Chapter 10: Offending Tengu
Kong Xuan’s results can be said to be quite... outrageous.
Everyone wondered how he got into Nanchu No. 1 Middle School. After all, No. 1 Middle School is a key high school, and he didn't just give wrong answers.
During the second physics class, the teacher was also puzzled by the results and asked Kong Xuan to stand up and ask a question. He wanted to know what Kong Xuan's progress was in his original school. What kind of school had such a low teaching level?
The physics teacher was called Chu Weiping. He even changed the question humorously: "Suppose you had a fight with Lin Yang, a classmate sitting behind you, and you hit him with all your strength and he flew out, rolling away at a speed of 40m/s. How long would it take to stop at a distance of 500 meters? Here we assume that his acceleration is negative..." The teacher said while writing the data on the blackboard.
Lin Yang: “…” Damn, why is it him again?
The classmates all laughed. Lin Yang usually liked to joke around, so many teachers liked to make fun of him.
Kong Xuan glanced at Lin Yang, and before the teacher finished writing, he said without hesitation: "It is impossible to stop at 500 meters."
There was silence in the classroom for a second, and then a loud laugh broke out.
Lin Yang: "Ah?? How big a crime have I committed?"
"Okay, okay, Lin Yang can take it."
"What a grudge, hahahahaha!"
The jokes are lively, the problem solving is terrible.
Kong Xuan still showed an astonishing... unfamiliarity with knowledge, as if he had never been close to physics knowledge.
Chu Weiping said "Oh" twice in confusion, but seeing Kong Xuan's calm look, he didn't dare to scold him, so he could only say: "You just transferred here, so I won't say anything, but you have to work hard since you chose our course.
"Next, I will explain to you how to solve this problem. When Lin Yang was beaten and flew away..."
"Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!!" Yu Zhenzhen's voice was particularly loud among the laughter, almost making a crowing sound.
…
Half an hour before school was over, rainy Nanchu began to drizzle again. The fishy smell of mud floated in the air, making people restless.
As soon as Tan Xiao looked up, he could see Kong Xuan's tall back. He was looking at the world outside the window being washed by rain.
After the physics class today, Teacher Chu found Tan Xiao and said that Kong Xuan’s foundation was too weak, and that Tan Xiao, as the physics class representative, should actively help the new student.
Tan Xiao nodded at that time.
He found that Kong Xuan often looked out the window absentmindedly, and it seemed that this classmate was really not focused on his studies.
Moreover, Kong Xuan's temper was not very approachable, and he even targeted Tan Xiao. Tan Xiao thought, how can I help the new classmate?
The bell rang for the end of get out of class, and Tan Xiao, who was still staring at Kong Xuan's back in deep thought, noticed that Kong Xuan also turned around and looked at him.
He was stunned. Had he been staring for too long?
But Kong Xuan seemed to just look at him, then stood up, grabbed his schoolbag with one hand, and left neatly. He didn't even bring an umbrella, he just rushed out.
Tan Xiao was still reminiscing, why did Kong Xuan look at him with a somewhat melancholy look...
While packing her schoolbag, Yu Zhenzhen turned around and asked, "Hey, Tan Xiao, is your home on Huaxi Road?"
Tan Xiao nodded.
"Oh, I saw Kong Xuan's information when I went to help my teacher with work this afternoon." Yu Zhenzhen whispered, "His address is also on Huaxi Road, just like yours. Were you neighbors before? Were you childhood playmates? He recognized you, but you didn't recognize him?"
Tan Xiao really tried to recall it, but still couldn't recall any childhood playmate named Kong Xuan. Thinking of Kong Xuan's eyes, he shook his head and said, "I don't know, maybe."
Yu Zhenzhen watched him answer without any emotion and sighed in her heart. Look at his state of mind. No wonder he got good grades. He didn't even remember this kind of appearance, he only remembered the formula, right?
Tan Xiao went back with an umbrella, and he did not see anyone who looked like Kong Xuan on the road. Perhaps Kong Xuan's eyes had left a deep impression on him, and he was afraid that he might not remember it correctly, so he sent a text message to Tan Chunying, asking her if she remembered whether she knew a friend named Kong Xuan nearby when she was a child.
Tan Chunying replied quickly, "I don't remember their names. There are so many neighbors nearby, plus their relatives' children. You had so many playmates when you were a kid, and they all loved to play with you, but you don't remember any of them, hahaha."
“……” No way, Tan Xiao really couldn’t remember him. Could it be that he was really his childhood playmate?
After returning home, Tan Xiao washed up as usual and wiped all the masks hanging on the wall with wet tissues.
In Tan Xiao's house, there is a special wall with dozens of Nuo ritual masks hanging on it.
