Ji Ruochu considered herself as someone who could accept failure. She had experienced countless times of falling from great heights to the dust in her previous life in the entertainment industry.
Even if she had to change direction and taste that feeling again, she could accept it. But... what about the couple?
Would they once again become the laughingstock of others because of this?
When the time comes, how proud they were of themselves at the beginning, and how embarrassed they would be when she falls.
In that case... she would rather have been ordinary from the beginning, like an ordinary child.
To be an ordinary child, taking one step at a time, doing everything well within her capabilities.
Instead of relying on the path she had walked before, and coveting these glories that didn't belong to her.
"Ruo Ruo." Teacher Lin keenly sensed the unusual emotions of the little one, and asked softly,
"If you encounter any difficulties, you can tell the teacher. Let's find a solution together, alright?"
Finding a solution together?
Ji Ruochu slowly raised her head and looked at Teacher Lin's gentle gaze, somehow reminded of the director of the orphanage.
In those years, when she faced difficulties, the director also looked at her with such a gentle gaze.
She would say, Xiao Tanruo, have you encountered something troubling? Tell it to Mama Director?
She would say, Mama Director will find a solution with you, okay?
She knew that the person in front of her was not her Mama Director, but... looking at these gentle eyes, after a long silence, she still asked softly:
"Teacher, what should I do if I've learned everything I can learn?"
"What if everything you teach in the future is something I don't know?"
"What if I work hard to learn, but still can't understand?"
The little one asked three consecutive questions, not only surprising Teacher Lin but also astonishing all the teachers in the office.
They were amazed that this child could see so far, and shocked at her lack of confidence in herself.
Is this... the dilemma that a modest genius has to face?
This was the first doubt that appeared in Teacher Lin's mind.
But when she raised her eyes and saw the serious and worried expression on the little one's face, she immediately overturned it.
An incredible guess emerged in her mind.
"Ruo Ruo," the teacher hugged the little one with pity and asked gently,
"Are you worried that one day you will suddenly become unintelligent?"
It seems... that's another way to understand it.
Ji Ruochu nodded.
"But whether Ruo Ruo is intelligent or not, it doesn't affect your ability to continue learning.
Right now, you are learning at a speed several times faster than others. Let's consider it as leading the pack.
If the speed slows down in the future or if you get tired, we can slow down or even take a break, it's okay.
It's also okay if you don't run with the rest of the group. Everyone has their own strengths.
If you can't keep up with the majority, it may be because you haven't worked hard enough, or it may be that this direction is not suitable for you.
There's a phrase called "being true to oneself," which means having a clear conscience because you haven't done anything wrong.
"So the teacher believed that no matter when, as long as you try your best, there is nothing to be sad about."
These words were a bit beyond the comprehension of a five-year-old child, but for some reason, Teacher Lin felt that this child could understand.
Ji Ruochu, of course, understood, and the reason for her hesitation in the past few days was also related to this.
She didn't want to forcefully label herself as a prodigy, but since there was an opportunity to learn more, why should she give up?
She was very clear that no matter what the future holds, she will study hard and do her best in everything.
What she considered was that if she didn't carry the burden of being a genius and didn't give others high expectations, it wouldn't lead to a sense of disappointment when she was young.
After all, without hope, there is no disappointment, and she felt that it would actually be better for everyone that way.
"Or... is Ruo Ruo worried that your parents will be disappointed in you because of this?"
Seeing the little one not speaking, Teacher Lin asked again.
Years of teaching experience made her well aware that gifted children are often more sensitive.
Therefore, they are even more unable to bear the gaze of those around them after a failure.
Ji Ruochu nodded again, unable to help but think in her heart:
It's truly amazing. Even though their communication is not on the same wavelength, the questions they ultimately lead to are surprisingly consistent.
"Do you know that before the start of school, your parents refused to let you enter the Little Genius Class?"
Huh?
Ji Ruochu was stunned. She raised her face from Teacher Lin's embrace, and a hint of confusion flashed in her bright foxy eyes.
"It was half a year before you started school, at that time..."
"Teacher Lin, can we give up the opportunity to enter the Little Genius Class and go to another class instead?"
That day, the couple went to the school after sending their daughter back to the old house.
"Well... you can, of course." Teacher Lin at that time had a shocked expression on her face. "I'm just wondering if Mr. Ji and Mrs. Ji can inform us of the reason?"
To be honest, over the years, she had only seen parents striving to send their children to higher levels and had never encountered a situation where they wanted to downgrade.
"We feel that our child is too tired." Ji Mochen pinched his nose. "In addition to learning elementary school knowledge every day,
she also has to learn etiquette, basic social dance, vocal lessons, painting lessons... it's too much,
we only have one daughter and we don't want her to be like other children in the circle, living in endless studying every day.
We hope she can have a little more relaxation."
Those were the exact words from the couple at that time.
These words not only made Teacher Lin silent for a long time that day, but also left Ji Ruochu speechless at this moment.
At that moment, she couldn't explain the feeling in her heart. She just felt a sourness, wanted to cry, but couldn't help but smile.
"So why did your parents agree later?" Ji Ruochu realized that her voice was a bit hoarse. "What made them change their minds?"
"Because the teacher asked them what Ruo Ruo herself thought?" Teacher Lin paused and looked into the eyes of the little one,
"Serious learning and happiness have never been a mutually exclusive relationship,
so now, the teacher also wants to ask Ruo Ruo, what do you think?
In this day-to-day learning, have you ever felt disgusted or annoyed?"
Ji Ruochu shook her head. How could she feel disgusted with knowledge she had already learned?
Instead of feeling restless, she felt an unrealistic sense of superiority, as if she could effortlessly overshadow others.
"If you don't reject it, then just continue to study with all your might. When the day comes that you're tired and don't want to study anymore, we can decide then."
"You're still a child, no need to worry so much. Just like your parents and teachers, they all want you to be happy."
...
As Ji Ruochu left the teacher's office, all the worries on her face vanished, and any trace of confusion in her eyes had long disappeared.
Turns out, this is the warmth of a family.
Compared to the school principal who was both a mentor and a friend, Ji Ruochu's parents may not know how to guide her to make better choices.
But in their eyes, their child's feelings always come first.
Because they were afraid she would be mocked, they tried their best to have her transferred, thinking that her current class was for underachievers.
Because they were oppressed by piles of schoolwork during their own childhood, they wanted to create a relaxed environment for her when they saw her busy studying day after day.
But in the end, they gave up on interfering with her because they saw the joy she found in learning.
Upon reflection, whether it was the entrance test in kindergarten, the countless nights her parents stayed up late studying with her, or the sobbing tears when school started because they were afraid she would be bullied.
All of these actions from her parents were their clumsy yet pure expressions of love.
Given this, what does she have to worry about?
Instead of worrying that one day she would lose the false title of a prodigy and make them unable to hold their heads up high, she should worry about whether she can face the possibility of failure after giving it her all.
The answer is, of course she can.
After all, in this lifetime, she has her family's support, the love of her teachers and mentors, and the care of her classmates... well, envy is also a form of concern.
In any case, from this moment on, she fears nothing.
Success or failure, they are both part of her life.
No matter what the final outcome may be, she will face it, accept it, and ultimately—use them to become a better version of herself!
As Ji Ruochu returned to her seat and listened to the class, her bright eyes were filled with seriousness and determination.
Is the gifted class really that formidable?
Bring it on!
