Chapter Nineteen: A Teacher Worthy of Respect

On the evening of the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the Experimental Middle School of QS County was already brilliantly lit. Lin Nan sat in the classroom, listening to the thunderous sounds of fireworks and firecrackers outside, and found it impossible to immerse himself in the world of books.

It was peculiar, really. Every year, winter break ended abruptly on the fourteenth day of the first month, with no consideration for the fact that the next day was the Lantern Festival. That evening, there were no formal classes; students simply studied on their own in the classroom. Outside, dragon dances and lion dances filled the streets, the festive atmosphere rivaling that of the New Year. Yet the school insisted on reining in the children’s spirits on this day, forcing them back from the carefree holiday into the tense rhythm of study. How many youths in their prime could truly achieve such a transition?

Sitting at the podium, Mei Xiabing was evidently aware of this. Watching the distracted students, he decided to do something. Glancing at his watch, it was eight o’clock. Mei Xiabing cleared his throat, drawing the students’ attention, and then smiled, “Would you all like to watch TV? Tonight’s Lantern Festival gala is on.”

“Yes!” the classmates answered in unison, their voices loud and clear.

“Alright, then we’ll start watching TV now.”

With that, Mei Xiabing walked to the corner of the classroom, plugged in the television, and turned it on. Truth be told, that TV had been installed in the classroom for more than half a year, but never used. The students often complained, wondering what purpose it served. Now, seeing Old Mei promise to let them watch the gala, many doubted whether it was real.

Yet, as voices filled the air, the TV actually switched on, tuned to Central Channel One, broadcasting the Lantern Festival gala. The gala started at eight, and unexpectedly, Class Six caught it right on time.

The students looked gratefully at Old Mei, who turned his head toward the television, signaling for them to watch on their own. He asked them to keep quiet, then closed the door and returned to his office.

The twenty-inch television enthralled Class Six, especially since it was the first time they’d watched together in the classroom. Though it wasn’t particularly entertaining, everyone watched intently—after all, it was far more interesting than a textbook.

Joyful moments are always fleeting.

When Old Mei pushed the door open again, everyone realized it was nearly nine o’clock. Evening study had previously ended at 8:20, but with the high school entrance exam only half a year away, it had been extended to nine.

Old Mei entered, turned off the television, unplugged it, and approached the podium, adopting a stern expression and an authoritative tone.

“Alright, we’ve finished watching TV tonight. Now, I have a few announcements.”

“First, in the last half-year of ninth grade, evening study is extended to nine o’clock. Everything else remains the same; weekends are still holidays.”

“But, one month before the entrance exam, there will be a preferential admissions test for Qingshui No. 1 High School. I believe some of you already know about it.”

“The preferential admissions test means that if you pass it, you’ll be given priority for admission. More precisely, if you miss the entrance exam cutoff for Qingshui No. 1 by up to forty points, they’ll still accept you.”

“In short, it’s an opportunity for those with severe subject imbalances.”

“The test covers five subjects: Chinese, Mathematics, English, Physics, and Chemistry.”

“Mathematics is worth 150 points, the others are 100 each.”

“Based on previous years, as long as your total score exceeds 190, you’re basically safe.”

“So, starting this Saturday, the top thirty students from last semester’s final exam will come to my house for math tutoring. Those with lower grades are also welcome if they wish, but there’s no pressure. Every Saturday afternoon from two to four will be math tutoring time; please don’t be late.”

“If you have something to attend to, request leave at school in advance. Any questions?”

Old Mei’s series of announcements stunned the class. Still, someone always had a clear mind.

“Excuse me, teacher, does the tutoring cost anything?”

“No, it’s free,” Old Mei replied, his expression unchanged. “If there are no further questions, class is dismissed. Go home early.”

With that, Old Mei picked up his teaching materials and left the classroom, leaving behind a chattering crowd.

“Really? No fee? My cousin is in elementary school and pays hundreds a month for evening English tutoring!”

“Of course it’s free. Didn’t Old Mei say so? Don’t you trust his character?”

“I do, but I’d already planned to see a movie with friends this Saturday, now…”

“But Old Mei is truly great! He’s the best homeroom teacher I’ve ever had, from elementary school until now.”

“Exactly! He’s handsome, witty in math class, and meeting him is our luck.”

“Mm-hmm. Do you think you’ll manage the preferential test?”

“I don’t know…”

While the top thirty students excitedly discussed, the other thirty had a different mood.

Some diligent students had already decided to attend tutoring. Others, who never studied, felt a bit desolate seeing the scene unfold, though they tried to appear indifferent. Some wanted to go but were too shy to say so, and others…

Lin Nan, for his part, showed little reaction. He tidied his desk and headed home.

Though evening study was now until nine, Lin Nan didn’t skip his nightly training. After more than a month, he was fully adapted to running 1500 meters, finishing without much fatigue, and could manage 3000 and 5000 meters as well.

It just took a long time, so his father, Lin Lang, now required him to increase his average running speed, because in a basketball game, opponents won’t play slowly, and the physical expenditure over forty minutes far exceeds a single long-distance run.

Whatever Lin Lang asked, Lin Nan did. He sensed that his father had his own set of methods—ones that seemed effective, given Lin Nan’s progress.

On the way home, Lin Nan told Lin Lang about Old Mei’s announcement.

Lin Lang paused, surprised, then praised, “Your teacher Mei really cares about you all!”

Lin Nan smiled and agreed.

Soon enough, Saturday afternoon at two o’clock arrived.

Nearly forty classmates gathered at Qingshui Square as planned. Led by Li Zhe, who seemed familiar with the route, they made their way to Old Mei’s home.

The group marched from Qingshui Square, took about five minutes, and arrived at an alley behind the square. A few dozen steps into the alley, they reached Mei’s house.

A large box at the door held shoe covers, which everyone slipped on in turn. They tiptoed inside.

Like most classmates, Lin Nan was visiting Old Mei’s home for the first time. Upon entering, he felt the space was narrow, though nicely decorated.

The entrance opened directly into the living room, with a sofa beside it. Mei’s wife sat there, smiling and greeting the students as they entered. She was beautiful and gentle—Lin Nan’s immediate impression.

After smiling back, Lin Nan moved further in and realized there was a second floor. The students ascended the stairs one by one, careful not to disturb anyone.

On the second floor, Lin Nan discovered there was even a third. The first floor didn’t seem so cramped now, though it wasn’t a villa.

Everyone followed Li Zhe, who led confidently, as if undertaking something remarkable.

When Lin Nan stepped onto the third floor, he was stunned. The entire floor resembled a small classroom: four rows of desks cobbled together from various woods and colors, all sorts of chairs—long, short, tall, and squat.

At the front was a blackboard, about a third the size of the one in their school classroom, with Old Mei standing before it, writing questions. The first row held a box of white chalk, a box of colored chalk, and a blackboard eraser.

Seeing the traces of use in this “classroom,” Lin Nan realized Old Mei had been holding these tutoring sessions for more than a year or two.

If he always did it for free, then he was truly a teacher worthy of respect.

Though Old Mei often joked in class about receiving bonuses for students admitted to elite high schools, the scene before Lin Nan showed his deep dedication.

At this moment, on a Saturday, the man writing questions on the blackboard was worthy of admiration.

Most students were just as astonished as Lin Nan, but of course, they couldn’t just stand there. At Old Mei’s instruction, everyone took their seats.

They crowded together, each finding a chair to sit.

At first, quiet conversations filled the room. Gradually, only the soft “tap-tap-tap” of chalk on the blackboard could be heard.