Chapter 41

School life is still very fulfilling. After getting [Literary Girl's Pen], Zhai Da is, in a practical sense, already on the "Chenghua Avenue."

Erxianqiao is just around the corner.

Plus, with his adult mindset, he plans his own learning path, and in the small Maofang Middle School, he is definitely in the small group that is "working hard."

So Zhai—the little learning expert—Da summarizes a piece of warning advice: learning methods are more important than learning itself.

For example, using a cheat.

The only small trouble is that because of his rapid progress in the Chinese quiz last week, Ding Rong talked to him.

With a huge improvement in Chinese to 130 points and a 68-point essay, it is normal for Ding Rong to pay attention to him.

Especially since Zhai Da doesn't hand in homework...

"Zhai Da, I heard from some students that you don't write homework for any subject, not just Chinese, is that right?"

In the Senior Year Teaching and Research Office, Zhai Da curls his lips.

"Teacher, is the 'individual student' you mentioned named Chu, first name Xiang, courtesy name Villain, and title 'True Cheap Scholar'?"

Ding Rong denies it in a second: "No, that's not it, don't talk nonsense, don't interrupt. You can get 130 points in Chinese now; if you work harder, you can pull it up even more. By then, getting into a junior college won't be a dream!"

"...Teacher, I think your expectations can be higher."

Ding Rong says earnestly: "Then your requirements for yourself must also be higher. You have already recovered from fainting during the mock exam. We must seize the opportunity when we have it. If you have any questions about Chinese, you can come to me. There are only sixty days left, let's work hard together."

To be honest, Zhai Da is quite surprised by Ding Rong's attitude.

Words like "let's work hard together" are something even a boss painting a pie wouldn't have the face to say; they usually only exist in the mouths of silly, sweet heroines in TV dramas.

In his past life, he didn't think Ding Rong was a very responsible teacher, but to be honest, he wasn't a "responsible" student in his past life either.

Why should he demand that the teacher look at him differently and care for him?

In this life, showing a little possibility of going further, Ding Rong immediately seized this "opportunity" and wanted to pull Zhai Da up.

But... for Zhai Da at this stage, writing homework is really not the most important thing... using two cheats to quickly make up for his accumulation is.

Chu Xiang, I've noted this grudge...

Zhai Da coughs lightly and says: "Teacher Ding, it's not that I'm unwilling to write homework, but I can't keep up with the progress now. I'm in the stage of building a foundation."

Ding Rong doesn't speak, and the math teacher next to her chokes on water with a puff.

"Cough cough... sorry, I choked."

God damn building a foundation, there are 60 days left until the college entrance exam and you are still building a foundation?

Ding Rong naturally thinks Zhai Da is making excuses: "Your attitude is a big problem."

Zhai Da says sincerely: "How about this, Teacher Ding, I will hand in homework normally starting next week."

This is also Zhai Da's original plan. After having two cheats, he should be able to enter a new stage next week.

Ding Rong examines Zhai Da's gaze: "Homework is not something to bargain with."

"But homework can be copied."

Ding Rong: ...

Why does it feel like Zhai Da is so hard to deal with after fainting once?

It's not the stubbornness and absurdity of an adolescent boy, but a kind of old-timer feeling.

After a full ten minutes of tug-of-war, Zhai Da barely passes the test, and the "homework exemption gold medal" is successfully renewed for a week.

Returning to the classroom, Zhai Da glares at Chu Xiang. As the study committee member, this guy's grades are still good, and he sits in the first row.

Chu Xiang is glared at and feels confused, but how can a young person endure this? He immediately glares back.

Zhai Da thinks to himself, you little grandson, your acting is not bad, you should go to the Beijing Film Academy!

I've noted this grudge.

Returning to his seat, his deskmate Yang Fan is still slumped on the desk, looking dejected. Zhai Da knocks on the other party's desk, and Yang Fan moves aside reluctantly.

But he is secretly observing Zhai Da's expression.

Unfortunately, nothing can be seen.

Wu Yue behind him shouts: "Zhai Da, a teacher was looking for you just now."

Zhai Da is stunned: "Teacher? Which subject?"

It wouldn't be about homework again, would it?

