Chapter 16: The Homeroom Teacher Requests Your Attention

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Wang Qingtao watched everyone’s reactions with mixed feelings—joy intertwined with a growing sense of regret.
He admitted it.
At first, he too had believed that Xu Ming’s proof was flawed.
Only later did he realize that the boy had used the Taylor series, which naturally differed from conventional problem-solving methods.
The Taylor series stems from the Taylor theorem in calculus, a subject studied only at the university level. Using it to solve a high school problem was like using a cannon to swat a mosquito—a true dimensionality reduction strike.
However, the vast majority of middle schools do not teach this formula in advance. Given the limited resources in the county, unless students proactively seek it out, it is perfectly normal for them not to understand and to assume it’s incorrect.
Only students competing in math contests at key city high schools are exposed to such knowledge early.
Xu Ming had stumbled upon the Taylor series by chance, mastered it, and skillfully applied it to solve the problem—clear evidence of his mathematical talent.
If he were to enter a math competition, there was a real chance he could join the national team and earn a guaranteed spot at a prestigious university.
But now, no matter what was said, it was too late.
Thinking of Xu Ming’s grades in other subjects, getting into a top university through the national college entrance exam would not be easy.
With that thought lingering, Wang Qingtao composed himself and turned back to Xu Ming, speaking solemnly:
“In the future, it’s best not to use this method for solution problems, especially during the college entrance exam.”
“Remember that?”
He feared Xu Ming might become enamored with this kind of ‘cheating’ through clever tricks and abandon the proper methods taught in high school.
Hearing the homeroom teacher’s words, Xu Ming understood they were for his own good.
After all, the college entrance exam was not university; using university knowledge for major problems carried a high risk of losing points, which could affect the overall score and the submission of college preferences.
Of course, this mattered little to him.
If it weren’t for gaining experience in mathematics, using the high school method to derive the formula would only make him solve the problem faster.
“Understood, Teacher Wang.”
Humbly accepting the teacher’s advice, Xu Ming did not linger further and strode back to his seat.
The classmates in the room saluted him with their eyes, whispering among themselves.
“Xu Ming’s math skills are improving so fast, he even learned university knowledge.”
“He’s really amazing.”
“Can someone explain to me what the Taylor series is?”
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Compared to the lively reactions in the class, Li Wenhui was silently shaken to the core, his feelings a tangled mix.
“So Xu Ming’s math scores have already surpassed mine...”
In the last math practice exam, though he scored ten points lower than Xu Ming, he hadn’t truly accepted defeat.
Moreover, Xu Ming had taken the test after the papers were distributed.
But now, with the facts laid bare, no excuse could convince him otherwise.
He had spent nearly ten minutes pondering that problem without finding a solution, while Xu Ming could prove it using university-level knowledge and write the entire process on the board without hesitation.
Still, having served as class monitor for two years and ranking in the class’s top five, his mindset did not collapse.
He soon recalled his other subjects’ scores, and confidence returned to his eyes.
“The college entrance exam ultimately depends on the total score.”
Snapping back to reality, he raised his gaze to the podium and resumed listening attentively as Wang Qingtao continued explaining the remaining major problems.
Before Xu Ming reached his seat, Qian Hong stood up voluntarily to make room, his face full of admiration for his deskmate.
“Really strong.”
“I like to keep a low profile,” Xu Ming said, grabbing Qian Hong’s hand with a smile, stopping him from going on.
Because his method wasn’t applicable to others, Wang Qingtao would have to re-teach it.
He didn’t want to disrupt the class further.
Fortunately, Qian Hong cooperated, sitting down with a knowing look.
Xu Ming shook his head and returned his gaze to the chemistry book, continuing to review the material.
As the moments passed, the familiar bell signaling the end of class rang.
“This method is a decisive move in solving derivative problems—you all must learn it.”
“We’ll go over the remaining problems tonight. Class dismissed for now.”
Wang Qingtao dropped his chalk, folded the A4 sheet, and announced the end of class.
But from below came a chorus of complaints: “Please continue teaching, Teacher!”
“I’m not the type to let class drag on. Try these problems on your own after class,” Wang Qingtao said with a smile, shaking his head.
With that, he walked toward the door.
He was the most popular teacher in the school—not only because his classes were lively and never dull, but also because he never extended class time, even if the lesson was only half-finished.
Xu Ming was about to stand and stretch when the homeroom teacher’s voice stopped him.
“Xu Ming, come with me for a moment.”

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He quickly turned to see the homeroom teacher standing by the window, saying those words before turning away.
“Why is the homeroom teacher calling you now?” Qian Hong, having overheard, looked at Xu Ming with curiosity.
Everyone knew that when the homeroom teacher called a student, it was usually for a heart-to-heart talk or to urge better study habits—Qian Hong was well experienced with this.
But recently, Xu Ming’s study performance had been clearly visible, and just now he’d solved a problem using the Taylor series. It didn’t seem like the kind of thing that would warrant such a talk.
“I don’t know,” Xu Ming shook his head. “Maybe it’s about something else.”
With that, he wasted no time, stood up, and followed the homeroom teacher out of the classroom.
At that moment, Yang Huijuan passed by and asked, looking at Xu Ming’s back, “Where is Xu Ming going?”
“The homeroom teacher called him,” Qian Hong replied casually.
Hearing this, Yang Huijuan nodded with a hint of regret.
“I was hoping Xu Ming could explain that problem to Chen Lu and me. We’ll have to wait until evening self-study.”
...
The teachers’ offices were all located in the east wing of the comprehensive building, connected to the teaching building.
Xu Ming followed the homeroom teacher down the corridor until they arrived at the office.
Most teachers with upcoming classes had already left, so the office was sparsely occupied.
Wang Qingtao went to his desk, bent down to pull several textbooks from the cabinet, placed them on the table, then straightened and looked up at Xu Ming.
“At the hundred-day sprint rally, I saw you reading this ‘Five Years of College Entrance Exams, Three Years of Simulated Tests.’ The school purchased a batch for teachers as textbooks. Take these for your review.”
“The second mock exam is coming soon. Try to improve your other subjects so you’ll have more options when filling out your college preferences.”
Taking in the homeroom teacher’s words, Xu Ming felt deeply touched.
He had bought a physics textbook himself and knew well the price of the ‘Five Years of College Entrance Exams, Three Years of Simulated Tests.’ He hadn’t expected the homeroom teacher to hand him an entire set to help him study chemistry and biology.
As for the second mock exam the teacher mentioned, Xu Ming was even more familiar with it—it was a citywide unified college entrance exam simulation.
Based on previous years’ schedules, it would likely be held in late March, and the scores would closely reflect the actual college entrance exam results.
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