When the System Backfires

I was the real daughter of the Jenkins family, recently brought home, while Coco, the fake, unexpectedly procured the College Entrance Exam Leech System. All she had to do was give a name, and the person's score would be transferred to her exam sheet. She was overjoyed when she mistook me for the star student who had been the top scorer in the city's high school for three years, and quickly put my name in. Then, in the three months leading up to the college entrance exam, she would be watching Youtube videos in class, getting her nails done after school, all while bragging she could get over 700—even with her eyes closed. I warned her that college entrance exams were no joke, but her boyfriend leapt to her defense, snapping at me, "Coco is a genius! What would a bumpkin like you know?!" Our parents were playing favorites as ever, yelling at me too. "Don't get jealous! Coco is a born genius!" They had no idea that there was another Jojo Jenkins at the school, and a boy at that. He was also given guaranteed admission to a prestigious university without needing to take college entrance exam, while I was just an art student who was addicted to drawing. On the day the results were published, Coco even invited the media on her livestream as she checked her score, ready to set her reputation as a young prodigy. I watched her smiling smugly, quietly putting away my arts school admission notice. She liked stealing college entrance exam scores? She had my blessing to steal mine! Chapter 1 It was pouring after school. The family chauffeur had parked our Rolls-Royce outside the school gates, and he held an umbrella as he stood and waited respectfully for Coco Jenkins. She turned to me, smiling as she waved at me. "Bye, sis. There's only one car—just take a bus. Mom and Dad did say a little suffering is good for the soul." That was how I ended up waiting forty minutes in the rain, my clothes completely soaked through. When I returned home, I found the dining table covered in exquisite Franconian dishes: foie gras, lobster salad, onion spaghetti, and even red wine. Coco had changed into fresh clothes and was sitting at the table, while Mom kept putting more food on her plate, saying, "Eat as much as you can—keep your mind sharp for the mock exam tomorrow." No one looked at me as I stood at the doorway, still soaked through, so I simply headed upstairs. "Stop." That was when Dad called out to me, putting down his wine glass with a surly look. "I heard you keep trying to hog the spotlight at school? What, did you think you're related to that other Jojo Jenkins studying at that elite school? "Don't ever presume you could leech off someone's glory just because you share the same name. Don't you have any sense of embarrassment?" I held his gaze as I calmly replied, "I never leech off anyone." Having no retort, Dad simply snorted and waved for me to leave. I returned to my room, changed out of my wet clothes and quickly picked up my sketchbook. After all, I needed three primary works to get through the special admission program of Central Art, the best art school in the country. Still, I was working until 2 am when I heard a door knock. It was Coco, dressed in a silk sleeping gown as she leaned against the doorframe, leering at me smugly. "Don't bother pretending," she told me with a charming giggle. "Our parents don't know, but I do—you're a science student who topped statewide exam rankings for three years. Still, you're now pretending to be an art student, just so you can surprise everyone and humiliate me!" "What a shame… My System has already locked on to you. All your luck and your college entrance exam score will be transferred to me automatically. So don't bother trying—all you have to do is bend over as my stepping stone." I simply stared at her foolish grin for a moment and calmly closed the door. Locked on to me? She definitely had no idea that she stole a high mock college entrance exam score and afforded her a moment of accomplishment. However, the other Jojo Jenkins is a boy, and the government noticed his talent to move him to the prestigious Upton College, exempting him from college entrance exam. If Coco tried to steal the score of 'Jojo Jenkins' again during the actual exam, she'd get my score instead—some art student who couldn't grasp the basics of cultural studies. Chapter 2 During the mock exams, I picked up the question sheets that the invigilator distributed, looking just like an encyclopedia with the dense pages of texts. Picking up my pencil, I picked 'C' for everything, and flipped to the blank page behind to sketch the Mona Lisa from memory. The invigilator was gliding past me, pursing her lips after a glance at my answer sheet but said nothing. After all, it was all too common for arts students to give up on taking their college entrance exam completely. And yet, I heard that Coco was way worse, sleeping through the entire exam and handing in blank sheets. When the invigilator woke her, she rolled her eyes. "What the heck? I didn't even want to be here." In the afternoon, the school public address system boomed with an announcement, "I'm Shaun Grant, a third year and Coco Jenkins' boyfriend! I'm here to congratulate her for getting first place in the city soon! Coco, you're the best!" The whole school cheered with roars and whistles, and everyone down the hallway was talking about the perfect couple. I felt amused even as I washed