Zhu Yanyi looked at Teacher Sun with a mix of amusement and helplessness. Her eyes clearly asked, "What exactly do you want me to do?"
Teacher Sun raised an eyebrow slightly. Her expression said, "Primary school math is so easy for you. It’s only right that you help your classmates."
Zhu Yanyi sighed inwardly. She felt that being young meant having no say in matters. "Fine, I’ll do it. It’s not a big deal."
Actually, math at this time was incredibly simple. Unlike in later years, where first graders might cover basic concepts in one lesson and move on to advanced topics or Olympiad math, the current system was very gradual. Everyone knew that kindergartens were essentially nurseries, focused mainly on keeping children safe. Learning a few nursery rhymes or doing simple crafts was considered a bonus. Real learning only began in first grade. First-grade math was very basic: the first semester focused on numbers, and the second semester introduced simple addition. Subtraction wasn’t even taught until second grade. This showed how shallow the knowledge level was at the time.
The teachers in rural primary schools, even those in towns, were mostly high school graduates. In some places, they were only middle school graduates. Very few teachers had graduated from normal universities, and those who did were usually assigned to city schools. It was rare for them to come to the countryside.
"Zhu Yanyi, you’re so amazing! You can solve those problems," Kang Li said.
Kang Li hadn’t reported Zhu Yanyi out of jealousy. As the study commissary, it was her duty. This sense of responsibility was her strength. Zhu Yanyi didn’t mind being reported. Besides, Kang Li was looking at her with starry, admiring eyes. That admiration made Zhu Yanyi’s heart soften.
Zhu Yanyi smiled at Kang Li. "It’s okay. I learned a lot from my grandfather. If you want to learn, I can teach you."
Since she had agreed to be the math representative, she decided to help everyone properly. Zhu Yanyi wanted to be a top student, but not a cold, aloof one. She wanted to be a goddess-like scholar—someone people looked up to and wanted to be close to, yet felt was slightly out of reach. That was the highest level of being a top student, in her opinion.
So, she needed to unite her classmates. Teaching them some basics wouldn’t hurt. Being a little teacher felt nice.
"Really?" Kang Li’s eyes lit up.
Zhu Yanyi nodded. "You’re the study commissary. Talk to the class monitor. Find a time when everyone is free, and I’ll teach you all."
"Great!" Kang Li immediately went to find the class monitor. She was a pure-hearted girl, enthusiastic about everything. If she developed well, she would surely become a responsible leader when she grew up.
Zhu Yanyi shook her head with a smile and returned her attention to her book. Since she planned to teach others, she needed to squeeze time out of her limited schedule. However, this didn’t mean reducing her own study time. Whenever she had a moment, she had to concentrate fully on her studies.
At noon, Zhu Yanyi went to Class One, Grade Four, to find Zhu Yanli. The two sisters went to get their meals and ate together. As they ate, Zhu Yanli looked at Zhu Yanyi with concern. "Ani, did any classmates bully you?"
Don’t think Zhu Yanli had become a nanny. It was simply because her younger sister was the youngest in the entire first grade.