Chapter 37: Ignorance

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Having returned to school, Tang Qianmiao fell asleep most of the afternoon.
Nothing was more hypnotic to her than the monotonous drone of the teachers as they delivered the afternoon classes. Her behavior, however, had all the teachers shaking their heads looking most disappointed in her.
Xue Ying, as the class form teacher, already had the thought of going to the principal to request for Tang Qianmiao to be transferred to one of the lagging classes. However, she wanted to give the girl a chance, hence after school, she asked the girl to come to the office.
After washing her face, Tang Qianmiao made her way to the office. She knocked and then walked into the roomーthere were a few teachers there who seemed to be busy with their own work.
Walking up to the form teacher’s desk, she called out, “Teacher.”
Xue Ying did not look up. Her head was lowered as she was reading a copy of the competition notice. Then she turned around to the teacher sitting behind her for a discussion.
After a while, it was that teacher who gave her an eye signal, reminding her that Tang Qianmiao was waiting for her.
Xue Ying turned back at this point and asked with a slow drawl, “Are you still interested in studying?”
Tang Qianmiao seemed to think for a second before answering, “I guess so.”
A bark of frustration burst out of Xue Ying’s lips. “You guess so? I don’t think you can make anything of it at all! Why don’t you do a count? How many lessons have you slept through since your transfer to this school?”
Tang Qianmiao muttered under her breath, “I don’t think my sleeping affects your teaching.”
“It doesn’t affect my teaching, but it affects the class aggregate. Given your situation, you’ll be at the bottom of the form and ultimately, you will lower all your classmates’ average!”
Tang Qianmiao raised an eyebrow and said, “I don’t think that will happen, I do have some confidence.”
“Confidence? I do wonder where that’s coming from. You’re never paying attention during lessons and you don’t hand in your homework. Are you aware of what your classmates say about you?”
Just as these words were being spoken, Lin Wenyu and Feng Chuchu walked up, arm in arm. They were carrying a pile of assignments and textbooks.
When the teacher saw the two of them, she remarked, “You came at the right time. Wenyu, Chu Chu, why don’t you tell herーwhat do people say about her?”
At once, Lin Wenyu looked troubled. She bit her lip and shot a look at Feng Chuchu, saying, “Teacher, we… we aren’t very sure.”
“What’s there to be unsure of?” Feng Chuchu laughed and said as she looked at Tang Qianmiao. “Everyone says you’re the relative of the principal and got in through the back door. There’s no way you could have gotten into this school based on your grades. With a laggard like you around, our third-year cohort will have to work harder than the previous years’ cohorts to beat the other schools.”
Tang Qianmiao replied casually, “And are the results already out?”
Feng Chuchu was about to retort when Xue Ying waved her hand.
“Although the exams have not started, it’s not difficult to predict results like yours. I’ve asked you to see me today because I wanted to give you a chance. If you continue to sleep through your classes from this point on and show no seriousness towards your work, I will have no choice but to transfer you to a lagging class.”
Tang Qianmiao rolled her eyes and replied, “And what if I don’t drag the others down?”
Xue Ying lowered her head and laughed in amusement. “Sure. If you come in within the top 25 in the upcoming monthly test, you may do what you wish in the future classes and I’ll turn a blind eye. However, if you end up being within the bottom 10, then please go and transfer to one of the lagging classes. This is your last chance.”
The girl nodded calmly and agreed. “Sure.”
Ignoring Xue Ying’s sarcastic laughter, she reached out for that sheet of competition notice.
Chemistry Olympiad.
“What, you’re interested in taking part?” The teacher laughed again.
Tang Qianmiao placed the sheet back onto the table and replied, “Maybe. If there’s nothing else, I’ll go now.”
Trying hard to control her laughter, Xue Ying gave the girl a wave to dismiss her.