12 Discovery

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Chen Ran was quite accustomed to Wang Weidong’s expressionless face. In the previous life, this guy always wore a poker face. Recalling their middle school days, Chen Ran often wondered if Wang Weidong, the school heartthrob, really had some facial nerve issue and should seek medical attention.

Wang Weidong tossed his backpack into the desk and immediately rested his head on the table, drifting off to sleep.

What a true sleep master! As Chen Ran prepared to stand, he watched Wang Weidong asleep at the desk, pondering how to leave without disturbing him. Though not overweight, Wang Weidong was tall and burly; Chen Ran, being slight, knew that moving past him would likely wake the sleeping giant. But he had no desire to rouse him.

Unexpectedly, Wang Weidong got up without looking at Chen Ran. “Going out?”

“Thanks,” Chen Ran whispered, slipping past him. The students in front were reciting from their textbooks, and following Teacher Gao’s usual habit, she would soon walk through the classroom. Wang Weidong was a seasoned veteran, while Teacher Gao earnestly tried to encourage him to study more. Chen Ran certainly didn’t need that kind of concern. Sure enough, upon returning to the classroom, Teacher Gao was talking to Wang Weidong.

“Hello, Teacher Gao,” Chen Ran said respectfully, standing beside her. Gao nodded, “Chen Ran, you may take your seat first.”

“Wang Weidong, focus on morning self-study. Don’t come to class just to sleep. How do you expect to graduate middle school like this?” Teacher Gao scolded, half-frustrated. “Forget about police academy; if you can graduate middle school it’ll be a miracle.”

Wang Weidong replied indifferently, “Teacher Gao, I’m going to get into police academy.”

“If you’re so capable, why bother coming to school? Just take the high school entrance exam directly,” Teacher Gao snapped, growing angry. “Learn from Chen Ran.”

“Get on with your morning study. No more sleeping.”

Reluctantly, Wang Weidong pulled out his textbook and read aloud. Since Teacher Gao stood nearby, Chen Ran didn’t dare continue with math and quietly switched to his English textbook, softly reading aloud.

The classroom filled with the sound of students reading. Teacher Gao lingered by Wang Weidong for a long time, only leaving once she was satisfied he was reading.

After she left, Wang Weidong pouted and muttered something unclear to Chen Ran, who lowered his English book and resumed studying math.

The bell rang, but Chen Ran hardly noticed. Wang Weidong glanced at him, squinting as if appraising him. Perhaps because Chen Ran seldom saw Wang Weidong around the courtyard — Chen Ran had always been frail and quiet, disliking activity. Wang Weidong was the king of the courtyard children, familiar with many but not Chen Ran. Wang Weidong recalled the first time they met, when Chen Ran was just a child.

Chen Ran and his parents had just moved into the complex. Back then, Wang Weidong was the unruly ruler of the neighborhood.

The spring sun shone warmly on Chen Ran’s face as he sat silently at the stairwell, not speaking. His big eyes and fair complexion caught Wang Weidong’s attention. Even after many years, Wang Weidong could still remember meeting such a quiet child for the first time.

Over time, Wang Weidong often saw Chen Ran sitting alone in the courtyard, playing by himself, never mingling with other children. Many times, Chen Ran thought Wang Weidong hadn’t noticed him, but in truth, he simply ignored Wang Weidong. Though Wang Weidong played nearby, Chen Ran never spoke to him. Their parents were not close either, so Chen Ran remained unfamiliar with Wang Weidong.

Yet Wang Weidong was far from a stranger to Chen Ran—if not friends, at least acquaintances.

Yesterday afternoon, Wang Weidong hadn’t known Sun Ze would pick on Chen Ran, but he was well acquainted with Sun Ze. The two had been at odds since starting middle school months ago, and Wang Weidong was sure Sun Ze would look for trouble after Chen Ran left school. Wang Weidong hated trouble, but since Chen Ran’s father had just passed away and Sun Ze insulted his family, Wang Weidong felt compelled to help.

Besides, they lived in the same complex, so of course he had to stand by Chen Ran. Following him, Wang Weidong indeed saw Sun Ze come looking for trouble, but he hadn’t expected Chen Ran to be so fierce. The usually quiet child could get so angry. When they returned to the courtyard, Wang Weidong thought Chen Ran was still physically weaker than Sun Ze, so next time he would step in himself. After all, he disliked Sun Ze too.

Now, watching Chen Ran so absorbed in his studies, Wang Weidong was somewhat puzzled.

“Hey, Chen Ran,” Wang Weidong called softly. The high school admission rate at Ningchuan No. 5 Middle School was very low. Each ninth-grade class had hundreds of students, but only a few dozen passed to high school. At times, barely a dozen out of hundreds made it, with most leaving school after junior high to work.

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Students like Chen Ran, whose father died heroically, had privileged policies when applying to police academy vocational schools. Plus, Chen Ran’s grades were good; he didn’t need to study too hard to get in.

