Chapter 15: The Wise Do Not Fall in Love

“Given vectors $\mathbf{a} = (\cos 1.5x, \sin 1.5x)$, $\mathbf{b} = (\cos 0.5x, -\sin 0.5x)$ and $x \in [-\pi/3, \pi/4]$,

(1) Find $\mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{b}$ and $|\mathbf{a} + \mathbf{b}|$.

(2) If $f(x) = \mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{b} - |\mathbf{a} + \mathbf{b}|$, find the maximum and minimum values of $f(x)$.”

Early in the morning, when Guo Xing entered the classroom, he saw Wang Donglai working on problems.

Glancing at the question, Guo Xing subconsciously began to calculate in his head.

However, just as Guo Xing was starting to get a lead, he saw Wang Donglai begin to move his pen.

The tip of the pen swept across the paper with a *shua-shua* sound, making a friction noise.

To the ears of someone like Guo Xing, who loved studying, it was incredibly pleasant.

Guo Xing had originally only intended to take a quick look, but he became mesmerized by Wang Donglai's extremely fluid problem-solving logic.

It wasn't until Wang Donglai had completely finished solving the problem that Guo Xing snapped back to reality.

"Wang Donglai, if you can solve a problem like this, then you shouldn't have gotten that grade on the last math exam!"

Having regained his senses, Guo Xing felt even more confused.

Because this problem was not simple; in fact, it could be said that even if Guo Xing did it, it would take a certain amount of time to solve.

Yet, in Wang Donglai's hands, it was solved in just a moment.

While this didn't necessarily prove that Wang Donglai's math level was better than Guo Xing's, it did prove that his math level was definitely not the worst in the class.

Wang Donglai had noticed Guo Xing as soon as he entered the classroom.

However, being deep in thought, he hadn't let himself be distracted.

Only now, hearing Guo Xing's question, did he speak: "My math level was just like that last time. The reason I could solve this so quickly is thanks to your notes; they are indeed very effective."

As he spoke, Wang Donglai pulled a notebook from his desk and handed it to Guo Xing.

Wang Donglai had spent a full fourteen hours reading this notebook.

He had flipped through it three times, and the experience points he gained exceeded his expectations.

【Host: Wang Donglai】 【Attributes: Constitution 8, Intelligence 7】 【Level: Level 1 (98/2000)】 【Reading Category: High School Compulsory】 【Skills: None】 【Ability: Sense of Direction】

Chinese: lv4 (85/2000) Geography: lv4 (1/2000) Politics: lv4 (1/1000) History: lv4 (1/1000) English: lv3 (198/1000) Math: lv3 (2/2000) Chemistry: lv1 (164/1000) Physics: lv1 (184/1000) Biology: lv1 (124/1000)

Math, which originally would have taken 23 hours to level up, had completed its upgrade by the next day.

The reason for this was another rule of the Reading System.

That was that a math notebook records the essence; thus, increasing experience points is fast, and combined with Wang Donglai entering a state of deep learning, the speed of acquiring experience points soared even higher.

In a single night, he had raised his math level by one.

It was only a single level, but it allowed Wang Donglai to quickly solve this math problem.

Taking back the math notebook Wang Donglai returned to him, Guo Xing frowned, feeling both surprised and puzzled.

Could it be that his math notes really had such a powerful effect?

The more he thought about it, the more curious Guo Xing became.

"Wang Donglai, can I ask you a question?" Guo Xing asked softly.

Glancing at Guo Xing, Wang Donglai seemed to guess what was coming and shook his head directly. "No, I need to study!"

With that, Wang Donglai buried his head in his studies once again.

Hearing Wang Donglai's unhesitating refusal, Guo Xing gave a soft huff, stopped talking, and sat in his seat to begin studying as well.

Once morning reading began.

As the Chinese teacher and headteacher of Class 14, Meng Fang arrived at the classroom right on time.

She stepped down from the podium and walked two laps through the aisles.

