CHAPTER 289: CHAPTER 289: GRUMPY OLD MAN

Ji You began to listen to the lecture, and as she did, she felt something odd about it. For instance, when Professor Ye Hong said this: "The discipline of Materials is foundational. It appears simple, but becoming an expert in this field requires more than just a casual effort. Some people in our department study Materials, then move on to study Mechanical Manufacturing and Mecha Battle... They want to grasp everything, learn everything, thinking they’re a jack-of-all-trades, but in reality, they’re nothing but mediocre—mediocre and foolishly unaware of it!"

"Our ancestors had a wise saying, ’Biting off more than one can chew,’ which perfectly describes such people! Therefore, I hope that whether you are present here or watching the downloaded videos on your screen, you all grasp this concept. Cut your losses in time, turning back is the way forward!"

Ji You: "..."

Although it felt strange, it definitely wasn’t about her.

So, she continued listening.

Then—

Professor Ye Hong glanced at the screen and suddenly added, "Here, let me clarify one thing, because some mediocre people think they are omnicompetent and aren’t attending the lecture in person, I can’t guarantee they will hear everything I say, listen attentively. But as a professor, whose role is to impart knowledge, resolve doubts, and guide, I still have to say: I review every assignment submitted by the students, I personally check them, and the feedback I give to each one is fair and just, without any hidden agendas! Therefore, I hope all my students listen carefully and complete their assignments with diligence—because—I do not wish to receive any more assignments that are devoid of any highlights and yet the author is self-congratulatory!"

"Let’s continue with the lecture."

Ji You: "..."

Ji You smacked her lips, convinced that she was overthinking it. The student that Professor Ye Hong was seriously criticizing couldn’t possibly be her.

Absolutely.

Definitely.

Certainly.

NOT!!!

Then, Ji You continued to focus on the lecture. This time, Professor Ye Hong’s teaching was devoid of any emotional outburst, meticulous and thorough, yet also simple and easy to understand...

After catching up on all the lessons, Ji You checked and found that she was missing some materials for her assignment, mainly because she spent the past few days off training, and several assignments required fresh materials, so Ji You hadn’t placed an order.

She placed a new complete order, shut down her Light Computer, and was about to take more study notes when she suddenly glanced at her inbox and saw an unread email lying there.

Eh?

When did this happen?

She hadn’t even noticed.

Then—

Ji You clicked to check and discovered it was an email from Professor Ye Hong. Thinking of this solemn, old-school professor made Ji You’s heart inexplicably skip a beat. She looked at the time the email was sent, just 4 days ago.

Initially, Ji You didn’t think much of it.

But then, as if possessed, she looked at the lecture that Professor Ye Hong had just given, calling some students ’mediocre.’ She found that it was also from 4 days ago, and coincidentally, the time Professor Ye Hong had sent the email was just less than 10 minutes after the lecture ended.

So—

Ji You shivered all over.

She was a little afraid to open and read it.

But still braving up, she clicked open, and after a single glance, Ji You felt her breath catch, nearly suffocating.

Professor Ye Hong: [Utterly lackluster, so conceited!]

Ji You: "!!!"

Ji You opened her mouth, feeling that she needed to cool off for a moment.

So, she walked around the dormitory once, then another time, before she slightly calmed down.

So—

Was it her that the old professor harshly criticized as a ’mediocre talent’ in front of all the students during class?

Ji You: "..."

Ji You’s mouth twitched, feeling somewhat wronged. Wasn’t it just that she bravely sent an email to Professor Ye Hong, asking where her assignment was flawed? But the old professor didn’t converse properly and instead just criticized and belittled her!

Sigh!

A bit sad.

But the sadness was only momentary; Ji You quickly recovered, clenched her fists tightly, and said with force: "Since you think I’m mediocre, I won’t act according to your wishes. Just you wait and see! I hope it won’t be too resounding when I prove you wrong!"

Hmph!

Ji You immediately contacted Xiao You within the Iron Plate, and said with force: "Xiao You, we mustn’t let others look down on us! Both of us need to work harder! We must show our true capabilities so that all those voices of doubt will be silenced."

Xiao You smiled sweetly, and said softly, "Mhm. Sister! Let’s work hard together!"

Ji You couldn’t help but say: "This old man, really, acting all high and noble in class, saying he has no bias. But look at how much he has! Talking about biting off more than one can chew, studying Mechanical Manufacturing, Mecha Battle, and even Material Department, he might as well directly point out that he’s talking about number 4444, Ji You! What’s more infuriating is, I reckon this old man suspects we don’t understand the hints, and sent us a message less than 10 minutes after class, blatantly criticizing our assignment as lackluster and conceited!"

"It’s so infuriating!"

"How can he be like this?"

"Ah! I can’t take it anymore, I want to give him a punch right now!"

Listening to her sister’s complaints, Xiao You couldn’t help but laugh out, although she should feel the same animosity. She quickly held back her laughter and said: "Sister... we can’t hit the teacher, if it’s discovered, at best we’ll get demerit points, at worst be expelled."

Ji You: "..."

Ji You stroked her chin, and said seriously: "What if I wear a sack over my head and beat him up sneakily, do you think that’s doable?"

Xiao You: "..."

Afraid that her sister was serious, Xiao You quickly and sweetly tried to persuade her: "Sister, that’s not good, let’s not do that. Regarding that poorly graded assignment, I’ve reconsidered it these past few days, and have a new plan. How about we try it again later?"

Ji You’s eyes lit up, and she praised with a smile: "Xiao You is truly deserving of being the future tycoon in the material field! So awesome, definitely extraordinary! For this assignment, I really couldn’t think of any other way to improve it. Once the materials are ready tomorrow, let’s give it a go."

Xiao You blushed slightly, and said in a low voice: "It’s... it’s not that amazing. I’ve been pondering over it for the past few days, constantly thinking about it, so I came up with some different methods, but I also can’t guarantee they will work." Locked in this confined space with nothing else to do, she could only turn over these thoughts in her mind, over and over... constantly focusing on one thing seriously, so that even a fool, given enough practice, could get the hang of it.

Xiao You is naturally shy and modest, but Ji You is different. Ji You is also modest, but she definitely lacks no self-esteem. She laughed heartily: "I believe in you! Xiao You! This time, we’re definitely going to produce an assignment that will surprise that grumpy old man!"

Ji You’s encouragement gave Xiao You confidence, her face flushed with a nod: "Mhm."