Chapter 43

On Tao Shushu’s desk were two sets of equipment. The first set included three resistors, several wires, and a small light bulb. The task was to design an experiment using the bridge principle and insufficient equipment to measure resistivity.
After thinking for a while, Tao Shushu decided to tackle the second problem first: measuring resistance, inductance, and capacitance, then calculating electromotive force.
Li Xin had assigned two experiments. The one measuring resistivity was a past competition question, focusing on testing analytical thinking.
The other, which listed 27 detailed measurements, was a problem Li Xin had created himself, accompanied by an extensive array of equipment. After studying it for a bit, Tao Shushu realized that while it looked difficult, it was actually just tedious, testing fundamental formulas and concepts.
Tao Shushu thought that by carefully planning between the voltammetry method, substitution method, induction method, oscilloscope method, and ohmmeter method, she could likely derive the results in one go.
After reviewing all the measurements to be taken, she started with the basic voltammetry method, measuring the resistance of each electrical component one by one.
Once she had the resistance values, she could use more complex circuits to measure additional parameters.
Without delay, she got to work.
After twenty minutes, Tao Shushu finally calculated all 27 sub-questions.
She silently admired Li Xin’s teaching skills, this single problem had covered every possible experiment in electrical physics.
Having just "reviewed" electrical experiments hands-on, when she returned to the first problem, the previously unclear thought process suddenly became clear.
She quickly began working on it.
Qin Rui passed by Tao Shushu’s desk several times, each time glancing over her setup.
Many other students had the same idea as Tao Shushu, opting to solve the second problem first.
After all, the second problem had numerous sub-questions, and each correct answer earned points, better than risking a complete failure on the first problem with one wrong step. In competitions, maximizing points was a valid strategy.
Soon, Li Xin clapped his hands to signal a stop.
"Qin Rui, point out the irregularities," he said.
Qin Rui stood by the podium. "Shi Lang, both internal and external connections of the ammeter introduce errors, and you didn’t apply corrections…"
"Yin Yue, you didn't account for overload power in the experimental design and nearly damaged the multimeter."
Qin Rui held a small notebook, pointing out each student's issues one by one.
The named student instinctively stood up, looking at Qin Rui with admiration in their eyes.
Qin Rui spoke for a long time before finally smiling and turning to Tao Shushu. "Tao Shushu, your experimental procedure was very standardized. Keep it up."
Li Xin nodded. "I don't want to see improper operations happening in Huiwen's competition team. Everyone should review the experimental questions carefully when you get back."
Li Xin then went through the experimental approach with everyone again.
Tao Shushu found it highly enlightening.
After class, while packing her things, Tao Shushu was still pondering Li Xin's methods.
The class representative excitedly ran over. "Shushu, I only made one mistake! Even though I only had time to complete half of the second experiment..."
Tao Shushu patted the class rep's shoulder. "See? I knew you were great."
Just as the class rep was about to say something, Qin Rui approached. "Shushu, I happen to be heading to the auditorium too. Shall we walk together?"
"Huh? I was thinking of finishing the experiment," the class rep instinctively said.
Qin Rui blinked his narrow phoenix eyes, his smile gentle but his tone carrying undeniable authority. "The lab closes after hours. I'll be here all day on Saturday, everyone can come do experiments as needed."
"But that would take up your after-school time..." The class rep felt too embarrassed to meet Qin Rui's gaze and lowered her head.
Qin Rui chuckled. "It's fine. I hope Huiwen can win a team gold medal too."
With Qin Rui making it clear he wanted to walk with Tao Shushu, the class rep blinked. "Shushu, I'll head off first. You should hurry to rehearsal."
Tao Shushu had no choice but to walk with Qin Rui.
Qin Rui explained, "Shushu, I don't mean anything by it. I found out about what the Arts Department did yesterday. Regardless, the Arts Department falls under the student council's jurisdiction, so I'm going to check on things today."
"Mm." Tao Shushu didn't say much.
When they reached the teaching building, Tao Shushu said, "Senior, I left something in the classroom. I'll go get it, you can go ahead."
It didn't take a genius to figure out that getting involved with a high-profile figure like Qin Rui would bring nothing but trouble.
Though she didn't know why Qin Rui had suddenly returned from abroad or why he kept appearing around her, Tao Shushu had no intention of disrupting her peaceful life.
She sent a message to Li Anyu, asking if she knew any gossip about Qin Rui.
Li Anyu hadn't replied yet, probably still washing up.
Tao Shushu didn't wait around and headed to the auditorium.
The head of the Arts Department was speaking with Qin Rui, their conversation polite and friendly, repeatedly seeking the opinion of Arts Committee member Fang Le.
Tao Shushu glanced a couple of times but joined the group arranging props instead of going over to participate.
Qin Rui was clearly backing Class One, but what exactly was his motive? Tao Shushu couldn’t figure it out, though she certainly didn’t think Qin Rui had a crush on her.
With no troublemakers around today, Class One quickly finished setting up the stage.
Even though there were uninvited guests like Qin Rui in the audience, along with several student council members watching, Tao Shushu still performed with ease and confidence.
As the lead actress, she had many long monologues in English, featuring complex sentence structures, inverted syntax, rhetorical questions, and several advanced vocabulary words of twenty letters or more.
It had taken her a full week just to recite the lines without stumbling.
But she had stubbornly memorized every single one.
Where to soften her voice, where to link words, where to emphasize, where to pause, Tao Shushu practiced reciting and memorizing over and over again.
And now, during the official stage rehearsal, she instinctively delivered her lines, every beat matching her intended rhythm.
Her melodious voice and flawless pronunciation combined perfectly, her impeccable dialogue spreading through the auditorium via the stage speakers.
