Chapter 11
The morning consisted of two Chinese and two math classes.
Chi Lin felt confident about Chinese, but math was a headache.
Math existed in her time, but the symbols and formulas were different. She had to start from scratch.
She breezed through Chinese class. The math teacher, however, started with a pop quiz, eliciting groans from the class.
“Stop complaining,” he said with a yawn, sitting at his desk and opening his tablet, which displayed the quiz questions on the students’ tablets as well. “You’ll have more to complain about when you fail the monthly exam. Start working. Fifteen minutes, then I’m locking the quiz.”
The students opened the quiz. Two geometry problems, guaranteed to fry their brain cells.
Mr. Xia’s surprise quizzes were annoying, but at least Chinese was easier than math… Please, can we have two more Chinese classes?
The math teacher was obsessed with difficult problems, often holding Class 6, the lowest-ranking class, to the same standards as the top class.
Today’s quiz was no exception. It was brutally difficult.
Wei Zhuoning glanced at the quiz, knowing she couldn’t solve it. She hid her phone under her desk and checked the comments on her online novel. Everyone was clamoring for an update.
“Is the author there? I’ll ask again in 10 minutes.”
“Update please! Update please! Update please!”
“10x update requests. Can we get an update today? Even a thousand words would be great. A Lin has been hanging off Blackwind Cliff for three days now. Please let her down!”
“Don’t pressure the author. She’s probably busy with work. She updated twice a day last month. I’m sure she’ll update when she has time.”
“Here’s a hundred bucks. Ten times that if you update today. Are you tempted, author…?”
Wei Zhuoning sighed.
Little did they know their “author” was a high school student, struggling with her own studies, not “work.”
She had only managed to update twice a day during the summer break. School had started, and she was swamped.
Writer’s block was the worst, preventing her from continuing the story.
And their comments were missing the point. A Lin wasn’t even the main character! Why were they so concerned about her predicament?
Slightly annoyed, Wei Zhuoning glanced at Chi Lin.
To her surprise…
Chi Lin was actually… working on the quiz?
Indeed, Chi Lin was working on the quiz.
Having experienced the challenges of modern math yesterday, she initially felt a sense of dread.
But after carefully reading the problems, she found herself formulating solutions.
She began to write, her calculations flowing smoothly.
Liu Huixin, after trying a couple of formulas and drawing and erasing several auxiliary lines, gave up. She couldn’t solve it. Time is precious, she thought, pulling out her newly purchased nail polish.
As she rummaged through her bag, she noticed Chi Lin’s quiz paper was covered in writing. She looked over and saw Chi Lin diligently working on the problems.
Liu Huixin stared, dumbfounded.
“Don’t look at other people’s papers,” the math teacher said from his desk. “Focus on your own work. Their answers might not be correct.”
Liu Huixin knew he was talking to her, but she couldn’t tear her eyes away.
What is Chi Lin writing?
The math teacher didn’t expect many students in Class 6 to solve the problems. Even the top class had struggled, with only half solving the first problem and three solving the second.
He had assigned the quiz as a wake-up call before the monthly exam. Ms. Qi was already worried about their consistently low scores.
As he graded papers, with five minutes left, the monitoring system alerted him that someone had submitted their quiz early.
He looked up, surprised. Who’s so eager to hand in a blank paper?
He opened the submission. It was Chi Lin. Both problems were answered, and the answers were correct.
He blinked, his drowsiness vanishing. He leaned closer, studying the solution steps.
He didn’t quite understand… What kind of bizarre method was this? He had never seen anything like it in his years of teaching.
But the answers were correct, and the logic, though unconventional, was sound.
Confused, he rushed to the office, tablet in hand, and gathered the math department head and a few other math teachers.
“What method is this?” one teacher asked. “I’ve never seen it before.”
“The formulas are wrong,” another added.
“I know!” the Class 6 math teacher exclaimed. “But the answers are right! The approach is so unconventional, like she found a completely different path to the correct solution.”
As they discussed the unusual solutions, the math department head, known as the “Geometry Monster,” who had been silently observing, spoke.
“She’s not making it up. This isn’t a modern method. It’s an ancient method.”
“Ancient method?” they asked in unison.
“Yes. I’ve seen similar solutions in ancient mathematical texts, derived from the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art. The roots are the same, but the methods are much more elegant.” He explained the meaning of the formulas, their modern equivalents, and how the solution process had been adapted.
The math teachers, quick to grasp the concepts, were even more amazed.
“Who in your class solved this?” they asked the Class 6 math teacher. “Was it your top student?”
“No. It was Chi Lin.”
“Who? Chi Lin?”
“The infamous delinquent?”
“Her? No way…”
The teacher pointed at the name on the quiz. “It’s her. See?”
The department head, intrigued, wanted to meet this student who used ancient methods to solve modern math problems. He asked the teacher to bring Chi Lin to his office after class.
Chi Lin, informed of the summons, considered her options.
Should she downplay her abilities? Would showing off be detrimental?
But based on her observations and Liu Huixin’s comments, this was an era that valued individuality. Hiding her talents might make her blend in too much.
