Chapter 13: Level 4 Tutoring Group

When Tang Yi-Bai smiled at the camera, Yun Duo's gaze would always shift a little to avoid looking at it straight on.

After taking a good shot, he returned the handphone to her. Yun Duo bowed her head and accepted it, saying, "That ... you still have classes, right? I'll be going then ..." and she moved to get up.

"Wait a moment, Yun Duo," Tang Yi-Bai gently pressed down on her arm. He did not put much force behind it, but Yun Duo could not get up. He pursed his lips briefly, then said, "I want to ask you a question."

"What?"

"How much did you score for your level 4 English exam?"

"652 marks."

Tang Yi-Bai's jaw dropped, as if stunned by this number. His pretty eyes sparkled with a special light. "You're amazing."

"Cough cough," Yun Duo was rather flustered being praised by Tang Yi-Bai, "What's with that? Each industry just has its own strengths. My swimming is definitely no match for yours." Even these words were giving herself too much credit给自己脸上贴金: Original phrase being 'putting gold onto one's own face'. Basically, glamourizing one's abilities/achievements too much. — the truth was that she did not know how to swim at all.

Tang Yi-Bai smiled and said, "Then, for someone with rather poor foundations in English who wants to pass level 4 English, what would you suggest?"

Yun Duo understood instantly. "Don't tell me you're the one who wants to pass level 4?"

He nodded candidly.

"Why do you want to take the level 4 exam? Whether you pass level 4 or not has no impact on your graduation." Yun Duo did not understand.

"It's not that I definitely must pass. I just wanted to try."

Yun Duo rested her chin on her hands, head tilted as she looked at him. "Tang Yi-Bai, I have always been curious — why are you willing to put so much effort into your studies? Don't most sports students usually just do the bare minimum to get a qualification?"

"I am also very curious why you would ask such a question." Tang Yi-Bai glanced at her curiously. "Since I can do well, then why shouldn't I try my best?"

Yun Duo's mouth opened and closed — this classic example of elite thinking left her feeling a little ashamed in comparison. After some thought, she asked, "Then do you feel like what you've learned is useful to you?"

"Yes," he nodded, "Studying can make people wise and calm, and broaden their horizons. Earning an academic qualification is a type of learning experience. No matter whether there is that proof in paper at the end, this experience will always be present in your life. Your entire being will definitely be changed from it."

"That ... has anyone ever said something like this to you: You study so much but it does not do anything for your professional career. Isn't it just kind of pointless?"

Tang Yi-Bai smiled. His smile was always so gentle and warm, like a balmy spring breeze. He said, "Of course, but I don't think it matters. I study to change myself, and I swim to challenge myself. These two things do not clash with one another, so there is no need for me to just choose one and abandon the other."

As a bystander, Yun Duo felt that Tang Yi-Bai was simply being too enlightened. This mentality, this poise, this settled and steady determination, this incomparable drive ... it was all truly unlike a 21 year old. She suddenly found that the most precious thing about him may not be his domineering explosive power in the pool, but these personality traits she was seeing right now.

She praised him from the bottom of her heart. "I think that no matter what you do, you'll surely achieve remarkable results."

"Thank you, but I haven't even passed level 4." Tang Yi-Bai seemed a little sad as he said this. He had always felt that it was a shame to not pass level 4 within his 4 years in university.

Alright, level 4 was really something most university students could pass anyway. Tang Yi-Bai was not being humble when he said his English foundations were poor. As a professional athlete, if he had managed to train his English up well too, now that would truly be shocking. Yun Duo obviously realised this as well, and she said, "Level 4 is actually really easy to pass. You just need to go through several question sets and grasp the general idea of how the questions are asked and it'll be fine. It's too late to memorise vocabulary now. There's only one month left till the exam. ... Wait, no, don't you still have to go for the winter championships? Won't this affect your training? Why don't you take the test next year?"

