Chapter 88 Provocation
Jiang Ruoxi was listening intently to teacher Zhao Dehou's explanation of political theory when suddenly, with a "whoosh", a small ball of paper hit her back heavily.
Her shoulders shook slightly and her brows frowned slightly, but it was only a momentary reaction. The next second, she continued to maintain a focused attitude as if nothing had happened, her eyes closely following the movement of the chalk on the blackboard by Teacher Zhao.
Teacher Zhao's voice was steady and powerful as he analyzed the profound connotation of the laws of social development in Marxist political theory: "Students, Marxism believes that social development is driven by the contradictory movement between productive forces and production relations, and between the economic base and the superstructure..." Jiang Ruoxi listened attentively, and the pen in her hand kept recording key points in her notebook. Those densely packed words were the embodiment of her desire and pursuit for knowledge.
Zhao Miaomiao, who was behind her, felt more and more angry when she saw that Jiang Ruoxi had no reaction. She was unwilling to be ignored like this, so she lowered her voice and whispered a few words to Li Ling beside her. Li Ling gave an unnatural smile, her eyes drifting towards Jiang Ruoxi from time to time, as if she was watching a good show.
In class, Teacher Zhao continued to explain in depth: "From the perspective of historical progress, in capitalist society, the contradiction between the socialization of production and the private ownership of the means of production will inevitably lead to the periodic outbreak of economic crises..." Jiang Ruoxi nodded slightly, constantly sorting out the knowledge points in his mind, connecting and integrating these theories with the political economy knowledge he had learned before.
She was completely immersed in the ocean of knowledge, turning a deaf ear to the little movements and whispers behind her, as if in her world, at this moment there was only the sound of Teacher Zhao's lectures and the treasures of knowledge waiting to be explored.
As the course progressed, Teacher Zhao asked a question: "Which student can talk about his understanding of the development of my country's primary stage of socialism based on what we have just talked about?" The classroom suddenly became quiet, and the students fell into deep thought. Many of them frowned slightly, searching for the right answer in their minds. Jiang Ruoxi thought for a moment, then slowly raised her hand...
Teacher Zhao saw Jiang Ruoxi raise her hand, and then said, "Then please answer this question!"
Jiang Ruoxi sorted out her thoughts and said, "Teacher, students, we just talked about the contradictions between productivity and production relations, economic base and superstructure that drive social development. Our country is in the primary stage of socialism, which is based on the fact that the overall level of productivity is not high. On the one hand, we have a weak foundation, a large population, and uneven development in various regions. For example, there is a clear gap between the coastal and inland areas in terms of industrial level and scientific and technological strength. This determines that we must focus on economic construction, vigorously develop productivity, and gradually narrow the gap."
She paused for a moment, observed the teacher nod slightly, and continued: "On the other hand, from the perspective of production relations, the public ownership as the main body and the common development of multiple ownership economies are suitable for the current state of productivity. The public ownership economy ensures the state's control over key industries, such as energy and transportation; the non-public ownership economy stimulates market vitality and provides a large number of jobs, such as township enterprises and individual merchants. At this stage, we must constantly adjust the production relations to better adapt to the development of productivity, continue to deepen reforms, improve the market economic system, and promote the steady development of the primary stage of socialism!" As soon as Jiang Ruoxi finished speaking, a gentle applause rang out in the classroom, and Teacher Zhao also showed a gratified smile on his face.
After listening to Jiang Ruoxi's clear and logical answer, Teacher Zhao's eyes were full of admiration, the smile on his face became more obvious, and he couldn't help but nod slightly.
He raised his hand and gently pushed his glasses on the bridge of his nose, and said: "Student Jiang's answer is very comprehensive and profound. Not only does it accurately combine the classroom content, but it can also connect with the actual situation and explain the key points of the development of the primary stage of socialism very thoroughly."
As he spoke, Teacher Zhao glanced at the whole class and continued, "This is the significance of our study of political theory. We must learn to use theoretical knowledge to analyze real-life problems in order to better guide practice. Jiang has set a good example for everyone. I hope that in the future, students will be able to think deeply and explore actively like her!" The teacher's affirmation made Jiang Ruoxi feel warm. She sat down gently with a little shyness, her cheeks slightly flushed. The eyes of those around her showed admiration and encouragement. The classroom atmosphere became more and more enthusiastic, the students' thinking was fully ignited, and their expectations for subsequent courses became higher and higher.
In class, Zhao Miaomiao and Li Ling sat in the back row. Listening to Teacher Zhao's generous praise of Jiang Ruoxi, they felt like their hearts were being bitten by countless ants.
Zhao Miaomiao bit her lower lip and tapped the pen in her hand hard on the table, making a muffled sound; Li Ling rolled her eyes and muttered softly: "What's so great about that? He's just a good talker!" Although the voice was subtle, the undisguised jealousy on their faces was like a haze that lingered.
After class, Teacher Zhao assigned homework and left the classroom steadily, holding his book. During the noisy break, students gathered in groups of two or three to discuss the lesson.
Jiang Ruoxi and her roommates had no time to pay attention to the noise around them. The next class was College English, which was a challenging yet extremely important course for them.
Jiang Ruoxi gently opened the brand new English textbook, and the faint scent of ink lingered around her nose. She ran her fingers across the pages of the book, carefully reviewing the words and texts, and occasionally writing down key points and questions in her notebook.