The final scene of the play featured Tao Shushu’s five-minute monologue.
Only a single spotlight remained on stage.
Under the focused beam of light, Tao Shushu’s face looked unbelievably perfect.
She spoke with deep emotion.
In the audience, Fang Le’s eyes sparkled as she held up her phone, wishing she could swap it for a high-definition camera right then and there.
Though the students of Class One had heard the speech many times before, they were once again captivated by Tao Shushu’s powerfully moving monologue, as if listening to a beautiful poem.
The head of the Arts Department and the student council members listened intently. At that moment, the department head felt deeply that their department must prepare an outstanding program, or they would surely be overshadowed by Class One.
Qin Rui watched the stage with an amused expression, Tao Shushu was truly exceptional.
Five minutes later, Tao Shushu took her bow.
The audience was silent for a moment, still immersed in the feast for the eyes and ears, before erupting into enthusiastic applause and cheers.
“Shushu, you were amazing!” Fang Le shouted.
Tao Shushu smiled. “It was alright. I still feel like some of the intonation could be improved.”
“You’re way too modest, Shushu!”
The Class One students were ecstatic, slapping high-fives and celebrating wildly before crowding around to watch the recorded video.
None of them had ever imagined they could truly shine in the school festival performance, after all, Huiwen had so many students who were talented singers, dancers, and performers.
But after seeing the rehearsal, they realized their performance could actually stand out, especially with Tao Shushu adding so much to it.
Pleased with the night’s results, Fang Le announced with a wave of her hand, “No need to come rehearse on Saturday, take a break.”
The class cheered happily.
Tao Shushu smiled as she picked up some props, and Class One prepared to leave the auditorium.
Qin Rui, ever the helpful senior, helped carry some of the props and walked over to Tao Shushu. “Shushu, are you coming to do experiments tomorrow morning?”
Tao Shushu had already made plans with Nan Yuan to observe the Bloodsucking Grass on Saturday. “Senior, I won’t be coming tomorrow.”
Qin Rui frowned briefly. “Do you have extracurricular tutoring?”
“No, I have other things to do.” Tao Shushu shook her head.
Qin Rui smiled. “Teacher Li was right, you really are clever.”
“?” Tao Shushu looked puzzled.
"I heard the students at Yancheng No.1 Highschool practically want to live in their classrooms. Shushu, I'm looking forward to your victory news. Those obsessive competition students would grind their teeth in frustration if they knew you've only been involved in competitions for such a short time while studying so casually," Qin Rui said with a laugh.
"Now I suddenly feel immense pressure, senior. I should get going first." Tao Shushu instinctively felt Qin Rui's words were rather uncomfortable, so after putting away her props, she quickly made her escape.
Sitting in the car, Tao Shushu still felt something wasn't quite right. As someone who preferred taking it easy, she actually admired diligent people, it's just that she really couldn't bring herself to wake up early every day and study every single minute.
The period since meeting the cub had already been the most hardworking phase of her life. She basically spent all her after-school time doing practice problems, and after returning home, she would study late into the night.
What Qin Rui said made it sound like she hadn't been making any effort at all.
Tao Shushu shook her head and opened her game as usual.
Hearing Tao Shushu's voice, the cub's serious face immediately lit up with a smile.
Tao Shushu couldn't help but relax as well.
Talking with the elusive Qin Rui was too mentally draining.
The straightforward, adorable, and kind cub was much better.
Tao Shushu ruffled Nan Yuan's head, "Cub, why are you still at the base so late?"
Nan Yuan paused, "Shushu, is your throat uncomfortable?"
Tao Shushu took a sip of water, "I did too much... talking today."
Nan Yuan pressed his lips together, "Then talk less today. Let your throat rest, okay?"
Tao Shushu felt warmed by the cub's concern.
The cub wasn't an outgoing person. At the base, everyone felt grateful, awed, and obedient toward him, but no one dared get too close to him.
Even Cheng Feimao, the most outgoing and thick-skinned person who could buddy up with anyone, didn't dare have physical contact with Nan Yuan, only occasionally chatting with him briefly.
When going out to search for supplies, moving heavy objects around the base, or during meals, others would gather in small groups, while the cub always walked alone at the front.
No one would share their inner thoughts with him, nor did anyone ask if he had any worries.
That's why every time Tao Shushu appeared, his eyes would light up. No matter how busy he was, he would always find time to chat with her intermittently, like a cat constantly looking up at its owner.
It reminded Tao Shushu of herself when she first transmigrated to this world, always feeling like the apocalypse was coming again, needing constant reassurance to feel secure.
Yet this same cub who longed for companionship, upon hearing the slight hoarseness in her voice, immediately told her not to talk too much.
Tao Shushu poked him, "Cub, I'll always be by your side."
"Mm." Nan Yuan nodded, "I'm checking the things in the base to see if there's anything else we can still use."
Tao Shushu held her phone, occasionally poking the cub's hand or ruffling his hair as they walked.
Each time, the cub would let out a soft chuckle.
Once inside the room, Tao Shushu tapped to explore, and if she found any worthwhile resources to collect, she would tell the cub their location.
After searching several rooms, Nan Yuan stopped and said, "Shushu, I can handle the searching myself. Don’t overexert yourself."
"It’s fine, it doesn’t take much effort. I have a special method, so don’t worry, cub." Tao Shushu’s voice was no longer strained as she spoke softly.
Nan Yuan strode over to the spot where Shushu had made a commotion. He moved aside the boxes on top but didn’t find the familiar unfamiliar text markings at the location. He couldn’t tell whether Shushu had purchased an item.
Still, he needed to speed up his leveling progress, Nan Yuan thought to himself.


Author’s Note:
Nan Yuan had previously noticed that the clothes and items Shushu bought would have a line of special text markings.