"It'll be fine. Some reading after training is kind of relaxing for me. Um, then," he looked at her somewhat uncertainly, "Solving some questions should also be relaxing?"

Yun Duo was amused. "You're asking me? I don't know, but in any case, solving questions are not relaxing for me. If you aren't tired, every day, after training, read an English text, and after you are done with the questions, check the answers for yourself. Then, also take some time to complete a set or two of past questions. It's too late now to practise listening. If you encounter something you don't know, then just choose whichever option seems easiest. You don't have to practise your translation either. During the test, just leave it for last. Let fate decide however many points you can get there. As for the essay part, just follow your gut. Pay a little attention to practising your English writing — it's fine as long as your paper is clean and neat."

She had rattled off such a long list; Tang Yi-Bai took a moment to digest her words, then replied, "So I basically only have to practise my reading comprehension?"

"Bingo! Your time is limited. It'll be fine to just practise this, young man," said Yun Duo solemnly, patting his shoulder, "It's okay even if you don't pass. Don't give yourself too much pressure. You should know that levels 4 to 6 are extremely mysterious exams ... anything is possible."

Tang Yi-Bai smiled, flashing brilliant white teeth. "Okay."

They stood up to leave. Struck by some random whimsy, Yun Duo skipped down the steps. In order to prove to herself that her legs weren't that short, she even hopped over two steps in one leap, but accidentally landed on the edge of the step and slipped.

Just as it looked like she was about to face-plant onto the ground, Tang Yi-Bai reacted swiftly, grabbing hold of her arm to pull her up.

And then her feet left the ground as she was lifted up into the air by him just like that ... just like that ...

In that moment, Yun Duo felt like a piece of cured meat fluttering in the wind.

Luckily he very quickly set her down again.

After that, Yun Duo accompanied Tang Yi-Bai to their campus bookstore to purchase a set of level 4 past year papers. And then, Tang Yi-Bai installed a translation software under Yun Duo's recommendation. Yun Duo agreed to help tutor Tang Yi-Bai. She would go through a reading comprehension text with him every day, and Tang Yi-Bai could come to her with any questions he might have.

This was quite a simple matter for Yun Duo.

In the afternoon, Tang Yi-Bai returned to the training base of the national swim team. When his coach Wu Yong saw him, he said, "The training camp for the winter championships are about to begin. The usual rules apply. Hand over your handphone half an hour before bedtime. Don't make me come find you. Oh, by the way, you like being interviewed, right? You'll also be joining the pre-competition press conference this time." Wu Yong smirked as he said this. On his criminal-looking face, the effect was rather frightening.

Tang Yi-Bai knew that Wu Yong was giving him flak for cooperating with Yun Duo and her article. He scratched his nose. "Isn't Ming Tian the one who likes being interviewed?"

"If Ming Tian goes, the press conference will never ended."

"Okay, I'll go." Tang Yi-Bai nodded and did not argue any further.

However, this raised Wu Yong's suspicions. This punk agreed so easily ... could there be some hidden conspiracy?

Sure enough, Tang Yi-Bai looked at him tentatively, and said, "But Coach Wu, about the handphone ..."

"Hehe," Wu Yong sneered, his expression blaring 'I knew it!'. "The matter of the handphone is not up for discussion. Don't take your blessings for granted. Just look at Ming Tian — no matter whether he has special training or not, he still has to hand over his handphone every day. Do you also want to pass your days like that?"

"No, Coach Wu, lately, I want to revise for the English level 4 exam, so I'll need to use the translation software on my handphone. Also, I may need my phone to contact my remote tutor."

"Tang Yi-Bai, that's enough! Battling with this old man every day for your phone ... and your reasons are getting more and more horrible! What the hell is that level 4 exam? What blasted bit of connection does it have with you? Godd*mnit. You're getting more and more dishonest. Extra training today for you!"

"It's the truth, Coach Wu. Look, I've even bought the sample questions," Tang Yi-Bai said as he showed the evidence to Wu Yong.

