Chapter 24: Regression? Playing Ball?

Time always passes quickly, and soon the routine of reviewing, taking exams, and waiting for results sets in.

After finishing the English exam, Minghan exclaimed in despair, “I’m doomed!” Mathematics and physics place great emphasis on understanding concepts and solving problems, but English relies on consistent accumulation; a miraculous leap is simply impossible. It was clear that Minghan had devoted far less effort to English this month than before. His English had always been his weak spot, usually only ranking him among the upper-middle students. Having spent so much time playing basketball recently, he scored only twenty-something in English, placing him around the class's twentieth rank. His overall score dropped to twelfth in the class and seventy-ninth in the grade.

“Minghan, the homeroom teacher wants to see you,” the class monitor announced as he emerged from the teacher’s office. Yuhang looked at Minghan with sympathy. “Being a top student isn’t easy! When we fail, the teacher scolds us; when you slip, you get special attention.”

Minghan forced a bitter smile, at a loss for words. His grades had indeed declined, and right before the crucial third year of junior high…

As he approached the office, he overheard the homeroom teacher’s voice, “The top ten students in our class must aim for No. 1 High School in the city; there can be no accidents.”

City No. 1 High School was Minghan’s goal as well, but his current grades were clearly insufficient.

“Teacher.”

Seeing Minghan enter, the homeroom teacher’s expression softened. “Minghan, you’re here! I’ve been busy lately and haven’t had a chance to chat with you, haha…”

According to Daxu, every time he visited the homeroom teacher’s office, he was subjected to a scolding. But judging by the situation, the teacher didn’t seem so angry after all.

“Teacher, is there something you wanted to discuss?”

The teacher took a sip of water, smiling gently. “Minghan, your math and physics are among the best in the class, but your English keeps holding you back. I’m really worried about you!”

Of course he was worried—the homeroom teacher taught English himself. How could Minghan perform so poorly in the subject under his direct supervision?

“Teacher, I’m sorry. I’ll work harder,” Minghan replied, well aware that the secret to appeasing a teacher was to take all the blame onto himself.

“I believe in you. If you can raise your English to the top ten in the class, your total score will be in the top twenty of the grade. At that point, City No. 1 High School will be well within reach.”

“Okay!”

“I’ve already asked the English subject representative to come half an hour early every evening for self-study to tutor you.”

Minghan’s expression changed drastically. The English subject representative—that was Chen Li! He had mocked her so mercilessly when he tutored her in physics; now, fate was turning the tables. Was this his retribution?

“Additionally…” the teacher continued, “cut back on basketball. There’ll be plenty of opportunities in high school.”

…

Minghan returned to the classroom with a bitter face.

Daxu saw him and gloated, “Haha, brother, now you finally get to experience the pain of being lectured by the homeroom teacher alongside me!”

Minghan glanced at Daxu. “The teacher asked you to go over as well.”

Daxu smacked his forehead. “I jinxed it!”

Minghan slumped back into his seat, listless. Clearly, the homeroom teacher didn’t support his basketball enthusiasm. But thinking about it, it made sense—the teacher’s performance was always judged by his students’ grades.

Chen Li turned around. “The teacher told you, right? From now on, you have to call me ‘Master.’”

Minghan protested, “Your chest isn’t even bigger than your fist, and you want to be my master? No way!”

Chen Li blushed furiously. “Can’t you speak properly for once?”

Minghan was already in a bad mood, and seeing Chen Li’s smug expression only made him more irritated.

“This little brat wants to be my master—what a disaster!”