Taking the Initiative

Chu Fei sat quietly in the corner, reading.

That's right, I did it on purpose. I turned in my exam early just so I could sit here and read today.

But with Li Honggang and Lu Hong staring at him like that, Chu Fei had no choice but to ask knowingly, "What is it?"

Li Honggang was stunned. What am I supposed to say?

Lu Hong was the one who spoke, though his tone had softened, carrying a faint hint of ingratiation. "Chu Fei, your results were still perfect this week, whether in academics or running.

But we've been struggling a little. We're starting to fall behind in class. How do you study?"

Chu Fei said calmly, "Study attentively. Don't overthink things."

Li Honggang and Lu Hong exchanged a glance, each seeing the complexity in the other's eyes.

Lu Hong spoke again. "Chu Fei, could you share your study methods with us?"

"Sure. How about tomorrow evening self-study?"

"What about now?" Lu Hong looked expectant. "Time waits for no one."

Chu Fei smiled. "All right, let's go."

With that, he stood and walked ahead.

Chu Fei couldn't be bothered to comment on the two men's little schemes.

After all, he had already firmly seized the initiative in this struggle.

Take this time, for example. Chu Fei did not need to say anything. Simply sitting here quietly and reading was pressure enough for both of them.

Still, the pressure only needed to be appropriate. Too much was as bad as too little.

A little pressure every day would add a little fun to an "boring" life of studying.

Not long after they returned to the classroom, Cao Liwen arrived.

The test papers were still divided into three stacks, laid horizontally in the middle.

But this time, only two papers sat on top.

Chu Fei and Zhang Xuan.

Chu Fei's paper had already been graded last night. There was nothing involving him today.

Zhang Xuan ranked second. Since she had improved greatly, Cao Liwen only said a few words and left it at that.

Then he looked at Li Honggang and Lu Hong, his gaze somewhat dangerous.

"They say the class monitor and vice class monitor should lead by example. Is this what you call setting an example?"

The two lowered their heads, lips pressed tightly together. Yet their slightly trembling bodies revealed their unease.

For ordinary minor mistakes, they would get their palms struck. But if they dropped in rank, they would be whipped!

Chu Fei watched silently. He took no pleasure in their misfortune, but he felt no sympathy either. There was only reflection, along with a faint heaviness.

Even though he was doing well in school now, he did not dare say he would never make a mistake.

That was life in the apocalypse.

Yet compared to the outside world, everyone here was already living quite well. At least they could eat their fill, and eat decently at that. They had books to read and hope of changing their fate.

"Not becoming an Awakened means even a whipping is mercy!

You get whipped because you still have value."

Chu Fei stopped paying attention to the roll call and picked up his book to read.

Every extra word he read added a little more knowledge.

Every second he cherished gave him a little more hope of breaking through.

After the whipping at the podium ended, the remaining five had to go outside to be whipped.

Yet during that time, Chu Fei had already immersed himself in studying.

Li Honggang's eyes flickered as he wanted to wake Chu Fei.

Smack! A piece of chalk struck Li Honggang on the head. A flash of disgust suddenly appeared in Cao Liwen's eyes.

Li Honggang shuddered in fright and quickly turned to head outside the classroom.

Once everyone had left the classroom, the corners of Chu Fei's lips curled up slightly. He knew everything happening around him perfectly well. He simply could not be bothered to look up.

A few minutes later, students gradually returned to the classroom.

Pushed forward by several classmates, Zhang Xuan came before Chu Fei and spoke softly. "Chu Fei... um, Li Honggang said you were planning to share some study tips?"

Chu Fei looked up, glanced around, and nodded slightly. "Is this everyone?"

"Wait." Someone hurried over.

Though they had been whipped, they were already used to it. They could endure it and get through it. Chu Fei's study experience was far more important.

Before long, everyone had arrived. Chu Fei checked the time, stepped onto the podium, and said loudly, "There are only a few minutes before dinner, so I'll keep this brief. I'll talk about more tomorrow during evening self-study.

An excellent study method must be simple and efficient. So, don't pursue those complicated study methods.

My study method is this:

First, preview before class. Follow the schedule and study the material once in advance, so you already have a basic understanding before the teacher explains it.

Second, listen carefully in class. This careful listening is built on the first point. While listening, your mind must stay active. When the teacher explains something once, you should think it through once in your head and repeat it once;

It may be difficult at first, but if you persist, you will gain something.

Third, review after class, especially the homework assigned by the teacher. This homework is generally connected to key material.

Fourth, review previous material. Connect all the knowledge points you have learned so far, understand them, and try to build a knowledge system.

Fifth, persevere. Be patient, and do not think it is tedious. If you start feeling annoyed, think about the Discipline Whip!

Sixth, digest and absorb it. Try to restate the knowledge points in your own thoughts and words until you fully understand them.

Seventh, hands-on ability. Connect theory with practice, and try using what you have learned to solve real problems.

If you can complete these seven steps, keeping up with the curriculum should not be a problem.

You can use this as a basis to create a study plan that suits yourselves."

Whispers filled the classroom. Then someone asked about a few details, and Chu Fei gave several examples.

Once everyone more or less understood, Chu Fei continued, "Finally, there is an eighth point.

We now know that the human body uses an octal system. Ordinary people do things in seven steps, while perfect people do them in eight.

The eighth step of learning is: Transcending Limits. Try using lower-level knowledge to solve higher-level problems.

Doing this is not easy, but if you can do it, the gains will be substantial.

However, I do not recommend trying it right away, because it will take up a great deal of energy and affect your normal studying and rest.

All right, that is about it. There are also things like adjusting your daily schedule and allocating your energy throughout the day reasonably. We'll discuss those tomorrow.

Also, tomorrow I plan to lead everyone in reviewing past knowledge points. If there is anything you do not understand, prepare your questions in advance.

Go eat."

After Chu Fei finished speaking, he left. Applause broke out in the classroom.

The corners of Chu Fei's lips curled up slightly.

The moment he stepped outside, he saw Cao Liwen, and Chu Fei froze for a moment.

Cao Liwen smiled. "Why did you suddenly become friendly with your classmates today?"

Chu Fei smiled. "Because I suddenly thought of a ninth study method: the fragrance lingers on the hand that gives a rose! By solving other people's problems, I can reflect on my own knowledge system."

Cao Liwen gave Chu Fei a long look, then nodded slightly.

Chu Fei headed toward the cafeteria. The students around him had become much warmer.

Chu Fei smiled and nodded.

In truth, there was one more thing Chu Fei had not said:

At first, Chu Fei really had not interacted much with his classmates. But recently, Li Honggang and Lu Hong had started becoming somewhat restless, faintly showing signs of trying to sow discord.

Although Chu Fei was not afraid of trouble, avoiding it was better if possible.

The initiative had to remain in his own hands as much as possible.

Also, Lu Hong's ingratiating, yielding tone earlier had made Chu Fei vaguely feel that something had changed.

Could Lu Hong have found something?

Why hadn't he told Li Honggang?