Wu Yong swept a glance over the cover of the question set, and then stared silently for a long moment at Tang Yi-Bai. "You're really working very hard for the sake of playing with your phone a little longer."

Tang Yi-Bai was rendered speechless. How can the trust between people be so fragile?!

It looks like he'll just have to settle for bullying Qi Rui-Feng for a while ...

That night, Yun Duo noticed three faint bruises on her arm while she was showering. That was where Tang Yi-Bai had grabbed onto her.

That guy was really strong!

After her shower, Yun Duo saw that there were some WeChat messages on her phone. Opening them, she was deeply shocked. The cold and aloof Qi Rui-Feng was actually initiating a conversation?

Qi Rui-Feng: Yun Duo.

Yun Duo: QQRecap from chapter 2: This is a nickname of Qi Rui-Feng's.? Wassup?

In one of the rooms at the dormitories of the national swimming team training base, someone roared angrily, "This woman! Tang Yi-Bai, call her Sister Egg, quickly!"

Tang Yi-Bai held onto the phone, and ignoring Qi Rui-Feng's request, he replied to Yun Duo: I'm Tang Yi-Bai.

Yun Duo: Liar. Tang Yi-Bai has his own phone. I saw it today.

Tang Yi-Bai: Not lying. My phone was taken by the coach.

Yun Duo: Ah? *pats your head* Don't cry, ok ~

Tang Yi-Bai did not know whether to laugh or cry, sending back a string of ellipsis in response.

Yun Duo: Tang Yi-Bai, you are so strong ... my arm is bruised! QAQ

Tang Yi-Bai: Then I'll be more gentle next time.

Yun Duo did not reply.

Tang Yi-Bai felt that something was weird but could not put a finger on it. He raised his head and met the dark gaze of Qi Rui-Feng, who looked like he had something to say.

"What is it?" asked Tang Yi-Bai.

When Qi Rui-Feng had seen Tang Yi-Bai working on past year English papers today, Qi Rui-Feng had almost been shocked silly. And so when Tang Yi-Bai asked to use his phone later, he had agreed meekly, with just one condition: he wanted to monitor Tang Yi-Bai.

Therefore, there was a third person observing as Tang Yi-Bai and Yun Duo chatted.

Qi Rui-Feng cast a meaningful look at Tang Yi-Bai. "You're so lewd," he said, pointing at Tang Yi-Bai's last message.

Then I'll be more gentle next time.

Tang Yi-Bai reread the sentence silently twice, and perhaps because he was mentally primed to look for it now, he too found that he had been lewd ...

And then, in an even more salacious tone, Qi Rui-Feng asked Tang Yi-Bai, "What did you do to Sister Egg? Even bruising her arm."

"I just tugged lightly on her arm."

Qi Rui-Feng's lips twisted in disdain. "A light tug and it's bruised? Are you PopeyePopeye the Sailorman reference! XD So old-school. This is a cartoon sailor known for his strength who gains a great power boost when he consumes spinach.?"

Tang Yi-Bai said somewhat helplessly, "She's as weak as a rabbit."

"I like rabbits."

Tang Yi-Bai had to admit that even though he had been friends for many years with this fellow, he still often could not keep up with Qi Rui-Feng's thought processes.

So he decided to let that go and focused on discussing the questions he had encountered in his studies with Yun Duo. Qi Rui-Feng watched how Tang Yi-Bai seamlessly transitioned from lewd indecency to serious propriety, and he could not help but lament — a beast would be a beast after all. After that, Qi Rui-Feng really had no interest in any topics related to English, and so he fell back onto his own bed to read comics.

After reading for a while, Qi Rui-Feng lifted his head to ask Tang Yi-Bai, "Hey, you beast, what do you think of Sister Egg?"

With the handphone in one hand, Tang Yi-Bai used his other hand to write and scribble on the test paper. At Qi Rui-Feng's question, he raised his head, and the corners of his lips lifted up slightly. "She's quite cute."

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