Chapter 31: Tingting 29

Sensing Tan You's thoughts, the little system sat to the side, wailing and biting its handkerchief. If the host didn't care about appearance, wouldn't it lose its purpose? Moreover, it was so weak that it would eventually have to rely on the host to support it...

Tan You didn't pay any attention to the little system's inner turmoil; her high school life was very peaceful. Her teachers were attentive, and her classmates were friendly. Although she didn't have any extremely close friends, she got along well enough with everyone on the surface.

In the blink of an eye, a semester passed, and it was time for Tan You to choose between the arts and sciences tracks. Having been Teacher Shi's student again this semester, Tan You naturally wanted to continue being her student.

However, Teacher Shi had always taught the science track, and Tan You's aptitude for science was indeed not as strong as her talent for the arts. But she thought she could manage if she worked hard—until Teacher Shi called her for a talk.

"Me? Of course I want to choose the science track." Hearing Teacher Shi's question, Tan You immediately stated her position: "I want to continue being your student."

Teacher Shi sighed slightly; she had expected this result. "You don't need to worry about me. Just tell me, what major do you want to pursue in the future? Science-based majors are indeed easier for finding employment, but I see that you are truly struggling with the science subjects."

"If you choose the arts track, you won't have to work so hard. Besides, aren't you studying fashion design now? It seems like the arts track would be a better choice."

Tan You thought for a moment. "I still want to choose the science track."

"I have thought about it very seriously. My scientific reasoning is indeed lacking, but I cannot give up just because I am not naturally gifted. What I lack least is patience; I must overcome this hurdle."

"Furthermore, I want to be your student, and in such cases, whoever is more eager must be willing to put in more effort. Because of you, I am willing to overcome all difficulties. Just watch as I approach you step by step."

Teacher Shi fell silent for a moment. "It will be very difficult. I have already arranged with the administration to lead the arts class."

"Teacher, I am already grateful enough that you thought of me, but I cannot do that. My admiration and reverence for you are my own business; I cannot allow them to disrupt your life plans. You only need to watch me from the side. As long as you don't let me stray from this path, I will be very happy."

"And I am not afraid of hard work," Tan You looked at Teacher Shi. "Like I just said, only the more eager person needs to put in more effort. There may be difficulties, but I will not back down halfway."

"I also have my own reasons," Tan You smiled. "I want others to know that even if I study science, I can excel at it just the same."

"Fine, you have spirit!" The headteacher also smiled. "I told you she was stubborn. Do you see what I mean now?"

Teacher Shi let out a long sigh. "I certainly do."

Her gaze toward Tan You was very gentle. "Since you have made up your mind to study science, I won't hold back. I will prepare extra homework for you. Scientific thinking can be trained."

"I won't back down," Tan You promised with certainty. This was a rare learning opportunity; she wanted her mother, Cheng Wenhui, to know in the future that she wasn't a blockhead who was incapable of understanding science.

The news that Han Tingting had chosen the science track naturally reached the middle school department. In fact, many teachers were following Han Tingting's progress. Teacher Qin wasn't surprised at all; he had guessed it long ago. Given how much Han Tingting adored Teacher Shi, her choice was obvious.

Wang Lanfeng felt complicated. "I heard Teacher Shi was planning to lead the arts class, but she was talked out of it by Han Tingting. Now she is still Han Tingting's teacher."

Teacher Qin remarked, "You could call it a mutual devotion. The way Teacher Shi and Han Tingting are is enough to move anyone. For a teacher, being like this means they can live without regrets."

A math teacher also added, "It wasn't easy for Teacher Shi back then. Even with such a large baby bump, she would often explain problems to Han Tingting. This little flower she planted with her own hands has finally begun to show its own brilliance."

Since choosing physics and biology, Tan You's life hadn't changed much. She could master the tedious memorization after just two readings, so she spent most of her time on math, physics, and biology.

It was indeed strenuous, but as she studied, Tan You gradually felt as if she were grasping the logic of it. Consequently, her grades moved infinitely closer to a perfect score.

The headteacher was also happy. "I used to worry she was just being overambitious, but now it seems this child is truly excellent, stubbornly tackling these subjects head-on."

Teacher Shi looked at Tan You with heartache. "It's all being fueled by a massive amount of practice problems. It's very exhausting."

The better Han Tingting's grades became, the more time she must have been spending behind the scenes. It was said that she occasionally worked part-time at a garment factory; perhaps that part-time job served as a form of relaxation for her.

"I didn't expect you to choose the science track." Master Hu looked at Tan You, his eyes filled with surprise. Tan You was now in her third year of high school, yet she still maintained the habit of coming to the factory to work part-time every month during the holidays.

"Actually, now that I've chosen science, I've found that they aren't so insurmountable," Tan You shrugged. "It's just a matter of spending more time. Of course, it's also because my memory is good; I didn't have to spend much effort on Chinese or English."

"President Yang wants to discuss something with you. You'll be starting your second semester of senior year soon. How about waiting until after your college entrance exams to come back? Don't let the factory work distract you."

Tan You refused immediately. "I don't want to. Coming to the factory makes me very happy. If I stay home and spend all day doing homework, it would be too boring. Master... could you please help me talk to Uncle Yang..."

Master Hu looked toward the office door. "He's right there. You might as well tell him to his face."

Tan You immediately dashed out. Master Hu shook his head, but upon reflection, he understood. Don't people say one should balance work and rest? Perhaps working part-time at the factory was a way for Tan You to clear her head.

Once the second semester of senior year arrived, time seemed to move like a wound-up clock. Tan You felt as if she had just started school, and in the blink of an eye, she was already sitting in the examination hall.

Experiencing the college entrance exams for the first time, Tan You was strangely not nervous at all. That was her personality—the more significant the event, the calmer she became. She also had confidence because her grades had always been good.

Well, saying they were "good" was Tan You being modest. They were actually very good. Although she was a student from a township middle school, Tan You knew how famous Han Tingting was.

In every joint examination, Han Tingting's name was almost always in the top three. Tan You wasn't greedy; she didn't dare dream of being the top scorer in the province, but she would be very satisfied if she could make the top ten in the city.

She entered the exam hall calmly and left it calmly. Over the three days, Tan You's emotions did not fluctuate in the slightest. After the exams ended, Tan You was "captured" by Teacher Shi and taken to the office.

At that time, all the other students had been picked up by their parents, leaving only Tan You behind with the teachers. Why? Naturally, to ask how the exams went.