Chapter 1 Chapter 1 Chapter 1

At Hongxi No. 3 Middle School, since the second mock exam results came out, the head teachers of each class began to talk to the students one by one.

When facing top students, it is natural to encourage them with warm words.

When faced with less-than-ideal results, we need to use a variety of methods.

Gao Xi, the head teacher of Class 3 of Grade 3, was constantly changing his mood.

She gently comforted the students who were biased towards certain subjects, "You know that you are biased towards certain subjects, which means you have a full understanding of yourself. Let's go back to the textbooks and grasp the basics of the subjects you are biased towards."

He also sternly scolded the usually cheerful student, "Do you need a break now? Now is the time to work hard! There are only a few days left. If you don't work hard now, when will you work hard?!"

Then he frowned and sighed at the student who was always just one step behind, "You're very smart. As long as you work harder, you'll definitely be able to reach a higher level. So, let's adjust our state and put all our attention on it. Even if we only improve by a few points, we'll be able to leave everyone in the playground behind..."

Gao Xi was talking until his mouth was dry, but as the head teacher of the senior class, there was nothing he could do but drink some tea and let the student he was talking to before call the next student.

Fortunately, she is very experienced as a class teacher. No matter how many different students there are, there are many different conversation strategies waiting for them, which saves some effort.

"Report."

The next student arrived.

Gao Xi held the thermos cup that every class teacher had, looked at the students standing at the door, and sighed in his heart.

It’s too early to say that.

She really didn't know what words to use to talk to this student.

"Shi Zhen, come in."

The boy in the cleanly washed school uniform walked forward obediently, lowering his head and mumbling:

"Teacher, Zhang Chuan said you called me."

Gao Xi organized his words: "Nothing, just a conversation as usual. Shi Zhen, come, sit down."

She pulled the boy to sit down, a treatment that other students did not have.

Watching the other party sit down, Gao Xi opened his mouth, not knowing where to start. All his previous experience was of no use at all at this moment.

"Well... you've seen the second mock exam results. Objectively speaking, they weren't very ideal..."

The boy, who had been keeping his head down, raised his head nervously upon hearing this. A look of helplessness appeared in his bright black eyes. He glanced at Gao Xi, then lowered his head in shame, his hands twisted together nervously.

"I'm sorry, teacher. I didn't do well in the test again."

He is actually very handsome, especially his eyes, which are black and bright. There is always a seriousness in his eyes when he looks at people. You can tell at a glance that he is a very obedient and well-behaved child.

But that's where the problem lies.

Luo Shizhen is very obedient. No matter he is in class or doing homework, he is the one who studies diligently and diligently. He also respects his teachers from the bottom of his heart and always strictly follows the school rules. He reads when he is asked to read and copies when he is asked to copy. He is definitely an obedient student that every teacher would like.

But unfortunately, my grades are poor.

Gao Xi sighed: "It's not your fault. Teacher knows that you have tried very hard."

For top students who are slacking off, she can ask them to work harder, and for students who never focus on their grades, she can also criticize them harshly.

But what can she say to her student Luo Shizhen?

Ask him to work harder? He's already the hardest-working student in the class.

Let him change his learning method?

Teachers from all subjects joined in the effort and I don’t know how many different styles they changed for him.

Mr. Ma, the mathematics teacher, even brought him home to tutor him for more than a month, and Luo Shizhen cooperated very well in his studies.

But it was no use, Luo Shizhen's grades just couldn't improve.

He would forget what I taught him the moment I taught him. When I explained a question to him, I had to repeat it over and over again before he could understand it. Sometimes, he couldn't understand it at all.

It would be fine if Luo Shizhen was just being lazy, but he worked very hard and really wanted to learn. He got up earlier than the chickens and slept later than the dogs. Among all the high school students who were studying very hard, his level of hard work was very outstanding.

Trying hard but to no avail is the cruelest thing in the world.

The cruelest thing is that Shi Zhen only has his grandmother at home, and she passed away two months ago.

