Inside the principal's office of Yunxi No. 1 Middle School, the aroma of tea curled gently in the air.
Principal Zhou set down the purple clay teapot in his hand. His gaze swept across the wide desk to land on the young man sitting opposite him, dressed in a simple blue Daoist robe. His tone carried a hint of barely concealed expectation and eagerness.
"Yuanchu, your master entrusted you to me. That’s practically placing the future of our Yunxi No. 1 Middle School right in your hands. In two years, it’ll be the Gaokao. By then, the reputation of our school will depend entirely on you, Little Daoist, to uphold."
Chen Yuanchu sat upright on the sofa. Hearing this, he merely inclined his body slightly, his expression calm to the point of being excessive.
"Principal Zhou, you speak too heavily."
If it were a matter of drawing talismans, chanting incantations, or performing the ritual Steps of Yu, Chen Yuanchu dared to pound his chest and say that within a radius of a thousand li, he had no equal.
But if it were a matter of mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology...
It wasn't that he thought himself stupid, but having grown up in a Daoist temple since childhood, aside from the scriptures and classics taught by his master, what he encountered most were the grass, trees, clouds, and stones of the mountains. Regarding those formulas and theorems in high school classrooms, he was truly a blank sheet of paper.
People instinctively harbor a degree of awe for the unknown. Although Chen Yuanchu usually seemed carefree, he understood this principle well.
Even if his master had praised him to the skies in his letter, making him sound like the reincarnation of the Heavenly Guardian Star descended to earth, he knew in his own heart that those were just the exaggerated words of an old man who doted on his disciple.
"You’ve seen the content of the admission notice, right, Yuanchu?" Seeing his indifferent reaction, Principal Zhou assumed he was being modest and cheerfully changed the subject.
"I have. It says to report to Class 5, Grade 11."
"Exactly." Principal Zhou’s spirits lifted even higher at the mention of this. He stood up to refill Yuanchu’s tea. "Class 5, Grade 11 is the top science class in our school. The homeroom teacher, Mr. Zhang, is a provincial-level special-grade teacher who has produced several city-wide top scorers. You know the quality of our school’s teaching. Arranging for you to enter Class 5 is to ensure you have the best possible learning environment."
Chen Yuanchu accepted the teacup, his fingertips tracing the warm ceramic wall. His brow twitched almost imperceptibly.
"Class 5... is a science class?"
"Correct, a science class."
Principal Zhou nodded and explained earnestly, "As the saying goes, 'Master math, physics, and chemistry, and you’ll fear no path under heaven.' Your master mentioned to me that you have long since mastered the Daoist teachings and can recite the Four Books and Five Classics backward, but modern scientific knowledge is a shortcoming. So, he specifically instructed me to place you in a science class to make up for this lesson."
Chen Yuanchu took a sip of tea and asked thoughtfully, "Then why not arrange for me to go to Grade 10? Starting from the foundation might be more secure."
"Your master said Grade 10 progresses too slowly, while Grade 12 has too much pressure. Grade 11 is the perfect stage, bridging what comes before and after. He has confidence in your comprehension; he feels you will certainly be able to keep up."
"..."
Chen Yuanchu sighed silently in his heart. Master, oh Master, this isn't giving me confidence, it's clearly setting the difficulty level to hard. Presumably, at this very moment, the old man was sitting in the clouds, stroking his beard and chuckling as he watched his disciple’s awkward encounter with math and physics.
Since the persona of the "Heavenly Guardian Star" had already been hoisted onto his forehead, Chen Yuanchu couldn't very well act coy and ask to switch to a liberal arts class.
In truth, he wasn't that resistant to it.
Ultimately, hidden deep in his bones was a trace of imperceptible pride. From childhood to adulthood, whether learning the Dao or practicing martial arts, nothing had ever stumped him. He had dropped out of elementary school back then because he found the curriculum too simple and the teachers too long-winded; it was simply out of boredom.
This pride was buried deep; usually, even he rarely noticed it. What he displayed more often was a kind of unassuming humility.
