Study Monster Cultivation System

Chapter 160 - 159 Li Yi’s Storytelling Session

Basketball court.

It was the usual six-person lineup, randomly divided into teams to compete.

But today’s competition was very solemn.

Not a single person spoke; they just played the game purely.

Although Li Zheng played smoothly, his mind was filled with questions.

What had happened during the week and a half I was away?

Did Liu Xin’s confession to Qiao Bixia fail?

During halftime, in order to find out why everyone was silent, Li Zheng observed the other five people.

First was Lin Yujing.

Hmm... She was fine, talking would have been the problem.

Next was Jiang Qinghua.

From the look of her eye bags, she probably didn’t have the energy to talk.

Then there was Liu Xin.

He kept glancing towards the school gate and the teaching building, probably because he was afraid of the parent-teacher meeting.

Qiao Bixia.

She spoke, but nobody paid attention to her. Knowing she was being dull, she stopped talking.

Last was Teacher Mengxi.

Li Zheng noticed that Teacher Mengxi focused only on the basketball throughout, moved very actively, and even tried several times to break through.

Unusual, very unusual.

Normally, Teacher Mengxi had no desire to win; playing basketball was just a social setting where she could incidentally get some exercise.

Like many girls who play games not to win but to change outfits and chat.

And today, this social player, Teacher Mengxi, had suddenly turned into a competitive player.

What exactly had happened?

As Li Zheng pondered deeply, a massive figure pressed up behind him.

"It’s been more than a day..." Qiao Bixia said in a deep voice, "It started last week."

"Something happened at home?" Li Zheng exclaimed.

"No," Qiao Bixia pursed her lips and shook her head, "Speaking to her feels normal, but as soon as you turn around, she becomes a madwoman. It’s the same during classes and even at lunchtime. I don’t know where she found these self-discipline training and efficient studying methods, she made a strict schedule for herself... She’s like an energized chicken now, basketball also fits into her daily 30-minute exercise schedule, she needs to reach a certain heart rate and sweat a certain amount to consider it adequate, even if you didn’t ask me to bring her, she would come on her own."

"It sounds..." Li Zheng mused, "not like a bad thing..."

"Haha." Qiao Bixia scoffed, "First, use chain learning methods to establish study strategies."

"What’s that?"

"Take notes in class, always use the Cornell Note Taking System."

"???"

"Then, according to the Ebbinghaus forgetting curve, arrange a review plan."

"Slow down a bit."

"After that, it’s about managing goals based on SMART Goal." Qiao Bixia stared blankly at Li Zheng, "I don’t explain because I also don’t know what these are, but Mengxi insists these things can help her improve."

Hearing those daunting terms, Li Zheng’s brow tightened further.

Studying indeed can benefit from some guiding methods.

But the key thing is still to find one’s own rhythm and methods.

Using those rigid, unknown methods forcefully is like someone who wants to get rich reading success books and then blindly copying Ma Yun’s behavior; it not only prevents one from becoming the next Ma Yun but also delays one’s progress.

Therefore, in promoting studying, Li Zheng always recommended textbooks and never promoted his own rigid studying style, since everyone’s time is limited.

Behind him, Qiao Bixia’s voice grew a bit heavier: "I can’t handle it, Jingjing won’t manage either, why don’t you try?"

"No choice, you all have too low emotional intelligence."

Li Zheng took a deep breath, thought of what to say, then picked up his water bottle, and sat beside Xu Mengxi.

Xu Mengxi still did not speak, nor even looked at Li Zheng.

Li Zheng had no choice but to strike up a stiff conversation, "Long time no see."

"Yeah, indeed." Xu Mengxi replied calmly.

"What have you been busy with lately?"

"Studying, obviously."

"..." Li Zheng scratched his head, feeling like his lines were being stolen, but he didn’t panic and continued, "How about those textbooks I gave you last time?"

"They’re pretty good." Xu Mengxi immediately stood up and started stretching on the spot.

At this point, Li Zheng was a bit overwhelmed.

Every question seemed to hit a dead end.

This can’t be a problem with my emotional intelligence, right?

Could it be...

Teacher Mengxi is starting to dislike me?

Concern leads to chaos.

Li Zheng was in disarray.

He also stood up hastily and said, "Teacher Mengxi, have I done something to upset you?"

"Not at all." Xu Mengxi looked straight ahead, "Everything is fine, I’m fine."

"But you’re not usually like this."

"I need to change too," Xu Mengxi said with a smile, "otherwise, will I always just be so-so?"

"But being so-so is good," Li Zheng exclaimed, "I’m also just so-so."

"Hmm... right..." Xu Mengxi merely pursed her lips and, avoiding further conversation, moved towards Qiao Bixia, "Let’s start the second half."

And just like that, Teacher Mengxi walked away.

