Chapter 797: Checking Homework Submissions

Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Gao Ming could tell that Su Li was not in the best of spirits. He had a fair idea of what was troubling his friend and tried to comfort him in a hushed voice, “Su Li, don’t overthink things. Grandmother always told me to believe that everything will turn out for the best. Faith can make everything beautiful.”

Just as Su Li was about to respond, a harsh reprimand echoed from the lectern, “Gao Ming, Su Li, who gave you permission to speak? It’s always you two, isn’t it? Fine, you want to challenge me? Let’s skip the lesson then. Let’s discuss the matter of homework submission over the weekend. The number of students not submitting their homework is increasing. Are you betting on me not checking the homework?”

The teacher, who should not have been using class time for such matters, had no choice but to proceed, “I will now call out names one by one. Those whose names are not called have not submitted their homework. Stand at the back of the class and listen to the lesson! Sun Wei, Fan Da, Gu Jun…”

The teacher, Teacher Zhou, began to read out names from the homework book. Su Li and Gao Ming, having been scolded, suddenly remembered that this was a math class. Su Li had an ominous feeling that the homework check was targeted at him. After all, during every subject’s homework submission, the class representative would count the number of students who had not submitted their work. Those who had not done so would be asked to submit it immediately.

Normally, the issue of homework submission would not take up class time. However, today, after Sun Wei had collected the homework, he did not count the number of students nor did he ask anyone to submit their work. Now, with Teacher Zhou checking the number of students in class, it felt a bit strange. Yet, Su Li felt there was nothing to fear. He had submitted his homework. He must be overthinking it.

What was strange, however, was that Teacher Zhou had read through all the homework books and had not called Su Li’s name. Su Li did not move to the back of the class because he had submitted his homework. He raised his hand and said, “Teacher Zhou, I submitted my homework. It was right next to Gao Ming’s. There’s no way my book could be missing.”

Teacher Zhou responded with irritation, “So, you’re saying you submitted your homework, but as soon as I start counting, your homework book disappears?”

Scratching the back of his head, Su Li was at a loss for words. He didn’t want to stand at the back because he had indeed submitted his homework. Gao Ming also raised his hand and said, “Teacher Zhou, I can vouch for Su Li. I submitted his book along with mine.”

Teacher Zhou sneered, “You, testify? The two of you are always up to no good together. Now, one of you doesn’t turn in his homework, and the other’s work is of poor quality. Gao Ming, on what grounds can you testify? Su Li, go stand at the back!”

Su Li protested, “I won’t go, Teacher Zhou. I really did my homework. I don’t know why my notebook is missing, but I won’t stand at the back.”

Seeing Su Li’s refusal to move, Teacher Zhou’s gaze turned icy. She turned to the class representative, Sun Wei, who stood up and said, “Teacher Zhou, I didn’t see Su Li’s notebook when I collected the homework today. If Su Li doesn’t believe me, you can let him come to the podium and look for his notebook himself.”

Teacher Zhou nodded, “Hmm, since the class representative said so, Su Li, don’t blame me for not giving you a chance. Come up and find your notebook. If you find it, you won’t have to stand at the back.”

Upon hearing this, Su Li hurried to the podium to look for his notebook. However, after flipping through each notebook twice, he couldn’t find his name anywhere. Su Li’s hands began to tremble with anxiety.

Teacher Zhou urged, “Can’t find it, can you? Then go stand at the back. We need to start the class. How much more time do you want to waste?”

With no other choice, Su Li had to swallow his pride and walk to the back of the room with his textbook.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

As Teacher Zhou began her lecture, Su Li couldn’t take in a single word. He couldn’t understand where his homework had gone. The more he thought about it, the more aggrieved he felt, until tears began to stream down his face…

At noon, Su Li learned that his older brother had entered a math competition. To make time for training, his brother would be eating earlier than the other students, so he wouldn’t be able to have lunch with Su Li for a while. Coupled with the morning’s incident, Su Li had no appetite. For the first time, he experienced the feeling of not being able to eat.

Su Li had brought his own food, so he didn’t go to the cafeteria. He took out a new notebook and started making up his homework in the classroom.

Gao Ming sat with him, grumbling, “Your notebook must have been taken by someone. When the homework was handed out just now, I took a look. I only got one question wrong, one that she hadn’t taught in class. Teacher Zhou said my work was of poor quality. I think she’s just looking for an excuse to scold us.”