The attributes of the spiritual master are more of a "witch", and he has also absorbed and integrated some Nuo rituals. There are so many masks in Tan Xiao's house, but in fact not many of them are used. They are mainly for fun and tourists like them.
For spiritual masters, after the various masks they use in the rituals are made, they need to drip rooster comb blood on the masks. This ritual is called "pointing the generals", which is somewhat similar to "opening the eyes".
After the generals are appointed, the mask is equivalent to the will of God, which is equivalent to the statue in religion. It can be attached with the will of God. It cannot be placed randomly at ordinary times, and incense must be burned and worshiped regularly.
At Tan Xiao's, most of the masks are not decorated, so they are only cleaned and oiled regularly. The raw materials and handmade materials of the masks are very expensive, and they can't be seen with cracks and dirt during performances and when tourists visit.
As he was wiping, he finally found the peacock mask made of kraft paper.
It is not convenient to wipe it with a wet tissue, so Tan Xiao used a dry tissue. This was drawn by Tan Xiao himself, as his family had never made a peacock mask before.
After finishing the hygiene maintenance, Tan Xiao went to rest and turned off the lights.
The footsteps faded away, and in the darkness, only the colorful masks remained, silent.
…
the next day.
Tan Xiao ate beef noodles as usual before going to school.
Today, he came a little early. It was not yet time for morning self-study. Lin Yang was still lying on the table reading a novel, and he covered his mouth and laughed from time to time. But the dark circles under his eyes were much lighter. When he saw Tan Xiao coming, he shook something .
Tan Xiao took a look and asked: "Talisman?"
Lin Yang said proudly: "What, do you know him?" He not only showed it to Tan Xiao, but also walked around in a big circle to show it to the classmates around him. When he came in front of Kong Xuan, he paused obviously.
Kong Xuan looked at him expressionlessly.
Lin Yang felt cold and quickly passed by, "Hey, do you know what this is?"
The talisman contained a string of crooked handwriting, like a snake crawling, and it looked like seal script. Anyway, it was difficult to recognize the original meaning.
I don’t know if it was everyone’s illusion, but after Kong Xuan glanced at Fu, he seemed to sneer.
Tan Xiao took a look and read out: "Qilin is here?"
Lin Yang: "...I was just asking you casually, how come you really knew that?"
"This is using the snake-foot book." Tan Xiao said calmly, this is basic operation.
Snake-foot script is an ancient form of writing in the Chu area, and this font can even be found on some unearthed cultural relics in the Chu area.
However, thousands of years later, only a few characters of this writing form are still circulated among the people. For example, characters of Snake-Foot Script can be seen on the tools of carpenters, midwives, spiritualists and other professions in Chu.
As for writing "Qilin is here", it is meant to ward off evil spirits, and there are also many people who write "Phoenix is here".
"Well, isn't it true that we all have collective dreams? When I went home last night, my mom told me that she went to the fairy lady to get a talisman for me." Lin Yang put the talisman back into a brocade bag after displaying it. It might be for psychological comfort. Anyway, he didn't have many dreams after having this. "She only got it for me. It said that I will be in trouble this year, which is more dangerous than them."
This immediately aroused everyone's curiosity. Nowadays, young people are more interested in metaphysics than in chicken soup.
“As the old saying goes, ‘If the Heavenly Dog comes to visit you, you will either be hurt or ruined.’ If you encounter the Heavenly Dog in your luck, there will be bloody disasters, and men will suffer from the fate of their wives, and women will suffer from the fate of their husbands.” After Tan Xiao finished speaking, everyone said “Oh” and looked at Lin Yang sympathetically.
Lin Yang was also shocked, "Brother Xiao! I haven't even had time to fall in love yet, and I'm already unlucky in marriage?"
Everyone laughed knowingly.
"Don't feel sorry for him, everyone has it." Tan Xiao said, "People who entered school in the same year are all about the same age. This is calculated based on the zodiac sign. At least two-thirds of our class are like Lin Yang, who is unlucky in marriage and unlucky in husband."
Everyone: “…”
This metaphysical topic suddenly became a little boring.
Lin Yang also quietly put away the lucky bag. It turned out to be a trick of casting a wide net. Everyone was in trouble this year.
Lin Yang is a student of the new era. He doesn't really believe in these things. He is about the same level as Yu Zhenzhen in playing Tarot. He may also forward some koi fish messages from time to time.
This time he was dreaming, and just when he was about to have that kind of energy, Tan Xiao messed it up twice, and the atmosphere was gone. But you have to say, he was comforted and not so scared anymore.
And it doesn't matter, just take this talisman as a good omen. Lin Yang put the talisman back into his pocket.
"bell--"
The class bell rang.
Today's morning self-study class was for physics. Chu Weiping came over and asked Tan Xiao to explain a few questions, and then whispered a few words to him.