“What’s up?” Chen Ran turned to Wang Weidong with a puzzled look.

“I’m saying, you don’t have to study so hard. I heard applying to police academy vocational schools gives you bonus points.”

“Oh,” Chen Ran mused, “I’m not applying to vocational school; I’m aiming for high school. I want to get into high school, then university.”

“University?” Wang Weidong blinked in surprise. “Really? I heard university is tough to get into. Even at Ningchuan’s best high school, Number Twelve, only a few get admitted.”

“Yeah,” Chen Ran agreed. “My sister goes to university in another city. I want to be like her, go to university.”

“That’s great,” Wang Weidong whispered, “Is it police academy?”

“No,” Chen Ran shook his head. “I haven’t decided which university yet. I’ll tell you once I know.”

Chen Ran lowered his head, returning to his book as Wang Weidong muttered quietly.

The class bell rang, but Chen Ran seemed oblivious, still engrossed in his math book. Wang Weidong rested his head on the desk, dozing.

“Wang Weidong, Wang Weidong…” Mr. Liu, the math teacher, called loudly from the podium. Chen Ran looked up as classmates turned to watch the boy on the desk. Mr. Liu elbowed Wang Weidong hard. Still dazed, Wang Weidong looked up. Chen Ran’s lips didn’t move but he whispered, “Mr. Liu wants you to answer.”

“Wang Weidong, tell me the final answer to this system of linear equations.”

“Five!”

Without hesitation, Wang Weidong blurted out, “Five!”

Mr. Liu glanced at Wang Weidong, then at Chen Ran. “Wang Weidong, if you want to sleep during class, go to the office. You’re here to listen, not to nap.”

“And Chen Ran, why are you looking down? Is there gold on your desk? Look up at the board!”

Laughter broke out. Chen Ran said nothing, pretending to look at the blackboard. Wang Weidong didn’t care much but was surprised Chen Ran got a scolding too.

“You said you want to get into high school and university, so why aren’t you paying attention?” Chen Ran’s grades were usually above average, often praised by teachers. It was rare to see him reprimanded.

“I’m reading this,” Chen Ran said, handing his math book to Wang Weidong.

“Second semester of eighth grade math?” Wang Weidong stared at the cover, stunned. “You understand it?”

“Barely.”

“I’m saying,” Wang Weidong whispered, “No way, it’s only first semester of seventh grade. You’re self-studying second semester of eighth grade math? You’ve already finished seventh grade second semester and eighth grade first semester? Are you just pretending?”

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Chen Ran smiled without answering, pulling the book back and continuing to study the second semester eighth-grade material.

Mr. Liu lectured from the podium, surveying the students below. Chen Ran kept his head down, absorbed for quite some time. Since yesterday’s class began this way, Mr. Liu wondered if Chen Ran’s father’s death had affected his studies or life.

Setting aside his textbook and lesson plan, Mr. Liu stepped down and approached Chen Ran’s desk. Wang Weidong nudged Chen Ran and gestured urgently, but Chen Ran was too engrossed to notice.

Mr. Liu came beside Chen Ran and snatched the textbook from his desk.

“Second semester eighth-grade math?” Mr. Liu had thought Chen Ran was reading some extracurricular book but was surprised to find this. After a moment’s pause, he placed the book back and whispered, “Chen Ran, come to the office after class.”

“All right.” Chen Ran’s cheeks flushed slightly as the class chuckled.

The bell rang. Mr. Liu left with a final word, “Come to the office.” Wang Weidong frowned, “Chen Ran, I was calling you earlier. Didn’t you feel it?”

“Sorry,” Chen Ran apologized, “I really didn’t notice.”

“I’m heading to the office now.” Chen Ran rose as Wang Weidong watched him leave the classroom.

At the office door, Chen Ran knocked.

Inside, Mr. Liu was talking with Teacher Gao.

“Knock, knock, knock,” Chen Ran called, “Reporting.”

Mr. Liu looked up at Chen Ran outside. “Come in.”

Chen Ran entered and stood before Mr. Liu. “You wanted to see me, Mr. Liu?”

“Chen Ran,” Mr. Liu sighed, “It’s not that I forbid you from self-study, but can you really understand this? I’m teaching this semester’s material, but you’re reading next semester’s. Do you grasp this semester’s content?”

“Yes,” Chen Ran replied straightforwardly, “I think I do.”

Mr. Liu frowned. “Don’t be too sure of yourself.”

“Really, Mr. Liu, I’m quite familiar with this semester’s material.”

“You’re something else!” Mr. Liu frowned, then after a moment, said, “Alright, I’m not trying to make things hard for you. I have a set of test papers here. If you can do well on them, you can do whatever you want in math class this semester.”

“What’s this?” Chen Ran asked cautiously. “Are you mad, teacher?”

“I’m not that petty!” Mr. Liu said, laughing warmly.