Shi Zhen became an orphan.

Gao Xi couldn't even discuss it with his family and could only talk to him personally.

"Shi Zhen..." Gao Xi tried to make his voice gentle, "You've been repeating for two years. If we take the official college entrance exam with this score, I'll tell you the truth, you definitely won't be able to get into university."

Luo Shizhen's head, which was already lowered, lowered even deeper.

He is actually not short, but he has a thin frame. When he lowers his head, he looks a lot smaller.

Like a puppy caught in the rain with nowhere to hide.

Gao Xi felt the pang of conscience. She closed her eyes and couldn't bear to say the next words.

She looked at Teacher Ma at the desk next to her for help, and signaled him with her eyes to speak.

Teacher Ma held the thermos cup, turned his back silently, and pretended that he didn't exist.

Gao Xi: “…”

She could only endure the pang of conscience while slowly saying:

"Teacher, I know you want to go to university, but we also need to consider the future, right? Judging from your current grades, even if you repeat the year next year, it will still be quite difficult to get good grades..."

Luo Shizhen hummed gloomily, "I know, teacher. I'm not smart enough. Even if I repeat the grade, I won't be able to get into university."

He was indeed very depressed. His grandmother really hoped that he could get into university. Luo Shizhen also worked very hard. He wished he could live in a book.

But no matter how hard he tried, the contents of the book were only for the words that knew him, and he didn't recognize those words. Even the first-year student who tutored him day and night couldn't make Luo Shizhen understand.

He originally studied hard for his grandmother. Now that his grandmother is gone, she probably won't be sad even if he fails to get into college.

Encouraged by his teacher, Luo Shizhen raised his head and spoke seriously about his next plan:

"If I don't pass the exam this year, I won't repeat the year. My fifth uncle from my aunt's family said he could take me to work on a construction site. I'm strong and if I work hard, I can make 5,000 to 6,000 yuan a month."

He was actually still a little confused about going to the construction site, but since his fifth uncle was willing to take him, Luo Shizhen felt it was okay.

"It's not enough to just work on the construction site. You still have to learn some skills."

Seeing that Luo Shizhen seemed to have accepted the fact that he could no longer continue his studies, Gao Xi breathed a sigh of relief, opened the drawer and took out a piece of paper.

"Come on, Shi Zhen, look, there's more to life than just going to college. These are some of the technical trades that the teachers have compiled for you. There are also some better vocational schools in Hongxi. Look, we can study auto repair or cooking. Don't you like to eat all kinds of delicious food? We can become chefs..."

Teacher Ma at the side stopped pretending to be dead and joined the discussion. Most of the other teachers in the big office who didn't have classes came to join in the fun and seriously analyzed which technical college would be best for Luo Shizhen to attend.

For a student like Luo Shizhen who always greets the teacher when he sees him, never makes trouble, and listens attentively in every class, even though he is a little stupid, everyone hopes that he will have a good life in the future.

Luo Shizhen had previously devoted all his attention to studying hard and had never paid attention to the fact that there were so many types of technical colleges. After listening to the teachers' analysis, he suddenly felt like he had opened up a new world.

He has been slow to think since he was a child and used to live according to his grandmother's arrangements. Later, his grandmother passed away. He was stupid and couldn't think of much. Apart from following his fifth uncle to do physical work on the construction site, he didn't know what else he could do.

But the teachers pointed out a way for him, and Luo Shizhen realized that he could live a stable and salaried life without going to college.

Although he can't be a good student, he can be a good cook.

When Luo Shizhen came out of the office again, he had changed from being nervous, confused and depressed at the beginning to being excited.

"Thank you, Teacher Gao, thank you, Teacher Ma, thank you, Teacher Miao, thank you, Teacher Wang..."

Before leaving, Luo Shizhen thanked all the teachers who had given him advice with bright eyes, and then walked out with much lighter steps than before.

Looking at his back, Gao Xi felt mixed emotions: "I wonder if this child will be bullied when he goes out into society."

