Xu Si looked up at the person on the podium, who indeed appeared to be no more than twenty years old.
Liu Rui wrote his name “Liu Rui” in large characters on the blackboard: “My name is Liu Rui, and I’ll be your English teacher from now on. I’m actually twenty-eight years old with kids running around at home, so I’m not just another student.”
The students burst into laughter.
Liu Rui continued, “I’ve already learned about your class’s English situation. Your foundation is actually decent. With some effort, I believe everyone can achieve better results than before.”
Wu Wei said, “Teacher, you’re the first one to say we have a foundation.”
Yang Shikun added, “Many previous teachers said our class was hopeless, always ranking last. They said we were the worst class they’d ever taught.”
Liu Rui smiled, “That’s exactly why you have so much room for improvement.”
He then asked, “Could Jiang Qiao raise your hand? I’d like to see who you are.”
Jiang Qiao raised her hand.
Someone from below called out, “Teacher, Jiang Qiao got full marks last time.”
“Even though our English is terrible, it doesn’t stop our class from having the top English student in our grade.”
Liu Rui smiled, “Good, now I know you. I’ll assign the position of English class representative to Jiang Qiao. My office is upstairs.”
Jiang Qiao obediently responded, “Okay.”
Tao Guicheng patted his chest in relief: “At least this teacher didn’t say which other student should be English class rep. How can you have an English class rep who’s failing English?”
Wu Wei looked at her, “Isn’t that exactly what you are?”
Tao Guicheng glanced at him, “Get lost.”
Liu Rui’s teaching style wasn’t rigid, and he easily engaged the class’s interest. When the bell rang, he promptly packed up his books: “Alright, class is over. We’ll continue the remaining content next time. Class rep, please come with me to my office.”
In the office, Liu Rui looked at Jiang Qiao: “I was so busy talking earlier, I forgot to ask if you wanted to be class rep.”
Jiang Qiao nodded, “I do want to.”
Liu Rui smiled, “That’s good then. You just need to collect their homework and come ask me about homework assignments after class each day. If anyone doesn’t cooperate with your work, just tell me directly.”
“Okay, I understand. Thank you, teacher.”
“Good. Today’s homework is to complete two pages from the school-issued materials, to be collected before the second evening self-study period. Remember to notify everyone.”
“Okay.”
Liu Rui watched Jiang Qiao’s departing figure, thinking this newly chosen class rep was quite pleasant.
With two or three minutes until class, Jiang Qiao clutched her notebook and finally announced: “English homework is two pages from the school materials, to be collected before the second evening self-study period.”
“What?”
“Didn’t catch that, could you repeat it, Jiang?”
Xu Si, sensing that Jiang Qiao had already used her loudest voice, impatiently repeated: “Two pages from the school English materials, to be collected before the second evening self-study period.”
The class fell silent.
Xu Si asked again, “Did anyone not hear?”
Those who had earlier claimed they couldn’t hear stammered, “We heard it.”
After speaking, Xu Si went back to his phone. Jiang Qiao looked at him and said softly, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Your voice is soft, so I can help you announce things in the future, or we can write it on the blackboard.”
The fifth period became a self-study session because the teacher had something to attend to. Jiang Qiao was working on physics homework. Xu Si couldn’t sleep anymore, so he took out the book Jiang Qiao had given him. He flipped through it and found the page they had read before.
He Guoshi came in from behind at some point and walked to Xu Si’s side: “Xu Si, caught you this time! What are you reading? Let me see.”
He took the book from Xu Si’s desk, looked at the title, and said: “Come with me.”
Xu Si followed him out.
He Guoshi started lecturing: “You don’t have a teacher this period, right? This is self-study time for doing homework, not for reading extracurricular books. Have you finished all your homework? You’re just sitting here reading other books with nothing better to do.”
Xu Si remained silent.
He Guoshi looked at him, “Are you even listening to what I’m saying?”
“I’m listening.”
He Guoshi, seeing his casual attitude, became increasingly angry: “Xu Si, ah Xu Si, let me tell you, you should really start studying properly. You’re already in second year of high school, aren’t you worried? How can you focus on reading these extracurricular books during class?”
Xu Si still leaned against the wall without speaking.
“I’m taking this book, and you’ll write me a thousand-word self-criticism.”
Xu Si suddenly spoke up: “You can’t take the book.”
He Guoshi looked suspiciously at the book in his hand: “Why can’t I take it?”
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