Li Zheng was puzzled.

And he started to doubt his own emotional intelligence.

Is it me? I can’t understand Teacher Mengxi’s words, nor can I guess what I’m doing wrong.

At that moment, Lin Yujing, unusually, came over and whispered.

"Um..." Lin Yujing also furrowed her brows, "She’s like this with me too."

"Oh, then I’m relieved," Li Zheng breathed a sigh of relief.

"!" Lin Yujing stamped her foot, "Don’t be relieved, you have high emotional intelligence, you figure it out."

"High it is, but when girls really get stubborn... it’s not a matter of emotional intelligence anymore. It just takes ignoring them for a couple of days to return to normal."

"You..." Lin Yujing stepped back and covered her mouth, "How do you know so much?"

"Hmph." Li Zheng wiped his nose, "My dad, he’s a real master at this."

...

Classroom of Senior Year Group Four.

Master Li Yi was already seated.

With his hands supporting his chin, his gaze steady, he looked quite calculated.

By now many parents had arrived, some surrounding Tang Zhifei asking all sorts of questions, while more sat in their children’s spots, silently looking down at their phones.

As for the seat of the only in-law Li Yi cared about, it remained empty.

Could they really not be coming?

In his anxiety, a very naive voice came from the left.

"Oh, you’re Director Li, aren’t you?"

Li Yi looked in the direction of the voice.

It was a man in a yellow shirt and black trousers, likely a cab driver’s uniform, and he was carrying a large thermos, which made his occupation and identity quite clear.

However, he walked very stiffly and slowly, his legs spread wide, somewhat like a crab insisting on walking straight.

Li Yi’s eyes were incredibly sharp.

This most likely meant he had just had phimosis surgery.

However, someone of his age still undergoing such a surgery...this guy really has courage.

Although a lot of thoughts crossed his mind, Li Yi, upon hearing that voice, had already enthusiastically risen to greet him, "You must be Liu Xin’s father, right?"

"Yes, yes, yes, I’ve been troubling Li Zheng," Liu’s father said, advancing with slow, pained steps. "I always tell Liu Xin, only hang out with Li Zheng after your grades improve, otherwise other parents might not like it."

"Oh, what are you saying?" Li Yi said as he came forward to help Liu’s father, speaking as they walked, "I always tell Li Zheng that there’s only one principle in making friends, which is character. Grades are temporary; being a good person lasts a lifetime."

"No wonder, raising such a good child as Li Zheng," Liu’s father said with a chuckle, waving his hand to decline the support. "It’s alright, walking like this feels more comfortable."

Li Yi asked quietly, "Did you... just have that surgery?"

"Oh, don’t mention it, I had it a few months ago," Liu’s father said bitterly, raising his hand. "These past few days it’s flared up again, and it’s terribly painful."

Li Yi was completely dumbfounded.

This surgery... can it even recur?

But Li Yi, after all, was Li Yi, and he quickly thought of a possibility—

Scar tissue hyperplasia.

In short, it’s when that area keeps growing, getting thicker and more uncomfortable.

It’s generally due to improper care during or after the surgery, although a small part is due to congenital factors.

Seeing Liu’s father walking so laboriously…

It must have gotten quite severe.

Li Yi, deeply concerned, helped Liu’s father to take a seat, then settled back into Li Zheng’s seat at the desk, and asked, "Was the surgery done at a smaller local facility?"

"Yes... the wait at the big hospitals was too long..." Liu’s father exclaimed, "You really have sharp eyes..."

"Oh, such a crucial surgery should not be entrusted to smaller places, especially those advertised in small ads," Li Yi asked further, "After the surgery, did you quit smoking and drinking, and stop eating raw, cold, spicy, or oily food?"

"Ah… heh heh…" Liu’s father scratched his head, "I really didn’t manage to control that…"

Li Yi couldn’t help but purse his lips and shake his head, "See, everyone thinks the doctor’s advice is nonsense, but when this rare event actually happens, is it still possible to regret it?"

"Yes, you’re right, I’m planning to do it again," Liu’s father nodded repeatedly.

Li Yi, compassionate as a medic, immediately offered advice, "Given your current condition, I recommend visiting the urology or andrology department at Xiehe or Ji University Affiliated Hospital, they have more experience, a better grasp on treatment. If those are not available, consider other top-tier hospitals, and definitely avoid small clinics from now on."

"Alright... wait…" Liu’s father’s brow furrowed, sensing the situation was not straightforward, "Andrology? Are you sure... it’s andrology...?"

"For your specific condition, it’s better to consult a specialist in andrology," Li Yi affirmed.

Because Li Yi spoke so righteously and his appearance seemed so just and virtuous, Liu’s father couldn’t help but doubt himself.

Urology… Andrology… That did seem plausible.

