031 The Stubbornness of the Loser

Teacher Xiao Tang's eyes widened in confusion.

Why should she be responsible for others' behavior?

This doesn't make any sense.

However, the tactic was very effective.

Under Sun Xiubin's threat, everyone in the class sat up straight.

Liu Xin even clasped his hands behind his back, his eyes bright, resembling a middle-aged man, yet radiating the energy of an elementary school student.

Indeed, he was worthy of being the Director.

"Alright," Sun Xiubin said, patting Teacher Xiao Tang's shoulder, "From today, Class 2-4 is in your hands."

"Thank you for the school's trust," Teacher Xiao Tang said, bowing deeply with her lesson plan in hand.

The boys craned their necks, watching her bow deeply.

After a brief introduction, Teacher Xiao Tang closed the classroom door, walked to the podium, and put down the lesson plan.

Then, nervously glancing to the side to make sure Sun Xiubin had walked away, she suddenly winked and said, "Now you can be happy for a while, 15 seconds, keep the volume down, don't call Director Sun back."

The students immediately relaxed.

"Ah..." Liu Xin slumped back into his usual posture, "From today, I love studying."

Jiang Qinghua was calculating the odds in frustration: "This... this doesn't make sense..."

"Hmm... hmm..." Lin Yujing was even more frustrated, her eyes spinning in a daze.

As they say, small gambles are entertaining.

Li Zheng was feeling quite entertained.

One duty shift of half an hour.

Ten shifts equal 5 hours.

Gaining 10 more hours of study time than Lin Yujing by cutting down on other activities.

Happy times.

"Alright, 15 seconds are up. Come on, let's introduce ourselves again." Teacher Xiao Tang picked up a piece of chalk and carefully wrote three upright Chinese characters on the blackboard—

Tang Zhifei.

A name that didn't quite match her.

Teacher Xiao Tang put down the chalk and turned to bow slightly, "It's a great honor to spend the upcoming high school days with all of you."

"Rise!" Jiang Qinghua called out as he stood up.

The whole class stood up, bowed in greeting.

"Please sit," Tang Zhifei smiled and waved for everyone to sit down.

Seeing the bright and energetic eyes of her students, she felt a familiar happiness.

More than a year ago, she had also been a homeroom teacher for a few weeks.

Even though a lot had happened since then.

At this moment.

This feeling of determination and the anticipation of growing together with these forty-plus students.

It was still so strong.

This time, she wouldn't back down.

"Studying isn't the entirety of life," Tang Zhifei's gaze grew firm, "but helping these 44 students in front of me to pass the college entrance exam with the best results, to face the next chapter of their lives, is the teacher's whole purpose."

"If any of you look back on your high school life in the future with regret."

"Feeling frustrated for not being in the right state."

"Feeling remorse for missing golden opportunities."

"Then all of these, all of it."

"All of it is the teacher's responsibility."

"You don't need to blindly follow me."

"You just need to give me a chance to help you."

"Key class students aren't necessarily smarter than you, they're just running ahead of you prematurely."

"The teacher is determined to help you surpass them this semester."

Tang Zhifei made a round mouth and raised her fist.

"Let's do this."

"For every student, for our Class 2-4 collective."

"Also for myself, and for each and every one of you."

"Let's do this!"

"Let's do this!" Li Zheng followed, raising his fist.

Seven or eight more students were also inspired.

Li Zheng only then realized that not many were keeping up with this rhythm.

Presumably, the goal of surpassing the key class seemed too distant.

"Li Zheng is quite energetic today, too," Tang Zhifei raised her hand and smiled, "There are many more trivial words about discipline, the teacher won't say much here. They will be explained in the class group and the parent group."

"What's urgent now is to tackle the immediate small goal—"

"The midterm exam."

"I have fully understood the situation of our class."

"No worries, it's only been over a month this semester, it's not impossible to catch up."

"The real issue of our class isn't that everyone isn't trying or isn't smart."

"It's the variance."

"Simply put, the individual grades in our class vary greatly."

"This makes it hard for the teacher to teach to the majority of students, no matter what pace is chosen, some students won't understand, and others will find it unnecessary to listen."

"The final result is."

"Some students give up listening, while others cannot keep up."

"This is the sole reason we are currently behind."

The students were shocked.

Teacher Xiao Tang's analysis was spot on.

It made a lot of sense.

More importantly, 100% of the students had personally experienced this.

Hu Chunmei's math class primarily catered to students who didn't understand well, leading to a slower pace.

Physics class had an incredibly fast pace, seeming to be tailored just for Lin Yujing, Li Zheng, and Jiang Qinghua.

English class had no pace at all, just monotonous chanting.

Chemistry class, passionately delivered chanting.

Biology class, the official sleep session.

In short, the opportunities to effectively listen to the lessons were very few.

Only in Chinese class, where Teacher Xiao Tang constantly changed the pace, adding her personal charisma, was she barely able to maintain a decent rate of attentiveness.

