You Like The Smart Ones? You Should Have Said So Sooner! - Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Methods and Connections

As the explanation of the math problem reached its end, Qin Mian finally couldn’t help but ask Song Ying, “Are you… sure he’s the one tutoring you?”

Not the other way around? Based on the lessons Qin Mian had given Song Ying over the past few days, Song Ying’s level should be miles ahead of Li Zhixun.

Song Ying: “……” A miscalculation. “I didn’t expect him to be this bad either,” he offered a weak excuse.

Li Zhixun: “QAQ That hurts, Big Boss.”

Qin Mian nodded.

Li Zhixun gathered his courage and spoke up timidly, “Great God Qin Mian.”

Qin Mian turned his head and said indifferently, “Just call me Qin Mian.”

“O-okay.” Li Zhixun raised his hand like an elementary student. “Qin Mian, I have an audacious request.”

Qin Mian: “What is it?”

Song Ying suddenly had a bad premonition.

The person beside him continued: “Well, could you please tutor me as well? Paid, of course.”

Hearing this, Qin Mian thought for a second and then nodded decisively. He remembered that his savings were almost dried up, which was why he had been living on instant noodles lately. If it was paid, he didn’t mind tutoring someone.

“Sure. Then come with Song Ying at ten o’clock,” Qin Mian finalized.

Song Ying froze, his eyes widening. “What!?”

Li Zhixun is coming with him? Doesn’t that mean…

Qin Mian was confused. “What’s wrong? If you mind, you two can come to my place instead.”

“……” Song Ying paused and took a deep breath. “It’s fine. I don’t mind. Let’s stick to my place.”

“Then it’s a deal. We start at ten tonight.” Qin Mian spun his keys around his finger. “I’m heading out first.”

Song Ying watched Qin Mian’s receding figure in silence. Li Zhixun trembled beside him. What’s going on? Song Ying’s aura feels so heavy and cold.

For the next few days, Qin Mian came to Song Ying’s house to tutor both of them simultaneously. Li Zhixun had successfully turned into Qin Mian’s little fanboy. He frequently brought up areas he didn’t understand and received detailed explanations from Qin Mian, gaining a lot in the process. The only downside was that Song Ying could hardly get a word in.

A significant amount of time had passed since the start of the semester. The atmosphere in the repeaters’ class was always somewhat heavier than that of the regular seniors.

Ding Zi, unable to stand seeing them looking so aged at such a young age, announced some exciting news: “Next week, the school will hold a basketball tournament!”

“I had a hard time fighting for this opportunity for you guys, so cherish it and show off the spirit of our ‘Dragon-Slaying 18th Class’,” Ding Zi encouraged. “The selection for the basketball team will be handled by the Sports Representative.”

Initially, the school leadership didn’t plan on letting the repeaters’ class participate, but Ding Zi had argued his case and convinced the school. Why shouldn’t the repeaters participate? Does a few days of study time make that much of a difference? Proper relaxation was essential for “Grade 13” students.

The students of Class 18 reacted with excitement; after all, they were still at an age where they loved to play.

As soon as class ended, the Sports Representative, Cao Wei, stood on the podium. “Classmates! Anyone who can play basketball or wants to compete, please raise your hands!”

In an instant, a crowd of boys scrambled to raise their hands high. Some even jumped onto Cao Wei, shoving their hands in his face for fear of not being seen.

“Me!!” “Me! Me! I’m the Steph Curry of the basketball world!”

Cao Wei, who was being strangled to the point of turning blue: “……Slow down! One at a time, I’m taking names.”

None of the girls knew how to play, so they just watched the “monkeys” in the class with smiles.

Qin Mian’s hands felt a bit itchy; it had been a long time since he played. He poked his front-desk mate with a pen. “Playing basketball? Together?”

Song Ying turned around. “I don’t know how. You go ahead.”

Qin Mian’s usually lazy, drooping eyes widened slightly. “You don’t know how?” In his mind, basketball was a basic skill for every boy. He almost thought Song Ying was joking.

Song Ying didn’t think it was strange. “Yeah, I didn’t have much chance to play before. You go. I’ll cheer for you from the sidelines.”

Back in Linjiang, all his focus was on studying, and any spare time went to part-time jobs. He had no time for sports. Now, in the relaxed atmosphere of Dong’an, he realized how out of touch he was with his peers.

The corners of Qin Mian’s mouth curled into a smile. He patted Song Ying’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. I’ll bring back a championship for you.” With that, he went to the podium to sign up.

“Total of 17 boys signed up, but we can only pick 10,” Cao Wei said, looking at the list. “So, we’ll use our next PE class to organize a match. The best players get the spots.”

Someone raised a concern: “But will Teacher Zhang come to steal our class time?”

Teacher Zhang—full name Zhang Ruting—was their English teacher. She often claimed the PE teacher was sick or busy to take over their PE periods. Although the students complained bitterly, they were powerless against her “dictatorship.” The school authorities usually turned a blind eye to it.

Cao Wei had already expected this. He looked toward Qin Mian. “Monitor!”

Qin Mian had been looking down at his phone, but upon hearing his name, he looked up and gave Cao Wei a cool “OK” gesture. “Handled.”

On his phone screen: Q: Old Ding, emergency help needed. Nails Ding Zi: ? Q: Help me out for the next PE class. Q: Keep Teacher Zhang occupied. The class needs to select basketball players. Nails Ding Zi: Fine.

“As expected of the Monitor—he’s got methods and connections,” Yu Canxing said in awe.

At that moment, the English Representative, Duan Momo, silently raised her hand. “Um, but Teacher Zhang said she’s coming to teach during the next PE class.”

Cao Wei saw this and said, “Oh, don’t be so rigid, Student Duan. Missing one class won’t hurt.”

Under the gaze of the entire class, Duan Momo hesitated for a moment before giving in. “Then… okay.” She didn’t have the heart to dampen the class’s enthusiasm.

Thus, before the PE class even started, the entire classroom was empty.

When Zhang Ruting walked in clutching a stack of test papers, she was stunned. She stepped back a few paces to confirm the “Class 18” sign, making sure she was in the right place. “What’s the situation? Where is everyone? Didn’t I tell the representative to notify them?”

The next second, Ding Zi appeared right on cue, looking troubled. “Oh, look at my memory. I forgot you were coming to teach the next class, so I let them go play.”

Zhang Ruting saw right through him and said bluntly, “Cut the crap!”

“Do you know how poorly they did on their English homework the past few days?” Zhang Ruting’s expression was grave. “English is their weak subject. If they don’t study hard now, English will drag them down to their deaths!”

“They’ve all been through the battlefield once! They know how cruel the Gaokao is! How can they still have no sense of urgency?!” Her words came out like a machine gun. “Go get them back here immediately!”