Indeed, the vast majority of cases are men, and it seemed reasonable enough.

Seeing Liu’s father pensive, Li Yi thought he was just hesitant about the hassle of registration. He immediately offered, "If you really can’t get an appointment, I can help you with our hospital’s urology department. I’ll speak to the director there and ensure you’re well looked after."

Liu’s father hastily declined, "No, no, no, it’s just a minor issue, not worth it. I’ll try for andrology first; I can wait a few more days to get an appointment."

As they were talking, a tall, skinny middle-aged man took a seat at the table with Liu’s father.

This man was dressed in a formal suit, exuding a somewhat aloof, artistic demeanor. Even at his age, his looks were distinguished. He was definitely a handsome older man, but unfortunately bald, as if only the crown of his head still had hair.

Yet with these few sparse hairs, he still stubbornly styled them forward in loops, trying his best to cover the bare spot in front of the crown.

"Ah, you must be Qinghua’s father?" Liu’s father immediately asked.

"Yes," Jiang’s father smiled, unconsciously smoothing the few strands of hair on his forehead, "Thanks for everyone’s kindness."

"You look like…" Liu’s father sized him up, "an insurance salesman, right?"

Jiang’s father’s expression faltered slightly, "Sort of... I’m in financial services sales."

"So apart from insurance, you sell other things?"

"Well… about that… specifically, my team…"

Li Yi couldn’t bear to watch anymore and chuckled before interrupting, "Brother Jiang must be a sales director at some major company. Alright, let’s not talk about this, it’s a parent meeting after all, let’s talk about our kids."

"Yes, yes, yes," Liu’s father eagerly nodded, "I didn’t mean anything by it, I’m just a simple taxi driver, just making conversation, just talking nonsense."

Jiang’s father finally relaxed.

Actually.

All of Liu’s father’s guesses were right.

Jiang’s father was indeed selling insurance.

Although he held the title of sales director,

in fact, 2/3 of the people in the room were sales directors.

The rest were sales managers.

The three men were chatting when a sweet female voice suddenly interrupted.

"Is it popular for dads to attend parent-teacher meetings now?"

The three fathers turned their heads and saw a woman whose appearance did not fit the typical age of those attending a parent-teacher conference.

This lady looked in her early thirties, dressed in a dignified gray suit—she could only be described as a young mother.

For a moment, the three men didn’t know how to start a conversation.

"Oh, I am Xiaoke’s mother." Mother Ke took her seat and then turned to join the group chat, "Xiaoke has been in a great state since transferring schools, which shows what a good community this is. Thank you all for taking care of him."

"Of course... of course..." Liu’s father lowered his head.

"It’s what we should do..." Jiang’s father also seemed unable to look at her directly.

Only Li Yi remained composed, exclaiming, "Mother Ke, you really maintain yourself so well... I would believe you if you said you’re Xiaoke’s sister."

"Hehe~" Mother Ke covered her face and laughed, "Now that’s an exaggeration..."

"No, I still don’t believe it." Li Yi, imitating the manner of a student, raised his hand solemnly, "I have to report to Teacher Tang that Zhang Xiaoke had her sister attend the parent-teacher meeting for her."

"Li Zheng’s father, please stop joking," Mother Ke, already beaming with joy, laughed and playfully hit Li Yi on the shoulder, "I’m already 40, you’re making others laugh at me."

"Haha." Li Yi laughed and then dropped his hand, "Actually, Li Zheng rarely talks to me about school. Maybe you could tell me about it?"

"There’s a lot to tell." Liu’s father immediately perked up, "Li Zheng is good at basketball."

"Ah?"

Mother Ke laughed, "Li Zheng has even taken Xiaoke as his apprentice, supervising his studies daily. Didn’t you know?"

"Oh?"

Jiang’s father added, "He also helped Qinghua deal with some very tough issues. Even the bad kids don’t dare to mess with him, I really must thank you specially for that."

"What?"

The group chat then turned into a storytelling session.

Li Yi listened, his heart pounding with excitement.

Damn, isn’t this thrilling?

Is this school?

Is this studying?

Why didn’t I have such good times when I was in school?

It was only when the bell rang and Tang Zhifei coughed furiously as a reminder, that the four reluctantly quieted down.

Li Yi felt the conversation had been all too brief.

But as Tang Zhifei began speaking,

he immediately began to feel sleepy.

Thus, like the man who had sat here before him,

he looked towards that seat.

He saw a figure in a long coat with flowing hair, fast asleep.

Li Yi’s eyes widened.

The chat had been too enjoyable.

He hadn’t noticed.

When had she lain down without anyone noticing?

He couldn’t help but size up the figure.

Both the coat and the boots were of a very understated style.

The hair was just like that of Lin Yujing he had pictured in his mind.

Hey, hey, hey, don’t sleep, class is starting!