Chapter 36 - I Love Learning
In the end, Guo DangLi and Li Gao went to class disheartened. One by one, they sat down on their seats, unable to speak for a long while.
Especially Guo DangLi. He woke up this morning, intending to become a Boss. He just couldn’t understand how he ended up becoming a son?
And that painful blow that practically swept him off his feet. Guo DangLi couldn’t get it off his mind.
The students of Class 7 were also surprised. It was an ordinary weekday, but Guo DangLi and his gang were actually attending the early self-study. Some of the normal students were already preparing to take their textbooks and escape, but for some reason, Guo DangLi wasn’t being his noisy self. Although they didn’t know what had happened, everyone cherished this rare silence and sat down to study.
After a long while, Li Gao finally couldn’t help but quietly ask Guo DangLi: “Brother Li, are we really going to study?”
Guo DangLi glared at him: “If you want to study so bad, why don’t you go ask your dad.”
Li Gao, who had previously called Lin Qian as ‘dad,’ shrunk into himself and didn’t speak again.
Another brother became quite restless. After some hesitation, he said: “But Brother Li, we signed a contract. What do we do if we can’t make any progress by next month’s exam?”
Guo DangLi was so angry his heart practically gave up. He scolded: “Why are you taking such agreements so seriously? Lin Qian is a goddamn pussy! Are you actually afraid of him?”
His little brothers looked amongst themselves, then turned to Guo DangLi with fear in their eyes. The answer was obvious: They were afraid!
Guo DangLi: “...” He suddenly felt that not only was he not the Boss of No.12, but that his position of Class 7 leader had also crumbled to dust.
Guo DangLi was just about to go off on another tirade when the wall-mounted speakers suddenly turned on with a ‘Bzzt’ sound. After a while, a voice sounded out: “Hello, Hello——testing...”
No.12 had an extensive broadcasting system. Each classroom was equipped with a wall-mounted speaker. It was usually only used during breaks to broadcast school notices or occasionally some music. It rarely turned on at this time of day, so all the students in Class 7 subconsciously looked towards the speakers. They wondered what was going on.
After a while, the voice of a young boy could be heard through the speakers. “Good Morning to all teachers and students. This is Dong MingEn of Class 8, Year 3...”
His voice got smaller and smaller as he talked, as if he was being careful with his words. He sounded very much like he had nothing left to live for.
Then, there was another weak voice: “This is Lou XingGuang, also from Class 8.”
Another voice, full of shame: “This is Zhou DaoTa.”
Finally, a calm, disillusioned voice sounded: “This is Gou XinDou.”
During this introduction, the entire grade was in a state of turmoil. The students looked at each other, wondering what on earth was happening. Why were those Class 8 students suddenly broadcasting?
In everyone’s minds, being in the broadcast was something to be praised. Other than the usual school announcements, the students who usually spoke in the broadcast had, for the most part, done something notable. Such a backward class like Class 8 would’ve had no chance to appear in the school broadcasts. Especially students like Dong MingEn, who was a famous troublemaker. So all the students listening became very curious. Did these Class 8 students hijack the sound system to shout criticism and obscenities?
Guo DangLi and his gang thought the same. After being intimidated this morning, they were shivering at the thought of somehow getting dragged into this.
Fortunately, Dong MingEn didn’t leave the students guessing for too long. After a few seconds of silence, he finally managed to summon up the courage to speak. He cleared his throat, then very clearly said: “Today we’re each going to explain to you questions we’ve answered wrong more than five times. I have three questions. First is English...”
They all initially expected the entire broadcast to be like some radio soap opera, full of drama. But when they heard Dong MingEn’s words, they all thought: ......???
They looked at each other, confused. Some people even suspected that they heard wrong.
But Dong MingEn quickly proved that their hearing was normal. Dong MingEn, with his voice filled with self-abandonment, said: “First, the translation for the English phrase ‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away.‘ I translated it to ‘Eat an apple a day, and you won’t get your doctor’s degree.’ I later used this sentence to prove to my friends that eating apples would reduce your IQ....”
Dong MingEn hadn’t even finished yet when the entire grade descended into crazy laughter. Fortunately, their laughter couldn’t be transmitted back into the broadcasting room, so Dong MingEn wasn’t affected. Instead, Dong MingEn gravely continued: “The correct translation for this sentence should be ‘eating an apple every day keeps the doctor away.’ It indicates that apples are very healthy and nutritious. The word ‘doctor‘ could also mean a Ph.D. holder. Also, ‘doctor’ is also a transitive verb...”
Dong MingEn explained basic English word for word. The more carefully he explained, the more the students listening laughed.
After Dong MingEn finished, he turned to the next question. “Next. I want to explain a math question I repeatedly did wrong six times this week...”
After the math problem was a comprehensive question about literature. These questions weren’t as stupid as the English translation. One of them was a very complex question type that was easy to make mistakes in. But for the students listening, these were all secondary facts. The important question was: Why were the underachieving students of Class 8 carefully and seriously broadcasting explanations, ah!
