Chapter 7: You really solved it (1/2)
”My name is Wu Xiang. I am your new substitute mathematics teacher.”
The tall and willowy man in his late twenties with olive skin, dressed in an oversized blue shirt and navy trousers, declares to the class. The duster falls off the table when he picks up the class roster. He bends down to pick up the duster. The class roster slips from his hand. He ignores the laughing students. He stands up as nothing happened.
”I have a Ph.D. in mathematics and a master degree from A University, London. I have a bachelor degree from C University, California.” He looks at the students of Class B solemnly. ”Your former mathematics teacher had to leave because of an emergency. I will be taking his duties from now on.”
”Our first lecture is language?” One boy in the front row asks. The other students also make faces. Clearly, nobody wants to study mathematics first in the morning.
”There are changes in the lecture schedule.” He frowns slightly. His slanted eyes flash at a pink haired girl who is lazily looking out of the window. He picks up the chalk and throws in her direction. The pink haired girl tilts the body to the right.
”Ow!” The chalk hits the innocent boy behind her. There is a small bump on the boy's forehead. He massages his forehead and curses the pink haired girl in his heart.
”Your name?” She has fast reflexes. This girl is interesting.
The girl cocks her head and watches him with her big almond eyes thoughtfully.
”Fang Aisa.”
”I see.” Teacher Wu mumbles to himself and doesn't pay any more attention at the pink-haired girl. His expression is calm, but he is a bit annoyed at heart. He turns the pages of the class roster in impatience.
”Aren't you overqualified to teach at H high school?”
His face clouds with darkness when he hears the question. The questioner is Fang Aisa.
”No, it is my privilege to teach students like you.” His slight smile doesn't meet his eyes. The girl chuckles quietly. His smile fades a bit. She can see through him.
”With your degrees, you can be hired at N University.” She has a lofty smile on her face. Wu Xiang finds it irritating like the sound of rubbing sandpaper on the board.
”I like H High School.” He releases forced laughter.
”Really?” She grins at him. ”I like you, Teacher Wu.”
He doesn't know what to reply. Wu Xiang grimaces at the girl. This girl is trying to make him uneasy. Suddenly, he feels goosebumps on his back. His eyes shift to the last row of troublemakers. The red-headed girl is looking down at her hands with a conflicted expression. A slender boy is looking at the girl with an almost smile on his face. Others are waiting enthusiastically for him to reply to Fang Aisa.
”Thank you, Fang Aisa.” He doesn't hide the annoyance in his tone this time. ”I am going to teach you multi-variable integration today. ”
”That's not in our syllabus.” Someone comments. He doesn't turn back to look at the person.