"Of course he will. This child is too honest. In today's society, honest people are bullied." Teacher Ma was also very sad.

Mr. Wang, the physical education teacher, also sighed: "He's very strong and has good reflexes, but he's a slow learner. Otherwise, physical education would be great for him."

Teacher Ma: "Being strong is a good thing. At least if people bully him in the future, he won't get beaten."

Teacher Wang felt worried: "He's no good. When people hit him, he doesn't even know how to fight back. No, I have to teach him how to fight before he graduates."

Gao Xi's eyes twitched: "How can you teach people to fight? This child is very well behaved, don't teach him bad things."

Teacher Wang shook his head: "It's okay to be well behaved in school, but it's not okay to be too well behaved in society."

"In this world, if you're too obedient, you'll get punished."

Gao Xi thought about it and sighed again. She sighed more today than she had in a week.

"I think he really likes the profession of chef. He should go to Hongxi Zhanguang Cooking School. I have a cousin who is a teacher at that school. I will talk to her and ask her to help take care of him."

Another teacher also said, "I know the vice principal of Zhan Guang. I'll go say hello too. At least I can learn some skills."

Although Luo Shizhen was worried about by his teachers, he was actually quite happy and felt that he had found a new path in life.

As a result, as soon as I walked out of the office and towards the classroom, I bumped into someone.

"ah!"

Luo Shizhen didn't feel any pain, but he was startled. He raised his head in confusion and looked at the person he bumped into.

"Chu Xiao? Why are you here? Did your teacher call you?"

Chu Xiao was the top student in the grade who had tutored Luo Shizhen day and night. If Luo Shizhen was a poor student in everyone's eyes, then Chu Xiao was an excellent student in everyone's eyes.

He has good grades and good looks. Compared to Luo Shizhen, he attracts attention wherever he goes.

If Chu Xiao was called by the teacher, he would definitely come to be praised.

The tall, handsome top student now had a cold expression:

"I heard what the teacher said, Luo Shizhen, you're not going to take the college entrance exam?"

Luo Shizhen's disappointment at not being able to go to university was overshadowed by his bright future as a chef. Hearing Chu Xiao say this, he smiled a little embarrassedly:

"Yes, I want to be a chef. Maybe I can work at the Hongxi Hotel in the future. Chu Xiao, you will definitely be able to get into college. When you go to college and come back to my hometown, I will cook for you."

He happily shared his future prospects with Chu Xiao, and then he saw Chu Xiao's face was even uglier than before, and his voice couldn't help but lower.

"You, if you don't want to eat, it's okay."

Chu Xiao took a deep breath. "You're not going to try any harder? Are you willing to just be a chef for the rest of your life?"

Under Chu Xiao's gaze, Luo Shizhen's excitement, which had just risen in his heart, slowly subsided.

Chu Xiao is qualified to say this. They are from the same town and grew up together. Chu Xiao has been helping Luo Shizhen with his homework since elementary school.

The reason why Luo Shizhen was still able to go to high school was because Chu Xiao, the academic master, always kept an eye on him while he was studying in junior high school, and even compiled a thick stack of notes specifically for him.

If it weren’t for Chu Xiao, Luo Shizhen would probably have given up junior high school.

However, when he was in junior high school, Luo Shizhen could still barely keep up with the progress with the help of Chu Xiao. When he reached high school, he really couldn't keep up, and even ten Chu Xiaos together couldn't help him.

He explained quietly:

"I tried hard, but it's no use. You know I'm not smart and I just can't learn. I can't keep repeating the same grade. It's better to learn a skill now and find a job. I'll have a stable future."

The last sentence repeated exactly what the teachers had just analyzed with him.

Seeing that Luo Shizhen looked a little depressed, Chu Xiao's ugly expression gradually relaxed. He raised his hand, rubbed Luo Shizhen's head, and his tone softened.

"Being a chef is fine too. I should be able to pass the exam to be admitted to Luoxia City. Once I have established myself in Luoxia City, you can come over too."