And Dong MingEn’s tone was quite serious too. He explained the answers step by step in great detail. This, combined with his usual gangster appearance, made everyone laugh non-stop. Some even had tears in their eyes.
After Dong MingEn finished speaking, Lou XingGuang’s voice immediately followed. “I have two questions I needed to seriously review. The first is a math problem...”
And like this, several of the most infamous students in Class 8 used the school broadcasting system to seriously review several questions and give detailed and accurate explanations throughout the entire self-study period.
It was unknown how many students were sincerely listening, but Guo DangLi heard nothing but the constant ‘hahaha’ around him. Several students asked each other:
“Fuck, what the hell are they up to? Are they trying to get a head start on some teacher-training?”
“So shocking. Are those Class 8 students trying to be teachers? Will the future flowers of our motherland really be taught by the current weed of our motherland?”
“I have no idea. I just want to laugh my ass off. They’re all so stupid, especially Dong MingEn.”
“I can’t figure it out. What are they trying to do?”
“...I’d rather die than do something like that; that’s for sure.”
......
Guo DangLi and Li Gao looked at each other. Everyone was busy speculating, the situation really was a bit too hard to believe.
Meanwhile, the broadcast was still going on. Dong MingEn, who explained the most questions, finally made the closing speech. “Those were the most outrageous questions we got wrong this week. We’ll work harder and study more attentively in the next tutoring session. We’ll try our best to make sure we won’t make any more mistakes in the future and not waste our tutors’ time.”
As soon as Dong MingEn mentioned his tutors, Guo DangLi felt like he was about to faint. It seems that his speculations had just been confirmed.
Sure enough, Lin Qian had done this.
A trembling Li Gao said: “Brother Li, if we don’t get high enough marks in next month’s tests will Lin Qian tell us to do a broadcast too?”
His other brothers also cried out: “What if Lin Qian makes us call him dad in a broadcast, ah?”
Then someone corrected: “It won’t be ‘dad,’ but ‘grandpa.’”
Guo DangLi: “....” His shoulder started to ache at the thought of Lin Qian. Remembering back to Lin Qian’s ferocity, his originally strong will began to waver.
“That’s all for this week. We sincerely hope not to do this again next week.” Dong MingEn’s words drew things to a close. After a deep breath, the broadcast finished.
Soon after, Dong MingEn and Lou XingGuang passed Class 7. Their heads were low, and it was obvious that their hearts were in despair.
Li Gao couldn’t help but rush out to stop them, disregarding Guo DangLi’s warnings.
Dong MingEn’s face sank when Li Gao stopped them. He had just disgraced himself in front of the entire school and wasn’t in the best of moods. “What do you want?”
Li Gao stammered out: “T-that broadcast, did Lin Qian force you to do that?”
Dong MingEn thought that Li Gao just approached him to laugh at his face. With a dark expression, he said: “What’s it to you?”
Li Gao didn’t dare tell him the truth. So he replied: “Just curious.”
Dong MingEn, who had a violent temper, was about to shout when Lou XingGuang placed a hand on his shoulder. With a blank expression, he asked Li Gao: “Yes, why do you ask?”
When Li Gao heard Lou XingGuang’s reply, his face instantly turned pale, and his heart was shocked.
As the saying goes- subordinates follow the example of their superiors. Zheng PingQing had declared himself Lin Qian’s man not too long ago, and now, the usually influential Lou XingGuang was being suppressed by Lin Qian. To be honest, Li Gao was a little happy that these bigwigs had to do such a shameful thing.
Of course, whether Li Gao dared to laugh at them to their faces was a different matter. These people were the previous leaders of No.12 after all. Li Gao still wanted to avoid their sharper edges.
Unexpectedly, Lin Qian really did force them to do this shameful thing. Zheng PingQing admits to being a follower of Lin Qian, and his younger brothers were forced to receive public punishment via broadcast.
Li Gao couldn’t imagine what kind of punishment awaited him if he didn’t make progress in the next monthly exam.
Just then, the Principal happened to walk by. Seeing the group standing in the middle of the hallway, the Principal suddenly revealed a kind smile. “You students did an excellent job just now, ah. When Lin Qian had asked me for permission to use the sound system for the next few weeks, I wondered how it would turn out. I look forward to your next broadcast.”
Dong MingEn and friends were expressionless as they replied: “...Thank you for your support, Principal.”
The Principal cheerfully encouraged them with a few more words, then continued to leisurely walk away.
Li Gao: “!!!” The Principal is also on Lin Qian’s side! And the sound system has already been reserved for the next few weeks!
No longer hesitating, Li Gao looked at Dong MingEn and sincerely said: “T-that...your study notes...can I borrow them?”
Dong MingEn: “???”
Others: “????”
Dong MingEn still thought that Li Gao was mocking them. He angrily asked: “What the hell are you trying to do?”
Li Gao’s tone was very sincere as he replied: “I want to learn.”
Dong MingEn: “...”
Li Gao saw Dong MingEn’s hesitation and added: “Really.”
