Chapter 88: Oh no, the school bully actually came to consult her about her studies

Chapter 88

"You don't want to leave this class and leave Shi Li behind, do you?"

Without being able to hear Shi Li's inner thoughts, they wouldn't be able to enjoy the drama together anymore.

Everyone fell silent at this deafening statement.

Class Teacher, what a harsh way to motivate students!

Indeed, everyone had become dependent on hearing Shi Li's thoughts.

Having had their latent gossip genes activated by Shi Li, how could they bear not hearing her inner voice?

If everyone together couldn't hear it, that would be one thing. But to be the only one unable to hear Shi Li's thoughts and miss out on the drama due to poor grades and being moved to a different class - how was that any different from a death sentence?

It was too terrible to even imagine.

The Class Teacher closed his mouth before Shi Li returned, and the whole class was eerily quiet, stunned by his words.

Shi Li came back holding a lottery box, which she placed on the podium.

She couldn't understand why the Class Teacher had asked her to fetch it.

This so-called first place prize was rather strange - it was the kind of box used for raffles, which didn't seem like a reward for her at all.

What was especially odd was that the Class Teacher called students up to draw lots in order of their rankings, starting from second place, leaving only Shi Li out.

Shi Li watched in confusion, completely baffled.

By the time everyone in the class had gone up to draw lots and the box was empty, Shi Li still hadn't been called to the podium.

Each student held a ping pong ball with a number written on it in marker.

After drawing a number, the Class Teacher would write the corresponding number next to the student's name.

Once everyone had drawn, the Class Teacher turned on the projector's slideshow function.

"I've prepared a little winter break gift for everyone. The numbers you're holding correspond to the gifts I'm giving you all. They're just small tokens, so I hope you won't find them too meager."

Not just Shi Li, but everyone was confused about what the Class Teacher was up to.

But they all had a feeling this wasn't going to be anything good.

The slideshow showed a table, with gift descriptions next to each number.

Things like "Winter Break Gift Pack", "Happy New Year Gift Box"...

It really did look like he was giving students presents.

Shi Li, who hadn't been allowed to draw, felt disgruntled. [What made the stingy Class Teacher so generous?]

[No, he's still stingy. Everyone else gets a gift except me.]

Class Teacher: Be patient, dear. You'll say that again in a moment.

Since they were already doomed, they weren't about to let their classmates off easy. Might as well all go down together.

These students efficiently brought the other half of the gifts to the podium. They couldn't possibly hinder their brothers and sisters from making progress, after all.

After distributing the last gift, the Class Teacher stood at the podium to give an acceptance speech, "These are some gifts I've purchased for you all out of my own pocket. I hope you won't find them too lacking."

Shi Li: [These are truly some gifts that leave one at a loss for words. But fortunately, I didn't get one.]

Everyone else: Is it really okay to be so gleeful about others' misfortune? Then again, considering her grades, she probably doesn't need this kind of gift. Besides, my dear Class Teacher, earning money isn't easy for you either. You take risks of being noticed by the higher-ups, and it's all hard-earned money to support your family. There's no need to spend your own money on us. Really, you shouldn't have.

"You've all worked hard for a semester, and the winter break should rightfully be a time for you to rest. However, I hope you won't completely neglect your studies just because you're home for the New Year. I've looked over the winter break homework assigned by your subject teachers, and it's not too much - much less than your usual workload. So I've given you all this gift, hoping that after finishing your assigned homework, you'll complete the gift I've given you earnestly. I'll be checking when school starts again."

Shi Li: [That last sentence is the key point, isn't it?]

Class Teacher: You've figured it out. How embarrassing.

The Class Teacher sighed like a concerned father, "I'm only thinking of your best interests, hoping you can improve your grades."

Everyone except Shi Li: I don't believe your nonsense, you crafty old man.

When they came to school, everyone's hands were empty. When they left, everyone was laden with gifts.

Except for Shi Li, everyone was carrying heavy workbooks home, understanding for the first time that knowledge truly is power - power as hard as steel and iron. If they got into a fight outside, swinging these workbooks could seriously injure someone. Baseball bats were nothing compared to these.

When Shi Li got home, her father had also returned from work.

"You went back to school today?"

Shi Li nodded and tossed her report card in front of her parents. "The results are out. Our Class Teacher called us in to discuss this final exam."

Seeing their daughter's outstanding report card, Shi's father and Huang Jie could barely contain their smiles. "My girl is so amazing. Tell Dad if you want any reward."

"No need for a reward. Our Class Teacher has already given me one."

Seeing their daughter return home empty-handed, they asked, "What reward did your Class Teacher give you?"

Shi Li replied, "The other students got winter break workbook gift packs. I don't need to do them."

The two were momentarily speechless. "Your Class Teacher... is quite something."

Shi's father spoke again with pride, "My daughter's academic performance is excellent, so of course she doesn't need workbooks to reinforce her learning."

After chatting with her parents about what had happened at school, Shi Li returned upstairs.

When she opened her phone, she was somewhat surprised to receive a message from Fu Huixing.

Fu Huixing rarely sent her messages unprompted, and the last time he had messaged her was half a month ago.

Seeing a message from Fu Huixing, Shi Li's first thought was that it must be about something important.

When she saw the content of the message, it still came as quite a shock to Shi Li.

Good heavens! The school's tough guy was actually reaching out to her for academic advice!