At noon, Rong Yu carried her backpack to the library.
During this period, she had nearly mastered seventy years' worth of mathematical research, finally closing the gap in her knowledge. Now, she needed to explore other disciplines—physics, quantum mechanics, aerospace science, nuclear energy...
She sat in a chair in the library’s study area, flipping open a journal on astrophysics and reading intently.
She didn’t notice that the person sitting by the window nearby was none other than Song Huai.
Song Huai spotted the book in her hands first—its cover was identical to the one he was reading, except his was a translated version, while hers was the original Russian edition.
Curious about who could possibly understand Russian academic texts, he looked up—only to see an unexpected face. Rong Yu?
She could read Russian?
More importantly, was she actually interested in astrophysics?
He recalled that she had also scored full marks in the physics competition, securing a spot in the semifinals.
His initial assumption had been that she cheated.
But could cheating really be that easy during an exam?
Could she actually have a natural talent for physics?
Without a word, Song Huai stood and walked over to Rong Yu, stopping behind her. He watched as she scribbled calculations on paper—an incredibly complex set of physics formulas. She swiftly wrote down a series of values, solved them almost without hesitation, then crossed them out and started over...
Feeling a shadow fall over her, Rong Yu frowned and glanced up, meeting Song Huai’s gaze.
Song Huai spoke first. "You’re interested in this too?"
Rong Yu pointed to the nearby sign that read "No Talking."
Song Huai pressed his lips together.
Back when Rong Yu had first returned to the Rong family, she used to follow him around incessantly, overjoyed if he so much as spoke an extra word to her.
Now, when he initiated a conversation, she responded with such indifference.
Seeing that he still hadn’t moved and was blocking her light, Rong Yu checked her watch. Lunch break was almost over anyway. She closed her book, stood, and walked out of the library.
Song Huai followed.
Once outside, he was about to press further when Wu Su, the math teacher of Class 20, approached. "Rong Yu, do you have a moment to talk?"
Rong Yu nodded.
She assumed Wu Su wanted her help with further calculations on the convergence of parabolic curves.
Instead, Wu Su smiled and said, "Three days ago, I submitted my resignation to the school. This afternoon, it’ll be official."
Rong Yu looked up. "What are your plans now, Teacher Wu?"
"Mathematics has been my lifelong pursuit. I’ve always wanted to write a groundbreaking paper and formally enter the world of academia. But the truth is, my abilities don’t match my ambitions. And because my heart isn’t settled, I can’t fulfill my responsibilities as a teacher—which isn’t fair to my students." Wu Su’s expression remained calm. "I’ve applied for a study program at Princeton. I plan to go abroad for a few years, and once I’ve learned enough, I’ll return to continue my research on parabolic convergence. When that time comes, I hope you won’t hesitate to guide me, Rong Yu."
Rong Yu extended her hand. "Then I’ll wait for your return, Teacher Wu."
Wu Su shook her hand, smiling.
From a distance, Song Huai watched the scene unfold, his usually unflappable expression flickering with surprise.
A student like Rong Yu, speaking to a teacher as an equal—even shaking hands?
And unless he was mistaken, there seemed to be a hint of respect in Wu Su’s tone when addressing her?
A teacher showing respect to a student?
He must have imagined it.
After one afternoon class, Song Huai heard that Class 20’s math teacher had resigned.
Rumors said Wu Su had been recommended by Professor Min for an overseas study program. For some reason, though, he couldn’t shake the feeling that Rong Yu was involved...
Meanwhile, Rong Yu was explaining the math problem she’d assigned that morning to the top three students in Class 20.
Only the class monitor had solved it—but the solution spanned four sheets of paper. Such a simple question, made so needlessly complicated... Rong Yu picked up a pen. "This problem uses this formula. Let’s tweak it, add two variables, then invert it. See? Doesn’t that work?"
The class monitor stared, dumbfounded.
Add variables?
Wouldn’t that turn it into a completely different formula? And with so many elements in one equation, it went far beyond high school math...
Yet, despite its complexity, Rong Yu made it sound effortless.
"Apply the same logic to this physics problem." Without pause, Rong Yu flipped open a physics workbook. "Class rep, try solving it this way."
Her pace was too fast. The class representative barely processed the explanation but followed the steps anyway—and soon arrived at the answer.
"Exactly," Rong Yu said with a smile. "Now you get it, right?"
The class rep was stunned.
This physics problem had stumped her for ages. She’d asked the teacher multiple times, barely grasping it each time, only to blank out when faced with similar questions later.
Yet here she was, solving it in a daze.
The monitor and the secretary quickly worked through it too. Sure enough, after Rong Yu’s explanation, the logic became crystal clear.
"Thank you, Rong Yu," the class rep said sincerely. "You’ve helped me with math and physics. How about I tutor you in English? I’m pretty good—I usually score above 145."
Rong Yu chuckled. "No need. My English is fine."
She had been an overseas student in her time, living abroad for years. English was hardly a challenge for her.
The class rep looked embarrassed. "Then what can I help you with?"
The monitor chimed in, "We should all learn from each other."
"Well," Rong Yu coughed lightly, "you could help me with essay writing. Mine are terrible."
Numbers fascinated her, but words? Not so much. When it came to writing research reports, she knew her findings inside out—but putting them into coherent text was like wandering through a maze.
Essays were worse. What seemed perfectly clear to her always left others confused.
The weekend arrived quickly.
The three invited Rong Yu to study together at the library.
She declined.
She had the second round of a talent show to film.
Old Master Ji was even more nervous than Rong Yu. "Mom, wear this dress—it’s prettier. And carry this handbag. You’ll look much more stylish."
"Ugh, this is so outdated," Ji Zhouye couldn’t help but complain. "Grandpa, your taste is stuck decades ago. This outfit might’ve been trendy in the 80s, but if Great-Grandma wears this on TV, people will call her a country bumpkin."
Old Master Ji smacked him on the head.
Then he turned to Duoduo. "What do you think, Duoduo?"
"These shoes would look better!" Duoduo held up a pair of crystal heels. "Auntie, put them on!"
Ji Zhiyuan sighed. "Give me ten minutes. I’ll call a stylist."
Rong Yu tried to refuse, but Old Master Ji forced her onto the sofa. "Mom, you’re a celebrity now. I set up a fan club for you overnight—it already has over ten members. You have to care about your image at all times..."