He planned: "I've saved some money by tutoring online. Now that I'm in college and have more time, I should be able to take on more orders. Then I can open a small shop for you, and you won't have to work for others and depend on their opinions."

Luo Shizhen was very touched that Chu Xiao wanted to invest in him right away, but he still remembered the plan the teachers had just made for him.

"There's no need to open a shop. I think I'm fine working part-time. Besides, the rent in Luoxia City is so expensive. You go to Luoxia City to study, so why should I go? I'll just work hard in Hongxi. Teacher Ma said he could let me work in his aunt's shop. I can make at least three or four thousand a month."

He carefully planned his future according to the plans given by his grandmother and teacher: "Grandma left me some money and told me to buy a house. After I work for five years, I can save up enough for a down payment on a house in the city. By then I'll be twenty-four or twenty-five, and I can find a partner, have a child, and then..."

Luo Shizhen couldn't continue speaking because he found that Chu Xiao's face was ugly again, and much uglier than before.

"Chu Xiao, what's wrong with you? Are your legs uncomfortable again?"

Chu Xiao accidentally broke his leg while participating in a competition last week and is still using crutches. However, he is very outstanding and even though he broke his leg, it did not affect his good results in the second mock exam. Luo Shizhen admired him even more for this.

But for some reason, after he showed concern for Chu Xiao, Chu Xiao's expression became even uglier, his eyes became fierce, and he stared straight at Luo Shizhen.

Luo Shizhen was bewildered by the stare: "Why are you looking at me like that? Did I do something wrong?"

Chu Xiao's handsome face, which was always cold and indifferent, was now filled with gloom. He stared at Luo Shizhen and squeezed out a sentence from between his teeth:

"You're right."

When Luo Shizhen heard that he was right, he immediately felt relieved and happy:

"Chu Xiao, when I get married, can you be the godfather of my child? You're so capable, you're definitely a better father than me, hehe."

——Click.

There was a sound like something cracking.

Luo Shizhen opened his eyes wide: "Chu Xiao! Your crutch is cracked!!!"

Chu Xiao looked down at the crutch that had been cracked by his grip, his face expressionless:

“The quality is poor.”

He threw the crutch to Luo Shizhen: "Luo Shizhen, help me back to the classroom."

"Okay, I'll help you. Where did you buy the crutches? They're of such poor quality. What will you do if you fall?"

Luo Shizhen muttered worriedly and supported Chu Xiao as they walked towards the classroom. Chu Xiao's slender fingers rested on his wrist and gently closed it.

Feeling his hand being held, Luo Shizhen was puzzled: "What are you doing?"

Chu Xiao: "I'm afraid you can't help me well."

Luo Shizhen said "oh", although he didn't know why Chu Xiao had to hold his hand because he couldn't support him properly, he still carefully clamped Chu Xiao's broken crutch between his arms, freeing one hand to support him firmly. While walking, he looked carefully at the ground, for fear that Chu Xiao would fall.

He still remembered to continue the previous topic: "You haven't said whether you will agree to me or not. When I have a child, can you be my child's godfather?"

Chu Xiao closed his eyes: "Luo Shizhen."

"ah?"

"Walk carefully, don't talk."

"All right."

Luo Shizhen felt a little disappointed and shut his mouth obediently.

Chu Xiao always answers questions, but now he just doesn't want to answer.

Doesn't he want to be the godfather of his future child?

Zhang Chuan said that no matter how good friends are, after graduation and the gap between them widens, the friendship will gradually fade away and in the end there will be nothing left.

Luo Shi really thought that it didn’t matter if he and Chu Xiao really had no friendship at that time, as long as everyone was fine.

Maybe after more than ten years, when Chu Xiao becomes a big boss and appears on TV, he can still tell his fellow chefs that this is his former high school classmate and they used to be good friends.

As he thought about it, Luo Shizhen became happy again.

He began to look forward to it. He could cook now. Although he was not very talented, it was definitely not like studying other subjects which he could not learn no matter how hard he tried.

He will definitely be a chef!