By all rights, when a professor called on a student to answer a question and the student failed to do so, the usual practice was for the professor to give them a stern reprimand. In serious cases, they would also have to write an extra essay of a specified length after class, or copy out the lecture notes several times.
But that was only how most students were handled.
For good students—especially those at the top of their exams and bearing the title of publicly funded student—professors had never been stingy with their favoritism. Even Professor Emma, known for her stern manner, was no exception.
For instance, Liu Feifei, crowned with the halo of a good student, had failed to answer the question, yet still avoided this moment in the spotlight. Professor Emma kindly told her to sit down first—perhaps in the old woman's eyes, standing red-faced and at a loss before everyone was already enough to make Student Liu deeply realize her mistake.
"This question may have been a little complicated. I'll explain it again. Everyone, pay attention and take notes..."
Zheng Qing gripped the quill pen in hand and could not help rolling his eyes. If Zhang Jixin or Nicholas had failed to answer such a question, the old woman at the podium would never patiently explain it all over again after merely making them copy the notes a few times.
Only star students like Liu Feifei, whose grades ranked among the very best, received this kind of special treatment.
This little roll-call incident was the only interruption in the entire class. After that, until the bell rang, nothing else disturbed the classroom. Professor Emma's homework was as plentiful as ever, and the students' groans were as heavy as usual.
Looking at the packed, bustling crowd in the