Chapter 28: The Past

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

At that time, Zhou Feng was not as solitary as he was now. He had a cheerful and lively personality and was not afraid of strangers. He always used innocent words to make adults laugh. The adults in the residential area liked him very much.

Zhang Ji even treated Zhou Feng as his own nephew and doted on him very much. He even taught him military boxing during that period of time.

During that period of time, Zhou Feng had always addressed Zhang Ji as his uncle.

However, after Zhou Feng returned to the Zhou family with his mother, they never met again. Zhou Feng’s personality had also changed drastically since then.

So much so that when Zhang Ji met Zhou Feng again at Science and Technology High School, he could not even connect this cold young man to the previous child.

When Zhou Feng caused a lot of trouble and barged into Zhang Ji’s office, the first thing he said was, “Mr. Zhang, please fire me immediately!”

The way he addressed Zhang Ji had already changed from Uncle to Mr. Zhang. The relationship between the two of them had also changed from being uncle and nephew to ordinary teacher and student.

Zhang Ji was very curious about what had happened to Zhou Feng, but the coldness in the young man’s eyes made him know that he couldn’t get any answers. However, out of concern for Zhou Feng, he still asked, “Why?”

Zhou Feng was emotionless. “No reason. I just don’t want to stay in school.”

Zhang Ji even hoped to use the emotional card to make Zhou Feng tell the truth. “Kid, I’ve heard about your mother. If it’s because of this that you’re unwilling to stay in school, I hope you can let down your guard and have a chat with me.”

Zhou Feng was completely xenophobic. “I have nothing to talk about. Either you fire me or cut the crap.”

Zhang Ji gave up on the idea of communicating with Zhou Feng and told him sternly, “Let me tell you, the school won’t expel a student for no reason. Don’t try your best to cause trouble anymore. All the trouble you caused is useless to me!”

After that, Zhou Feng left, but he still kept causing trouble.

Until Sunday, when Miao Dong said that he wanted to drop out of school, Zhou Feng suddenly thought it through.

He couldn’t leave the school not only because the school would not easily expel a student, but more importantly, he was thrown into this school by his father. His father must have communicated with the principal. So how could they let him leave so easily?

However, how could Zhou Feng give up without putting up a fight? It was not like him to give up on fighting his father.

Hence, he went to Zhang Ji again. Although he still could not tell Zhang Ji the reason, the two of them seemed to have reached a tacit understanding: If you listen to me obediently, I will help you.

Zhou Feng told Zhang Ji, “I have to complete my studies and return home within a year. My mother left me some things that can only be given to me when I’m 18 years old. I can stay in school for a year until I’m 18 years old before leaving, but I hope that after a year, you can help me leave.”

This time, Zhang Ji didn’t ask for the reason or what his mother had left for him. Out of sympathy for the child, he agreed.

Zhang Ji checked the materials of the educational institution on the table and made a few calls. When the call ended, he said to the child in front of him, “In ten months, there will be a new provincial Mathematical Olympiad. If you can win first place in the Mathematical Olympiad, you will be guaranteed a spot in University A. Then you can leave the school in a reasonable manner.”

Zhang Ji looked at Zhou Feng’s results again. He had an extremely serious tendency to favor certain subjects over others, but fortunately, his mathematics results had always been outstanding. Zhang Ji pointed at Zhou Feng’s mathematics results and said, “I’ve found a Mathematical Olympiad training class for you, and I’ve also planned the class time for you. You can use the time when there are no classes in school to attend the class. From six to eight in the morning, from one to two-thirty in the afternoon, and from eight to nine-thirty in the evening. These three time slots are the class hours for the training class.”

Zhang Ji pointed at the field again. “Climb over the fence in the bamboo forest behind the playground and cross the road, and you’ll reach the training class. Can you study hard in the Math Olympiad and work hard to get first place?”

Zhou Feng’s gaze was firm and resolute. “I can do it!”

Zhang Ji added, “But the prerequisite for this is that you can’t cause trouble in school anymore and have to be obedient. I want you to be an invisible person in school!”

Zhou Feng clenched his fists and nodded. “I can do it!”