Please help me more, okay?
After the last class, Jiang Jingshu packed her schoolbag, put Xie Zhijin's test paper in a bag, and set off to deliver the homework to Xie Zhijin.
The two lived very close to each other, but Jiang Jingshu didn't know the exact location of Xie Zhijin's house. She took out her phone and sent a message to Xie Zhijin.
"Is it convenient for you to come downstairs?"
Almost immediately, the other party sent a question mark. With a hint of confusion, they asked, "What's wrong?"
Jiang Jingshu continued typing, "I'll wait for you at the entrance of the community to bring you your homework."
Not receiving a reply from Xie Zhijin immediately, Jiang Jingshu waited patiently at the entrance of the residential area.
"You go home first. I'm at the hospital for a checkup now, and I probably won't be home for a while. I'll come back and get it from you."
Going to the hospital for a checkup? Jiang Jingshu wondered. Why was she only going to the hospital now, after a whole day?
Despite her doubts, Jiang Jingshu returned home without hesitation.
After waiting for about ten minutes, Jiang Jingshu's phone received a message notification.
Xie: I'm back now, thank you for your help.
Upon receiving the message, Jiang Jingshu did not hesitate and quickly ran downstairs.
Xie Zhijin stood at the entrance of the residential area, wearing a white T-shirt under a tree and a white mask, with only his eyes showing.
His eyes subtly scanned his surroundings, finding a foothold the moment Jiang Jingshu entered his line of sight.
Noticing Xie Zhijin staring at her, Jiang Jingshu stopped running and handed him the bag in her hand. "I didn't expect that in less than two months, our identities would be switched."
Xie Zhijin was wearing a mask, so Jiang Jingshu couldn't see his expression, but judging from the slight curve of his exposed eyes, he was probably smiling.
"Should I draw a picture to thank you too?" Xie Zhijin joked.
“Then I’m really looking forward to this thank-you gift.” Jiang Jingshu said very seriously.
She thought it was just a joke, but when Xie Zhijin actually handed a painting to Jiang Jingshu the next day, she still felt happy and valued.
In Jiang Jingshu's mind, receiving something written, painted, or embroidered by her own hands was the greatest respect she could show to the person she was dealing with.
This made her feel that when others were making this gift, their minds, hearts, and souls were filled with her.
Therefore, Jiang Jingshu firmly believes that feelings for which money can be invested are worthless, but feelings for which time can be invested are treasured by her.
So much so that when Jiang Jingshu gives a gift, her first choice is something she received herself. This represents all her feelings.
After receiving the painting, Jiang Jingshu carefully opened it. It was the same painting she had given Xie Zhijin the first time, except that the protagonist was Jiang Jingshu instead of Xie Zhijin. In the painting, Jiang Jingshu was holding a bag and running towards Xie Zhijin.
For some reason, Jiang Jingshu felt very good. Even though it was a windy day, the thunder and lightning outside the classroom seemed to resonate with her excited heart.
"This is the first time I've received a painting as a gift, and I really like it. Thank you."
This was the first time Jiang Jingshu felt valued. She carefully put the painting away, saying, "I will definitely keep it safe. You painted it really well."
As if remembering something, Jiang Jingshu spoke up, "What if I still want your painting?"
Xie Zhijin couldn't help but laugh. Looking at Jiang Jingshu, he couldn't help but find her somewhat adorable. He coughed and slowly said, "Then how about you help me more? I'll give you a painting every time you help me, just like you do."
Seemingly having reached some kind of consensus, Jiang Jingshu held up her little finger, "Then it's settled, we'll see who receives the most paintings in the end."
"It's a deal."
A cool touch came from Jiang Jingshu's hand, and soon their little fingers were intertwined.
Outside, thunder and lightning still raged, while inside the classroom, two thumbs gently touched together.
Soon, they parted ways again.
After a long while, Jiang Jingshu heard Xie Zhijin say, "Let's go home together from now on?"
—
Recently, Jiang Jingshu has been spending her free time observing the agave plant, which has grown a little since the last time she looked at it.
Jiang Jingshu felt like "my daughter has grown up." Although it would be a long time before the agave flower grew big and bloomed, Jiang Jingshu was not in a hurry.
In the evening, Jiang Jingshu received a call from the police. Just as Jiang Yuan had said, because Wang Shengli was a minor and the circumstances were relatively minor, the police gave Wang Shengli a reprimand and education, and the school gave Wang Shengli a "major demerit" punishment.
Wang Shengli reluctantly apologized. The matter was thus dropped from Jiang Jingshu's mind.
The next day, Jiang Jingshu came to school and was called to Zhou Xiao's office again. Jiang Jingshu stood quietly in front of Zhou Xiao.
Zhou Xiao just sighed deeply, "You kids are all so clever, are you satisfied with what you've done now?"
Jiang Jingshu didn't refute anything, after all, if these things got out, the school's enrollment would plummet, and Zhou Xiao would be under constant pressure from his superiors.
Jiang Jingshu didn't blame her. Being in that position, there were always things she couldn't do without.
Jiang Jingshu even felt that Zhou Xiao's words did not mean to blame her.
After this incident, Wang Shengli never again sought trouble with Jiang Jingshu.
The only change was that the person being ostracized in the class shifted from Jiang Jingshu to Wang Shengli. Jiang Jingshu couldn't help but sigh; this was reaping what she sowed.
