This is why the professor didn’t blame Wu Xiaoye.
“I wanted Tan Mo to drop by simply to get a taste of what we were doing. I could then roughly gauge her level. If she can already confidently master the current syllabus now, we could potentially move her over to a third-year class. And if the same thing happens in that class, then potentially a fourth year or research inquiries,” Professor Zhao explained.
The students were shocked as they looked toward Tan Mo.
“I just wanted her to see what the classes were like, and I wanted to weigh her knowledge.” Professor Zhao smiled lightly. “That’s why I said that she won’t be here too long.”
The professor hadn’t originally wished to say these things.
If Tan Mo were to sit in on his lectures and was able to keep up, then she might as well follow the more advanced ones too.
She could come and go quietly.
It wasn’t like it would affect anyone.
The other students shouldn’t have paid any attention.
However, seeing their reactions now, if Tan Mo suddenly left after attending a few classes, they would probably think that she hadn’t been able to keep up with their progress and had thus left the class quietly.
That was the only reason why Professor Zhao had mentioned this explicitly.
He looked at where Wu Xiaoye had seated her and nodded. “Those in the second row, would you all please move back one seat. Tan Mo is slightly smaller and shorter than you all.”
Tan Mo hadn’t even finished going through puberty. She was still growing.
“If she had to sit in the last row, her line of sight would be blocked by you all,” he continued.
This excuse was unanswerable. No one could really blame Professor Zhao. And now that he had actually asked them to move, those from the second row had no choice but to comply.
Tan Mo looked at Wu Xiaoye and thought, isn’t this excuse a good one?
You’ve got nerve to compare yourself to me.
But Tan Mo didn’t have the heart to make fun of Wu Xiaoye after seeing how embarrassed he was. Clearly, he blamed himself for not handling the situation well.
Tan Mo placed her table and chair in the spot that was now free.
Wu Xiaoye immediately got up to help her. “Allow me, allow me.”
He hurriedly moved the table and chair to its new position.
Tan Mo smiled. “Thank you for all this, senior.”
Wu Xiaoye scratched his head in faux annoyance. “What is there to thank me for? I didn’t handle today’s situation smoothly enough.”
Tan Mo laughed quietly. “I said this just now. You are someone who concentrates purely on academics and research, so it makes sense that you didn’t think this through very well. It’s precisely because of your pure and focused mindset that the professor values you so much.”
“Really?” Wu Xiaoye, who had always thought he was less impressive in comparison to Wang Yuemu, was now looking surprised as he listened to Tan Mo.
Really?
Then he should muster up the courage to look at Professor Zhao.
Professor Zhao looked back at him with gentle eyes. “Tan Mo is right.”
SIGH. Who knows just exactly how Tan Mo was raised.
She has such a clear and exquisite heart at 15.
Not only is she intelligent, she is also emotionally mature. She knows how to say things that are pleasing to the ear.
There were many smart people. Some of them annoyed others to no end. Others were favored by the people they came into contact with. Tan Mo belonged to the latter category.
Wu Xiaoye was immediately lifted in spirit.
This confirmation from Professor Zhao really reassured him.
He was now feeling so motivated he felt as if he could do anything. “I’ll be heading back to the research lab now. I’ll continue to work hard.”
He left immediately after that. He didn’t care about his impression in front of the juniors anymore.
Tan Mo laughed and properly sat down.
Professor Zhao formally started his lesson without saying anything else about the situation.
It seemed as if Tan Mo was the only one who could concentrate throughout the entire lesson.
The rest of the students were struggling to comprehend just exactly what was going on, and their heads buzzed in confusion.
For one second, they were thinking about Professor Zhao’s impression of them. The next second, they would think that maybe the professor had seen how they were carrying on and how this would affect just how much he valued them as students.
All of them were too preoccupied to pay full attention in class.
However, Tan Mo was listening and she understood exactly what Professor Zhao was talking about.
She hadn’t read all the books that he was discussing, but she had already read about the same history and content taught by her previous teachers.
Hence, her current knowledge wasn’t accurate enough at all, which was why she paid full attention to Professor Zhao.
After the end of class, Professor Zhao caught up with Tan Mo before she left. “How was it? Did you understand the content I taught the class today?”
The students around them initially had wanted to leave, but once they caught wind of the conversation between the two of them, they all slowed down as they packed their bags.
“How should I say this…I understood the content, but I haven’t read enough about it.”
It was like the difference between a regular conversation and an authoritative text.
“I think I’ll be heading to the library to catch up on some homework now,” Tan Mo said.
“All right then.” Professor Zhao was delighted.
Tan Mo didn’t put on false airs. She was honest, and she had a rigorous attitude toward what she was learning.
“There is absolutely no problem in studying on your own. It’ll definitely help you progress faster. If you stumble on any questions, feel free to ask me or Xiaoye.” The professor smiled at her.
The rest of the students couldn’t help but feel jealousy bubbling up from the pits of their stomachs.
Not even begging for praise would get them any as high as this.
Yet Tan Mo had easily gotten an offer to find Professor Zhao any time.
Which other first year would receive such special treatment?
Not even a second year would.
When Wu Xiaoye had been in year one, he didn’t either.
She’s even going to teach herself. Would that be helpful at all?
She seems to look highly upon herself.
However, even the professor has that much confidence in her. He really believes that she can teach herself.
One dared to speak, and the other dared to believe.
They walked out of the classroom together.
“Professor Zhao, Tan Mo.” Pu Xinyan walked over toward them.
“Senior Pu!” Tan Mo exclaimed. “Why are you here?”
“My class just ended, and I’m about to head to the research lab.” Pu Xinyan pulled on Tan Mo’s arm. “If I remember correctly, you too, right? Are you heading over today?”
“Yes.” Tan Mo nodded. “I’m about to head over there.”
“That’s great, let’s go together.”
The students around them looked on in silence.
Wasn’t Pu Xinyan from the Chinese Department? She was a part of Professor Guo’s team.
How was she so friendly with Tan Mo?
Does that mean that Tan Mo is helping out her team?
What’s up with this Tan Mo anyway?
Professor Zhao looked on with envious eyes.
Those from Professor Guo’s team all knew how to make small talk and hustle Tan Mo over.
On the other hand, his students had no talents of that sort.
He only had Wu Xiaoye, and that was definitely not enough.
He also knew exactly what Pu Xinyan was in charge of. Obviously, Tan Mo came in useful and handy in a group project. Why else would she be so happy?
Professor Zhao would’ve done anything to be able to drag Tan Mo to his research lab right now.
“Tan Mo, make sure to go over your history after helping out with the Chinese Department. Don’t forget about it,” he reminded her.
“Don’t you worry, Professor Zhao. I won’t fall behind,” Tan Mo reassured him.
“You’re taking on the history syllabus now? You’re a bit too busy, aren’t you? You’ve also got the Finance Department to worry about, right?” Pu Xinyan affectionately rubbed Tan Mo’s head.
