Chapter 38: Is This Really a Study Group?

Upon hearing Xu You's question, Hu Zheng finally snapped back to reality.

"Um... don't erase it yet, we'll continue writing in a bit."

Since Xu You had already written so much, Hu Zheng wanted to change the teaching method on the fly.

Why not let Xu You explain this problem instead?

"Everyone, stop writing and look up at the blackboard. Xu You, please explain your process to everyone."

Hu Zheng simply took Xu You's seat, giving the podium to Xu You.

It would be a win-win situation: it would give the student a chance to teach, and he could take a break.

The scene was unusual, and everyone looked up with smiles at Xu You.

After spending so much time with Xu You, they no longer saw him as just a competitor.

Facing someone far stronger than themselves, they could only look up and offer their respect.

However, Xu You had no experience teaching at the podium and had to start explaining despite feeling nervous.

"For the focal point P, the difference in distance between the fixed points PO and PM is half a wavelength. Let the distance from P to the center of the aperture be r0, according to the half-wave band theory..."

Xu You's explanation lacked the teaching skills of a professional teacher.

Not only did he fail to make eye contact with the students, but he also occasionally blocked the content on the blackboard while facing away from them.

But this did not prevent the students from understanding Xu You's thought process.

In such a high-level classroom, professional capability is far more important than teaching skills.

"It sounds like there are no issues; it must be the correct answer."

"These steps are indeed where I analyzed it wrong. The point P0' is actually not a point of cancellation but a point of reinforcement."

"Did Xu You solve this problem before? It was too smooth."

After finishing the initial part, Xu You finally could erase the earlier part and complete the final steps of the process.

After completing the problem, Xu You looked towards Hu Zheng at the podium.

"Xu You, well done, you could get full marks for this. But try to work through problems with pen and paper in the future. Even though you got it right this time, it might not always be clear at a glance next time."

Hu Zheng knew he had nothing to criticize about Xu You this time.

Just a few days ago, Hu Zheng had claimed none of them had the capability to enter the national team.

If possible, Hu Zheng really wanted to take back those words.

But in front of the students, Hu Zheng couldn't lose face and gave Xu You his advice in a teacher's tone.

"Understood, teacher," Xu You respectfully responded, giving Hu Zheng enough face without making him feel embarrassed.

The students saw everything but didn't say much.

However, they couldn't help but discuss it with their peers.

After class, seeing that Hu Zheng was still in the classroom, they didn't dare to speak loudly.

Instead, they took out their phones and started chatting in the "Ning Jiang Physics Competition Squad" group.

[Huang Qingzhong: Xu God is awesome! Even made Teacher Hu speechless. If this keeps up, Xu God might just take over Teacher Hu]

[Wei Lan: Who could have imagined, just a few days into training, and a team member starts teaching the coach. Do you think Teacher Hu could solve this problem without writing it down?]

[Dong Ming: Xu God, have you solved this problem before? Just say you have, it'll make us feel better]

[Hu Shucheng: I guarantee with my vast experience of solving problems, this is definitely a new problem. Ah, you really can't compare people]

[Qu Tianxu: What are you talking about? Xu You is a god, we're just mortals. How can mortals compare with a god?]

Xu You felt his phone vibrating non-stop and started checking the messages.

Finding them to be meaningless flattery, Xu You was somewhat disappointed.

He had hoped to learn something through this group.

But instead, it was filled with pointless praise.

Initially, the group did discuss studies.

But within a few days, the tone of the group had shifted.

It was supposed to be a study group, yet it discussed everything but study.

Disappointed, Xu You opened the group chat settings and clicked on "Mute Messages".

Immediately, his phone quieted down.

"Xu You, aren't you going to share your thoughts?" Hu Shucheng joked, seeing Xu You not participating.

"What's there to say? Discuss who has the highest level of 3-methylindole in their intestines?"

Hu Shucheng quickly waved his hands.

"No, no, let's focus on studying."

...

A few days later, the selection exam for the Ning Jiang province math competition team was about to begin.

Xu You applied for a half-day leave from Hu Zheng to take the

 exam.

Initially, Hu Zheng was somewhat reluctant.

After all, their focus should be on the physics competition at this time.

But after hearing Xu You also ranked eighth in the province for math competition, Hu Zheng had no grounds to refuse.

Hu Zheng knew that very few children have the ability to enter the national training teams for both physics and math competitions.

He couldn't deny a child such a valuable opportunity for his own benefit.

The math competition selection exam was held at Ning Jiang University's math department.

Ning Jiang University was not too far from Sheng City University, so Xu You took a taxi there early in the morning.

Xu You was fairly familiar with Ning Jiang University.

His father, Xu Zhou, worked there.

As a child, Xu You often visited Ning Jiang University or his father's lab.

"Math Department 403... found it."

Arriving at the classroom door, Xu You stated his purpose and showed his ID.

Amid surprised glances, Xu You found his seat and sat down.

Everyone was surprised by Xu You's sudden appearance, wondering how a student who hadn't attended the training camp was participating in the selection exam.

But at that moment, no one dared to ask such a question.

The teachers responsible for the math competition knew a bit about Xu You's situation.

"Is this the kid who ranked eighth in the province without attending the training camp?"

"Yes, that's him, Xu You. First in the province for physics competition, eighth for math. This kid is really something."

"I heard math is just his secondary subject, and he didn't really review for it, yet he ranked eighth in the province. If he focused on math, what then?"

"Getting into the provincial team shouldn't be too hard for him. Luckily, the national finals for math and physics competitions are scheduled at different times, so he can focus on the math competition after the physics national finals."

At 8 a.m., the selection exam officially began.

Like the physics competition, the Ning Jiang province math competition selection exam also adopted the national finals' standards and difficulty.

However, normally, the math national finals would be held over two days, covering Math 1 and Math 2.

To save time, this selection exam only covered Math 1, slightly lowering the difficulty.

Despite having 4 and a half hours to answer, there were only three problems in the entire test.

It was clear how difficult each problem would be.

"Good thing I crammed last night, or I might not have been able to solve a single problem."

After briefly reviewing the problems, Xu You felt a bit relieved.

(End of Chapter)