Dong MingEn and Lou XingGuang looked at each other, doubt in their expressions. But, well, they were a bunch of underachievers trying to study. They were more than willing to help their fellow underachievers learn. Dong MingEn looked at Li Gao again, this time scrutinizing him from top to bottom. After determining that Li Gao really wasn’t joking, he said: “I’ll give you a copy. You don’t need to give it back.”
Zheng PingQing had photocopied plenty of copies. So Dong MingEn had some in his bag. Dong MingEn simply took them out and passed them to Li Gao.
“Thank you.” Li Gao said, grateful.
Dong MingEn thought for a bit, then said: “If you really want to study, I’ll give you a list of tutoring books too. You can buy them for practice.”
Dong MingEn was a bit dazed. He was once known to be a famous underachiever, but now here he was, giving people a list of textbooks like a top student.
But Li Gao didn’t immediately accept the list. He asked: “Did Lin Qian give you this list?”
Dong MingEn didn’t understand his hesitation. After all, Lin Qian was the student representative. His textbook list was naturally 100% reliable. He nodded: “He did.”
Li Gao immediately nodded, as if he was pounding garlic. “Alright, I’ll buy it after school today.”
When Li Gao returned to Class 7 with the notes and the textbook list, he saw Guo DangLi and his younger brothers staring at him. Li Gao felt a little guilty, so he took the initiative to explain his conversation with Dong MingEn. After this, he waited for Guo DangLi to scold him. But he felt that being scolded by Guo DangLi was much better than doing a broadcast in front of the entire school.
But the storm he had expected didn’t come. Guo DangLi stayed quiet for a while, then coldly extended a hand. “Give me the notes; I get to copy it first.”
......
......
The next day, the trio Lin Qian, Zheng PingQing, and Xu Yao were at the school gate as usual. And Zheng PingQing bought Lin Qian breakfast as usual. He also didn’t forget to scold Guo DangLi and his gang for being such unfilial children. “...you didn’t get to eat wontons yesterday. Fortunately, you didn’t go hungry. Otherwise, Dad would’ve made sure they never got breakfast for the rest of their lives.”
Meanwhile, the uncle: “...” Sure enough, he has no son. Humph, I don’t care. Not one bit.
Xu Yao was more worried about his own well-being. If not for the fact that he wanted to keep these gays hidden, he would’ve refused to walk to school with them.
He was still a young child, why should he bear witness so many scenes he shouldn’t be seeing at his young age.
Zheng PingQing was walking to a nearby breakfast stall when he saw a woman shouting angrily: “I let you skip class, fight all day, waste time on your computer...and now you dare to say you want money to buy some textbooks? Have you even read one book in your life? ....”
Lin Qian and Xu Yao followed him, and all three saw a middle-aged woman wearing black rubber boots. She was wearing an apron around her waist, not unlike those you see in vegetable markets. The woman was holding the arm of a somewhat malnourished student. She was shouting: “... you’re getting more and more courageous, huh? You think that I don’t know what you plan to do with the money? You’ll take your buddies and waste time in an internet cafe, right?! Let’s go ask a teacher just what books you’re supposed to have!”
Lin Qian and Zheng PingQing looked at the student and realized the woman was yelling at Li Gao.
Li Gao, who was being dragged along, probably felt a great amount of shame. While struggling, he argued: “I’m telling the truth! I really want to buy some reference books...”
The woman who was suspected to be Li Gao’s mother became angrier. “How many times have you asked for money to buy books? What about the last book you supposedly bought?! Why don’t you bring it out for me to see? And what kind of reference book costs thousands of yuan?”
Li Gao wanted to cry but didn’t have any tears: “It’s a list of reference books written by the top student...it does cost that much...”
Li Gao’s mother was so angry she slapped Li Gao on the head. “What top student, what top student! Tell him to show his face. Is it that Guo DangLi? Can he be considered a top student? More like a top tyrant!”
The woman continued dragging Li Gao towards the school, cursing him as she did so. They were heading towards Lin Qian, and when Li Gao saw him, his face lit up. Li Gao desperately dragged his feet along the ground and pointed towards Lin Qian. He cried out: “That’s him! He’s the one who wrote the book list!”
Lin Qian: “....”
Xu Yao: “....”
Zheng PingQing squinted at Li Gao’s outstretched finger, causing Li Gao to hastily retract his hand in fear.
Mother Li turned around and saw a handsome and gentle boy. He was totally different from the hooligans her son usually associated with. She was so surprised that she froze for a moment. She then subconsciously greeted: “Student, hello.”
“Hello.” Lin Qian elegantly smiled at the woman and said: “Auntie, it’s not very good to curse in front of the school gate, ah.”
Mother Li’s face turned red.
Zheng PingQing nodded. “Yes, we can’t pollute such pure and honest flower buds.”
Xu Yao coldly watched them from the sidelines. What pure and honest! Pure flower buds only have puppy love! They don’t go gay!
OMFG this entire chapter 😂