Over the weekend, Zheng Xi visited Jiang Jingshu's home again, this time with a full schedule, determined to help Jiang Jingshu on her path to success.
Looking at the "martial arts manual" that Zheng Xi had prepared for her, Jiang Jingshu couldn't help but feel eager to try it out.
Zheng Xi completely treated her as someone who knew nothing, and even listed out basic mathematical concepts.
It must be said that this was of great help to Jiang Jingshu.
Zheng Xi gave Jiang Jingshu a brand new notebook and told her that starting today, she should write down all the questions she got wrong in this notebook.
Then she took out a set of test papers. "These are practice questions I compiled for the more important knowledge points in junior high school. You have to finish this set after I finish class today, and then I'll go over it with you next week."
Jiang Jingshu nodded obediently.
It must be said that Zheng Xi's teaching style is humorous and witty, so Jiang Jingshu did not find it boring. During class, Zheng Xi would also give some easy-to-understand examples. Jiang Jingshu is also very bright, so the learning process was very enjoyable.
Jiang Jingshu enjoyed the process of learning new knowledge. "So this is an equation."
Jiang Jingshu pointed to an obscure and difficult-to-understand letter x.
Zheng Xi looked at Jiang Jingshu with anticipation, watching as Jiang Jingshu solved the equation step by step.
"Is that all?" Jiang Jingshu looked up at Zheng Xi, her face full of disbelief.
Zheng Xi clapped her hands. "Jing Shu, you're so smart! I only taught you how to solve three equations, and you've already learned it."
Feeling a little embarrassed by the praise, Jiang Jingshu solved many more equations in one go.
Although these equations are simple and basic, they are still a huge challenge for Jiang Jingshu.
"Your ability to imitate is quite impressive." Zheng Xi looked at Jiang Jingshu, who had gone from knowing nothing to being able to solve equations quickly, and his admiration for the educated youth was evident in his words.
Jiang Jingshu wouldn't understand what an equation is. She's the type to get to the bottom of things. When Zheng Xi explained equations to her, he told her that the first step was to "transpose terms." Jiang Jingshu would ask, "What is transposing terms? Why is it called that..."
Zheng Xi didn't have a good way to answer these questions, but fortunately Jiang Jingshu had a strong ability to imitate. Although she didn't understand the principles, she still did it.
In Jiang Jingshu's eyes, these equation problems were just models. As long as she followed the steps of rearranging terms and doing some simple calculations as mentioned before, even the most complex problems could not escape this template.
As a result, Jiang Jingshu developed a great passion for learning.
However, learning is a gradual process. Seeing that Jiang Jingshu had almost digested today's task, Zheng Xi did not teach her any new knowledge, but only asked her to consolidate it.
"Sister, I think I've learned it." Jiang Jingshu felt a strong sense of self-satisfaction; at least when faced with these numbers, she was no longer clueless.
"It seems my method worked after all." Zheng Xi looked at Jiang Jingshu happily, her eyes filled with anticipation. "What do you think of my explanation?"
Jiang Jingshu nodded vigorously and replied, "Very good, sister. I think you teach better than most teachers."
Hearing that he spoke better than most teachers, Zheng Xi felt a great sense of self-satisfaction.
"I'm planning to take the teacher qualification exam and become a teacher." Zheng Xi leaned over Jiang Jingshu's desk, staring at her with some curiosity. She asked, "What are your plans for the future, Jingshu?"
"The future?" Jiang Jingshu was somewhat dazed.
She has no future; she won't stay in this world forever, and she'll leave sooner or later.
The word "future" seemed so distant to Jiang Jingshu.
To be precise, she has no future in this world.
Even if there is one, it belongs to Jiang Jingshu's original future.
A hint of disappointment flickered in her eyes as she simply said, "The future is all uncertain, and thinking about it now is ultimately unrealistic."
“How could that be? Having a good goal for the future will give you more motivation in the present,” Zheng Xi said to Jiang Jingshu, seemingly finding her words too negative.
Jiang Jingshu smiled, thinking that Zheng Xi was right. Just like how she was studying hard now, her goal was simply to successfully cultivate agave and return to her original world.
Zheng Xi interrupted Jiang Jingshu's thoughts, saying, "You don't need to worry about it. Everyone is different. I'm just imposing my own habits on you."
Seemingly surprised by Zheng Xi's statement, and just as he was about to say something, he heard Zheng Xi speak again, "Actually, it's quite good to be like you. I'm too utilitarian."
"You're right, the future is uncertain, so let's just take it one step at a time."
Jiang Jingshu really wanted to tell Zheng Xi that no, Jiang Jingshu wasn't the kind of person who would just "take things as they come." She was used to setting goals for herself, and she was also a pragmatic person. Otherwise, she wouldn't have continued to improve herself even when she wasn't being valued. She was good at planning and taking things one step at a time, all for the sake of being valued one day. She was pragmatic, simply because she couldn't see a future right now. Here, she was someone without a future, while Zheng Xi did. She was different from Zheng Xi, and she was even different from everyone else here.
They are all people with a future, but Jiang Jingshu does not.
“Teacher, you will definitely achieve your goal.” Jiang Jingshu held Zheng Xi’s hand. This time, she called her teacher instead of her older sister.
The tutoring session ended quickly. Jiang Jingshu saw Zheng Xi off and then wandered around the neighborhood alone after watching him leave.
"What a coincidence?"
A familiar voice reached her ears, and Jiang Jingshu involuntarily looked up.
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