But his master understood him best. [You, you understand everything, except the lesson that 'there are people beyond people, and heavens beyond heavens'!]
It seemed that transferring to Grade 11 and starting science from scratch was a trial his master had specifically arranged for him.
Chen Yuanchu’s thoughts shifted, and a glint of light flashed in his eyes. It’s just science. If others can learn it, why can’t I, Chen Yuanchu?
Isn't it just giving it a try? Then let's try!
The temperaments of the master and disciple were reversed in this regard—Chen Yuanchu was humble on the surface but proud underneath; his master told him to be modest with his words, but behind his back, he bragged about him everywhere.
Seeing Chen Yuanchu silent for a long time, Principal Zhou thought he had concerns, so he asked gently, "Does Yuanchu have any other thoughts? Just speak up; we can discuss it."
"None at all. I will follow my master's arrangements. Thank you for your trouble, Principal Zhou."
"A mere trifle, just a matter of adding a desk."
Principal Zhou laughed heartily. "Then it's settled. You sit here for a moment; I’ll call Mr. Zhang and ask him to come over. He will be your homeroom teacher from now on. If you have any difficulties in life or study, just go straight to him."
"Thank you, Principal Zhou. From now on, I am also your student. Please feel free to call me by my name in the future."
"Good. If Yuanchu doesn't mind, you can also call me Uncle Zhou."
"Uncle Zhou."
Chen Yuanchu responded, then took out an exquisitely crafted wooden tea canister from his cloth bag and offered it with both hands.
"I have come to seek knowledge and fear I may cause much disturbance. I left in a hurry and didn't bring any precious gifts. This canister contains 'Cangwu Cloud Mist' tea, grown and picked from the back mountain of our temple. My master enjoys it daily. I brought some specifically for you to taste."
Cloud Mist tea belongs to the green tea family, mostly picked after the early spring snow. Cangwu Cloud Mist is a local specialty—one bud, one leaf, with a lingering green flavor and extremely scarce yield. If it were the kind circulated on the market, that would be one thing, but this, grown and picked by the Qingxu Temple itself, was a rare treasure.
Principal Zhou was a lover of tea; his office was filled with various teapots and tea cakes. Upon seeing the canister, and especially hearing the words "grown and picked ourselves," his eyes instantly lit up.
He wanted to politely decline, but ultimately couldn't resist the temptation. He accepted it with a smile.
"Yuanchu, you are thoughtful. Then Uncle won't stand on ceremony... Mmm, just smelling the aroma, I know it's good tea!"
"The tea trees were tended by my master personally. The yield isn't much. If Uncle Zhou likes it, after the spring snow next year, I will bring you some more."
"How could I accept that!"
"It is only right. My master taught me to repay kindness. I cannot cause trouble for Uncle Zhou for nothing."
"Come now, we are family; no need for such words."
If Principal Zhou's care for Chen Yuanchu before was entirely for the sake of an old friend, then at this moment, he genuinely took a liking to this sensible young Daoist.
While savoring the tea, Principal Zhou picked up the phone.
"Hello, is this Mr. Zhang? Are you free right now?"
"Does Principal Zhou have instructions?"
"It's about that transfer student I mentioned to you before. He's arrived. If it's convenient, come to my office, and I'll introduce you."
On the other end of the line, Mr. Zhang’s voice instantly rose an octave upon hearing this. "Good! Good! I'll be right over!"
Hanging up the phone, Mr. Zhang could not suppress his inner ecstasy. He practically slid towards the principal's office.
Hehe, Principal Zhou really cares for his subordinates. This kind of top student has finally fallen into my hands!
...
In the Grade 11 stage, nerves began to tighten for both teachers and students.
Summer vacation had long become a luxury. Remedial classes had continued until last week, and only after the monthly exam ended were they grudgingly given two days off.
Class 5, Grade 11, was located on the second floor of the teaching building. Although classes didn't officially start until tomorrow, quite a few students had already returned early for self-study.
After the class separation in the second semester of Grade 10, everyone was already familiar with one another. Inside the classroom, the sound