Wu Yue shakes his head: "I don't know, it doesn't seem like they teach us. They asked if you were here and then left."

"A teacher who doesn't teach us, and you even added an uncertain 'seems like.' You really wasted your time in school."

"You can't say it like that. Do you remember what the PE teacher looks like?"

Zhai Da chokes...

What you say makes a lot of sense, I am actually unable to refute...

They haven't smelled a PE class since their sophomore year...

——————

After school, Zhai Da leaves Wu Yue at the school gate and ignores Lin Shuyao, who seems to want to go with him and has something to say. He calls a taxi directly and heads to Jianshe Road.

This is the street where the Dongyang County government is located. In addition to some shops and restaurants, there is a "Xinhua Bookstore," which is also the largest bookstore in Dongyang County. Two floors, probably over a thousand square meters.

More than a decade later, almost no one will go to Xinhua Bookstore, but at present, it is widely popular. Xinhua Bookstore can even be said to be the "sales champion" of this street.

Physical books are still the mainstream of reading for people today, and even the mainstream of cultural entertainment.

Even illiterate local bosses have to put a row of books in their offices to fill the scene. Before the internet era, people would be embarrassed to say hello to others without a few books at home.

Zhai Da can't think of where in Dongyang he can buy "magic" content discs, so he can only come here to try his luck.

Even though it is close to closing time, there are still a dozen people here, most of them standing and flipping through books, and a small part are paying.

In the most conspicuous position at the entrance, a dozen bestsellers are displayed, and Zhai Da sees many familiar names.

"Triple Gate," "Dream Falls, Flowers Fall," "Currency War," "Wolf Totem"...

Suddenly, he feels quite nostalgic. He vaguely remembers being recommended by someone to read Han Han's "Triple Gate." At that time, he seemed full of resentment toward the world, feeling that reading was useless and school was guilty.

He thought Han Han was simply the spiritual mentor of the contemporary youth.

But after many years, he can't remember a single word of the story inside... only some emotional memories remain...

Until many years later, Han Han, who was once regarded as a role model by many young people, was called a greasy uncle by a new batch of young people...

Zhai Da knew then that he was no longer young either.

There is a queue at the checkout, so Zhai Da simply walks inside and finds a clerk who is stocking goods:

"Hello, do you have any books related to magic? Preferably the kind with disc materials."

It seems the question is too niche. The middle-aged aunt is confused for a while before saying: "See if there is anything in 'Comprehensive Books' at the far end of the upstairs."

Zhai Da goes upstairs and finds the so-called "Comprehensive Books." To be precise, it should be some miscellaneous books that cannot be classified, mainly featuring everything, and many are already covered in dust, not knowing how many years they have been there.

"Friend of Military and Civilian Talents," "Eighteen Techniques of Bone Touching (Color Illustrated Edition)," "Local Nursing Methods"...

In the corner, Zhai Da actually finds two useful ones.

One is called "Illustrated Magic," and one is called "Take You to Play with Poker."

Wiping off the floating dust, Zhai Da flips through them.

He is a bit disappointed with the former; most of it is old-fashioned and complex magic diagrams like "Beauty Snake" and "Escape Art," which are clearly not something he can play now, and only a tiny part is useful.

But he is very satisfied with the latter.

...Fancy shuffling

...Fancy card dropping

...Flying card rotation

...4A at the top and poker prophecy

Every piece of content inside fits perfectly with [Joker Poker], especially "Flying card rotation," which looks very cool.

Most importantly, it also comes with a disc at the back.

If he masters this book, [Joker Poker] should be played to the fullest, and the unlocking task for the special effect "Spotlight" shouldn't be a problem either.

Fragments from several gambling movies like "God of Gamblers" and "Saint of Gamblers" flash through his mind...

Zhai Da hesitates slightly, but buys both; "Illustrated Magic" might be useful.

The two books cost more than seventy yuan, which is not cheap by 2008 prices. After leaving, Zhai Da quickly calls a taxi and rushes back to Sanmao Residential Area.

Ms. Yu has already sent a text message asking him why he hasn't arrived home yet.

And said that Lu Wei is cooking tonight.