Math Problems
Yun Mi had a good idea for how to help Xu Zhiyu. She suggested Ding Yuan organize a performance for Shancheng University Affiliated Middle School's 88th anniversary celebration.
Du Yun got wind of it from the Class 1 propaganda committee member. When she found out what Ding Yuan and Yun Mi were planning, she was furious. In the office, she ranted, "Instead of thinking about how to improve your weak points, you're messing around with all these crooked ways! Are you here to study or to be an event planner?"
"Why does an 'outsider' need to worry about our class activities? If you put this much effort into solving problems, I wouldn't have to worry about Class 1's math average on the next monthly exam!"
Yun Mi had come to Du Yun for tutoring according to the homeroom teacher's schedule. She had barely arrived when she got scolded. After listening to nearly twenty minutes of criticism, she still hadn't received what was supposed to be "tutoring."
Seeing that Du Yun was tired of yelling, Yun Mi lowered her eyes and carefully chose her words: "I promise I'll do well on the next monthly exam. Teacher Du, can you help me with the problems now?"
Du Yun seemed caught off guard by the mention of "help with problems." She was still fuming. Slapping her hand on the test paper, she stared wide-eyed for a moment before finally speaking.
Du Yun retorted, "You still need me to teach you? You're almost ready to fly on your own."
The teachers from other classes nearby looked over. This wasn't the first time. Ever since Yun Mi was late that first time, Du Yun had never had a good attitude toward her. The last tutoring session, Du Yun had simply left her sitting there while she graded papers. The problems Yun Mi didn't understand were explained by a teacher from another class.
Yun Mi lowered her eyes and said, "Then forget it. I'll go back to class and not waste your time."
Du Yun let out a laugh of disbelief. "What do you mean? You're not studying anymore? You think you're so great?"
Yun Mi didn't like arguing with people and rarely rebutted, but Du Yun had made up her mind to dislike her and wasn't willing to teach her.
Yun Mi wasn't going to waste time. She said softly, "No choice."
"?"
"My wings are hard enough. I'll fly first."
With a calm expression, she picked up her test paper and left.
Du Yun was stunned.
From the office came Du Yun's furious shout, "Yun Mi!"
The entire evening study session, Yun Mi sat in silence doing her workbook.
She had already finished 20% of the supplementary books recommended by the physics and chemistry teachers. Although the key class moved fast, the monthly exam was for the entire grade. It only covered the material taught in the few weeks after the midterms, so it wasn't too late to fix things.
But Du Yun hadn't even recommended a single exercise book. The one Yun Mi bought herself was too difficult. She struggled through two pages and gave up.
Ding Yuan had noticed. She leaned over and whispered, "What's wrong? Your eyes are red."
Yun Mi said flatly, "Nothing. The wind hurt my eyes."
Ding Yuan glanced doubtfully at the window next to Yun Mi, which had been shut all evening. "..."
"Wind through a closed window?"
Ding Yuan asked, "About the performance I mentioned a few days ago, I'm going to organize it. The propaganda committee member needs a final list of participants. I'm in charge... Do you want me to add your name?"
Yun Mi paused, pen in hand, and looked up matter-of-factly: "Add it. Why not? I proposed the plan, so you have to include me. If you need anything, you can ask me."
Ding Yuan of course wanted to add her, but she guessed that Du Yun had given Yun Mi trouble.
Remembering that Ding Yuan was the math class representative, Yun Mi closed her supplementary book and asked, "Da Yuan Zi, do you have any recommended math supplementary books?"
Ding Yuan smiled sheepishly, "Asking me won't get you anywhere."
The class representatives of Class 1 were chosen from those who didn't do well in the subject. Mr. Qi's idea was to give them more opportunities to communicate with the subject teacher.
Ding Yuan hesitated and suggested, "Why don't you ask Chen Yiyang?"
Yun Mi paused.
The school anniversary was the day after the monthly exam. Judging by Du Yun's attitude, she thought Yun Mi would definitely drag down the class average, not even allowing her to "participate." So Yun Mi decided to improve her grades.
The average math score at Shanfu was 122, and even higher in the key class. Last time, the lowest score in Class 1 was 104. Yun Mi's plan: first, don't be last in the key class.
But... ask Chen Yiyang?
Ding Yuan had misunderstood Chen Yiyang earlier, but who could blame her? Ding Yuan added guiltily, "He's Du Yun's prized student, and he's really good at math. He knows better than anyone which exercise books are worth doing! Mimi, go for it! I'll support you in spirit!"
"..."
-
"Brother Chen Yiyang, how do you study math?"
No, no, that's too flattering, like sucking up.
"Chen Yiyang, sorry to bother you. I have a problem... no, I wanted to ask about supplementary books..."
Also awkward as hell.
Late at night, the girl in her rabbit pajamas paced back and forth in her room. Yun Mi forced a smile in front of the mirror, then patted her stiff cheeks, frowned, and sat down hugging her arms. She opened WeChat and deleted and rewrote messages in the chat box over and over.
Yun Mi let out an "ah" and thought maybe she should just give up.
She had insulted him so many times, and even tricked him only to get caught.
— Beg him?
— Even a dog wouldn't beg.
After agonizing for maybe forty minutes, Yun Mi was about to go to sleep. Still, she drooped her eyelids and typed a deep "You there."
Before she could hit send, a message came from the other side.