Old Jiang was indeed delighted. His large eyes narrowed with his smile, and even his normally fierce-looking face seemed much kinder. He braced both hands on the desk and leaned forward.
“You probably already know that our new classmate Jiang Chan has taken first place in the year in this Placement Test, only two marks short of full marks. Let’s congratulate her.”
Jiang Ning bit her lip and applauded with everyone else, feeling miserable inside. Since entering the school, when had she ever lost first place in the year? Now it had been snatched away by someone who had skipped a grade. Worse still, the other girl looked entirely calm, as though she did not care at all.
At the front, Old Jiang continued. “Jiang Chan’s results are excellent. Keep working hard next time!”
Chen Wei, sitting in front of Jiang Chan, said, “She’s only two marks off full marks. How much harder can she work?”
Old Jiang suddenly smiled. “We stayed up late marking yesterday. Actually, the Chinese and English examiners wanted to give Jiang Chan full marks. Those two marks were deducted only after the teachers tried every possible way to find something to mark down.”
“Wow, she’s that good?”
“A study god really is a study god. No wonder people say you score a hundred and fifty on a hundred-and-fifty-mark paper because that’s your level. A study god scores a hundred and fifty only because that’s all the marks the paper has.”
“Alright, quiet. We’ll go over the paper now. I suggest having Jiang Chan explain the mathematics paper this time. Her solutions are very original, simple, and quick. You can all learn from them.”
Old Jiang was very adaptable. When he received Jiang Chan’s paper, he had been astonished by it. Many steps in her solutions were entirely new to him and remarkably original.
Called upon, Jiang Chan showed no nerves. She walked confidently to the front and began with the final major problem. Old Jiang sat smiling in her seat, watching her take charge at the blackboard.
But when he noticed the mathematics and chemistry competition books on her desk, his large eyes suddenly widened. Was this girl planning to enter more competitions?
In theory, that was not impossible. But what if it affected her schoolwork? He would have to speak to her properly after class. After turning the thought over a few times, he propped his chin in his hand and concentrated on her explanation again.
At first, Class One’s students were a little inattentive. What could a girl younger than them teach them? But after a few minutes, they all settled down. The quickest had already begun taking notes.
Jiang Chan’s writing on the board was beautiful, clear, and efficient. For most problems, she needed only a few formulas and theorems to make everything perfectly understandable.
By the end of the lesson, she had filled only half the board. When the bell rang, Old Jiang walked over with his hands behind his back. “See? There’s always someone better. Don’t become arrogant or complacent.”
A student below quickly replied, “With her keeping us in our place, who would dare get complacent?”
The others nodded in heartfelt agreement. “Exactly. A study god can only be admired from below.”
Old Jiang tapped the desk. “Class dismissed. Jiang Chan, come to the office.”
Jiang Chan gathered her paper and followed him. Along the way, he said, “So you’re thinking of entering mathematics and chemistry too? Ambitious little girl. Planning to collect experience in all four subjects?”
Knowing she could not hide it from this perceptive teacher, she replied, “Yes. Being a poor student is difficult. I’m planning to earn another scholarship.”
Old Jiang pointed at her. “Didn’t you just receive seven hundred thousand yuan? You’ve run out already?”
Jiang Chan smiled. “That money went to someone else. I’m still a poor student, so I’m counting on scholarships now.”
He grumbled, “You talk as though you’re already on the national team. Let me be clear: I don’t object to competitions, but they mustn’t affect your grades. You still have to sit every exam you’re supposed to.”
“Of course.” Jiang Chan laughed. “I’m counting on the scholarships after every exam too. Every little bit counts. All I have to do is put pen to paper.”
Old Jiang was utterly speechless. He stared at her for a long while. “Money-mad little girl! You’ve picked City High as the one sheep you’re determined to fleece. Your mathematics competition materials seem fairly complete. I’ll take you to the chemistry teacher later and ask him for a book list.”
Although they had not known each other long, Old Jiang could tell Jiang Chan knew her own mind. Once she decided on something, she was unlikely to change.
He might as well make things easier for her. If she hit a wall, she would learn from the experience. Of course, if she really brought home gold medals, that would reflect well on him too, wouldn’t it?
Naturally, all this depended on her keeping up with schoolwork. Old Jiang believed the Jiang Chan of today could balance ordinary studies and competitions well.
After Jiang Chan successfully took first place, news that she was entering mathematics and chemistry competitions spread throughout the second year. She really was remarkable. With ambitions like hers, was City High going to produce a gold medalist in four subjects?
Good heavens, just thinking about it was exciting!
Sun Xi of first-year Class One had heard that Jiang Chan had skipped a grade too. In truth, he ought to have been happy. The mountain that had long loomed over him had finally been removed.
During that first term, Jiang Chan had been like a flag planted on Everest. However hard the others climbed, they could only look up at it. As the person closest to that flag, Sun Xi had occupied second place throughout.
Now that she had skipped a grade, he had regained first place as he wished. Yet as his classmates congratulated him, he felt a faint sense of loss.
Being in the same year and class as Jiang Chan was undoubtedly stressful. She shone too brightly. Beside her brilliance, everyone else seemed dim.
But at the same time, she pushed people forward. If someone cleverer than you was working hard, what excuse did you have not to work hard and improve? Hearing that she had entered mathematics and chemistry too, Sun Xi silently took out his physics competition book.
Stopping at the provincial finals last time had certainly been a regret. Since he regretted it, he should work to make up for it. He still had time and could still make the effort.
Jiang Chan’s second-year life was busy and fulfilling. Of course, to some people she was the very example of neglecting her proper work. It was already the second term of second year, and she was still entering competitions.
But when they saw that she had not fallen behind in her schoolwork at all, even the most resentful people fell silent.
Discover more from Lilly Translations
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.