Gu Jianian had just turned seven when she transferred to Beilin, and her parents arranged for her to join the second grade.
She had been playing carefree in Yunmo for six or seven years. She had only learned simple arithmetic in kindergarten and spent most of her time playing games with her teacher.
However, the children of Beilin have gone through prenatal education, early childhood education, bilingual kindergartens and elite preschool classes.
They stood together with Gu Jianian, like a giant against a dwarf.
Naturally, Gu Jianian couldn't keep up at first.
Fortunately, the knowledge taught in elementary school was simple, and she was eager to please her parents and her new teacher, so she studied very hard.
I listen carefully in class and complete the homework assigned by the teacher meticulously when I get home.
In this way, Gu Jianian's grades got better and better, and when he was promoted from primary school to junior high school, he was admitted to Zhihua Junior High School, the best junior high school in Dongcheng District.
When the results came out, my parents couldn't wait to announce it to the world.
They took her to Pizza Hut and ordered a big pizza for her. She still remembers it today: it was black pepper beef flavored.
They also took her to the amusement park, and while riding the roller coaster, they excitedly praised her as a little genius.
Gu Jianian entered junior high school life in a euphoric atmosphere.
Zhihua Junior High School is the best junior high school in the area, and the teaching is difficult and the competition is also very intense.
From the first semester, Gu Jianian discovered that he lacked talent for mathematics and physics - learning was no longer like it was in elementary school, where hard work would pay off.
Most of the children who are able to be admitted to Zhihua School have a good foundation.
The teacher lectured very fast, and even though Gu Jianian listened attentively, took notes meticulously, and did exercises seriously after class, it was still difficult for him to keep up with the pace of the class.
She felt that her brain was like a sieve with large holes. All those formulas and numbers poured in and were sifted out without reservation.
It is human nature that teachers like students with strong comprehension abilities.
But obviously Gu Jianian is not in this category.
She still remembers the first and only time she took her exercise book and mustered up the courage to ask her math teacher.
After the math teacher explained the solution, she still found it difficult to understand after thinking about it.
When she asked the third time, the math teacher didn't say anything, but just frowned and looked up at her.
The look in her eyes was as if she were some alien creature.
"Use your brain and don't waste my time."
Gu Jianian's blood rushed to his face and he never dared to ask questions again.
Under such circumstances, the midterm exam rankings came out.
Her math and physics scores were at the bottom of the class, and her overall score was just in the lower half.
She was discouraged and sad. She returned home with her grades hoping to get comfort from her parents, but she saw even greater uneasiness, anxiety and anger on their faces than hers.
They kept holding her test papers and questioning her about the reason, saying that she would be doomed if she continued like this and would not be able to get into a good high school or a good university.
It was as if she had not failed the midterm exam, but had fallen into a dark, terrifying, bottomless cave.
After every subsequent exam.
Gu Jianian watched her parents come into the room again and again, arguing about her grades.
At first he would close the door, but later he was too lazy to even leave it ajar, as if he was deliberately making noise for her to hear.