The Challenge

The girl sitting in front would frequently glance back. Even some of the boys were nearly calling Qin Sheng their hero. After all, which boy hasn't dreamt of being a martial arts master? Previously, they most admired Lin Feng for his fighting skills. Now, Qin Sheng had bested Lin Feng twice, which had completely shifted their perceptions.

The boys, lacking any sense of loyalty, quickly shifted their allegiance to Qin Sheng. Whoever was the strongest would be their leader, and now, it was clear that Qin Sheng was at the top of the hierarchy. The concept of strength, in their eyes, was the ultimate measure of worth, and Qin Sheng had proven herself to be more than capable.

As Teacher Lin finished copying a math problem on the board, she turned around and saw Qin Sheng sleeping at her desk. Her eyes half-narrowed in disapproval, she adjusted her glasses with a look of mild irritation. A piece of chalk landed precisely on Qin Sheng's desk with a soft thud.

"Qin Sheng, please come up and solve this problem on the board," Teacher Lin called out with an authoritative tone.

Perhaps she was still asleep, for Qin Sheng did not respond immediately. Her deskmate, a round-faced girl with a bit of baby fat and a very cute appearance, hurriedly shook Qin Sheng awake with a sense of urgency.

Qin Sheng lifted her head, still bleary-eyed and disoriented. "What is it?" she mumbled, struggling to fully wake up.

"The teacher wants you to go up and solve the problem," Huang Xiaoyan whispered, her voice tinged with disbelief and a hint of anxiety. The stark contrast between Qin Sheng's previous nonchalance and her current predicament was jarring.

"Thank you," Qin Sheng murmured, blinking away the sleepiness as she walked up to the podium. She picked up the chalk and stared at the problem with a frown, trying to recall the necessary steps.

Seeing that Qin Sheng hadn't begun writing, Teacher Lin turned around and began to explain, "This is question twenty-one from the college entrance exam five years ago, the hardest one. If you can't solve it, that's alright. I called up the student who was sleeping to remind everyone of the level of difficulty involved…"

As Teacher Lin turned to point at Qin Sheng, she caught sight of the board and was momentarily stunned. Adjusting her glasses, she said, "Now, let's see if Qin Sheng's solution is correct."

"Teacher, may I return to my seat?" Qin Sheng asked, her tone polite but assertive.

"Yes, go ahead," Teacher Lin replied, still examining the board with a look of surprise and admiration. Her response was almost automatic, as she was still processing the unexpected development.

After reviewing the solution, Teacher Lin's mouth hung slightly open in astonishment. She asked, "Qin Sheng, have you studied university-level courses?"

This problem was meant to test the students' comprehensive understanding of three years of high school knowledge, with numerous steps and significant difficulty. Using college-level mathematics to solve it made it far simpler and clearer.

Qin Sheng had used college mathematics to complete it with ease. Although Teacher Lin had scored highly in advanced mathematics, she had never thought of solving this problem using such a method. The sophistication of Qin Sheng's approach left her both impressed and somewhat envious.

"I've studied a bit," Qin Sheng replied nonchalantly.

She had forgotten most of her high school knowledge, only retaining some insights from her university studies.

"This solution is perfect, Qin Sheng. Next time, please pay attention and listen carefully in class," Teacher Lin said with a hint of frustration mixed with admiration. She clearly saw the potential in Qin Sheng and was eager to see her apply herself fully.

The students in Class Four looked at Qin Sheng with astonishment, especially those who were good at math. They hadn't even begun to form an idea when Qin Sheng had already solved it. And she had used university-level knowledge!

Isn't Qin Sheng supposed to be a poor student?!

Teacher Lin erased Qin Sheng's answer from the board. This was high school; students didn't need to learn such advanced material yet. After giving the students some time to solve it themselves, Teacher Lin began her explanation.

Teacher Lin's classes were always well-prepared, engaging, and lively, drawing in even the most uninterested students of Class Four. Qin Sheng no longer felt drowsy as she immersed herself in the lesson. The class flew by quickly, and the sense of excitement and achievement was palpable.

At noon, Qin Sheng arrived at the basketball court as expected, with all of Class Four in attendance. The scene was buzzing with anticipation. Standing at the center of the court, Lin Feng spun a basketball on his fingertips, then tossed it up, sending it straight through the hoop with a satisfying swish.

Lin Feng nodded in satisfaction, his expression a mix of arrogance and determination. He turned his gaze back to Qin Sheng with a cocky smile, arms crossed. "Qin Sheng, you can pick any helper you like."

The challenge was set, and the stage was now set for a showdown. The atmosphere was charged with tension, and the stakes were higher than ever.

**(End of Chapter)**