Ding-ling-ling, class was over.
Ye Chen had finished grading the Physics problems and handed them back to Li Sitong.
"Lots of mistakes, even the points you missed last time—review them carefully. If you get them wrong again next time, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
Seeing the page full of annotations, Li Sitong felt deeply moved.
She took the paper, cheeks red, and said, "Ye Chen, thank you. Actually, you don't have to correct my essays during class."
"No problem, we're desk-mates."
"Oh!" Li Sitong nodded shyly.
At that moment she suddenly remembered something and opened the bitcoin app.
Right now the price was 121, up fifty cents from yesterday's purchase.
After a glance she beamed, "Ye Chen, the bitcoin we bought has gone up five MJ."
Ye Chen had helped her buy 2,500 bitcoin; he himself held a bit over 1,200.
In other words, in a single day Li Sitong's profit was 12,500 MJ—about eighty-thousand chinese yuan.
Eighty-thousand yuan was roughly a white-collar worker's yearly income.
Making eighty-thousand in one day—and a Senior Year girl at that—how incredible.
How on earth had Ye Chen done it?
Yu Weiwei leaned over and asked, "Si Tong, why are you so happy?"
Li Sitong smiled, "Ye Chen helped me earn eighty-thousand in one day."
"Ah!" Yu Weiwei froze.
"That profitable? Did you buy stocks?"
Li Sitong shook her head. "stocks don't earn that fast—it's bitcoin."
bitcoin?
Yu Weiwei was equally lost.
She took out her phone and searched.
"Si Tong, investing in bitcoin looks really risky; you could lose everything."
Li Sitong chuckled, "I trust Ye Chen. Want to invest a bit too?"
Yu Weiwei considered it. "I'll wait and see for now."
Second period was math.
Ye Chen came back from the restroom just in time to see Teacher Wang and Class 2's Mr. Chen walking side by side, each hugging a stack of handouts toward the Classroom.
They walked together, yet neither acknowledged the other.
Spotting Ye Chen, Mr. Chen's eyes showed mixed feelings; he gave a slight nod.
Then he stepped into Class 2.
For some reason Ye Chen felt Mr. Chen's gaze was odd whenever it fell on him.
At the door Teacher Wang sniffed, "Jealous—what's the use? If you've got skill, produce a Top Scholar yourself."
Ye Chen was speechless; the two teachers' rivalry was well-known even among students.
He could hear the sourness in Teacher Wang's tone.
A junior-high classmate in Class 2 had told him Mr. Chen had again obtained the provincial school's supposedly exam-guessing papers.
Yet Mr. Chen wouldn't let Wang Chao see them.
No wonder Old Wang was upset!
Inside the Classroom Ye Chen had just sat down when Teacher Wang set his handouts on the podium and ordered, "Last row, close the Back Door. And you lot in back, tape papers over the Rear Windows."
After glancing outside like a thief, he shut the front door as well.
Wang Chao had already planned today's move: let Ye Chen teach the class.
Of course, he had to guard against Chen Tao peeking.
Everyone stared blankly at Wang Chao.
What kind of show was Teacher Wang putting on today?
Clearing his throat, Wang Chao announced, "Class, to improve your scores, today we'll review exercises."
"Ah!"
Groans swept the room at the mention of him explaining problems.
Students dreaded Teacher Wang's problem sessions the most.
After all, during self-study or worksheets you could occasionally zone out.
Especially the weaker students: outwardly reading, actually day-dreaming an entire period.
Pure bliss!
But Teacher Wang asked questions while lecturing.
So during his explanations you had to look attentive, pretending to follow every step.
Even if you didn't understand, you nodded vigorously to seem like you did.
Show a flicker of confusion and he'd yank you up, possibly scolding you harshly.
Thus each lesson left you exhausted.
Seeing their reluctance, Wang Chao coughed.
"A-hem, today I'm not the one explaining—Ye Chen will."
"Yay!"
Cheers erupted at once.
Anyone but Teacher Wang was fine.
Ye Chen wouldn't call names; if he did, it would only be Li Sitong or Xia Yingluo anyway!
Watching the cheering students, Wang Chao's feelings were mixed.
So my lesson draws groans, Ye Chen's gets applause—could you be any more heart-breaking?
He had meant to add a remark, but under the expectant stares he wisely stepped down.
He knew the class couldn't wait for him to leave… An involuntary pang of desolation struck him.
Sigh, after three years of teaching, his students still disliked him so.
Wang Chao walked off the podium, wounded.
Ye Chen stepped up and said, "Thanks for everyone's support and encouragement. We'll forever remember Teacher Wang's dedicated guidance and will never forget his kindly voice and face."
Teacher Wang: "…"
Why does this sound like a memorial speech for me?
"I'm very happy to lecture for you; it shows Teacher Wang's trust in me, plus your support. I've taught before, so any comments or suggestions, bring them up—I'll correct them earnestly."
Just then a boy raised his hand.
"Teacher Ye, we really like your classes; compared with Teacher Wang's, yours…"
Halfway through, the boy felt an icy stare lock onto him.
Gulp.
He swallowed the rest of the sentence.
Then he quickly added, "Could you please not flaunt your affection during class?"
Hearing this plea, the rest of the class nodded in agreement.
Ye Chen's lessons were indeed clear and even fun.
It was just that after one period the single students were stuffed with 'dog food'.
Most of the class were single; their fragile hearts felt battered.
Ye Chen gave an apologetic smile.
"Sorry, I didn't consider your feelings; I'll improve."
Seeing his sincerity, everyone felt comforted.
Ye Chen changed tack: "Actually, my showing affection is meant to spur your fighting spirit."
"Huh?"
The students looked baffled.
Eating dog food could boost study motivation? Never heard of that!
Ye Chen grinned, "Think about it—why can I flaunt love, why do the prettiest, top-scoring girls in class like me?"
Why?
At his words every student stared curiously, especially the boys, ears pricked as if he were about to reveal a dating cheat-code.