Tan Xiao nodded, and after explaining a few key questions that Chu Weiping had instructed, he returned to his seat, poked Yu Zhenzhen, and whispered, "Class monitor, let me switch seats with you."
He pointed at the collection of titles and then at Kong Xuan.
Yu Zhenzhen understood that just now, Master Chu had asked Tan Xiao to explain the problem to Kong Xuan. Kong Xuan's physics was indeed a bit arbitrary, almost inversely proportional to his appearance. She picked up her book and stood up to go to the back.
Tan Xiao sat next to Kong Xuan, and when he glanced at him, he said, "Student Kong Xuan, do you know the best way to improve your physics grades?"
Kong Xuan smiled and said, "I know. Beat those who perform better than me to death."
Tan Xiao: "..."
"...You're quite humorous." Tan Xiao pushed the exercise book in front of Kong Xuan. There were a lot of his notes on it, with neat and beautiful handwriting. "Just do more exercises, and use the tactic of doing a lot of exercises. This question is similar to the one that Teacher Chu asked you yesterday. Look, what should you choose for this question?"
Kong Xuan didn't want to answer at first.
However, Tan Xiao went to such great lengths to move his seat next to him and explain the questions to him, obviously trying to please him.
He had never studied human subjects and was too lazy to put in the effort, but it was just a physics question, which had been explained yesterday, so how difficult could it be?
Kong Xuan said proudly: "B."
"...Wrong." Kong Xuan didn't know what he was saying proudly, but Tan Xiao still encouraged him. He held the pen in his fingers and unconsciously circled it twice before tapping on the question. "Then let me explain it to you?"
When Kong Xuan saw his movements, he remembered him clasping his hands together and making complicated hand gestures, which were vaguely visible behind the mist of cigarette smoke. Now it was clearer, even the flesh-pink color of his nails could be seen.
I hope you can correct your mistakes.
Kong Xuan nodded slowly: "Go ahead."
Tan Xiao taught a morning self-study class before returning to his seat. He felt that Kong Xuan's attitude had improved a lot. He thought that although he had a bad temper, he still knew how to be grateful.
It was almost time for the fourth class to end.
Kong Xuan even suddenly turned around and asked Tan Xiao: "Do you want to eat?"
Lin Yang looked over with his mouth open. What was going on? They became so friendly just over a topic. Handsome Kong Xuan was different from his appearance. He was actually easy to please.
He raised his hand and said, "Eat, let's go to the cafeteria together?"
Kong Xuan: “I didn’t tell you.”
Lin Yang: “…”
Leaning back, holding heart, hurt.
Tan Xiao was also stunned. After all, Kong Xuan was still angry yesterday, but he wanted to eat together today. He felt a little funny. Kong Xuan had a simple personality. Yesterday, Lin Yang invited Kong Xuan to the cafeteria, but Kong Xuan refused. It seemed that he didn't like cafeteria food. He hesitated and said, "Then you can eat takeout with me?"
Kong Xuan nodded.
"...Okay, wait for me. I have to hand in my homework later." As soon as the lunch break came, Tan Xiao went to the teacher's office with a large stack of homework.
The students who were going to eat had already gone out one after another. Lin Yang also ran out screaming like an gorilla, "hungry, hungry, hungry, hungry". The appetite of students of this age is unfathomable.
Kong Xuan stood up slowly and looked at Lin Yang's seat, which was next to Tan Xiao.
During morning self-study, Tan Xiao even switched seats with Yu Zhenzhen and moved next to him.
Kong Xuan thought about it and tried sitting in Lin Yang's seat for a while. The view was okay. He reached out again and took Tan Xiao's pen and turned it around.
When Tan Xiao came back after handing in his homework, there was no one sitting in Kong Xuan's seat.
Lin Yang, on the other hand, who had been shouting that he was starving since the fourth class, was now sitting in his seat, playing with his pen leisurely.
Tan Xiao stepped forward and patted him: "Where's Kong Xuan? Didn't I ask him to wait for me?"
Kong Xuan: “…”
He raised his head slowly and unhappily and looked at Tan Xiao, so that Tan Xiao could see clearly that he had recognized the wrong person.
Tan Xiao: “?”
Kong Xuan: “???”
Kong Xuan once again saw genuine confusion in Tan Xiao's eyes.
After a while, he came back to his senses, and almost dug out the only remaining possibility from the corner, and said in disbelief: "You...don't you know what Kong Xuan looks like?"
He didn't expect that Tan Xiao didn't recognize him, but since they had already met in the human world, how could this happen?
It's reasonable not to remember your deskmate, but it's unreasonable not to remember him!
Tan Xiao recalled the various groups of people who still come to visit Kong Xuan today.
He is face-blind but he is not incapable of analysis. Tan Xiao muttered, "You can't say that. I know he is quite good-looking."
Kong Xuan: “……………… ”
