, almost grinning from ear to ear.
She rubbed Ashley Shaw’s cheeks with her palms.
"Oh my, Ashley, you have really made me proud! Do you know how thrilled I felt seeing the page pop up? Hahaha, I’m feeling great! First time understanding what it means to hit someone in the face, it felt fantastic..."
Claire Xavier laughed foolishly.
Others weren’t much different, each one grinning so much it looked as if their mouths could reach the sky as if the score was theirs.
"No way, Ashley, you’re actually a top student!"
"What do you mean actually, she already is one. I heard Ashley’s grades are pretty decent."
"Knowing it’s decent, but never expecting this level of excellence. First time seeing a top 50-ranked candidate’s page, Ashley, mind if I take a photo? I want to share a brag on social media! This post will surely get lots of likes."
Ashley Shaw smiled.
"As long as you’re happy."
"Yay!"
"I want a picture too! You stand over there."
"Don’t rush, one at a time, the page isn’t going anywhere!"
"What’s to photograph about the page? Ashley, let’s collaborate, don’t forget me in wealth later!"
Ashley Shaw was pulled aside for a photo.
She wasn’t used to being in front of a camera before, her expressions stiff during photos.
But since knowing Claire Xavier, who loves taking photos of people, she relaxed in front of the lens.
Soon, some posts appeared on social media.
And just then, Warren Prescott had finished his project work, scrolling on his phone.