Genius Senior Home: A Cradle of Talent

Shen Nian finally grasped what "genius" meant in the so-called "Genius Club."

Admittedly, this teacher was truly a genius. The kind of witty banter Shen Nian couldn’t conjure up no matter how hard he racked his brain, this genius teacher effortlessly tossed out without a second thought.

It just proved that hard work paled in comparison to raw talent.

Clearing his throat, Shen Nian shifted his attention to an older teacher from the history department.

Asking about college entrance exam scores seemed too dull—students should ask about academics, after all.

Though a science-track student, Shen Nian had always loved history.

"Teacher, can I ask you a history question?"

The history teacher immediately straightened up.

After years of science students flooding the office with questions, this was the first time in his eight-year teaching career that a student had approached him about an academic topic.

For subjects like math, physics, and chemistry, the key lay in problem-solving approaches. Even if answers were handed out on a silver platter, those who didn’t get it still wouldn’t.

Sometimes, even when teachers guided students step-by-step through solutions, they still couldn’t keep up.

History, on the other hand, made finding answers simple.

If you couldn’t flip through a textbook, you could always search online, right?

That’s why, every year when the college entrance exam results dropped, the trending topics were always about Chinese essays, advanced math problems, or physics conundrums.

Occasionally, even "Li Hua" (the perennial English composition protagonist) made the list, but history? Utterly neglected.

Physics could throw fifty speed bumps at you, but history couldn’t possibly toss out fifty versions of Qin Shi Huang, could it?

"Teacher?" Shen Nian was baffled—why was the teacher trembling? Had he stepped on a remote control?

"Go ahead," the history teacher suppressed his excitement.

See that? Even the history department gets students visiting the office now.

"Teacher, some say Han Xin had four benefactors. Do you know who they were?"

"Great question!"

While history exams wouldn’t test something like this, a student’s curiosity deserved to be nurtured. That’s what made a great teacher.

And so, the history teacher launched into an enthusiastic explanation.

"First, the washerwoman. In his early years, Han Xin was poor and often fished by the Huaiyin River. She shared her meals with him for dozens of days. Later, after Han Xin became the King of Chu, he repaid her with a thousand pieces of gold."

"Second, the chief of Nanchang Pavilion..."

"Third, Xiahou Ying..."

"Fourth, Xiao He. After Han Xin joined Liu Bang but wasn’t given any important role, he grew disillusioned and tried to leave. Xiao He chased him down under the moonlight and fiercely recommended him to Liu Bang—hence the saying ‘Xiao He made Han Xin.’ He was Han Xin’s mentor."

Seeing Shen Nian nod repeatedly, the history teacher swelled with pride.

Just because you study science doesn’t mean you can ignore history! Ignorance!

All young people should be like Shen Nian here—filled with curiosity about history!

At the very least, it’d keep you from sounding like a dullard when chatting with girls.

What? Girls might not talk about history?

Then find ones who do! Young people shouldn’t just fixate on schoolgirls or mature women.

Considering Shen Nian was only eighteen—a lively age when students’ minds were most open—dumping dry facts wouldn’t hold his attention. So, the teacher tossed in something more relatable.

"Actually, Han Xin had one more benefactor."

"Who?" Shen Nian rubbed his chin.

"Meng Lei."

"..."

Who asked you that? Who? Who?

Did the system just sneak in an ad? Was this whole ridiculous quest just a setup for product placement? Is this Tencent’s grand design?

If there’s sponsorship money, share it with the system!

"Thanks, teacher," Shen Nian forced a smile.

"Anytime. Come back often."

"?"

Another masterstroke?

Who in their right mind hangs out in the office for fun?

Shen Nian was sweating bullets. This "Genius Retirement Home" was truly a breeding ground for eccentrics, each more absurd than the last.

System, I shouldn’t have doubted you.

Wrapping up the conversation hastily, Shen Nian moved on to another teacher.

Terrified of another "Meng Lei" incident, he stuck to asking about college entrance exam scores this time.

With the quest progress at 4/5, only Su Kexi remained. Shen Nian hesitated.

Right now, Su Kexi hadn’t mentioned anything, which meant the twenty copies of "On the Faults of Qin" might as well not exist. But if he approached her and she remembered, he’d be doomed.

He hadn’t written a single word.

The system’s task required not only talking to five teachers but also spending an hour in the office. Shen Nian decided to leave Su Kexi for last and plopped down on a plastic chair next to Yan Yuzhu, grinning.

"Teacher, it’s hard to focus in class. Can I study in the office for a period?"

"Huh?" Yan Yuzhu was taken aback—this was the first time a student had voluntarily asked to study in the office.

But Shen Nian was a bit of an oddball, so for him, it somehow made sense.

She nodded. "Sure, sit here. Just keep quiet."

"Got it, Teacher Yan!"

"I’ll be watching you the whole time..."

"..." Shen Nian’s eye twitched.

Just what kind of impression had he left on these teachers during his first two years of high school?

So what if I did other subjects’ homework, slept, doodled, or read novels during English class? Does that mean I don’t love English?

I just made mistakes any student would make.

Teacher, people change. Take Chen Dong—in freshman year, he was into Yan Xi, by sophomore year he’d switched to Miyazawa, and now he’s even changed ethnic preferences. A new phase every year.

If someone can go from hating cilantro to loving it, why can’t I go from ignoring English to embracing it?

Admittedly, the office was an ideal study environment.

Quiet, air-conditioned, with teachers on hand for questions, and plenty of space—perfect for studying without a peep.

As Shen Nian buried himself in his books, Su Kexi sat at her desk, staring blankly at her computer while her thoughts fixated on him.

Of the five teachers in the office, two had been asked about exam scores, and two about academic questions.

Care to guess who got left out?

YOU!!!

That’s right—me!

As a teacher, I’ve been cold-shouldered by a student.

Why ask everyone but me? Is it because I made you copy "On the Faults of Qin" twenty times?

(Twisting) (Crawling in darkness) (Screaming) (Writhing) (Splitting apart) (Squirming malevolently) (Growling eerily) (Attacking indiscriminately)

So cruel. I only wanted Shen Nian to improve, and now I’m the one being bullied.

Though Su Kexi’s expression remained calm, deep inside, where no one could see—

Tears. Were. Shed.

Duty teachers had to patrol the classrooms. After half an hour of focused studying, four of the five teachers had left, leaving only Su Kexi behind.

A sudden chill ran down Shen Nian’s spine. Glancing up, he found Su Kexi staring straight at him. Panic set in.

Damn it. Was she about to bust him for not copying "On the Faults of Qin"?

"Shen Nian, come sit over here," Su Kexi beckoned.

"Okay." Shen Nian obediently moved, bracing for a scolding. "What is it, teacher?"

"Shen Nian... do you hate me?"

Yan Xi reminds you: Due to Tomato's daily requests exceeding 3 million+, causing excessive server pressure, we now recommend using sources from other big names.