If the Empress saw her, it might trigger her past life memories. Mutual recognition would increase her chances of success.
A certain level of notoriety might be beneficial.
She decided to go.
After the fourth class, Chi Lin went to the office. A few boys from Class 6 followed her, eavesdropping at the door. Others hung from the window, straining to see inside.
The math teachers presented Chi Lin with a new set of problems, even more challenging than the quiz.
Other teachers, intrigued, joined the crowd.
The entire office watched as Chi Lin worked on the problems. The Class 6 math teacher felt slightly uneasy, concerned about the pressure on the student, but he couldn’t very well ask his colleagues to leave.
Chi Lin, however, was unfazed by the attention, her focus unwavering.
They watched as she solved the problems with surprising ease, her grip on the stylus resembling that of a calligrapher.
The department head stood beside her, observing her every move.
Chi Lin solved the problem, again using ancient methods.
“These methods are quite remarkable,” the department head said. “If I’m not mistaken, they’re derived from the Nine Chapters. Even my former mentor, a renowned scholar of ancient mathematics, was only vaguely familiar with these methods. Where did you learn them?”
Chi Lin had anticipated this question. “I recently discovered a collection of ancient texts at home, some related to mathematics. I read them during the summer break out of boredom. If my family hadn’t donated them to the library, I might have learned even more.”
Her explanation not only accounted for her unusual skills but also preempted any requests to borrow the books.
“I see…”
The department head looked disappointed that the books were gone.
Outside, the Class 6 students pressed their ears against the door, blocking Liu Huixin’s view.
Seeing their expressions change rapidly, Liu Huixin asked, “What are they saying?”
“Something about the Nine Chapters and ancient math.”
“Wow, impressive.”
Wei Zhuoning, passing by, overheard their conversation.
Really? Is the idiot Chi Lin reinventing herself?
Suddenly, inspiration struck. A plot point she had been struggling with clicked into place. She stopped walking, pulled out her phone, and furiously typed, eager to capture the idea and update her novel.
Finally, an update!
The geography teacher opened the office door, intending to leave for lunch. The eavesdropping students tumbled into the room, nearly knocking her over. She twisted her ankle trying to avoid them.
“What are you doing?!” Ms. Qi exclaimed, recognizing her students. Not only were they crowding the doorway, but several heads were also poking through the window.
“Why aren’t you having lunch?” she scolded. “Go! Don’t be late for afternoon classes!”
The students scattered, leaving only Liu Huixin.
Liu Huixin waved at Chi Lin, swinging her backpack. “Xiao Lin, I’ve been waiting for you.”
As Chi Lin left the office, Ms. Qi gave her some advice.
“Those methods are unique, but you can’t use them on the college entrance exam. You have to follow the standard procedures and solutions. The graders won’t accept anything else.”
Chi Lin nodded obediently. “Thank you, Teacher.”
Ms. Qi continued, “Your hair looks much better today. You should embrace your youth, not hide behind all that… flamboyance. See how pretty you are?”
“Thank you, Teacher,” Chi Lin replied.
Ms. Qi smiled and urged her to go have lunch.
After Chi Lin left, the math teacher turned to Ms. Qi. “She’s so polite. Did something happen?”
“I heard her mother has a new boyfriend and they might be getting married,” Ms. Qi said. “She’s very close to her father, and she’s been emotionally unstable since the divorce. It’s a lot for anyone to handle, especially a teenager.”
The math teacher sighed. “Kids these days have it tough. Society is changing so fast, and family dynamics are becoming more complex. We never imagined the world would be like this.”
Chi Lin packed her bag and headed downstairs.
Liu Huixin, clinging to her arm in the elevator, bombarded her with questions. “What did the teachers want? How do you know ancient math? Who taught you? Was it your mysterious sworn sister?”
Chi Lin felt a headache coming on.
Why is she so nosy…?
“I don’t have a sworn sister,” she said firmly.
As she spoke, her phone vibrated.
“Big Mimi” had sent a voice message.
Lou Mi?
She had asked the system about the meaning of “Big Mimi.”
The system had replied: “A slang term for someone with large breasts, often used playfully…”
Chi Lin wanted to bury herself in the ground.
She had uttered such a vulgarity without knowing its meaning. No wonder Lou Mi was so angry.
This incident reinforced the importance of caution.
Still unfamiliar with WeChat, she fumbled with the phone, trying to play the message.
Lou Mi’s voice filled the empty elevator, clear and distinct:
“Busy tonight. Get your own dinner. And pick up my package from security when you get home.”
So the package was the real reason.
Liu Huixin stared at her. “You… live together?”
“It’s not what you think,” Chi Lin began to explain.
Another message arrived from Lou Mi.
Flustered, Chi Lin accidentally pressed play.
Lou Mi’s voice continued: “I had the door fixed. Don’t destroy anything else in the house, you hear? Or you’ll be sorry.”
Chi Lin: “…”
Liu Huixin’s mind conjured up a series of inappropriate images, her expression turning mischievous.
Remembering the nickname “Big Mimi,” Chi Lin felt increasingly uncomfortable.
The moment the elevator doors opened, she bolted.
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