the paint off my hands, at the genius who submitted blank sheets for her mock exams, and the simp who spent money on an insipid announcement. Guess they are the perfect couple in a way. In three days, the mock exam results were announced on an electronic board. [Coco Jenkins sets the highest college entrance exam score in the city!] The school was buzzing as I walked through the front hall. "Gosh, Coco really is a genius! Scoring above 700, just like that!" "I was always wondering why she's always busy doing her nails instead of studying, but she's just too good!" Coco squeezed her way through the crowd just then, unable to hide the delight on her face. After all, she knew what that meant—her System worked! However, she remained oblivious of the truth, as she presumed that college entrance exam score was stolen from me. Excitedly hugging Shaun, she cried, "I knew it! I knew I could do it!" Shaun was holding her and spinning, laughing in delight. In the afternoon, the school arranged for Coco to speak on stage about how she succeeded, where she spoke ever so eloquently. "It's just studying," she said with a smile. "There's no need to try so hard—and I myself maintain a good balance between study and recreation. Yes, you heard right! I nap in classes to rest my mind, and as I work hard for exams, my relaxed mind scores easily!" Numerous worshipful looks were cast her way as thunderous applause echoed, while I was busy in the art room, adding the final touches to my submission. That was when the class teacher Bob Simpson stormed inside, his face ashen. "Jojo Jenkins! Get over here!" He was bellowing as he slammed the mock exam ranking on a desk, pointing at the bottom row. "4 points?! Do you even know what this means?! You're rock-bottom in your year! Dragging the art class's average score to historical lows!" I looked at the answer sheet where I picked C for everything and somehow still got a couple right, before turning back to the class teacher. "I'm just an art student, Mr. Simpson. Civics aren't that important." Bob was shaking with rage. "Don't you understand?! My whole month's commission is gone because of you!" Bang! The door was kicked open even before Bob could keep ranting. Mom's heels were clicking in her wake while she strode in, rage contorting her face. Right behind her was Dad, his necktie loosened and lopsided. "4? You scored 4?!" Mom's slap had zero hesitation as it landed across my face, knocking me sideways. The art room was silent as I slowly turned my face back to her, while feeling the burn on my left cheek. "You're such an embarrassment!" Dad was scowling as he pulled out a document from his briefcase. "From now on, you will never mention to anyone that you're a member of our family. Sign this to agree that we disowned you. Go walk your own path all you want, but don't drag Coco down with you." Every student and teacher in the room simply looked on, none of them trying to defend me at all. I myself stared at the paper for a moment, and briskly picked up the pen to sign it. Mom looked surprised, clearly not expecting me to give in that easily, but I simply put down the pen and left the art room. As I did, I heard Mom telling Dad behind me, "Just look at her. Adopting a dog is still more worthwhile than that." Chapter 3 It was the high school graduation ceremony and the whole school was gathered at the track field. Coco, as valedictorian, was giving a rousing speech on stage. "There's no need to fear your college entrance exam, everyone! Just find the right style for you, and everyone could create miracles! Just like how I never studied or worked overnight, but topped the city's rankings anyway!" Everyone applauded deafeningly, while she paused, her eyes scanning the field as she continued, "Naturally, if you overestimate yourself and insist on competing against a genius, you'd just humiliate yourself." I know she was talking about me, but I had no time for her. I stayed crouched in a corner of the field, making my final adjustments to my submission. It was my primary submission to be submitted to Central Arts, so every stroke and sketch had to be perfect. I heard footsteps, but didn't look up, presuming it was someone walking past. However, my palette was sent flying the next moment, and all the paint splattered over the piece I worked on for three months. Stupefied, I looked up to see Shaun staring at me in turn, with three lackeys behind him. "Oh, I'm sorry—didn't see you there," he said unapologetically. "Also, know your place—Coco is giving a speech. Trying to steal attention with that silly painting, aren't you?" I stared at the crumpled paper. Three months' worth of work, going to waste just like that! Looking up at Shaun, I asked, "Are you crazy?" He glared at me in turn and strode up. "Say that again, I dare you!" That was when Coco 'just happened' to arrive, saw the sketch on the ground and stamped on it, even twisting her heel. Then, she gasped out loud dramatically. "Oh, I'm sorry, sis! I didn't notice where I was going!" I stood up, glaring at her when the principal arrived. Coco was suddenly bursting into tears, "Mr. Smith! She broke my limited edition crystal bracelet! It's well worth over five figures!" She raised her hand, showing her wrist was bare after hiding her bracelet before anyone saw. Mr. Smith looked at her and then at me, frowning, "What did you do, Jojo?" I wasn't even bothered to defend myself—I was too used to this act. Our