Meng Fang noticed something unusual about Wang Donglai; he wasn't reciting aloud, nor had he taken out a Chinese textbook.

Instead, he was hunched over his desk, scribbling away as if solving problems.

Curious, she walked over and saw that Wang Donglai was doing math problems.

Her expression soured. She slapped her hand on Wang Donglai's desk and signaled for him to follow her out.

In the hallway.

With a cold face and arms crossed, Meng Fang looked at Wang Donglai with a serious gaze and asked, "Wang Donglai, how do you think your grades are?"

Shaking his head, Wang Donglai finally spoke: "My grades are bad; I'm considered a poor student."

"I won't hide it from you—based on my years of experience, at best, you'll barely hit the line for a third-tier college, and you might not even get into a third-tier school with a slightly higher cutoff."

"There are only so many third-tier colleges in the province. City Colleges, Mingde Academy—you probably shouldn't even dream of those. Foreign Affairs, Eurasia, and Translation are also quite difficult. You'll likely only be admitted to something like the College of Fashion."

"I've said a lot of grand principles and I don't want to say more. It's just that I've seen how serious your attitude toward studying has been lately. I feel you still have hope and that you are a good student whose grades can improve, which is why I called you out here."

"The school has a plan for senior year revision. I know your math grades are poor and you want to improve them, but your method is wrong. During Chinese morning reading, you should be reciting ancient poetry. You didn't even pass Chinese in the last exam; don't you think that's wrong?"

"Guo Xing is decent at math and happens to be your deskmate. If there's something you don't understand, you can ask him. If that's not enough, you can come to the office and ask Teacher Luo. Don't think teachers are usually fierce just for the sake of it; it's all for the sake of your grades. So, teachers are very welcoming when you come to ask questions."

As the headteacher, Meng Fang spoke at length, lecturing Wang Donglai.

Wang Donglai could tell that Meng Fang's words weren't just empty platitudes; she truly had a degree of sincerity and was genuinely concerned about his grades.

Feeling a warmth in his heart, he spoke up: "Teacher Meng, I know you are doing this for my own good and that you care about my grades."

"However, I also have my own revision plan. I can guarantee you that in the next exam, my score will be higher than this one. If I fail to do so, I promise I won't do this again. What do you think, Teacher Meng?"

Originally, Wang Donglai hadn't intended to explain, but after feeling Meng Fang's concern, he offered a brief explanation and made a guarantee.

Frowning, Meng Fang said nothing, merely waving her hand to let Wang Donglai return to the classroom.

After Wang Donglai sat down, a note was passed to him.

"What did the headteacher call you for?"

The note was from Guo Xing.

"Nothing much, she just criticized me for looking at math books during Chinese morning reading instead of Chinese books."

Wang Donglai didn't hide it and explained it to Guo Xing.

"Putting all your time into math is a bit too extreme. If there's anything you don't understand, if you don't mind, come ask me. I'll try my best to answer. It's better if you follow the teacher's arrangement and keep up with the revision rhythm."

After a while, Guo Xing passed another note, which contained a long paragraph.

Seeing the elegant handwriting on the note, Wang Donglai turned his head seriously to look at Guo Xing and said, "Thank you!"

At the same time, Wang Donglai finally took a serious look at Guo Xing.

A round face, not too large, eyes with double eyelids that were bright and spirited, and skin that was fair and smooth.

Full of collagen, radiating the vitality of youth.

Wang Donglai's heart skipped a beat, and his eighteen-year-old body immediately had a slight reaction.

The only things that could suppress such impulses were "sage time" or a weak body, and clearly, Wang Donglai was in neither category at this moment.

"How did I not notice before that Guo Xing is actually quite good-looking..."

As this thought arose, Wang Donglai was instantly jolted awake.

"Relationships? Not even a dog would date. I only want to study!"

Muttering it twice to himself, Wang Donglai withdrew his gaze, pulled out his Chinese book, and began reciting ancient poetry.

Please recommend this chapter...

(End of Chapter)