Chapter 2

When I stepped into the lecture hall again the next day, all of the students turned to glare at me—some in disgust, some in content, and some with suppressed anger.

There was a pop quiz this morning. I looked up and saw sunlight streaming in through the window. However, most of that sunlight was blocked by Ariel, who was sitting right by the window.

I picked up my water bottle, aimed it at the back of her chair, and threw it with all my might.

Ariel screamed in shock and turned around at once. "Shawn Larson! What do you think you're doing?"

I leaned back casually in my seat and crossed a leg over the other, pointing at the window.

"You're blocking my light. I can't take the quiz with your big head in the way. Scoot over to the left and get lost!"

A male classmate shot to his feet. "You're going too far, Shawn!"

I turned around to look at him. "And what does any of this have to do with you? What, is she your mom or something? Why are you so worked up about it?

"Or, are you mad because you like her? Well, go ahead and fuck her, then. I don't care."

The classmate's face turned as red as a tomato. He clenched his fists and started to rush at me.

I stood up at once and raised my arms in the air, yelling at Mr. Jefferson, "Hey, old man! Aren't you going to do something about him? He's gonna hit me. Get the dean to come here!"

Mr. Jefferson hadn't even said a word when the other students erupted in anger once again.

"Are you out of your mind, Shawn? Why are you getting Mr. Joe Jefferson involved in this? Don't you know that he is one of the founders of derivative theory in the country?

"Universities everywhere are begging him to be a guest lecturer there, but he always rejects them. We're only lucky enough to be attending his classes now because the university basically groveled at his feet!

"Mr. Jefferson is also in his 70s now. He's mentored several academicians. Don't you know any basic manners? Do you even know what respect is?"

I listened to their indignant yapping and casually picked at my ears.

"Why don't any of you believe me when I said you were all stupid? So what if he's a professor? You're just going to fall at his feet and worship him because of his job title?

"I could recite all his so-called lessons backward with my eyes closed. I'm already giving him credit by calling him an old man. If not, then let's just get straight to the test and see which one of us finishes it faster and more accurately!"

Just then, footsteps echoed in the corridor. Then, the lecturer in charge of overseeing the program, Mr. William Stein, walked in.

The male classmate from earlier immediately pointed his finger at me and tattled, "Mr. Stein! Shawn just openly insulted Mr. Jefferson and even threw his bottle at Ariel! People like him should be expelled!"

I laughed coldly at that.

"Why don't you ask Mr. Stein if he actually dares to expel me? Who do you think you're trying to intimidate? You might as well just call the police on me instead."

Everyone in the lecture hall turned their eyes to Mr. Stein, looking at him expectantly. However, he just glanced briefly at Ariel and said, "Ms. Potter, kindly shift over to the left. Don't get in Mr. Larson's way."

The students froze at once.

Ariel couldn't believe her ears. "But Mr. Stein! He just flung his bottle at me just now!"

Mr. Stein waved her off dismissively and impatiently, signaling for her to shut up. Then, he turned to address the class.

"Let me make this clear again for you, everyone. The existence of this dual-enrollment program for gifted students is necessary for the selection and cultivation of the future pillars of the nation, and Mr. Shawn Larson is the face of the university.

"Consider it an honor for you ordinary students to make some sacrifices and cooperate with his requests in the face of a genius like him.

"Anyone else who interrupts his quiz again because of such trivial matters will be punished next time!"

The whole class was stunned.

Ariel gritted her teeth and reluctantly moved away.

Meanwhile, Mom, who had been standing outside the lecture hall, smiled with satisfaction upon seeing Mr. Stein's decision to stand up for me.

I picked up my pen again and wrote down my name on the quiz paper.

Sunlight streamed in through the window onto my desk, bright and clear.

I paused and looked up at Mr. Jefferson, who remained silent.

He was watching me quietly.

I gritted my teeth and raised my hand once again.