Seeing the students' convinced expressions, Tang Zhifei was filled with enthusiasm.

"Next, the teacher will use many methods to solve this contradiction."

"Most of these methods, you don't need to know."

"You just need to know that in the midterm exam, everyone has a chance to be the first in the class."

As she spoke, she wrote on the blackboard.

"In the midterm exam, the top five in the class will receive the class inspirational scholarship, a commendation letter handwritten by the teacher, and customized personal gifts."

"In addition, the top three can freely choose their seats for the second half of the semester."

The room filled with disappointed murmurs.

Most people felt no motivation.

Instead, they felt despair.

Lin Yujing, Li Zheng, and Jiang Qinghua were the unshakeable top three.

The other students didn't even have the right to think about it.

This seemed like handing benefits to those three.

Once the noise quieted down a bit, Tang Zhifei continued.

"I know, you think these are rewards pre-determined for Lin Yujing, Li Zheng, and Jiang Qinghua."

"That's not the case at all."

"The teacher said, everyone has a chance."

"Please pay attention—"

"This time our class ranking isn't solo competition."

"It's a team battle."

"Teams of two or three, ranked by the group's average score."

"As for team assignments, the teacher will take care of it."

"The teacher will use the monthly exam results as a reference and ensure each group's average monthly exam score is similar through strict calculations."

"To put it simply—each group's initial strength level is the same."

"In the coming month, whoever improves the most."

"They will be the first."

The students finally understood her plan.

It was like team matching in a game.

Teacher Xiao Tang would ensure each team's strength was as equal as possible.

This way, every team had a chance to be first.

Lin Yujing might be unbeatable personally.

But according to Teacher Xiao Tang's team assignment method.

No doubt.

Her partner would be—

Liu Xin.

To deal with a monster.

Only another monster.

"Hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm..." Lin Yujing hummed five times in a row, gripping the desk with both hands, her whole body turning green.

Even Liu Xin understood: "Oh, I can be first, too, and as a positive number!"

"This might be fun..." Jiang Qinghua muttered, glancing at Li Zheng.

Thinking carefully, if he got into the top three and used the seating privileges to force a seat swap with Li Zheng...

Then Li Zheng would be on this side of the wall, Lin Yujing still by the window.

And he would be in between them.

Ha ha ha!

Though he had no chance.

But blocking in the middle, being a huge light bulb.

Shining so brightly they couldn't see each other anymore.

Was something he was looking forward to.

No way, losers are just this humble.

"Swoosh!"

Li Zheng suddenly raised his hand.

"Teacher Tang, I'd like to understand the detailed rules for choosing seats."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Qinghua and Lin Yujing both tensed up.

Indeed.

This guy.

Had calculated this far ahead, too.

"It's sequential choice," Tang Zhifei replied, "First, the team that gets first place will choose, the higher scorer within the team chooses first. Next, the second-place team chooses, out of the remaining seats. Don't worry if you get swapped out, the teacher will rearrange seats as needed, trying to maintain your habits."

"So," Li Zheng nodded, "As long as the team's score is first and the individual score within the team is higher, I can sit in any seat in the class."

"Yes, but if you're second place, you'll have to choose from the remaining seats," Tang Zhifei replied.

"Doesn't matter, I only need to know the first-place privileges," Li Zheng unconsciously tilted his head to the right.

Yes, just there.

Mid-section by the window, the prime spot.

In winter, ample sunlight.

In summer, minimal direct sun.

Just enough to avoid the air conditioning draft.

Feet warmed by the radiator.

Always open for ventilation.

With a great view of the cherry trees by the lake across.

Most importantly, it's a single seat, no deskmate.

Even speed-reading wouldn't be disturbed.

"Hmm hum hum..." Lin Yujing's eyes grew fiercer, her nails digging into the desk.

Feeling her territory threatened, she no longer hid her unapproachable aura.

Jiang Qinghua silently enjoyed their standoff.

Unknowingly, a smirk appeared on his lips.

You two, don't underestimate the twisted mindset of a loser.

Remember, this is a team battle.

The core element isn't your individual grades.

It's communication and social skills.

Fortunes change.

This round.

Is my stage!

I'll be blocking between you two.

Let it snow.

Freeze you both!

Realization.

Cause you agony!

In fact, it wasn't just the three of them.

Other students were also beginning to ignite some sparks among themselves.

This rule to compete for first place was extremely unfavorable to the top three in the class.

Especially Lin Yujing.

Since she would most likely team up with a monster like Liu Xin.

On the other hand, students in the middle ranks might end up with steady teammates.

Like the barrel effect.

Sometimes, a team's strength depends on its weakest link.

No matter how extraordinary Lin Yujing was.

Her scores would still be dragged down by Liu Xin.

Tang Zhifei looked at the eager students, feeling a bit smug.

Heh heh.

Little ones.

You've fallen into my trap!

She proudly wiped her nose, hiding the deep strategy within.