The Case Triggered by a Self-Heating Hot Pot

At six in the morning, the classroom of Class 3, Year 1 at Ning City No. 1 High School was already lit.

The quiet of the morning study session was filled with the sound of turning pages and the rustling of pen tips on paper.

Most students were heads down, engaged in their final "struggle" with the homework left by the teacher after class yesterday.

Ling Yun walked into the classroom and sat down at his seat.

Looking at his classmates diligently writing around him, he remembered that he seemed to have forgotten to do yesterday's homework as well.

He calmly took out his workbooks for each subject and casually opened them.

For Ling Yun now, these problems were as simple as 1+1=2.

His gaze would merely sweep over the questions, and his brain, like the most precise computer, would instantly analyze the optimal solution and the standard answer.

His pen danced lightly across the paper, requiring almost no pause for thought.

In just ten minutes, all the homework for every subject was neatly completed, so fast that even a classmate frantically copying answers next to him might not have kept up.

"Hiss—Brother Yun!"

Zhou Da, sitting behind him, gasped and stared, dumbfounded, at Ling Yun's pen, which was spinning like it had an electric motor.

"You... what kind of high-tech trick are you pulling now? Telekinetic writing? Quantum speed writing?"

He truly couldn't comprehend this superhuman feat.

Ling Yun stopped writing and shot him an annoyed glance over his shoulder. "Doing homework! What other trick could I be pulling? Just catching up on yesterday's assignment."

"Catching up on homework?!"

Zhou Da's voice rose an octave as he pointed at Ling Yun's workbook, which had barely been turned.

"Big brother! The strokes of your pen are practically taking flight! You're smoother than someone copying homework! Are you sure you're not drawing talismans?"

His face clearly showed "I don't believe it."

Ling Yun, too lazy to argue, simply tossed a few of his freshly completed assignments backward, landing them precisely on Zhou Da's desk. "Here, check them. See if they're talismans."

Zhou Da's eyes lit up, his expression changing instantly. He chuckled and took the assignments. "Oh, Brother Yun, you know, between brothers, what's there to check? I was just kidding! With your ability, who needs to question it? Definitely a perfect score template!"

Ever since he'd decided Ling Yun had the "protagonist's halo," Zhou Da's trust in him had soared to the heavens.

"Since the homework 'accidentally' fell over here, I'll 'conveniently' take a peek. I'll return it after I'm done copying!" he said, nimbly pulling out his own blank workbook.

"Tch, it's a miracle you've survived this long with that scummy attitude of yours."

Ling Yun chuckled and cursed, but didn't stop him. Letting his brother copy some homework, what a trivial matter.

The bell for the end of morning study rang, and a torrent of students instantly flooded towards the cafeteria.

Ling Yun had already grabbed a Jianbing Guozi from a roadside stall this morning, so he was sitting comfortably.

"Huh? Da Zi, why aren't you rushing with the crowd to grab food today?"

Ling Yun looked at Zhou Da, who remained unmoving beside him, with some surprise.

This guy was usually the vanguard of the cafeteria rush.

Zhou Da glanced around mysteriously, confirming that most people had left, then lowered his voice, a hint of pride in his tone.

"Heh heh, Brother Yun, you wouldn't understand this. I came back to school fully prepared this time! Stocked up on 'strategic reserves'!"

As if performing magic, he pulled a brightly packaged self-heating hot pot from his bulging backpack. "Here, a new flavor! Haven't tried it yet, perfect for a meaty breakfast!"

"Then what are you waiting for? Heat it up now," Ling Yun said, confused.

"Heat it up now?" Zhou Da gave him a look that said, "You're still too young."

"If I heat it up now, by the time those hungry wolves, my roommates, come back after finishing their buns and steamed bread, they'll smell it. Will my precious have even a drop of soup left? One bite each, and it'll be gone in minutes!"

He'd been thinking. "I plan to heat it up later, during class. When the teacher turns to write on the blackboard, I'll sneak a bite, without anyone knowing! This is called tactical infiltration, they're in the light, we're in the dark!"

Ling Yun looked at his "clever me" expression and almost burst out laughing. "Tactical infiltration? Are you sure? The next class is Old Classmate Liu's physics lesson! You're going to play hot pot tactics right under his nose?"

"Don't worry, don't worry, Brother Yun, I've got it under control!" Zhou Da patted his chest, full of confidence. "Don't worry, when it's ready, I'll share half with you! We'll share the blessings!"

