NOVEL SIMPLE
Chapter 102
Little did Ji Ruochu know that after finishing the exam and returning to her seat, Ji Mochen was even more distracted than she was.
She felt... her understanding of Class i must have gone wrong at some point.
Recalling Ji Mochen's anger when he first learned he would be assigned to Class i, she was certain it wasn't an act. With his mediocre acting skills, there's no way he could have maintained a career as a singer-dancer idol all these years without any side gigs.
That meant the issue could only have occurred during the half hour she was napping that day.
So when the couple told her "Class i isn't a class for failing students" after she woke up from her nap, the looks on their faces that said "we have an untold suffering"...
It wasn't that they were forcing themselves to comfort her?
But rather because—
"Class Monitor Ji, may I borrow some of your time? The teacher needs your help."
Teacher Lin's voice suddenly rang out from outside the classroom.
Ji Ruochu, who was completely engrossed in her thoughts while pretending to study diligently, was jolted out of her reverie. After getting a somewhat stiff nod from the math teacher, she obediently left the classroom.
Leaving behind a room full of clueless cubs gazing at her with envy.
They wanted to help Teacher Lin too...
Outside, Teacher Lin shot the math teacher inside a reassuring look.
Teacher Lin: Sister, go ahead with your class. Leave the rest to me!
The math teacher wiped away beads of cold sweat on her forehead and gave her a grateful look.
***
Inside the teachers' office, a confused Ji Ruochu was seated next to Teacher Lin.
"Are you thirsty? Let me get you some milk."
Before Ji Ruochu could politely decline, the Chinese teacher passing by stuffed a chocolate bar into her arms.
"Thank you, teacher."
After expressing her thanks, just as she was about to turn back to continue excusing herself from her homeroom teacher—
The music teacher walked by with a fruit platter and casually fed her an apple slice.
"Tha*munch*nk *crunch crunch* yo*gulp*u te*munch munch*acher~"
Just after she finished chewing and swallowing the apple, the arts and crafts teacher smilingly handed her an exquisitely crafted paper flower.
Now with a little flower adorning her head as well, Ji Ruochu said, "...Thank you, teacher."
Later, as the P.E. teacher walked by carrying gym equipment...
A mango found its way into Ji Ruochu's arms.
...
And so on. By the time Teacher Lin took out a bottle of milk from her drawer and put a straw in it for her, the well-behaved little milk cub had—let out a burp.
Ji Ruochu: *tsk* Another day of being doted on by everyone, huh?
Teacher Lin:... As expected of Class i's class monitor.
"Teacher, what can I assist you with?" Ji Ruochu stood up and accepted the milk bottle with the straw Teacher Lin handed her.
After speaking, she then discreetly set the milk aside while Teacher Lin organized her words.
Please save me, I really can't drink anymore ●)o(●~
"You see, I wanted to conduct a survey for the class regarding our recent curriculum.
As class monitor, your input and feelings are very important. I truly need your honest thoughts, so Ruochu, can you sincerely answer my questions?"
No sooner had she finished speaking than the other teachers busying themselves in the office instantly pricked up their ears, intent on eavesdropping.
"I can." The little one nodded obediently, the very image of cooperation, much to Teacher Lin's heart-melting delight.
"Thank you, Ruochu." Teacher Lin secretly heaved a sigh of relief.
As expected, nothing was more difficult than breaking the ice.
As long as she got the first sentence out, everything afterwards would sound convincing, no matter how far-fetched.
"Let me ask, Ruochu, since you started boarding, have you felt very unaccustomed or unhappy about anything?"
This unhappiness covered many aspects, such as feeling unhappy getting along with the children? Or unable to adapt to changes in living habits?
"No." The little one answered without the slightest hesitation, "Every day has been...very fulfilling."
Fulfilling to the point of absurdity!!!
"That's good to hear. Second question: recently, have you understood all the knowledge we teachers have taught? Or do you find it too difficult?"
Did she understand it all?
"I understand it all."
In her past life she had learned it once already. And before school started, worried she wouldn't clinch first place in the bottom class, she'd made her old father buy textbooks and workbooks for grades one through six.
Recalling how she had studied as if her life depended on it this past year, Ji Ruochu's face was the epitome of "this exam is so difficult yet I coincidentally memorized all the answers" complexity.
Ji Ruochu answered ambiguously while the other teachers listened attentively.
After a pause, Teacher Lin thought to herself, "As expected."
She then continued asking, "Recently I and other teachers noticed that you and many students have been distracted in class. I wonder what's causing this - do you find our teaching dull?"
"The other students get distracted too?" Ji Ruochu exclaimed in surprise.
The other teachers: ...That "too" was used very cleverly.
"Ahem, yes." Teacher Lin's smile grew somewhat strained.
This was also why several teachers could no longer sit still. Initially only Ji Ruochu spaced out. Then later, inexplicably, she infected her classmates too.
However, after close observation, the teachers discovered the main reason the other students spaced out was curiosity and astonishment over how their Class i monitor could grasp knowledge in such a short time.
Of course, there were also benefits to this.
After all, the learning atmosphere in class was becoming more intense. The students competed intensely with one another, afraid to fall behind.
The downside was the children unconsciously started daydreaming. If it was temporary that'd be fine, but if they made a habit of it, there'd be trouble.
"Don't worry, I'm just conducting a small survey. Ruochu only needs to share her thoughts." Teacher Lin's smile grew increasingly sincere.
"Do you feel the lessons are very boring, so while listening you unintentionally end up thinking about something else? Or are you distracted by the scenery outside the classroom?"
Share my thoughts?
Ji Ruochu lowered her eyes to look at her toes, hesitating a little. She had originally planned to ask her deceitful parents at home this question after the weekend.
But since there was this opportunity now...
Hmm, directly asking the teacher seems more prudent.
"Teacher, I've been spacing out recently because..."
**
Little Bud glances out: Don't be afraid, no stalled cliffhanger today. There will be another chapter!
To show appreciation for the daughters' recommendations and support for Ruochu, an extra chapter will be posted today despite failing to reach 5k likes on yesterday's update!
【PS: It's not me padding the word count! It's mainly the author's notes getting cut off! Another day where I'm misrepresented, humph!】