Yang Mina came over, pointed at a complicated word and asked, "Ruoxi, how do you pronounce this word?" Jiang Ruoxi smiled, patiently explained it to her, and demonstrated the pronunciation several times. Su Qingqing on the side also joined the discussion and shared some interesting phrases she found while preparing for the lesson.
Several people were discussing enthusiastically when suddenly, a burst of sharp laughter was heard. Zhao Miaomiao and Li Ling deliberately walked past them. Zhao Miaomiao raised her voice and said, "Some people just like to pretend. It's just some English review, but they act like they are so great!" Li Ling echoed him, her shrill laughter was particularly abrupt.
Jiang Ruoxi's roommates' faces suddenly changed. They were about to stand up to argue, but Jiang Ruoxi gently held them back and said calmly, "Ignore them. Let's just focus on our own things. We won't compete with mad dogs." Seeing her determined look, the roommates had no choice but to give up and return to their preparation.
Jiang Ruoxi took a deep breath and told herself not to be affected by these unnecessary interferences. After all, knowledge was the treasure she should pursue most at the moment. Amid the noise and ridicule around them, they immersed themselves in the ocean of English knowledge and made the best preparations for the upcoming courses.
"Jiang Ruoxi, who are you calling a mad dog?" Zhao Miaomiao's chest heaved violently, and his face flushed red. Like an angry bull, he took a few steps to Jiang Ruoxi, his nose almost touching Jiang Ruoxi's face, and glared at her fiercely.
Jiang Ruoxi was calm and composed. She gently closed the English textbook she was previewing with her slender fingers. Her movements were graceful and calm, as if she was performing a ritual that had nothing to do with the quarrel.
She raised her head, her eyes were calm, the corners of her mouth slightly raised, showing a faint smile, and replied slowly: "Whoever agrees is a mad dog!" Her voice was not loud, but every word was clear and steadily penetrated into the ears of everyone present.
"How can you, a college student, curse at others?" Upon seeing this, Li Ling hurried over, stood beside Zhao Miaomiao, put her hands on her hips, and joined the ranks of questioning with an indignant look on her face.
Hearing this, a hint of sarcasm flashed in Jiang Ruoxi's eyes. She straightened her back, her tone still as calm as water, and said neither humbly nor arrogantly: "I am a college student, I have basic qualities and education. I didn't curse anyone. Those I cursed were not human beings!" She deliberately emphasized the three words "not human beings", and her indifferent attitude seemed as if she was discussing a very ordinary trivial matter.
"Who are you saying is not a human?" Zhao Miaomiao was completely enraged at this moment. Veins bulged on his forehead, his hands clenched into fists, his body trembled slightly with anger, and he was about to go crazy.
Jiang Ruoxi blinked her eyes, with an innocent expression on her face, as if she was just stating a simple fact: "Beasts are not human beings!" Her voice was crisp and non-aggressive, but the deep meaning in her words was understood by everyone present.
As soon as these words were spoken, the classroom exploded. Jiang Ruoxi's roommates were stunned at first, and then burst into laughter. Some of them laughed so hard that they fell forward and backward, while others held their stomachs and couldn't straighten up. The students around him couldn't help laughing, and the originally tense atmosphere suddenly became relaxed and humorous.
However, Jiang Ruoxi still had a serious look on her face, as if the wonderful conversation just now had nothing to do with her at all. She just sat quietly in her seat, arranging the books on the desk. Her serious look made people feel that she seemed to be really just focusing on studying.
Xia Ning was sitting not far away. She quietly raised a thumb and shook it at Jiang Ruoxi, her eyes full of admiration and appreciation.
Zhao Miaomiao and Li Ling stood there, looking embarrassed, not knowing whether to move forward or backward, their faces redder than ripe tomatoes. Zhao Miaomiao wanted to say something else, but her throat seemed to be choked by something and she couldn't utter a word. Seeing this, Li Ling hurriedly pulled Zhao Miaomiao's sleeve and whispered, "Forget it, forget it, don't embarrass yourself here." Zhao Miaomiao glared at Jiang Ruoxi fiercely, stomped his feet unwillingly, and returned to his seat with Li Ling in dejection.
Just as the students' laughter was still echoing in the classroom, and the sounds of playing and discussing were intertwined, suddenly, someone in the back row of the classroom shouted at the top of his voice: "The teacher is here, and class is about to begin!" This voice, like a bolt from the blue, instantly broke the original noise.
The students who were originally laughing together seemed to have their movements stopped abruptly as if the pause button had been pressed. Some people hurriedly grabbed the textbooks spread out on the table and hurriedly searched for the chapters they wanted to study; some people quickly tidied up the messy desks and stuffed all the small things that had nothing to do with learning into the drawers; others were busy cleaning up while whispering reminders to their companions around them who had not yet reacted.
The sound in the classroom receded quickly like the tide. The original noise was gradually replaced by the sound of tables and chairs being moved and books being turned. Everyone sat upright, with their hands placed neatly on the desk, their eyes fixed on the classroom door, waiting for the teacher to appear.
Even Zhao Miaomiao and Li Ling, who had been so aggressive just now, now sat upright. The embarrassment on their faces had not completely faded away, but they did not dare to slack off in the slightest. Jiang Ruoxi also gently closed the notebook in which she took notes during her preview, placed her pen neatly next to the textbook, and waited quietly for the bell to ring with a calm expression.
The laughter in the classroom gradually died down, but the students looked at Jiang Ruoxi with a little more admiration and curiosity. Jiang Ruoxi seemed unaware of it. She opened her English textbook again and continued to review, as if the little incident just now was just an insignificant episode in her university life.
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