parents soon arrived, with Dad glowering. Mom promptly added insult to injury too. "If you can't afford it, drop out and get a job. And that so-called art training camp? Don't bother." She promptly called the organizers on the spot too, asking for a refund of my participation. I stood there as everyone laughed at me, when I noticed an elderly man standing beyond the crowd. His hair was white and he wore gold-framed glasses, and he had a suave presence to him as he quietly observed everything. It was Professor Carl Zims, from Central Arts! I knew him because he answered my emails once before. Taking a deep breath and picking up the trampled paper, I rushed towards the professor, taking out the drawing tablet from my bag. I had worked on another submission two days ago, in the dead of night. As I held out the tablet to the professor, he took it and stared at it for five seconds. When he looked up again, there was excitement in those eyes behind his glasses. "What's your name?" "Jojo Jenkins." "Come to my office tomorrow." As he turned to leave, there was a spring in his step. No one noticed our exchange or bothered to find out who the professor was, however, as Coco was still bawling and demanding I pay her back. Chapter 4 The night before the college entrance exam, all lights were on in our home as Mom and Dad held a grand banquet with over twenty tables, celebrating Coco's acing her college entrance exam ahead of time. Fireworks erupted above the gardens as Shaun—in a fancy tailored suit—knelt before Coco, taking out a blue velvet box. Opening it to reveal a diamond ring, he asked, "Shall we get engaged once you get your college entrance exam scores?" Coco was blushing as she took the ring, putting it on as everyone cheered her on. "Oh, you… The exam hadn't even started!" She pouted. "But… the answer is yes." The mood was at once cheerful as everyone expected glory even before it came. - Meanwhile, I was living in a rented basement near school, barely a hundred square feet wide—having moved out since signing that disownment agreement. My phone screen lit up with the email sent from Central Arts. [Congratulations! You have been selected for the S-rank international special admission. Your physical admission letter will be delivered on short notice.] I stared at the screen for a long time—there were only three places for that special admission which was available globally. And for me, that was acknowledgement enough. The next morning was the actual college entrance exam. The Jenkins sent an entire convoy of Rolls-Royce to escort Coco to the exam hall, blocking the entire street. The bus I was in ended up a few streets out and stuck, and as Shaun passed by, he wound down his window and laughed at me. "You can't even make it to the exam hall? You really deserve to be a bottom feeder!" I didn't bother arguing and leapt out of the bus window. Scanning the rental QR code for a bicycle, I took the shortcuts through various narrow alleys, making it to the exam hall at the very last minute. As I took my seat while the invigilator watched, I received my question sheet. After just a sweeping glance through the reading and writing subject, I once again picked C for all questions with multiple selections. As for the essay questions, I simply drew fifty skulls of various shapes and sizes, and then did the same for other subjects. There was also the math paper, so I drew another fifty, making both a full hundred. When it was all over, the press was flocking around the school gates, surrounding Coco as soon as she stepped out. She smiled with confidence and composure at the cameras, announcing, "I was in good form. I'm betting I'd score 1590." A press member cried, "But 1600 is the perfect score! Are you sure about that?" Coco looked at him sideways as she smiled mischievously. "I do think I could break the state record." Meanwhile, I left from the side gate, avoiding all the cameras. - On the day the results were announced, my parents booked the banquet hall in the city's best five-star hotel for Coco. The celebratory banner outside reads: Congratulations on acing your college entrance exam, Coco! There were over three hundred cameras set up and waiting, while every media outlet and the state's education department officials in the city arrived. I was wearing a dollar t-shirt and about to enter when Shaun's bodyguards intercepted me. They informed Shaun, who strode out, giving me a once-over. "What are you doing here? Begging for alms? Just so you know, everyone invited here is society's elite..." I simply took out a special invitation provided by Central Arts, leaving him stunned. Entering the hall, I took a seat in a quiet corner, with a plate of lobster right in front of me by chance. I peeled and ate one, which was really good. At 12 pm, the college entrance exam scores were released to all systems. The hall quickly turned silent as everyone turned to look at Coco, gliding center stage under the spotlight in her tailored gown. She was beaming as she waved at the cameras. "Hello everyone! And I'm grateful for the press to come here today. Now, we shall all bear witness to a real miracle!" As she sat behind her computer, ready to key in her examinee ID, the whole hall counted down with her. "Three!" "Two!" "One!" Coco pressed Enter, and the webpage refreshed, publishing her college entrance exam score. All three hundredish pairs of eyes saw the number at the same time right then…