Zhou Yi said in an unruffled tone, "Then we'll see once it's finished, Miss Su."
He picked up the chalk and began swiftly jotting down the problem-solving process on the board. Beside him, Xu Cong perked up with excitement.
The boy's approach was refreshingly innovative—an entirely new method and line of reasoning that Xu Cong himself hadn't thought to teach before.
Xu Cong nodded repeatedly, remarking, "Impressive! This solution has a very clear logic and is much more straightforward than what I had shown you."
All eyes widened in disbelief as they watched the scene unfold.
A flicker of surprise crossed Su Ning's gaze, prompting her to scrutinize Zhou Yi's steps carefully.
Xu Cong harbored no suspicions toward Zhou Yi. After all, the test questions were crafted by his own hand, and no one else knew the answers.
This effectively ruled out any possibility that Zhou Yi might have learned them beforehand.
"Well done," Xu Cong announced. "Everyone, return to your seats. Today, we will use Zhou Yi's answers as the standard reference to review the test. Compare your work against his to check for mistakes."
After Zhou Yi returned to his seat, the girl sitting behind him gently poked his shoulder with her pen.
"Zhou Yi, could you write down the method you used for the last question? I forgot my glasses today and can't make out the writing on the board."
The girl behind Zhou Yi, named Yao Xiaotao, sported twin ponytails. The two rarely interacted.
Yao Xiaotao maintained average grades but devoted most of her energy to studying, showing little interest in class gossip. She aspired to pursue graduate studies.
In her eyes, Zhou Yi was just another ordinary classmate. Since she had never mocked him, Zhou Yi held a decent impression of her.
"Sure, should I write it directly on your test paper?"
"Mm-hmm, that works."
With a faint smile, Zhou Yi accepted her test paper and wrote out the solution for her.
Meanwhile, Zhang Wu simmered with resentment. He simply couldn't fathom how his supposedly useless desk mate had transformed so drastically.
His face darkening, Zhang Wu crumpled his test paper into a ball and silently glared at the blackboard, lost in thought.
"Xiaotao, I've written it down for you. I also included an alternative method the teacher taught us—it should be easier for you to understand."
"Wow, thank you so much, Zhou Yi!"
"You're welcome."
Zhou Yi glanced at his system panel and noticed that his affection points and attribute points had increased slightly. Clearly, this contribution came from Yao Xiaotao.
On the podium, Xu Cong began explaining each question based on Zhou Yi's answers. When he reached the final problem, his gaze lingered briefly on Zhou Yi's face.
"We won't discuss this question using Zhou Yi's method. His approach exceeds the scope of what we've covered, and it's unnecessary for our current level."
As soon as Xu Cong made this statement, murmurs of doubt erupted among the students.
"But how on earth does Zhou Yi know content beyond our university syllabus? Teacher, I don't believe he came up with that answer himself."
"Yeah, someone who's always been at the bottom of the class suddenly making such a huge leap? I don't buy it."
"I refuse to believe Zhou Yi is capable of such brilliance."
...
Doubts about Zhou Yi spread through the classroom. Yet when Xu Cong glanced at him, the young man remained composed, betraying no hint of panic.
"Coincidentally, I have another test prepared. Let's complete it during class today."
This would allow him to assess Zhou Yi's true abilities.
Xu Cong handed out the test papers. Leaning over, Zhang Wu hissed in a low, taunting voice, "I'll be keeping an eye on you. Don't try anything funny."
Zhou Yi smirked, regarding him with the detached amusement of someone watching a clown perform.
Once again, Zhou Yi completed the test in just ten minutes.
Zhang Wu observed as Zhou Yi filled in answers without performing calculations, convinced that Zhou Yi was merely guessing randomly.
He anticipated Zhou Yi's humiliation with glee!
Unsurprisingly, Zhou Yi was the first to submit his test.
The top students seated at the front rows exchanged astonished glances upon seeing him finish so quickly.
"What's this idiot doing? Ten minutes isn't even enough to scratch the surface!"
"He must be scribbling nonsense."
"Such arrogance."
"It'll be hilarious when the scores come out."
Ignoring their murmured critiques, Zhou Yi placed his test paper on Xu Cong's desk.
"Teacher, I'm done."
"So soon? Don't you want to double-check it?"
"No need, teacher. I'm certain there are no errors."
"You're quite confident, aren't you?"
Setting aside his thermos, Xu Cong picked up Zhou Yi's test and began marking it with a red pen.
"Hmm..."
Minutes later, Xu Cong's expression shifted to one of intrigue.
What exactly was going on with Zhou Yi?
The test completed in ten minutes—flawless!
But why had he consistently ranked at the bottom of the class before? It was utterly baffling.
Adjusting his glasses, Xu Cong asked, "Zhou Yi, I'm curious. With your skill level, why did you perform so poorly in the past?"
Though not loud, Xu Cong's voice carried enough for those in the front rows to hear.
Zhou Yi's skill level? What skill level?
From the teacher's tone, it almost sounded like Zhou Yi was some hidden math prodigy!?
Unable to reveal the truth about the system, Zhou Yi resorted to a vague response: "Teacher, there were reasons, but they're difficult to explain."
His cryptic reply left everyone puzzled.
Rather than pressing further, Xu Cong smiled amiably and pulled out a stack of test papers from his textbook. "Can you complete these by tomorrow? If you maintain the same level as today, I'll grant you the spot for the Mathematical Modeling Competition in the Visual Communication program."
Xu Cong's words ignited an uproar among the high-achieving students.
This was a competition they had been fiercely vying for, offering a prize pool worth hundreds of thousands! Who wouldn't be tempted?
Even if they didn't win outright, qualifying for the national or provincial rounds would still secure bonuses of at least 30,000!
And now, this golden opportunity was being handed to Zhou Yi!?
"Teacher, that's unfair!"
"Yeah, why should Zhou Yi get it?"
"Let's hold another test and decide based on merit!"
Known for his easygoing nature, Xu Cong always spoke with a smile, encouraging students to voice their opinions freely.
Facing their protests, Xu Cong waved dismissively. "First, finish this test. We'll discuss it next class based on your scores."
This matter concerned prize money, which ultimately boiled down to personal stakes.
Previously, the class had been embroiled in fierce competition over spots in various art contests, opportunities non-art majors scarcely stood a chance of securing. Now, in a field where they excelled, how could such a coveted opportunity go to Zhou Yi, the supposed underachiever?