"Thanks, I already ate this morning. Enjoy it yourself, just don't mess up,"

Ling Yun reminded him again, feeling that this "tactic" had a rather high risk factor.

Soon, the students, full and satisfied, gradually returned to the classroom.

With the crisp sound of the school bell, the class advisor, Liu Shiguo, carrying his physics textbook and lesson plans, walked onto the podium with great spirit and began the day's lesson.

Just as Liu Shiguo turned around and passionately derived a mechanics formula on the blackboard, in the front row of the classroom, Zhou Da's "tactical infiltration" operation quietly commenced.

He quickly tore open the packaging, followed the instructions, carefully poured cold water into the heating pack layer, closed the lid, and then quickly tucked the scalding hot container deep into his desk drawer, leaving only a small gap for ventilation.

At first, it was just a faint "hissing" sound, like a snake's tongue flicking. Zhou Da secretly rejoiced, the tactic was successful!

However, the good times didn't last long. The "hissing" sound, as if alive, rapidly grew and escalated!

In just a few dozen seconds, it had turned into a low, continuous "whirring" roar!

The sound was exceptionally abrupt in the quiet classroom, like a steam locomotive speeding through Zhou Da's desk drawer!

Liu Shiguo, standing at the podium, was at a crucial point in his lecture when he was interrupted by a sudden noise.

He stopped chalking, frowned in confusion, and tilted his ear to listen, "Hmm? Classmates, did you hear a strange sound? Like... like something boiling water?"

"We heard it! Teacher!" The whole class spoke in unison, their gazes sweeping the room to find the source of the sound.

Many people's eyes had already focused on the front row, in Zhou Da's direction.

Zhou Da's heart leaped into his throat!

He never expected the "steampunk" sound effect of this self-heating hot pot to be so astonishing! He tried to block it with his body, but it was clearly futile.

Worse still! Wisps of white steam, carrying a rich scent of spicy beef tallow, stubbornly emerged from the gaps in Zhou Da's desk, rising gracefully and forming a small, suspicious cloud in the air!

"Zhou Da!"

Liu Shiguo, with sharp eyes, immediately locked onto his target, pointing at the continuously smoking desk compartment, both annoyed and amused.

"What are you up to again, you rascal? Why is your desk smoking? You didn't steal an alcohol lamp from the lab, did you?"

"Holy crap! Brother Yun! You didn't actually bring explosives to school, did you?"

The classmates next to him egged him on, seemingly enjoying the chaos, and the classroom was filled with suppressed laughter.

Seeing his "strategy" completely exposed, Zhou Da put on a mournful face. As if holding a hot potato, he slowly took the still "whistling" and steaming self-heating hot pot out from under his desk and placed it on the tabletop.

The rich, spicy aroma instantly filled the air.

"Teacher... I... I just didn't eat breakfast this morning, so I wanted to... heat up a self-heating hot pot..." Zhou Da's voice was as faint as a mosquito's hum, his head buried low.

Looking at Zhou Da's pitiful yet comical appearance, and then at the still "roaring" hot pot, Liu Shiguo's stern expression finally broke. His mouth twitched a few times as he suppressed a smile.

"Zhou Da, oh Zhou Da, you..." He shook his head helplessly. "Forget it, forget it! Considering it's your first offense and an 'accident' born out of 'hunger,' I won't punish you too harshly this time. Write a 2000-word profound self-criticism and give it to me tomorrow! As for this..."

He pointed at the still "working" hot pot. "Since it's already heated, don't waste food. Find a place away from everyone after class and eat it quickly! Don't smoke everyone out in the classroom!"

"Thank you, teacher! Thank you, teacher! You are truly the most understanding, considerate, and brilliant teacher I've ever met!"

Zhou Da felt as if he had been granted amnesty. He was overwhelmed with gratitude, showering Liu Shiguo with flattery. He truly hadn't expected the consequences to be so light! And he even got to keep his hot pot!

"Alright, alright, enough with the flattery! Hurry up and deal with this 'steam locomotive,' and be quiet! Let's continue the class!"

Liu Shiguo waved his hand, trying to maintain a stern face, but the smile in the corners of his eyes was undeniable.

A burst of lighthearted laughter filled the classroom.

Under this pleasant atmosphere, the class ended without anyone noticing.