After saying this, Mr. Guo did not wait for Xue Xi to speak. Instead, he gave them a carrot and a stick. He smiled and looked at them. “Sigh, actually, many students want this opportunity. After graduating, they can go out to look for a job. With this project in their resume, they can all give themselves additional marks. The five of you have better mathematics results that I especially chose. I also believe in your abilities.”
After saying that, he chuckled and said, “Do you guys know about the master-disciple relationship in ancient times?”
Everyone shook their heads.
Mr. Guo said, “In ancient times, the disciple who learned from the teacher was actually the teacher’s helper and had to do housework. And in the three years after learning, he could not leave the teacher either. He had to hand over all the money he earned to the teacher as a form of repayment for his education. Of course, you guys are now in a new society and teachers will not be as selfish as in the past. But I think that since you guys can be admitted to the Math Olympiad, you must have your own perseverance and have put in the hard work in mathematics.
“Weren’t you also doing questions day and night during the CMO examination? Now that I’m asking you guys to calculate these questions, you won’t feel that you can’t take it, right?
“There are so many talents in Huaxia University. You guys are also outstanding talents from your own places. If you want to be more outstanding, you have to put in more effort than others.”
After saying this, Mr. Guo raised his voice. “Are you guys afraid of hardship?”
Zhang Hao and the other two boys, including Xie Yingying, stood up and shouted, “Teacher, we’re not afraid!”
“Good job!” Mr. Guo did not look at Xue Xi. After answering a few people, he smiled and said, “Of course, if you guys want to go back to class, it’s fine if you don’t want to study for this credit. It’s indeed difficult for Director Feng Xingshen, but I can help you submit the application. Of course, the five of you came here together. If you want to leave, you can leave together. Think about it carefully. I’ll ask you later.”
After saying that, he said to the senior, “Li Chun, come here.”
Li Chun nodded and followed Mr. Guo into the laboratory. That was where the core calculation of the project was being done. Through the door, they could not hear what they were saying.
However, the four people outside were convinced.
Xie Yingying looked at Xue Xi. “Sister Xi, don’t you want to do an experiment here? These questions are indeed too easy for you.”
Xue Xi: “…”
She looked at these people and suddenly felt that this Mr. Guo was indeed formidable. With just a few words, he’d managed to make them believe him.
She said, “I don’t think Mr. Guo is that simple. He just wants free labor. We’re nothing here. Let’s withdraw.”
The other three boys could not take it anymore.
Zhang Hao said, “I think what Mr. Guo said is right. We are a little bitter and tired, but why should we freshmen participate in such a project?”
The other two boys also echoed, “I know what you’re going to say, but go out and ask. Which other class’s freshmen can start joining a project? So we won’t withdraw. We definitely won’t leave when we finally get the chance.”
“That’s right. How bad can a teacher from Huaxia University be? Moreover, we’re also willing to do free labor. Just as Mr. Guo said, a teacher should ask for something when he takes in a disciple. Moreover, if we follow him to do projects, we can gain a lot of knowledge! Xue Xi, you’re thinking too much!”
Zhang Hao glanced at Xie Yingying and said, “Xie Yingying, don’t retreat. It’s fine if you’re tired. How can studying not be tiring? If you think you can’t calculate it, I can help you.”
Xie Yingying: “…”
She glanced at Xue Xi and said, “Sister Xi, are we going to withdraw?”
Although she also wanted this chance, she had frequently suspected Xue Xi when she was overseas. Moreover, Xue Xi had even helped her teach those foreigners a lesson, so she would support Xue Xi unconditionally.
Unfortunately, just as she said this, the two boys stopped.
“Didn’t you hear that? Mr. Guo said that we came together and have to leave together. You guys have to respect our opinions, right?”
“The five of us can vote. Those who want to stay, raise their hands.”
The two boys and Zhang Hao raised their hands.
“That’s it, then. Stay and work!”
Xue Xi: “…”
Was she really thinking too much?
At this moment, the laboratory door opened. Li Chun walked out with his head lowered. Without saying anything, he left. After a while, Mr. Guo also walked out and asked with a smile, “Have you discussed it? Are you sure you want to leave?”
“We’re not leaving.”
Mr. Guo nodded. “That’s more like it. Let me tell you, although this is Huaxia University and the best talents in the country are gathered here, if you don’t work hard, you will be defeated. Alright, let’s get to work!”
He then turned to look at Xue Xi. “It’s understandable for girls to be a little delicate.”
After saying that, Mr. Guo also left the laboratory.
However, it made the other three look at Xue Xi.
The other two boys in the class discussed softly.
“Girls are so troublesome. They can’t even endure any hardships. If that’s the case, why would they come to school? Wouldn’t it be fine to just stay at home and be the eldest daughter?”
“I originally thought that she was not bad. After all, she’s the IMO’s champion. I didn’t expect her to be such a burden. Forget it, don’t say anything more. Hurry up and calculate. We’ll talk about it after we’re done.”
Xue Xi: “…”
When the two of them were speaking, they lowered their voices. Xie Yingying did not hear them. If she did, she would definitely have quarreled with them.
Xue Xi did not speak.
She lowered her eyes.
Anyway, she could ask Feng Xingshen to remove this restriction anytime. Then, she would see if this Mr. Guo was the kind of person she thought he was.
Because of Xue Xi’s unhappiness, the atmosphere in the laboratory was very low. No one spoke and continued to help calculate the questions.
Xue Xi had never been good with words and did not speak.
After calculating for two hours, Xue Xi raised her head and moved her shoulders to look at her papers.
She was done calculating.
She placed the paper on the table and went to the washroom.
After taking two steps in the corridor of the laboratory, she was just about to go to the washroom when she suddenly heard a suppressed cry coming from the corridor.
Xue Xi frowned and walked over to take a look. She realized that it was actually Li Chun.
She paused, then pushed open the door and shouted, “Senior.”
Li Chun was very skinny. When he heard this, he lifted his head. His eyes were red and filled with suppressed anger.
Xue Xi frowned and asked, “What’s wrong?”
She had a vague feeling that this matter was related to Mr. Guo.
Indeed, Li Chun said, “I can’t graduate…”
