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Chapter 18: He Thinks (1)
The next day shortly after the start of the afternoon remedial class, Li Erqin’s voice was broadcasted, as she reported the list of students called up for disciplinary action.
“Freshman, Class 4, Wang Ling, Li Ran, Freshman, Class 5 Wang Kexin, Freshman, Class 6 Zhao Xiaoyi, Chen Man – for skipping the evening remedial, smoking, inciting disorder amongst students, fabricated lies & rumors. These are serious charges, and students are hereby publicly notified and formally given warning regarding further offenses. We hope that this will serve as a warning for all students to adhere to the school’s discipline rules.”
With the end of the broadcast, the class begins to erupt in whispers.  At that, Peng Zige who had ate too much at lunch and now leaned on his desk having a snooze instantly came to life, “oh wow, those sound like girl’s names! That’s beyond humiliating – to be publicly admonished over the PA system.”
Unable to find anyone else to share her thoughts, Su Zi could not resist turning back to agree with Peng Zige, “If that were me, I wouldn’t have been able to stay at this school anymore! Thankfully we were hauled out by the teacher the other time.”
After stating this, the thought of it scared her into smacking her head.
“Hey Rong Si, weren’t you on patrol duty last night? Peng Zige asked.
“Yep.”
Peng Zige got curious, “Aren’t you usually rather lenient and not as pandantic about offenses, especially if it’s a girl?”
Turning his pen Rong Si replied, “There are always exceptions.”
“Will bribery work then?” A smiling Peng Zige adds.
Rong Si lowers his head to read his book, “Depends on my mood.”
Li Erqin quickly returned to class from the broadcasting studio. Before she could properly sit down, Peng Zige reached out to tug on her clothes, “Erqin, I would like to inquire as to the state of your mood.”
Li Erqin was suspicious.
“It’s regarding you reporting those students and their their misdemeanors over the broadcast! What were your thoughts as you read out those names and all?”
Li Erqin gave him a bored look, “It’s not like I was broadcasting my own misdemeanors, what reason is there for me to feel anything about it?”
“…..oh ok.”
Peng Zige didn’t have any more questions to ask.
The others had no further questions as well.
That evening after dinner, the foursome headed towards the convenient shop to buy some snacks. Passing the public notice board with the disciplinary notice of those female students, Peng Zige can’t resist sighing “Just standing by this notice, I feel embarrassed!”
Li Erqin had a look at the public notice, having pondered for ½ a day could only say…”it is rather embrassassing”
With Rong Si’s help, Li Erqin’s physics results finally moved out of the danger zone and crossed the passing mark.  The teacher was pleased with the top students mutually helping each other, even though he wasn’t too keen on them disappearing from class to go elsewhere to learn initially. Now he supported it wholeheartedly.
Some jealous students also suggested that they too should join the small study group.  The form teacher considered for awhile but being a history teacher, he very quickly thought of a premise, “let the first group strike it rich, then they who are rich can raise up the next group to wealth.” Thus upholding this righteous premises, he declined the student’s proposal.
What did he reply to the pitiful student? Oh, soon it would be National English competition, they group haven’t got much time.
As the 3rd ranking school, naturally they won’t be missing out on being placed at these National competitions. Half a month before the English competition, the school had began the Individual class selection, each class selecting their top 5 students, followed by the Year level selection. Then there was the regional selections, before they could finally make it to the Nationals.
Of Li Erqin’s regular small group of four, only Peng Zige didn’t make the cut.  A despondent and upset Peng Zige blocked the path of the English teacher heading home. After volunteering himself, the very despondent and upset Peng Zige returned to the group.
“Ahhhh! He let out a frustrated scream in their midst before questioning “WHY? Why would they reject me?”
“The minimum cut off score is 132, what’s your score?” Su Zi couldn’t resist laughing, “102 was your highest score right?”
“Ah Si said that my vocabulary is bad! I just need to memorize them, then I’ll be better than you guys!”, Peng Zige expressed his dissatisfaction, turning to Rong Si asking, “Isn’t that right, Ah Si?”
Rong Si laughs, “You can boast when it’s time for the physics competition.”
Peng Zige still felt disappointed and upset. At the same time, he understood Rong Si. A frustrated Peng Zige leaned on Li Erqin, “Harrumph! Erqun! I’m a little emotional! I’m not happy at all!”
Li Erqin pushes him away, “I’ll save all my emotional outbursts when you guys participate at the Physics National without me.”
“Hah!” Peng Zige laughed, “Let’s go, I’m hungry.”
Su Zi shake her head, “At this time, what else is still available at the cafeteria?”
Peng Zige: “Cold soup.”
Li Erqin: “Congratulations, you can take your emotional self to the cafeteria to enjoy your cold soup.”
A stunned stilled Peng Zige, gnashed his teeth, and lunged forward at Li Erqin, “Li Erqin, I’m going to strangle you!”