I'm A Math Idiot, So What? - Chapter 6

Having successfully completed my task, and finding myself with nothing else to do, I turned my attention back to my classmate nearby.

Our great novelist Mr. Lao She once wrote these words: In a person’s life, there are seemingly insignificant events that, in themselves, hold no meaning, yet possess immense importance. After time passes, when reviewing the chain of events, one may find the impact incredibly astonishing.

If I had remembered these words, I wouldn’t have turned my head even if my head was twisted off and placed on the table to be worshipped and then eaten like a pig’s head.

Our well-known hotel entrepreneur Ms. Tong Xiangyu also said: “I was wrong, I was wrong from the start. If I hadn’t gotten married, my husband wouldn’t have died, and if he hadn’t died, I wouldn’t have found myself in this sorrowful place.”

Yes, I was wrong; I was wrong from the very beginning. If I hadn’t turned my head, I wouldn’t have felt sympathy, I wouldn’t have foolishly given him the answers, and I wouldn’t have been—

But all of this is just hindsight.

Because at that moment, as I looked over at him, sleeping soundly, I thought about how I had gotten through it all with naps too.

So I reflected nostalgically on my impoverished yet warm mathematical journey.

I grew up on hand-outs from many. Back in high school, the early morning self-study sessions were like an aid society for underachievers. Amidst the sound of morning reading, we would tacitly pass around the previous night’s homework. Sometimes, when resources were tight, we had to divide duties, cooperate, and coordinate our efforts. As a top-tier student capable of producing arts answers, I held considerable influence in the underachiever circles and enjoyed the privilege of copying first.

But being the kind soul I was, I never left anyone behind after copying, genuinely caring for other less smart groups, volunteering to guide everyone in efficiently copying all assignments within a mere ten-minute window, and effectively planning against surprise inspections from teachers. This extensive and selfless service spirit earned me wide trust and the reputation of being a “walking Haidilao.”

With my Haidilao employee-like morals, when seeing a fellow in need, I should lend a hand.

However, considering the failing rate quotas, his absence increased my odds of passing—the proverbial “one man’s poison is another man’s meat.” As a math underachiever who repeatedly tests the limits, I certainly shouldn’t assist a competitor.

Yet, this goes against the ethics and standards of us martial artists.

Huo Yuanjia said, “Chinese people should help Chinese people.”

I say, “Underachievers should help underachievers.”

On the stage, Professor Fang had finished his goji berry water and was heading out to refill his water cup.

Assumption: The water source is approximately 200 meters away from the classroom. Professor Fang’s walking speed is 1 meter per second. The water dispenser’s faucet has a diameter of 1 centimeter, and the water flows at a speed of 10 centimeters per second. Professor Fang’s cup can hold 600 milliliters. Ignore the time taken for screwing on and off the cap.Question: Approximately how long will Professor Fang be away?
Answer: 90 seconds.
That’s my guess.

In these golden 90 seconds for cheating, we take action!

The guys in the lounge area have already darted from one side to the other. The top students are starting to whisper, and one bold person even began making a phone call!

Time waits for no one; wasting time is wasting life. I quickly placed the answer sheet on his desk, knocked on the tabletop, and seeing he was still sound asleep, I got anxious and slapped the back of his head.

He finally woke up (with a slap from me).