Yang Haoran walked up to the podium without the slightest hesitation, picked up a piece of chalk, and began writing swiftly.
Problem 1: Given that sin(Ξ± + Ξ²) = 1, prove that tan(2Ξ± + Ξ²) + tanΞ² = 0.
Solution: Since sin(Ξ± + Ξ²) = 1,
therefore Ξ± + Ξ² = 2kΟ + Ο/2.
tan(2Ξ± + Ξ²) + tanΞ² = tan(Ξ± + 2kΟ + Ο/2) + tan(2kΟ + Ο/2 – Ξ±) = tan(Ξ± + Ο/2) + tan(Ο/2 – Ξ±) = tan(Ξ± + Ο – Ο/2) + tan(Ο/2 – Ξ±) = tan(Ξ± – Ο/2) + tan(Ο/2 – Ξ±) = 0.
Problem 2: f(cosx) = cos17x, find f(sinx).
Solution: f(cosx) = cos17x…
Problem 3: Given Ο/6…
Solution:…
Yang Haoran wrote neatly and efficiently, as if the answers had long been ready in his mind. The densely detailed solutions soon covered more than half of the blackboard.
The classroom was so silent you could hear a pin drop…
“Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! Absolutely splendid, clap clap clap⦔
In the deathly quiet classroom, Professor Li looked at the solutions covering the blackboard, his aged, wrinkled face breaking into a smile. He exclaimed “excellent” three times in a row and initiated applause for the student who had previously been seen by everyone as an academic failure.
Below the podium, the class stared at the answers written on the blackboard, still petrified. Almost no one could believe their eyes. Some students vigorously rubbed their eyes, straining to stare at the blackboard, utterly dumbfounded.
Is this a dream?
The same doubt surfaced in the minds of all the students.
Those who understood could see that Yang Haoranβs answers were correct. His problem-solving approach even found new paths, skipping some of the cumbersome steps.
Yang Mengyao, Xiao Shaowan, Wei Ming, Zhou Shiwen, and others who knew him well all looked at the young man standing at the podium with shock in their eyes.
Wei Ming was one of those rubbing his eyes until they were red, still unable to believe it. Zhao Jun was completely dumbstruck, muttering “impossible… impossible…” under his breath, as if caught in some sort of trance.
Zhao Jun could understand most of the problems and knew how to solve them, which made him recognize even more that the solutions were correct. There was even one problem he still had no idea how to approach, yet Yang Haoran had already solved it. The academic failure he had always looked down upon had now turned the tables completely…
“What are you all waiting for? Applaud!”
Professor Li clapped his hands together, smiling as he gestured for the stunned class to join in.
Clap clap clap… clap clap… clap clap…
Thunderous applause continuously echoed through the classroom, seeming to form a cloud of admiration surrounding the young man at the podium.
At the same time, the class dismissal bell rang, as if also shocked by what had transpired.
Yang Haoran returned to his seat, feeling as if he were in a dream. In the past, he had been the one clapping for others in the audience. Now, thanks to that bottle of medicine from his mom, he seemed to be standing amidst a constellation of stars. This unprecedented experience filled him with indescribable excitement, but even more so, with longing and gratitude toward his mother. At this moment, he desperately wanted to see her, to tell her that he, too, had become that “child from another family,” even if only for this single moment.
This childish desireβto receive praise from a teacher and then rush home to share it with his parents, hoping for their approval as wellβshouldnβt have been something he felt. But as a perennial academic failure, he had genuinely never experienced this kind of feeling before.
If given the choice, who would ever want to be a failure?
Professor Li returned to the podium, scanned the class, and let his gaze linger on Yang Haoran for a few extra seconds before speaking slowly. “This class has been the most satisfying one I have ever taught. Itβs not rare to see a bird that flies early soar high, but when a bird once considered slow not only takes flight but also demonstrates the ability to soar, even I am deeply impressed.”
“Classmates, you have all witnessed Yang Haoranβs previous academic performance. For him to achieve this now is truly remarkable. Here, I hope some students in this class will learn from Yang Haoranβs example. I also hope Yang Haoran will continue to strive hard and maintain his positive and studious attitude. Letβs give him another round of applause, students⦔
Another wave of thunderous applause rose and fell before gradually subsiding as Professor Li dismissed the class.
After Professor Li left, Yang Haoran was immediately surrounded by male and female classmates. Chattering voices filled his ears: “Damn, Haorzi, youβve really impressed me! From now on, youβre my idolβrespect! Seriously, how did you do it, Haorzi? Can you teach me? I wanna get praised by the teacher too.”
This came from Wei Ming, his face full of shameless admiration.
“Haoran, were you just pretending to be bad at studying before? Like in the moviesβare you actually a secret genius hiding your true skills?”
This was from a somewhat infatuated female student.
“Haoran, youβre amazing. Iβm impressed.”
This came from a thick-browed, bright-eyed male student.
Yang Haoran couldnβt take it anymore. Even with his thick skin, he was blushing. He grabbed Wei Ming and rushed out of the classroom, the chatter of female students still echoing behind him.
Zhao Jun leaned back in his seat, utterly dejected. He couldnβt make sense of itβhe really couldnβt. Precisely because he was in the top tier academically in the class, he knew clearly that unless someone truly understood the material, it was impossible to solve the problems on the blackboard.
Mathematics wasnβt like other subjects. You either knew it, or you didnβtβit was that simple.
After escaping the crowd, Yang Haoran walked across campus with Wei Ming. Even the sunlight seemed brighter somehow.
“Haorzi, how does it feel to be a top student?”
“Stop mocking me. Getting a few problems right doesnβt make me a top student.”
“Others might not know you, Haorzi, but I do. Come on, tell meβhave you been studying hard in secret? No wonder you havenβt been online lately. You went and improved yourself without meβnot cool, man.”
“Piss off.”
“Heh, just kidding. But seriously, how did you do it? Iβm genuinely curious.”
“What if I told you I met a fairy in my dreams? She said we were destined to be together, so she unblocked my meridians and unlocked my potential. Would you believe that?”
“I believe it… I totally believe it, Haorzi. Iβll always have your back, no matter what. So… where is this fairy? Does she have any sisters or something…?”
“Shut up… piss off.”